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The Horned God of the Witches
Discover the History, Magick & Myths of the Horned One
Explore the deep spiritual roots of the Horned God and discover rituals and activities designed to help you get closer to him.Throughout history, horned deities have been honored as gods of nature, sex, fertility, passion, sacrifice, death, and rebirth. The Horned God of the Witches reveals the origins and features of their most common guises—Pan, Cernunnos, Herne, Elen of the Ways, the Green Man, and even the Devil.
Whether you are interested in the Wiccan Horned God—a more contemporary composite of several deities—or in one of his many other forms, these rituals for meeting the powerful deity will help you achieve your magical goals. With hands-on techniques for divination, creating an altar, working magick, spiritual lovemaking, and receiving the gifts of the Witchfather, this book supports a transformative deepening of your relationship to the divine.
Explore the deep spiritual roots of the Horned God and discover rituals and activities designed to help you get closer to him.Throughout history, horned deities have been honored as gods of nature, sex, fertility, passion, sacrifice, death, and rebirth. The Horned God of the Witches reveals the origins and features of their most common guises—Pan, Cernunnos, Herne, Elen of the Ways, the Green Man, and even the Devil.
Whether you are interested in the Wiccan Horned God—a more contemporary composite of several deities—or in one of his many other forms, these rituals for meeting the powerful deity will help you achieve your magical goals. With hands-on techniques for divination, creating an altar, working magick, spiritual lovemaking, and receiving the gifts of the Witchfather, this book supports a transformative deepening of your relationship to the divine.
287 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 8, 2021
75 people are currently reading
706 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 53 reviews
February 15, 2024
Well-researched and well-written. If there is anything missing I'd say a Charge of the God (although Mankey has lots of that on his blog) and Further Reading sections that are integrated instead of the bibliography at the end that is confused about its identity: is it a list of references (not quite), an annotated bibliography (quiter) or suggested reading (maybe?).
Mankey would have made a good Cognitive semanticist, because the way he teases the different god images apart is detailed and well-reasoned. Recommended.
Mankey would have made a good Cognitive semanticist, because the way he teases the different god images apart is detailed and well-reasoned. Recommended.
October 13, 2021
“The gods are not beings preserved in amber; they are active in this world, and that activity suggests agency, and the ability to change and progress.”
This sums up Mankey’s take on the “Horned God” and his applicability today, and I think it highlights an important part of modern witchcraft that we don’t always want to acknowledge: we don’t know everything about any deity.
I’m not a huge Horned God person, I don’t work with him or anything like him, but my book club picked this one this month and I was pleasantly surprised at its readability. This is a must read for anyone who wants to or has worked with the Horned God, and anyone who has any questions about what that means as it really answers all questions. Aside from the obvious ones like Cernunnos and Pan. I learned a lot about figures I always had questions about like Baphomet vs. Lucifer, Elen of the Ways, and the actual history that does or does not go along with those figures. Mankey was very honest when there was no sources to back anything up, and with 280 footnotes I promise you, he has sources. And they’re good ones too, not just Margaret Murray! In fact he’s honest from the start that Murray is discredited, which gave him more credibility in my mind right away.
My favorite chapter was Chapter 5 on Pan and ancient Greece’s horned god of Arcadia, and Chapter 11 about Pan’s reemergence in 19th century poetry and the Orphic Hymns being translated into English for the fist time at the end of the 18th.
I felt like this book explained a lot of what I hear from Wiccans and followers of “chaos” and Crowley but never really understood where they were coming from. I was fascinated by the breakdown Mankey gives of the Book of Enoch and how that evolved into groups like Crowley’s OTO, the Free Masons or the Theosophical Society, as I was always confused on where they got what they do from. This feels like if it was on a Venn diagram with my own eclectic practices, we have less overlap as witches and these believers than Christians, as they are working from Biblical characters and history which I found very interesting.
My biggest takeaway from this book was that the Horned God is really a modern amalgamation of mostly modern texts and interpretations of few findings (like, very few I was surprised to read), and not as directly related to any actual Gods from antiquity as I had expected. I’m glad to have read it for this context, and a cool background on Pan who I will be delving into later for sure; he’s a much more solid figure than the impish trickster I always thought of him as.
This sums up Mankey’s take on the “Horned God” and his applicability today, and I think it highlights an important part of modern witchcraft that we don’t always want to acknowledge: we don’t know everything about any deity.
I’m not a huge Horned God person, I don’t work with him or anything like him, but my book club picked this one this month and I was pleasantly surprised at its readability. This is a must read for anyone who wants to or has worked with the Horned God, and anyone who has any questions about what that means as it really answers all questions. Aside from the obvious ones like Cernunnos and Pan. I learned a lot about figures I always had questions about like Baphomet vs. Lucifer, Elen of the Ways, and the actual history that does or does not go along with those figures. Mankey was very honest when there was no sources to back anything up, and with 280 footnotes I promise you, he has sources. And they’re good ones too, not just Margaret Murray! In fact he’s honest from the start that Murray is discredited, which gave him more credibility in my mind right away.
My favorite chapter was Chapter 5 on Pan and ancient Greece’s horned god of Arcadia, and Chapter 11 about Pan’s reemergence in 19th century poetry and the Orphic Hymns being translated into English for the fist time at the end of the 18th.
