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Paganism In Depth: A Polytheist Approach
Paganism In Depth is a next level book for Pagans interested in taking their practice deeper. Author John Beckett helps you develop a detailed understanding of practical knowledge as well as ideas for working through new challenges you'll encounter as you advance in your practice, such as what happens when a deity makes demands of you, how to form and sustain community, and how to lead a community as a medium for the divine.
This book shares several keys to help you find your way forward when you feel you've gone as far as you can, including daily spiritual practice, ancestor veneration, perceiving the otherworld, religious ecstasy, direct experience of the gods, offerings, divination, magical practice, and devotional practice. Your relationships with your community and with the gods and spirits are of the utmost importance. John Beckett helps you navigate those relationships so you can give and receive the energy you need on your unique spiritual journey.
This book shares several keys to help you find your way forward when you feel you've gone as far as you can, including daily spiritual practice, ancestor veneration, perceiving the otherworld, religious ecstasy, direct experience of the gods, offerings, divination, magical practice, and devotional practice. Your relationships with your community and with the gods and spirits are of the utmost importance. John Beckett helps you navigate those relationships so you can give and receive the energy you need on your unique spiritual journey.
288 pages, Paperback
Published June 8, 2019
28 people are currently reading
325 people want to read
About the author
John Beckett
28 books40 followersI grew up in Tennessee with the woods right outside my back door. Wandering through them gave me a sense of connection to Nature and to a certain Forest God.
I’m a Druid graduate of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, and a member of Ár nDraíocht Féin. I served 12 years as the Coordinating Officer of the Denton Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans and 3 years on the Board of Trustees of CUUPS Continental. My first book The Pagan of Paganism was published in 2017 by Llewellyn Worldwide.
I’ve been writing, speaking, teaching, and leading public rituals since 2003. I live in the Dallas – Fort Worth area and I earn my keep as an engineer.
I’m a Druid graduate of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, and a member of Ár nDraíocht Féin. I served 12 years as the Coordinating Officer of the Denton Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans and 3 years on the Board of Trustees of CUUPS Continental. My first book The Pagan of Paganism was published in 2017 by Llewellyn Worldwide.
I’ve been writing, speaking, teaching, and leading public rituals since 2003. I live in the Dallas – Fort Worth area and I earn my keep as an engineer.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
May 23, 2019
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Although I now realize there's two editions of this book on Goodreads, there's also the Kindle edition which I received, not the paperback.
I enjoyed the book. It was easy to read, although I would have loved if geasa had been explained a liiiiittle bit earlier. I had to Google it in the middle of reading.
The book is quite literally for anyone. For any follower of an Abrahamic religion, it's a good look at a generalized Pagan worldview. For an atheist or an agnostic, the same. For any Pagan, it's a good how-to manual for deepening your understanding and devotion to deities, if that's what you'd like to do. Beckett never tells you should do something: he never says you must deepen your connection to your deities. He simply suggests how you could do it and tells you the pros and cons of doing it.
It's an honest book, and I thoroughly enjoyed the honesty of it. Lots of new words (at least for me, as my native language isn't English), but that wasn't an issue as I enjoy learning.
The book allowed me to be in the safety of my faith, which I've very much craved. But at the same time, it did challenge my views of my faith, which I have very much craved, too.
I enjoyed the book. It was easy to read, although I would have loved if geasa had been explained a liiiiittle bit earlier. I had to Google it in the middle of reading.
The book is quite literally for anyone. For any follower of an Abrahamic religion, it's a good look at a generalized Pagan worldview. For an atheist or an agnostic, the same. For any Pagan, it's a good how-to manual for deepening your understanding and devotion to deities, if that's what you'd like to do. Beckett never tells you should do something: he never says you must deepen your connection to your deities. He simply suggests how you could do it and tells you the pros and cons of doing it.
It's an honest book, and I thoroughly enjoyed the honesty of it. Lots of new words (at least for me, as my native language isn't English), but that wasn't an issue as I enjoy learning.
The book allowed me to be in the safety of my faith, which I've very much craved. But at the same time, it did challenge my views of my faith, which I have very much craved, too.
June 3, 2019
Note: I received this book as a free ARC from Llewellyn Press via Netgally. Many thanks to both organizations!
