Being a Pagan

PAGANISM / NEW AGE "This book should appear on the suggested reading list given to any student on a Pagan path." --PanGaia: Living the Pagan Life "Being a Pagan is well researched and offers a panoramic outlook on a growing spiritual movement offering hope for our Earth." --New Age Retailer Who are the Pagans and what do they stand for? Why would some of the best educated, most materially comfortable generation of Americans look back to mystical traditions many millennia old? During the past few decades, millions of people have embraced ancient philosophies that honor Earth and the spiritual power of the individual. Ways of worship from sources as diverse as the pre-Christian Celts, ancient Egypt, and Native American traditions are currently helping their followers find meaning in life. Ellen Evert Hopman's own spiritual search led her down one of the most ancient religious paths and inspired her to seek out others who had discovered Paganism. In this book more than sixty Pagan leaders and teachers describe in their own words what they believe and what they practice. From Margot Adler, NPR reporter and author of Drawing Down the Moon, to Isaac Bonewits, ArchDruid and founder of a modern neo-Druidic organization, those interviewed in this book express the rich diversity of modern Paganism. Hopman's insightful questions draw on her own sixteen years of experience as a Pagan and Druid and result in fascinating profiles that illuminate the modern Pagan revival. With coauthor Lawrence Bond, she examines the influence of Paganism on society--and society's influence on Paganism--with particular attention to how Pagans address such issues as parenting, organized religion, and politics. Being a Pagan unites many Pagan voices in a panoramic view of one of today's most dynamic spiritual movements. ELLEN EVERT HOPMAN was vice president of The Henge of Keltria, an international Druid Order, for nine years. She is a founder of The Order of the Whiteoak (Ord Na Darach Gile), also an international Order of Druids, and a professional member of the American Herbalists Guild. She is also the author of A Druid's Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year and Walking the World in Wonder: A Children's Herbal. She lives in Massachusetts. LAWRENCE BOND is a teacher, storyteller, designer, and illustrator who specializes in art and tales from the Celtic pantheon. He is also the art director of the Folk & World music magazine Dirty Linen.