Best of
Paganism

2016

The Viking Spirit: An Introduction to Norse Mythology and Religion


Daniel McCoy - 2016
    As you’d expect from Daniel McCoy, the creator of the enduringly popular website Norse Mythology for Smart People, it’s written to scholarly standards, but in a simple, clear, and entertaining style that’s easy to understand and a pleasure to read. It includes gripping retellings of no less than 34 epic Norse myths – more than any other book in the field – while also providing an equally comprehensive overview of the fascinating Viking religion of which Norse mythology was a part. You’ll learn about the Vikings’ gods and goddesses, their concept of fate, their views on the afterlife, their moral code, how they thought the universe was structured, how they practiced their religion, the role that magic played in their lives, and much more. With its inclusion of the latest groundbreaking research in the field, The Viking Spirit is the ultimate introduction to the timeless splendor of Norse mythology and religion for the 21st Century.

Brigid: Meeting the Celtic Goddess of Poetry, Forge, and Healing Well


Morgan Daimler - 2016
    Primarily looking at the Irish Goddess but including a discussion of her Pan-Celtic appearances, particularly in Scotland. Her different appearances in mythology are discussed along with the conflation of the pagan Goddess with Catholic saint. Modern methods for neopagans to connect to and honor this popular Goddess include offerings and meditation, and personal anecdotes from the author's experiences are included as well. Who was Brigid to the pre-Christian pagans? Who is she today to neopagans? How do we re-weave the threads of the old pagan Goddess and the new? Learn about Brigid's myths among the pagan Irish, the stories of Bride in Scotland, and the way that people today are finding and honoring this powerful and important deity to find the answer.

Fairycraft: Following the Path of Fairy Witchcraft


Morgan Daimler - 2016
    This book aims to pick up where Pagan Portals - Fairy Witchcraft leaves off and teach interested people the comprehensive practice of this system of honoring the Fair Folk and liminal Gods by blending the old Fairy Faith with modern paganism.

Witches and Pagans: Women in European Folk Religion, 700-1100


Max Dashu - 2016
    She shows that old ethnic names for “witch” signify wise-woman, prophetess, diviner, healer, and dreamer.

Magic and the Law of Attraction: A Witch’s Guide to the Magic of Intention, Raising Your Frequency, and Building Your Reality


Lisa Chamberlain - 2016
     The Law of Attraction has been a wildly popular topic for scores of “self-help” authors, motivational speakers, and New Age thinkers. But it’s often been a source of frustration for readers who can’t quite seem to make the Law of Attraction work for them. This is because, all too often, the guides they’re reading just barely scratch the surface. Witches know that we can use the focused energy of our thoughts to bring about the healing of illness, more loving relationships, financial prosperity, and the accomplishment of long-held goals and dreams. But there is much more to it than simply thinking about what you want. The Law of Attraction is actually part of a larger framework for understanding how the Universe works. It’s one of a set of laws, and our knowledge of them has been handed down to us over several centuries. This guide is an introduction to the Law of Attraction from a Witch’s point of view, but you don’t have to be a Witch in order to gain plenty of insights here. The information is intended for Witches and non-Witches alike. In fact, you don’t have to be “religious” or “spiritual” at all to work with the Law of Attraction. But you do have to have an open mind, and accept that what you’ve been taught about the nature of reality is incomplete. This is the crucial starting point. Foundations in Manifestation: The Law of Attraction in Practical Magic If you’ve been curious, yet skeptical, about magic, this book provides the framework you need for understanding how it works. On the flip side, if you’re a practicing Witch with experience in magic, but haven’t quite grasped the full picture of the Law of Attraction, this book will clarify it for you. But whether or not you ever intend to try any magic, the concepts and suggested practices presented here can get you a long way toward making your goals a reality. You’ll discover: The ancient roots of our current knowledge about the Law of Attraction How new discoveries in quantum physics support our understanding of this Universal law Common misconceptions and FAQs about the Law of Attraction How your own thought patterns hold you back and how to change them A step-by-step breakdown of how the Law of Attraction figures into magical work A few spells aimed directly at making the Law of Attraction work for you The principles inherent to magic and Witchcraft can be very useful for understanding how to create positive change using the Law of Attraction. Indeed, If you integrate the practices offered here, you’ll see new manifestations develop in your life that feel—no matter what your spiritual orientation—just like magic. If you're ready to learn about the Law of Attraction, scroll to the top of the page and select the buy button. Readers will also be treated to an exclusive free gift!

