Review: Exploring the Pagan Path

In Exploring the Pagan Path: Wisdom from the Elders, Kristin Madden brings together some of the best known authors in our community to offer advice on a wide range of topics of interest to most beginners.

The book is divided into three sections with a broad theme. Part I is about exploration. It includes essays by Graham Harvey, Raven Grimassi, Kirk White, and Dorothy Morrison on the basics of Paganism. They cover magick, connecting with the divine, with nature, finding your path, and how to further your studies.

Part II is about learning. It includes essays by Amber K and M. Macha NightMare. They write about ritual, tools, working with a group, working as a solitary, and children.

Part III is living as a member of a minority religion. It includes essays from Kerr Cuhulain, Gus diZerega, and Starhawk on coming out, politics, and community. Three appendices contain a glossary, lists of Pagan traditions and organisations, and several top ten lists.

Exploring the Pagan Path includes some of my favourite authors, Pagans whose work I admire, and Pagans I personally like. It includes voices from elders across different Pagan traditions. It’s almost like having a mentor in your pocket. Exploring the Pagan Path is well organised and has smart and encouraging essays. It’s a book that covers a lot of ground. It’s a great choice for the learning Pagan.