The Pagan Book of Living and Dying: Practical Rituals, Prayers, Blessings, and Meditations on Crossing Over (Paperback)

by Starhawk (Author), M. Macha Nightmare (Author) "Go into a forest, a meadow, or a garden-anywhere plants grow and die and insects, birds, and animals forage..." (more)
Key Phrases: veil tin, triple soul, clear bead, Deep Self, Mysterious Ones, Shining Isle (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
The Pagan Book of Living and Dying is the pagan omnibus on death, much more than just a history of various cultural rituals and beliefs regarding death. This collection of essays, prayers, and songs is a living document that draws on the resources of today's entire pagan community and fills the void left by ancient sacramental rites lost over the centuries. Designed in such a way as to benefit both the leaders of the pagan community as well as the individual reader, The Pagan Book of Living and Dying encourages preparation under the obvious, but often neglected, understanding that death is seldom expected nor convenient but happens to everyone.

The Pagan Book of Living and Dying discusses all aspects of death, from pagan thealogy (from thea meaning goddess, rather than theo meaning god) to the dying process itself, and it even covers sensitive subjects like helping children cope with death. Congenial essays such as Sharon Jackson's "Crash Course in Being Present with the Dying" and insightful perspectives like Diana Paxson's "Preliminary Thoughts Toward Midwifing Your Own Passage" offer a written spiritual resource for assisting and comforting the dying, and advice on facing one's own passage. The Pagan Book of Living and Dying is simultaneously a practical guide, a comforting liturgy, and a new heritage that shows how to appreciate life through a closer relationship with death. --Brian Patterson

Review
"The Pagan Book of Living and Dying is far more than another how-to ritual book. I found the reflections to be very moving. Rituals are easily accessible and well grounded in the core Pagan understanding of the cycle of Birth/Death/Rebirth. The book is very clear that the materials are only samples and beginning--not prescribed formulas. . .I recommend it for Pagans and others who might be facing dying or grieving." -- SageWoman

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Product Details

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1 edition (October 8, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0062515160
• ISBN-13: 978-0062515162
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #32,986 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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  #13 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Paganism

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring and essential, May 26, 2001

By	"tess73" (Chester, PA USA) - See all my reviews

Using essays, poetry, songs and rituals, Starhawk shares with us this wonderful collection that deals sensitively with the issues surrounding death.

Touching on issues ranging from SIDS to AIDS, this book contains beautiful and comforting words for both Pagans and non-Pagans. The use of prayer and meditation is strongly recommended in the book, which may put off the non-religious person. However, being as the book is aimed largely at the Pagan population, it may be a moot point. I found the commentary compassionate without being patronizing, a task that is difficult within itself. "Living and Dying" is certainly a book we've needed for a long time. So rarely is death treated with such respect and objectivity. Death is a reality, a part of life that we need to embrace, and not fear. And while I'm nowhere near the state of embracement, I can, with the help of this book, at least reconcile the fact that "inevetable" should not mean "hopeless".

I recommend this book, for many reasons - the dialogue, the topic coverage, the compassion - and I'd include it as "essential reading" for any Pagan.

16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What Is Remembered Lives, November 19, 2005

By	Rae Schwarz "post-modern Renaissance woman" (Seattle, WA United States) - See all my reviews

Sadly, I bought this book upon receiving the news that a friend's teenage daughter had been diagnosed with an incurable fatal illness. As one who came to Paganism by my own choice, I had no reference yet for how Pagans dealt with end of life passage.

It turns out it was that very reason that Starhawk and other members of Reclaiming wrote this book. Very few modern Pagans are raised in their chosen spirituality and often find they have no traditions or practices to guide them when dealing with the loss of a loved one.

This book is not a strict step-by-step ritual guide, but a sharing of experience that includes blessings, prayers and ritual details. The collected writings share how various people have dealt with the situations around long illness as well as sudden losses. There are accounts and suggestions for rituals not only to say farewell or bury the dead, but for how those still alive can honor those who have died and address their own grieving and healing.

I found the stories shared in this book to be incredibly personal and yet at the same time practical. I feel I will have a foundation of knowledge from which to draw when I have to deal with this issues and changes in my own family and circle of friends.

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Will use it again and again., February 23, 1999

By	A. K. Beltaine "UU Seminary Student" (Ithaca, NY USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I can't say enough good about this book. Thank the goddess there is a book from a Pagan perspective. That celebrates the diversity of pagan belief and addresses loss and death. From how to help children deal with the loss of a loved one (bird or teacher or...) to how to conduct a home-made cremation to mourning rituals and healing songs to advice for being with a loved one who is dying. My only complaint is that it isn't long enough. Deep enough. Hopefully it is only the first volume of future books...