Pagan Portals - A Guide to Pilgrimage

by Thea Prothero

Pilgrimage is one of the oldest forms of sacred journeying. But how does it fit into the 21st century and, more importantly, how is it relevant to our tech-heavy super-busy lives? This book is a blueprint for understanding how going on a pilgrimage will spiritually fulfill and, ultimately, transform you. Discover how this ancient practice can be traced through history and how it still plays a significant role in the many paths of faith today. Here, you'll find stories of modern pilgrimage, words of wisdom from literature, meditations, and tools to inspire you towards taking your first physical steps on your journey.

112 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 29, 2024

Reviews

[Barbara Godwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Guide to Pilgrimage
Thea Prothero

This fascinating study includes many interviews with people today who have undertaken pilgrimages, explaining what a modern pilgrimage means to them, and what they achieved.
The author provides a potted world history through the ages and raises comparisons with modern pilgrimage. Whilst the journeys in the past had a religious and spiritual motivation, often taking extended periods of time, and involving a substantial amount of walking, these days our demanding lives are filled with responsibilities and long stretches of time are not always available. However, now the busy modern pilgrim can utilize new forms of transport, and whilst some walking is to be recommended to make mindful contact with the earth, time and transport need not detract from the benefits of the pilgrimage.
Also today, religious motivation is not necessarily the compelling force. It can be a search for clarity of mind and inner peace, from which the person returns with renewed maturity and wisdom. The author emphasises she herself is not a Christian, so is able to attest to the experience that a pilgrimage can provide to the non-religious. People are often drawn to a special place which may be a remote destination or a site of antiquity, whether Christian or not. Examples range from Glastonbury to Tigh Nan Bodach, an ancient pagan shrine in Perthshire, to climbing Kilimanjaro, to Camino de Santiago in northern Spain, one of the most famous pilgrimage routes.
On reading her book, it was the author’s own pilgrimage to Iona, in the north of Scotland, that I found the most thought provoking. Having had a dream of a beautiful place surrounded by a sapphire sea when she was young, she believed this island to be a figment of imagination. How great was her astonishment when she later identified it from a television programme. Later, when she was about to have a lifesaving operation, she meticulously planned the journey by public transport from her home in the south of England and set off. The pilgrimage turned out to be both quiet and an utterly amazing experience which she details for the reader.
This book is both practical and inspirational and is highly recommended to anyone who has also felt the deep urge to pilgrimage to a destination.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favourite books of the year as its a topic I've begun to deeply explore. This introduction to going on a pilgrimage is wonderfully hybrid, it's a 'how to' guide mixed with travel memoir-esque personal stories with sprinklings of historical facts--- Such as the golden nugget about St Wite, her shrine and the little knowledge we do have of her. My eyes lit up upon learning about another lesser known lady saint in the UK.

This book is down to earth, engaging and informative. The reader also feels as though they are walking with Thea on her journeys. Thea also encourages the reader to meditate or consider what a pilgrimage is to you or is there a particular place calling to you? And it doesn't always have to be a religious site, that in fact walking along routes in nature to give offerings to a sacred place is a very pagan practice.

I also really enjoyed the interviews woven through out the book, that was a lovely touch adding other voices throughout the chapters alongside books and other resources she recommends to help you get started on your journey.
A brilliant read.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

I will be the first to admit, I've always thought of pilgrimage in relation to the practices of Abrahamic faiths, and I was curious to see how it could relate to me as a pagan, and in the modern world. I enjoyed the personal experiences that are shared, as it makes everything feel more present and relevant. The historical and modern pilgrimage chapters were informative, I learned some new things, and found some things to think about. The world religions chapter brings some new perspectives to the right of pilgrimage, and put it in a new light. The following chapters are filled with helpful information, exercises, and tips for readers interested in taking their own spiritual journey. At the end, there's a well curated bibliography if you'd like to do more research. Highly recommend if you'd like a new way to strengthen your faith.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pilgrimage has been existing since humanity discovered spirituality and it's something that exist in almost any type of spirituality
There maybe differences in XXI century even if Camino de Santiago is becoming more and more populare.
Informative and useful
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Brucejino✨ · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this !!! super informative and interesting, would recommend !! :))