by Jeff Ahrens in "Booklist", a library review journal
The several books about wiccans and pagans only briefly mention beliefs about
an afterlife. Wiccan and pagan funereal rites seem practically nonexistent, a
fact Starhawk and company discovered when her husband died, and that spurred
them to assemble this useful resource.
It is a collection of essays that begins by explaining pagan thealogy (the
distinctive spelling indicates goddess study) and proceeds to actual rituals
and chants, a discussion of symbolism, and the personal experiences of pagans
and wiccans. There are several types of wiccan and pagan sects, and although
there are connections between them, there is nothing like a synod to establish
dogma or particular rituals. Yet any religious tradition must meet its adherents'
strong needs for dealing with grief, which Starhawk and her coauthors answer
by drawing on ancient and global mythologies.
Virtually every modern mortality issue is covered in this book--physician assisted
suicide, dying from AIDS, and care of the terminally ill, among others. This
is a beautiful and unique book on a very important topic.
by Elizabeth Barrette, Hypatia's Hoard
in PagaNet News, Samhain '98
At the turning of the year, our thoughts naturally reach out to encompass other
cyclical events such as death and rebirth. Living Pagan in a non-Pagan society
presents many challenges, not the least of which is arranging for departure
to the next life. This book comprises a crucial resource for any Pagan who is
facing death, whether their own or someone else's. Overview: Herein the authors
cover all of the most important practical and spiritual aspects of death and
dying, including the ways in which these touch the caregivers and survivors.
First comes a selection of front matter including an introduction and instruction
on how to use the book. Part One: Pagan Tradition explores such things as the
sacred cycle, current practices, meditations, and myths of descent and return.
Part Two: The Pagan View of Death moves on to lessons from death, the land of
the dead, and reincarnation. Part Three: The Dying Process concerns itself with
this awesome passage, and touches on everything from preparing for death and
working with the dying to the moment of death and what we must do for the dead;
it even covers funerals and memorials. Part Four: Death Has Many Faces looks
at the sensitive issues of children, violence, and free choice as they relate
to death. Part Five: Carrying On offers helpful suggestions about making room
for grief and practical work. Features: If you ever wished for an all-around
handbook on how to deal with death and related topics, here it is. The authors
have thoughtfully included a wide range of resources such as a list of all the
rituals, prayers, songs, chants, poems, and meditations in the book. Other highlights
are a description of Pagan prayer beads and their use, an example of ointment
used to prepare a body for cremation, a timeline of grieving and remembrance,
a list of ways the community can help, and a set of relevant questions about
the dying person and the caregivers that should be answered before death. The
back matter includes instructions on how to make a mask, books on death and
dying, samples of a Living Will Declaration and a Durable Power of Attorney,
a fine glossary, and a comprehensive guide to the contributors. Regrettably,
there is no index, a significant flaw in a reference of this type. Recommendations:
A must for any coven library, _The Pagan Book of Living and Dying_ offers enough
material of relevance to individuals that it also makes a great addition to
a private collection of Pagan books. Every Priest/ess needs a copy, and I highly
recommend it for anyone working in health care too. Although most useful to
intermediate or advanced practitioners, novices should not hesitate to pick
it up if they need to deal with death or dying. The authors present all the
content in a clear, calm manner sure to help in stressful times.
by Carol Maltby, Tendrils of Wild Vine Coven,
as published on CompuServe
Pagan Book of Death and Dying is a very deep and warm book, one that
will enrich our community as we learn to encounter death with awareness and
consciousness, to meet it in the same spirit that our Pagan teachings have urged
us to embrace life.
No book on death can do it justice and leave us untouched by the feeling of
loss, even secondhand. Be warned that if you are dealing with any death issues
that are unresolved, or have a high level of empathy, that this will not be
an easy book to read. There are many personal accounts that are raw, keening
in places. I wept at Lady Bachu's article on surviving the death of her son
Alex; even now as I type this with the book open at that section my eyes are
once again filled with tears. It is like hearing the bean sidhe crying far too
close for comfort. Donald L. Engstrom's reports on the death of his lover Rick
are wild with grief, but also full of breathtaking loving and passion and grace.
It is not all unrelieved grief -- Patricia Michael's detailed account of cremating
their friend Bo included amongst its useful information the problems that can
occur when you overdo the dry ice under the body and freeze it so solid that
the flowers around the coffin are crispy. She had to look in her cookbooks for
advice on how long is recommended for thawing a 190 pound man.