The Words of Odin: A New Rendering of Havamal for the Present Age


Robin Artisson - 2016
    Filled with the ancient wisdom-sayings, proverbs, and stories of the Old Norse people, Havamal is a tried-and-true manual of wise living and cunning strategy for navigating the subtle complexities of human interaction and avoiding dangers of all sorts. Travelers, wanderers, guests, friends, and seekers of the ultimate wisdom within human life can benefit from Odin's perennial cleverness and timeless advice. This annotated edition contains a clear and nuanced rendering of Havamal into English, preserving its original poetic richness, and is followed by many detailed and informative notes regarding the cultural, mythological, and historical background from which the verses of wisdom arise, all to help readers from any background to understand the beauty and depth of the text. It also contains the text of Havamal in Old Norse.

Dreams of Gaia Tarot: A Tarot for a New Era


Ravynne Phelan - 2016
    This deck will strengthen your connection to your divine self, while helping you to identify and heal past experiences that hold you back from living to your fullest potential. Learn to recognise when times of growth and change are approaching, and face them with confidence and a sense of anticipation. Learn when to take action, and when to be still. Learn to trust in your intuition. By offering structure in the form of a major and minor arcana like that of past tarots, but combining them with bold new archetypes, symbology, and meanings more suited to the present, the Dreams of Gaia Tarot allows for a more personal, intimate, and effective system for using cards as a roadmap to navigate your life path. Embark on this extraordinary journey of undoing, of being, and becoming, and be inspired by the knowledge that all that manifests in your future is born of choices you make today.

Gods and Goddesses of Ireland: A Guide to Irish Deities


Morgan Daimler - 2016
    Rooted in the past but still active in the world today, the Gods and Goddesses of Ireland have always been powerful forces that can bless or challenge, but often the most difficult thing is to simply find information about them. This short introductory text looks at a variety of different Irish deities, common and more obscure, from their ancient roots to the modern practices associated with honoring them in, an encyclopedia-style book with entries in easy-to-use sections.

The Avalonian Oracle: Spiritual Wisdom from the Holy Isle


Jhenah Telyndru - 2016
    46 beautifully illustrated cards guide seekers through an inspired reconstructionof the path of the Celtic Priestess. Walk the seven-fold pathway that moves you through the Three Realms, teaches you to harness the healing power of the Great Cycle, reveals Avalons Lunar Mysteries, introduces you to the Nine Morgens, and brings you into the presence of powerful Goddesses as you seek to reclaim the Vessel of Sovereignty within you. Both a powerful divinatory tool and apictorial catalyst for spiritual growth, each Card like Avalon itself is a portal into the Celtic Otherworld, presenting keys to inner understanding, self-actualization, and an expanded relationship with Source.

One Heart, Many Gods: The Absolute Beginner's Guide to Devotional Polytheism


Lucy Valunos - 2016
     This booklet is for you if you are a Polytheist and: You want to honor your Gods outside of high tides and Sabbats, but you don't know where to start. You aren't sure what a daily devotional practice actually looks like, or how to incorporate one into your lifestyle. You need help forming reasonable goals in this area. You have a good idea of what you'd like to accomplish in your devotional life, but you could use some solid suggestions of how to get there. You've tried to build a daily devotional practice before, but you burned out, gave up, or became overwhelmed. You're a veteran to devotional Polytheism, but darned if you've ever figured out what to do with those prayer beads sitting on your shrine! You should skip this one if: You're looking for The One Right Way of Doing Devotion. This ain't it, and the author is allergic to that approach. You believe ideas from other spiritual paths are useless in your own. This booklet draws on ideas from multiple traditions. You're looking for a comprehensive, in-depth guide to Polytheism. This is a brief introduction for beginners with a very specific focus.

Crystal Healing: Charge Up Your Mind, Body And Soul (Crystal Healing For Beginners, Chakras, Meditating With Crystals, Healing Stones, Crystal Magic, Power of Crystals)


Ian Townsend - 2016
    It gives you all the instructions you need to start benefit from their amazing holistic healing abilities. Filled with pictures for your reference to every crystal and gemstone described. A Little Preview Of What You'll Learn After Reading This Book: What are the best Crystals to get started with What are Chakras and their connection with Crystals Cleansing, Charging and Programming your precious energy holders What are the physical and mental benefits of Crystals and my favorite: Meditating with Crystals Download your copy of 'Crystal Healing: Charge Up Your Mind, Body & Soul - Beginner's Journey' for just 0.99$ and enjoy it while offer lasts (soon for 2.99$). Scroll up and Download Now! I hope you'll enjoy the book! Thank you!

