What do you think?
Pagan Visions for a Sustainable Future
Do Pagan practices lead to an ecological approach to life? What is the role of magic in contemporary Paganism? How can ancient Pagan codes of behavior be applied today?
Representing diverse arenas of Paganism, eleven established activists, authors and academics passionately debate the critical issues facing modern Pagans. These provocative discussions-exploring feminism, magickal ecology, ancient Egyptian ethics, political activism, globalization, the power of truth, sacred communities, and environmental spirituality -challenge readers to reconsider what it means to be Pagan in the twenty-first century.
Representing diverse arenas of Paganism, eleven established activists, authors and academics passionately debate the critical issues facing modern Pagans. These provocative discussions-exploring feminism, magickal ecology, ancient Egyptian ethics, political activism, globalization, the power of truth, sacred communities, and environmental spirituality -challenge readers to reconsider what it means to be Pagan in the twenty-first century.
312 pages, Paperback
First published September 1, 2005
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
August 11, 2012
This book, edited by Thom van Dooren, Emma Restall-Orr and I was written to fulfil a gap in the pagan community that is not represented seriously on a world stage. Not all of the commentaries are in agreement but to have a voice is better than silence.
If I was to involve myself in a future work like this there would be louder voices. I am in love with Bolivia and Iceland and the moves they have made at cutting the threads of avarice that are strangling freedom.
The essay I wrote is called "What Would Happen if Everyone Started Telling the Truth" and it is about the art of clear communication and intentional choice. I chose the title because I dig it. It was a bumper sticker on the back of a truck.
If I was to involve myself in a future work like this there would be louder voices. I am in love with Bolivia and Iceland and the moves they have made at cutting the threads of avarice that are strangling freedom.
The essay I wrote is called "What Would Happen if Everyone Started Telling the Truth" and it is about the art of clear communication and intentional choice. I chose the title because I dig it. It was a bumper sticker on the back of a truck.
Currently Reading
May 29, 2026‘’Spirit is not some ethereal met-angelic entity: it is simply the power of life, energy held temporarily within a cohesive, coherent form. We need no metaphor or mythology (though many may love the poetry of such), for the idea in itself is awe-inspiring enough. Nor do we need some psychic vision to perceive the energy of spirit. We see it in the glint of a young girl’s eye. We feel it in the vibrance of a blackbird’s song, in the kick of a hare’s dash, the leaves of a tree bathing in sunshine. We are usually just too busy, preoccupied or apathetic to notice’’.
gast!!
gast!!
December 2, 2013
An interesting book of essays, focusing on questions relating to Paganism, animism, environmental concerns/causes, and a response to anthropocentrism. While I did not find a lot to relate to in most of the essays, there were a few stellar standouts for me:
"The Ethics of Paganism: The Value and Power of Sacred Relationship" by Emma Restall Orr
"Of Worms, Snakes, and Dragons: Can Magic Lead to an Ecological Worldview?" by Dr. Susan Greenwood
"I am the Mountain Walking: Wombats in the Greenwood" by Dr. Douglas Ezzy
"Wild Spirit, Active Love" by Dr. Sylvie Shaw
Each of these essays provide not only a perspective on ecology, ethics, animism, and Paganism that I had not considered - each also sculpted even deeper questions that I generated as follow-ons for myself to answer, while I was reading them. For me, these four essays were the meat of the entire book for me.
A word or two of caution for the reader though... The material presented here is in written (for the most part) in academic style, thus the readability can be some really rough terrain to pick through at times. Also, if you are looking for a Paganism 101 or Ecology 101 or Animism 101 book - this ain't it. The writers make some really large assumptions as to the knowledge base of the reader - and thus another rake edge to potentially step on while traversing this territory.
Recommend? Highly so. This is a book that you need to take your time with - much like a strong conversation on topics concerning ethical perspectives...its worth your time to read it. Just set aside the time to do so, where you are not trying to race through the material.
"The Ethics of Paganism: The Value and Power of Sacred Relationship" by Emma Restall Orr
"Of Worms, Snakes, and Dragons: Can Magic Lead to an Ecological Worldview?" by Dr. Susan Greenwood
"I am the Mountain Walking: Wombats in the Greenwood" by Dr. Douglas Ezzy
"Wild Spirit, Active Love" by Dr. Sylvie Shaw
Each of these essays provide not only a perspective on ecology, ethics, animism, and Paganism that I had not considered - each also sculpted even deeper questions that I generated as follow-ons for myself to answer, while I was reading them. For me, these four essays were the meat of the entire book for me.
