Studying Religion Through Books

Many people first learn of Paganism through reading books, and most use books to guide their first steps on the Pagan path. Such books, if written in a clear manner by experienced people, can be valuable learning tools. Sometimes, however, reading more than a few books may lead to confusion. Authors may make contradictory statements regarding Pagan ritual practices and concepts. Some may deliberately obscure Pagan knowledge with mystic prose.

The new Solitary NeoWiccan grasping for answers, may only come up with more questions. Eventually, the books that originally inspired the Solitary may become a source of confusion and despair, and they may pack them away, deciding that no real learning can be achieved with them. This is a shame, and can be avoided by keeping these few concepts in mind:

1. Books are Tools

Books provide us with lessons. Those lessons are meant to be used; it is not enough to simply read a book. We have to actively put the lessons we learn through books to active work.

2. Books Can’t Answer Every Question

Then again, neither can every High Priest[ess], either. Still, not all of the information you seek will be contained in books to begin with. Some things- especially things such as the Mysteries- will require direct personal experience in order to learn or understand. Others will require synthesis and syncretism, or other skills, in order to put together yourself.

3. Be Discriminatory In Your Reading

If an author makes wild statements that you know to be blatantly untrue, consider that the book is possibly a poor source for your studies. There is nothing wrong with putting it aside. Then again, there is also nothing wrong with simply discarding the untrue parts and seeing what is left to be used.

4. Mark Up Your Books

Underline things that catch your attention. Use bookmarks and dogear pages. Keep notes. Indicate valuable information and passages; keep records of your studies somehow- even if it means buying a second copy of the book to do so.

5. Combine Sources

Study the combined teachings of multiple books and assimilate the information; this process of collecting, combining, and utilizing information is one of the most important parts of learning any new skill, profession, or hobby (etc), and is part of the process of Synthesis.

6. If Books Are Too Expensive

Consider either learning to budget differently, haunting local used book stores, and local sales, or simply visiting your local library; most libraries will have at least a minimal selection of materials. If they do not themselves, materials can still be obtained through the 'Interlibrary Loan' (ILL) system, if they are a participant. Additionally, you may also use your local Library to access many Academic Journals online when needed.

7. Don’t Treat Reading As Passive

Play an active part in reading by questioning everything; books may be great teachers, but their authors are still Human. Never simply take an author at their word. Think about what you’re learning, too, and really examine it. More importantly: Confirm all scientific, historical, medical, and other claims made by authors with further academic research. Especially if the text is old.

Keep in mind something of further importance, however: Books aren’t infallible sources of information. They are written by Human authors, and Human authors can be wrong, and express their own personal biases and bigotries. Yet they're still invaluable allies on the solitary path- especially if you keep the following points always in close mind.

• Books are not in and of themselves sacred. They are merely tangible vessels for our knowledge and stories. Sometimes those stories become outdated, or their vessels wear out and must be replaced. This is not a tragedy. It is merely a basic fact of life and use.
  
  
• Each book is a different teacher, and none speak for the whole; differing experience and training creates specific ideals and opinions within each book’s author, and these ideals and opinions are what are being presented within each of their works. Each author therefore has their own individual ideas about a topic, and instructs their student in their own unique ways.
  
  
• Divergences of opinion are natural in any field and shouldn’t dismay those who are confronted by them. When you’re challenged by seemingly contradictory information regarding such religious instruction in books, examine this information and make a decision as to which to follow; if you have fine-tuned your intuition, listen to it and allow it to guide you.