I felt like this book explained a lot of what I hear from Wiccans and followers of “chaos” and Crowley but never really understood where they were coming from. I was fascinated by the breakdown Mankey gives of the Book of Enoch and how that evolved into groups like Crowley’s OTO, the Free Masons or the Theosophical Society, as I was always confused on where they got what they do from. This feels like if it was on a Venn diagram with my own eclectic practices, we have less overlap as witches and these believers than Christians, as they are working from Biblical characters and history which I found very interesting.
My biggest takeaway from this book was that the Horned God is really a modern amalgamation of mostly modern texts and interpretations of few findings (like, very few I was surprised to read), and not as directly related to any actual Gods from antiquity as I had expected. I’m glad to have read it for this context, and a cool background on Pan who I will be delving into later for sure; he’s a much more solid figure than the impish trickster I always thought of him as.
November 28, 2021
Jason’s work is thorough, well-researched and -cited, clear, and above all accessible and conversational. You feel like you’re learning from a kind friend who is eager to share what he knows. I appreciate his enthusiasm for the material.
November 27, 2021
Meh ----- Some parts I really enjoyed and others were so dry that I fell asleep.
Read
November 15, 2025I can see why people enjoy this book and recommend it. I appreciated the authors personal stories, the mythology, and the inclusion of contemplations and rituals. I feel Jason Mankey is a valuable contemporary author.
I listened as an audiobook, which made it tough to go back and do the exercises. I recommend getting the book instead.
Ultimately, I didn't finish this book. Why? I am just not the right audience for it. It turns out I have a distinctive enough relationship with the Horned One that makes reading this book not my thing.
As a "Tradition-Holder", I wouldn't necessarily recommend the book to candidates, because I think it would distract from the the "slow-burn" approach I'd take in introducing them to the Deity gradually in the rituals of that tradition.
(This doesn't mean if forbid the book, btw. Realistically, I think I'd admire the candidate who would have the keenness to read it.)
I think I might recommend this to practicionners who are thinking they might want to join a magical group that works with the Horned One but are uneasy about it. If they're nervous about being in a group, or what prescriptive beliefs a tradition might have, this book might help a seeker see what they like/dislike and ask good, precise questions.
Of course it also benefits solitary practicionners, especially because it creates a connection with the author. I think the author's personal stories and so-called "UPG" is what makes this book more valuable that just looking up deities with horns on Wikipedia.
I listened as an audiobook, which made it tough to go back and do the exercises. I recommend getting the book instead.
Ultimately, I didn't finish this book. Why? I am just not the right audience for it. It turns out I have a distinctive enough relationship with the Horned One that makes reading this book not my thing.
As a "Tradition-Holder", I wouldn't necessarily recommend the book to candidates, because I think it would distract from the the "slow-burn" approach I'd take in introducing them to the Deity gradually in the rituals of that tradition.
(This doesn't mean if forbid the book, btw. Realistically, I think I'd admire the candidate who would have the keenness to read it.)
I think I might recommend this to practicionners who are thinking they might want to join a magical group that works with the Horned One but are uneasy about it. If they're nervous about being in a group, or what prescriptive beliefs a tradition might have, this book might help a seeker see what they like/dislike and ask good, precise questions.
Of course it also benefits solitary practicionners, especially because it creates a connection with the author. I think the author's personal stories and so-called "UPG" is what makes this book more valuable that just looking up deities with horns on Wikipedia.
June 20, 2021
I guess I can't say I'm all that surprised that this book, in my opinion, is just "okay". There just isn't much information available outside of UPG for deities like Cernunnos. There is more for those such as Pan, but Celtic, Norse, and other such sources were largely destroyed or silenced during the conversion period.
The author is Wiccan, and though he brings a lot of the concepts associated with Wicca to this book, he at least isn't overly fixated on a lot of the dogma you often see with Wiccan authors and the books they write. It's not overly fluff-bunny with "harm none" smashed into your face every few sentences.
I did feel like the author was too concerned with certain politics, though. I got the feeling sometimes that he was afraid to speak about certain things, and probably with good reason. This book was written at a time when Cancel Culture had been out for everybody's blood, and I think some of the ways the author talks about things and how it seems like he's apologizing for the information he was referencing that was decades old already as if it were HIS burden are pretty obvious (seriously, a quick mention about how attitudes have shifted quite a lot since the 50's and even the 70's without pages of apologetics would've been enough). This kind of environment doesn't allow much room for honesty unless the person providing the information is willing to take a hit from the Cancel Crew that may or may not end their career. I find that sad and a hindrance to information exchange.
I didn't really feel like this book gave me anything I didn't already have. In a lot of ways, those of us the Horned God (in whatever form he came) has called to probably already know all this stuff. But it's not a bad book to read if your patron is one of the many deities that fit the description of The Horned Lord of the Wood. So I guess I'm not totally disappointed, but I'm not thrilled, either.
The author is Wiccan, and though he brings a lot of the concepts associated with Wicca to this book, he at least isn't overly fixated on a lot of the dogma you often see with Wiccan authors and the books they write. It's not overly fluff-bunny with "harm none" smashed into your face every few sentences.
