Paganism 101: Year-and-a-Day Class
Class 1
How Many Roads to Summer: Pantheons and Traditions
Before you order supper, you usually read the menu. Since choosing a religion is much more important, you really should explore your options before making a decision. Also, ignorance breeds intolerance. By understanding other faiths, you broaden your horizons and make it easier to cooperate with people of different beliefs. This class will introduce some of the many Neo-Pagan religions, beliefs, practices, deities, and other concepts in contemporary culture.
Here are some useful books:
Magick of the Gods and Goddesses by D.J. Conway. Llewellyn Publications, 2003. An overview of religions from around the world.
People of the Earth: The New Pagans Speak Out edited by Ellen Evert Hopman & Lawrence Bond. Destiny Books, 1996. Contains interviews of Pagan leaders discussing diverse religions and issues.
Here are some useful Websites:
“Religion Selector” -- Find the religion that suits your current beliefs.
“Religions, Faith Groups, Ethical Systems, Etc.” – Path descriptions.
* * *
Class 2
Survival Skills: Grounding, Centering, Shielding
Pagan traditions frequently include a magical aspect as well as a spiritual aspect, and people attracted to Pagan traditions almost always have some metaphysical sensitivities. It helps to have techniques for keeping yourself safe while exploring unfamiliar beliefs and entities, and interacting with other people who are doing the same. We cover grounding, centering, and shielding as the basic skills plus others such as meditation and visualization.
Here are some useful books:
The Spiral Dance by Starhawk. Harper & Row, 1979. Many different exercises for grounding, centering, shielding, meditation, visualization, and related skills.
To Ride A Silver Broomstick by Silver RavenWolf. Llewellyn Publications, 1993. An entire chapter on meditation, visualization, and dreaming plus numerous index references to grounding, centering, and shielding.
Here are some useful Websites:
“Ground, Center, Shield” – Covers the basics.
“How to Improve Your Visualization Skills” – Basic visualization tips.
* * *
Class 3
Magical Guardians: Totems and Other Spirit Guides
Most religions hold that each person has one or more entities to guide and protect them. Commonly called “totems” or “spirit guides,” they are similar to the guardian angels of mainstream lore. Some are standoffish, others more like a nosy relative; they can encourage your gifts or even grant special powers. Identifying and working with your guiding spirits can play an important part in your spiritual and magical growth.
Here are some useful books:
Animal Spirit Guides: An Easy-to-Use Handbook for Identifying and Understanding Your Power Animals and Animal Spirit Helpers by Steven D. Farmer. Hay House, 2006. Helpful for finding and working with animal totems.
Magical, Mythical, Mystical Beasts: How to Invite Them into Your Life by D.J. Conway. Llewellyn Publications, 1996. A bit less fluffy than average for this author; good reference to totems from the mythical realm.
Here are some useful Websites:
“About Animal Totems” – An index to some of your options.
“Animal Totems” – Description of totem theory and types of totems, plus entries for a few animals.
* * *
Class 4
The Great Wheel Turns: Pagan Holidays
Every culture has its holidays. Contemporary Pagans typically celebrate a set of eight sabbats, tied to the seasons, and esbats at the full moon. However, there are many more Pagan holidays beyond these; each individual religion, such as Asatru or Hellenic Paganism, has some of its own. By studying what people celebrate and when, you can learn a lot about their beliefs.
Here are some useful books:
Celestially Auspicious Occasions: Seasons, Cycles & Celebrations by Donna Henes. Perigee, 1996. Multicultural discussion of how various cultures have celebrated the eight sabbats; also includes similar discussion for solar, lunar, and other celestial events.
The Grandmother of Time: A Woman's Book of Celebrations, Spells, and Sacred Objects for Every Month of the Year by Z. Budapest. Harper & Row, 1989. Detailed descriptions of holy days from many cultures, each month featuring a particular Goddess.
Here are some useful Websites:
“INDEX: The 8 Pagan Holidays” – On Witchvox, this is actually a brief description of the eight sabbats, linked to dozens of individual articles about each holiday.
“The Mystic’s Wheel of the Year” – Based on an actual wall calendar, this Website lists holidays for diverse traditions, Pagan and mainstream.
* * *
Class 5
Milestones: Rites of Passage
As we move through our lives, we pass a variety of milestones. Some are universal, like birth and death; others ubiquitous, like marriage; some encountered by few people, such as becoming ordained clergy. So we mark the turning points of our lives with rituals. As Pagans, in charge of our own spiritual needs and practices, we can create whatever rites we feel a need to celebrate, and observe them together or individually.
