Rating: 
Summary: Excellent Introductory Book
Review: A lot of the Idiot's Guides that I have read are really misnamed, because they contain a lot of valuable information about the subject and presented in terms that anyone can understand. I loved this book because it explains virtually every aspect of Paganism. The explanations and descriptions of various Pagan practices, ideals, Sabbats, rituals are kept brief as befits an introductory book. And yet, even after having a handful of other intoductory Pagan books, I found myself learning facts here that I hadn't known about before. The author sticks to the "Pagan philosophy" of "Harm no one" in describing Paganism.Among topics discussed? Besides the various Pagan Sabbats and pagan ideals, there are chapters devoted to Shamans, Druids, Wicca, the "Spirit World" and the Pagan elements of fire, air, water, and earth. There are four chapters that discuss Pagan rituals and I found the author's claim that we already do rituals in our lives (high school and college graduation, marriage and funerals, for example) very true. I never would have thought about that. There's also several chapters devoted to "Pagan magic," which help to demystify it. The book's last few chapters offer advice on "living the Pagan lifestyle," and there's an extensive list of recommended reading at the book's end. One could spend months reading through the list of books alone if one wanted to. The more I read about Paganism, the more I realize other religions over the centuries have liberally borrowed its customs and holidays. For anyone wishing to join this path or those already on it seeking to learn more, this book is a wonderful introduction.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Resource for Beginners!!!
Review: As a 10 year Pagan Veteran, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning or interested in Paganism. Carl does an excellent job is describing the different paths, practices and beliefs of Paganism. His writing style is easy to understand, plus he is extremely knowledgeable about the subject. I was so impressed with his work, that this book has been added to the recommended reading list for my beginning pagansim course. Excellent Job Carl!!!
Rating:
Summary: Excellent Resource for Beginners!!!
Review: As a 10 year Pagan Veteran, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning or interested in Paganism. Carl does an excellent job is describing the different paths, practices and beliefs of Paganism. His writing style is easy to understand, plus he is extremely knowledgeable about the subject. I was so impressed with his work, that this book has been added to the recommended reading list for my beginning pagansim course. Excellent Job Carl!!!
Rating:
Summary: Destined To Be A Classic Compendium
Review: Carl McColman is no stranger to the important work of deep spiritual inquiry, integration, and synthesis. However, in The Idiot's Guide to Paganism he truly blazes a new trail by making a much needed and substantial offering to the modern spiritual seeker who may find themselves moving through a domain that can often feel like a never-ending maze of switchbacks. This domain is none other than Paganism--a rich and varied "tradition of traditions" of which there are unending expressions. Given the astonishing amount of diversity, varied sources, occasional cross-over, and even contradictions found within various traditions of Paganism, Carl's artistry, precision, and mastery for articulation undoubtedly clear the way. His keen observation of the Pagan traditions, along with his own internal refinement as a spiritual practitioner and teacher himself, have sculpted a guide that will prove to be a friend for those seeking to make sense of the multi-layered weave of earth-based spiritual traditions.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: For anyone who is Pagan and wants people to learn more about their ways or beliefs, then this is the book to hand them to read. It will help get rid of any preconceived ideas of what this way of life is all about. A fountain of information that will dispel any of the stereotyping that has been created over years of prejudice and lack of education. I found it a very interesting, humourous, and informative. It is written in such a way that makes it easy to understand and gives an very open minded view of a lot of the Pagan religions. A good book for beginners or anyone wishing to learn more about Paganism.
Rating: 
Summary: Don't bother
Review: I bought this book knowing very little of Paganism. McColman did not give me a wonderful first impression of the religion. His book is comprised of what many Pagans would call "fluffy bunny" philosophy, as well as historical misinformation and the occasional bashing of monotheism as a way of making his own path look good. To anyone looking at this book to learn about the Pagan's spiritual path: avoid this one. It's oversimplified and has opinions and speculations presented as fact.
Rating:
Summary: A no-nonsense look at paganism
Review: I have really enjoyed this book. As a beginner it has given me a great introduction to Paganism in an easy-going and no-nonsense way. I'd highly recommend it for those interested in Paganism.