This book absolutely blew me away. It's a must-have for any serious pagan's shelf. This book opened my eyes up to so many things I had no idea about, and I was honestly sad when I reached the end; I wanted more.
There was one part that particularly struck me, and that has already made a difference for me personally. There's a section where Beckett talks about religious institutions and basically says that no religious group is going to be a 100% fit, because no group can be absolutely perfect for every member 100% of the time. He said the goal when finding a group is to find something that fits most of your needs and that you can agree with about 70%, and to cobble together what you're looking for, and gave his own example. He also mentioned attending a UU Church, which, as someone with a strong Christian background, I'd only heard horror stories about. If you ask any run of the mill Christian, after all, they'll probably tell you UU churches are terrible places that are blasphemous and sacreligious and don't use the Bible and don't believe Jesus in the son of god and don't ever go there--and although I'm (obviously) not a Christian anymore, that bad PR had always stuck with me.
But as I was reading about what this book said could be found at a UU Fellowship, I decided hey, maybe I'll check it out, see if it hits that happy 70% match--and ended up finding the spiritual home I've been missing for years. For no other reason, I'm beyond grateful I got this book.
But there's so much more to it than how to find a group. I don't want to spoil too much, so suffice it to say this book is incredible. If you're a serious pagan, if you want to go beyond the basics, this is the must-have guide.
This book absolutely blew me away. It's a must-have for any serious pagan's shelf. This book opened my eyes up to so many things I had no idea about, and I was honestly sad when I reached the end; I wanted more.
There was one part that particularly struck me, and that has already made a difference for me personally. There's a section where Beckett talks about religious institutions and basically says that no religious group is going to be a 100% fit, because no group can be absolutely perfect for every member 100% of the time. He said the goal when finding a group is to find something that fits most of your needs and that you can agree with about 70%, and to cobble together what you're looking for, and gave his own example. He also mentioned attending a UU Church, which, as someone with a strong Christian background, I'd only heard horror stories about. If you ask any run of the mill Christian, after all, they'll probably tell you UU churches are terrible places that are blasphemous and sacreligious and don't use the Bible and don't believe Jesus in the son of god and don't ever go there--and although I'm (obviously) not a Christian anymore, that bad PR had always stuck with me.
But as I was reading about what this book said could be found at a UU Fellowship, I decided hey, maybe I'll check it out, see if it hits that happy 70% match--and ended up finding the spiritual home I've been missing for years. For no other reason, I'm beyond grateful I got this book.
But there's so much more to it than how to find a group. I don't want to spoil too much, so suffice it to say this book is incredible. If you're a serious pagan, if you want to go beyond the basics, this is the must-have guide.
October 6, 2020
What I didn't like:
○ His analogies don't always work, aren't always necessary, and seem to go on for longer than they should.
○ I feel his definition of animism is lacking.
○ The way he acts as if God=perfect/moral doesn't sit right with me. In lore, they are known to make emotional decisions.
○ Same goes for how he acts as if the Gods don't care about humans or form personal relationships. They are known to care for particular mortals within the lore.
◙ The problem with acting as if these things do not exist, taking them off the table so to speak, is that it gaslights practitioners whose experiences have differed as well as contradicting said lore.
What I did like:
○ I learned about Geis/Geas, it really resonated with me.
○ The pathworking with Brigid was a pretty nice exercise.
○ Referring to it as, "the mist" rather than, "the veil" is more poetic and accurate in my experience.
○ Negotiating with entities/beings is a good tip. It's one of those things that sounds obvious but isn't often presented as a viable option.
○ Little pieces of mundane advice are meaningful like time management or reminding us we fear the unknown but many things worth doing are.
○ His analogies don't always work, aren't always necessary, and seem to go on for longer than they should.
○ I feel his definition of animism is lacking.
○ The way he acts as if God=perfect/moral doesn't sit right with me. In lore, they are known to make emotional decisions.
○ Same goes for how he acts as if the Gods don't care about humans or form personal relationships. They are known to care for particular mortals within the lore.
◙ The problem with acting as if these things do not exist, taking them off the table so to speak, is that it gaslights practitioners whose experiences have differed as well as contradicting said lore.
What I did like:
○ I learned about Geis/Geas, it really resonated with me.
○ The pathworking with Brigid was a pretty nice exercise.
○ Referring to it as, "the mist" rather than, "the veil" is more poetic and accurate in my experience.
