Synopses & Reviews
The Pagan tradition celebrates the physical nature of life on earth, blending science with spiritual folklore. Considering the everyday world of food, health, sex, work, and leisure to be sacred, Pagans oppose that which threatens life such as deforestation, overdevelopment, and nuclear power and invoke ancient deities in this struggle for the well-being of the earth and its inhabitants.
Contemporary Paganism presents a broad-based introduction to the main trends of contemporary Paganism, revealing the origins and practical aspects of Druidry, Witchcraft, Goddess Spirituality and Magic, Shamanism, and Geomancy, among others. Making use of both traditional history and the movement's more imaginative sources, Harvey reveals how Paganism and its central focus on individual and social lives is evolving and how this “new religion” perceives and relates to more traditional ones.
This updated and expanded new edition addresses recent developments among Pagans and includes a new chapter assessing continuing scholarly research about the religion.
Review
“An excellent resource, this updated version of Harvey’s seminal book should be on the shelf of anyone studying the myriad modern Paganisms of the late modern world. Helpful for scholars and students alike, Contemporary Paganism is fascinating and challenging by turns.”
“Contemporary Paganism is concerned with what Pagans actually do in contrast with what they might supposedly do. This is a comprehensive work that demonstrates the plurality and flexibility of the Pagan movement as well as its routinization and increasing social acceptance. Harvey admirably extends the debates within Pagan discourse, contests the common association of religiosity with transcendence, and establishes how embodied living rather than romantic affiliation still does not preclude the possibility of transcendent mysticism.”
Synopsis
An introduction to modern Paganism and its roots and history
The Pagan tradition celebrates the physical nature of life on earth, blending science with spiritual folklore. Considering the everyday world of food, health, sex, work, and leisure to be sacred, Pagans oppose that which threatens life such as deforestation, overdevelopment, and nuclear power and invoke ancient deities in this struggle for the well-being of the earth and its inhabitants.
Contemporary Paganism presents a broad-based introduction to the main trends of contemporary Paganism, revealing the origins and practical aspects of Druidry, Witchcraft, Goddess Spirituality and Magic, Shamanism, and Geomancy, among others. Making use of both traditional history and the movement's more imaginative sources, Harvey reveals how Paganism and its central focus on individual and social lives is evolving and how this "new religion" perceives and relates to more traditional ones.
This updated and expanded new edition addresses recent developments among Pagans and includes a new chapter assessing continuing scholarly research about the religion.
About the Author
GRAHAM HARVEY is Reader in Religious Studies at The Open University, UK.