Books for Pagan Children

There are thousands of books written by and for Pagans about the various Earth-based paths that are available to them.  The great majority of these books are geared towards adults with a few scattered here and there for teens.  What about our Pagan children?

Here are just a few books that I have had the pleasure of promoting at the Pagan Writers Community that are geared towards the newest generation of Pagans.

The Witchlets of Witch’s Brew #1: “Holly the Hasty Witch” by Edain Duguay

Holly is the kind of child that is always in a rush, never stopping to complete a task and often forgetting to fulfil her promises. She is not a selfish child, just one that needs more hours in the day for her daydreaming and her many plans.

That is until Yule, when the biggest promise in the history of mankind is not fulfilled and Holly begins to see why, when she gives her word, it must mean something.

‘Holly the Hasty Witch’, is the short Pagan tale based on the virtue of integrity and is set at Yule in a small, modern day Pagan village.

This eBook is the first in a series of eight and is suitable for ages 8 years and upwards.


The Witchlets of Witch’s Brew #2: “Ash the Solitary Witch” by Edain Duguay

Ash only had one friend, Rufus, her dog. He was loyal, reliable and loved her unconditionally. She had no one her age to celebrate the seasons and festivals with and she began to feel lonely for the first time in her life but hid it from everyone, even herself. Having previously liked being alone, Ash had no idea if other children her age would like her or if she could even make friends.

One day, her world changed forever as her family moved away from the only home she had ever known, to the small Pagan village of Brew.

Would Ash be brave enough to make new friends? Would she find some at Brew’s celebration of the Spring Equinox?

This eBook is the second in a series of eight and is suitable for ages 8 years and upwards.

“Pagan Degrees for Children” by Shanddaramon

Many modern Pagans seek growth and spiritual practice through the pursuit and attainment of spiritual degrees. Whether in a group or as a solitary practitioner learning through a degree system can provide a needed structure, clear and distinct goals, and rewards for hard work. Children, too, often enjoy learning by following a clear structure and by getting positive reinforcements but may not be able to effectively and successfully pursue adult degrees.

This book provides a system of learning Pagan and good living concepts just for children and young adults through three main degrees. Children from the ages of 5 – 18 can work on obtaining the Neophyte, Apprentice, and Mage Degrees by meeting specific goals designed for children and by completing the requirements for earning Achievement Awards. The Neophyte Degree is subdivided into several Levels to help give young children small and easily obtainable goals.

Provided with each Degree and Award is a great deal of information and sources for learning and for exploring. All of the Degree, Level, and Award images and certificates are provided in black and white. However, a companion book is available that contains all the designs in full sixes and colors.

“Growing Up Pagan: A Workbook for Wiccan Families” by Raine Hill

Finally, a children’s workbook designed for Pagan families! Rich, exciting stories to read together and discuss, as well as activities to reinforce lessons in a fun way. Chock-full of puzzles, games, mythology, beautiful illustrations, and Pagan symbols, this workbook teaches about the basic Wiccan belief system. Let this be a family affair, with parents, older siblings, and young children taking part in a “something-for-everyone” Pagan experience. A teaching tool for Pagan families or others who want to teach their children diversity.

What others are saying about “Growing Up Pagan: A Workbook for Wiccan Families”

“A fun workbook filled with facts and myths to inspire budding young Pagans.” – Christopher Penczak, Author of “Sons of the Goddess” and “The Inner Temple of Witchcraft”

“Raine Hill has written a charming, lucid and magickal work that will be enjoyed by children of all ages; as someone who has taught in schools for many years I can heartily recommend it. Young people will love being read Wicca’s central myths and stories, they will enjoy exploring the basic philosophies and celebratory cycles and will relish the interactive activities. The wonderful art work is similarly engaging and the whole book will be a treasured item on any Pagan family’s bookshelf. I also intend to use it in my school.” – Pino Longchild, Assistant Head teacher Olga Primary School, London, webmaster of www.magickaschool.com, publisher of The Magickal Light Ezine and author of “Wicca Revealed” and “Wicca Advanced”

“Grimoire for the Apprentice Wizard” by Oberon Zell-Ravenheart

Here is the book Merlin would have given a young Arthur…if only it had existed. This essential “Boy Scout Handbook” of Wizardry contains everything an aspiring Wizard needs to know. It is illustrated with original art by Oberon and friends, as well as hundreds of woodcuts from medieval manuscripts and alchemical texts- – plus, charts, tables, and diagrams.

The book also contains:

• Biographies of famous Wizards in history and legend
• Detailed descriptions of magickal tools and regalia (with full instructions for making them)
• Spells and workings for a better life
• Rites and rituals for special occasions
• A bestiary of mythical creatures; Systems of divination
• The Laws of Magick; Myths and stories of gods and heroes
• Lore and legends of the stars and constellations
• Instructions for performing amazing illusions, special effects, and many other wonders of the magickal multiverse.