Llewellyn's 2017 Magical Almanac: Practical Magic for Everyday Living


Llewellyn PublicationsNajah Lightfoot - 2016
    A trusted companion for practitioners of a wide variety of magical paths, Llewellyn's 2017 Magical Almanac shares wisdom, stories, and spells in nearly three dozen articles, exploring everything from the magic of trees to fairy roads to performing a psychometric reading. Also included is an insightful calendar section—shaded for easy "flip to" reference—featuring world festivals, holidays, and the 2017 sabbats. Astrological information plus incense and color correspondences are included to empower your magical work. Bring your spiritual practice down to earth with money magic, witch jars, and Himalayan salt Focus on your social life and your inner life with protection magic for city dwellers, social media magic, and the characters that appear in your dreams Activate your sense of taste and smell with the magic of coffee, essential magical herbs, magical soups and salads, and the energetic properties of incense Published annually for twenty-seven years

Llewellyn's 2017 Witches' Companion: An Almanac for Contemporary Living


Llewellyn PublicationsEmily Carlin - 2016
    Llewellyn’s Witches’ Companion will keep you one step ahead of the latest witchy trends, Craft practices, and Pagan issues. This impressive guide features some of the most innovative Wiccan/Pagan thinkers writing today: Elizabeth Barrette •⊂ Melanie Marquis •⊂ Michael Furie •⊂ Tess Whitehurst •⊂ Lupa •⊂ Tiffany Lazic •⊂ Diana Rajchel •⊂ and many more Includes more than two dozen provocative and practical articles Tips for the Aspiring Psychic The Witchy Household Music for Ritual and Magic How to Celebrate the Sabbats During Challenging Weather Living Pagan at Work Personal Healing with the Ancient Ones Creating Your Own Coven Website Pagans and Mental Illness Why You Need Your Muse Includes a sixteen-month calendar and lunar information for spellwork and rituals

A Year In The Wildwood: Explore the Wildwood Tarot Foreword by John Matthews


Alison Cross - 2016
    Read entries for each of the cards that sit at the hub of The Wheel of The Year - The Shaman, The World Tree, The Seer and The Wanderer. It doesn't matter what time of the year you choose to begin your journey, you can quickly find the relevant active cards and make your first steps on the path with the characters of The Wildwood.

Llewellyn's Witch's Coloring Book


Mickie Mueller - 2016
    Includes more than 60 colorable pictures of witch's potions, ancient rituals, magical symbols, and more. Each page has perforated edges for easy removal and is suitable for display in a standard frame.

Flower Face: A Devotional Anthology in Honor of Blodeuwedd


Lori FeldmannJennifer Lawrence - 2016
    Flower Face. Keen-Eyed Hunter in the Night. Dwelling for centuries in darkness, flying on owl wings along the liminal boundary that straddles superstition and sacred symbol ... this world and the Otherworld ... archetype and Divinity... the essence of all that is Blodeuwedd is venturing once more into the light of consciousness. Simultaneously Flower Bride and Owl of Wisdom, Unfaithful Wife and Lady of Sovereignty, this complex figure holds many lessons for those who seek to know her, and through her, learn to shed the fragile petals of illusion wrought by the expectations of others, in order to birth the authentic Self that is able to see Truth with owl-wise eyes. Whether she is simply a legendary figure from Medieval Welsh lore, or is in truth a Sovereignty Goddess once worshiped in Celtic Britain, there is no doubt that Blodeuwedd is celebrated and honored in modern times as a Divinity in her own right. As part of the movement to understand the deeper significance which underscores her myth found in the Fourth Branch of The Mabinogi, here then is a collection of essays and meditations; poetry and songs; drawings and photographs; scholarly research and experiential encounters, which explore the nature of Blodeuwedd in all of her facets - remembering her mythos, reclaiming her Divine Status, and renewing her role as an initiatory Goddess who empowers us to be free. *** "An exquisite anthology of fine scholarship and beauty of vision that will deepen one's connection to Blodeuwedd. This fine collection of poetry, articles, song and prayers sing of the wonder of flowers and reflect the deep soul-wisdom of the Owl that sing from the heart of Blodeuwedd's mysteries. Swimming throughout this work is the intimate connection of women in love and in service to the Goddess. What you have in your hands is a treasure of beauty, love and deep connection." -Kristoffer Hughes, Head of the Anglesey Druid Order and author of The Book of Celtic Magic: Transformative Teachings From the Cauldron of Awen "An unflinching exploration of [Blodeuwedd's] full depth, weaving together mythic motifs and history with modern prayers and devotional works. Truly essential reading not only for those devoted to Blodeuwedd but for anyone who wants to see beneath the surface of Her stories to understand who She may have been and who She is to those who follow Her today." -Morgan Daimler, author of Pagan Portals: The Morrigan, Pagan Portals: Brigid, and Fairycraft.

