North Star Road: Shamanism, Witchcraft & the Otherworld Journey [Paperback]

Kenneth Johnson (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 8, 1996

Through a compelling mix of scholarly research, global mythology and lucid story-telling, North Star Road reveals the spiritual roots of Western culture shamanism, the most ancient and persistent experience of human spirituality. All European mythology and paganism until the time of the witchcraft trials is based on shamanism. Through an exhaustive study of witch trial records and witch's testimonies, Kenneth Johnson proves that the European peasants accused of witchcraft died, in fact, for the sake of the world's oldest spiritual path.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kenneth Johnson holds a degree in Religious Studies from California State University Fullerton. His emphasis was in the study of mythology and this interest is reflected in his writing and his astrological practice. Kenneth discovered astrology while traveling in Europe during the summer of 1973. He studied in Amsterdam and London before returning to the United States and developing a practice which focuses on archetypal themes and personal mythologies. In addition to his astrological interests, Kenneth is also a musical theater librettist and a member of the Dramatists Guild.

Product Details

• Paperback: 274 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; 1st edition (June 8, 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567183700
• ISBN-13: 978-1567183702
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,529,998 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thinking Man's Shamanism, April 17, 2000

By 

Marcus (Georgia, USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: North Star Road: Shamanism, Witchcraft & the Otherworld Journey (Paperback)

North Star Road was a joy to read. With it's mix of legends, myths and history there is something for everyone with even the slightest interest Shamanism or witchcraft. For the more serious student, there are Shamanic exercises (at the back of the book) which are well thought out and easy to follow. The way in which Mr Johnson shows that many of the older religions like witchcraft may have had a similar foundation is wonderful and really does make you sit and think. His use of plain english coupled with a flowing style make this a book hard to put down. I would gladly recommend this title to anyone with an interest in this field.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Grand Synthesis, January 24, 2004

By 

OAKSHAMAN "oakshaman" (Algoma, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: North Star Road: Shamanism, Witchcraft & the Otherworld Journey (Paperback)

This book makes a very convincing case for locating the roots of practically all true magical practices in the original spiritual path of shamanism. In doing so, we see that true Wicca, and other simular traditions, have a legitimate claim to extremely ancient and profound practices dating back to the dawn of the race. The author shows parallels between the beliefs and practices in culture after culture (Mayan, Plains Indian, Siberian, Norse, Celtic, Chinese, Tibetan, Polynesian, Hindu, Greek, Etc.) He then shows connections with more historically recent traditions in Germany, Switzerland, France, Ireland, Italy, England, etc. I found it to be a magnificent and convincing synthesis.

I found it especially appropriate that a book about common roots should use the universal symbol of the World Tree as a starting point.

The author points out that when a society ceases to listen to the messages of the otherworldly dimension the results are always the same: listlessness, depression, addiction, inhumanity, and general malaise. This is the result of "loss of soul." It is the natural function of the shaman to maintain the connection with the otherworld and to reclaim lost souls.

The next time a "skeptic" tries to minimalise the legitamacy and lineage of your spiritual path, you could do far worse than to refer this book to them. The connection between early Christianity and Shamanism is even explored (estatic states, speaking in tongues, spirit journeys to higher realms, helping spirits, crucifixion on the World Tree....)

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Book, December 10, 2010

By 

Garnet (Minneapolis, MN) - See all my reviews

This review is from: North Star Road: Shamanism, Witchcraft & the Otherworld Journey (Paperback)

I would highly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking to begin a journey of discovery of the roots of Wicca and Witchcraft. This work is written in a friendly and easy-to-read manner and it also inspires you to delve deeper into the "shamanism" of old Europe, where the roots of today's Craft truly lie.

This book would be a good one to give as an initial training tool if you are running a shamanic-style coven or working group, and then back it up with works by Carlo Ginzburg, Emma Wilby, Nigel Pennick, Robert Cochrane, and Nigel Jackson, among others. It would work well in conjunction with other books involving the spirit-journey and interaction with the Otherworld such as Hedge-Rider and To Fly By Night-The Craft of the Hedgewitch.

IMHO, this is a book that speaks to the true past of the Craft, as well as providing inspiration about what we need to reclaim and where we are going in the future.