By Oberon Zell-Ravenheart, with contributions and additional material from Raymond Buckland, Patricia Telesco, Raven Grimassi, Ellen Evert Hopman, Jesse Wolf Hardin, Amber K, Fred Lamond, Abbty Willowroot, Jeff McBride, Morning Glory Zell-Ravenheart, and other illustrious members of The Grey Council.

What are some of your favorite books for children?

Sparrow’s Book Talk Tuesdays

Hey all!

Starting this week I am changing the format of my Tuesday posts from now on to talk about something that I am very passionate about – BOOKS!  Watch my posts for book reviews, special author guest blogs, book suggestions and more.  The focus will be on Pagan authors, but I am going to try to have something for everyone.

Feel free to post book and author suggestions in the comments!!

Thanks!
Sparrow

What would Buffy do?

Furthermore, we have not even to risk the adventure alone; for the heroes of all time have one before us, the labyrinth is fully known; we have only to follow the thread of the hero-path. And where we had thought to find an abomination, we shall find a god; where we had thought to slay another, we shall slay ourselves; where we had thought to travel outward, we shall come to the center of our own existence; where we had thought to be alone, we shall be with all the world."
— Joseph Campbell (The Hero with a Thousand Faces)

You know those times in your life when life just really sucks, I've been having a few of these weeks recently. There's no major crisis happening, I'm healthy, my family is fine, externally I really have nothing to complain about. It's the internal battle that keeps me from moving forward and leaves me feeling adrift. I have good friends who I can talk to, it's just obvious they're not me and therefore don't know my personal internal landscape. I always appreciate the advice and empathy I receive but that doesn't help me to define what I need to do. This is where hero's and heroine's (both real and imaginary) can guide and aid us when we're really struggling and don't' know what else to do. One of my heroines happens to be a character from television series that ran for seven years, called, "Buffy the Vampire Slayer. Originally "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" was a movie which I couldn't stand, but the t.v. show I and millions of others loved. Was the show a bit campy?, yes. Intellectually stimulating, no. I couldn't say that. My post is not about critiquing or defending the show. I want to talk about how Buffy has helped me through some really rough times and how each of us, needs a "Buffy".

Buffy is a pretty, smart and an "all American teenager" except for the fact that she is one of "the chosen ones" who's destiny is to kill Vampires and other sordid, evil creatures of the night. I'm not out there slaying any Vampire's, but I do constantly battle with depression that sucks the life out of me as Vampires do. It takes a lot of strength and courage to not surrender to such despair and hopelessness. I'd like to share a few of the lessons that I've learned from Buffy which have aided me when I've felt stuck in the darkness. Buffy had a loyal posse of friends who stood by her no matter what the situation was. They laughed with her, kept her humble, and helped her to remember who she was. There was, "Willow" a shy, sweet friend who also happened to be a witch. There was Xander, sweet, gawky and incredibly brave boy. And then there was Giles, a proper English man who was Buffy's mentor and friend who trained Buffy to become the "best slayer ever." So, always, make sure you have a friend or friends who love you for who you are and keep you honest.

Buffy was complicated and complex obviously, which I definitely am. She came from a broken home, didn't fit in with the cheerleader crowd, and always fell in love with the wrong kind of men, namely Vampires. She hated the responsibility of being a "slayer" and would sulk, break down, complain and threaten Giles that she would run away and live an ordinary life. She actually did run away, but returned wiser, stronger and more solid in her path of the slayer. I think we all wish, at one time or another that we could trade our lives with someone else's because they seem to have it easier or have more of what we want. If we're to be true to ourselves and live an authentic life, we can't deny or escape the challenges that threaten and stand in our way when we're scared.




I know that the saying, "What would Jesus do?" is a mantra to many and in no way am I trying to be sacrilegious or dismiss any type of faith or religion. I don't worship Buffy or try and replicate who she was. I have learned a lot from her though and have my own internalized Buffy. So, why did I call this post, "What would Buffy do?" Xander said to Buffy on one of the episodes,

"When it's dark and I'm all alone, and I'm scared or freaked out or whatever, I always think, 'What would Buffy do?"

I really liked that thought and quote and it came to me only a few days ago. Since then, I feel stronger and gave me a new way of looking at my life so that I don't stay stuck in being a victim. So, when you're feeling challenged and can't seem to move through whatever the block is, ask yourself, "What would (fill in the blank) do?" And maybe like me, life will not seem so overwhelming and you'll have the ability to slay whatever creature is standing in your path.

If you want to check out some "Buffy" action check out this video. The television series is being rerun on different channels as well as being on DVD's. http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000AQ68RI/exampleid-20/