There is extensive discussion on how Pagan philosophies view the death process,
and insights into how our thealogy is expressed in the ways we confront dying
and grieving. Many practical aspects are covered, such as dealing with the body
at death, planning ceremonies to honor the crossing, and considering legal matters.
We are reminded of the importance of the acts we must all take responsibility
for while we live, such as legal documents like wills and particularly Pagan
concerns like what should be done with our magickal tools and other Pagan artifacts
at our deaths.
Starhawk and Macha have included rituals and prayers to mark the many ways
where both the dying and the living need healing and release. There are rituals
for funerals, rituals for the painful decision of terminating life support.
Prayers for many different situations cover such issues as miscarriage and abortion,
organ donation, and violent death, and there are prayers for all stages of the
dying process, in aid of both the dying and the survivors. Songs and chants
have had musical notation provided. Many meditations and visualizations are
included, and these will be useful whether working alone or with a group.
While the material is oriented toward those whose practice is in harmony with
the Reclaiming tradition witchcraft that Starhawk's books have popularized,
there is much here of value for those in any Pagan tradition. As our Pagan community
grows and becomes more open and integrated with the rest of mainstream society,
we have more opportunity to share the healing and blessings that our path and
rituals can bring.
Grandmother Death does not always give us warning, but those who are better
prepared can make their passing or their grieving easier by being aware of the
many ways we can give service during the cycles of life and death, for there
are many ways that the passage can be eased. Have this book on hand for yourself,
for those you love, and for the beloved dead who you mourn still and wish to
honor with your grieving and healing and hands that perform loving acts as final
devotion.
by Jerral, The Bardo,
Death Studies website
Pagan Book of Death and Dying
If you could only buy ONE anthology on
Death & Dying, you wouldn't go wrong letting this be the one. It's chock-full
of very practical stories, reflections and advice for successfully dealing with
Death & Grief, from the very personal unique perspective of some of Modern Day
America's interesting Pagan writers & practitioners (and some international
perspectives as well.)
Filled with practical, poetic, emotive and expressive rituals, meditations
and reflections on Death & Dying, this new edition serves to effectively augment
the current interest in popular literature of Death & Dying. Included in the
volume are methods and reflections on many aspects of Death & Dying, plus: *
A Practical Introduction to Pagan Thought & Ritual * Respectful reflection for
Caring for the Dying * Preparing One's Own End-Of-Life priorities * Assisting
in Funereal rites & Memorial Services * Glossary of Terms / Bio of Contributors
To date, Harper Collins' Tibetan Book of Living and Dying' was a one-of-a-kind
reflection on death with a strong cultural perspective, but now with the release
of The Pagan Book of Death and Dying' we have a fresh cousin's
perspective as well. Regardless of your faith or your interest or familiarity
with Pagan rituals, this book is sure to interest in its eclectic views. Of
particular interest is its well-woven perspective of the lore of the relatedness
of death to birth, in an unbroken circle, as presented by generations of poets
and writers from time immemorial. These ideas here are dealt with comfortably
and effectively with a feminist and multicultural voice, including views from
other parts of the world, and from gay and lesbian contributors whose unique
social perspective assists in rounding that holistic view.
Included also-- and sure to appeal to ALL faiths:-- practical advice on preparing
a whole host of legal documents, from Living Wills, to actual Wills, to Durable
Power of Attorney for health wishes. Something other books tend to shy away
from, too, included here are practical advice dealing with Funeral Directors,
what your REAL choices are around funeral arrangements, and, such otherwise
often overlooked situations as Probate Court.
This is a rich volume of contributions from a collective group whose sensitivity
and creativity around the issue of Death is a welcome comprehensive guide to
an effective dealing with Life, Death, and surrounding rituals of the Pagan
community.
Macha, more thanks for the Pagan Book of Death and Dying. I had read
only a few chapters when I received the news that my Dad had died back east,
so I sat up late last night and finished reading. I sang "Weaver, Weaver" to
my Dad along with several other chants & rounds and it was exactly what the
doctress ordered. As I was singing, I spun a bobbin of variegated grey and black
wool. When the bobbin was full, I plied it back on itself and finger-wove that
into a cord that "accidentally" came out to be exactly the height of my Dad
- the measure of the man. The cord will be used to tie his funerary shroud in
the coffin while he lies in state: I will sever the cord just prior to the burial.
Thanks once again for a most helpful compendium; it is greatly soothing to have
this knowledge widely available. It will travel with me to Missouri to share
it with my bereaved family and Pagan friends there . . . .