I did feel like the author was too concerned with certain politics, though. I got the feeling sometimes that he was afraid to speak about certain things, and probably with good reason. This book was written at a time when Cancel Culture had been out for everybody's blood, and I think some of the ways the author talks about things and how it seems like he's apologizing for the information he was referencing that was decades old already as if it were HIS burden are pretty obvious (seriously, a quick mention about how attitudes have shifted quite a lot since the 50's and even the 70's without pages of apologetics would've been enough). This kind of environment doesn't allow much room for honesty unless the person providing the information is willing to take a hit from the Cancel Crew that may or may not end their career. I find that sad and a hindrance to information exchange.
I didn't really feel like this book gave me anything I didn't already have. In a lot of ways, those of us the Horned God (in whatever form he came) has called to probably already know all this stuff. But it's not a bad book to read if your patron is one of the many deities that fit the description of The Horned Lord of the Wood. So I guess I'm not totally disappointed, but I'm not thrilled, either.
May 10, 2021
Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
In my practice, I don’t typically venerate male deities. As such, I don’t know as much about them. This book is a perfect first step to get to know deities that I’ve been ignorant of in most cases and uncomfortable with in others.
The setup of the book feels familiar but better than typical New Age books. There is meat on these bones. The author gives an excellent account of some the historical place of each of the horned gods he covers, as well as rituals and spells to interact with them. To round it off, the author also adds an accont of some personal interaction he has had with them.
I cannot say that I've felt the call of the horned gods, but this book makes me appreciate them more.
In my practice, I don’t typically venerate male deities. As such, I don’t know as much about them. This book is a perfect first step to get to know deities that I’ve been ignorant of in most cases and uncomfortable with in others.
The setup of the book feels familiar but better than typical New Age books. There is meat on these bones. The author gives an excellent account of some the historical place of each of the horned gods he covers, as well as rituals and spells to interact with them. To round it off, the author also adds an accont of some personal interaction he has had with them.
I cannot say that I've felt the call of the horned gods, but this book makes me appreciate them more.
June 27, 2021
Horned God of the Witches is an excellent example of what it means to synchronize information from many sources to create a unifying piece. Jason expertly weaves fragmented information with historical fact and a dash of educated opinion. Additionally, this book also serves as a creative piece of work with interspersed rituals and spells, poetry, artwork, illustrations, and genuinely good humor.
Read my full review here: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegard...
Read my full review here: https://www.patheos.com/blogs/thegard...
March 24, 2022
This was an excellent book!!!!
One of the problems I have with pagan authors writing about deities is that I feel like they don't give you a well-rounded picture of them, this is so not true of this book.
Mr. Mankey tells you the history, the modern perspective, his perspective, and in some cases other's perspectives also. He gives you the information in a way that isn't stale but is still very informative. There are a lot of Horned Gods in Witchcraft and in these pages he does a wonderful job telling us about quite a few of them.
I truly enjoyed reading this book.
One of the problems I have with pagan authors writing about deities is that I feel like they don't give you a well-rounded picture of them, this is so not true of this book.
Mr. Mankey tells you the history, the modern perspective, his perspective, and in some cases other's perspectives also. He gives you the information in a way that isn't stale but is still very informative. There are a lot of Horned Gods in Witchcraft and in these pages he does a wonderful job telling us about quite a few of them.
I truly enjoyed reading this book.
June 22, 2023
Jason Mankey has collected together lots of information about the Horned One. We get to know many of his faces, his mythology and history.
I do not agree with all of Mankeys interpretations and conclusions and I would wish he had done a little bit more research on some points, but that's "complaining on a high level".
I learned a lot and I love how inclusive this book is. It made me laugh very hard when I read some of the angry (read insecure) queerphobic reviews, get your shit together guys! "There are more things in heaven and Earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
I do not agree with all of Mankeys interpretations and conclusions and I would wish he had done a little bit more research on some points, but that's "complaining on a high level".
I learned a lot and I love how inclusive this book is. It made me laugh very hard when I read some of the angry (read insecure) queerphobic reviews, get your shit together guys! "There are more things in heaven and Earth, Horatio, Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."
February 17, 2023
very interesting in general. I like how different perspectives and beliefs were used, despite the author perhaps not believing in some things.
September 21, 2022
Beautifully inclusive. Not what I was expecting.
This is incredibly well researched and has an extensive bibliography.
Regarding the complaints about this being from the Wiccan perspective. I politely disagree. The author is a third degree gardenarian high priest, however, he is candid about it and when those experiences influence his position on something within the book, he lets the reader know.
Also, a book regarding the history of the horned god and how we see him wouldn’t be complete if it didn’t include the Wiccan influence on how the greater witchcraft community sees Him. (But really, it was one chapter, followed immediatly on one regarding the non-Wiccan perspective so I’m unsure what the big deal is)
The book has changed my perspective on the horned god and other aspects of deific witchcraft. The author’s discussion on the nature of deity and the influence of humanity and its culture on such was thought provoking.
The rituals are easy to follow and accessible.
I would absolutely recommend to any practitioner who includes or wishes to include the Horned God or any horned god into their practice.
I will say, I believe the authors experience with Wicca is a unique one. He states that it is far more inclusive that it has been in decades past. As a non-Wiccan, this is not my experience.
Edit: I would also like to add that the authors love for the subject matter is apparent, and despite that love, he’s decently objective.
My only real criticism is that on a few occasions he sites his own previously written books, and I think that that is cheating.
