Pagan Paths

Pagan Paths: A Guide to Wicca, Druidry, Asatru, Shamanism and Other Pagan Practices
Pete Jennings

“Paganism, which has its roots in the ancient nature religions, is one of the fastest growing movements in the West today. As such, it is a collection of “spiritual paths” that express their beliefs in subtly different ways, explored here in this illuminating guide. Discover the natural beliefs and practices of Wicca, Hedgewitch traditions, Druidry, Shamanism, Asatru, Mystery Groups, and Eclectic Paganism—as well as the Pagan approach to magic and the significance of sacred lives. Learn how to lead a Pagan lifestyle, and explore the growing role of Paganism in today’s world. Whether you’re setting out on a Pagan path for the first time, or have been committed to one for many years, this informative book will help you in expressing your own beliefs and understanding those of others.” (Amazon)

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I had not heard of Pete Jennings before picking up this book, but I learned he has a strong presence in the UK pagan community.  A High Gothi of his Odinshof group, as well as the retired President of the Pagan Federation, Jennings describes the various pagan paths in an interesting easy-to-read tone.

Chapters include: Festivals of Rites of Passage, Sacred Sites, Hereditary &Traditional Witchcraft, Gardnerian Witchcraft, Alexandrian Wicca, Seax & Progressive Witchcraft, Hedgewitch Traditions, Druidry, Asatru & Northern Tradition, Shamanism, Male & Female Mystery Groups, Electic Paganism & Foreign Traditions, Magical Theory & Ethics, Using Magic, Where Do We Go From Here, and the Future of Paganism. Each chapter ends with a ‘Things to Do’ section with ideas and thoughts.

I thought the chapter on magic was great, describing the types of magic like sympathetic, transference, intuitive, ceremonial, chaos magic, etc.  The chapter on ‘Where Do We Go From Here’ was also interesting, such as living the pagan life, coming out of the broom closet, and the future of paganism in a modern world.  I didn’t particularly like how he’s divided Wicca into different chapters, and I sometimes found the content to be a bit lacking in some chapters.  However I would say this was a worth-while read for a beginner or someone who would just like to learn more about pagan paths.

© A Year And A Day (2013)