Book Review!
Book Title: A Year of Pagan Prayer
Author: Barbara Nolan
I recently picked this book up, looking to get more into the prayer aspects of paganism. It seemed like a great start because it is described as, "A source of poems, hymns, and invocations from four thousand years of pagan history." What could be more fitting, right? 😁
The book is not a how-to on how to pray, but a huge collection of prayers from many different sources, people, and cultures! Below, I will give you my personal pros and cons list for "A Year of Pagan Prayer."
PROS:
• There are a ton of prayers in this book, and I like how they have sections they're put into. The sections are the months of the year (Jan-December), Lunar Prayers, Wedding Prayers, and Funeral Prayers.
• The prayers are written by so many different authors, and belong to many different cultures. There is definitely something for everybody in this book!
• There are prayers to Gods/Goddesses from multiple pantheons. These include: Greek, Roman, Celtic, Norse/Germanic, and Middle Eastern.
• Not all of the prayers in the book are to Gods and Goddesses. There are some to nature, the moon, the sun, land spirits, river spirits, the ocean, pagan holidays, etc. So even if you don't worship deities, this book still has something for you! (Although, I will say that most of the prayers include a God/Goddess in the writing.)
CONS:
• There are three appendix sections in the back. One lists the Gods/Goddesses mentioned and what poems relate to them, another mentions magickal purposes and what poems relate to them, and another mentions nature and what poems relate to them. This in itself is great since it tells you exactly what poems to look for! But the part I don't like, is it gives you the poem names but not what page number they're on. So it really doesn't help you find the poems, you still have to search through the whole book to find them.
• Some deities are included instead as other deities. For example, this is the first thing I noticed that I didn't like because I personally worship Cernunnos and his name is mentioned in the appendix- but his poem is not a poem for him. It's a poem for Pan, with the title of the poem being "An Invocation to Pan." Definitely not for Cernunnos, even in title. It's also important to mention that Pan has 29 other poems in his name in the book. That one should've been included under his section. I don't mind there not being poetry about certain gods, but I do mind them being named and titled incorrectly.
• Some of the prayers seem to be in the wrong sections. This is very honestly a more personal take, just an opinion on where they should be put, but some of them seemed out of place in their sections to me. Not a big deal, though, they're still amazing poems/prayers/hymns.
OVERALL:
Overall, I do absolutely love this book! I have sticky tabbed it, annotated in it, and used it multiple times already. It's a very beautiful piece of work! I would recommend it to any pagan!
My star rating: (4 Stars)
⭐⭐⭐⭐
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Hey everyone! Following up on my review of 'A Year of Pagan Prayer,' I wanted to dive a bit deeper into what pagan prayer truly means to me and how a book like this can be a wonderful starting point for anyone exploring their spiritual path. When I first started looking for 'pagan books' or a 'pagan religion book,' I realized how vast the landscape of paganism is, and finding a consistent prayer practice felt like a journey in itself. Many people wonder, 'What is pagan prayer?' Unlike some more structured traditions, pagan prayer isn't always about reciting specific verses from a holy text. It's often deeply personal and revolves around connection – connection to deities (like Brigit or Danu, who are mentioned in this very book!), to nature, to the elements, and to our inner selves. It's about building a relationship, expressing gratitude, seeking guidance, or simply acknowledging the sacred in the everyday. For me, it’s a way to center myself and feel part of something much larger. While 'A Year of Pagan Prayer' is an incredible 'book of pagan prayer' filled with ancient and modern invocations, I've also found immense value in spontaneous prayer and crafting my own words. Sometimes, a simple walk in the woods becomes a prayer, or a moment of reflection before a meal transforms into a 'pagan blessing.' The book provided a fantastic foundation, showing me different styles and themes, from solemn invocations to joyful hymns. It's inspiring to see how others have articulated their connection, and it often sparks my own creativity. For instance, reading lines like 'I am the Runner' (which I spotted in the book) can evoke a feeling of movement, freedom, and strength that I then weave into my own daily reflections. The query 'wiccan prayer' often comes up, and while Wicca is a specific path within paganism, many of the principles of prayer overlap. Wiccan prayer frequently involves calling upon the God and Goddess, working with the elements, and focusing on intention within ritual settings. It’s often highly structured yet deeply personal, much like many other pagan traditions. What I appreciate about a comprehensive collection like Nolan's is that it offers a broad spectrum, so whether you're drawn to Hellenic deities like Pan (even if Cernunnos gets a mislabeled poem!), Norse gods, or the Spirits of the land, there's inspiration to be found. To make a 'pagan prayer book' truly yours, I recommend getting hands-on with it. Just like I've sticky-tabbed and annotated my copy, try highlighting passages that resonate, adapt prayers to fit your specific circumstances, or use them as jump-off points for journaling. Don't be afraid to change a word or two to make it feel more authentic to your personal practice. The beauty of paganism is its adaptability and emphasis on individual experience. Ultimately, whether you're using a structured text or speaking from the heart, the essence of pagan prayer is about fostering that deep spiritual connection. It's about finding your voice in conversation with the sacred, however you define it. So, dive in, explore, and let your spirit guide you on this enriching journey!