This is incredibly well researched and has an extensive bibliography.
Regarding the complaints about this being from the Wiccan perspective. I politely disagree. The author is a third degree gardenarian high priest, however, he is candid about it and when those experiences influence his position on something within the book, he lets the reader know.
Also, a book regarding the history of the horned god and how we see him wouldn’t be complete if it didn’t include the Wiccan influence on how the greater witchcraft community sees Him. (But really, it was one chapter, followed immediatly on one regarding the non-Wiccan perspective so I’m unsure what the big deal is)
The book has changed my perspective on the horned god and other aspects of deific witchcraft. The author’s discussion on the nature of deity and the influence of humanity and its culture on such was thought provoking.
The rituals are easy to follow and accessible.
I would absolutely recommend to any practitioner who includes or wishes to include the Horned God or any horned god into their practice.
I will say, I believe the authors experience with Wicca is a unique one. He states that it is far more inclusive that it has been in decades past. As a non-Wiccan, this is not my experience.
Edit: I would also like to add that the authors love for the subject matter is apparent, and despite that love, he’s decently objective.
My only real criticism is that on a few occasions he sites his own previously written books, and I think that that is cheating.
July 1, 2021
This was an interesting and balanced look at a variety of horned gods. It does tell the history I read in some of my first pagan books, but does emphasize that there really isn't any grounding for it, though it does seem important to include it. The rest of the history in the book is solid, with some great insider analysis. I know the author from his blog about the horned god, so I know it is a topic close to his heart, and about which he is knowledgeable. It contains a great mix of ancient history and modern ideas, including both reconstructionist and Wiccan perspectives (though perhaps a bit more of the latter, which was fine by me, because it matches my own perspective more). It does contain pretty progressive gender ideas, which might upset some, and I have yet to form a solid opinion on how to reconcile those ideas with my religious practice, personally, since they don't really affect my experience, personally, but I appreciate getting that perspective here. The rituals are solid, but only cover the main work, which I find refreshing, because most readers would use their own methods of creating sacred space and general ritual format, and this is not a book aimed at a complete beginner. There was a good amount of depth here, and some of the details have enriched my own practice, and I am glad that I took the time to check it out.
March 26, 2021
Anyone interested in the symbiosis of mythology and folklore (ancient Greek, Celtic, English folklore etc.) will find many interesting things in this book. I liked the well-researched and sectioned style of writing. The first thing I noticed was the presence of footnotes on the bottom of every page which is highly appreciated in non-fiction. The main theme of the book is the natural and cultural history of gods depicted in various cultures and myths possessing horns. Antlered-beings are present in the history of mankind from our hunter-gatherer days. As an ardent enthusiast of Greek and Celtic mythology, the stories surrounding Pan, Dionysus, Cernunnos, and Herne were a treat. The second half of the book cites these deities in art, poetry, prose followed by an exploration into the depiction of horned figures of the "devil" throughout the ages and their association with witchcraft.
May 13, 2023
This was well researched, interesting, and informative. I appreciate Mankey’s various depictions of The Horned God in both Wicca and Traditional Witchcraft. He even had a few rituals, but didn’t overwhelm the reader with them. I appreciate his acknowledgment of the modern heteronormative idea of the God and Goddess, and his challenge to those ideas without stripping away who The Horned God really is. Mankey embraces all his aspects and shows how each is important. This is one of the best books I’ve read on witchcraft lately. I really enjoyed it.
July 4, 2021
I love that he goes into depth about the many manifestations of the horned god as the horned god within witchcraft and Wicca is often overshadowed by the goddess, but he mentions goddesses and female horned goddesses too much, as this is supposed to be a book about the horned “god” specifically. Aside from that, I thought it was very good for inspiring me to find ways of worshipping the horned god in my own way, as opposed to using somebody else’s way of worship.
November 26, 2024
I really enjoyed it. I learned a lot. While I wouldn’t say I’m very new to Wicca or the pagan path, I’ve been spending a lot more time truly sitting down and studying in the last year and I’ve enjoyed all of Mankeys writing and I loved this. I will say he has a few spelling errors throughout the text, and some of it rambles, but this has nothing but valuable information. I love the connection with actual history and art, and the rituals I find very meaningful.
August 8, 2021
The book is well written and kept my interest throughout my whole read. This book is full of priceless information that witches who follow the horned god will be able to find useful to better their craft. I love this book and if you are one that follows any of the horned deities then this book is for you!
July 20, 2022
I REALLY enjoyed this book. I like that Jason came at the book from a place of fact, fiction and practicality. I really enjoyed the rituals included. I loved all the coven antidotes, explanations as to how he personally experiences the Horned one I was sad when it ended frankly I really enjoy his writing style and also the inclusivity of us all.
July 1, 2021
I have always felt connected to the horned god in one form or another my whole like. Jason Mankey does a great job at connecting all the different concepts and makes connections that I had never noticed before. Io Pan!
December 8, 2021
This was a great overview of the horned gods in mythology and antiquity that have led up to the horned gods venerated by practitioners of contemporary witchcraft. His sources include archeology, history, and literature, both academic and pagan.
January 6, 2022
Loved it! I haven't read a nonfiction book that fast in years. In the acknowledgements Jason writes that he hopes this book is "modern mythology yet with very real ties to the ancient world." Bravo, because you nailed it!
