The Urban Primitive: Paganism in the Concrete Jungle

by Raven Kaldera, Tannin Schwartzstein, W. Michael (Wolfie) Dooley (Illustrator)

You consider yourself a Pagan, or a Magician, or a Witch, because you know there's more to this world than meets the mundane eye. You believe that magic can influence events in your own life and in the world around you. But you don't live on some pastoral, isolated farm, living off the land, generating your own electricity and pumping your own water. No, you live in the urban jungle. You learned early on that money really doesn't grow on trees, and you don't have wads of extra cash to spend on elaborate ritual tools, custom spell ingredients, and stylish ritual attire. So what a modern urban Pagan to do? Learn how to live a magical life in the concrete jungle. Whether you're a seasoned practitioner or you've never cast a spell before, this in-your-face guide to commando-style magic is for every urban primitive.

Genres: Paganism, Spirituality, Religion, Magick, Occult, Wicca, Nonfiction

268 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2002

About the author

A female-to-male transgendered activist and shaman, Raven Kaldera is a pagan priest, intersex transgender activist, parent, astrologer, musician and homesteader. Kaldera is also the author of "Hermaphrodeities: The Transgender Spirituality Workbook" from XLibris Press. The founder and leader of the Pagan Kingdom of Asphodel and the Asphodel Pagan Choir, Kaldera has been a neo-pagan since the age of 14, when he was converted by a "fam-trad" teen on a date. Since then, he's been through half a dozen traditions, including Gardnerian, Dianic, granola paganism, Umbanda, Heithnir, and the Peasant Tradition. He is currently happily married to artist and eco-experimentalist Bella Kaldera, with whom he co-founded the Institute for Heritage Skills.

Reviews

[Eli · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was 2 steps up and 1 step back for me. We were going *somewhere,* but I didn't like where and how. Now maybe I, as a non-deistic Pagan, am unsuited to judge the efficacy of this book, but being a Pagan who lives in the concrete jungle, I hoped I was at least partially in their target audience. However, despite the subtitle, this is "Wicca in the Concrete Jungle" or at least "Heavily Wiccan-influenced Paganism in the Concrete Jungle." A lot of basics, just with more "urban" talk. I was hoping for more theory - less "what," more "why." I was hoping for a whole new way of approaching Paganism in the city. Less "use broken bottles as an emergency athame," more, "Here's how you use the city's energy without an athame."

I also disagreed with a lot of their advice: while I was glad they had a section on manners and behavior in the Pagan community, they lost big points by saying that, even if you know for sure another group's doing something dangerous, your most ethical choice may be to do nothing. I liked their suggestions on locating and communicating with the spirit of the city, I found their suggestions for getting to various places in the city to do magic as impractical as old ceremonial texts on burying a specific stone under a specific tree at a specific hour of the night on a specific day. Schwartzstein and Kaldera talk a lot to the urban poor (not that the urban poor are going to be spending money on this book), but then they turn around and advocate magic that people who work 3 jobs and get everywhere via public transit simply would not be able to perform. And while the section on ancient deities in modern times was interesting, honoring love goddesses by going to strip clubs and calling the dancers "Lady" or "Goddess" tops my list of "worst advice ever." That's no way to honor the Goddess, buddy - that's the way to get on the club's Creep List. Also, I've only heard of Sqaut, Skram, and Skor as "joke" urban goddesses and have never heard of Slick, Skrew, and Sarge, and while Kaldera and Schwartzstein try to serious them up into "real" deities, they fall short of that goal. The caricatured illustrations of said deities don't help one whit.

Their urban totem section is shaky, too: less information on what they animal is like and what having it as your totem means for your life and more using the animals like enneagrams to tell you what certain people are like. For instance, Kitty people are spoiled, maybe only children, and Silverfish people are bookworms who hate to be distracted by people. While there's some degree of wisdom in that, it feels like a gross oversimplification. Overall, not a book I can recommend unless you're an urban Wiccan just starting out on the path.

