Mike Gleason
2006-04-11 15:19:27 UTC
The Pagan Man by Isaac Bonewits © 2005 Citadel Press/Kensington ISBN
0-8065-2697-1 252 pages Includes Notes, Bibliography, Resource Guide and
Index Paperback
$12.95 (U.S.) $17.95 (Canada)
Every once in a while I will review a book because of an individual's
recommendation, or because I know (or know of) a particular author. This is
a book which meets both of these conditions. A friend of my daughter's
swear by this book (Thanks, Jason), and I had the pleasure of meeting Isaac
at a Midwest Pagan Gathering almost 26 years ago. I had read Real Magic
even before then, as well as numerous articles by him in various Pagan
journals and on-line.
Isaac is one of the "grand old men" of the Neopagan movement, in that he has
been involved in the public movement in the U.S. almost since the beginning.
He has contributed a great deal to the movement through his research; his
artistic endeavors; and his visibility through the years. He has,
occasionally, been at the center of disputes - often through his insistence
of scholarship in place of "how we wish it had been" thinking, and periodic
puncturing of mainstream thought than through controversy for controversy's
sake.
Books dealing with the male's place and function in Paganism are, finally,
beginning to become available. That's the good news. The bad news is that
many of them are aimed at our gay brothers. That doesn't imply a belief
that "gay = bad," lest you jump to that conclusion. The Pagan community has
enough diversity for that sort of judgment to be ludicrous. When I say that
is the "bad news" I simply mean that the "average, straight, Pagan male"
(whoever or whatever that may be) has only just begun to find books
expressing his point of view. Isaac, along with Kerr Cuhulain, has made an
attempt to show the value inherent in those tendencies often associated with
"macho" attitudes as well as other, gentler, pursuits.
Isaac has helped to explore, as well as define, the evolution of the Pagan
movement since its most recent public re-emergence (the mid-1950s) through
to today. He has shown how attitudes have, in large part, moved from a
complete rejection of masculine influences (as epitomized by
Gardnerian-influenced Wicca) in the common mind (even if not in actuality
[after all, Gardner was male]) to a generally more balanced view of true
equality of influences. That is not to say that there don't exist
extremists at both ends of the spectrum, they are still there. Fortunately,
their influence is moderating as the movement matures.
This book is a very necessary addition to the library of every cove, grove,
and circle out there. It also belongs in the library of every male Pagan,
Wiccan, Witch, Druid, etc. That is not to imply that Isaac has all the
answers. In fact, he has no "answers" at all. What he has is ideas,
suggestions, and stimulating concepts. You may not change your
mind/attitude after reading this book, but then again you might.
0-8065-2697-1 252 pages Includes Notes, Bibliography, Resource Guide and
Index Paperback
$12.95 (U.S.) $17.95 (Canada)
Every once in a while I will review a book because of an individual's
recommendation, or because I know (or know of) a particular author. This is
a book which meets both of these conditions. A friend of my daughter's
swear by this book (Thanks, Jason), and I had the pleasure of meeting Isaac
at a Midwest Pagan Gathering almost 26 years ago. I had read Real Magic
even before then, as well as numerous articles by him in various Pagan
journals and on-line.
Isaac is one of the "grand old men" of the Neopagan movement, in that he has
been involved in the public movement in the U.S. almost since the beginning.
He has contributed a great deal to the movement through his research; his
artistic endeavors; and his visibility through the years. He has,
occasionally, been at the center of disputes - often through his insistence
of scholarship in place of "how we wish it had been" thinking, and periodic
puncturing of mainstream thought than through controversy for controversy's
sake.
Books dealing with the male's place and function in Paganism are, finally,
beginning to become available. That's the good news. The bad news is that
many of them are aimed at our gay brothers. That doesn't imply a belief
that "gay = bad," lest you jump to that conclusion. The Pagan community has
enough diversity for that sort of judgment to be ludicrous. When I say that
is the "bad news" I simply mean that the "average, straight, Pagan male"
(whoever or whatever that may be) has only just begun to find books
expressing his point of view. Isaac, along with Kerr Cuhulain, has made an
attempt to show the value inherent in those tendencies often associated with
"macho" attitudes as well as other, gentler, pursuits.
Isaac has helped to explore, as well as define, the evolution of the Pagan
movement since its most recent public re-emergence (the mid-1950s) through
to today. He has shown how attitudes have, in large part, moved from a
complete rejection of masculine influences (as epitomized by
Gardnerian-influenced Wicca) in the common mind (even if not in actuality
[after all, Gardner was male]) to a generally more balanced view of true
equality of influences. That is not to say that there don't exist
extremists at both ends of the spectrum, they are still there. Fortunately,
their influence is moderating as the movement matures.
This book is a very necessary addition to the library of every cove, grove,
and circle out there. It also belongs in the library of every male Pagan,
Wiccan, Witch, Druid, etc. That is not to imply that Isaac has all the
answers. In fact, he has no "answers" at all. What he has is ideas,
suggestions, and stimulating concepts. You may not change your
mind/attitude after reading this book, but then again you might.