○ Negotiating with entities/beings is a good tip. It's one of those things that sounds obvious but isn't often presented as a viable option.
○ Little pieces of mundane advice are meaningful like time management or reminding us we fear the unknown but many things worth doing are.
May 30, 2025
I may have read his books out of order… but I greatly enjoyed this! The guidance and wisdom here is valuable and very palatable.
July 15, 2021
Let me begin this review by saying that John Beckett is a down-to-earth and genuinely unassuming and likable man. And, he also is committed to his path of Druidry, but not at the expense of also being very thoughtful and receptive to many of the other paths that fall under the umbrella of polytheism. These statements alone, in my opinion, make his writing all that more interesting because you can distinguish the underpinnings of a sound personal practice that allows for exploration of “what could be”.
Paganism in Depth is separated into three Parts: Part 1-Foundations; Part 2-Practice; and Part 3-Challenges. Each offers a very thorough and as the title suggests comprehensive discourse on the nature of paganism in its multitude of expressions. The Introduction contained as a section of Part 1 provides the reader with John’s experiences as he moved through the hunger that many new pagans feel upon finding out that there is a different type of spirituality that asks much of its seekers and integrates the natural, mundane and spiritual worlds. We are reminded from the beginning that going deeper into the path we are exploring or have committed to requires much from us, but that the rewards are well worth the efforts.
Reading through Paganism In Depth is much like having a conversation with an old friend. You may think you know lots about the individual and then they surprise you with something new and unexpected. This alone changes the dynamics between you and the dialogue opens, your mind begins to process and questions arise that set you on a path of wanting to know more. And, all the while this interaction is being done in a very gentle way that feels neither threatening nor invasive of what you already believe to be true.
By and far my reading was Chapter 5: I like It Here-Why Do I Have to Leave? This chapter spoke to the nature of settling in and at times simply “just settling” when the experience could be so much more had we just reached a little further beyond our comfort zone. John asks the reader to learn to trust their experiences, and use this as an opening for deeper connection to Deity, the magick and all that comprises your chosen path…
…. Learning to trust your senses is an act of will. And like so many other parts of ourselves, the will is strengthened by exercise.”….
Supporting this concept of will as needing exercise, Chapter 6: Devotional Practice is the first statement of devotional practice beginning with a choice (will): a Deity to worship. How we proceed from that choice is integral to how deeply we will ultimately connect with deity at all levels. Choice of which deity (ies) we select to offer our practice to is another step that although it may feel or seem very simple, the angst that surrounds this often holds us back from simply making the choice to “experience”.
Meditation, magick, leadership and all of those pieces that construct a whole in what we choose to call our spiritual practice are given the care of first hand experience and suggestion of how to improve upon and make it your own. This style is prominent throughout the book with each topic being made that much more relevant through the sharing of John’s personal experiences. This creates a space of community through common ground and even if the reader disagrees with or has never had any similar experience, it makes the book readable and engaging.
This closing statement in the Epilogue: An Invitation to a Journey, beautifully sums up the entirety of the book and in this case, perfectly aligns with what John Beckett has accomplished in its writing…
…. the mission of Paganism in Depth. It’s a guidebook to going deeper into the forest, higher up the mountain, and further out to sea. It’s an invitation to join this sacred work, to go where there are no maps and find your way through careful practice and intuition,,, and then draw a map for those who come after you.”
Visit the author’s blog: Under the Ancient Oaks
Review by Robin Fennelly of PaganPages.org
Paganism in Depth is separated into three Parts: Part 1-Foundations; Part 2-Practice; and Part 3-Challenges. Each offers a very thorough and as the title suggests comprehensive discourse on the nature of paganism in its multitude of expressions. The Introduction contained as a section of Part 1 provides the reader with John’s experiences as he moved through the hunger that many new pagans feel upon finding out that there is a different type of spirituality that asks much of its seekers and integrates the natural, mundane and spiritual worlds. We are reminded from the beginning that going deeper into the path we are exploring or have committed to requires much from us, but that the rewards are well worth the efforts.
Reading through Paganism In Depth is much like having a conversation with an old friend. You may think you know lots about the individual and then they surprise you with something new and unexpected. This alone changes the dynamics between you and the dialogue opens, your mind begins to process and questions arise that set you on a path of wanting to know more. And, all the while this interaction is being done in a very gentle way that feels neither threatening nor invasive of what you already believe to be true.
