What are your sacred spaces???
Written: Jun 11 '00
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Product Rating:
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Pros: wide array of beliefs described, lots of photos and rituals bring interest
Cons: expresses solely pagan belif systems - does not speak to the Judeo-Christian traditions
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| jiastar's Full Review: Circles, Groves & Sanctuaries: Sacred Spaces of To... |
Pauline and Dan Campanelli are Modern Witches from Western, New Jersey. In this book, their third Wiccan text, they look at how Modern Wiccans and Pagans around the globe have crated their own sacred spaces.
At this point you probably need a few terms defined.....
Wiccan - a follower of an earth-based, nature oriented religion which honors the Divine as God and goddess and celebrates the cycles of nature
Pagan - meant here to be a practitioner of any of several religions who are, as a rule, polytheistic and nature oriented.
Sacred Space - taken in this book to mean altars, shrines, sanctuaries, circles (a space where rituals are performed), and groves (an outdoor area where some seasonal rite is held)
Mr. and Mrs. Campanelli talked to over 1000 Pagans around the world to collect the stories and 100+ photos herein. The sacred spaces discussed range from the tiniest of indoor alters to wide expanses of land dedicated as sanctuaries of the Gods. Whether you are curious about how Pagans worship or you personally ARE a Pagan you will find much of interest in this work.
This, however, is not an instruction book. It is not meant to be a teaching tool (though you may in fact learn a good deal) - but instead a sharing experience. This book may give you inspiration for bringing the sacred into your house and yard. But this is not its sole purpose.
It is meant to act as a cross-section of Modern Pagan society. To delight in how we are similar and how we differ regardless of how we individually perceive the Divine. It will give you insight into the personal beliefs and spiritual practices of a number of different people, ranging from children to an octogenarian. The people included in this book share a glimpse into their rituals and worship. They share not only a photograph of their sacred spaces but their rituals, their prayers and blessings, the things that to them speak of the Divine.
I found this book very interesting. Also, as a Wiccan, it challenged me to find more ways to integrate my spirituality into my home. To turn my house into sacred space. It is unlike other Wiccan texts in publication today.
It uniqueness comes from it
1) being suitable both for novices and experienced practitioners
2) expressing a wide array of beliefs instead of one individual or group's
I wholeheartedly recommend this title. I feel that it belongs in the library of any Pagan.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
jiastar
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Location: Monmouth County, NJ
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About Me:
A wife ... a mom ... and a Witch
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