Book of Pagan Rituals

it was/is just what i've been looking 4. i'm solitary and recommend it to others.

I find the book to be a solid reference for several reasons. First, it gives the reader rituals designed for both group and solitary practitioners with specific information for each ritual that are not generally found in other books, such as where to conduct each ritual, what to place on the altars, what to wear, whether or not an altar is needed, and what should be placed on the altar besides decorations and standard tools. I also like the fact that the rituals include ones for marriage, divination, purification, healing and that the book also has a Rite for the Dead. The fact that the book has a short section explaining devotion, evocation, invocation and prayer, another section on meditation and an exercise for rhythmic breathing makes it a must for any beginner in magickal practice. Criticisms of the book tend to center on the fact that it is primarily Wiccan in perspective, group oriented and Goddess centered. I am not sure if these criticisms are based on initial reactions to the first section of the book and if those critics did not read the book in its entirety, or if the book is not practical for beginners. Obviously the book is not solely group oriented, and although the rituals given are Wiccan and Goddess-driven, the book provides the reader with enough solid information to design rituals for their own specific Path. Perhaps it is the title of the book that is misleading, but anyone who picks up a book of rituals looking for formulas that provide them with the perfect ritual for every occasion will always be disappointed. The Book of Pagan Rituals is geared toward giving beginners something to practice and intermediates with something to create. Advanced practioners will find ideas, information and concrete teaching tools in its pages. There are two things in this book that make me continue to pull it off my bookshelf after two decades. One is the glossary of terms used in herbalism found in the Herbs section which defines terms like "febrifuge" and "diaphoretic". The second is the Ritual Outline which provides 10 easy steps necessary to design a ritual. The book is well worth buying just for these things, but The Book of Pagan Rituals is a fount of information and insight for anyone interested in Paganism.

Despite what everyone else seems to think these days, I still prefer the bares bones approach to paganism. I don't like all this fluff slanted towards a particular tradition, nor do I like most of the New Age in general. This book is an excellent breath of fresh air in the stifled, suagrcoated atmosphere of the 90's pagan world. No nonsense; just what it says--a book of pagan rituals. A must-have for any serious practitioner, and the best book on my shelves.

Slater's collection of rituals is a classic, chock full of good ideas and rituals. This is a definite 'buy-it,' and likely to go out of print over the next few years since Slater's passing