The Other Side of Virtue

Where our virtues came from, what they really mean, and where they might be taking us.

Published by O Books / John Hunt Publishing Co. (United Kingdom).
ISBN: 9781846941153

Release date: 25th July, 2008.

Using ancient heroic epics and sagas like Beowulf, the Illiad and Odyssey, the Eddas, the Táin Bo Cuailnge, and literature inspired by them including the works of Shakespeare, Tolkien, and J.K. Rowling, this book explains the world-view that gave birth to our virtues. In that world-view, life involves inevitable confrontations with inexplicable events like fortune, nature, other people, and death itself. However, the good life itself becomes possible when we face them and respond to them. Finally, the book calls for a revival of heroic and classical Virtue in our time.

Information, reviews, and endorsements.

Purchase from:

Amazon.ca in Canada

Chapters / Indigo in Canada

Amazon.com in the USA

Amazon.co.uk in Britain and Ireland

Direct from the publisher

And you can order it from any bookstore in any English-speaking country in the world!

A Pagan Testament

The literary heritage of the world's oldest new religion.

Published by O Books / John Hunt Publishing Co. (United Kingdom).
ISBN: 9781846941290

Release Date: 28 November 2008.

Pagans often claim that their spiritual inspiration comes not from a written scripture but from personal experience and original creativity. While this is true, there are also many written works which constitute its "testament", or its central literary expressions of spiritual identity. Some of them are thousands of years old, such as the Descent of Ishtar, and the Homeric Hymn to Demeter. Others are more recent, such as the Charge of the Goddess. These written works have not been brought together, in the same book, since the movement began.

"A Pagan Testament" collects these original works, along with the poetry and prose that inspired the founders of Wicca when it all began. It also includes the largest collection of circle songs and wisdom teachings ever published. These together form something like the Pagan equivalent of the Biblical books of Psalms and Proverbs. They show that Paganism is continually growing and being contributed to. Finally, the book includes an original and valuable philosophical commentary and interpretation.

This book includes the results of the Pagan Chant-Song Project: over 100 wisdom-teachings and 130 circle songs, contributed by almost two thousand people, from twelve different countries around the world!

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Purchase or pre-order:
Direct from the publisher.

The Mysteries of Druidry

Celtic Mysticism, Theory, and Practice

Published by New Page Books (New Jersey, USA)
Foreword by Isaac Bonewits
Illustrations by Jane Brideson

The Druids were the mystics, philosophers, and magicians of the ancient Celtic world. Their spirituality was borne from the romantic magic and the near-worship of poetry and music, warrior prowess, and the world of nature. This book describes this mystical romanticism as it was in ancient times, and offers various ways to bring it to life today in both private and social realms.

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Here are some internet radio programmes where you can hear me discuss my books and other interests:

Astraea Magazine

Deo's Shadow, pagan podcast

Purchase from:

Amazon.ca in Canada

Amazon.co.uk in Britain, Ireland, and Europe

Amazon.com in America.

Amazon.de in Germany (English language edition)

Other books coming out in 2008

Indigenous Values in Policing, Law, and Justice
This is a report I wrote for the Aboriginal Policing Directorate, Public Safety Canada (a federal government ministry). The text will be available as a free PDF download from the government's web site. A print copy will be available for a small fee. I'll post a note on this page when it becomes available.

Time and the Land
This is my doctoral thesis, on the topic of environmental ethics, conservation, and future generations. It will be published by CrackJaw, some time in 2008. Watch this space! And while waiting, have a look at my brother Ciaran's book of poetry, "The Cave" (also published by Crackjaw).

Dangerous Religion

Environmental Spirituality and its Activist Dimension

Published by Dubsar House (California, USA)

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As of January 2007, this title is out of print. There may be a few shops or booksellers with a few copies still in their inventory, but there are no garuntees. Try Little Mysteries Goddess Shop, Halifax NS, or try Melange Magique in Montreal. There might be a few sellers on Amazon.com, with a copy or two to spare. For my part, I am going to write an updated "second edition", and seek a new publisher.