pretheism

Ok, I know somebody who holds a great appreciation toward nature. So, I thought....maybe a book on Neopaganism would be a great gift for the holidays. The problem is all the books on Neopaganism I have looked so far place to much emphasis on the New Age-magic stuff. Where is the book that focuses on the sun, rivers, trees and so on more than "magick, magick tools, altars (and the rest of the materialistic jargon)"? :banghead:

My quest has become futile. I think it is better to buy books that emphasize on nature spirituality and not Neopaganism.

However, if somebody knows any good books on earth-centered Neopaganism...I mean down to earth (no pun intended) religions, pretty please, let me know. Of course, a book on Neopaganism is not going to exclude the New Age stuff and be written in natural themes only. What I am looking for is a book that "talks more" about nature than the average Llewellyn book.

David B

Well, there's this one, I spose

http://www.bartleby.com/196/

My memories of reading it are vague - I must have looked at it around 1970.

So I don't know how well researched it is.

I understand that it has influenced new age beliefs a lot.

Another idea would be the dvd/tape and/or book of 'The Wicker Man'.

That was researched, insofar as was possible. It's my favourite film, wonderful soundtrack, and contrasts paganism very favourably with dour Scottish nonconformist Christianity. Until paganism shows its dark side.

Christopher Lee wanted to do the film so much that he took no fee, and has said its the film he's most proud of.

David B

amaradulcis_nyx

I don't know if this book would work or not, but it has some interesting bits about the natural world of the Celts. It's a general overview, nicely illustrated with sidebar info.

Nigel Pennick - The Sacred World of the Celts - An Illustrated Guide to Celtic Spirituality and Mythology

A review I found online is here
http://www.greenmanreview.com/sacred_celts.html

pretheism

mmmm....

I know for sure there are more Neopagans on the board.
Where have all the Neopagans gone?
Maybe the books I am looking for do not exist then, as I expected.

iLoveKnowledge

I'll see what i can find. there's bound to be some books more focused on religion instead of magick.

ETA: You want something general, or is there a particular religion you're looking for? The Celts weren't the only ones who had nature-focused beliefs.

pretheism

What I mean is....I hear some Neopagans who say that they worship nature and nature spirits and so on. However, I have found very few books on Neopaganism that focus on nature. All the ones I have come across delve too much with gods, faeries and supernatural/mystical stuff.

I am sure there must be books on Neopaganism that talk about the movement-religion with a flair on ecology and the mother earth notion.
So, yes...I am looking for books that explain Neopaganism, not a particular religion.

I hope I made myself clearer.
By the way, if you know of any videos that show Neopagan Yule, let me know.

abaddon

Revisioning the Earth: A Guide to Opening the Healing Channels Between Mind and Nature by Paul Devereux is a mildly new agey treatment of eco-psychology. He uses some ideas from psychology, ecology and ancient/indigenous religions to suggest how one might deepen the connection between nature and self, and "heal" the alienation from nature inherent in modernity.

The Second Circle: Tools for the Advancing Pagan by Venecia Rauls is witchcraft, but if that word is a turn off, just replace the word "witch" with the word "pagan" in your mind and the problem is solved. Again, no athames or chanting, and no specific culture. It's generalized advice on how to deepen one's practice of paganism (which necessarily includes becoming closer to nature).

The Sacred Depths of Nature by Ursula Goodenough is popular science with a personal touch. She's a cell biologist and religious naturalist and in the book describes some scientific knowledge in simple terms, then gives a couple of pages of her personal thoughts and feelings about it, finding connections between scientific knowledge and a naturalistic religious reaction to it. It's not paganism, but rather "scientific pantheism."

If any of these appeal, or are close to what you're looking for, let me know and I can suggest more like it on neo-paganism, or other "appreciate nature" books in ecopsychology, deep ecology/environmentalism, pantheism, animism/panpsychism, panexperientialism, shamanism, amerindian religion. There are both popular and heavy scholarly treatments of all these topics.

iLoveKnowledge

Well one suggestion was "Wisdom of the Elements" (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/089...books&v=glance) from Margie McArthur. According to the person who recommended it, it's not very centered on spells and ritual. though if the reviews are anything to go by, it may be a bit "fluffier" than what you're looking for.

I'd make a list and then check the books out for yourself. You'd be the best judge of which ones to get since you have a better idea of what the person may like.

pretheism

abaddon

The first and the third one seem to be on the right direction for her.
If possible send me a list on "appreciate nature" books and Neopaganistic-appreciate nature styled books (if any) through a pm.
No Wicca or witchcraft. It can mention Wicca and witchcraft but that should not be the main theme of the book.

pretheism

Yes, read that. :banghead:
Very true, I am doing that already. I have a list on all the potential books. I just want to check all the choices I can have.
Thanks.