By and far my reading was Chapter 5: I like It Here-Why Do I Have to Leave? This chapter spoke to the nature of settling in and at times simply “just settling” when the experience could be so much more had we just reached a little further beyond our comfort zone. John asks the reader to learn to trust their experiences, and use this as an opening for deeper connection to Deity, the magick and all that comprises your chosen path…
…. Learning to trust your senses is an act of will. And like so many other parts of ourselves, the will is strengthened by exercise.”….
Supporting this concept of will as needing exercise, Chapter 6: Devotional Practice is the first statement of devotional practice beginning with a choice (will): a Deity to worship. How we proceed from that choice is integral to how deeply we will ultimately connect with deity at all levels. Choice of which deity (ies) we select to offer our practice to is another step that although it may feel or seem very simple, the angst that surrounds this often holds us back from simply making the choice to “experience”.
Meditation, magick, leadership and all of those pieces that construct a whole in what we choose to call our spiritual practice are given the care of first hand experience and suggestion of how to improve upon and make it your own. This style is prominent throughout the book with each topic being made that much more relevant through the sharing of John’s personal experiences. This creates a space of community through common ground and even if the reader disagrees with or has never had any similar experience, it makes the book readable and engaging.
This closing statement in the Epilogue: An Invitation to a Journey, beautifully sums up the entirety of the book and in this case, perfectly aligns with what John Beckett has accomplished in its writing…
…. the mission of Paganism in Depth. It’s a guidebook to going deeper into the forest, higher up the mountain, and further out to sea. It’s an invitation to join this sacred work, to go where there are no maps and find your way through careful practice and intuition,,, and then draw a map for those who come after you.”
Visit the author’s blog: Under the Ancient Oaks
Review by Robin Fennelly of PaganPages.org
June 10, 2019
Excellent read
This book was thoughtful, with a clear voice and direction. If you are looking for a way to find your path, a way to walk it authentically, and a way to respond to and live in relationship with an enspirited world and the human and other-than-human beings who inhabit it, this book is a great starting point. There are many questions and few maps when engaging in this work, but Mr. Beckett provides knowledge, thoughtful questions, and clear actions to learn to navigate this terrain.
This book was thoughtful, with a clear voice and direction. If you are looking for a way to find your path, a way to walk it authentically, and a way to respond to and live in relationship with an enspirited world and the human and other-than-human beings who inhabit it, this book is a great starting point. There are many questions and few maps when engaging in this work, but Mr. Beckett provides knowledge, thoughtful questions, and clear actions to learn to navigate this terrain.
July 22, 2020
One Man’s Inspiring Way of Going Deeper
While I studied paganism back before the turn of the millennium, I have not kept up with the most current authors or books published on the topic, happy with my current approach. Every now and then, though, I feel a need for more. I'm so glad that I have started seeking and searching again, and I am doubly happy to have found this book and author. The book truly speaks to me. I love how the author is open and accepting of a variety of pagan and polytheistic paths. What he shares here is his own study and practices (which have gone both wide and deep at times), and he makes it clear that his ideas or just that—his. While he’s had a varied and long pagan past, he does not say in any way that his path is the only one that is right for everyone. I so appreciate that, as some books do come across like that, whether the author specifically states that or not. What he offers in this book is how he drilled deeper into his own personal paganism. He invites you in a friendly and conversational way to see what resonates with you and your unique path. The focus on deities and ancestors and our connection to them is inspiring. The practice section of the book offers a way to go deeper into your spiritual practice as a pagan or polytheist. Highly recommended for any pagan beyond the beginner level who seeks a deeper connection to their gods or ancestors.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
While I studied paganism back before the turn of the millennium, I have not kept up with the most current authors or books published on the topic, happy with my current approach. Every now and then, though, I feel a need for more. I'm so glad that I have started seeking and searching again, and I am doubly happy to have found this book and author. The book truly speaks to me. I love how the author is open and accepting of a variety of pagan and polytheistic paths. What he shares here is his own study and practices (which have gone both wide and deep at times), and he makes it clear that his ideas or just that—his. While he’s had a varied and long pagan past, he does not say in any way that his path is the only one that is right for everyone. I so appreciate that, as some books do come across like that, whether the author specifically states that or not. What he offers in this book is how he drilled deeper into his own personal paganism. He invites you in a friendly and conversational way to see what resonates with you and your unique path. The focus on deities and ancestors and our connection to them is inspiring. The practice section of the book offers a way to go deeper into your spiritual practice as a pagan or polytheist. Highly recommended for any pagan beyond the beginner level who seeks a deeper connection to their gods or ancestors.
