Patricia J. Telesco Books

The beat is a universal form of communication, transcending time and culture. Contemporary drumming thrives, especially in the neopagan community, where festivals and workshops featuring drumming circles are immensely popular. Across various settings—healing centers, nursing homes, women's centers, and schools—people are coming together to form drumming circles. This exploration honors every aspect of drumming, both historical and practical. The first part delves into the history of drums and drumming circles, revealing the myths, superstitions, and religions associated with them. From West Africa to Tibet, and from Siberia to Apache territory, stories highlight the significance of drums in human experience, illustrating their role in stress relief, communication, and spiritual praise. Following this historical context, practical guidance is provided on selecting and caring for drums, as well as drum etiquette and the elements that make a successful drum circle. The book also explores various group drumming practices, from Native American PowWows to community gatherings, offering insights on how to participate. It concludes with a section on creating personal drumming magic through meditations, prayers, and divinations aimed at fostering wellbeing and spiritual awareness. By engaging with the drum, individuals can forge a transformative partnership with the Ancestors, Spirit, and their own soul, nurturing both community and

Call them elders, teachers, priests, or they are the forefront of a growing movement known as neo-paganism. This renaissance in pre-Christian religions represents a wide range of belief systems, such as Wicca, neo-Druidism, and other earth-based faiths. Compiled by pagan author Patricia Telesco, CAKES AND ALE FOR THE PAGAN SOUL offers 50 hearty doses of magic, wisdom, history, and humor for modern witches and druids. Notable contributors include Margot Adler (Drawing Down the Moon), Starhawk (The Spiral Dance), Raymond Buckland (Buckland’s Complete Book of Witchcraft), and many more. This A-to-Z compendium covers diverse topics such as community, mindfulness, children, and ritual, weaving a colorful tapestry of modern pagan views and values. You’ll be regaled with insightful stories and read tips about integrating pagan practices into the modern world through ritual and activism. Contributors also share recipes for their favorite incense blends, purposeful potions, and magical menus. So, take a seat on the communal hearth, and let CAKES AND ALE fill you with the warmth, sustenance, and inspiration every neo-pagan needs.