June 19, 2022
If there were more stars I would give this book all the stars. Well researched, scholarly yet approachable and personal. Highly recommend this book to anyone interested in witchcraft, history,or myth.
August 23, 2021
One of the best books I have read in such a long time.
Thank you.
Thank you.
September 11, 2021
A great read and rather well researched book.
February 18, 2022
Well researched and unafraid to have a different take. Very inclusive and enjoyable. Best book for the topic of the horned god.
August 17, 2022
It was an amazing book and had some of the best rituals I have ever read.
December 7, 2022
„Rogaty bóg. Historia, mity i praktyki magiczne” to książka autorstwa Jasona Mankey’a wydana przez Wydawnictwo Kobiece.
Fascynująca podróż do mitologicznych i duchowych korzeni postaci Rogatego Boga? Tak! Z książki dowiemy się wszystkiego o postaci Ojca Czarownic.
Co znajdziemy w książce? Fakty, tradycje, transformacje na przestrzeni lat – od czasów starożytnych po czasy współczesne. Autor nie zatraca się jedynie w teorii. Otrzymujemy przydatne informacje, a później praktyczne sposoby na przybliżenie się do Rogatego Boga dzięki rytuałom, zaklęciom i medytacjom. Dzięki nim będziemy mogli pielęgnować więź z pradawną siłą.
Autor opisuje różne praktyki czarownictwa, wiele idei boskości – przytacza na czym polegają kolejno podejścia: politeizm, miękki politeizm, „miliardowość albo wszyscy bogowie są jednym bogiem”, duoteizm, energie, „bogowie są manifestacją czegoś w nas”, „bogowie nie są realni i nie są energiami”.
Otrzymujemy zarys istoty Rogatego Boga, jego definicję, sposób przedstawiania i wizualizacji, mity, a także szereg znaczeń. Autor przytacza, jak postrzegany jest Rogaty Bóg - umiejscowiony pomiędzy dwoma królestwami: naszym światem a krainą śmierci, bóg natury, przyjemności seksualnej, płodności, poświęcenia, śmierci i odrodzenia. Jason Mankey pokazuje, jak pod każdym aspektem rozumie istotę Rogatego Boga.
Bardzo podobał mi się styl autora. Jason Mankey potrafi zaskoczyć i sprawić, że w pierwszej chwili mamy „wait, o czym ty piszesz?”, a za chwilę „oh, to ma sens!”. Przykładowo, autor porównuje Rogatego Boga i postrzeganie jego postaci przez poszczególne osoby do play-doh. Do ciastoliny, tak, do ciastoliny! I szczerze powiem, że nie dość, że zaimponowała mi forma przekazu, tak dodatkowo to miało ogromny sens, nie tylko w obliczu objaśnienia kwestii postrzegania Rogatego, a i w kwestii tak zupełnie życiowo-społecznej. Świetne jest to, w jaki sposób autor tłumaczy, że tutaj liczą się różne sposoby postrzegania w zależności w szczególności od wrażliwości i otwartości.
Interpretacja jest zindywidualizowana. „Jedni z nas odkładają każdy kolor ciastoliny do oddzielnego pojemniczka, a innym nie przeszkadza to, że zrobili z niej wielką brązową grudę”.
Autor w swojej książce przygląda się dwóm dawnym bóstwom - Panowi i Cernunnosowi, a później bardziej współczesnym rogatym bóstwom - Hernowi, Elen i Zielonemu Człowiekowi. Rozdziały zawierają praktyki, które pomogą czytelnikowi zbliżyć się do tych bóstw. Jason Mankey przytacza przykładowo rytuał służący spotkaniu Rogatego Boga, rytuał służący spotkaniu z Ojcem Czarownic. Swoją drogą można traktować jak odbicie lustrzane. Autor skupił się również na wyjaśnieniu kwestii związku Rogatego Boga z chrześcijańskim diabłem.
Podobało mi się również nawiązanie do dychotomicznej natury boskiej, tutaj w związku z byciem personifikacją natury – połączeniem łagodności i gwałtowności, przyjemności i potęgi; a także z potęgą życia i śmierci – a w zasadzie konieczności jednego i drugiego, aby świat funkcjonował. Wszystko to ma również związek z seksualnością, płodnością i tematami okolicznymi, związanymi głównie z przyjemnością. Śmierć również – „la petite mort”.
Przede wszystkim, w dobrym odbiorze książki, duchowego przewodnika, pomoże otwartość i wrażliwość na interpretacje. Bardzo podobało mi się, że autor stuprocentowo opiera się na braku ograniczeń. Widać po sposobie pisania i po tym, jak poprowadzona jest książka, że autor, „w świecie pełnym dupków”, jest postacią wyróżniającą się pozytywnie i zwyczajnie nierozczarowującą. Miło poczytać słowa kogoś, kto przedstawia, pokazuje, uświadamia i wypunktuje całokształt, a nie narzuca jedną wizję. W końcu Rogaty Bóg pozwolił mu napisać tę książkę, więc „w ich relacji wszystko jest w porządku” – mimo zaimków małą literą ;)
Plusem książki i podejścia samego autora jest to, że widać, skąd czerpał wiedzę – na końcu książki znajduje się ponad dwadzieścia stron z bibliografią, dzięki której wiemy, że słowa mają poparcie w innych tekstach, a w razie potrzeby – możemy zagłębić się w literaturę.
