Egyptian Paganism »

Jocelyn Almond and Keith Seddon were born in 1956 in England, and met at school in 1975. They married in 1977, and each attained a BA degree with first class honors in Studies in the Humanities from the University of Hertfordshire in 1982, and a PhD in Philosophy from University College, London in 1986.

In the early 1990s they became members of the international Goddess organization, the Fellowship of Isis (FOI), in which Jocelyn trained for the priesthood. In 1995 she became a Priestess-Hierophant and began to run FOI Magi Degree courses by correspondence through her Lyceum of Isis Myrionymous within the Fellowship. In 2001 she was appointed to the Archpriesthood Union, the custodial body of the FOI. Keith furthered his studies in Ancient Philosophy, and founded the Stoic Foundation, through which he runs a correspondence course in spiritual well-being. He also works as a correspondence tutor for Warnborough University, Canterbury, England, where he is Professor of Philosophy, teaching MA and PHD programs in Ancient Ethics, Metaphysics and Philosophy of Religion. They live near to London and together run a local moot of the Pagan Federation-the leading Pagan organization in Britain.

Jocelyn Almond and Keith Seddon were born in 1956 in England, and met at school in 1975. They married in 1977, and each attained a BA degree with first class honors in Studies in the Humanities from the University of Hertfordshire in 1982, and a PhD in Philosophy from University College, London in 1986.

In the early 1990s they became members of the international Goddess organization, the Fellowship of Isis (FOI), in which Jocelyn trained for the priesthood. In 1995 she became a Priestess-Hierophant and began to run FOI Magi Degree courses by correspondence through her Lyceum of Isis Myrionymous within the Fellowship. In 2001 she was appointed to the Archpriesthood Union, the custodial body of the FOI. Keith furthered his studies in Ancient Philosophy, and founded the Stoic Foundation, through which he runs a correspondence course in spiritual well-being. He also works as a correspondence tutor for Warnborough University, Canterbury, England, where he is Professor of Philosophy, teaching MA and PHD programs in Ancient Ethics, Metaphysics and Philosophy of Religion. They live near to London and together run a local moot of the Pagan Federation-the leading Pagan organization in Britain.

Bring the sacred rites and rituals of ancient Egypt into your Pagan practice today. This beautifully written guide, by noted scholars Jocelyn Almond and Keith Seddon, presents a compelling overview of ancient Egyptian religious and magical beliefs.

Egyptian Paganism for Beginners is unique in its focus on specific rituals for individual gods and goddesses. For solitary practitioners who want to perform daily devotions, it offers genuine invocations and prayers for each of the main Egyptian deities. There are translations of authentic religious texts, along with insightful commentary on relevant Egyptian history, myth, and lore.

Also included in this comprehensive guidebook are practical instructions on how to cast a circle, make a shrine, consecrate statues, and channel oracles. The reader will learn how to safely evoke entities, invoke deities, and "assume the Godform"-a major tenet of ancient Egyptian religion.

Publishers Weekly

Disappointingly inaccessible, this primer contains none of the handy reference tools normally associated with a beginners' guide. Nowhere is the "Getting Started" list of things to have on hand: altar accoutrements, offering items, sacred texts. Also missing are a "Know Your Deities" chart and a glossary of terms. Instead, the authors provide more of an advanced fireside chat on Egyptian Paganism. They provide some guidelines, but even these can be unclear: "The shrine or altar should preferably be placed in the east, the direction of sunrise, or else so that you are facing towards Egypt; but if this is not possible, it does not really matter, as all directions have some sacred significance." The text is peppered with odd references to other religions: the writers compare the concept of heka (Egyptian magic) to the Christian Logos (Word of God); and later, while discussing the assumption of a "godform," they encourage spontaneity by quoting the New Testament letter of 2 Peter. Though the authors devote a chapter to the invocation of each god or goddess, here too, the first-time reader becomes more muddled than enlightened. Mythology mixes with seemingly stream-of-consciousness musings, and the authors sometimes drop various oh-by-the-way suggestions that seem disjointed, as when they encourage readers to use the same incantations with other neteru (gods). Better organized, this text could provide an interesting and useful tool in pursuing pagan worship. Unfortunately, as is, it more likely will discourage even the most diligent of beginners. (May) Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.