Here are some useful books:
Pagan Rites of Passage by Pauline and Dan Campanelli. Llewellyn Publications, 1998. Good coverage of the history and structure behind rites of passage.
Wicca for Life: The Way of the Craft – From Birth to Summerland by Raymond Buckland. Citadel Press, 2001. Features several chapters about rites of passage, with commentary, and brief rituals for some.
Here are some useful Websites:
"Rites of Passage" -- A sampler of several different rites in the life cycle.
“Women Celebrating Milestones” – Rites mainly for older women.
* * *
Class 6
Tools of the Trade: Altar Equipment and Supplies
Each tradition has its own set of magical/sacred objects, but there are many overlaps. This class introduces some of the most common ones. Generally speaking, “tools” are durable objects (like bowls or candleholders) you can reuse many times, while “supplies” are consumables (like herbs and candles) that get used up and then replaced.
Here are some useful books:
The Crafting & Use of Ritual Tools by Eleanor & Philip Harris. Llewellyn Publications, 1998. Covers staves, wands, knives, runes, medicine shields, and necessary craft techniques; mostly woodcrafting.
Your Altar: Creating a Sacred Space for Prayer & Meditation by Sandra Kynes. Llewellyn Publications, 2007. A guide to assembling your own altar.
Here are some useful sites:
“Tips for the Frugal Witch” – A thoughtful article on affordable tools & supplies.
“Tools” – A list of common and less common magical/spiritual tools.
* * *
Class 7
Ritual Frames: Circles and Quarters
This month's class is on the framing of ritual. This includes creating sacred space, usually by casting a circle; and the evocation of guardians or qualities, usually the Elements and Directions. Fieldhaven coven has developed a preferred style of circle casting used in most rituals; other times sacred space may be marked with a wand or sword, or flower petals, or some other method. We primarily work with the set of four (or five) Elements/Directions common to modern Paganism. At the end of each ritual, everything not intended to be permanent is devoked or released, customarily in reverse order.
Here are some useful books:
Castings: The Creation Of Sacred Space by Ivo Dominguez. SapFire Productions, 1996. Instructions on how to establish several different types of sacred/magical space for ritual work.
RitualCraft: Creating Rites for Transformation and Celebration by Azrael Arynn K and Amber K. Llewellyn Publications, 2006. A comprehensive guide to ritual structure and practice.
Here are some useful sites:
“Creating Your Sacred Space” – Basic ideas for setup.
“Elemental Magic Correspondence Chart” – An exhaustive comparison of several different systems.
* * *
Class 8
Ritual Fillings: Doing What Works
Most Pagan rituals begin and end the same way, with the circle casting and quarter calls and releases framing the main body. Inside that frame, the contents can vary greatly. Dancing and drumming, songs and stories, mythic theatre, bonfires, and other activities serve to raise and focus power. In this class, we’ll explore some of the many options you might encounter in rituals across different Pagan traditions.
Here are some useful books:
Neopagan Rites: A Guide to Creating Public Rituals that Work by Isaac Bonewits. Llewellyn Publications, 2007. A rich handbook of ritual design, also useful for critiquing rituals planned by other people.
A Year of Ritual: Sabbats & Esbats for Solitaries & Covens by Sandra Kynes. Llewellyn Publications, 2004. Prewritten rituals in a variety of styles.
Here are some useful websites:
“The Pagan Library: Rituals & Spells” – A huge list of ritual texts.
“Your First Wiccan Group Ritual” – Tips on what to expect and what to do.
* * *
Class 9
Waving the Wand: The Science of Magic
Not all Pagans practice magic – some are only interested in the spiritual side of their tradition – but most do. Because this involves altering the shape of reality through applied intent, it’s important to know exactly what you’re doing. This class looks at some of the theories and techniques of magic.
Here are some useful books:
Before You Cast a Spell: Understanding the Power of Magic by Carl McColman. New Page, 2004. The class in a nutshell; if you only read one, make it this one.
Spells and How They Work by Janet & Stewart Farrar. Phoenix Publishing, Inc., 1990. An exhaustive but comprehensible study of magical theory and practice.
Here are some useful sites:
"Spell Construction" – Good how-to stuff.
"What Is Magick?" – An introduction with definitions.
* * *
Class 10
Honoring Each Other: Ethics and Etiquette
It helps to have a general understanding of people’s needs and expectations. That’s the etiquette part of this class, behavioral guidelines established from outside. Balancing this is the issue of ethics, standards arising from within. Your ethical stance is how you determine right from wrong. We’ll be exploring the differences, similarities, and interaction between these important aspects of community.