Za egzemplarz do recenzji dziękuję Wydawnictwu Kobiecemu.
Fascynująca podróż do mitologicznych i duchowych korzeni postaci Rogatego Boga? Tak! Z książki dowiemy się wszystkiego o postaci Ojca Czarownic.
Co znajdziemy w książce? Fakty, tradycje, transformacje na przestrzeni lat – od czasów starożytnych po czasy współczesne. Autor nie zatraca się jedynie w teorii. Otrzymujemy przydatne informacje, a później praktyczne sposoby na przybliżenie się do Rogatego Boga dzięki rytuałom, zaklęciom i medytacjom. Dzięki nim będziemy mogli pielęgnować więź z pradawną siłą.
Autor opisuje różne praktyki czarownictwa, wiele idei boskości – przytacza na czym polegają kolejno podejścia: politeizm, miękki politeizm, „miliardowość albo wszyscy bogowie są jednym bogiem”, duoteizm, energie, „bogowie są manifestacją czegoś w nas”, „bogowie nie są realni i nie są energiami”.
Otrzymujemy zarys istoty Rogatego Boga, jego definicję, sposób przedstawiania i wizualizacji, mity, a także szereg znaczeń. Autor przytacza, jak postrzegany jest Rogaty Bóg - umiejscowiony pomiędzy dwoma królestwami: naszym światem a krainą śmierci, bóg natury, przyjemności seksualnej, płodności, poświęcenia, śmierci i odrodzenia. Jason Mankey pokazuje, jak pod każdym aspektem rozumie istotę Rogatego Boga.
Bardzo podobał mi się styl autora. Jason Mankey potrafi zaskoczyć i sprawić, że w pierwszej chwili mamy „wait, o czym ty piszesz?”, a za chwilę „oh, to ma sens!”. Przykładowo, autor porównuje Rogatego Boga i postrzeganie jego postaci przez poszczególne osoby do play-doh. Do ciastoliny, tak, do ciastoliny! I szczerze powiem, że nie dość, że zaimponowała mi forma przekazu, tak dodatkowo to miało ogromny sens, nie tylko w obliczu objaśnienia kwestii postrzegania Rogatego, a i w kwestii tak zupełnie życiowo-społecznej. Świetne jest to, w jaki sposób autor tłumaczy, że tutaj liczą się różne sposoby postrzegania w zależności w szczególności od wrażliwości i otwartości.
Interpretacja jest zindywidualizowana. „Jedni z nas odkładają każdy kolor ciastoliny do oddzielnego pojemniczka, a innym nie przeszkadza to, że zrobili z niej wielką brązową grudę”.
Autor w swojej książce przygląda się dwóm dawnym bóstwom - Panowi i Cernunnosowi, a później bardziej współczesnym rogatym bóstwom - Hernowi, Elen i Zielonemu Człowiekowi. Rozdziały zawierają praktyki, które pomogą czytelnikowi zbliżyć się do tych bóstw. Jason Mankey przytacza przykładowo rytuał służący spotkaniu Rogatego Boga, rytuał służący spotkaniu z Ojcem Czarownic. Swoją drogą można traktować jak odbicie lustrzane. Autor skupił się również na wyjaśnieniu kwestii związku Rogatego Boga z chrześcijańskim diabłem.
Podobało mi się również nawiązanie do dychotomicznej natury boskiej, tutaj w związku z byciem personifikacją natury – połączeniem łagodności i gwałtowności, przyjemności i potęgi; a także z potęgą życia i śmierci – a w zasadzie konieczności jednego i drugiego, aby świat funkcjonował. Wszystko to ma również związek z seksualnością, płodnością i tematami okolicznymi, związanymi głównie z przyjemnością. Śmierć również – „la petite mort”.
Przede wszystkim, w dobrym odbiorze książki, duchowego przewodnika, pomoże otwartość i wrażliwość na interpretacje. Bardzo podobało mi się, że autor stuprocentowo opiera się na braku ograniczeń. Widać po sposobie pisania i po tym, jak poprowadzona jest książka, że autor, „w świecie pełnym dupków”, jest postacią wyróżniającą się pozytywnie i zwyczajnie nierozczarowującą. Miło poczytać słowa kogoś, kto przedstawia, pokazuje, uświadamia i wypunktuje całokształt, a nie narzuca jedną wizję. W końcu Rogaty Bóg pozwolił mu napisać tę książkę, więc „w ich relacji wszystko jest w porządku” – mimo zaimków małą literą ;)
Plusem książki i podejścia samego autora jest to, że widać, skąd czerpał wiedzę – na końcu książki znajduje się ponad dwadzieścia stron z bibliografią, dzięki której wiemy, że słowa mają poparcie w innych tekstach, a w razie potrzeby – możemy zagłębić się w literaturę.
Za egzemplarz do recenzji dziękuję Wydawnictwu Kobiecemu.
November 11, 2022
Refers to polish copy published by Wydawnictwo Kobiece
Rogaty bóg. Historia, mity i praktyki magiczne.
