If you are someone who follows or is interested in pagan beliefs and practices, you may have wondered whether there are any pagan bookshops in your vicinity. This can be a valuable resource for finding books, tools, and information related to your spiritual path. Though not as common as other types of bookstores, pagan bookshops can often provide a more specialized and focused selection that may be hard to find elsewhere. One of the main benefits of visiting a pagan bookshop is the ability to find books on specific pagan traditions, rituals, and practices. These stores often organize their selections by tradition, making it easier to find resources that align with your personal interests. Whether you are a Wiccan, a Norse Pagan, or follow any other pagan path, a pagan bookshop is more likely to carry titles relevant to your specific practice.
Whether you are a Wiccan, a Norse Pagan, or follow any other pagan path, a pagan bookshop is more likely to carry titles relevant to your specific practice. In addition to books, many pagan bookshops also sell other spiritual and magical tools and items. This can include things like crystals, incense, candles, and ritual supplies.
Mother Earth and fairy queens: the pagan goddesses Christianity has failed to stamp out
We are, arguably, poised on the edge of a pagan revival. With mainstream Christianity suffering a decline – Anglicanism’s best-known priest, the Rev Richard Coles, warned over Easter that the rural parish system is at risk of collapsing – as anxiety about climate change and the state of the planet escalates, those who are spiritually engaged but denominationally disinclined are being pushed into personifying nature once more as something of a deity.
But perhaps revival is not the right word since, as historian Ronald Hutton chronicles in his new book Queens of the Wild, despite the best efforts of Christianity over 20 centuries, Europe’s pagan traditions never seem to have been stamped out. Instead, parts of them have been with us all along, as he demonstrates in his sprightly – and spritely – account of four female figures: Mother Earth; the Fairy Queen; the Lady of the Night; and the Cailleach of the Gaelic tradition.
In its first millennium, expanding Christianity operated a successful policy of subsuming many of the beliefs of the “old religion”. Shrines to water deities were rebranded as holy wells, and attributed to saints, while yew-lined sacred groves became the graveyards around churches. Yet through to medieval times and beyond, especially in rural areas, pagan beliefs continued to hold sway, even over those who turned up to church on Sundays.
Mother Earth, encapsulating the unpredictable power of nature, can be found even in leading Church theologians. Augustine of Hippo, in the early 5th century, certainly not renowned as an advocate of women’s empowerment, characterised her as Natura, appointed by God to teach humankind about earth’s bounty. (I’m struggling to imagine what the old grump would make of Natura now being repurposed in the branding of 21st-century planet-friendly health and beauty shops.)
This Mother Earth – not at odds with Christianity, but an adjunct to the creator God in his heaven – also made her way into medieval literature, such as Geoffrey Chaucer’s 14th-century poem “The Parliament of Fowls”, where she is enthroned in a palace of green boughs, presiding over birds each spring as they choose their mates.
Wildman's woman with children on a deer, 1470s Dutch engraving Credit : RijksmuseumBy contrast, Lady of the Night became, especially in Germany, the focus of a rival belief system to Christianity. Around 900, the Archbishop of Trier publicly lamented her influence. “Certain wicked women, who have been perverted by Satan, believe and profess that during the night they ride on certain beasts with the goddess Diana and an unaccountable host of women.”
There are strong parallels here with the medieval obsession with the devil. The Lady of the Night was accused of seducing the God-fearing in the same manner as the succubus: a copulating female demon in the service of God’s arch enemy, preying on unwary males.
Some real-life self-styled fairy queens felt the wrath of both Church and state. In 1613 Alice West was ordered with her husband John to be flogged and put in a pillory on public display to punish them both for posing as the Queen and King of Fairies in order, it was alleged, to swindle a wealthy couple of Hammersmith, west London.
They are said to have staged shows where they were attended by elves and goblins, persuading the couple’s servant to sit naked in the garden with a pot of earth in her lap. By morning they had told her, it would turn to gold. It didn’t, and in the meantime they had made off with all her money and clothes.
Then there are the Cailleach of the Gaelic parts of the British Isles, older, lone female figures, often roaming the countryside with herds of sheep or cattle. They were found near water and rivers, a source of ancient wisdom, but potentially malign and so never to be crossed.
It is an intertwined folklorish and religious picture that Hutton carefully assembles, all rooted in nature. He might have profitably extended his cast by examining their relationship with other figures with a more secure foothold in the Christian tradition such as angels, equally popular, and often with a good deal of independence from Church rules and regulations. All, to some extent, were (and are) taken as outward signs of a transcendent dimension that many discern in the world around them that is beyond logic, reason, science and even the control of organised religion. And that, in today’s sacred-seeking, anti-institutional but imperilled world, is part of their persistent allure.
Queens of the Wild by Ronald Hutton is published by Yale University Press at £18.99. To order your copy for £16.99, call 0844 871 1514 or visit Telegraph Books
Some real-life self-styled fairy queens felt the wrath of both Church and state. In 1613 Alice West was ordered with her husband John to be flogged and put in a pillory on public display to punish them both for posing as the Queen and King of Fairies in order, it was alleged, to swindle a wealthy couple of Hammersmith, west London.
Being able to browse and physically handle these items can be helpful in choosing the right tools for your practice. It also offers a sense of community, as you may encounter like-minded individuals who share your interests and can offer guidance and advice. Furthermore, pagan bookshops may also host workshops, classes, and events related to pagan spirituality. This can be a great opportunity to learn from experienced practitioners, meet others who share your beliefs, and deepen your understanding of pagan traditions. These events can range from introductory workshops to more advanced classes on specific practices or topics, allowing you to tailor your learning to your individual needs and interests. While pagan bookshops may be harder to find in some areas, there are resources available to help you locate them. Online directories, forums, and social media groups dedicated to pagan beliefs can offer recommendations and information on local pagan resources, including bookshops. Additionally, attending pagan events and festivals in your area can be a great way to connect with others and learn about nearby pagan bookstores and shops. In conclusion, if you are interested in pagan beliefs and practices, visiting a pagan bookshop in your vicinity can be a valuable resource. From finding books on specific pagan traditions to purchasing spiritual and magical tools, these shops offer a specialized and focused selection that may be hard to find elsewhere. Moreover, attending workshops and events hosted by these bookshops can help deepen your knowledge and foster a sense of community among like-minded individuals. So, if you are looking for a more tailored and specialized experience, consider seeking out a pagan bookshop near you..
Reviews for "Opening the Doors to Pagan Wisdom: Exploring Local Bookstores"
1. John - 1/5
I was really disappointed with the pagan bookshop in my vicinity. The selection of books was extremely underwhelming and outdated. There was not much variety to choose from, and the ones they did have were all very similar. The staff seemed disinterested and unhelpful, which made the whole experience frustrating. I won't be returning to this shop anytime soon.
2. Emily - 2/5
I visited the pagan bookshop hoping to find some unique and interesting items, but I left feeling unimpressed. The shop was small and cramped, with cluttered shelves and poor organization. It was difficult to navigate through the store and find what I was looking for. The prices were also higher than I expected, considering the lack of quality in the products. Overall, a disappointing experience.
3. Jessica - 1/5
I had high hopes for the pagan bookshop, but it turned out to be a huge letdown. The store lacked an inviting atmosphere and the staff seemed more focused on their own conversations than assisting customers. The selection of books and other items was limited, and many of them were in poor condition. It's unfortunate that there aren't better options for pagan enthusiasts in this area. I would not recommend this shop to anyone.