I received a free copy of this book, but that did not affect my review.
My book blog: https://www.readingfanaticreviews.com
July 30, 2023
I read the author’s pervious book that dealt with nature, deities, self and community. I found it ok.
Pagan In Depth - LOVED IT!
I didn’t agree with everything but overall I did.
There are three part, Foundations, Practice and Challenges.
Part 1 - Foundations
This was straight forward with taking about Pagan foundations stressing polytheism.
Part 2 - Practice
Devotional practice, magical practice, divination and ecstatic practice
There are many ideas for a devotional practice for deities, ancestors and the Otherworld. Some ideas are shrines, prayers, chants, dance, art, livations. Spend time with them and talk to them. Listen to them too.
The author stresses that for some people may choose not to have a magical or a divination practice. The suggestion are straightforward like sigil, candle magic along with visualization. The author spends the time discussing performing magic with or without deities. The author mentions that he has a oracular practice and many may choose not to have one. The author takes time to explain some of the benefits of exploring an oracular practice. The last topic in this section is ecstatic practices. Some refer to looking under the vail. He refers to parting the mist. Partaking in ecstatic practices can come through dance, chanting and drumming.
Part 3 - Challenges
This section explores challenges that commonly are roadblocks. He emphasizes practice vs belief. Also have realistic expectations. The author also spends time looking at some obstacles one might encounter if they want to start their own pagan group.
Pagan In Depth - LOVED IT!
I didn’t agree with everything but overall I did.
There are three part, Foundations, Practice and Challenges.
Part 1 - Foundations
This was straight forward with taking about Pagan foundations stressing polytheism.
Part 2 - Practice
Devotional practice, magical practice, divination and ecstatic practice
There are many ideas for a devotional practice for deities, ancestors and the Otherworld. Some ideas are shrines, prayers, chants, dance, art, livations. Spend time with them and talk to them. Listen to them too.
The author stresses that for some people may choose not to have a magical or a divination practice. The suggestion are straightforward like sigil, candle magic along with visualization. The author spends the time discussing performing magic with or without deities. The author mentions that he has a oracular practice and many may choose not to have one. The author takes time to explain some of the benefits of exploring an oracular practice. The last topic in this section is ecstatic practices. Some refer to looking under the vail. He refers to parting the mist. Partaking in ecstatic practices can come through dance, chanting and drumming.
Part 3 - Challenges
This section explores challenges that commonly are roadblocks. He emphasizes practice vs belief. Also have realistic expectations. The author also spends time looking at some obstacles one might encounter if they want to start their own pagan group.
July 30, 2019
I have loved John Beckett's writing and thinking on paganism, magic, and polytheism since first finding his blog a few years back. Now, this guide to how to begin or sustain a polytheist practice collects those insights and views that have been featured on his blog all this time into one volume. Using his own experiences to illustrate and emphasize his points (while somehow never sounding self-aggrandizing), the book is as accessible to someone just starting to explore the idea of working with deities as it is to someone who has been working with one or more gods/goddesses for years. While I may not agree with every thought Beckett has, they are presented as *his thoughts* rather than as some inherent truth. Thus these places of divergence are less off-putting than some I've read from authors seem to feel that because something worked for them, it must be the one true way of practicing. Ultimately, a worthwhile book that encourages self-reflection and the need for action over simple intent when it comes to beginning and developing relationships with the gods.
April 30, 2023
While the first book The Path of Paganism was more like snippets from his blog in bitesize chunks, this one reads more coherent. We need more of this type of books in which people lay out their own paths and reflect upon them.
My favorite quote (but really, there were actually many great insights; the pareto proportion is somewhat closer to 60/40 than 80/20 here):
My favorite quote (but really, there were actually many great insights; the pareto proportion is somewhat closer to 60/40 than 80/20 here):
What do you do when a god won’t take “no” for an answer? What do you do if a god turns you upside down? What happens if you’re a thirteen-year-old girl who is forcefully claimed by Hecate? What happens if you’re a soldier in Afghanistan who among the snipers and mortars and land mines has a first-hand experience of the Morrígan? What happens if you’re an agnostic nature-lover who runs face-first into Cernunnos in all his wild glory? Scott Cunningham’s books aren’t going to be much help.