[Abraxas Abrasaxtes · Rating 1 out of 5]

Apparently this book is written for those on the verge of homelessness!! I live in San Francisco one of the most expensive cities in the country yet I still figure out ways to get herbs, candles, altar tools etc. without breaking the bank,(hint find a food co-op with a good bulk herbs section or a farmers market) nor do I make exorbitant amounts of money. Perhaps you just need a better job? or better yet learn to budget your money a little better? The authors' suggestion of dumpster diving for roses is ridiculous and antithetical to any sort of "love or self-worth" that you would be trying to invoke with said roses. Substituting Myrrh with VICKS?!?! When I think of vicks I think illness, sickness, and congestion certainly NOT attributes I'd want to conjure up in any ritual.

I don't know what kind of apartment building these authors live in but I certainly would never go around the halls of my building smudging burning candles or making raucous noise in order to invoke protection, throughout the common areas of my building. Nor, would I ever draw protective runes on stairwells or hang plastic guns from fire escapes!

The idea of honoring Aprhodite by visiting strip bars or making offers to prostitutes is downright offensive and potentially dangerous in the case of the latter. Their "Urban Goddesses" Squat (the goddess of parking spaces?! who enjoys dirty jokes and is obese) their "invocation" to her is absolutely laughable "O great and bounteous Squat, we like you a lot, we really think you're hot, oh, please, give us a parking spot" I may not be the most prolific poet but I could certainly write a more evocative poem than that even if it was to an obese, lewd, "goddess" of parking lots. They also suggest when apartment hunting, in order to honor Squat to write dirty jokes on public bathrooms or subway posters, I don't know about you but I don't see how defacing public property is any way to honor a deity. Skor the homeless goddess of yard sales, flea markets, and trash picking (really?!) and Skram "the one who tells you not to be there"....okay whatever that means! the illustrations of these deities is just as laughable as the ideas behind them. Then there is the "triple" Gods (most pagan teachings have always spoke of the goddess as 3 form [maiden/mother/crone] and the god as dualistic in nature [sacrifical and fertile] making up the sacred 5) but alas they felt the need to triplicate him into "Slick" the greasy, sleazy douchey god of cheap talk, and viper salesmanship. Screw the sexy "pimp" god of sexual attraction, condoms, and parties. and finally Sarge the militant hot-headed army seargent.....I gave up on this book after this chapter.

I spent the majority of my time reading (admittedly only half) of this book either with my jaw dropped in shock and offense or with my palm smacking my forehead in utter disgust at some of the suggestions and flawed logic riddled throughout this train-wreck of a book.

[Steve Cran · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many Pagans are striving to for the spirit of getting back to nature. Within the Pagan community the wooded area of nature is extolled over the vices of the city. Yet if you really think about it most pagans live in the city. In ancient times there Pagan temples developed in big cities not out in forests. This book written by Raven Kaldera and Tannin Shcwartzstein is a survival guide for poor and down on their luck pagans who live in the city. Besides who says cities are so bad after all they are vibrant filled with energy and with lots of people it is very easy for a Pagan to go by unnoticed.

In many ways this book functions as a sort of beginners guide for Pagans and magical workers. The first thing a pagan wants to learn about is spells. There are two types of spells one type relies upon your own energy and the other type gets assistance from deity. To do an effective spell you first generate energy. 2)Move the energy to where you want it to go. 3) bounce back effects from the spell.

With spell crafting there are two modes of thinking. One is that rituals items are not needed save only their value in unlocking the power from the unconscious. Tools are just props and their power is dependent on what they mean to the user. The second view it that ritual items do give their energy towards a goal especially if you are more ceremonial.

The viewpoint in this book is on practicality and tend toward the first mode of thinking in both instances. the authors are really into relying on their own juice to power up a spell. You do not have the ingredients needed for a magical working heck use substitute which they give you enough of.
Cannot afford expensive ritual items have no fear substitute can be found in trash dumps and garage sales. Plastic cups can be used for a chalice, plastic knifes for an athame, cigarette buts to represent fire. Salt packets for earth elements and cheap incense for air. Cities and areas within the city have their own spirit. These spirits can become your ally and the authors advise leaving offering. Different and ancient deities can be reached at various places in the city. Go underground ora subway to reach Hades, a library for Athena, Hospitals for Hesceplius. For Aphrodite you can give gift with the expectation of nothing in return to working girls.

