Pagan Values Survey

Mika is a PhD student from Finland, researching aspects of Paganism who needs pagans from the UK, Ireland or Finland to fill out his survey.

"About my current research.

I have been handing out paper surveys in London, Avebury, Dublin, and in a number of locations in Finland. That didn't seem to work well (pen and paper survey, wasn't that popular in the 80's?), so I have now started a web survey. I have been sending the link to the pagans I know and they have forwarded it to their friends. A bit of snowballing. .. I'm trying to get as many participants as possible by the end of April.

According to a Darby Uni. study there are about 43.000 Pagans in the UK. If I get 1% of that I'd be thrilled.

So, if you, or anybody else would like to help me with this, here is the link: Pagan Survey.

Feel free to forward it. The only requirements for participants are that they live in either UK, Ireland, or Finland, consider themselves to be Pagans, and are at least 18 years old."

Cliff Dreamers

Author: Jacqui Wood

This is a self-published book, available from Lulu by Jacqui Wood. I believe this is Jacqui's first fiction offering, having already written "Prehistoric Cooking". Jacqui Wood is an archaeologist, so it is not surprising to find the book set in a historical Europe.

I do have a few quibbles with the self-publishing aspect of this book, which I will get out of the way first. It is quite obvious that there was a lack of general editing as spelling errors can be found on nearly every other page; grammar is appalling and the tense can change several times within the same paragraph; and the narration also jumps from first to third and, most alarmingly in one paragraph to second, where the reader is addressed by the main character. I would dearly love to see a publishing hosue pick up this book just to sort out these technical quibbles. So, that's the critical part of this review over.

I had a wonderful time with this book. Not only was I drawn in by the turbulent life of its main character, Mia, but I learned quite a bit about Europe 6,000 years ago as the author effortlessly wove her knowledge of the period into the book. The story centres around an eleven year old girl, Mia, who lives on an island between Scanland (Norway) and Britland (Britain) which is fast disappearing into the sea.

Cliff Dreamers starts with Mia being chosen by the island's Shaman to be his priestess, an honour for most girls on Dogga Island, but not for Mia, who views this role as nothing more than slavery. Mia sits on her sand cliffs and wistfully watches the traders come in the their log boats and wishes she could travel far and wide with them. This soon becomes a reality when a fellow islander, Borg, discovers the Shaman's plans for Mia, who is not yet "of age".

Cliff Dreamers takes us along with Mia on her first ventures away from Dogger Island, and the various tribes she encounters with Kemit (the captain of the log boat in which she escapes), his crew and Borg. As the book progresses, we go back and forth from Mia's life on Dogger Island to her life at sea, trying to escape those who pursue her for her unusual magical powers.

The author is gifted when it comes to describing the various tribal settlements of neolithic times and I couldn't help but be drawn into Mia's world. I will be purchasing the sequel, Journey Through the Inland Sea, as soon as my finances allow. I will also be hoping that a publisher will pick up these books. I suspect the books will have a broad appeal because of the folding of history, archaeology, fantasy, magic and a thriller into one book makes them unique reading.

Rating: 4/5 (downgraded because of editing problems)

Compositions of Stone

CD by Mike Simmons
Available from Megalithic Portal, where you can sample two of the tracks.

Track titles:

1. Carnac - The Alignments
2. The Ring of Brodgar
3. Rollright Stones
4. Merry Maidens
5. Long Meg and her Daughters
6. Castlerigg
7. Avebury
8. Stonehenge

****************************************************

I bought this CD after someone listed it as an "unusual Jule gift idea". I have had a difficult time of late finding new ambient music for background to my meditations. So, when this was listed (twice), I went and listened to the samples and then purchased it.

I only wish I could listen to it the whole way through. It is a wonderful CD, but everytime I listen to it I drift off to sleep. Now, this is a good and a bad thing. As someone who occasionally has difficulty going to sleep, I am grateful to have found a cure, but I am also sad that I cannot actually get the whole way through this CD, as the music is rather enchanting.

I can recommend this CD, even though I have not heard all of it. It is pleasant, unobtrusive and a little different from most CDs in its category. Listen to the samples, buy it and see if you don't feel the same way.

The Nature of Gods

This was posted to polytheist list by Toby Lamb. In my opinion, it is brilliant and deserves a wider audience, so I am posting it here.

