Pagan Portals - Gods & Goddesses of England

by Rachel Patterson

Rachel Patterson unearths and shines light on England's ancient gods and goddesses - many of whom, until now, had long since been forgotten. Based on archaeological finds and ancient manuscripts, and including information about the tribes that once made their home in England's pleasant lands, this book serves as a guide to the gods and goddesses of England, with suggested ways to work and connect with these very special deities.

Genres: History, Paganism, Mythology

128 pages, Paperback

Published July 1, 2023

About the author

Rachel is an English witch who has been walking the Pagan pathway for over thirty years.

A working wife and mother who has had over 30 books published (so far), some of them becoming best sellers.

Her passion is to learn, she loves to study and has done so from books, online resources, schools and wonderful mentors over the years and still continues to learn each and every day but has learnt the most from actually getting outside and doing it.

She likes to laugh...and eat cake...

Rachel gives talks to pagan groups and co-runs workshops with the Kitchen Witch Coven.

High Priestess of the Kitchen Witch Coven and an Elder at the online Kitchen Witch School of Natural Witchcraft.

A regular columnist with Fate & Fortune magazine, she also contributes articles to several magazines such as Pagan Dawn and Witchcraft & Wicca. You will find her regular ramblings on her own personal blog and YouTube channel.
Rachel is host for the Pagan Portals Podcast, produced by Moon Books Publishing.

​Her craft is a combination of old religion witchcraft, Wicca, hedge witchery, kitchen witchery and folk magic.

Her heart is that of an English Kitchen Witch.

​Rachel was added to the Watkins '100 spiritually influential List' for 2023.



For more information www.rachelpatterson.co.uk and www.kitchenwitchhearth.net

She lives in Portsmouth, England.

Website: www.rachelpatterson.co.uk

Personal blog https://www.rachelpatterson.co.uk/blog

You Tube:
her YouTube channel features lots of videos with talks, information and short reference films.
https://www.youtube.com/user/Kitchenw...

Social Media:
Personal Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/racheltansyp...
Author fb page https://www.facebook.com/RachelPatter...
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/racheltansy...
Twitter https://twitter.com/TansyFireDragon
Kitchen Witch fb group https://www.facebook.com/groups/kitch...

Reviews

[Katherine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Decent overview of the relevant history and names, this is very much a brief primer and starting point. Short and easy to read. For my purposes there are more detailed books, but this is a good list for reference. A bibliography at the end includes books (especially by Miranda Green) that I would recommend.

[Lily · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing resource. If you're looking to learn more about the deities from this part of the world or looking to deepen your connection, you'll find this to be incredibly helpful. I greatly appreciated the opening section - where Patterson breaks down The British Isles, the countries they contain, the history of the Isles, and other various histories involving the people living there in ancient times. We then move on to the gods/goddesses, organized alphabetically. Some have longer entries than others, but Patterson does admit there was less information to be found on some than others, so this wasn't a big surprise. I did learn about deities I'd never heard of and learned some new things about ones I was already familiar with. I think my favorite section was "Meet the Deities" where Patterson shares some of her rituals/meditations/symbols/recipes for a few of the deities. I'll be trying some of the recipes, and I love the idea of connecting to a god/goddess through more than just ritual and meditation but through food too. Cannot recommend enough!

[Robert Burrows · Rating 3 out of 5]

Misleading title, it's Celtic britian pre England.

As a list for basic introduction of Celtic Deities that were worshipped in Britian and in areas what are now I'm England it's alright.

It touched on a few of the Anglo-Saxon Deities. However, the author makes the same mistake most authors do in claiming they're the same as the Scandinavian gods, also ð in Old English translated to th not d so couple of the AS Deities names aren't correct.

If you are looking for a book that references Old English gods or Anglo Saxon Deities, you will be very disappointed.

However, as said earlier as a basic introduction to celtic Deities, I can not fault it. Listing the evidence is also respectable, so it gains a star for that.

It's simply written, meaning it's easily read and absorbed.

[Mark · Rating 1 out of 5]

This was a big disappointment, and reads like the author's research notes rather than a finished book. Most of the book is a very dry list of deities (for whom there's scant evidence) which should be an appendix. The cumbersome history chapter talks of the "Dark Ages" and takes a weird flippant tone that just feels off. There are some very questionable ethics. Are deities of war or deities that require human sacrifice really worth connecting with? Collective Ink, who publish the imprint Moon Books, give next to no editorial support to their authors, and this is unfortunately very noticeable here.

[Victoria Bennison · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rachel Patterson’s dedication to rediscover The Gods and Goddesses of England is inspiring. The depth of research and dedication used to find the smallest bit of historical evidence is exceptional. And the rituals designed to allow you to intuitively understand these deities are fulfilling. This author’s passion to keep these gods and goddesses historically alive is an example for all those wishing to do the same. And the reference list is an informative jumping off spot for your own rediscovery, as Rachel leaves a trail for you to follow.

[Susanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A good overview of the deities found in England, with the evidence to support their existence. This is a great starting point if you are looking to connect with local energies, and Rachel includes a good bibliography at the back, as well as tips to develop your spiritual connection. She has also written some meditations and rituals for specific deities, which are included at the back to give you ideas for your own work. A good resource to spark your spiritual curiosity.

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short and sweet digestable book all about the gods and goddesses of England, many of them lesser known and worshipped by specific tribes. Such as goddess Andred of Norfolk, Aegil of Northumberland, Latis of Cumbria and Belisama of Lancashire.
I was born in Lancashire and it is nice to learn of the Brigante tribe of my local area called the Setantii.
Includes offerings, recipies, meditations and rituals to connect to these dieties.

[Michelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

I’m being generous with 2 stars. 2/3 of the books is just a list of “possible” deities with no background other than the name being found on a stone (possible altars) dug up around the UK. Then a couple she liked & has chosen to create a practice around are detailed a little more but mostly how she has interpreted them. I guess I should just suck it up and invest in books written (and fully researched) by Ronald Hutton instead of these half assed essays Pagan Portals publishes.

[Rosemarie · Rating 3 out of 5]

More a catalogue of references to deities known in Britain in the Roman period than a book about the deities of England. A bit shallow. If you've never read anything on the subject it's a place to start.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well researched, easy to follow and informative. An excellent introduction to the Gods and Goddesses of England and a good reference book
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Pinar · Rating 2 out of 5]

In need of serious editing and proofreading.

[N · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars rounded up.