Contacting the element is rather unique for air obviously leaving offering or requests in the wind can be efective. But their are mini rituals for using the telephone and stereo. For fire turn on a candle or gas stove. For water there are lake and Oceans but also running faucet and land is about anywhere.

Contacting the dead is risky business and they do not like to be disturbed. Not all dead people are nice and most of our beloved who have passed on have reincarnated in to another life. It is ok to leave offering for the dead and maybe we can ask blood relative who we had a good relationship with for help.

The authors talk plenty about body modification and tattoes. I have a personal bias against that unless done in a cultural context so that rather turned me off. At least they address safety concerns

The authors have developed a paradigm which can be effective in accessing the subconsious if not the super natural. Their totem consists of city animals and what their attributes are. I tend to see myself as a raccoon. They also have a triple Goddess and triple god. Once again their own paradigm. I will let you read more to find out.

I found the book interesting and I did pull some useful suggestions from it. Their path may not be for every pagan. Many of us {Pagans are not into body mod and feel that we would rather deal with traditional deities and leave offering in our home. After all Gods can be present anywhere no? Perhaps what I am learning from all this is that the power to change or transform our lives comes from within.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Extremely interesting, lively written and educative book. Mostly about calling upon gods and spirits for a help, not about manipulating faceless energies on one's own.

I would recommend it for beginners, learning about magick, witchcraft, psychic self-protection and even dowsing. Just to see the whole picture through the different eyes, from different perspective, make connections that would be impossible without wealth of provided information.

The following particular topics are especially valuable:

- Super economical substitutes for common objects used in witchcraft, wicca and magick (even if book is tailored for pagans, this is how I see it being useful for others) and socially acceptable substitutes for people living with others who do not share their interests.

- It also touches the Internet's cyber-society, another rarely discussed topic in similar books that I met before.

- A lot of attention was paid to extreme poverty with trash picking (yet caring much about parking and not yet going down to a simple living), very unusual - and still interesting.

- Warnings what not to do and why so.

Drawbacks:

In my humble opinion, the book would be much better without its illustrations and poetry.

And without descriptions of those urban deities that are for people who's main interests are get parking space, pick long looking for trash/treasure and getting laid, no matter who comes along. Not for carless, living in voluntary (or not) simplicity, worrying more about not getting laid and becoming pregnant, caring more about survival than petty interpersonal clashes.

Covered topics and provided solutions are not in the sphere of interests of the most of the people, and not possible for most of city dwellers - rather for very narrow social layer with very specific way of life, belonging to mainstream culture and living in the cities, similar to described in the book; others are completely different. It simply cannot be done - either in other cities, by other people, without causing a lot of long-term consequences, or just for the lack of access for all the described.

Even if what was important (and affordable) to authors is completely alien (and impossible) to you, the complex picture they wove together expands one's own horizons; give it a try.

[Charity · Rating 4 out of 5]

For those of us more spiritually minded or even just struggling to survive and connect with the cities we live in. Moving to the big city is a culture shock for someone who has grown up in a small town, and even those who've lived in the urban area their whole lives can still get lost. This book offers some amazing advice, even delivered with a bit of humor. The authors take the time to point out dangerous spells. They still provide them, but the warnings are clear. (Ignorance breeds ignorance, right?)

The subjects have a wide range, from how to find your own herbs in the city, to how to ask for guidance in finding the right apartment, how to cleanse it to rid it of others energy--even your own if you've decided to move, a list of spirit/totem animals including characteristics (a spirit animal from the country areas, e.g. a wolf or bear, would have a harder time moving around the city than say a raccoon, squirrel or rat. It makes sense to me that for your time in the city your animal may be different than in less populated/crowded areas.), they even share a small section on gems/crystals and their uses--referencing, of course, several books on the subject, plus a whole lot more.

I reference it when having minor issues and it often has a handy suggestion. A keeper in my opinion.

[DDog · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It has lots of great advice for city-dwelling or -working pagans. It is very useful that someone has considered how living in cities is different than living in the country, that a huge number of modern pagans are living in cities, and that much "traditional" pagan lore doesn't take into account the different environments and it can be a struggle to find basic ingredients outside of stores.

