The Complete Idiot's Guide(R) to Paganism

Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: I've come across alot of books on Paganism that soley talks about wicca but this one also introduces druids and shamans to me. Showed me more than one aspect of Paganism. I got a lot of new information. I didn't go in reading this book with high hopes but it really showed me.

Rating:
Summary: Okay.
Review: I've read a lot about religion and find it one of the most fascinating subjects in the world. The pagan path is an honorable undertaking, just as all faiths are. I am no pagan, but I bought the book because it seemed like a good idea. This book contains nothing more than what you could find on a web site. It was, in truth, a waste of money. The book was fascinating, however. This book assumes that you would go into it with an open mind, but to a narrow-minded person the ideas in it may seem absurd. It didn't introduce the material in a believable way; the book was more like reading a fairy-tale than a serious religious book. You have to have a REALLY open mind to read it. If it was written better I'd give it a two stars more, but the author provided no background for why a modern person would practice paganism other than it seemed like a good idea (like buying this book in the first place) and that one would just follow this to attract attention to themselves. This book would get 5 stars with better writing, and better reasons for practice. The ideas in this book also seem absurd to a monotheistic person such as myself. If you don't find this review helpful,you are obviously of low intelligence. After reading that statement, you may want to say it was helpful to appear smarter than your peers.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent!
Review: I've struggle with spirituality in the past, but I've always felt connected with the Earth. I bought this book on an almost whim, but was so glad I did. Carl helps you out with explaining your faith to your friends and family. He goes through everything including altars, rituals, and even pagan music and movies. This book was very helpful to me. I highly recommend it.

Rating:
Summary: A reassuring intro
Review: If you think you may be a pagan at heart, and want to find out how you can decide for sure, seek no further: this book will provide you with a sound, comprehensive, yet undemanding introduction to the entire concept. McColman, a long-time practising pagan, clearly explains what pagans believe and why, how their beliefs carry over into their everyday lives, what kinds of rituals are typical of them, how to deal with the non-pagans in your life, and where you can find out more. Again and again he reiterates the basic tenet that paganism has no single dogma: you're free to practise it in whatever way feels right for you. Among the most useful of his recommendations: follow the tradition to which you feel most closely drawn. (In my case, probably Native American.) After reading this book, I feel more convinced than ever of my basic pagan-ness, and begin to have some idea of how to get my feet more solidly planted on pagan ground. It's true that McColman seems to concentrate most heavily on the Wiccan and Celtic traditions, but since they're apparently the most popular and visible segments of the pagan community, that's probably inevitable. Once again, it's important to remember that you don't have to join them, or any group at all. Paganism, McColman tells us, is for folks who like to think for themselves rather than blindly accepting what the established religions have to say. If you think of yourself in those terms, it's worth your time to look through this book; you may recognize yourself.

Rating:
Summary: Not Just for Beginners
Review: This book comes highly recommended for everyone--from beginners to those that have already found a particular path. Written with humor and style, the author shows that there are different types of Pagans, none of them right or wrong. Coverage includes Native American and other shamanistic systems, European pantheons, Wicca, and even Asian, East Indian, and Yoruba wisdom. You'll find yourself saying, "I never thought about it that way!" as the author expounds on why some Pagan groups believe the way they do, why some words are better descriptives than others for Pagan groups or ceremonial objects, and how Paganism compares/contrasts to the dominant monotheistic religions of the present. Holidays, symbols, the Wheel of the Year, simple rituals, and meditation techniques are some of the great reference material included in this book. What a wonderful read at a wonderful price!