Trevor Greenfield - Paganism 101: An Introduction to Paganism by 101 Pagans

It is often said, correctly, that Paganism is an umbrella term covering a rich profusion of traditions, attitudes, experiences and beliefs. What better way to reflect that reality within one book than to get so many good writers to represent it?

Professor Ronald Hutton

This is a much-needed book that gives voice to the diversity of ideas and opinions being voiced by contemporary Pagans. As I read it, I felt as if I was sitting in a circle, in a community of like-minded souls, hearing new points of view, challenging ideas, old ideas expressed in different ways. Warmth, humanity, creativity all flow from these pages.

Philip Carr Gomm, author and Leader of The Order of Bards Ovates & Driuids.

This book is far from your average Paganism 101 book. In this book will be found a fantastic range of people commenting on a wonderfully diverse selection of topics. Just looking at the list of topics explored in the book should give an indication of how wide ranging the book is in terms of exploring Paganism. But the decision to include 101 different Pagans discussing those topics gives a sense not only of the richness of diversity within modern Paganism, but also hints at an underlying commonality of worldview. Something that is hard to capture with the words of just one author. I thoroughly recommend this book as an introduction for people who are exploring Paganism for the first time, and also to Pagans who have been walking their paths for some time for the insights it provides into how other Pagans view and experience their paths.

Mike Stygal, President of the Pagan Federation.

The very idea of a Paganism 101 reader co-authored by 101 pagans is a breakthrough in itself. This excellent sourcebook highlights significant recent writing by practitioners of Druidry, Wicca, Shamanism, Goddess worship, Herbalism - and a whole lot more. Highly recommended.

Dr Nevill Drury, author of The Shamans Quest and Pans Daughter

A fascinating diversity of genuine experiences offered from a wide range of key earth-centred practitioners today. Sharing their personal stories with courage, wit and honesty about their paths, clarifying The Big Questions many around the world of all faiths or none have today about the rapidly growing Pagan traditions. Organized in three parts: Who We Are, What we Believe, and What we Do, each story provides a river of wisdom all its own, a cornucopia to feast on for all readers Highly recommended. Dr Karen Ralls, historian, religious studies scholar, member of OBOD, and Oxford-based author of Medieval Mysteries & Music and the Celtic Otherworld

Paganism is undoubtedly a faith in need of definition and here it is, Paganism 101 makes essential reading for anyone seeking building blocks for the modern movement & for all those followers a little unsure of what they have found.

Mark Olly, author, TV presenter and archaeologist

In this wonderfully multi-voiced collection, 101 Pagans demonstrate that contemporary Paganism, rather than being a single religion, is instead a diverse religious *movement* -- a gathering of related spiritual traditions. In sections dealing with Pagan identities, beliefs, and practices, Paganism 101 offers a balance of well-informed descriptive essays and reflective, personal pieces. The collection captures the evolving quality of Paganism as a new religious movement where important issues are actively being negotiated: some of the essayists explicitly respond to each other, reflecting the lively debates that characterize Pagan community. This intelligent anthology is sure to spark the interest of readers new to Paganism and offers excellent discussion prompts for Pagan and interfaith study groups.

Christine Hoff Kraemer, Managing Editor, Patheos.com Pagan channel

First published by Moon Books, 2014

Moon Books is an imprint of John Hunt Publishing Ltd., Laurel House, Station Approach, Alresford, Hants, SO24 9JH, UK

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Text copyright: Trevor Greenfield 2013

ISBN: 978 1 78279 170 6

All rights reserved. Except for brief quotations in critical articles or reviews, no part of this book may be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission from the publishers.

The rights of Trevor Greenfield as editor have been asserted in accordance with the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.

A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Design: Stuart Davies

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