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Top reviews from Canada

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Dood B Here

Highly Recommended

Reviewed in Canada on October 16, 2017

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This is a fantastic book for the beginner, or for the curious mind, wanting to know more. It covers a broad band of topics within Paganism, yet ties everything together in simple, practical terms. This would be an excellent book to present to skeptical family members, or friends when they want to support your path but don't quite know how.

Todd Hawley

Excellent Introductory Book

Reviewed in Canada on July 9, 2002

A lot of the Idiot's Guides that I have read are really misnamed, because they contain a lot of valuable information about the subject and presented in terms that anyone can understand. I loved this book because it explains virtually every aspect of Paganism. The explanations and descriptions of various Pagan practices, ideals, Sabbats, rituals are kept brief as befits an introductory book. And yet, even after having a handful of other intoductory Pagan books, I found myself learning facts here that I hadn't known about before. The author sticks to the "Pagan philosophy" of "Harm no one" in describing Paganism.
Among topics discussed? Besides the various Pagan Sabbats and pagan ideals, there are chapters devoted to Shamans, Druids, Wicca, the "Spirit World" and the Pagan elements of fire, air, water, and earth. There are four chapters that discuss Pagan rituals and I found the author's claim that we already do rituals in our lives (high school and college graduation, marriage and funerals, for example) very true. I never would have thought about that. There's also several chapters devoted to "Pagan magic," which help to demystify it. The book's last few chapters offer advice on "living the Pagan lifestyle," and there's an extensive list of recommended reading at the book's end. One could spend months reading through the list of books alone if one wanted to.
The more I read about Paganism, the more I realize other religions over the centuries have liberally borrowed its customs and holidays. For anyone wishing to join this path or those already on it seeking to learn more, this book is a wonderful introduction.

Jen

For those who know, and those who don't... Paganism

Reviewed in Canada on November 25, 2002

I purchased 2 of these books. One was for myself, and the other for my Dad. I had a heated conversation with him about Paganism...
no dad, they don't worship the devil, yes, they believe in "god"... etc., etc.
It was not a good conversation and I was frustrated over my lack of ability to fully explain paganism to him. He didn't want to listen to what I said. Sometime later, Carl came out with this book, and so, guess what dad got for father's day.
I brought the books home and found the pages that included the core essence of paganism, flagged them for my father, and gave it to him for father's day. I think he needed an independant source. I'm not going to say that my dad now fully understands me, or Paganism (he hasn't read the whole book..... yet), but there has been a shift in him. He no longer challenges me on my spirituality and seems more at peace with my choices.
Carl does have a new book... When someone you love is Wiccan... I have not read this and it may be more appropriate if you are wiccan, but I really consider myself pagan before wiccan. So, I can definitely recommend this book for the purposes of educating those who don't understand you if you are Pagan.
Now, about the book I purchased for myself, I read most of a while back, but just recently pulled it back out to look something up. I started reading it again, and I realized just how comprehensive this book is, which prompted me to write this review. Carl's book is full of researched information and facts, as well as his own experiences. I've learned new things, as well as new ways of articulating things I already knew.
I can't think of anything related to paganism as a spiritual path (not a religion) that isn't covered in this book. (And I've read quite a few.) You can buy other books to go more into detail on specific topics (magic, meditation, reincarnation, etc.) But, you can't beat this book for a comprehensive, overview on Paganism.
Thanks Carl!!
Jen

Frank MacEowen

Destined To Be A Classic Compendium

Reviewed in Canada on June 11, 2002

Carl McColman is no stranger to the important work of deep spiritual inquiry, integration, and synthesis. However, in The Idiot's Guide to Paganism he truly blazes a new trail by making a much needed and substantial offering to the modern spiritual seeker who may find themselves moving through a domain that can often feel like a never-ending maze of switchbacks. This domain is none other than Paganism--a rich and varied "tradition of traditions" of which there are unending expressions. Given the astonishing amount of diversity, varied sources, occasional cross-over, and even contradictions found within various traditions of Paganism, Carl's artistry, precision, and mastery for articulation undoubtedly clear the way. His keen observation of the Pagan traditions, along with his own internal refinement as a spiritual practitioner and teacher himself, have sculpted a guide that will prove to be a friend for those seeking to make sense of the multi-layered weave of earth-based spiritual traditions.

GAEA

Excellent Resource for Beginners!!!

Reviewed in Canada on August 19, 2003

As a 10 year Pagan Veteran, I highly recommend this book to anyone interested in learning or interested in Paganism. Carl does an excellent job is describing the different paths, practices and beliefs of Paganism. His writing style is easy to understand, plus he is extremely knowledgeable about the subject. I was so impressed with his work, that this book has been added to the recommended reading list for my beginning pagansim course. Excellent Job Carl!!!

John Thomson

Want to open your mind?

Reviewed in Canada on October 1, 2003

For anyone who is Pagan and wants people to learn more about their ways or beliefs, then this is the book to hand them to read. It will help get rid of any preconceived ideas of what this way of life is all about. A fountain of information that will dispel any of the stereotyping that has been created over years of prejudice and lack of education. I found it a very interesting, humourous, and informative. It is written in such a way that makes it easy to understand and gives an very open minded view of a lot of the Pagan religions. A good book for beginners or anyone wishing to learn more about Paganism.

Top reviews from other countries

Connie

Four Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 3, 2017

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Excellent

Granny smith

Three Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on April 10, 2016

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Good book

Mrs E H Moody

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on July 27, 2015

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Fast delivery for great book.

martin snow

Five Stars

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on September 23, 2015

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An outstanding service and excellent quality

Nisaryn

Too much Wicca and not enough general Paganism

Reviewed in the United States on July 18, 2019

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This book is good, it really is. I just wish it was more focused on Paganism in general. Most of this book is focused on Wicca and Wiccan principles, which would be fine if this was a book about Wicca. Not all pagan follow the Wiccan Rede or the Law of Three. Not all pagans believe in the duality of the Lord and Lady, some of us (myself included) are Hard Polytheist so we believe in MULTIPLE Lords and Ladies...I felt that paganism outside of Wicca just wasn't represented at ALL in this book, it made it out as if all pagans were Wiccan which just isn't true.

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