Walking the Twilight Path: A Gothic Book of the Dead

by Michelle Belanger

Powerful and evocative, this postmodern Book of the Dead is for mystics, witches, goths, and anyone attracted to the beauty and mystery of death—a vital and transformational force that is integral to our daily lives. Become familiar with this intrinsic, yet denied, aspect of our lives as you contact your spirit companion, meditate on gravestone sculptures, create a necromantic medicine bag, and keep a personal book of the dead. Drawing on the wisdom of shamans, magicians, Tibetan Buddhists, and ancient Egyptians, Michelle Belanger illuminates death as a gateway to change and regeneration. On this life-affirming journey, you will visit the “Otherside,” reach out to spirits, and become a walker between worlds to experience healing and empowerment.     “Walking the Twilight Path shows us that life is a wonderful experience that can only be fully appreciated once we accept our physical mortality. An excellent beginners guide.” —Leilah Wendell, author of The Necromantic Ritual Book

Genres: Witchcraft, Paranormal, Death, Spirituality, Magick, Religion, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

Published October 8, 2008

About the author

Michelle Belanger is an American author, singer, and television personality, widely recognized for her work on television's Paranormal State. A leading authority on psychic and supernatural topics, her non-fiction research in books like "The Dictionary of Demons" (Llewellyn, 2010) and "The Psychic Vampire Codex" (Weiser, 2004) has been sourced in television shows, university courses, and numerous publications around the world.
She has worked as a media liaison for fringe communities, lectured on vampires at colleges around North America, performed with Gothic and metal bands, including Nox Arcana, and designed immersive live actions RPGs for companies such as Wizards of the Coast. Her research on the Watcher Angels led to the creation of a Tarot Deck and the album Blood of Angels. She has appeared on CNN, A&E, Fox News, Reelz, and the History Channel.
Michelle resides near Cleveland, Ohio with three cats, a few friendly spirits, and a library of more than five thousand books.

Reviews

[Mauoijenn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not really what I thought it would be. It was good, but it really didn't sit with me well.
I might try this again in the fall when I feel all spooky and such.

[Florence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michelle writes as she speaks: elegantly, fluid, and incredibly well-informed. This book describes death as transformation, in a manner that is not condescending or wordy. This book approaches death as a topic that we all can learn from. There is no one perspective that is elevated above another, but many different opinions are presented. It is also interesting to read Michelle's own experiences with death, since she is unafraid to discuss it and share what her personal thoughts are. There are fascinating bits, like epitephs of famous people. Michelle is assertive in offering more information to the reader, and yet her style is not proselytizing. This is an excellent author and an excellent read.

[Nicole Bergen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A weird, sort of disturbing, sometimes disgusting, but ultimately fascinating view of death.

[Brooke Bernard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesing, with a lot of good information, but many of the rituals seem somewhat dubious in their origin and safety.

[Anne-Maaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book about the death & dying with practical down-to-earth rituals (pun intended!). You will learn how to accept your impermanence & mortality of your flesh, and will communicate with spirits. And see that although your body is here only for a short while...that is not the end. Everything is energy & energy cannot be destroyed.

[Amie · Rating 3 out of 5]

started reading this then realized that I was not yet in the mood (or possibly ready) to begin the exercises contained within this book so it is now set aside until another time when I feel ready (if ever).

[Dominique Lamssies · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has a good deal of information about death philosophy and associations throughout the world, so if you're interested in some random death related facts and ideas, this can be a good source. However, I should highlight the world "Gothic" in the title which should tell you that a lot of the rituals and suggestions are heightened and possibly unnecessarily dramatic. Some people need all the silver bells and cockle shells to get them in the right head space, but for those who do not, that can be a little off putting. Also, it is still very much rooted in Wiccan style ritual magic, so if that doesn't click with you, this book might ring a little hollow.

If you are interested in Tibetan Buddhism, though, this is a good book. Belanger has clearly done a great deal of study about the Tibetan Book of the Dead and is actually quite good at conveying the ideas in it and translating them to something people who are unfamiliar with the concepts can understand.

It is also to Belanger's credit that, while she openly talks about the romanticism of beautiful death and allure it has, she gives equal weight to the ugly parts that come with the decay of the body and aging while alive and how to approach and come to terms with that.

And interesting book with some interesting ideas. Recommended for anyone who wants to get some ideas and then work out their own rituals and connections with the dead.

[Megan Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was an interesting read! Although many of the exercises were highly ritualized (reminiscent of ceremonial magic, which due to executive dysfunction I struggle with SO MUCH), the author took great care to help her readers become more familiar with death and the process of dying. She also made sure to include good aftercare instructions for returning to a balanced state after some of the more intense activities.

There are also many great journal prompts to help the reader guide and process their experience at the end of each chapter.

Although I didn't resonate with everything in this book, there are some pieces I will take with me and/or reference back to when needed. :)

[Sisi Belle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Admittedly, I did not really "finish" this book. I skipped past a lot of it. As someone who works directly with the dead and has been the family grave caretaker for the vast majority of my life, there was not much more for me to gleam from this book. I'm also not one for ceremonial style magicks. That being said, it's well written and would be a good resource for someone interested in this topic. I've definitely used some of the Journaling prompts and this book did make me feel a little better about being who I am. It's worth picking up for sure.

[J.T.K. Gibbs · Rating 3 out of 5]

An interesting resource on an interesting take on living and dying. A death-focused path enhances life and offers an intriguing perspective on this our life as we know it. We say life is change, but so is death and Belanger explores their intersection.

[Izzy Krum · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF (for now) - doesn't really align with my current spiritual interests, and I'd rather put that energy into other subjects. This was less of an informative text about death and more of a guidebook. The rituals included were quite ceremonial, which I can have a hard time connecting with.

[Caleb Mar · Rating 3 out of 5]

While interesting and useful in the long run, this book was very tough to get through.

That's an understatement with the exercises and the headspace you have to be in to travel this path.

I will be returning to this in the years to come.

Worth a read.

[Aimee Kathryn · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book by Michelle Belanger! I love her writing style, straightforward, says it as it is, yet she's genuine and doesn't 'talk down' to her audience. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to expand their horizons in a more non-conventional manner. You work along as you read this book, via journal exercises, along with some rituals. She's a great author, you can't go wrong with this book!

[Michelle · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not what I was expecting at all.

[Charis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed reading it. I don't know if I will ever do the rituals the author suggests, But I was fascinated to read her summary of the stages of death from the Tibetan Book of the Dead.

[Kyla Ward · Rating 4 out of 5]

An exquisite distillation of research and experience, beautifully presented with great practicality.