The Paganism Reader

Paganism is not only a contemporary faith movement of increasing popularity, but also an area of considerable interest to scholars in a number of disciplines." The Paganism Reader" provides a definitive selection of primary sources in Paganism, ranging from its ancient beginnings to its 20th century reconstruction and revival. Chronologically organised sections, each with an editor's introduction, present extracts from Greek, Norse and Celtic literature and from writings on witchcraft, folk beliefs, shamanism and goddess worship. The recent influences of environmental and feminist movements and of Neopagan interpretations are also considered. Giving full coverage of Paganism's diverse forms and alerting readers to critical academic debates, this is an invaluable guide to Pagan origins and practices.

Paganism is one of the world's fastest-growing religions, practised in a huge variety of ways. The Paganism Reader provides a definitive collection of key sources in Paganism, ranging from its ancient origins to its twentieth-century reconstruction and revival. Chronologically organized sections include extracts from ancient Greek, Norse and Celtic literature, inspirational texts from the early twentieth-century, writings by leaders of the Pagan revival, and newer perspectives showing the diversity of Paganism today. Witchcraft, nature religion, shamanism and goddess worship are considered, as is the influence of environmental and feminist movements. Fully introduced, with editors' prefaces to all extracts and suggestions for further reading, this comprehensive book is an invaluable guide to Paganism and critical issues in its study.

Acknowledgements  General Introduction  Part 1: Classical Texts  1. Jeremiah, 'Cakes for the Queen of Heaven'  2. 'The Hymn to the Mother of the Gods' and 'The Hymn to the Moon' from The Homeric Hymns  3. Isis' Speech from Apuleius Golden Ass  4. Pliny the Elder, 'Mistletoe'  5. Julian the Hellene, 'Letter to a Pagan Priest'  6. 'The Thunder: Perfect Mind' from Nag Hammadi  7. Havamal. Stanzas 1-20 and 138-145  8. Eirík's Saga  9. 'Math Son of Mathonwy' from The Mabinogion  10. Marie Heaney, 'Over Nine Waves'  11. Geoffrey of Monmouth  Part 2: Proto-revival Texts  12. 'How Diana Gave Birth to Aradia (Herodias)'  13. Aleister Crowley, The Book of the Law  14. Rudyard Kipling, 'A Tree Song'  15. Kenneth Grahame, 'The Piper at the Gates of Dawn'  16. Margaret Murray, 'Witchcraft'  17. Col C.R.F. Seymour, 'The Old Gods'  18. Robert Graves, 'The Triple Muse'  Part 3: Revival and Diversification Texts  19. Gerald Gardner, 'Living Witchcraft'  20. Robert Heinlein, 'Thou art God'  21. Paul Huson, 'Preliminary Preparations'  22. Hans Holzer, 'Isus abd Ishtar: The Comeback of Ancient Cults'  23. Raymond Buckland, 'As It Was: As It Will Be'  24. Doreen Valiente, 'Working with Gerald' and 'Robert Cochrane, Magister'  25. Evan John Jones, 'The Nature of the Rites'  26. June Johns, 'A Magic Childhood'  27. Michael McNierney, 'The Stoic Way of Nature: A Pagan Spiritual Path'  28. Heather O'Dell, 'The Solo Witch'  29. Judy Harrow, 'Initiation by Ordeal: Military Service as a Passage into Adulthood'  30. Tony Kelly, 'Pagan Musings'  31. Asphodel Long, 'The Goddess Movement in Britain Today'  32. Marion Bradley, Initiations in The Mists of Avalon  33. Wren Sidhe, 'Drawing Down the Moon'  34. Chas S. Clifton, 'Nature Religion for Real'  35. Chas S. Clifton, 'What Happened to Western Shamanism'  36. Barry Peterson, Finding your way in the Woods  37. Gordon MacLellan, 'Entertaining Faeries'  Further study  Index