Faith and Magick in the Armed Forces: A Handbook for Pagans in the Military

By Stefani Elizabeth Barner

Book Overview

Faith and Magick in the Armed Forces provides practical guidance and genuine support to military Pagans and Wiccans as they proudly serve our country. Many issues that face Pagan military members and their families are explored in depth--practicing their faith, relocation, overseas deployment, preparing for combat, returning as veterans, working for peace. Religious freedoms, legal issues, and rights are clarified, and resources for help are given. Faith and Magic in the Armed Forces offers knowledgeable advice, helpful rituals and meditations designed specifically for the military experience, and candid interviews with Pagan servicepersons and their loved ones. Respectful and straightforward, this one-of-a-kind handbook is essential for Pagans serving in a predominantly Christian military.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0738711942
• ISBN13: 9780738711942
• Release Date: May 2008
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
• Length: 289 Pages
• Weight: 0.94 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 6.0" x 8.9"

Customer Reviews

Good book for the Pagan looking to join the military.

This book is a good tool for Pagan/Wiccan who wishes to know more about the military and what they can expect when they do without going through the recruiter. It has some good spells for the solitary practitioner and some rituals for the clan upon entry. It is also without pictures or symbols so if you have already joined the military and have to travel to countries that frown on this religion, this book won't affend.

Wonderful addition to the military library

It is amazing that the military tries so hard to not support pagans in the service. This book shows what resources a servicemembers spouse might use to get their faith inside the wire. I am a servicemember and not all the resources are available to active personnel since we do work for the man. But I did give a copy to my chaplain so they can understand us pagans more and they should feel more open to talk to the pagans.

Helpful and Considerate

Stefani Barner explores some of the basic issues that military Pagans face in the military today. While she does explore issues of the dichotomy of working for peace while waging war, she does not do so in a way that belittles the sacrifices or seriousness of those engaged in war. She states many times in the book that all soldiers work towards peace and that there are times when war must be the instrument of peace. She describes some basic obstacles that Pagans face in gaining recognition and working their way through the initiatory experience that the military is. And she provides commentary by other military Pagans, as she is one herself, that expands the perspective of the book. As a member of a three-generational military Pagan family, I must say that we have all found this book to be accurate, moving and helpful. So many of the things she offers are from her own heart and touched ours. I would recommend this book to any military Pagan or to any Pagan that is looking to understand the viewpoint of the military Pagan.