The Pagan belief system encompasses a wide range of spiritual traditions and practices that are often rooted in ancient, pre-Christian and indigenous cultures. Paganism is characterized by its reverence for nature and the natural world, its focus on the interconnectedness of all things, and its celebration of the cycles of life and the seasons. Pagan beliefs vary widely depending on the specific tradition or path one follows. Some Pagans may worship a pantheon of gods and goddesses from various cultures, while others may focus on a single deity or a more nebulous concept of divinity. Many Pagans also incorporate rituals, spells, and divination into their practice as a means of connecting with the spiritual realm. One of the core principles of Paganism is the belief in the immanence of the divine, or the belief that the divine can be found and experienced in all aspects of the natural world.
A zombie apocalypse is one thing. A volcanic eruption is quite another, for, as the journalist who does a framing voice-over narration for Brooks’ latest puts it, when Mount Rainier popped its cork, “it was the psychological aspect, the hyperbole-fueled hysteria that had ended up killing the most people.” Maybe, but the sasquatches whom the volcano displaced contributed to the statistics, too, if only out of self-defense. Brooks places the epicenter of the Bigfoot war in a high-tech hideaway populated by the kind of people you might find in a Jurassic Park franchise: the schmo who doesn’t know how to do much of anything but tries anyway, the well-intentioned bleeding heart, the know-it-all intellectual who turns out to know the wrong things, the immigrant with a tough backstory and an instinct for survival. Indeed, the novel does double duty as a survival manual, packed full of good advice—for instance, try not to get wounded, for “injury turns you from a giver to a taker. Taking up our resources, our time to care for you.” Brooks presents a case for making room for Bigfoot in the world while peppering his narrative with timely social criticism about bad behavior on the human side of the conflict: The explosion of Rainier might have been better forecast had the president not slashed the budget of the U.S. Geological Survey, leading to “immediate suspension of the National Volcano Early Warning System,” and there’s always someone around looking to monetize the natural disaster and the sasquatch-y onslaught that follows. Brooks is a pro at building suspense even if it plays out in some rather spectacularly yucky episodes, one involving a short spear that takes its name from “the sucking sound of pulling it out of the dead man’s heart and lungs.” Grossness aside, it puts you right there on the scene.
Brooks is a pro at building suspense even if it plays out in some rather spectacularly yucky episodes, one involving a short spear that takes its name from the sucking sound of pulling it out of the dead man s heart and lungs. A New York Times bestseller and a Best Book of 2018 by NPR, The New York Times Book Review , Amazon, The Boston Globe, LitHub, Vulture, Slate, Elle , Vox, and Electric Literature.
One of the core principles of Paganism is the belief in the immanence of the divine, or the belief that the divine can be found and experienced in all aspects of the natural world. This leads to a deep reverence and respect for the Earth and its ecosystems, and many Pagans view themselves as stewards of the environment, working to protect and preserve it. The Pagan belief system also places a strong emphasis on personal autonomy and personal experience.
THE WITCH ELM
French has earned a reputation for atmospheric and existentially troubling police procedurals. Here, the protagonist is a crime victim rather than a detective. Toby Hennessy is a lucky man. He has a job he enjoys at an art gallery. He has a lovely girlfriend named Melissa. And he has a large, supportive family, including his kind Uncle Hugo and two cousins who are more like siblings. As the story begins, Toby’s just gotten himself into a bit of a mess at work, but he’s certain that he’ll be able to smooth things over, because life is easy for him—until two men break into his apartment and brutally beat him. The damage Toby suffers, both physical and mental, undermines his sense of self. His movements are no longer relaxed and confident. His facility with words is gone. And his memory is full of appalling blanks. When he learns that his uncle is dying, Toby decides that he can still be useful by caring for him, so he moves into the Hennessy family’s ancestral home, and Melissa goes with him. The three of them form a happy family unit, but their idyll comes to an abrupt end when Toby’s cousin’s children find a human skull in the trunk of an elm tree at the bottom of the garden. As the police try to solve the mystery posed by this gruesome discovery, Toby begins to question everything he thought he knew about himself and his family. The narrative is fueled by some of the same themes French has explored in the past. It’s reminiscent of The Likeness (2008) in the way it challenges the idea of identity as a fixed and certain construct. And the unreliability of memory was a central issue in her first novel, In the Woods (2007). The pace is slow, but the story is compelling, and French is deft in unraveling this book’s puzzles. Readers will see some revelations coming long before Toby, but there are some shocking twists, too.
Pub Date: Oct. 9, 2018
ISBN: 978-0-7352-2462-9
Page Count: 464
Publisher: Viking
Review Posted Online: July 16, 2018
Kirkus Reviews Issue: Aug. 1, 2018
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Rather than relying solely on religious texts or authorities, Pagans often place a great deal of importance on direct experience and intuition. This allows for individual interpretation and adaptation of spiritual practices and beliefs. Paganism is a highly diverse and inclusive belief system, welcoming people of all backgrounds, genders, and sexual orientations. Many Pagans view the diversity of human experiences and identities as reflective of the diverse nature of the divine. In conclusion, the Pagan belief system is a rich and varied spiritual tradition that celebrates the interconnectedness of all things and seeks to live in harmony with nature. It emphasizes personal autonomy, direct experience, and respect for the Earth and its ecosystems. Paganism welcomes people from all walks of life and fosters a sense of unity and reverence for the divine in all its forms..
Reviews for "The Symbolism and Meaning Behind Pagan Altars"
1. John - 1 star - The Pagan belief system was a complete waste of my time. Not only did I find it highly illogical, but it also lacked any real substance or evidence to support its claims. I felt like I was attending a poorly organized cult gathering rather than engaging in a meaningful discussion about spirituality. Overall, I found the whole experience to be quite disappointing and would not recommend it to anyone seeking a deeper understanding of their beliefs.
2. Sarah - 2 stars - I personally found the Pagan belief system to be confusing and contradictory. There was no clear structure or set of principles that I could grasp onto, which made it difficult to truly understand what Pagans actually believe. Additionally, the lack of empirical evidence to support their claims left me feeling skeptical and unconvinced. While I can appreciate the diversity of beliefs within the Pagan community, I ultimately found the whole system to be too vague and decentralized for me.
3. Robert - 1 star - The Pagan belief system seemed like a hodgepodge of random ideas and ancient traditions without any clear direction or purpose. I found it difficult to connect with their beliefs as they seemed to change depending on who you spoke to. This lack of consistency made it hard for me to take their spiritual practices seriously. Overall, I was left feeling confused and unfulfilled by the entire experience.
4. Emily - 2 stars - I attended a Pagan gathering out of curiosity, but I ended up being quite disappointed. While I appreciate the focus on nature and the celebration of the Earth, I found the rituals and ceremonies to be somewhat superficial and lacking in depth. It felt more like a performance than a genuine spiritual experience. Additionally, there were aspects of cultural appropriation that made me uncomfortable as well. While I respect the right of individuals to practice their beliefs, I personally did not find the Pagan belief system to be meaningful or fulfilling.