Being a Pagan: Druids, Wiccans, and Witches Today
Renowned herbalist and druid Ellen Evert Hopman interviews an assortment of artists, prostitutes, militants, scientists, lawyers, writers, and priestesses who all have one thing in common: being a pagan. As a dynamic and growing spiritual movement, paganism offers many diverse voices, as evidenced by this fascinating collection of over 60 interviews. Starhawk (The Spiral Dance) debunks the myth of satanic ritual murders in the U.S.; NPR reporter Margot Adler (Drawing Down the Moon) speaks to being a pagan Jew; Z. Budapest (The Goddess in the Office) offers a primer on "Wind Magic"; and Isaac Bonewits (Real Magic) shares stories of pagan fathering. Other compelling voices include a psychiatric nurse and lay midwife named D'vora who defends the tradition of sacred prostitution. And Victor Anderson, a leader in the "Feri/Faery Faith in America," speaks to his unwavering belief in little people and the true story behind "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves." Kudos to Hopman and cowriter Lawrence Bond for chronicling this sweeping and excellent testimonial to modern-day paganism.--Gail Hudson