Pagan Religion

Pagans explores the rise of Christianity from a surprising and unique viewpoint: that of the people who witnessed their ways of life destroyed by what seemed then a powerful religious cult. These "pagans" were actually pious Greeks, Romans, Syrians, and Gauls, who observed the traditions of their ancestors. To these devout polytheists, Christians who worshiped only one deity were immoral atheists who believed that a splash of water on the deathbed could erase a lifetime of sin.

Often seen as the author of timeless Christian theology, Paul himself heatedly maintained that he lived and worked in history's closing hours. His letters propel his listeners into two ancient worlds, one Jewish, one pagan. The first was incandescent with apocalyptic hopes, expecting God through his messiah to fulfill his ancient promises of redemption to Israel. The second teemed with ancient actors, not only human but also divine: angry superhuman forces, jealous demons, and hostile cosmic gods.

Wherever you look, be it in the texts of Ancient Greece and Rome, Byzantium or the Renaissance, the Greek Magical Papyri or the Chaldean Oracles, you will find Hekate. In this book, the authors draw from a wide range of sources, bringing together historical research which provides insights into the magical and religious practices associated with this remarkable goddess. In doing so they provide an indispensable guide for those wishing to explore the mysteries of Hekate today.

Steeped in tradition based on more than a quarter century of research and practice, A Book of Pagan Prayer teaches us to pray in the ways of our ancestors for very modern times and concerns. A unique collection of nearly 500 prayers written to fulfill the needs of contemporary pagans from a variety of traditions, A Book of Pagan Prayer is a book to turn to again and again.

Follow your heart and spirit as you build your witchcraft and intuition skills together. Featuring extensive exercises, examples, and rituals, this amazing book reveals how to embrace the wisdom of your inner voice as you explore the endless possibilities of witchcraft. With Astrea Taylor's guidance, you can unlock your intuitive magical potential and celebrate the truth of who you are.

Paganism is a way of seeing the world and your place in it. It means challenging the assumptions of mainstream society and strengthening your relationships with the gods, the universe, your community, and your self. The Path of Paganism provides practical advice and support for honoring your values and living an authentic Pagan life in mainstream Western culture. Discover tips for establishing or deepening a regular practice. Explore how your spirituality can help you deal with life's inevitable hardships.

Seidr is the intriguing and powerful early Norse system of shamanistic trance practices. In Seidr: The Gate Is Open, Katie Gerrard has contributed a major work on the practices of Seidr and trance prophecy, providing a practical manual full of dynamic group rituals and techniques based on known Seidr practices.

Have you ever wondered why we Christians do what we do for church every Sunday morning? Why do we "dress up" for church? Why does the pastor preach a sermon each week? Why do we have pews, steeples, choirs, and seminaries? This volume reveals the startling truth: most of what Christians do in present-day churches is not rooted in the New Testament, but in pagan culture and rituals developed long after the death of the apostles.

Italian Witchcraft (previously titled Ways of the Strega) by respected author Raven Grimassi is more than just a book about witchcraft. It is a complete Book of Shadows. In it, you will find the history of this ancient tradition, its legends and myths, as well as the rituals and rites that you can do today. The book includes a full set of rituals that you can do. You'll find rituals for all of the Italian witchcraft holidays, including Shadow Fest, Lupercus, Tana's Day, and more.

Ronald Hutton is known for his colorful, provocative, and always exhaustively researched studies on original subjects. This work is no exception: the first full-scale scholarly study of the only religion England has ever given the world, that of modern pagan witchcraft, which has now spread from English shores across four continents. Hutton examines the nature of that religion and its development, and offers a microhistory of attitudes to paganism, witchcraft, and magic in British society since 1800.

In this riveting account, renowned scholar Ronald Hutton explores the history of deity-like figures in Christian Europe. Drawing on anthropology, archaeology, literature, and history, Hutton shows how hags, witches, the fairy queen, and the Green Man all came to be, and how they changed over the centuries. Looking closely at four main figures—Mother Earth, the Fairy Queen, the Mistress of the Night, and the Old Woman of Gaelic tradition—Hutton challenges decades of debate around the female figures who have long been thought versions of pre-Christian goddesses.

Who is Satan in the New Testament, and what is the evil that he represents? In this groundbreaking book, Elaine Pagels, Princeton's distinguished historian of religion, traces the evolution of Satan from its origins in the Hebrew Bible, where Satan is at first merely obstructive, to the New Testament, where Satan becomes the Prince of Darkness, the bitter enemy of God and man, evil incarnate. In The Origin of Satan, Pagels shows that the four Christian gospels tell two very different stories.

An in-depth manual for practicing fairy witchcraft, including theology, fairy lore, rituals, holidays, and magical practices. This book aims to pick up where Pagan Portals: Fairy Witchcraft leaves off and teach interested people the comprehensive practice of this system of honoring the fair folk and liminal gods by blending the old fairy faith with modern paganism.

Take your Pagan practice to new heights with this guide to Hermetic Qabalah from a Wiccan perspective. Author Jack Chanek shows you how to connect Qabalistic concepts to the Gods and the essential components of Wiccan ritual, making it simple to enhance your practice. Featuring correspondences, journal prompts, and dozens of exercises, Qabalah for Wiccans teaches you to use Qabalah for spellcasting and incorporate its symbolism into Wiccan rituals and workings.

Discover the ancient lore, household techniques, and spiritual wisdom that will help turn every day into a time of magic, respect for all, and love of the goddess. Wheel of the Year takes you on a month-by-month journey of discovery through seasonal aspects of Paganism practiced both in recent and ancient times.

Embrace a spiritual journey to commune with nature, rediscover wonder in the world, and reconnect with yourself. Paganism for Beginners is your guide to exploring the diverse magick of modern Paganism. The up-to-date handbook introduces you to a breadth of Pagan traditions and core beliefs - welcoming you to this inclusive movement with a myriad of ways to deepen your personal spirituality.

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.

Less and less Christian demographically, America is now home to an ever-larger number of people who say they identify with no religion at all. These non-Christians have increasingly been demanding their full participation in public life, bringing their arguments all the way to the Supreme Court. The law is on their side, but that doesn't mean that their attempts are not met with suspicion or outright hostility.

Asatru is a modern pagan tradition whose roots lie in the ancient myths, folklore, sagas, and historical artifacts of those who lived in pre-Christian times in what is now Iceland, Scandinavia, Scandinavian-influenced Scotland, Germany, and other parts of northern Europe. In Asatru, Erin Lale provides listeners with an accessible introduction to this heathen religion, one of the fastest growing religions in the United States and Europe.

Magic can be found in every part of the living world—you just need to know how to tap into it. The Witch’s Spellbook reveals how, by casting spells in tune with the natural world, you can shape and take responsibility for your destiny. Following a brief introduction to the basics of witchcraft, The Witch’s Spellbook offers an abundance of spells organized by concern—including your self, change, wishes, love, home and family, career, money, and protection. Each spell draws upon world traditions, sacred holidays, and lunar events such as solstices and equinoxes.