Hawaiian Religion & Magic [Paperback]

Scott Cunningham (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 8, 1995

This is the first book solely devoted to the spirituality of the Hawaiian people and how taboos, superstitions and magical practices permeated and defined every aspect of their lives. With a historical and sociological perspective, it examines in detail their beliefs: the structure of their society; the names and ways of the deities; the practice of deifying ancestral spirits; the importance of dance, colors, water, stone and plants; and the concept of Mana, the spiritual power in all things.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Scott Cunningham practiced magic actively for over twenty years. He was the author of more than fifty books covering both fiction and non-fiction subject matter; sixteen of his titles are published by Llewellyn Publications. Scott's books reflect a broad range of interests within the New Age sphere, where he was very highly regarded. He passed from this life on March 28, 1993, after a long illness.

Product Details

• Paperback: 231 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; 1st edition (October 8, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567181996
• ISBN-13: 978-1567181999
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #948,184 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Scott Cunningham practiced magic actively for over twenty years. He was the author of more than fifty books covering both fiction and non-fiction subject matter; sixteen of his titles are published by Llewellyn Publications. Scott's books reflect a broad range of interests within the New Age sphere, where he was very highly regarded. He passed from this life on March 28, 1993, after a long illness.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This was re-issued as "Hawaiian Magic And Spitituality", June 23, 2001

By 

W. Lambdin "Two Bears" (Ellensburg, WA) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Hawaiian Religion & Magic (Paperback)

I like this volume more that the later release "Hawaiian Magic And Spirituality" because of the 25+ color photos in the section between pages 82 and 83.

Mr. Cunningham OBVIOUSLY did his homework. This has one of the most complete picture of HUNA and Deities I have seen.

Unfortunately; Mr. Cunningham allowed his Wiccan beliefs to influence his perceptions of HUNA.

It is true that BOTH HUNA and Wicca are Shamanic religions, but they are RADICALY different.

Please E-mail me if you have questions or comments about this review. Two Bears.

Wah doh Ogedoda (We give thanks Great Spirit)

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Reads like a doctoral dissertation., August 7, 2008

By 

Bigcaat (California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Hawaiian Religion & Magic (Paperback)

While there might be some interesting information in this book, it's all in the presentation. This book reads like a dry doctoral dissertation. It was grueling.

Perhaps I was expecting something else, however. I really wanted a book on Huna, and this is not it. This is a dry dissection of the history of religion in Hawaii, with little of the philosophical teachings of the huna belief system. (Huna and the religion he talks about are two different things.)

So, I suppose if you simply want to read a dry history of the topic, you might find it interesting. I sure didn't. If you're looking for Huna, look to "Fundamentals of Hawaiian Mysticism".

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fascinating study of the Hawaiian Pantheon, May 12, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Hawaiian Religion & Magic (Paperback)

Has Scott Cunningham written a book that doesn't show up on every Wiccan's shelf? Even if you aren't interested in the Hawaiian pantheon, the study of the culture alone provides great reading. The information here is priceless, showing that Cunningham actually went to the source rather than to the library