Here are some useful books…
Inside a Witches’ Coven by Edain McCoy. Llewellyn Publications, 1999. Lots of information on starting and maintaining a coven, especially interpersonal dynamics.
When, Why … If: An Ethics Workbook by Robin Wood. Livingtree Publications, 1997. An in-depth study of what your beliefs and principles are; probably the best Pagan book on this topic.
Here are some useful Websites…
“A Bonewits Cult Danger Evaluation Frame”
"Ethics or Etiquette?" makes a clear distinction between the two.
* * *
Class 11
The Broom Closet and You: Discretion and Disclosure
Everyone who practices an alternative religion or other lifestyle has to consider the issue of how and when to tell other people about it. Fieldhaven Coven, and our wider networking community, includes people who are very “out” about being Pagan and others who are very much “in the broom closet.” This class will explore some of the reasons for sharing or not sharing your beliefs with others, techniques for coming out safely, and ways of dealing with prejudice in general.
Here are some useful books…
When Holidays Are Hell…! A Guide to Surviving Family Gatherings by Mariana Caplan. Hohm Press, 1997. Useful whether or not you tell anyone; includes a section of handy tips for disclosure.
When Someone You Love Is Wiccan: A Guide to Witchcraft and Paganism for Concerned Friends, Nervous Parents, and Curious Coworkers by Carl McColman. New Page Books, 2003. Straightforward, accurate, and reassuring; this is the book you give to your nonPagan relatives.
Here are some useful Websites…
“Pagan Legal Rights”
“The Pros and Cons of Coming Out of the Broom Closet”
* * *
Class 12
Specialties: Choosing and Developing Your Skills
Our topic this month is specialties – the magical or practical skills and fields of knowledge you decide to take up as part of your Pagan path. Each practitioner develops a different set of interests and abilities for which they become known. Those covered here are only a small sample of the many choices.
Here are some useful books…
Earth Power: Techniques of Natural Magic (1990) by Scott Cunningham. Llewellyn Publications. Elemental magic.
Witch Crafts: 101 Projects for Creative Pagans by Willow Polson. 2002. Magical crafts: candles, jewelry, sewing, pottery, flowercrafts, leatherworking, paint, etc.
Here are some useful Websites…
Energy Manipulation
Pagan History
This is an excerpt of the class materials, 2003-2011.
How Many Roads to Summer: Pantheons and Traditions
Before you order supper, you usually read the menu. Since choosing a religion is much more important, you really should explore your options before making a decision. Also, ignorance breeds intolerance. By understanding other faiths, you broaden your horizons and make it easier to cooperate with people of different beliefs. This class will introduce some of the many Neo-Pagan religions, beliefs, practices, deities, and other concepts in contemporary culture.
Here are some useful books:
Magick of the Gods and Goddesses by D.J. Conway. Llewellyn Publications, 2003. An overview of religions from around the world.
People of the Earth: The New Pagans Speak Out edited by Ellen Evert Hopman & Lawrence Bond. Destiny Books, 1996. Contains interviews of Pagan leaders discussing diverse religions and issues.
Here are some useful Websites:
“Religion Selector” -- Find the religion that suits your current beliefs.
“Religions, Faith Groups, Ethical Systems, Etc.” – Path descriptions.
* * *
Class 2
Survival Skills: Grounding, Centering, Shielding
Pagan traditions frequently include a magical aspect as well as a spiritual aspect, and people attracted to Pagan traditions almost always have some metaphysical sensitivities. It helps to have techniques for keeping yourself safe while exploring unfamiliar beliefs and entities, and interacting with other people who are doing the same. We cover grounding, centering, and shielding as the basic skills plus others such as meditation and visualization.
Here are some useful books:
The Spiral Dance by Starhawk. Harper & Row, 1979. Many different exercises for grounding, centering, shielding, meditation, visualization, and related skills.
To Ride A Silver Broomstick by Silver RavenWolf. Llewellyn Publications, 1993. An entire chapter on meditation, visualization, and dreaming plus numerous index references to grounding, centering, and shielding.
Here are some useful Websites:
“Ground, Center, Shield” – Covers the basics.
“How to Improve Your Visualization Skills” – Basic visualization tips.
* * *
Class 3
Magical Guardians: Totems and Other Spirit Guides
Most religions hold that each person has one or more entities to guide and protect them. Commonly called “totems” or “spirit guides,” they are similar to the guardian angels of mainstream lore. Some are standoffish, others more like a nosy relative; they can encourage your gifts or even grant special powers. Identifying and working with your guiding spirits can play an important part in your spiritual and magical growth.