Rating:
Summary: For those who know, and those who don't... Paganism
Review: I purchased 2 of these books. One was for myself, and the other for my Dad. I had a heated conversation with him about Paganism... no dad, they don't worship the devil, yes, they believe in "god"... etc., etc. It was not a good conversation and I was frustrated over my lack of ability to fully explain paganism to him. He didn't want to listen to what I said. Sometime later, Carl came out with this book, and so, guess what dad got for father's day. I brought the books home and found the pages that included the core essence of paganism, flagged them for my father, and gave it to him for father's day. I think he needed an independant source. I'm not going to say that my dad now fully understands me, or Paganism (he hasn't read the whole book..... yet), but there has been a shift in him. He no longer challenges me on my spirituality and seems more at peace with my choices. Carl does have a new book... When someone you love is Wiccan... I have not read this and it may be more appropriate if you are wiccan, but I really consider myself pagan before wiccan. So, I can definitely recommend this book for the purposes of educating those who don't understand you if you are Pagan. Now, about the book I purchased for myself, I read most of a while back, but just recently pulled it back out to look something up. I started reading it again, and I realized just how comprehensive this book is, which prompted me to write this review. Carl's book is full of researched information and facts, as well as his own experiences. I've learned new things, as well as new ways of articulating things I already knew. I can't think of anything related to paganism as a spiritual path (not a religion) that isn't covered in this book. (And I've read quite a few.) You can buy other books to go more into detail on specific topics (magic, meditation, reincarnation, etc.) But, you can't beat this book for a comprehensive, overview on Paganism. Thanks Carl!!
Jen
Rating:
Summary: For those who know, and those who don't... Paganism
Review: I purchased 2 of these books. One was for myself, and the other for my Dad. I had a heated conversation with him about Paganism... no dad, they don't worship the devil, yes, they believe in "god"... etc., etc. It was not a good conversation and I was frustrated over my lack of ability to fully explain paganism to him. He didn't want to listen to what I said. Sometime later, Carl came out with this book, and so, guess what dad got for father's day. I brought the books home and found the pages that included the core essence of paganism, flagged them for my father, and gave it to him for father's day. I think he needed an independant source. I'm not going to say that my dad now fully understands me, or Paganism (he hasn't read the whole book..... yet), but there has been a shift in him. He no longer challenges me on my spirituality and seems more at peace with my choices. Carl does have a new book... When someone you love is Wiccan... I have not read this and it may be more appropriate if you are wiccan, but I really consider myself pagan before wiccan. So, I can definitely recommend this book for the purposes of educating those who don't understand you if you are Pagan. Now, about the book I purchased for myself, I read most of a while back, but just recently pulled it back out to look something up. I started reading it again, and I realized just how comprehensive this book is, which prompted me to write this review. Carl's book is full of researched information and facts, as well as his own experiences. I've learned new things, as well as new ways of articulating things I already knew. I can't think of anything related to paganism as a spiritual path (not a religion) that isn't covered in this book. (And I've read quite a few.) You can buy other books to go more into detail on specific topics (magic, meditation, reincarnation, etc.) But, you can't beat this book for a comprehensive, overview on Paganism. Thanks Carl!!
Jen
Rating:
Summary: A Highly recommended book for the beginner
Review: I wish I knew of this book sooner. I've studied wide angles of the occult such as wicca, celtic shamanism, crystal energies, astral projection, tarot, astrology, scrying, dowsing, basically manny diffrent subjects all within the occult. I used to consider myself a student of the occult sciences until after awhile I realized and even came to the conclusion that I am pagan.
This book has successfully brought a large number of my studies together and even some more in depth with info on relating to the divine among other things. I would highly suggest that anyone remotely interested in any earth based religion/group [i.e. wicca, shamanism, druids, etc.] should COMPELETLY read this book straight through without skipping anything as I did. This should really be a mandatory reading for anyone who is new to the occult sciences and paganism thinks about embarking on this wonderful path. Don't let the title [Complete Idiots Guide] get you down. From my perspective, 'most' of the idiots guides I've bought and have looked at, cover more than just your average book on a single subject. Just look at the table of contents, the short version and the long version that lasts for a number of pages. This book not only goes over what the author feels are the 3 main types of paganism , wicca, druidism, and shamanism, it also goes over the god and goddess, the other worlds, elemental spirits, and divination. This list is not all the the book covers. Read it through completely and you won't regret it.
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