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Reviews
Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions by Joyce Higginbotham, River Higginbotham
emily_gaynier's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe more like a 2.5
So I will say that this is a good resource for those who are interested in paganism with a christian background. It compared the two a lot and had a chapter dedicated to Satan (because of the misconception that pagans/witches worship the devil), but the sheer amount of comparison almost fell like the authors were arguing their religion against someone of the Catholic faith. I don't know if my christian education was super lacking or if I really wasn't paying attention, but I learned more about the christian religion from this book then my whole religious education. And because of this, I didn't like this book very much.
I wanted to learn about paganism and while I did, I felt like I was learning too much about christianity.
This book is really good for the basic basics. Like you want to know what the sabbaths are, but don't really want to get into details just yet. Also the two authors will just randomly go "Joyce and I" or "River and I" and that would shock me out of what I was reading. I wish they had referred to themselves in the third person or something, because it was so jarring.
Also this book refers to Satanism as a cult, which feels like it goes against the fact that previously the book stated that pagans are openminded and accepting of other religions.
I would like a newer version of this book, written by several pagans with different religious upbringings and less of a focus on christianity
So I will say that this is a good resource for those who are interested in paganism with a christian background. It compared the two a lot and had a chapter dedicated to Satan (because of the misconception that pagans/witches worship the devil), but the sheer amount of comparison almost fell like the authors were arguing their religion against someone of the Catholic faith. I don't know if my christian education was super lacking or if I really wasn't paying attention, but I learned more about the christian religion from this book then my whole religious education. And because of this, I didn't like this book very much.
I wanted to learn about paganism and while I did, I felt like I was learning too much about christianity.
This book is really good for the basic basics. Like you want to know what the sabbaths are, but don't really want to get into details just yet. Also the two authors will just randomly go "Joyce and I" or "River and I" and that would shock me out of what I was reading. I wish they had referred to themselves in the third person or something, because it was so jarring.
Also this book refers to Satanism as a cult, which feels like it goes against the fact that previously the book stated that pagans are openminded and accepting of other religions.
I would like a newer version of this book, written by several pagans with different religious upbringings and less of a focus on christianity
hazamelis's review against another edition
It is an informative and well made book, the start of the chapter recommended me to read up to chapter 1 to know if paganism was for me or not, that is what I did, due to its focus on the seasons and earth based holidays I do not think it works for me since I live in the tropics and I do not experience most of the stuff mentioned here. There is also a bit of a gender binary focus adopted from older paganist religions and I feel this approach wouldn't work for me that well either. I appreciate the book.
daffodill37's review against another edition
(E-Book)
This book started out really interesting with some basic info about pagainism that I found really helpful. It proceeded to get into the weeds a bit and then started to feel a little preachy. I lost interest. Based on other reviews, there are more chapters that I think would be helpful/informative but I just couldn't bring myself to pick it back up.
This book started out really interesting with some basic info about pagainism that I found really helpful. It proceeded to get into the weeds a bit and then started to feel a little preachy. I lost interest. Based on other reviews, there are more chapters that I think would be helpful/informative but I just couldn't bring myself to pick it back up.
mdevlin923's review against another edition
2.0
An introduction to paganism for those who are thinking about converting from more mainstream religions (main example being Catholicism). Includes discussion questions, journal prompts, and other activities.
hfjarmer's review against another edition
informative
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
I found "Paganism: An Introduction to Earth-Centered Religions" to be an enlightening exploration of spirituality, particularly for those drawn to practices rooted in nature.
The authors, the Higginbothams (whose name could hardly sound more fittingly Pagan), convey Paganism as a deeply personal path that celebrates individuality in spiritual expression. While there are a few fundamental beliefs shared among Pagans, such as a profound reverence for the interconnectedness of the universe, much of the faith is open to interpretation and personal preference. The book emphasizes the intrinsic bond between all aspects of existence, with a profound respect for the natural world at its core. It's refreshing how the authors ground Pagan concepts in scientific understanding, presenting Magick not as a defiance of physical laws but as a manifestation of will and energy flow.
However, some aspects of the book might be better suited to an academic audience. For instance, the guided meditations and reflection questions at the end of each chapter felt somewhat detached from my reading experience. Additionally, the authors often assume a reader familiar with organized religions like Christianity, incorporating Christian themes as reference points for discussing Pagan concepts such as the afterlife.
Nonetheless, I found immense value in the book and believe it lays a solid foundation for personal exploration of Paganism. As someone revisiting the subject since my college days, it has reignited my interest and provided me with renewed inspiration for my own spiritual journey.
The authors, the Higginbothams (whose name could hardly sound more fittingly Pagan), convey Paganism as a deeply personal path that celebrates individuality in spiritual expression. While there are a few fundamental beliefs shared among Pagans, such as a profound reverence for the interconnectedness of the universe, much of the faith is open to interpretation and personal preference. The book emphasizes the intrinsic bond between all aspects of existence, with a profound respect for the natural world at its core. It's refreshing how the authors ground Pagan concepts in scientific understanding, presenting Magick not as a defiance of physical laws but as a manifestation of will and energy flow.
However, some aspects of the book might be better suited to an academic audience. For instance, the guided meditations and reflection questions at the end of each chapter felt somewhat detached from my reading experience. Additionally, the authors often assume a reader familiar with organized religions like Christianity, incorporating Christian themes as reference points for discussing Pagan concepts such as the afterlife.
Nonetheless, I found immense value in the book and believe it lays a solid foundation for personal exploration of Paganism. As someone revisiting the subject since my college days, it has reignited my interest and provided me with renewed inspiration for my own spiritual journey.