August 7, 2019
A truly deep look at the lived experience of spiritual paganism. Rather than a collection of spells or ritual transcripts, this book provides a glimpse into the author's pagan path. The value of this book is not in what it teaches you, but in what it opens your mind to. Too often, books on paganism fall into the trap of listing the things you need, the holidays you should be celebrating, etc, and miss the true spirit of pagan practice. Yes, the trappings are nice, but its the way the gods manifest in your daily life that really matters. Although the book is dense with information, Beckett comes across as a friend sharing his journey, making this an enjoyable read.
January 1, 2020
I love John Beckett's blog Under the Ancient Oaks and his earlier book , and this book is no different. I most appreciate John's grounded, well-reasoned and well-explained rationale for particular practices. It's a "why-to" book as much as a "how-to" book.
I read this quickly in the summer, and flipping through it now, I realize I want to go back and read it again, more slowly this time. I want to spend more time with the his approach and his particular recommended practices.
I read this quickly in the summer, and flipping through it now, I realize I want to go back and read it again, more slowly this time. I want to spend more time with the his approach and his particular recommended practices.
September 27, 2021
Just what I was looking for
I've been a solitary witch for over 30 years, and a voracious bibliophile my whole life. This book and its predecessor are some of the best I've read as I pursue my studies. Mr. Beckett's writing is clear and straightforward. He doesn't sugarcoat the hard work that goes into a fulfilling Pagan practice, but he doesn't leave the reader feeling stuck outside the gates either. He has good advice - and always emphasizes that it's every person's responsibility to use or not use the tools he offers.
I've been a solitary witch for over 30 years, and a voracious bibliophile my whole life. This book and its predecessor are some of the best I've read as I pursue my studies. Mr. Beckett's writing is clear and straightforward. He doesn't sugarcoat the hard work that goes into a fulfilling Pagan practice, but he doesn't leave the reader feeling stuck outside the gates either. He has good advice - and always emphasizes that it's every person's responsibility to use or not use the tools he offers.
June 4, 2019
I follow John Beckett blog on Patheos and was more than happy when this ARC was approved.
I loved it, it gave a lot of food for thought and I appreciated the style of writing.
I will surely read it again because it's one of those book you read when you want to reflect about the next steps on your path.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I loved it, it gave a lot of food for thought and I appreciated the style of writing.
I will surely read it again because it's one of those book you read when you want to reflect about the next steps on your path.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
March 15, 2021
Whether you have been on your path one year or thirty, this will give you much to think about. The author doesn’t tell you how to do things or what to believe, but talks about how he does things and challenges you to keep looking at your own ways. I think every Pagan could get something from reading this book.
June 7, 2021
I enjoyed this more than I thought it would. I don't know why but the cover made me think it could be a bit shit, I thought of bought it thinking, 'I can always return it if it's no good' but I was pleasantly surprised. Really thoughtful and well thought out look at polytheism from a pagan perspective.
October 25, 2024
while i don't agree with the author's views on everything, i found beckett's voice to be straightforward and logical in a way i really appreciate, and his section on balancing demands in life and the cost of in-depth work resonated with me. this read has been excellent food for thought moving forward, and i will most definitely be reading his other works
July 5, 2019
The writing was very personal and approachable. This book was focused on a polytheist's connection and relationship to their deity. Most books on paganism give a chapter to this at most but this one went "in depth."
April 6, 2020
Simple explanations of complex issues, Beckett provides a jumping off point for those of us wanting to go deeper. He presents the material with and then lets you make your own decisions about where you want to take it. Wonderful, useful addition to my library.
June 23, 2019
4.5 I just love his books
January 22, 2020
Finally a book on polytheism for those with a scientific bent. I didn't agree with everything but found myself nodding quite often. More of a primer than an advanced book.
June 26, 2022
Good for newcomers and old timers alike. Very comfortable style of writing. Conversational.
March 1, 2024
I will read this a second time.
November 9, 2024
I think this is an excellent continuation of Path, and absolutely a wonderful guidebook for what to think about when deepening your spiritual practice. Beautiful and inspiring!
