Paganism in 5 Minutes is the newest volume from Equinox in their Religion in 5 Minutes series - the same publisher who released my book Being Viking. The volume consists of 70 short essays responding to questions that undergraduates and the general public might have about Paganism. Each essay can be read quickly in about 5 minutes, a scholarly response written in an accessible format without footnotes. The authors are all scholars and are quite varied in their approach, geography, and background, which makes for interesting reading. It was a real treat to be included with such great scho.lars and writers. The authors list is in some ways a Who's Who of Pagan studies, although some scholars outside of the religious studies arena are not included.
I was invited to participate by one of the editors, Dr. Angela Puca, an scholar of Paganism and Esotericism at Leeds Trinity University in the UK, who interviewed me a few years ago about Heathen magic for her Youtube channel, Angela's Symposium. So a big shoutout to Dr Angela Puca for inviting me to be involved with this project! It was great to work with her and Dr Suzanne Owen, a religious studies scholar and Druidry also at Leeds Trinity University.
The book covers a wide range of topics and questions - from the very introductory "What is Paganism?" in chapter one and "How did modern Paganism begin?" in chapter 4, to more complicated topics such as the relationship between Theosophy and Paganism. Essays cover the relationship between Paganism and non-European religions, technology, ethics, relationship with Christianity, and orientations toward nature. As I have been skipping around in the book, I am continually surprised by the interesting topics that appear in the volume.
My contributions address three questions.
Chapter 17 asks "What is the difference between hard and soft polytheism?" It was fun to revisit this question. I had addressed it in Being Viking, chapter 5 "Hard Polytheism in a Soft World." But since then, my thinking has developed. I try to define the terms as well as the context that shaped the contemporary origin of these ideas. On the surface, they are just two different ways of understanding divine ontology. But I try to show that these terms also seek to resolve very modern ambiguities generated by the study of comparative religion and mythology. As well, the terms map out certain rivalries within the Pagan world. Finally, I put these terms into the perspective of other ontologies of the divine to reflect on their ongoing development.
Chapter 22 asks "What is Heathenry?" Paganism is a very diverse religious world and the middle section of the volume describes several of the branches of the Pagan tree. Witchcraft, Wicca, Druidry, Slavic Paganism, Lithuanian Romuva, and Paganism in Brazil each have at least one essay. This is a fascinating overview - although the variety of imporant movements is even larger than this. In my essay, I try to briefly sketch an outline of Heathenry - itself a complicated movement of many parts. I also address the term "Heathenry" itself, which is a stumbling block for many who first encounter it. I write about the origins of the term and its reclamation, as well as other terms used to refer to Norse Pagans.
Chapter 49 asks "Do Pagans practice sacrifice?" I wrote a chapter on sacrifice in Being Viking which explored the revival of animal sacrifice among some Heathen groups. I really enjoyed getting to think a little more broadly about sacrifice as a Pagan religious act. I reflect on the importance of sacrifice in the repertoire of Pagan worship and relationship. I look in a general way at its practice and meaning. I also consider ways that sacrifice has changed in the contemporary Pagan revival in ways that are different from ancient sacrificial practices.
Overall this is a great volume full of interesting and thoughtful essays addressing a wide range of questions about Paganism. Anyone curious or interested in Paganism can learn a lot from the book.
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