Neopagan Rites: A Guide to Creating Public Rituals That Work

by Isaac Bonewits and Dashka Slater

Practical and engaging, this guide represents the best practices from Isaac Bonewits' over thirty-five years of experience creating, attending, and leading public ceremonies as a Neopagan priest and magician. Ideal for Earth-centered spiritual movements and other liberal religious traditions, Neopagan Rites explains how to design powerful and effective rites of worship for small groups or large crowds.

With his trademark humor and candor,...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0738711993
• ISBN13: 9780738711997
• Release Date: December 2007
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
• Length: 222 Pages
• Weight: 0.76 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 6.3" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Buy This Book!!!

I have been a Pagan for over 20 years, and in that time I have read scores of Pagan and Pagan related books, dozens of which claiming to be "Advanced" or "Beyond the Basics" or "What Next" kind of books. Of all those titles, and of all of that reading, I think I can safely say this is the ONLY book I have read that qualifies as "Advanced" learning, without even claming to be so! I design and lead ritual in my own coven, and have designed and lead public rituals for various local groups and for Pagan Pride Day in our area. I've been extremely happy with some of the rituals I've written/participated in, and other I've felt were a little flat. When those times have happened I was left scratching my head as to exactly *what* was missing. This book really sheds some light on areas anyone designing rituals could use. Although written for people designing `large public' rituals, I can easily see how the ideas presented here in this book will help me for my small coven rituals as well. Who should buy this book? * Anyone who wants to improve the strength and power of their rites * Anyone who wants a better understanding of *good* ritual design * Anyone who cares about the research behind what they are reading * Anyone who wants to know *why* certain things are done in the context of ritual with actual experience, and explanations as to why, and no FBC * Anyone who wants more from a book then `by rote' instruction (ie. Now pick up Athame A and insert into Cup B and repeat the following...) * Anyone who wants a valuable tool in helping to prepare rituals for years to come. Mr. Bonewits, thank you so much for writing this book! This one goes right into my recommended reading list for students ready to start writing their own rituals.

an enormously practical book, rich in accounts of actual experience

This is an enormously practical book, rich in accounts of actual experience. I recommend it very highly to everyone. Even Egyptian reconstructionists , Feraferians, high church Wiccans, Asatru, and Neo-Romantics who sometimes disdain the label "Neo-Pagan" will find much practical, valuable advice here. Bring the book home in a plain brown wrapper if you must, but buy it, read it, and grow richer. For beginners it provides an absolutely critical comprehensive introduction to a vast complex subject, one which will continue to be valuable as one's accomplishments grow. What Isaac has to say on the existence of God(s) is more perceptive than anything you read in Philosophy class, and the answer he comes up with is: yes. Some may find the idea of this book off-putting, thinking that they don't need anybody telling them how to worship. Some will say, "Religion is emotional! I don't want to read about it, I just want to do it." But, there is a great deal of value here regardless of your mindset. Isaac has a lot to say about the need for faith and spontaneity in ritual. With the intention of achieving consensus on the meaning of terms, the book begins with a broad, analytical, brilliantly perceptive survey of religion and religious practice that ought to be required reading for every religious person on earth. Much of it agrees with things I have written myself, but Isaac and I have not compared notes. Isaac and I have come to many of the same conclusions from studying the same subject from the same analytical viewpoint. One point Isaac does not elucidate is the concept of spiritual orgasm. That is, or ought to be, the goal of every religious gathering, the furthering of spiritual orgasm in the participants. Spiritual orgasm, like other kinds of orgasm, is accompanied by increase in heart rate, respiration, and blood pressure, and often visual disturbances and hallucinations, resulting in an overwhelming sense of release. While some of us have little ones at rare intervals, the big ones experienced by Paul of Tarsus on the road to Damascus; or by Joseph Smith in Palmyra, New York; or by Juan Diego in Mexico in 1531 have, if not changed the course of history, certainly profoundly affected many millions of people. But in our rituals, little ones are perhaps more practical and better for domestic tranquillity and the stability of civilizations.

neopagan rites

Really good read for someone wanting to understand magic better. Clearly written and interesting, to the point always. Explains the why of it well. Great sense of humor. I would buy more of his books having read this one.

Best book I've read in a while.

"Neo Pagan Rites" Is by far the best book I have read in quite a while. It really got me thinking about how my rituals are put together and ways to make them better for everyone. It got me thinking about aspects I would have otherwise overlooked. I recommend this book to any Priest/ess old and new.

An Important Note from the Author

Since my blog entry mentioning this book will eventually scroll off the screen for this page, it seems appropriate for me to repeat here that Neopagan Rites is an updated and expanded edition of Rites of Worship: A Neopagan Approach, now out of print. If you go to that page you will find twelve five-star reviews (and none less than five stars) from Neopagan and other clergy familiar with the earlier edition. Until we have a few reviews here, please visit the earlier ones to get a clear vision of the book -- then come back here to buy it, of course!