November 16, 2025
Not what it says it is. This is more like a memoir and has no advanced or in-depth practice. I'm very disappointed. A waste of time.
July 12, 2020
Honest title: "Polytheism for Extroverts". Aside from a LOT of repetition, and a disappointing lack of anything actually in depth, this is the thing that stands out the most for me. Not so very long ago, I'd finally come to terms (as much as one can with this sort of thing) with the reality that any God or Gods would be so very far beyond us in all capacities that it would honestly be very difficult to have any sort of 'relationship' with It/Them. Even the author leans into this, pointing out that whether the Gods are immortal or are simply very long-lived beings, they will have seen much, known much, foresee much, and won't really care about the minutiae of day-to-day matters for us mere mortals.
My problem with this is such: Monotheism, with all its glorious faults, dares to say that this deity so far beyond comprehension still on some level desires contact with us. On some level, this deity enjoys our company, wants to hear from us, actively seeks us out, loves us. It's an idea that anyone in any situation can feasibly connect with. Polytheism-for-extroverts declares that these beings are pretty far beyond us, and they don't really care about us. They won't come knocking unless you have a skill set they'd like using - for their own ends of course. YOU have to do the seeking, and it'll only work out if you hit it off with the deity/deities in question. Which, unless you have a pretty good estimation of yourself, you're just going to resign yourself to never doing.
Pagans like Beckett constantly liken their polytheism to regular human relationships: you wouldn't just go up to a stranger and ask a favor, unless you were a massive weirdo, right?? So why would you do that with the gods, they ask; would anyone give you anything if you only offered them a sip of wine, a slice of bread, a pretty couplet in return? No, you have to go and work on it, taking it slow, approaching a deity or two at a time, setting up a full shrine, doing little devotionals each day, working up to a relationship before you ever dare ask for a thing - and watch out, those gods are going to ask for something in return one day!
The thing is, with regular human beings, I have never just gone up and asked to be friends with someone because I wanted to imitate their values, either. Or gone to be friends with someone so once enough time has passed, it'll be okay to ask for birthday gifts and Christmas presents from them - which sounds pretty manipulative. Maybe it's just me, though. I'm massively introverted, and forming relationships is honestly one of the hardest things in the world. The thought of having to go knock on some God or Goddess' door and ask if they wouldn't mind hanging out with a tiny mortal worm like me sends me packing. The Gods can handle themselves, thanks; and if this is the reality, it would explain why my fumbling attempts at paganism for the past ten years haven't gone so well!
Not so much Beckett's writing, but how it ties in rather well with what Lora O'Brien talks about concerning paganism and how the gods come to those with skill sets they can use, also makes extroverted paganism a job fair. Applicants with poor resumes need not pass the door, because no gods are going to be interested in you, no matter how hard you pound that pavement.
Since the gods aren't overly interested, Beckett reminds us to focus more on our ancestors. I get it, I do, but I just can't do it. I've known very few relatives that have passed on, and the few I did know, I wouldn't want to contact. So I'd be walking around in the dark hoping I happened upon a nice ancestor who also wouldn't mind hanging out around me. Beckett says that the ancestors have a vested interest in keeping us around because we're their lineage and they want their line to continue. That's a big hope we're riding on, there. Basically just crossing our fingers, hoping that because they went through hard times, they'll be interested in someone they've never met get through it too so the bloodline doesn't fail. My immediate question: I don't ever, ever want to have kids. Would ancestors want to bother with me if I'm not going to continue the line, anyway?
It's all very well if you're a charismatic, go-get-em type, making deals at the office and at the altar; but for someone who honestly really struggles with regular relationships, taking it up several hundred notches like this is so far beyond my grasp as to wrench religion out of reach altogether.
My problem with this is such: Monotheism, with all its glorious faults, dares to say that this deity so far beyond comprehension still on some level desires contact with us. On some level, this deity enjoys our company, wants to hear from us, actively seeks us out, loves us. It's an idea that anyone in any situation can feasibly connect with. Polytheism-for-extroverts declares that these beings are pretty far beyond us, and they don't really care about us. They won't come knocking unless you have a skill set they'd like using - for their own ends of course. YOU have to do the seeking, and it'll only work out if you hit it off with the deity/deities in question. Which, unless you have a pretty good estimation of yourself, you're just going to resign yourself to never doing.
