People of the Earth: The New Pagans Speak Out

Being a Pagan (previously published as People of the Earth) consists of a collection of interviews conducted in 1993 and 1994 with then-prominent members of the pagan community. The interviews focus not so much on personal spiritual practices but more on beliefs and the work of the individuals with various pagan groups and organizations. The section of interviewees is not very diverse - although there is a good mix of men and women (and some queer pagans), most of them practice some flavor of Wicca or another tradition that closely resembles it. And almost everyone is white.

I would not recommend this book as an introduction to paganism and witchcraft today. Both paganism and society as a whole have changed a lot since 1994! There's a show more lot of focus on issues that aren't so pressing now - for example, AIDS, the Vietnam War, and hippies get mentioned a lot. I also think it likely that a number of the groups mentioned are no longer active (for example, the Henge of Keltria was dissolved in 2017). I think this book mainly has value today as a historical document - if you are interested in the development of paganism (mainly Wicca) in North America in the 1970s to early 1990s. I doubt that it would have much relevance to most modern pagans practicing today. show less

This was a study of Pagans done in the mid-90's, very comprehensive and well-written. It captured a large array of viewpoints and worldviews, and showed the differences and the similarities among modern Pagans well.

Very outdated. The interview with the trad that deflowers virgins ritualistically is very disturbing. I hope they disbanded. The other interviews were interesting, and it's funny to see how every tradition think they are the "right" path, much like Christianity.