Rites of Worship: A Neopagan Approach

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Summary: The New Standard Text on Neopagan Ritual Design
Review:
Until this book was published the only previously published guide to designing neopagan rituals that I've been aware of was Blacksun's pamphlet, "The Elements of Beginning Ritual Construction." [Published by Circle Network News, 1988] Until now, Blacksun was "required" reading in several neopagan priesthoods. Bonewits greatly expands the material in print on this subject. He brings together his knowledge from many years of hands on ritual work and makes it accessible to neopagan clergy in a clear and understandable manner. Bonewits begins with a whole chapter of definitions of words used in neopagan religion but poorly understood by many. Even someone who's been teaching pagan rituals for decades can take time to ponder the definition of "worship," "rite," of "liturgy." Chapter 2 discusses the commonalties that neopagan rites have with those of other large and small religions. The elements that are needed to be effective in a religious ceremony in one religion are also needed to be effective in the next. And what is a religious ceremony anyway? For that matter what is a religion? There is a chapter on people factors, how do you prepare for and deal with a wide variety of different people who may show up at your rituals. You may get people who are loud or quiet, have physical or mental disabilities, etc. Other thins deal with preparations, briefings, rehearsals, manna, magic, and what to do when things go wrong. There are too many topics to list in a review.

Rites of Worship is not a cookbook for neopagan rituals, it is rather instructions on designing your own rituals, and essential knowledge that can be gained either from making all the mistakes yourself or learning from someone with decades of actual experience. I would recommend this book to everyone studying to be neopagan clergy.



Rating:
Summary: Give us a break........
Review: Mr. Bonewits lives up to his name. A yuppie environmentalist, who regurgatates text book dates and knows NOTHING about magick, druidism, wicca..etc...Go see this mans home page, where he`ll sell any celtic looking piece of crap to make a buck!..a real pagen eh?....or should I use the term Isaac spews forth every two seconds...NEO-pagen. A term he uses to cover his ass, because he knows nothing about real pagenism

Rating:
Summary: Things I wish I'd known before
Review: Before I started doing public rituals anyway. This is the first book to tell a priest or priestess of any Neopagan path what they need to know to make any public ceremony powerful and effective. The discussion of "what to do when things go wrong" alone is worth the price of the book. Anyone interested in the "polytheology" of worship or the dozens of factors that have to be considered when planning or performing a ritual will find this book full of useful information. If you're ready to go beyond "livingroom religion" you'll find this book a Goddess-send!

Rating:
Summary: An invaluable resource
Review: I was in the middle of writing a ritual when I bought this book, and I took notes furiously the whole time I was reading. (I finished it in an afternoon; I couldn't put it down.) Now I'm working on rewriting what I had before, and I'm confident that the result will be much more effective and compelling than it would have been if I hadn't had the opportunity to read Rites of Worship.

The chapter on definitions alone is worth the price of the book in eBook form, and it's just introductory material. This book is absolutely packed with good stuff, and it really makes you think. After reading it, I found myself reexamining everything from the last pagan ritual I attended to evangelical Christian praise and worship concerts in the light of Isaac Bonewits' theories. The really great thing about Rites of Worship is that it looks beyond the traditions of any particular group or religion to a basic structure that underlies all kinds of rituals.

In addition to all of this fascinating theory, the book goes over practical concerns quite thoroughly, even going into detail on how to ensure that the disabled are able to fully participate in ritual. For those who want to take the time to construct a ritual that is truly powerful, I couldn't recommend this book highly enough.

Rating:
Summary: An invaluable resource
Review: I was in the middle of writing a ritual when I bought this book, and I took notes furiously the whole time I was reading. (I finished it in an afternoon; I couldn't put it down.) Now I'm working on rewriting what I had before, and I'm confident that the result will be much more effective and compelling than it would have been if I hadn't had the opportunity to read Rites of Worship.

The chapter on definitions alone is worth the price of the book in eBook form, and it's just introductory material. This book is absolutely packed with good stuff, and it really makes you think. After reading it, I found myself reexamining everything from the last pagan ritual I attended to evangelical Christian praise and worship concerts in the light of Isaac Bonewits' theories. The really great thing about Rites of Worship is that it looks beyond the traditions of any particular group or religion to a basic structure that underlies all kinds of rituals.

In addition to all of this fascinating theory, the book goes over practical concerns quite thoroughly, even going into detail on how to ensure that the disabled are able to fully participate in ritual. For those who want to take the time to construct a ritual that is truly powerful, I couldn't recommend this book highly enough.

Rating:
Summary: Useful and unique
Review: Isaac Bonewits broad understanding of all the Pagan paths combined with his scholarship in the dynamics of worship makes this a unique treasure. It is a must-have for anyone leading,, planning or organizing ritual for groups. I have even recommended it to my friends who plan ceremonies i main-line religious traditions.

Rating:
Summary: Things I wish I'd known before
Review: This book is exactly what any group needs to make rituals more interesting. I know from personal experience how dissappointing a bad group ritual can be, particularly when coming from a solitary practice. Isaac gives concise answers to common problems, and brings up the reasons why certain aspects of ritual are needed, and why some things should always be left out. He is a brilliant writer... go buy all his books if you can!

Rating:
Summary: A Wonderful Resource!
Review: This book is exactly what any group needs to make rituals more interesting. I know from personal experience how dissappointing a bad group ritual can be, particularly when coming from a solitary practice. Isaac gives concise answers to common problems, and brings up the reasons why certain aspects of ritual are needed, and why some things should always be left out. He is a brilliant writer... go buy all his books if you can!

Rating:
Summary: A Unique Resource
Review: This book is fantastic! Bonewits tells the reader everything he (or she) needs to know about doing public rituals. This is a topic not covered in any other Pagan book that I know of. Also, a lot of this book is applicable to private and family rituals as well. The theology gets a little deep, but the practical advice on what to do or not do is priceless. He tells you how to plan a ritual, how to perform one, and what to do when things go wrong--all with a dry sense of humor and a voice of experience. Give this one to every HPS on your Yule shopping list!