The book packs a lot of information into a manageable size. The authors reinterpret some more traditional Neo-pagan ideas into the environment of the city, and offer new insights about urban spirits and magic.

One thing that bothered me was advocating throwing bottles into rivers or crafted objects down storm drains as the last step of a spell, or tossing paper airplanes out of car windows; when in other chapters the authors would warn against littering. There was something similar about destroying at will anything you find on your property placed there by someone else as an invasion of your turf, yet in other chapters the authors recommend secretly placing charged objects in the offices of politicians or on the grounds of desired houses. These inconsistencies jar with the rest of the book, which is remarkably useful and insightful.

[Steven · Rating 3 out of 5]

While it didn't fit the purpose I got it for (inspiration for a story I'm working on), it's a good book for neo-Pagans wanting to practice their spirituality in an urban environment. I would have liked to see more about the specifics of city spirits, besides the two threefold deities, magickal graffiti, and a brief discussion of city energy, but it's not nearly as "Must cram city life into earth-friendly parallels" and shallow as Christopher Penczak's City Magick.

[Angelica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable read. I liked the idea behind it. A guide to Paganism for us city dwellers. Some of the ideas weren't exactly for me and strayed a bit much. But, as with any religion or spirituality based book, not EVERYTHING is for everyone. It gave me a base for which to build on. Much appreciated :)

[Indigo Crow · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this book is just "okay". It's pretty old (my copy was printed in 2002, which puts it at 19 years old as of the time of my review) and it definitely didn't age well in some areas, such as the discussion about the internet and "cyber shamans".

I like some things about it, such as the chapter on urban animal totems. I didn't really find it useful, but it was entertaining. I like the ideas about contacting spirits that are more associated with urban places and finding urban areas where deities might be more easily communed with. But then there was the chapter on urban "gods" that was purely silly. The art that accompanied the ridiculous descriptions of these "gods" was decent, but the supposed deities are silly to the point of being childish. Then again, the whole book has a childish quality to it.

I picked up that tell-tale flavor of Wicca that taints most occult, pagan, and witchcraft books, too, especially at the time this was published. The "law of return" popped up more than once. I won't fault the authors for this since Wicca has latched its claws into so many books on this topic, but it gets so old...

I don't know what Tannin went on to do, and I think the parts of the book I distilled most had to do with that half of the team, because I read a book that Raven helped write later on that I enjoyed.

Anyway... I guess I'd recommend this if you can get a free or low priced copy of it. I happened to find this one at a thrift shop. I wouldn't recommend anybody pay full price for it, though. I don't think it's worth it.

[Min · Rating 4 out of 5]

The reader is quickly reminded that Paganism, and magic, of what has been left to us, is largely the magic of the city. The Roman gods and goddesses, had several temples in the city. The rural folk kept fewer records. So speak to present experiences, and the new knowledge gained from smaller living quarters, and different social pressures than the farmer endured.

A very practical, and forward thinking model of magic that fits well into the modern Urban life. It's all about utilizing what is around, and recognizing the Spirits near. Some ideas may seem too weird but why not have an urban triple god and goddess, that speaks to very modern needs and ideas. Totems created from common urban wildlife. Herbal based in easy to find weeds, and ornamental plants found so often in a city.
I appreciate the pragmatism, the inventiveness, and boldness to follow the inspiration that is all around in our growing mega-cities with two, and three names.
Definitely worth perusal for a different perspective on the matter, and, hopefully, a few ideas to expand and explore.

[Lori Schiele · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book written by two practicing Pagans unique from the dozens and dozens of Wiccan/Pagan books I have read. While most books on the topic of Wicca and/or Paganism tend toward our relationship with Mother Earth and nature, this book discusses practical ways to work magick in the "concrete jungles" that cover so much of the planet.
It touches on topics like cyber-magick and deities specific to cities, and shows how to utilize places like subways, sewage drains, recycling centers and even the city dump to perform rituals. Rather than discussing very popular totem animals like bear, wolf and elk, they discuss the lessons that can be learned from rat, pigeon and cockroach. A chapter is dedicated to the uses of "urban herbals" like crabgrass, dandelions and hastas.
Well-written and practical. Even if you don't live in the city, it is still a very interesting and informative read for any magick practitioner.

