The New Pagan Handbook By Pat Regan

Printed by Lear Books

An exclusive interview from Phil Rodwell of SGB website with Pagan author and founder of PAN (Pagan Anti-defamation Network), Pat Regan



Q.

Pat, what is this latest book of yours – The New Pagan Handbook- all about and what did you hope to achieve with it?

A.

In The New Pagan Handbook I seek to explore the origins of Paganism, its suppression and re-emergence and look at ways contemporary Pagans can articulate their sincerely-felt spiritual beliefs via drawing closer to the Old Gods. In the book I utilise classical Roman Paganism as a model. This work shows how one can develop rituals and magic to suit individual needs. With broad appendices on symbolism and festivals, The New Pagan Handbook will aid seekers to embrace their own personal Pagan journey.

Q.

This is your second book Pat is it better than the first one – The Torch and the Spear?

A.

In a nutshell I would say yes it is. Whilst The Torch and the Spear was a deep study in ancient myth the new book covers a wider range of information. The Torch served its purpose in killing a few sacred cows. The New Pagan Handbook seeks to go much further and appeal to an audience that requires real assistance to work their own rites and bypass much of the overtly pious theocratical monopoly that is sadly put out by groups and sanctimonious priesthoods covering the subject.

Q.

So you feel that going it alone is the way forward for modern Pagans and other occultists?

A.

Not for everyone. Some people are happy to share their spiritual path of evolution with others in a church, coven or whatever. Nevertheless, on the other hand many people wish to express their spirituality alone as solitary workers following the path of the Hermit so to speak.

Q.

Some people may consider your new work to be a severe stab at organised religion and the Church – is that so?

A.

Such a belief is very understandable. The leading religious orthodoxies have never liked to lose their iron grip on the Nation’s spirituality. They have spent many centuries suppressing native heathen beliefs and usurping them to make them their own. Go back several hundred years and a controversial book like mine, which exposes many well-accepted religious falsehoods, would have had the author treated as a wicked heretic.

Q.

Why are you so aligned to Paganism and its defence in our 21st century society?

A.

This is a deeper question than it may at first appear.

Paganism is the world's oldest religion and is part of the prehistory of all cultures. Its foundation is the belief that everything in the world, animate and inanimate is bound together with a distinct life-force and therefore every person has a duty to care for every other person and every other thing in existence because we are all part of one another. Thus Paganism promotes social harmony and is one of the few spiritual beliefs which put the planet first being inherently ecological. Sadly latter day fundamentalists have sought to humble the Old Religion and that is something which I have always strongly objected to. Paganism – being the original parental faith of all other faiths deserves respect not denigration.

Q.

Some have attacked your interfaith stance as hardline – what is your response to that allegation?

A.

Ah yes, this is an old chestnut used by certain ‘activists’ (political and well as religious-based) to mislead others against my work and factual perspective within the issue. I believe that interfaith relations between tolerant and pluralistic faiths are simply fine and beneficial. The only time I have uncompromisingly criticised that situation has been when clever missionaries, with hidden agendas, have sought to infiltrate interfaith events to foster their own sectarian beliefs and gain converts. Sadly, many who have fallen for such ruses have later attacked me – yet this has been due to my coverage of their own glaring inadequacies and gullibility rather than anything more. Others have thanked me for exposing such deceit and supported my work without reservation. Like they say though – you can’t please all of the people all of the time.

Q.

Has the Old Religion anything to offer us today?

A.

Most certainly, the answer has to be yes. Pagan ideas fit in perfectly with the new ecological consciousness that has now become so trendy in our society. The ceremonies and festivals of Paganism are many and varied throughout the world, from the highly controlled classical Greek and Roman through the ancient dances of the American Indians to the animistic tribal ceremonies of aborigines. The one essential thing which underpins all these rites is the deep human need to make oneself ‘One’ with the planet; to kind of 'come home' and atone with the Earth as a living thing.

Without wanting to wax too lyrical - I am talking about the wonderful first sense of ‘belonging’ to a greater force, felt deeply when walking alone though a beautiful woodland forest or riverside meadow in summer etc. This is something highly significant and worth protecting and worth caring about in my estimation. In many ways modern man (and woman) has forgotten how to spiritually ‘relate’ to the planet, Mother Earth, that is our home.

Q.

Do you see Paganism then as a solitary faith system or as part of a larger unit and is the Old Religion growing in numbers Pat?

A.

Modern Paganism can be observed within a family framework or group of friends and does not require one to be part of a larger group. Pagans are as a rule sociable folks, yet some are happier to practice their faith alone which is just fine too. A Census estimated that there were about 250,000 pagans in the U.K. in 1989 and that figure will no doubt have increased as the popularity and benefits of Paganism for our planet can be easily seen. In primordial times, before the coming of organised mass religions, almost everyone was Pagan by default. Sectarian accusers always tried to frighten the heathen populace away from their old ways. Sadly, thanks to the best efforts of the same types of fundamentalists and a sensationalistic media Pagans still need to be wary.

Q.

Pat, did the new book take a great deal of effort on your part?

A.

Well I would not call it “effort” at all. Writing about what you believe in and would like to share with others is an extremely enjoyable thing to do. I must also sincerely thank my publisher at Lear Books, Anna Franklin, who is a real gem with extensive experience of the subject. Anna has kindly worked hard to help me get this book into print and I can only admire her immense dedication to the subject of Pagan publishing.

Q.

Pat thanks for telling SGB about your book etc; why did you want to tell us about it?

A.

Thanks Phil, I know that you are a free-thinker and that you personally value freedom of speech on your website therefore naturally your website was high on my list. We are both local Southport guys who have worked together on various social issues as well. Thanks very much Phil for your kind interest in my latest work.

Southport's Pagan author - Pat Regan

The New Pagan Handbook is available online from this link:

http://www.merciangathering.com/learbooks/books.htm


Published by Lear Books, PO Box 12, Earl Shilton, Leics, LE9 7ZZ, UK

Email learbooks@aol.com


Special thanks to Mr Phil Rodwell of SGB website

http://www.southport.gb.com





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