“My newly devised Arse Doctrine of polytheism:Most gods are a pain in the arse. Some of them are quite nice as well as being a pain in the arse. If they appear to be just nice, look out for the massive pain in the arse that's on the way when you least expect it. The ones that are just a pain in the arse are best avoided, though they will probably get to you sooner or later."

Different gods like to cause different pain in different people's arses. Talk to the ones that cause the least pain in yours. The ones that cause the most pain in your particular arse won't let you not talk to them, so just get on with it and quit moaning.

So it is written.”

The Art and Practice of Creative Visualization

Author: Ophiel
ISBN-10: 1578630010
ISBN-13: 978-1578630011

This book is a great introduction to the techniques of creative visualization. It is set out in a workbook format, though the majority of the practical exercises are given in the last chapters. The author does repeat himself, though he does give a valid reason for so doing.

I would recommend starting the exercises in the earlier chapter as soon as you read it. If you have an aversion to ceremonial magic, you may find the exercises a little annoying, but, for the purposes of progressing, work through the practice visualizations as given. This is only a starting point and the author gives symbols which are quite easy to start with, regardless of their purpose.

I can highly recommend this book to anyone wishing to undertake basic work in the occult arts. The author helps to de-mystify what is an awkward, esoteric subject to teach.

Pagan Dating

Well now, being a member of several email lists and forums, I am used to being spammed by those promoting Christian dating sites. Why they should want pagans to sign up, I don't know. Perhaps its a new spin on proselytizing?

I figure there are enough Christians in the world to set up internet dating sites, but pagans? No. Census information tells us that we are a small number, so it was with great surprise that I found someone promoting a link to a pagan dating site. Its called Olde Souls. True, there are only 100 members so far, but I am surprised at even that amount and there appear to be quite a few in the United Kingdom and Ireland, as well as the United States. This is a relevation AND there are success stories already being posted.

Perhaps its the right time for pagan specific dating sites? After all, many pagans know how difficult it is to find acceptance of your faith from others, as well as the public at large; we are either seen as evil-doers destined for the hellfires, or kooks destined for white jackets in a loony bin. There appears to be no middle ground of everyday people getting on with forging a decent life in the modern world. Finding a fellow pagan who feels the way you do, and who is single is a rarity, unless you know some forceful love spells and/or potions. *LOL* Maybe a pagan dating site is not so outlandish after all? If someone holds the same beliefs as you, then you might have a better chance of actually forging a strong relationship.

I wonder if this particular site will be successful, though? I think I will drop in from time to time and watch its progress. I would like to see it succeed, but I have to wonder what the take-up actually will be.

Yuletide Sentiments

I send you heartfelt Yuletide charms,
to keep you safe from ills and harms,
to last throughout the coming year,
to ward off doubt and dismiss fear,
And welcome joy with open arms.

© Webwitch 2007 for PPP

Bibliophile in the Making

I have to admit to being a bit of a bibliophile. I love to read and I love to keep my books close to me. Its rare that I will let go of a book, either to sell or swap. These days, I am a little more ruthless but, as most of what I am reading these days is non-fiction, I am still keeping those books I feel will be needed for future reference.

I have been lucky this year in that I have found some bookswapping sites, which has allowed me to acquire books for the cost of postage that otherwise would have got me in trouble with creditors. I do try to acquire books as and when I am interested in them, so I will search through Book Finder, Amazon and Ebay to keep an eye out for bargains. However, I now also search through Green Metropolis (a portion of each sale going to the Woodland Trust), Book Mooch and Read It Swap It, just in case there is another non-fiction reader who wants to "dispose" (what an awful term) of their book.

I do have an estensive list of books in my collection that are labelled "to be read", and I hope, whilst on holidays in December, I will get a chance to plough through some of them. I just love opening a new book to read it. The smell and the texture of the bindings and the pages. I do try to get hardcovers where I can, as they last longer and the paper quality does seem superior to some of the paperback rubbish that is published these days. I read a lament from a reviewer in White Dragon this week about a new book whose pages were already yellowing. Sad that people don't appreciate books anymore.

Even though I prefer the hard copy versions of books, I still have a few ebooks that I keep on hand. I have to admit, though, that I do tend to print them out before I read them. Working in front of a computer means I am less than pleased having to read books online. There is one book that must remain online, though, as it is over 1,000 pages. Shame, as it is a valuable resource on herbs. Still, those texts that are outside copyright and are available online are still a valuable resource.

