Paganism In Depth: A Polytheist Approach

by John Beckett

Overview

Deepen Your Connection to the Gods, Your Ancestors & the World Around You

There are many rewards in taking your spiritual practice deeper, but there are also new challenges to confront along the way. Paganism In Depth is a next level book to help you ascend to the next steps in your practice and to be prepared for what you might encounter there.

Author John Beckett shares practical ideas for connecting to the spirit realm, forming sustainable communities, and taking on a leadership role as a medium for the divine. You will also discover experiential details of sustaining relationships with spiritual entities and what to do when a deity makes demands of you. Additionally, this book shares several keys to help you find your way forward when you feel you've gone as far as you can, including:

• Daily spiritual practice
• Ancestor veneration
• Perceiving the otherworld
• Spiritual ecstasy
• Direct experience of the gods
• Offerings
• Divination
• Magical practice
• Devotional practice

Your relationships with your community and with the gods and spirits are of the utmost importance. John Beckett helps you navigate those relationships so you can give and receive the energy you need on your unique spiritual journey.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738760681
Publisher:	Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
Publication date:	06/08/2019
Sold by:	Barnes & Noble
Format:	eBook
Pages:	288
Sales rank:	885,531
File size:	2 MB

About the Author

John Beckett (Fort Worth, Texas) is a Druid in the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, and a member of Ár nDraíocht Féin. Locally, he serves as the Coordinating Officer of the Denton Covenant of Unitarian Universalist Pagans and is a former Vice President of CUUPS Continental. His blog Under the Ancient Oaks is part of the Pagan Channel of the multifaith website Patheos. John has been writing, speaking, teaching, and leading public rituals since 2003. Visit him at www.patheos.com/blogs/johnbeckett.

 

Table of Contents

Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Introduction 1

PART 1: FOUNDATIONS
Chapter 1: Seeing the World in a Different Way 13
Chapter 2: Pagan Foundations 33
Chapter 3: Polytheist Foundations 55

INTERLUDE: THE DEEPER CALL
Chapter 4: I Like It Here—Why Do I Have To Leave? 71

PART 2: PRACTICE
Chapter 5: Devotional Practice 85
Chapter 6: Magical Practice 109
Chapter 7: Divination and Oracles 129
Chapter 8: Ecstatic Practice 139

PART 3: CHALLENGES
Chapter 9: Overcoming Roadblocks 157
Chapter 10: Living with Gods and Spirits 171
Chapter 11: Building Deep Religious Communities 195
Chapter 12: The Cost of Deep Practice 203
Chapter 13: Pagans Chop Wood and Carry Water Too 213

Epilogue: An Invitation to a Journey 217

Bibliography and References 221

Editorial Reviews

"In Paganism in Depth, John Beckett once again builds a solid corpus from which a foundation of Paganism is derived, a practical and studied approach to practice is achieved, and in-depth understanding into next steps is described. John is thorough and insightful in his presentation: every section provides building blocks for those new to the path and those weathered in the Way. The reader will come away with knowledge, workable methods, and an understanding of the road ahead. There are treasures to be found here!"—Rev. Jean (Drum) Pagano, Archdruid of Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF)

"For those looking to intensify and deepen their Pagan practice, Beckett's latest offering provides an inspirational, personal, and sagacious resource to do just that. Take your Paganism to the next level with this challenging yet important and timely work."—Kristoffer Hughes, head of the Anglesey Druid Order and author of From the Cauldron Bornand The Celtic Tarot

"Paganism In Depth is the elusive 'next-level book' that genuinely provides a roadmap for building a deeper and more meaningful Pagan practice. Beckett provides the insight and knowledge necessary to build both a lasting relationship with deity and the people who make up the greater Pagan community. This book will strengthen your magickal practice and add fire to your spiritual work. Great reading for Druids, Witches, and anyone in the magickal world who lives in a world full of gods."—Jason Mankey, author of The Witch's Athame and The Witch's Book of Shadows

From the Publisher