Customer Reviews

Mysteries of Demeter : Rebirth of the Pagan Way

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I've been wanting to get my hands on this for a long time, and I was afraid I'd be disappointed when I finally read it. I couldn't have been further from the truth. Jennifer Reif has created a true gem among neo-pagan books. From the fragmentary information we have about the Demeter and Persephone holidays of ancient Greece, Reif constructs a coherent Wheel of the Year mythos that follows the agricultural year, and follows Demeter through the loss of her daughter, her mourning, and her reconciliation with Persephone and Plouton (who isn't the scary guy we expect). She also explains how to adjust the festival calendar if , like me, you don't live in a Mediterranean climate. Reif is full of practical instructions; she devoted chapters to growing grain and making various altar objects that you might desire. I only wish the rituals were more oriented toward the solitary, but with a little imagination, most of them are probably do-able. Bravo to Jennifer Reif, for writing a book both practical and scholarly. This book is for real.

A fantastic reconstruction of the rituals of Demeter and Persephone of Eleusis, Greece. Wheel of the Year rituals are quite different from Wicca, but still grain cycle based, and still with many universal themes. Reif has done a lot of research and offers in-depth information on Demeter and Persephone, the clerics of the temple, the liturgy for the rites, planting grain, sacred foods, etc. A lovely book (some great color plates), beautifully made and a great read. I recommend this one highly!

Anyone who has an interest in the Mysteries of Eleusis needs to read this book. Jennifer solves the puzzle with both scholarly work and great writing. Her reconstructions of the Lesser and Greater Mysteries of Demeter of Eleusis are complete, and inclusive of the myth of Demeter and Persephone, while integrating the agricultural and mystical aspects of this ancient religion. Details about the Holy Objects used in the rites, as well as background on the functioning of the clerics, and the sanctuary site make this book unique. The recreations of the mystery rites top it off. Gather your friends together, set your altar, and investigate the mysteries for yourself!

This book is a fantastic guide for working with Demeter and Persephone. It is ripe with information on the Goddesses, including mythology, invocations, and rituals. Highly recommended!

This book is wonderful. I felt like I was there at the Mysteries while I was reading this book. It's so good to see something else Pagan,yet different out there that is not the same old BS of "cast your circle this way..." I like change & so this was a new way for me to celebrate the Wheel of the Year in a different light. Ms. Reif gets you involved making masks,head wreaths,and even gives you help if you want to grow your own wheat. This book was like a breath of fresh air ! HYE! KYE!

This book is a wonderful resource for those interested in exploring Demetrian paganism or merely those who want to learn more about the Demeter/Persephone myth. I especially appreciated the detailed ritual scripts and descriptions of each of the festivals. The chants and poems were also very useful. The book is very dense, but it is a fast read and easily accessible.

I'll be honest, I bought this book from a more Persephone-centric thought process, but I ended up reading the whole thing. It's a very nice, symbolism-rich take on paganism, and I gleaned quite a bit from its pages. It has lots of prayers and a beautiful take on the Demeter/Persephone myth. An added bonus is the wealth of pages on making Greek costumes, garlands, crowns, masks, etc. I would save it just for those alone! Definately worth picking up if you can find it.

Jennifer Reif's blend of scholarship and practical advice makes for a dynamite book. Demeter is an incredibly important goddess, yet books about her that cover both theory and practice are rare. Go deeper into the myths with this incredibly well-researched book. Highly recommended for all pagans and especially for women in the Goddess movement.