Review: Pagan Portals - A Guide to Pilgrimage

Can pilgirmages actually be pagan? The answer by Thea Prothero, in her new book on the topic, is yes, they can. She writes that a pilgrimage is a journey to a specific, meaningful, destination "such as a place of spiritual or religious significance, or a site associated with an important...event". 

Traditionally pilgrimages were journeys on foot. I've long been passionate about walking for spiritual, magical, artistic, or psychic purposes, sensing the energy of the land and environment, and using the activity to create change as well as to visit wonderful places. Here are links to a few of my blog posts on:

• Walking spells
• Psychogeography
• Art trails
• Labyrinths
  
• Esoteric explorations from London

I also once went on a ley line pilgrimage to St Brides Well. However, I've never truly been on a walk of many days, let alone weeks, that taxed my endurance and felt as transformative as the traditional pilgrimages covered in Thea's book. She describes her own journey to Iona, which she had been called to do in dreams, and which ended in an empowering and healing experience. 

Iona is a Christian site, but Thea insists people of all faiths and none are welcome there. She follows a Heathen path. People go on pilgrimages for many different reasons, including, Thea writes: "to seek meaning in their lives, to deepen their relationship with their belief system, or the hope of achieving personal transformation."

She adds: "One thing that is common throughout most religions and paths of spirituality, is that pilgrimage is accepted as a means to achieve a unique transcendent awareness that cannot be achieved any other way."

Her book details many types of pilgrimages, including types suitable for those who are less mobile. She also covers ways to prepare both practically and spiritually to ensure getting the most from the experience. 

Here's the synopsis of Pagan Portals - A Guide to Pilgrimage on publisher Moon Books website:

"Pilgrimage is one of the oldest forms of sacred journeying. But how does it fit into the 21st century and, more importantly, how is it relevant to our tech-heavy super-busy lives? This book is a blueprint for understanding how going on a pilgrimage will spiritually fulfill and, ultimately, transform you. Discover how this ancient practice can be traced through history and how it still plays a significant role in the many paths of faith today. Here, you'll find stories of modern pilgrimage, words of wisdom from literature, meditations, and tools to inspire you towards taking your first physical steps on your journey."

Author Thea Prothero loves walking in the wild places and finding connection through nature to divinity in its many forms. She lives in southern UK.

You can view Pagan Portals - Pilgrimage on Amazon. (Please note I earn commission from some links.)

Other previous related posts:
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2022/11/books-milestone-of-success-for-guided.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2023/02/review-wanderland-search-for-magic-in.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2021/04/enjoying-easter-and-belated-yule-gifts.html
http://www.badwitch.co.uk/2024/07/book-review-goblin-queens-and-qualia.html