I have become so involved in books again that I am currently distributing promotional cards for an author, Kit Berry, and her series of books. I am doing this predominantly for selfish reasons: I want her to publish the last two books in the series. So, if you know of any bookstores in your area, please mention her books and website and tell them how much young adults and adults alike will enjoy the books. Please, just so I can finish the storyline.

Solstice at Stonewylde

I managed to get an advanced, autographed copy of this book from the author Kit Berry at last weekend's Halloween Festival (before I fell ill).

The story of Sylvie, Yul, the Magus and the community continues in this the third book of the Stonewylde series. This third book does wind up the major plot line involving the three main characters, but still leaves some questions which will allow for the next two books. I expect I will read these in one sitting, as I did with the first three novels.

Kit Berry is certainly a talented writer, allowing the reader to revel in the atmosphere of the Stonewylde community for a few blissful moments before taking up the narrative. The author also has the knack of being able to provide a backstory simply, and almost subtlely thus allowing the reader to understand the behaviour of certain characters without the need for long explanatory notes by the author. This allows the storyline to continue at a cracking pace.

There are some developments in this book that may leave a few readers disturbed, certainly I did a bit of skimming over the sections when Sylvie is in the rooms of the Magus - not because the writing was lacking, but because the situation was more than a little uncomfortable and given that I had guessed a certain "twist", it made it even harder to read. It might not affect all readers this way, but it did me.

I still have the same small personal quibbles I did when I read the first two books: I don't agree with the supposed "ancient" nature of the festivals used by the Stonewylde community, given they are based on wic(c)an beliefs, but this won't be a bother to 99% of the people who read these books; and there are some unanswered questions left, though this time the main plot has resolved itself and the reader is not left on a cliffhanger. Mind you, the latter is placated by a note from the author at the back of the paperback copy - there are more books in the series.

The books are aimed at the young adult market, but don't let that fool you. Adults of all ages will derive enjoyment from this book, just as the first two. Certainly, the Stonewylde community is pagan, but readers of all denominations will still revel in the community and characters that Kit has created.

Go out and read all three books: "The Magus of Stonewylde"; "Moondance at Stonewylde" and "Solstice at Stonewylde". You won't be disappointed.

The Magus of Stonewylde

by Kit Berry
ISBN: 9780955143908

I had heard about these books and read the reviews. I bumped into the author at an event and she very kindly autographed this book, and its sequel for me. I was looking forward to reading them.

The first thing I noticed was the number of typographical errors in the print run. I am pendantic about typographical errors because they tend to jar me away from my reverie when reading a good story, and I was struggling somewhat as it was.

The story centres around Sylvie, a fifteen year old girl from the city who goes to live at Stonewylde, and Yul, a villager who has never left the Stonewylde community. Sylvie seems to be allergic to all that she encounters in the city, so when a doctor introduces Sylvie and her mother to the Magus, the head of the Stonewylde community, Sylvie is overjoyed to find her mother agreeing to move to the mysterious community in Devon. Sylvie thrives in her first weeks at Stonewylde, but it is not the idyll the Magus promised. Yul is sent to work in the garden as a punishment and soon he and Sylvie develop a dangerous friendship, despite the Magus' warning.

After years of reading non-fiction titles, I find that I can forsee the twists and turns in this book, which is a shame, because it makes it seem less believable. Little bits of the background story to Stonewylde grated somewhat, too, but this is unlikely to bother the majority of readers.

The only other small quibble I had was the reader is required to read the whole series of books (well, at least the first three), before the main plot is resolved. None of the books are complete within themselves, this being a continuing, serialised saga. That said, having read "Solstice at Stonewylde" there are some conclusions.

Ms Berry excels at making her characters believable and distinguishable. At no time, did I lose track of the personalities involved and her pre-histories are clear and discernable with just a few words. Her ability to set the scene with descriptive prose allows the reader to wallow in the atmosphere of Stonewylde alone, for a few moments before the characters arrive; a rare treat indeed.

For all the criticisms I have levelled at this book, I read it in one sitting. I could not put it down - despite the plotline being easy to predict (mostly because I am a prolific reader and an avid cinema-goer, meaning its hard to surprise me), and the pace a little stilted in places. I couldn't wait for it to all unfold.

I felt the book was aimed at a teenage market, given the age of the main characters and the exploration of sexual themes, but it does appeal to adults as well.

So far, I have read three in the series - each one was read in a single sitting.