Jego głowę zdobi ogromne poroże, a dłonie niemal opadają pod ciężarem złotych, bogato zdobionych torkwesów. Jest bogiem łowów, panem życia i śmierci, pobudzenia seksualnego, poświęcania, bogactwa i wielu innych aspektów życia, które badacze z lubością mu przypisują, co rusz dopatrując się nowych metafor ukrytych w starych malowidłach.
Jason Mankey wykonał iście mrówczą robotę zbierając w całość informacje, które udało mu się ustalić i pozyskać. Świadczy o tym choćby bogata bibliografia umieszczona na końcu książki i liczne przypisy. Widać, że autor poświęcił sporo czasu na poznanie genezy swojego bóstwa ale także poglądów i wierzeń innych czarownic. Nie była to jednak całkowicie obiektywna kwerenda, autor sam wielokrotnie powtarza, że odrzucił od razu wiele przekonań i teorii, które wydawały mu się nieprawdopodobne a skupił się na tych, które zyskały jego sympatię.
I choć książka wiele stron poświęca genezie Rogatego boga, to nie jest to tylko zbiór zapisów historycznych, to również niejako dziennik prywatnych praktyk magicznych Jasona Mankeya, jego wspomnień i przemyśleń w których wiara i magia walczą o palmę pierwszeństwa.
Autor przeprowadza czytelnika przez szczegółowe teorie dotyczące początków Rogatego boga, by chwilę później zalać go falą swoich przemyśleń lub podzielić się rytuałami mającymi zbliżyć czytelnika do wybranego aspektu bóstwa. Rytuałami, które autor sam praktykuje i przedstawia jako najwłaściwsze.
Pod względem teologicznym nie jestem w stanie ocenić tej książki, każdy ma prawo wierzyć w takiego boga, jaki bliski jest jego sercu. Pod względem merytorycznym, hym... Dużym plusem tej pozycji jest tak jak wspomniałam drobiazgowe przedstawienie genezy Rogatego boga, przedstawienie jego aspektów i ich personifikacji a także, co szczególnie do mnie przemawia umieszczenie w książce odpowiednich ilustracji.
Zaskoczył mnie jednak stosunek autora do samej magii i rytuałów. Z jednej strony cieszy mnie jego otwartość i tolerancja, z drugiej martwi mnie jego brak odpowiedzialności, ponieważ magia powiedzmy sobie metaforycznie, jest jak chemia. Jeśli wymieszasz niewłaściwie, wszystko wybuchnie ci w twarz. Zaś sam autor wykazuje zupełny brak stanowczości w stosunku do proponowanych czytelnikom praktyk, co i rusz sugerując, że można podmieniać „składowe” czy słowa rytuałów, jeśli podane przez niego nam nie pasują…
Podsumowując Rogaty bóg zawiera w sobie sporą dawkę historii i magii. Choć nie podzielam niektórych poglądów autora uważam, że to może być ciekawa lektura uzupełniająca wiedzę, jednak nie jej jedyne źródło. No i z całą pewnością odradzałabym tak niefrasobliwe podejście do magii i rytuałów.
Cernunnos, Pan, Lucyfer… Rogaty bóg ma wiele twarzy, ale gdzie leży prawda? Z tej książki się tego nie dowiecie. Ponieważ każda czarownica ma swój własny jego obraz w sercu i własną teorię jego istnienia. Niemniej jednak, jeśli interesuje was „W co wierzą czarownice” to warto po nią sięgnąć.
*Autor pisząc o czarownicach ma na względzie głównie wiccan, ale - jak sam zaznacza - nie tylko, jego zapiski dotyczą także współczesnego czarostwa oraz czarostwa tradycyjnego i obejmują przede wszystkim tereny Wielkiej Brytanii i Stanów Zjednoczonych.
Za egzemplarz recenzencki dziękuję Wydawnictwu Kobiecemu
Rogaty bóg. Historia, mity i praktyki magiczne.
Jego głowę zdobi ogromne poroże, a dłonie niemal opadają pod ciężarem złotych, bogato zdobionych torkwesów. Jest bogiem łowów, panem życia i śmierci, pobudzenia seksualnego, poświęcania, bogactwa i wielu innych aspektów życia, które badacze z lubością mu przypisują, co rusz dopatrując się nowych metafor ukrytych w starych malowidłach.
Jason Mankey wykonał iście mrówczą robotę zbierając w całość informacje, które udało mu się ustalić i pozyskać. Świadczy o tym choćby bogata bibliografia umieszczona na końcu książki i liczne przypisy. Widać, że autor poświęcił sporo czasu na poznanie genezy swojego bóstwa ale także poglądów i wierzeń innych czarownic. Nie była to jednak całkowicie obiektywna kwerenda, autor sam wielokrotnie powtarza, że odrzucił od razu wiele przekonań i teorii, które wydawały mu się nieprawdopodobne a skupił się na tych, które zyskały jego sympatię.
I choć książka wiele stron poświęca genezie Rogatego boga, to nie jest to tylko zbiór zapisów historycznych, to również niejako dziennik prywatnych praktyk magicznych Jasona Mankeya, jego wspomnień i przemyśleń w których wiara i magia walczą o palmę pierwszeństwa.
Autor przeprowadza czytelnika przez szczegółowe teorie dotyczące początków Rogatego boga, by chwilę później zalać go falą swoich przemyśleń lub podzielić się rytuałami mającymi zbliżyć czytelnika do wybranego aspektu bóstwa. Rytuałami, które autor sam praktykuje i przedstawia jako najwłaściwsze.