A word or two of caution for the reader though... The material presented here is in written (for the most part) in academic style, thus the readability can be some really rough terrain to pick through at times. Also, if you are looking for a Paganism 101 or Ecology 101 or Animism 101 book - this ain't it. The writers make some really large assumptions as to the knowledge base of the reader - and thus another rake edge to potentially step on while traversing this territory.
Recommend? Highly so. This is a book that you need to take your time with - much like a strong conversation on topics concerning ethical perspectives...its worth your time to read it. Just set aside the time to do so, where you are not trying to race through the material.
August 19, 2012
UGH! No wonder it took me so long to finish this (over two years).
Maybe it was my preconceived notions about the book but I was underwhelmed. I was expecting...umm, what's the word here? Oh, right! Practical information on being Pagan and working towards sustainability. What it turned out to be was basic attitudes a Pagan should have toward the world we live in, also without any practical suggestions. I already knew that a deep connection with nature, the need to live as green as possible, and trying to get along with and embrace different cultures were important. The problem I, and other Pagans I know, run into is how to accomplish the high-minded ideals (or something close to them) expressed in many of the essays while living in a capitalistic society on a tiny budget.
Basically, I would've been better off simply reading Starhawk's works and skipping this book altogether. Her name on the cover was my primary reason for buying the book in the first place. I'm going to try David Suzuki's "The Sacred Balance: Rediscovering Our Place in Nature" and hope for more helpful information.
Maybe it was my preconceived notions about the book but I was underwhelmed. I was expecting...umm, what's the word here? Oh, right! Practical information on being Pagan and working towards sustainability. What it turned out to be was basic attitudes a Pagan should have toward the world we live in, also without any practical suggestions. I already knew that a deep connection with nature, the need to live as green as possible, and trying to get along with and embrace different cultures were important. The problem I, and other Pagans I know, run into is how to accomplish the high-minded ideals (or something close to them) expressed in many of the essays while living in a capitalistic society on a tiny budget.
Basically, I would've been better off simply reading Starhawk's works and skipping this book altogether. Her name on the cover was my primary reason for buying the book in the first place. I'm going to try David Suzuki's "The Sacred Balance: Rediscovering Our Place in Nature" and hope for more helpful information.
June 18, 2011
"We make jokes about..."superstar Pagans" and "cash-register Druids," and all the while these people are becoming more and more common...What is so significant about these people is that they are coming to define what Paganism is...to a public that is greedy for anything even slightly sensational."--Thom van Dooren
Awesome sentiment...too bad the book itself did not live up to his supposed ideals.
Awesome sentiment...too bad the book itself did not live up to his supposed ideals.
August 29, 2012
An excellent collection of essays - solid, inspiring and thoughtful. As Ronald Hutton says the writers are established within their field and the book looks at central questions about the relationships between religion, ethics and politics. Very readable but a much needed, more "academic" take than many of the popular books on Pagan spirituality.This isn't an introductory text. It's one of the best books on Pagan spirituality I have read.
June 18, 2014
I would skip the Ly de Angeles essay, but everything else in here is either very good or pure gold.
If you just want to read a small selection from this book, read the last four: Thom van Dooren, both Starhawk pieces, and a piece by Dr. Val Plumwood that relates some very interesting experiences with a crocodile. If you only want to read one piece, read the Thom van Dooren.
If you just want to read a small selection from this book, read the last four: Thom van Dooren, both Starhawk pieces, and a piece by Dr. Val Plumwood that relates some very interesting experiences with a crocodile. If you only want to read one piece, read the Thom van Dooren.
August 13, 2007
I'm reading this now. And all I can really say is Wow. The ideas contained in this book really have stretched my thinking about humanity's role in the world. Where it has not stretched my thinking, it serves to clarify.
June 12, 2012
I saw that Emma Restall Orr had a segment in this book so bought it based on that as I really love her writing. BUT I was really impressed with the other writers. Some really important points were raised and I am really pondering many issues around ecology and the way I live my life. Great one.
July 9, 2016
Keep in mind that this is an anthology, so the writing style of the different authors varies. Most of the chapters were ok, and a few I enjoyed very much, and then a few were a bit outside my reading preferences.
September 11, 2008
Great collection of essays and thoughts on environmental issues and sustainable technology and ecology by some of the more well known Pagans today.
May 7, 2010
A very hard read. My eyes glazed over..... a lot. A collection of essays.
July 5, 2011
Some articles were amazing! And some were ready kinda hard to read. All were thought provoking and worth the effort to at least attempt reading them. An excellent book to read outside on a nice day!
September 27, 2012
Difficult to read. Complex and and deep, but some of the most interesting and profound ideas I have read lately.
December 22, 2012
I adored the insights that this book gave to me. Not only did it speak to my mind, it also spoke to my heart. A definite read for anyone trying to connect with the Earth as a whole.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews