Pagan Heart Book Reviews

Something Magic

by Maggie S. Davis; illustrated by Mary O'Keefe Young, 1991. Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, 1230 Ave. of the Americas, New York, NY 10020 $13.95 (U.S.) ISBN 0-671-69627-0

Something Magic Happens for the Reader too!

While not overtly Pagan, this lovely children's story focuses on a young girl's special relationship with her Grandmother. Beautifully worded, colorfully drawn, this story can easily wet your eyes.

All through the story, the girl tries to see which part of herself most resembles her "Gammy." There are healthy, graceful undertones about the way Gammy has aged over the years. There is also a very touching page where they remember Grandpa, who is dead, but is still close to Gammy.

As the book draws to a close, the young girl sees something magic happen to Gammy! "Light shone from inside her. It twinkled in her eyes and made her face look rosy. It was brighter than the moon and made me warm. Maybe that's the part of Gammy that I look like."

When we turn to the last page, something magic happens for the reader too! We see that the story is really being told by a Mother, telling her own memories of Gammy to her young daughter. "Maybe that's the part of you that looks like me," she says standing hand in hand with her daughter, walking where the tip of the ocean meets the sand. Maid, Mother, and Crone come full Circle!

Artwork is unique in style, since each drawing sketches a white-bordered photo, like what we'd see in an old family album. There are several nice renderings of the full moon and other nature scenery too. While the price is a bit steep, hopefully this book is one that your children will keep and share one day with their own grandchildren.

Reviewed by Link (Anthony) 6538 Collins Avenue, #255 Miami Beach, FL 33141 USA AnthLink@aol.com

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Ways of the Strega.

Italian Witchcraft: Its Lore, Magick and Spells" by Raven Grimassi. Llewellyn Publications, St. Paul, MN 55164 1-800-THE-MOON $20.00 (U.S.) ISBN 1-56718-253-4
Ways of the Strega: A New Perspective on The Old Religion

Raven Grimassi has captured a unique look at European Paganism, Italian Style! "Ways of the Strega" is a valuable addition to any library of Pagan work, regardless of one's tradition or family origin. While focusing mainly on Italian witchcraft, Raven makes many historical connections to the Greeks, Celts, Egyptians, the Mideast and other cultures.

This book is not a mere re-hash of Roman Pantheon myths. In fact, it shows that what was done in the public temples of the Roman State, was often quite different from what was done in the homes of the common folk, the country Pagans of southern Europe. Raven offers an in-depth look at the everyday practices of the old Italian witches, the local wise ones of the village, or "Strega." He also shares many interesting customs used in Italy over the ages, from charms of protection, prosperity or healing, to prayers and rituals both old and new.

Readers will find many insightful and thought-provoking concepts. For example, Raven's discussion of herbs reminds us that plants are living beings; using the herb involves both the body and spirit of the plant! Page 175 explains that a plant "is a living vessel for a spirit or entity. This is similar to the relationship between our own spirits and bodies. When treated properly, the 'consciousness' of the herb can work toward our needs." On pages 207-211, he also describes a fascinating, innovative process for working with a living plant as a familiar! Likewise, he notes the tree as a "sacred being" when discussing a Strega's wand and staff.

For those who enjoy detailed descriptions of rituals and tool-making, Raven supplies beautifully worded rites, from consecrating your "Spirit Blade" to praising the Old Ones. He elaborates on specific spells for a variety of purposes. His discussion of Shadow Magick, which Raven claims is the first public disclosure of this ancient practice, is quite intriguing. It involves the "casting" of a specially shaped shadow onto an object to "cast" your spell. His discussion on Starlore adds a new twist to astrology. His explanation of the "Lare" (ancestral spirits) are valuable to anyone interested in the ancestors, reincarnation, or spirit guides.

Raven gives us an interesting taste of Italian folklore, including Befana the Good Witch, who filled the stockings of children with treats near the Winter Solstice. He also explains the Italian Stag God and Wolf God, representing the waxing/waning year, similar to the Oak and Holly Kings. For art lovers, Raven's 20 chapters are filled with lovely drawings both old and new. "The Tools of Witchcraft" drawing on page 78 is suitable for framing!

In his bibliography, Raven cites 50 sources, from Charles Leland, to Gardner and Valiente, to historian Carlo Ginzburg, inviting us to read further. Raven's chapter entitled "Leland, Gardner, and Frazer" is in itself worth the book's notable $20 price!

Raven claims to bring twenty five years of research to this work, as well as being trained in "The Family Tradition of Old Italy." His book details both ancient and modern Strega practices, from historical beliefs, to rituals used today by Raven's Aridian Tradition of Stregheria. This mix gives us a living, breathing view of Stregheria, but at times it is difficult to separate Raven's recently created practices from the age-old ones passed down over the years. Also, Raven's writing shows a great deal of pride in the Italian heritage. While this adds enthusiasm to his work, it could make some readers question the objectivity of a few of his conclusions.

Easy-to-read, thoroughly enjoyable, and extremely thought-provoking, "Ways of the Strega" should definitely find its way into your book collection!

Reviewed by, Link (Anthony) 6538 Collins Avenue, #255 Miami Beach, FL 33141 USA AnthLink@aol.com

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People of the Earth: The New Pagans Speak Out

By Ellen Evert Hopman and Lawrence Bond, 1996. Destiny Books, One Park Street, Rochester, VT 05767 1-800-246-8648 $19.95 (U.S.) ISBN 0-89281-559-0

An Excellent view of the Pagan Mosaic!

How do Pagans define Paganism? How were they attracted to a Pagan path? What issues do they consider important? Read the answers, written in their own words! Hopman and Bond have compiled insightful interviews with over 60 Pagans. "They let the People of the Earth speak for themselves - and speak they do, as diverse and fascinating individuals." Hopman and Bond approached a wide range of Pagans, from authors and community leaders, to students and military personnel, assembling over 400 pages of interviews and resources. Each interview discusses how the person came to Paganism, and what key challenges they feel face Pagan culture today.

Selena Fox and Dennis Carpenter describe how Circle was founded in 1974, and the challenges they have faced over the years. Isaac Bonewits explains how Druidism differs from Wicca. Oberon Zell talks about the Church of All Worlds, the Gaia Theory, and much more!

Each in-depth interview is quite multifaceted and very thought-provoking. Each person shares views on a variety of personal experiences, social and theological opinions. From persecuted store owners, to history scholars, to just plain Pagan folks - never before has such a mosaic been assembled. Margot Adler, Starhawk, Susun Weed, Z. Budapest, the Frosts, Alexei Kondratiev, Earthspirit, CoG, and many others. If you've ever wondered about a certain aspect of Paganism, here's your chance to find out more, direct from the source.

Hopman and Bond did an excellent job representing the many different facets of Paganism. This was no easy task. Their section entitled "Paganism from Norway, Greece, Egypt, Israel and Italy" is a wonderful cross-cultural view! A rare treat is the interview with Theodore Parker Mills, a High Priest of Isis, who has touched the lives of many over the years.

They also provide a bibliography of over 200 books and articles for readers to delve deeper. And as a special bonus, Hopman and Bond have assembled a 19-page resource guide, listing newsletters, groups and merchants. A guide like this is a valuable tool for anyone interested in learning more about Pagan culture first hand.

Educational and entertaining, "People of the Earth: The New Pagans Speak Out" will definitely speak out to you -- in a way most other books never have!

Reviewed by Link (Anthony) 6538 Collins Avenue, #255 Miami Beach, FL 33141 USA AnthLink@aol.com

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The Well of Remembrance:
Rediscovering the Earth Wisdom Myths of Northern Europe

By Ralph Metzner, 1994. Shambhala Publications, 300 Massachusetts Avenue, Boston, MA 02115 1-800-769-5561 $16.00 (U.S.) ISBN 1-57062-028-8

Drinking from this Well is Well-Worth it!

Ralph Metzner has helped us to remember many of the Old myths of northern Europe. With great detail, he shows the history and social developments which shaped the beliefs of the northern people. This is not a book of modern day Asatru practices or Norse rituals. It is a rich text of Pagan history, pointing out many examples of how we can benefit today by learning from the past. Metzner's title refers to the magic Well from which Odin drank to learn (i.e. "remember") the age-old origins of all things. He points out that we too can drink from this Well, and remember much of what modern society has sadly forgotten. While Metzner focuses mainly on Germanic, Scandinavian cultures, he makes frequent connections to the Celts, Romans, Asians -- and even Native Americans.

More than mere history, Metzner (now in his sixties) mixes in his own thoughts and dreams, tales of vision quests and crossroads which he has faced upon his own spiritual journey. He also includes contributions from other writers, including an inspiring forward from author Marija Gimbutas.

Readers will find a detailed history of how the migrations and invasions of the Indo-Europeans changed the face of northern Europe. Metzner explains how this change affected the beliefs and customs of northern Paganism. If you'd like to learn how Pagan society slowly shifted away from matriarchy to patriarchy, this book is a good resource. Metzner gives many examples of the shift from the matriarchal Earth Deities, or Vanir, to the warrior Sky Gods, called the Aesir. He bases much of this work on a good variety of historical sources, including Germanic cultural texts called the Eddas. (The term Edda translates to "Great Grandmother.") While Metzner offers his own personal views and interpretations, he leaves the door open for readers to draw many of their own conclusions. He also gives many examples of word origins, showing their root in social customs. An interesting example of this is the word matrimony, which Metzner claims is rooted to the matriarchal custom of family wealth being passed down along maternal lines, "matri" meaning mother and "mony" meaning money.

His ten-page timeline of world history is an excellent research tool. It starts with the rise of human culture, using stone tools 2 million years ago, to cave paintings of "paired male and female figures," then brings us through classical Europe, ending in 1492 with Columbus.

His views on the ferocious warriors, called the Berserkers, is interesting. Berserkers, meaning those who wear bear skins, fought wildly, sometimes under the influence of an herbal-induced frenzy. He also mentions the concept of Valhalla, a paradise reserved for warriors "lucky" enough to die in battle. Metzner then puts the ugliness of war into perspective, stating that Valhalla was a religious belief used to conveniently motivate the troops, moving the reader to ask what Valhallas we create today for our own patriotic causes. Very timely! His concept of "the New Berserker" describes the new, more peaceful, environmental movement of the Earth-based religions.

Metzner's view of northern lore is quite unique. For example, reading the Runes, he states on page 198, can be viewed "in a broader, more general sense, as any symbolic sign that we come to understand in a personally meaningful way..." Odin learning to read the Runes was symbolic for us learning to read the language of nature; the word Rune itself means secret or mystery. (He also states that some believe the Runic alphabet is based on Latin, Greek or Etruscan characters.) His views on the Tree of Yggdrasill are also fascinating. Metzner claims the word Yggdrasill means Ygg's (an aspect of Odin) horse, where horse is meant as a vehicle for travel. Metzner claims many of these myths contain shamanic beliefs; Odin hanging on the Tree was symbolic of a shamanic journey between the worlds. The Tree, or "Axis Between the Worlds" was his vehicle. (Those interested in the Cabala's Tree of Life will enjoy Metzner's diagram of Asgard, Midgard, Hel and other aspects of the Nine Worlds, page 201.) While somewhat far-fetched, Metzner makes an interesting cross-cultural comparison between Odin hanging on the Tree, Prometheus chained to the Boulder, Innana hung on the peg, the chest of Osiris being absorbed into a tree, and even Christ hanging on the cross -- all as Deities bound to an Earthly world. His section entitled "Animism, Shamanism and Paganism" (pages 48-51) is also a very unique perspective!

He also offers thought-provoking ideas on Ragnarok, the great battle which destroyed the Old Gods, from which the few survivors rebuild a new world. He compares this "death" of the Old Gods to the shift from Paganism to Christianity, with the current Pagan revival being a form of rebirth. Metzner's optimism about the future is an inspiration.

Metzner's association with Timothy Leary in psychedelic "research" probably helped shape the 17-page appendix focusing solely on certain specific ancient herbal arts. (You won't find this info in any ordinary history text.)

While most of the book's 300+ pages are not graced with great artwork, there are twelve interesting black and white photos of pottery, statues and carvings with ancient images of Old deities. There are also several maps and diagrams showing how ancient society branched out.

While his research seems solid, much of Metzner's points are based in sources so ancient they are open to many interpretations. Some scholars of northern culture will undoubtedly disagree with much that Metzner says. But Metzner doesn't claim to have a monopoly on the truth; he does not position himself as the definitive voice of the northern people. He merely points out some valuable areas of Pagan history which speak to him as an author, as a student of world history, and as a fellow Spirit on a Pagan path.

Metzner's writing style is not like today's easy-reading popular neo-Pagan authors. Readers must plow through his quite wordy prose, which feels more like an academic text than consumer entertainment. But doing so is reading well-spent. Drinking from this Well is well worth it!

Review by Link (Anthony) 6538 Collins Avenue, #255 Miami Beach, FL 33141 USA AnthLink@aol.com