Product Description

RITUALS AND RESOURCES FOR HONOURING DEATH IN THE CIRCLE OF LIFE

Birth,growth,death,and rebirth are a cycle that forms the underlying order of the universe. This is the core of Pagan belief – and the heart of this unique resource guide to de

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #219441 in Books
• Published on: 1997-09-25
• Original language: English
• Dimensions: 1.03" h x 6.11" w x 9.23" l, .94 pounds
• Binding: Paperback
• 384 pages

From Amazon.com
The Pagan Book of Living and Dying is the pagan omnibus on death, much more than just a history of various cultural rituals and beliefs regarding death. This collection of essays, prayers, and songs is a living document that draws on the resources of today's entire pagan community and fills the void left by ancient sacramental rites lost over the centuries. Designed in such a way as to benefit both the leaders of the pagan community as well as the individual reader, The Pagan Book of Living and Dying encourages preparation under the obvious, but often neglected, understanding that death is seldom expected nor convenient but happens to everyone.

The Pagan Book of Living and Dying discusses all aspects of death, from pagan thealogy (from thea meaning goddess, rather than theo meaning god) to the dying process itself, and it even covers sensitive subjects like helping children cope with death. Congenial essays such as Sharon Jackson's "Crash Course in Being Present with the Dying" and insightful perspectives like Diana Paxson's "Preliminary Thoughts Toward Midwifing Your Own Passage" offer a written spiritual resource for assisting and comforting the dying, and advice on facing one's own passage. The Pagan Book of Living and Dying is simultaneously a practical guide, a comforting liturgy, and a new heritage that shows how to appreciate life through a closer relationship with death. --Brian Patterson

SageWoman
"The Pagan Book of Living and Dying is far more than another how-to ritual book. I found the reflections to be very moving. Rituals are easily accessible and well grounded in the core Pagan understanding of the cycle of Birth/Death/Rebirth. The book is very clear that the materials are only samples and beginning--not prescribed formulas. . .I recommend it for Pagans and others who might be facing dying or grieving."

Ingram
A groundbreaking addition to today's popular literature on death and dying, in The Pagan Book of Living and Dying is the first comprehensive guide to Paganism's beliefs and practices in facing death. 25 line drawings.