Chrysalis Tarot Deck and Book Set


Toney Brooks - 2016
    The Chrysalis Tarot deck presents exquisitely drawn Otherworld characters and mythological archetypes. Both the Major and Minor Arcana feature beautifully illustrated scenes that inspire reflection and stimulate your psychic intuition and imagination.

Doreen Valiente Witch


Philip Heselton - 2016
    Author Philip Heselton draws on first hand testimony and Doreen's own personal papers to reveal previously unknown details of her life with fascinating and sometimes startling insights. Adding to the still-emerging story of how an underground cult, described by some as Britain's only living indigenous religion, became a worldwide spiritual movement in the course of a few decades. While Gerald Brosseau Gardner is credited with breathing life into modern witchcraft, it was his High Priestess Doreen Valiente who made it truly accessible to the wider world.

Pagan Portals - Celtic Witchcraft: Modern Witchcraft Meets Celtic Ways


Mabh Savage - 2016
    Walk with the Tuatha De Danann and hear their wisdom on the wind. See colour as a doorway to a magical world. Speak to animals and become one with the turn of the seasons. Including practical exercises that can be performed by witches of all abilities, this book will teach you how your Celtic forebears are still alive, in the sorcery and skill of the magical practitioner"

Crystal Grids: How to Combine & Focus Crystal Energies to Enhance Your Life


Henry M. Mason - 2016
    Whether your goals are controlling anger, overcoming anxiety, blessing your home, clearing negative energy, or drawing wealth, this book has a grid for you.

Llewellyn's 2017 Sabbats Almanac: Samhain 2016 to Mabon 2017


Llewellyn Publications - 2016
    This essential guide offers fun and fresh ways to celebrate the eight sacred holidays. Enrich your spiritual life throughout the year and discover powerful wisdom and ideas from a wealth of popular contributors:Linda Raedisch - Melanie Marquis - Mickie Mueller - Michael Furie - Elizabeth Barrette - Suzanne Ress - Kristoffer Hughes - Dallas Jennifer Cobb - Sybil Fogg - Kerri Connor - JD Hortwort - Stacy M. Porter - April Elliott Kent Includes more than fifty articles written for newcomers and experienced Witches: Creative, low-cost arts and crafts projectsIdeas for celebrating the sabbats as a familySimple recipes for delicious appetizers, entrees, beverages, and dessertsAstrological influences with full and new moon ritualsExtended rituals for groups and individualsJournal pages for keeping track of your festival plans and memoriesFascinating Pagan folklore and customsSamhain 2016 to Mabon 2017

For the Love of the Gods: The History and Modern Practice of Theurgy


Brandy Williams - 2016
    The lives and passions of the early Pagan philosophers come alive in these pages, immersing you in the bustling cities and diverse cultures that spawned theurgy as we know it today. Theurgy is best understood when it is deeply experienced. The stories presented here re-create the experience of these ancient practices and show how they were passed down through generations of teachers and students of differing ethnicities, genders, and ages.It's commonly believed that ancient Pagan theurgy traditions were erased from the earth and replaced by monotheistic religions--but this is a myth. The way to the gods was never lost. For the Love of the Gods shares step-by-step instructions for theurgic rituals, so that you can create relationships with the gods and love them as the ancients did. Discover how to offer devotionals, create living statues, invoke into yourself and others, and achieve personal communion so that you, too, may dwell in the happy presence of the divine.

Tales of the Tuatha De Danann: A Dual Language Collection of Irish Myth (Pocket Book of Irish Myth 2)


Morgan Daimler - 2016
    Each story is first presented in the original Old Irish and then in English so that a reader can experience the story as it existed in the original before reading a new translation. Many of the existing translations are around a hundred years old, and often either exclude material or else skew the retelling to fit the mores of a more Victorian audience. The translations included here in stories including The Struggle of the Two Swineherds and the Wooing of Emer are an attempt to find a balance between a more literal translation that is still enjoyable to an English speaking audience. Material included focuses on the Irish Gods and related mythic beings, as well as some fragments of wisdom texts.

