Pagan Path [Paperback]

Janet Farrar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 31, 1995

It has often been stated that Paganism is the fastest growing religion in the world. This book helps to answer why this is the case. As a result of many years of research with pagans throughout the world, the authors have compiled an extensive work on paganism today. It includes chapters such as: The Ancient Roots; Healing; The Modern Rebirth; The Earth Our Mother; Pagans in the Community; The Rainbow of Paths; Pagan Families; God and Goddess Forms; Paganism and Sex; The Global Village; No Place for Satan; The Way In; Paganism and Christianity; Magic and Divination; and Questions and Answers. As well as a large section on the results of their worldwide survey of pagans, also included is a chapter on pagan humour!

Editorial Reviews

Review

It's nice to see a book that presents Paganism in terms of larger, international cultural and social issues instead of staying within 'occult ghetto' walls. Chas Clifton, editor of the Witchcraft Today series of books The Pagan Path is aimed at a widely diverse audience and will be easily understood by a novice as well as the more highly initiated student of the occult. It is the newest logical extension of the long list of very impressive books on Paganism which the Farrars have to their credit. Loretta Hoback, New Age Retailer

About the Author

Janet and Stewart Farrar are practising witches who have been widely published and broadcast. The Farrars previous works include: The Witches' God, The Witches' Goddess, Spells and How They Work, Eight Sabbats for Witches, and The Witches' Way. Gavin Bone is a researcher who has been associated with the Farrars since 1993.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Robert Hale (July 31, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0709057865
• ISBN-13: 978-0709057864
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,160,369 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Introduction, June 19, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pagan Path: The Wiccan Way of Life (Perfect Paperback)

Long-time practitioners of the pagan life-style will probably find nothing new in the book. For those who are interested in an overview of the pagan community, this book is one of the most articulate, mature, and complete introductions I've seen.

Those looking for volumes full of cutesy drawings or listings of love spells are advised to look elsewhere. Those looking for and intelligent overview of the pagan path will be hard-pressed to find a better one.

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful general knowledge,introductory book to paganism, January 8, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pagan Path: The Wiccan Way of Life (Perfect Paperback)

This is not a book to give you a complete how-to on spells, charms and hexes. Nor is it filled with new and exciting information or revelations for well-established pagans. What this book is, in my opinion, is a well thought out and clearly explained book on Paganism, it's growth from its resurgance back in the 60's to its development in the 90's and extrapolates the ongoing changes that will occur into the next century.

This is the book I recommend to those who are not in the pagan community but want to know more without having to deal with a lot of confusing jargon, spells or rituals. A must read for non-pagan parents, friends and loved ones.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An excellent survey of modern Paganism, January 6, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Pagan Path: The Wiccan Way of Life (Perfect Paperback)

This book is a well-done and intriguing survey of the beliefs and practices of modern Pagans, and is of interest to Pagans and non-Pagans alike. If you're looking for a simple (but not simplistic) introduction to what Pagans do and believe, this is a very good place to start; the Farrars and Bone present their material in a non-threatening, accessible manner.

This is not a "how-to" book; for that, check out the Farrars' classic "A Witches' Bible", among others. It examines many of the questions that Pagans have been asked many times over the years: the history of modern Paganism, relations to community and family, the existence of Paganism in a society that is predominantly Christian, and a good deal more. It should be noted that the main geographic regions covered are the United States and the British Isles (especially Ireland, where the Farrars live), as well as touches on continental Europe, Australia, parts of the Americas and Japan. This emphasis will probably not surprise most of those familiar with the movement.

The chapter on choosing Paganism as a spiritual path is excellent as well, with some words of caution regarding joining a group and some notes on solitary practice.

Overall, it's an interesting book that illustrates how Paganism has grown, particularly since the 1960s, and that has the potential for generating a lot of discussion, both inside and outside the Pagan community.