The Path of Paganism: An Experience-Based Guide to Modern Pagan Practice

by John Beckett

Overview

Paganism is a way of seeing the world and your place in it. It means challenging the assumptions of mainstream society and strengthening your relationships with the gods, the universe, your community, and your self. The Path of Paganism provides practical advice and support for honoring your values and living an authentic Pagan life in mainstream Western culture.

Discover tips for establishing or deepening a regular practice. Explore how your spirituality can help you deal with life's inevitable hardships. Learn the basics of leadership roles and other steps to take as you gain experience and move into more advanced practices. With questions for contemplation as well as rituals to help you integrate new concepts, this book guides you through a profoundly meaningful way of life.

Praise:

"This is an absolute gem of a book! John's love of his Pagan path fills this book with incredible enthusiasm and confidence...I would recommend this book to beginners and experienced practitioners alike. Both will find many pearls of wisdom within these pages. Highly recommended."—Damh the Bard

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738752051
Publisher:	Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
Publication date:	05/08/2017
Pages:	336
Sales rank:	340,188
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.90(d)

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
Foreword by Kristoffer Hughes xiii
Introduction 1

PART 1: BUILDING A FOUNDATION
Chapter 1: Foundations 13
Chapter 2: Contemporary Paganism 35
Chapter 3: Nature 55
Chapter 4: The Gods 73
Chapter 5: The Ancestors 99
Chapter 6: Being Spiritual in a Materialist Society 113

PART 2: PUTTING IT INTO PRACTICE
Chapter 7: Daily Spiritual Practice 129
Chapter 8: Altars 153
Chapter 9: Faith and Fear 161
Chapter 10: Ethics 173
Chapter 11: Magic 187
Chapter 12: Living in Troubled Times 203

PART 3: INTERMEDIATE PRACTICE
Chapter 13: Intermediate Practice 219
Chapter 14: Group Practice 231
Chapter 15: Rituals 251
Chapter 16: Initiation 273
Chapter 17: Priesthood 289
Chapter 18: Publicize, Don’t Proselytize 297

PART 4: LIVING AT THE EDGE
Chapter 19: Continuing Education 303
Epilogue: Finding Your Place in the Circle 307
Bibliography and References 311

Editorial Reviews

"This is an absolute gem of a book! John's love of his Pagan path fills this book with incredible enthusiasm and confidence...I would recommend this book to beginners and experienced practitioners alike. Both will find many pearls of wisdom within these pages. Highly recommended."—Damh the Bard

From the Publisher