Heathens, Pagans and Witches discussion

Chosen by Aaron for our October/November non-fiction Group Read.

I'm just in the process of getting this one. I'm very excited about this read. I think it's the first time I'm participating in a non-fiction read.

Thank you for choosing my book. :)

Hi Tinnekke, thanks for joining us :). We'd love it if you'd stay around and take part in the discussion.

I would be happy to stay and participate.

Excellent, Nice to have you Tinnekke.

I am intending to get to this book. Just waiting until funds allow...

Same here. I'm excited about reading this one, but my mobility is somewhat limited at the moment.

Aaron wrote: "Same here. I'm excited about reading this one, but my mobility is somewhat limited at the moment."

Sending healing thoughts your way Aaron!:)

Hi all! Thank you for choosing my book. Sorry I have been quiet lately. I am home healing from major surgery, and I am just getting mobile enough to go downstairs and sit in front of the computer since coming home from the hospital. I am here and happy to participate as much as I can. I am more than willing to answer any questions you might have.

No need for apologies, Tinnekke, heal well :)

And you too, Aaron :)

Can someone make me comfortable with the feminism in this book?

Sometimes things that make us uncomfortable shine a light on places within ourselves that we need to address. My first philosophy professor taught me that ages ago. Of course, he was teaching a class on pre-Socratic and early Hellenic philosophy to a bunch of honors students at the University of Utah. So, YMMV, but it is worth a thought.

Michael wrote: "Can someone make me comfortable with the feminism in this book?"

Not been reading this, but following the thread...what's up with it sir?

Michael wrote: "Can someone make me comfortable with the feminism in this book?"

All opinions and thoughts are not only valid, but also very welcome in this thread Michael! Keep them coming. :) I haven't started this one yet, but will get to it asap and join the discussion then.

Are you reading it Michael? I'm still scrambling to get my hands on one.

have you tried amazon? it is also available at pagan writers press website

I'm unable to use my credit card from India because of the security "features". I've already blocked my card several times trying to do online purchases from here, and I'd have to make a special trip to Canada, just to reactivate it. Typically I only attempt this odyssey every five years if I can help it. I'd either have to get someone from abroad to purchase it and send it by post, find a free download, or trust that it has somehow made it into a second hand bookstore in the Himalayas of India.

Okay I've placed the order. Twelve Hundred Rupees! Argh. My dad's going to flip. I found it on an Indian Book dealer website.

Whee, It's here. My hands were shaking when I opened the package. I'm so sorry to be late for the discussion, but I will be plowing ahead with this forthwith.

Fingers crossed that the wait and the loot were worthwhile :)

My roommate says I better be able to do real magic after reading this one lol.

I've read the first chapter which outlines the different rituals for different phases of the moon. So far the ideology is a fairly political correct approach to Goddess worship, and in that sense, not terribly surprising. There is a kind of interested warning in the first chapter to be mindful of the patriarchy which resides in the internal psyche as well as that which comes from society.

Synchronicity always insprires me. I was very gratified to notice that someone had recently brought up the topic of The Hedgepath, in our group, which I'm somewhat familiar with, and have always found interesting.

The Hedgepathe

Needless to say, I was quite pleasantly surprised to find that the dance of the Mystai was based on this principal. In other words, the notion that spirituality is best served by the practitioner following their intuition, rather than the strictures of tradition.

I am not a woman, and in spite of loving the ideas presented in this book, I'm not quite prepared to get an operation to join the organisation, but I have several friends in mind who I think would benefit greatly, not only from reading this book, but also from practicing some of the rituals, and maybe becoming a priestess in their own right.

Being about as easy going as it gets, I glossed over the politically biased man-bashing aspects to this book and kept reading. the final straw, though, was the section headed "Modern Feminism". At this point the book ended up in the recycle bin. My point here is none. I respect whoever picked it.

Michael wrote: "Being about as easy going as it gets, I glossed over the politically biased man-bashing aspects to this book and kept reading. the final straw, though, was the section headed "Modern Feminism". At..."

Your opinion is completely valid and appreciated Michael. :) (I don't think anyone is even reading my book choice for the month, and that is fine and good too.) Thanks for your continuing participation in our group reads!

I'm getting to your book Gina. I'm just a little backed up with my ordering.

Aaron wrote: "I'm getting to your book Gina. I'm just a little backed up with my ordering."

I do understand if people would rather avoid it, it is unsettling. Not a problem either way. :) Best to you Aaron! Hope your leg is healing well and life is wonderful (and full of magic.) :):)

It IS Gina, and I hope yours is too.

Aaron, thank you for your willingness to stick with my book to the end., I am glad you ended up enjoying it as much as you did. I have to admit to being very pleasantly surprised after the rough start with it that you had.
I fully admit that the book may not be an easy read, but not all books need to be for all people. The market is saturated with Pagan 101 books, but not so many that give a beginning and take it further or just start in the middle and let you jump in at your own pace. I tried to make it accessible to the people for whom I wrote without dumbing it down, and I hoped it would be of interest to anyone interested in reading something that was more experiential than "how-to".

I'm quite familiar with the pleasure of writing about something that not necessarily everyone relates to. I'm still actually at the beginning of the book, roughly so I should still have lots more to say.

Tinnekke wrote: "I fully admit that the book may not be an easy read, but not all books need to be for all people."

Absolutely :) Tinnekke, I'm sure you will find that others will find this thread, and also see your book in our bookshelf, and will seek it out to read. Some people don't necessarily have the time now, but will have placed it in their to-read lists. (My to-read list seems ridiculously large at the moment, but I do get through it slowly but surely, and I will make sure your book is included in it).

Re everybody liking it, I think one of the last reviews for one of my own books (I'm a writer too) said 'Extremely boring" :D Long live difference of opinion. (Although I will be honest and say that it did sting a bit.)

Best to you Tinnekke and thanks for your participation too. :):)

Tinnekke I wanted you to know, I recently changed my life, moved to a different country and got rid of all but a free books, but I brought this book with me to continue studying it. I love the chapter about words of power. I'd never thought about the fact that words used to disparage women are actually compliments!