

You might be like me with your love of Pagan, Spiritual and Magical books. We have walls of bookcases laden with amazing knowledge and wisdom from throughout the ages. Magic, archaeology, history, mythology, books on various Paths, guided visualisations, Gods, hundreds of the things. Some I’ve read cover to cover, others I’ve dipped into when the need arises. The quality has mostly improved over the years, particularly from the publishers Llewelyn (I’m looking at you 21 Lessons of Merlyn back in the day…OMGs. I’ll never get those hours back reading you) whose latest batch of younger authors really are a credit to our traditions. They remind me a little of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal (NWOBHM) bands that broke new ground in Metal music in the early 80s. Many of those bands are still headlining festivals around the world and influenced a whole new generation of bands. These new writers are our NWOAPA – New Wave of Awesome Pagan Authors – and I’m sure their books will influence others for many years to come.
But.
Yes, there’s always a but.
I’ve always thought that if the Gods really exist (which I believe they do) they exist in the pages of the Natural world. If Paganism is truly a nature-based spiritual path, then deep wisdom comes from the Book of Nature itself. It’s no surprise to me that so many of our Pagan Gods and Goddesses either appear as part animal or have distinct relationships with particular animals or birds. My discomfort with human-centric Paganism comes from the feeling I have that the Gods are not here just for human beings, and our wants and needs.
I remember reading in the Robert MacFarlane book The Old Ways he says something like, The Moon waxes and wanes in circles, the Sun moves in circles, the seasons and our lives move in circles, our ancestors built their temples in circles, and the birds build their nests in circles, for theirs is the same religion as ours.
When I read that I literally shouted “YES! YES! That’s it!”

I don’t believe the Spirits of Nature we have called Gods are there just for us, they are part of everything, and thus the birds, animals, plants, fish, insects, everything, understand that relationship. My dog Oscar knows Cernunnos. He might not see or sense him as a human-shaped figure with horns, but he will know that energy as something that speaks to his senses. If we suggest otherwise doesn’t that just make Paganism another human-centric religion no different from any of the big monotheistic religions that place us above all other life?
If we really want to understand the energy of the Horned God how about heading out of the house and watching the deer in rutting season; the Morrighan shares her wisdom through the lives and ways of the Corvid; if we want to get to know Rhiannon watch a mare with her foal. I really believe that the roots of our understanding of these Gods and Goddesses, their stories and myths, all began with our ancestors’ efforts for survival and their place in the world around them, and it was the Book of Nature that taught them those ways.
Human constructs and the ways we live have separated us from Nature. Nature has become something out there, something we observe rather than something we are, and thus we have to re-learn that relationship. Books are a good place to start, but somewhere deep within us there still exists that place where we can learn to open up to different ways of being. A way that teaches us the language of birds, plants, animals and trees. It’s the place where we open a different book. One we have unknowingly carried with us all our lives. One that appears before us on the walk through the forest, on the path up the mountain or hill, beside the still lake or tumbling stream. This book is in the voices of the birds, the sound of the water, the taste of the air, and the power of the rock beneath our feet. Its language takes time to learn. At first, we might only understand the occasional word. But then more words make sense until eventually, we begin to communicate, and a new and powerful conversation begins.
Just yes! Thank you.
Thank you Damh! I agree with you so much. I’ve been taking to the forests a lot lately and I feel so at home there. Being in the trees takes my felt sense of isolation and frustration and melts it gently away. I just discovered these articles and I’m so grateful for them. Thanks again!
Thank you for this marvelous discourse on this subject. I have had numerous conversations about this very thing. I look forward to reading this in full.
I am one of those book collectors, since the 80s, who no longer has shelf space in my home so many books are packed in boxes(and going to local libraries soon)..and I value knowledge greatly. But what brought me to the deep and wordless understanding of the path I am on was actually living in “nature”, observing cycles of sun and moon,growing patterns, growing and making my own plant medicines…so a “new and powerful conversation” did indeed, begin.
Thank you for this beautiful and important reminder. I could have studied for 100 years and not gained half of what my move to the countryside has given me…ineffable, profound, liberating.
Oh yes indeed. Thank you Damh!
Ah, Damh, what a delight and privilege it would be to sit in Nature somewhere listening to her voice, and then be able to chat with you, too. That not being my reality, I am grateful to be able to read your words here… “At first, we might only understand the occasional word. But then more words make sense until eventually, we begin to communicate, and a new and powerful conversation begins.” Yes .. this!!! Your music takes me there, Penny’s gentle guidance takes me there, and now my soul and my body take me there, hungry as they are to feel that energy again and learn more.
So much yes! <3 I learn far more from communicating with nature directly than I do from books. I love books, but it's not the same experience at all.
I’m the same as you, have a library of beloved books but at some point you must stick you head out the door and become a part of Nature again. She’s the best reference book in existance. Well said!
Passionate reading thank you Damh and so refreshing. The beauty and strength of all Nature is the book to learn with, it’s there and costs nothing to immerse into enjoying the heights and the depths….lovely stuff☺️
Living in a heavily populated area its easy to think of nature as something we need to travel to on the weekend. Getting away to quiet places is great, but nature happens seven days a week where ever we are. The Green Grimoire blogs are an insperation to celebrate being part of it every day.
Thanks!
I’m already enjoying this immensely, just what was needed at this time Dave, so nice to be here and know ‘there are others out there just like you’ and share this experience in what truly matters.