[Chelli · Rating 5 out of 5]

I didn't put a date of when I read this book because I don't remember the first time I did read it. I have read it several times and now use it for reference. I live in a smallish town and have some access to the country, but this book is great for times when I need to do something with what is at hand. City dwellers should at least read this book once. Magic is all around, even in the concrete jungle. This book teaches city dwellers how to do spell work with tools you can find around you in a city. It also has spell craft specifically for those in the city. There are spells for everything from how to protect yourself in the city and dark alleys to how to find a parking space in a busy parking lot.
The book is intelligently written without being dry. It is very readable and suitable for beginners and more advanced practitioners alike.
This is one of my favorite how to witchcraft books.

[Danni Green · Rating 2 out of 5]

I had read this book about 8 years ago and remembered really appreciating it, so I wanted to read it again. I was surprised, the second go-round, by how much my perspectives have changed in that time. There is some useful info in here, but there is also an incredible amount of cultural appropriation, disrespect/disregard for the traditions of people of color, and in several instances the authors address the reader as if they assume the reader is white and would agree with racist viewpoints, which was rather alarming to me particularly since I'd read the book previously and didn't notice this before. I would be interested to hear if the authors would write this book differently now, and how/if their perspectives have changed as mine have.

[Viridian5 · Rating 3 out of 5]

Has some moments where it's far too cute and silly--for example, it lists the triple urban goddess as Squat, Skor, and Skram and the triple urban god as Slick, Screw, and Sarge--it also could work as a resource for folks writing modern magic users. They have some innovative spell uses for things like foil gum wrappers, the plastic bubbles that bubble gum machine toys come in, and paper clips. I did appreciate the emphasis on what things personally mean to you instead of saying you have to use this color/scent/etc. for certain purposes Or Else.

[Georgia]

i really think this book was an overall 3 out of 5. All though this book may just be for people who study wiccan or who are wiccan, but i read it and i really understood the religon and what they do. this book is about new pagan and wiccan religon. it studys spells what its about and how you would do it and what colors mean in wicca. If you think theres more in the world then just us then you should read this book it will blow your mind.

[Lory · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful book for anyone trying to practice an earth-based spirituality in the city. I learned a host of new ways to celebrate my faith and met a group of new gods, including Squat, who helps you find parking spaces and apartments. I have since learned that she is also willing to help out in suburbia and foreign countries.

[Damien · Rating 2 out of 5]

It's cute and clever, but the more I read, the less I liked it. The many speculations are treated as fact, as if they were written in emerald (Trismegistus joke!). I do give it bonus points for acknowledging the needs of poor witches and their apparent sympathy for the plight of the homeless. But other than that, they hold the same social misconceptions of most suburbanites turned trendy oogles.

[Fay]

I was fascinated by the idea of a book that tackles paganism from an urban perspective, rather than the usual romantic fantasy that we all lead nice lives out in the sticks. But when I got it home for a proper read, it was disappointingly simplistic. Some interesting points, but not enough to really fill an entire book.

[Tam · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some things I liked very much- in particular new ways of orienting oneself as a pagan in a big city and the reminder that cities have as much spirit and energy, if not more in many ways, than rural areas. Other things were totally eyeroll-worthy to me. I'm glad I read it, but I don't think it's going to be a big part of my practice.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Playful AND useful... I have no problems borrowing from this text for my private practice.

[Kathryn Wilson]

Soon to follow

[Tara · Rating 2 out of 5]

I liked some of the concepts in the book, but most if the concepts were not ti my liking or my beliefs. Was okay but honestly not a book I will be keeping in my collection.

[Trista Carter]

one of my favorite books in the Paganism information genre. Great insights to those who want to practice earth based religions while living in not-so-country settings.

[Brenna Skirata · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written very tongue-in-cheek. Read it, enjoy it, take it seriously at your own peril. However, there is some very good advice in here if you don't take yourself seriously either. I love this book.

[Conure Hermary · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fascinating book that delves into things most pagan books miss out on, such as offerings to the dark gods and city totems. One of my all time favorite pagan themed books ever!