Pod względem teologicznym nie jestem w stanie ocenić tej książki, każdy ma prawo wierzyć w takiego boga, jaki bliski jest jego sercu. Pod względem merytorycznym, hym... Dużym plusem tej pozycji jest tak jak wspomniałam drobiazgowe przedstawienie genezy Rogatego boga, przedstawienie jego aspektów i ich personifikacji a także, co szczególnie do mnie przemawia umieszczenie w książce odpowiednich ilustracji.
Zaskoczył mnie jednak stosunek autora do samej magii i rytuałów. Z jednej strony cieszy mnie jego otwartość i tolerancja, z drugiej martwi mnie jego brak odpowiedzialności, ponieważ magia powiedzmy sobie metaforycznie, jest jak chemia. Jeśli wymieszasz niewłaściwie, wszystko wybuchnie ci w twarz. Zaś sam autor wykazuje zupełny brak stanowczości w stosunku do proponowanych czytelnikom praktyk, co i rusz sugerując, że można podmieniać „składowe” czy słowa rytuałów, jeśli podane przez niego nam nie pasują…
Podsumowując Rogaty bóg zawiera w sobie sporą dawkę historii i magii. Choć nie podzielam niektórych poglądów autora uważam, że to może być ciekawa lektura uzupełniająca wiedzę, jednak nie jej jedyne źródło. No i z całą pewnością odradzałabym tak niefrasobliwe podejście do magii i rytuałów.
Cernunnos, Pan, Lucyfer… Rogaty bóg ma wiele twarzy, ale gdzie leży prawda? Z tej książki się tego nie dowiecie. Ponieważ każda czarownica ma swój własny jego obraz w sercu i własną teorię jego istnienia. Niemniej jednak, jeśli interesuje was „W co wierzą czarownice” to warto po nią sięgnąć.
*Autor pisząc o czarownicach ma na względzie głównie wiccan, ale - jak sam zaznacza - nie tylko, jego zapiski dotyczą także współczesnego czarostwa oraz czarostwa tradycyjnego i obejmują przede wszystkim tereny Wielkiej Brytanii i Stanów Zjednoczonych.
Za egzemplarz recenzencki dziękuję Wydawnictwu Kobiecemu
September 20, 2024
the two figures that stand out most in modern Wicca are the Lord and Lady or the Goddess and the Horned God. There are many horned gods in old paganism. You have Pan, Dionysus, Cernununos etc. Which one of these horned gods the witches wish to honor is up to them. Some witches jus work with a generic "the Horned God" So Jason Mankey unpacks the horned god for us. How people picture deity can get rather interesting. Some see each of the horned gods as separate deities unto themselves, each with their own identity. Others see the horned god as a deity encompassing all of h honred gods. Yet even other witches see the deities as aspects of themselves something to be evoked out of them.
the main basis for the horned god is the Celtic Cernunnos and Pan. Pan is an easy god to learn about. There is a whole mythology abou the god complete with stories and everything. thre were shrines dedicatd to Pan. This horned god, upper half human lower part goat with some horns. He was a god of ecstasy, wine and he loved fornication with just about anyone or anything. Pan was a god of shepherds and he owned the Arcadian wilderness. His loud shout could cause panic. Cernunnos is a Celtic god with no known mythology about him. He does have shrines set up to him all over th place in Europe. Both o these horned gods are phalic gods and sometimes havea phallus representing them. There are some indications that Shiva might have ben an inspiration of Cernunnos.
The author covers some other horned deities as well. Jason goes over Dionysus, Herne the hunter, the devil, the witch father and Krampus. I may have missed a few so you will have to go back to the book and check.At the end of each chapter there is a ritual one can perform if they wish to build a relationship with that particular god. The author exposes some historical inaccuracies that have crept into the historiography. The God is also evolving as is Wicca. He is becoming less of a horned god and more of a universal god. Wicca and witchcraft used to be focused on the horned god but now the emphasis has shifted to the goddess. Great book totaly enjoyed it.
the main basis for the horned god is the Celtic Cernunnos and Pan. Pan is an easy god to learn about. There is a whole mythology abou the god complete with stories and everything. thre were shrines dedicatd to Pan. This horned god, upper half human lower part goat with some horns. He was a god of ecstasy, wine and he loved fornication with just about anyone or anything. Pan was a god of shepherds and he owned the Arcadian wilderness. His loud shout could cause panic. Cernunnos is a Celtic god with no known mythology about him. He does have shrines set up to him all over th place in Europe. Both o these horned gods are phalic gods and sometimes havea phallus representing them. There are some indications that Shiva might have ben an inspiration of Cernunnos.
The author covers some other horned deities as well. Jason goes over Dionysus, Herne the hunter, the devil, the witch father and Krampus. I may have missed a few so you will have to go back to the book and check.At the end of each chapter there is a ritual one can perform if they wish to build a relationship with that particular god. The author exposes some historical inaccuracies that have crept into the historiography. The God is also evolving as is Wicca. He is becoming less of a horned god and more of a universal god. Wicca and witchcraft used to be focused on the horned god but now the emphasis has shifted to the goddess. Great book totaly enjoyed it.
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