Pagans like Beckett constantly liken their polytheism to regular human relationships: you wouldn't just go up to a stranger and ask a favor, unless you were a massive weirdo, right?? So why would you do that with the gods, they ask; would anyone give you anything if you only offered them a sip of wine, a slice of bread, a pretty couplet in return? No, you have to go and work on it, taking it slow, approaching a deity or two at a time, setting up a full shrine, doing little devotionals each day, working up to a relationship before you ever dare ask for a thing - and watch out, those gods are going to ask for something in return one day!
The thing is, with regular human beings, I have never just gone up and asked to be friends with someone because I wanted to imitate their values, either. Or gone to be friends with someone so once enough time has passed, it'll be okay to ask for birthday gifts and Christmas presents from them - which sounds pretty manipulative. Maybe it's just me, though. I'm massively introverted, and forming relationships is honestly one of the hardest things in the world. The thought of having to go knock on some God or Goddess' door and ask if they wouldn't mind hanging out with a tiny mortal worm like me sends me packing. The Gods can handle themselves, thanks; and if this is the reality, it would explain why my fumbling attempts at paganism for the past ten years haven't gone so well!
Not so much Beckett's writing, but how it ties in rather well with what Lora O'Brien talks about concerning paganism and how the gods come to those with skill sets they can use, also makes extroverted paganism a job fair. Applicants with poor resumes need not pass the door, because no gods are going to be interested in you, no matter how hard you pound that pavement.
Since the gods aren't overly interested, Beckett reminds us to focus more on our ancestors. I get it, I do, but I just can't do it. I've known very few relatives that have passed on, and the few I did know, I wouldn't want to contact. So I'd be walking around in the dark hoping I happened upon a nice ancestor who also wouldn't mind hanging out around me. Beckett says that the ancestors have a vested interest in keeping us around because we're their lineage and they want their line to continue. That's a big hope we're riding on, there. Basically just crossing our fingers, hoping that because they went through hard times, they'll be interested in someone they've never met get through it too so the bloodline doesn't fail. My immediate question: I don't ever, ever want to have kids. Would ancestors want to bother with me if I'm not going to continue the line, anyway?
It's all very well if you're a charismatic, go-get-em type, making deals at the office and at the altar; but for someone who honestly really struggles with regular relationships, taking it up several hundred notches like this is so far beyond my grasp as to wrench religion out of reach altogether.
November 24, 2024
Intresting
October 5, 2022
I enjoy Beckett's practicality and experience. There aren't really any 102 books about paganism that focus on what it means to be a devotional polytheist, rather than lots of recipes for workings or divination, etc. Those books have their place, of course. But I've been hungry for something that focuses more on the contemplative, philosophical, and theological aspects of being a pagan rather than "how to be a witch."
I listened to this on Audible and would have appreciated it if Beckett had narrated. I've taken a few classes with him online and his voice was in my head, but would have liked to have it in my ears rather than just the generic male Audible voice. But it wasn't terrible.
I'm not sure we went any places that were new to me -- I guess I'm past 102 as well. But I liked the things Beckett got me to think about what devotion really means and some of the vital values of devotion-- start slow, do what you say you're going to do, study is important but more important is your personal relationship with and experience of your gods, etc. Hard to go wrong with Beckett.
I listened to this on Audible and would have appreciated it if Beckett had narrated. I've taken a few classes with him online and his voice was in my head, but would have liked to have it in my ears rather than just the generic male Audible voice. But it wasn't terrible.
I'm not sure we went any places that were new to me -- I guess I'm past 102 as well. But I liked the things Beckett got me to think about what devotion really means and some of the vital values of devotion-- start slow, do what you say you're going to do, study is important but more important is your personal relationship with and experience of your gods, etc. Hard to go wrong with Beckett.
June 10, 2019
An excellent "Next Step" in Polytheism
Beckett's voice is clear and true and resonant in this deeper guide to the religious practices of polytheist paganism. The tone is conversational and warm, but does not shy away from hard discussions and topics. I will be recommending and referencing this book substantially in my own work and community.
Beckett's voice is clear and true and resonant in this deeper guide to the religious practices of polytheist paganism. The tone is conversational and warm, but does not shy away from hard discussions and topics. I will be recommending and referencing this book substantially in my own work and community.
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