North Asian Magic: Spellcraft from Manchuria, Mongolia, and Siberia


David Borji Shi - 2016
    

Divination of the Ancients: Oracle Cards, 45 cards and guidebook


Barbara Meiklejohn-Free - 2016
    

Labrys and Horns: An Introduction to Modern Minoan Paganism


Laura Perry - 2016
    They speak to an inner need for balance that we all feel from time to time. But even more important, they call to us to remember a time not so long ago when women were valued as equals to men, when the Great Mother Goddess took care of all Her children, and when the sacred touched every person every day of their lives. Come with me as we journey to the magical land of Minoan Crete, whose gods and goddesses are still very much alive today. We’ll meet the Minotaur, who isn’t really a monster at all, and discover his secret at the center of Ariadne’s Labyrinth. We’ll dance with Dionysus at the grape harvest and make our offerings to the Ancestors at their tombs. Most of all, we’ll discover how these ancient symbols and deities are still full of power today. They are so very vital to our modern Pagan lives at this important time in history, when we’re moving forward out of the days of inequality and oppression. Let’s make our journey hand-in-hand with the gods and goddesses of ancient Crete. Let’s bring them alive again and let them touch our hearts.

The Second Book of Crystal Spells: More Magical Uses for Stones, Crystals, Minerals... and Even Salt


Ember Grant - 2016
    Building on techniques and information from The Book of Crystal Spells, Ember Grant presents this companion guide to help you work magic for protection, romance, divination, health, and more.Use tarot card and crystal combinations, elemental spells, and quartz point grids Learn about fascinating magical tools, including Himalayan salt lamps, hag stones, and natural wands Explore a variety of special rock and mineral formations, as well as stones for enhancing your sixth sense Incorporate crystals into your rituals for sabbats and esbats This book also includes expanded appendices and correspondences, covering topics like crystal systems, planetary associations, chakra stones, and more. With an easy-to-follow format and in-depth knowledge on an expansive assortment of stones, this remarkable guide will make you a crystal magic expert.

Mornings in the Light: 90 Days of Encouragement


Timothy King - 2016
    When we start our day in the word of the Lord, we start our day right.

With Lyre and Bow: A Devotional in Honor of Apollo


Jennifer Lawrence - 2016
    Foreseer. Wolf. Raven. Rat. Swan. Bringer of Health and Plague. Master of Song and Poetry. Lord of Truth and Enlightenment. Olympian God of prophecy and healing, archery and light and music, Apollo was honored throughout the ancient Mediterranean and across the Roman Empire. A paradoxical God, he is associated with both wisdom and virility, with compassion and cruelty, with fatherhood and youth. Twin to the virginal Artemis, he took many mortal lovers, male and female, and sired numerous children - at least one of whom, the healer Asklepios, ascended to godhood himself. Despite the deliberate destruction of His temples, Apollo was never forgotten. Renaissance artists and philosophers found in Him a worthy and willing patron, and in the centuries since his devotees have only grown in number. Among them are the contributors to this anthology, whose poems, essays, artwork, rites, and short fiction celebrate the God in all his wondrous complexity. And so we sing, as they did in ancient days: hail to you, Son of Thunder and Lightning. Io Paean!

The Art of Ritual


Rachel Patterson - 2016
    What ritual is, how to create it, work with it and all the different aspects and stages of putting a ritual together and how to get the best out of it whether you are a solitary or within a group. From set up through the entire process including the cake...this book covers just about all you should need to know to give you the best ritual experience. Drawn from the author's own teachings and experiences this book also shares a variety or different ritual scripts and suggestions along with those from members of her coven.

Icelandic Magic: Aims, tools and techniques of the Icelandic sorcerers


Christopher Alan Smith - 2016
    Smith has meticulously studied no less than 6 original Icelandic manuscripts dating from 1500 to 1860 to extract a picture of the aims, tools and techniques of Icelandic sorcerers. Set against the context of the harsh economic, social and environmental conditions of this North Atlantic island, the book gives a detailed account of the types of spells that were used and the motivations behind them. Hundreds of items from the six books of magic have been analysed to present the reader with a clear idea of the methods that were used, including incantation, invocation of deities and use of the enigmatic magical staves (galdrastafir). Furthermore, the book goes into great detail concerning the physical tools used by magicians and the kinds of objects that might have been found in a sorcerer’s ‘toolbox’. The book is illustrated throughout with images from the original manuscripts. Although it is not intended by any means as a book of instruction, one chapter does focus on workings of certain types and gives suggestions for those brave enough to try them out. All in all, this work will be an indispensable item for anyone interested in the history of magic in general and of Icelandic magic in particular.