The Essential Guide to Possession, Depossession, and Divine Relationships

by Diana L. Paxson

Bestselling author of several fantasy novels, including Marion Zimmer Bradley’s Ancestors of Avalon, Diana L. Paxson now turns her attention to Trance Possession. Specifically, how to safely and effectively enter and to exit possessory trance. In possessory trance, one voluntarily offers one’s body as a vehicle for spirit work. This differs from other forms of trance in that one’s “normal” personality is replaced by a personality that is identified by oneself and one’s community as a spirit or a god.
 
Here Paxson explores all aspects of trance possession, including:

how to prepare for possessory trance how to enter and exit trance possession safely—and what to do if things get too heavy connecting with Saints and Spirits, including those found in Afro-Diasporic religions

A practical book of particular interest to witches and pagans, each chapter includes two to five exercises that will assist you in your personal experiences with possession. 

Genres: Paganism

290 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2015

About the author

Diana L. Paxson (born 1943) is a novelist and author of nonfiction, primarily in the fields of Paganism and Heathenism. Her published works include fantasy and historical fiction novels, as well as numerous short stories. More recently she has also published nonfiction books about Pagan and Heathen religions and practices.

In addition to her multiple novels and collaborations, she has written over seventy short stories. Her best-known works are the Westria novels, and the later books in the Avalon series, which she first co-wrote with Marion Zimmer Bradley, then took over sole authorship of after Bradley's death.

Paxson was nominated for the Mythopoeic Fantasy Awards twice, in 1989 for the "White Raven" and in 1983 for "Lady of Light".

Paxson's non-fiction books include Taking Up the Runes, Essential Asatru, and Trance-Portation. She writes a regular column for the women's spirituality magazine, Sagewoman.

Paxson has been active in the leadership of a number of organizations. She hosted the first activities of the Society for Creative Anachronism, and was subsequently among that group's founding Directors and Corporate Officers when it incorporated[1]. She was the western regional director of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, and is a frequent panelist at science fiction conventions, especially Baycon, where she was the 2007 Fantasy Guest of Honor.

A leader in the Neopagan and Heathen revivals, Paxson is the founder of the The Fellowship of the Spiral Path and has served as First Officer of the Covenant of the Goddess. She has been Steerswoman of the Heathen group, The Troth, a member of its Board of Directors, and currently edits its journal, Idunna. She is a pioneer in the revival of Oracular Seidh, which she has taught and performed at many Neopagan and heathen festivals and retreats.

She composes and plays music for the harp. She currently lives at her home, Greyhaven, in Berkeley, California.

More can be found on her blog: http://dpaxson.livejournal.com

Reviews

[Min · Rating 4 out of 5]

A better title would be Preparation for Experiencing Possession/ Trance States. There is extremely little discussion about the feeling of being in, or taking out of a possession state. That said, this book expertly covers physical, emotional, and spiritual exercises for one to be better equipped to experience the Powers in such a direct way by making one ask deeper questions about personal motivation, physical health, and spiritual knowledge of the nature of the beings.

I would recommend this book for those seeking to understand the experience from several cultures, also. Her experience centers around ATRs, and Norse-oriented groups.