Jocelyn Almond and Keith Seddon Reviews

Added November 12, 2004

Egyptian Paganism for Beginners

Authors: Jocelyn Almond and Keith Seddon
Publisher: Llewellyn Publishing
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: Available Now
Genre: Nonfiction: New Age/Magick
Format: Trade Paperback
Price: $12.95
ISBN: 0-7387-0438-5
Reviewer: Cyndi Witkus

I'm a student of ancient Egypt, including the ancient cosmology, religion and use of magick. Getting a chance to read and look deeply into this book, I wanted to make sure to do it some justice. Consulting not only my personal books, but also pulling up various resources, I contrasted and compared the rituals in this book to the known rituals of the ancient Egyptians. Though they oft quoted from Wallis Budge's translation of the Book of the Dead, it's not the one used most often today, as many scholars and laypeople prefer the accuracy of Faulkner. I think they would've had done much better with a more accurate translation, thus increasing the understanding of heka.

Though this book doesn't follow many of the traditionally known rituals, I did enjoy trying them. There were some points in which I found some inaccuracies, like in the use of ka and its meaning, I did see how they were attempting to fuse both how we as people are with an ancient culture that some would find very hard to comprehend. The rituals were not only enjoyable, but also gave a sense of connecting with the essence of the Egyptian gods. I do, however, wish that they had included a pronounciation key for many of the ancient Egyptian words as many people would prefer to have some guidance as they replicate the rituals.

As a beginning book of Egyptian Paganism, this is a good start, though not as accurate in regards to what's really known about the ancient Egyptian religion and heka. Both of the authors have done great with recalling the various myths and legends as well as incorporating them into rituals that anyone interested can use and feel successful in reaching the ancient deities of Egypt.

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