San Antonio College Library

Paganism is a broad term that includes such paths as Wicca, Druidism, and Asatru, whose practitioners embrace the idea that the natural world is sacred. Introduces the beliefs, ethics, and practices of modern Pagans and answers such questions about Pagan beliefs as: What are Pagan rituals like? ; When are the Pagan holidays? ; What do Pagans believe about God? ; What is magick? ; How do Pagans view Satan? ; and What ethics do Pagans follow?

When a routine magazine assignment led Catherine Edwards Sanders to reassess her stereotypical views of Wiccans, she set out to understand why Wicca and other forms of Pagan spirituality were rapidly attracting followers. During a year of in-depth exploration, she confronted such questions as: Why do seekers find the Wiccan worldview and its concern for the earth so compelling? Are they right in saying the church doesn't "get it"? How can the church...

"Witchcraft and Magic conveys the richness of magical religious experiences found in today's culture, covering the continent of North America and the Caribbean." "These essays survey current and historical issues pertinent to religions that incorporate magical or occult beliefs and practices, and they examine contemporary responses to these religions. The relationship between Witchcraft and Neopaganism is explored, as is their intersection with established...

Taking the reader into the heart of one of the fastest-growing religious movements in North America, Sabina Magliocco reveals how the disciplines of anthropology and folklore were fundamental to the early development of Neo-Paganism and the revival of witchcraft. Magliocco examines the roots that this religious movement has in a Western spiritual tradition of mysticism disavowed by the Enlightenment. She explores, too, how modern Pagans and Witches...

The twentieth century has seen a remarkable revival of "the Old Religion," as adherents of Neo-paganism call the native religious traditions of Europe and tribal traditions from North America that predated Christianity. Many neo-pagan groups identify with Celtic (Druidic), Egyptian, Native American, Norse, or Roman traditions; others with modern science-fiction motifs; and still others with witchcraft. Neo-paganism is occultic in nature. A central...

A study of England's biggest and best-known witch trial, which took place in 1612 when ten witches from the forest of Pendle were hanged at Lancaster. A little-known second trial occured in 1633-4, when up to nineteen witches were sentenced to death.

This comprehensive anthology examines contemporary neo-paganism ranging from goddess theology to historical-critical essays. Many of the contributors are academically trained neo-pagans, and the resulting volume is a benchmark study of a significant movement that promises to reshape the religious landscape of the next century.

"Voices from the Pagan Census provides unprecedented insight into the expanding but largely unstudied religious movement of Neo-Paganism in the United States. Helen A. Berger, Evan A. Leach, and Leigh S. Shaffer present findings of "The Pagan Census," which was created and distributed by Berger and Andras Corban Arthen of the Earthspirit Community. Analyzing the most comprehensive and largest-scale survey of Neo-Pagans to date, the authors offer a...