Here are some useful books:
Animal Spirit Guides: An Easy-to-Use Handbook for Identifying and Understanding Your Power Animals and Animal Spirit Helpers by Steven D. Farmer. Hay House, 2006. Helpful for finding and working with animal totems.
Magical, Mythical, Mystical Beasts: How to Invite Them into Your Life by D.J. Conway. Llewellyn Publications, 1996. A bit less fluffy than average for this author; good reference to totems from the mythical realm.
Here are some useful Websites:
“About Animal Totems” – An index to some of your options.
“Animal Totems” – Description of totem theory and types of totems, plus entries for a few animals.
* * *
Class 4
The Great Wheel Turns: Pagan Holidays
Every culture has its holidays. Contemporary Pagans typically celebrate a set of eight sabbats, tied to the seasons, and esbats at the full moon. However, there are many more Pagan holidays beyond these; each individual religion, such as Asatru or Hellenic Paganism, has some of its own. By studying what people celebrate and when, you can learn a lot about their beliefs.
Here are some useful books:
Celestially Auspicious Occasions: Seasons, Cycles & Celebrations by Donna Henes. Perigee, 1996. Multicultural discussion of how various cultures have celebrated the eight sabbats; also includes similar discussion for solar, lunar, and other celestial events.
The Grandmother of Time: A Woman's Book of Celebrations, Spells, and Sacred Objects for Every Month of the Year by Z. Budapest. Harper & Row, 1989. Detailed descriptions of holy days from many cultures, each month featuring a particular Goddess.
Here are some useful Websites:
“INDEX: The 8 Pagan Holidays” – On Witchvox, this is actually a brief description of the eight sabbats, linked to dozens of individual articles about each holiday.
“The Mystic’s Wheel of the Year” – Based on an actual wall calendar, this Website lists holidays for diverse traditions, Pagan and mainstream.
* * *
Class 5
Milestones: Rites of Passage
As we move through our lives, we pass a variety of milestones. Some are universal, like birth and death; others ubiquitous, like marriage; some encountered by few people, such as becoming ordained clergy. So we mark the turning points of our lives with rituals. As Pagans, in charge of our own spiritual needs and practices, we can create whatever rites we feel a need to celebrate, and observe them together or individually.
Here are some useful books:
Pagan Rites of Passage by Pauline and Dan Campanelli. Llewellyn Publications, 1998. Good coverage of the history and structure behind rites of passage.
Wicca for Life: The Way of the Craft – From Birth to Summerland by Raymond Buckland. Citadel Press, 2001. Features several chapters about rites of passage, with commentary, and brief rituals for some.
Here are some useful Websites:
"Rites of Passage" -- A sampler of several different rites in the life cycle.
“Women Celebrating Milestones” – Rites mainly for older women.
* * *
Class 6
Tools of the Trade: Altar Equipment and Supplies
Each tradition has its own set of magical/sacred objects, but there are many overlaps. This class introduces some of the most common ones. Generally speaking, “tools” are durable objects (like bowls or candleholders) you can reuse many times, while “supplies” are consumables (like herbs and candles) that get used up and then replaced.
Here are some useful books:
The Crafting & Use of Ritual Tools by Eleanor & Philip Harris. Llewellyn Publications, 1998. Covers staves, wands, knives, runes, medicine shields, and necessary craft techniques; mostly woodcrafting.
Your Altar: Creating a Sacred Space for Prayer & Meditation by Sandra Kynes. Llewellyn Publications, 2007. A guide to assembling your own altar.
Here are some useful sites:
“Tips for the Frugal Witch” – A thoughtful article on affordable tools & supplies.
“Tools” – A list of common and less common magical/spiritual tools.
* * *
Class 7
Ritual Frames: Circles and Quarters
This month's class is on the framing of ritual. This includes creating sacred space, usually by casting a circle; and the evocation of guardians or qualities, usually the Elements and Directions. Fieldhaven coven has developed a preferred style of circle casting used in most rituals; other times sacred space may be marked with a wand or sword, or flower petals, or some other method. We primarily work with the set of four (or five) Elements/Directions common to modern Paganism. At the end of each ritual, everything not intended to be permanent is devoked or released, customarily in reverse order.
Here are some useful books:
Castings: The Creation Of Sacred Space by Ivo Dominguez. SapFire Productions, 1996. Instructions on how to establish several different types of sacred/magical space for ritual work.
RitualCraft: Creating Rites for Transformation and Celebration by Azrael Arynn K and Amber K. Llewellyn Publications, 2006. A comprehensive guide to ritual structure and practice.
