Top 10 Pagan Books Of 2016

#9. Rachel Patterson, The Art of Ritual

(Moon Books)

Written by self-described “Kitchen Witch” and new Patheos blogger Rachel Patterson, The Art of Ritual is a simple handbook for the concept and practice of Pagan rites. It’s perhaps one of the most satisfying books I’ve read on ritual thus far in terms of how much is covered. Patterson has thought of everything: Typical altar tools, how to prepare for ritual, working with deities, spellwork, and of course a selection of ritual scripts for the reader themselves to use.

What I found particularly impressive about The Art of Ritual was the wide range of rituals and celebrations included. In addition to the usual Wheel of the Year celebrations and handfastings, there are other rituals covered that aren’t particularly common in Pagan ritual books, such as male/female coming-of-age ceremonies, croning/sagings, and, something I’d never heard of before, Hand Partings (the Pagan equivalent of an annulment). Unashamedly eclectic, Patterson goes into rituals for a variety of different Pagan paths, including Hellenic, Celtic and Asatru. I especially liked her “Faery Ritual” for midsummer, incorporating bubbles and a lovely guided meditation; I can imagine this creating a really magical atmosphere.

Patterson writes in a chatty, laid-back style, which is somehow fitting for a Kitchen Witch. More scholarly Pagans may find this not to their taste, but for the novice Pagan (which I feel is the intended audience) it’s friendly and welcoming. This down-to-earth approach, together with the breadth of practical information presented and the easy-to-understand explanations, makes The Art of Ritual a great choice for beginners getting into the basics of ritual, before progressing on to more formal works.