Customer Reviews

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Paganism

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

A lot of the Idiot's Guides that I have read are really misnamed, because they contain a lot of valuable information about the subject and presented in terms that anyone can understand. I loved this book because it explains virtually every aspect of Paganism. The explanations and descriptions of various Pagan practices, ideals, Sabbats, rituals are kept brief as befits an introductory book. And yet, even after having a handful of other intoductory Pagan books, I found myself learning facts here that I hadn't known about before. The author sticks to the "Pagan philosophy" of "Harm no one" in describing Paganism.

Among topics discussed? Besides the various Pagan Sabbats and pagan ideals, there are chapters devoted to Shamans, Druids, Wicca, the "Spirit World" and the Pagan elements of fire, air, water, and earth. There are four chapters that discuss Pagan rituals and I found the author's claim that we already do rituals in our lives (high school and college graduation, marriage and funerals, for example) very true. I never would have thought about that. There's also several chapters devoted to "Pagan magic," which help to demystify it. The book's last few chapters offer advice on "living the Pagan lifestyle," and there's an extensive list of recommended reading at the book's end. One could spend months reading through the list of books alone if one wanted to.

The more I read about Paganism, the more I realize other religions over the centuries have liberally borrowed its customs and holidays. For anyone wishing to join this path or those already on it seeking to learn more, this book is a wonderful introduction.

If you think you may be a pagan at heart, and want to find out how you can decide for sure, seek no further: this book will provide you with a sound, comprehensive, yet undemanding introduction to the entire concept. McColman, a long-time practising pagan, clearly explains what pagans believe and why, how their beliefs carry over into their everyday lives, what kinds of rituals are typical of them, how to deal with the non-pagans in your life, and where you can find out more. Again and again he reiterates the basic tenet that paganism has no single dogma: you're free to practise it in whatever way feels right for you. Among the most useful of his recommendations: follow the tradition to which you feel most closely drawn. (In my case, probably Native American.) After reading this book, I feel more convinced than ever of my basic pagan-ness, and begin to have some idea of how to get my feet more solidly planted on pagan ground. It's true that McColman seems to concentrate most heavily on the Wiccan and Celtic traditions, but since they're apparently the most popular and visible segments of the pagan community, that's probably inevitable. Once again, it's important to remember that you don't have to join them, or any group at all. Paganism, McColman tells us, is for folks who like to think for themselves rather than blindly accepting what the established religions have to say. If you think of yourself in those terms, it's worth your time to look through this book; you may recognize yourself.

I wish I knew of this book sooner. I've studied wide angles of the occult such as wicca, celtic shamanism, crystal energies, astral projection, tarot, astrology, scrying, dowsing, basically manny diffrent subjects all within the occult. I used to consider myself a student of the occult sciences until after awhile I realized and even came to the conclusion that I am pagan.
This book has successfully brought a large number of my studies together and even some more in depth with info on relating to the divine among other things. I would highly suggest that anyone remotely interested in any earth based religion/group [i.e. wicca, shamanism, druids, etc.] should COMPELETLY read this book straight through without skipping anything as I did. This should really be a mandatory reading for anyone who is new to the occult sciences and paganism thinks about embarking on this wonderful path. Don't let the title [Complete Idiots Guide] get you down. From my perspective, 'most' of the idiots guides I've bought and have looked at, cover more than just your average book on a single subject. Just look at the table of contents, the short version and the long version that lasts for a number of pages. This book not only goes over what the author feels are the 3 main types of paganism , wicca, druidism, and shamanism, it also goes over the god and goddess, the other worlds, elemental spirits, and divination. This list is not all the the book covers. Read it through completely and you won't regret it.

I have really enjoyed this book. As a beginner it has given me a great introduction to Paganism in an easy-going and no-nonsense way. I'd highly recommend it for those interested in Paganism.

At last...a book on Paganism that is accurate, well-researched, and honest.

This book should be the first stop for anyone seeking information on Paganism and Witchcraft. It provides a comprehensive overview on the myriad of Paths out there. The bibiography and suggested reading section alone is worth the price of the book. His recommendations are scholarly, well-respected works.

What I liked most is the lack of treacle, sweetness and light, fluffy bunny-Playgan wannabe misinformation that is so prevelant in most New Agey books. The author lays out so much comprehensive information that it would have saved me 6 years of intensive study had I read this first.

And Carl is the first I've seen to include a section on Christo-Paganism. Yay!...

As a 10 year Pagan Veteran, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning or interested in Paganism. Carl does an excellent job is describing the different paths, practices and beliefs of Paganism. His writing style is easy to understand, plus he is extremely knowledgeable about the subject. I was so impressed with his work, that this book has been added to the recommended reading list for my beginning pagansim course. Excellent Job Carl!!!

Carl McColman is no stranger to the important work of deep spiritual inquiry, integration, and synthesis. However, in The Idiot's Guide to Paganism he truly blazes a new trail by making a much needed and substantial offering to the modern spiritual seeker who may find themselves moving through a domain that can often feel like a never-ending maze of switchbacks. This domain is none other than Paganism--a rich and varied "tradition of traditions" of which there are unending expressions. Given the astonishing amount of diversity, varied sources, occasional cross-over, and even contradictions found within various traditions of Paganism, Carl's artistry, precision, and mastery for articulation undoubtedly clear the way. His keen observation of the Pagan traditions, along with his own internal refinement as a spiritual practitioner and teacher himself, have sculpted a guide that will prove to be a friend for those seeking to make sense of the multi-layered weave of earth-based spiritual traditions.

I'd reccomend this book for those who know little or nothing about Paganism, but the more you know, the less usefull the book will be. Most of the information were things I already knew, but I enjoyed the book and found it a quick read, an enjoyable review. Not bad at all.

I've come across alot of books on Paganism that soley talks about wicca but this one also introduces druids and shamans to me. Showed me more than one aspect of Paganism. I got a lot of new information. I didn't go in reading this book with high hopes but it really showed me.

Carl McColman states in the beginning of this book that he is introducing the reader to Wicca, Druidry, and shamanism. He skillfilly delivers on his promise with a clear introduction to the most prominent forms of Paganism. This book would help in gaining direction into which path is for you.

It is not Pagan 101 or a spell book. If you are looking for a quick magical fix for a problem, you won't find it here. This book is for someone who knows absolutely nothing or very little about Paganism. For that reason, I think this would be a good book for a Pagan to give an open-minded friend or loved one who is concerned about their beliefs.

He introduces the beginner to concepts such as the wheel of the year, magic, and reincarnation. He has a friendly, easy-to-read writing style.

I rated it four stars instead of five because I felt the entire work was too heavily influenced by Wiccan belief such as the Rede and the God being the consort of the Goddess even when he wasn't specifically speaking of Wicca.