There are as many different spiritual paths, if not more, as there are cultures existing in the world today.  Many Westerners are turning to Eastern and Asian paths as their daily lives become increasingly chaotic and unmanageable.  We seek peace and calm in the the storm, but even more significant is that we seek answers about the meaning of our lives and the larger Universe we are part of.  The beauty and perfection of this is that all paths lead to The One.  Some of us are blessed with the right to choose which path each of us wishes to take, whether it be Wicca or another Pagan tradition, Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Taoism, Santeria, or Native American Spirituality, just to name several.  An excellent and unbiased website for anyone who truly wants to learn about other faiths or is seeking his/her own spirituality is www.religioustolerance.org. 

The U.S. today is represented by many faiths, and we live and work alongside people of many different cultural beliefs and practices.  It is unfortunate that ignorance and intolerance lead countless individuals who do not adhere to a more "mainstream" spirituality to practice their faiths in secret or to hide their beliefs for fear of losing their jobs or being shunned by other family members.  Education is key in stamping out fear and hate, which are common reactions to anything people do not understand.  I had the wonderful opportunity recently to work in the Diversity section of the human resources department of a large company.  Surrounded by people of varying race, cultures, faiths, languages, and beliefs all working to promote knowledge and acceptance of ALL people in the workplace made me feel very inspired...and welcomed, considering my own Wiccan faith!

I have included a few books on this page that I hope will get you off to a good start learning about different spiritual paths or, if you are already following one, will help to further you along.  No matter where you are in your spiritual journey, I wish you many blessings and much happiness along the way.

Blessed Be! - Rowan

 

Being a Pagan  $18.00 - More than 60 pagan leaders and teachers describe what they believe and what they practice. Addresses how Pagans view parenting, organized religion, and politics. Who are the pagans and what do they stand for? Why would some of the members of the best educated, most materially comfortable generation of Americans look back to mystical traditions many millennia old? During the last few decades, millions of people have embraced ancient philosophies that honor Earth and the spiritual power of each individual. Ways of worship from sources as diverse as the pre-Christian Celts, ancient Egypt, and Native American traditions are currently helping their followers find meaning in life while living in the Information Age. 377 page trade softcover book

 

 

Qabalah for the Rest of Us  $23.00 - Lon Milo DuQuette author of 12 critically acclaimed books on Qabalah and the occult, presents a uniquely insightful look at this ageless wisdom as a kind of "upgrade" for our mental and spiritual "operating systems".This DVD provides a practical approach to a subject that is, by definition, arcane. DuQuette brings Qabalah alive, restoring the joy of learning to this fundamental mystical system by using simple anecdotes and metaphors to explain ancient truths about our relationship to the mysteries of the universe. Topic Include: The Basics I.H.V.H - The Divine Formula The Four Worlds The Four Parts of the Soul The Tree of Life The 72-Fold Name of God This disc has a total runtime of 59 min.

 

Cuban Santeria  $13.00 - A revealing window into the secret and seductive world of Santeria. A Santeria priest discloses information never before revealed to outsiders. Removes the veil of occultism from Santeria to show it as a highly spiritual, thriving religion. Initiated into the Santeria priesthood at the age of seven, Raul Canizares unveils in Cuban Santeria the secret and seductive world of this rapidly growing, yet largely misunderstood, Afro-Cuban religion. With the knowledge of an insider and the insight of a scholar, Canizares astutely examines the practice of Santeria, revealing many of its hidden dimensions while simultaneously providing a fascinating account of its unique textured mix of African, Cuban, and Catholic traditions. The Cuban-born author describes the practices and rituals of the followers of Santeria--from magical herbal prescription and healing to spiritism and animal sacrifice--and explains how for many years the religion has been maintained under the guise of Catholicism to avoid religious persecution. Most initiates are sworn to a code of silence, but Canizares believes that the time has come to move Santeria, a religion of beauty and resilience, out of the darkness and into the light so that a more accurate picture of this rich tradition can emerge.

 

Wiccan Beliefs and Practices  $15.00 - Modern Wicca is a vibrant, uplifting nature religion practiced by hundreds of thousands of people in the United States alone. This book was written for the solitary witch or nontraditional small coven. The author speaks from personal experience with Wiccans of all ages and degrees of physical ability, bringing you an earnest examination of modern Wiccan beliefs and a practical guide to the Craft of the Wise. Paperback, 312 pages.