Round We Dance: Creating Meaning through Seasonal Rituals

by Mark A. Green, Arwen Gwyneth (Foreword)

Bring more joy and meaning to your life with nature-based rituals, ceremonies, and workings that are spiritually powerful but not religious. Rituals transform a moment that might otherwise seem ordinary into a special occasion. However, it can feel awkward to start these practices, particularly for atheists, agnostics, and others who are religiously unaffiliated. With this book, you can express your spirituality without needing to believe in anything science can't prove. With an emphasis on the cycles of nature instead of deity worship, Mark A. Green shows you how to celebrate the wheel of the year, rites of passage, and personal observances. He provides dozens of rituals, workings, crafts, and recipes that bring more happiness and connection to every occasion. Through Atheopagan principles and practices, you can spiritually honor the Earth, your community, and yourself.

Genres: Nonfiction, Spirituality, Paganism

256 pages, Paperback

Published April 8, 2024

Reviews

[Ditte · Rating 5 out of 5]

This will be one of the most important books in my spiritual book collection.
I really like that it's up to you to figure out (with help from the book) how to make and do rituals and ritualise your life.
After reading this book I've gained a better understanding of how to make rituals and what components are/can be important to get you into the right mindset. And it's made me realise that I've already ritualised some parts of my life and spirituality, which is nice to know now - it makes rituals seem more approachable and doable.
I really love how the author throughout the book continues to make the reader "the driver" of their spiritual practice. There are definitely suggestions, but it never comes across as "this is the best way to do it".
Love it.

[GollyRojer · Rating 5 out of 5]

About five months ago, I posted this on Facebook:

"I am agnostic, which basically means 'there is no way to know.' Despite this, I feel a strong pull toward ritual of some kind. I want ritual in my life. I cannot explain why, but the desire is there.
Do I make up my own rituals, or do I copy those of others who have recorded theirs?
My inclination is to make my own rituals. The problem is that I can't visualize a ritual that will fully satisfy me."

Recently I discovered atheopaganism.org, and there found the announcement of the publication of this book, Round We Dance: Creating Meaning Through Seasonal Rituals. Of course, I had to have it.

While the title makes it sound like the book is a collection of rituals, it is much more than that. Although many specific rituals are given as examples, the book's main thrust is creating your own. There is an examination of what rituals are and how they work, followed by ritual basics, which gives a format for structuring your ritual including Preparation, Arrival, Qualities, Declaration of Intention, Working, Gratitude, and Benediction. Private, personal rituals are addressed, and then group rituals. The chapter "Ritual Skills" deals in detail with public speaking and storytelling, singing, drumming and rhythm, and movement and dance. "Ritual Arts" discusses various kinds of rituals. tools, and behaviors.

Part 2, "Rituals in Practice," discusses occasions for rituals, including The Wheel of the Year (the eight pagan holidays), cycles of the moon, and miscellaneous holidays such as Talk Like a Pirate Day (September 19th). Chapter 8, "Rites of Passage," covers parenthood, becoming a teen, becoming an adult, marriage, divorce, and becoming an elder. There are chapters on death and dying, healing, and personal matters such as looking for a job. Finally, chapter 11 discusses group rituals: how to find people to share your rituals with you, including what qualities to look for, and cautions, including a warning to watch for cult behavior.

Chapter 12, "Beyond Rituals: Living the Spiritual Life," states, "But there is more to be had, if we choose it: as we grow, change, learn and age, we become wiser." It then discusses growing wiser, engaging with the Earth, and engaging with your town or society.

Part 3, "Resources," has instructions for several seasonal crafts such as making homemade incense, making a Maypole, and making a ritual mask. There are also several seasonal recipes such as mulled wine and rye bread. There is a section on guided meditations with five examples given; recommended ritual music; and a glossary of terms. Finally, there are several recommendations of books for further reading.

This book turned out to be so much more than I was expecting. It was enlightening, entertaining and wonderful. It's like it was written in answer to my Facebook post above.

[Sarah Lou · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 An excellent book if you are new to the topics of creating ritual and seasonal celebrations. If you're already doing it, you'll still find some ideas. I'm definitely going to try and write my own "rosary" (but there's a lot you can probably skip 😉)

[Angela · Rating 3 out of 5]

“Atheopaganism” as a way of celebrating the wonderful of the natural world and creating rituals in an atheist context. Breaks down steps for creating a ritual or guided meditation.

I’m definitely going to start a “phenology journal” to track the wheel of the year from my home.