Here are some useful sites:
“Creating Your Sacred Space” – Basic ideas for setup.
“Elemental Magic Correspondence Chart” – An exhaustive comparison of several different systems.
* * *
Class 8
Ritual Fillings: Doing What Works
Most Pagan rituals begin and end the same way, with the circle casting and quarter calls and releases framing the main body. Inside that frame, the contents can vary greatly. Dancing and drumming, songs and stories, mythic theatre, bonfires, and other activities serve to raise and focus power. In this class, we’ll explore some of the many options you might encounter in rituals across different Pagan traditions.
Here are some useful books:
Neopagan Rites: A Guide to Creating Public Rituals that Work by Isaac Bonewits. Llewellyn Publications, 2007. A rich handbook of ritual design, also useful for critiquing rituals planned by other people.
A Year of Ritual: Sabbats & Esbats for Solitaries & Covens by Sandra Kynes. Llewellyn Publications, 2004. Prewritten rituals in a variety of styles.
Here are some useful websites:
“The Pagan Library: Rituals & Spells” – A huge list of ritual texts.
“Your First Wiccan Group Ritual” – Tips on what to expect and what to do.
* * *
Class 9
Waving the Wand: The Science of Magic
Not all Pagans practice magic – some are only interested in the spiritual side of their tradition – but most do. Because this involves altering the shape of reality through applied intent, it’s important to know exactly what you’re doing. This class looks at some of the theories and techniques of magic.
Here are some useful books:
Before You Cast a Spell: Understanding the Power of Magic by Carl McColman. New Page, 2004. The class in a nutshell; if you only read one, make it this one.
Spells and How They Work by Janet & Stewart Farrar. Phoenix Publishing, Inc., 1990. An exhaustive but comprehensible study of magical theory and practice.
Here are some useful sites:
"Spell Construction" – Good how-to stuff.
"What Is Magick?" – An introduction with definitions.
* * *
Class 10
Honoring Each Other: Ethics and Etiquette
It helps to have a general understanding of people’s needs and expectations. That’s the etiquette part of this class, behavioral guidelines established from outside. Balancing this is the issue of ethics, standards arising from within. Your ethical stance is how you determine right from wrong. We’ll be exploring the differences, similarities, and interaction between these important aspects of community.
Here are some useful books…
Inside a Witches’ Coven by Edain McCoy. Llewellyn Publications, 1999. Lots of information on starting and maintaining a coven, especially interpersonal dynamics.
When, Why … If: An Ethics Workbook by Robin Wood. Livingtree Publications, 1997. An in-depth study of what your beliefs and principles are; probably the best Pagan book on this topic.
Here are some useful Websites…
“A Bonewits Cult Danger Evaluation Frame”
"Ethics or Etiquette?" makes a clear distinction between the two.
* * *
Class 11
The Broom Closet and You: Discretion and Disclosure
Everyone who practices an alternative religion or other lifestyle has to consider the issue of how and when to tell other people about it. Fieldhaven Coven, and our wider networking community, includes people who are very “out” about being Pagan and others who are very much “in the broom closet.” This class will explore some of the reasons for sharing or not sharing your beliefs with others, techniques for coming out safely, and ways of dealing with prejudice in general.
Here are some useful books…
When Holidays Are Hell…! A Guide to Surviving Family Gatherings by Mariana Caplan. Hohm Press, 1997. Useful whether or not you tell anyone; includes a section of handy tips for disclosure.
When Someone You Love Is Wiccan: A Guide to Witchcraft and Paganism for Concerned Friends, Nervous Parents, and Curious Coworkers by Carl McColman. New Page Books, 2003. Straightforward, accurate, and reassuring; this is the book you give to your nonPagan relatives.
Here are some useful Websites…
“Pagan Legal Rights”
“The Pros and Cons of Coming Out of the Broom Closet”
* * *
Class 12
Specialties: Choosing and Developing Your Skills
Our topic this month is specialties – the magical or practical skills and fields of knowledge you decide to take up as part of your Pagan path. Each practitioner develops a different set of interests and abilities for which they become known. Those covered here are only a small sample of the many choices.
Here are some useful books…
Earth Power: Techniques of Natural Magic (1990) by Scott Cunningham. Llewellyn Publications. Elemental magic.
Witch Crafts: 101 Projects for Creative Pagans by Willow Polson. 2002. Magical crafts: candles, jewelry, sewing, pottery, flowercrafts, leatherworking, paint, etc.
Here are some useful Websites…
Energy Manipulation
Pagan History
This is an excerpt of the class materials, 2003-2011.
Photo used under Creative Commons from jimmiehomeschoolmom
