Customer Reviews

The Pagan Book of Days: A Guide to the Festivals, Traditions, and Sacred Days of the Year

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

How absolutely fascinating. Two reviewers rate this book lower that they would have if the author had been of their religious preference for that reason alone and consider the author's religious preference a 'drawback'. No denial of the source of these "Christian" holidays, just lower ratings. Mr Pennick's brilliant-as-usual scholarship and fact-finding are of no consequence, just that unsurmountable fact that his religious preference isn't their own. Oddly, both reviewers are from California and both misspell Halloween in the same way, making me speculate that they are in fact the same person....

Frankly, if more non-pagans read books of this sort and came to the stunning realization that the vast majority of their holidays were 'borrowed' from pre-Christian European beliefs and rituals, then we pagans would possibly experience less hostility and labeling of 'devil-worshipper' (my hopes however aren't high). Mr Pennick has authored another fine book that will educate readers without resorting to petty attacks upon the religious preferences of others, just good solid scholarship and the presentation of facts in an engaging text and accompanied by delightful illustrations. A fine job!

Speaking as a beginner to wicca myself, i often get mixed up with moon days and calender days because often these things are in different books. happily, the pagan book of days solves a big chunk of that problem. it's all here -- everything a beginner and possibly a full time wiccian would need to keep track of the different festivals and sacred days that happen throughout the year. i could only wish the descriptions of each days were a little longer, but as some beginners (like me) have a short attention span and just want the facts, then thats pretty much for the best I'd say.

I'd also love to give a personal kudo's to the author, Nigel, for giving a short but sweet explanation on the moon phases, as well as the tides of day. all and all, a great resource for the novice who wants it all in one place and doesn't want to delve too deeply but wants a good overview of them all. (p.s: it's fluff free. enjoy)

Nigel Pennick has produced a stunning little calendar filled with facts, annecdotes, and information useful to all. Extensively researched, cunningly illustrated, the Pagan Book of Days is bound to delight Pagans, scholars, the curious, and the general reader equally. A slim volume, it provokes thought by merely presenting a few simple facts. The curious will go on, the knowledgeable will smile in recognition, and the others will have gained a bit of lore they previously didn't have. (Did you know the grotto at Lourdes was a pagan shrine before the miracle of the "Blessed Mother's" appearance?) A splendid book at a low cost.

I simply loved this book, and all the knowledge that came with it! The book is divided into months, with an introductory passage on the meanings and Pagan lores of each month. Then each day of the month is discussed for its significance. This book is loaded with interesting references from Greek, Roman, Egyptian, Celtic, and Norse religions, and gives an all-around picture of each that I haven't found in other texts. A wonderful read!

This book is chuck full of information for each month and encompasses many different Pagan cultures. A wonderful resource for the curious, newsletters, calendars, event planning and for teaching/lectures. I highly recommend this book for personal and group libraries.

This is not as new-agey as it sounds, really. It is more of a straight up calendar type book. It goes through and does mention a whole lot of festivals and rituals and associations for the various days of the yearl.

You will get a lot of surprises about what was worshipped when, or was worthy of a festival or celebration.

I think there are some really neat holidays in this calendar or book of days. When you look at it you will find how many Christian and Moslem holidays are ultimately based on these older pagan holidays.

On the down side there are quite a few missing entries for days. On the upside there is some very interesting information on the tides of the day and other calendars. I would give this 3 1/2 stars.

I keep this little book on my night table for light readings. When I am awaiting books from Amazon. Full of interesting facts of days. Delight and light readings.
Unique facts of pagan history.

This is an ecclectic book of pagan celebrations for everyday. It teells you about when a runic month start. its pretty informative. ... as I find this book a very useful tool.