Pagan Portal serves as a reminder of living things we do not think to see: our local flora and fauna we have neglected since we take them for granted. It gives us an idea of how paganism and the connection to nature works such that someone such as I, not a practicing pagan, can appreciate the power in the practices.

I received this novel for free in exchange for an honest review through Netgalley.

Cringe. It missed the mark. I hate to say that, because I honestly appreciate the author's attempt to bring attention to a subject that deserves attention. She included a great deal of information about Australian witchcraft that I was interested in learning about, knowing absolutely nothing about it to start with.



But it felt disjointed and dry. Using the word 'Druid' also detracts from the uniqueness of Australian witchcraft, with Druidry being a very specific Pagan religion that has nothing to do with Austrialia or Australian Witchcraft. Therefore, it felt like a device by which the author intended to draw in an intended audience, which feels cheap. Australians deserve to have their practice stand on its own legs, not cower under a title for a completely different practice.

My feelings aside, it could have been better and it could have been worse. It was more information than I was aware of, but felt very generalized and scattered. It's a good start point, I suppose.

This books gives a great glance into an ancient and often misunderstood practice, this time set in Austrailia. When most people think druids, they think of Europe. Rooted deeply in nature, Druidry is close to other practices that are nature-based, and this book provides a great overview for the curious.

I’ll admit, when I saw this title I believed it was a contradiction in terms. Maybe not a direct contradiction, but when I hear “druid” I think of pre-Christian western Europeans, not Australia.

Some of the most cherished seasonal celebrations in Western/European culture don’t make a ton of sense in the southern hemisphere. With the natural seasons inverted, celebrating Christmas in mid-summer with all its northerly symbols of snow, reindeer, and sleighs seems a bit off. I was pleased to see this very confusion inspired Julie Brett’s work in this book.

I don’t follow a druidic path, but I enjoy reading and learning about belief systems centered in nature. The ideas presented aren’t new, but the fluidity of practice described here feels truer than clinging to what’s familiar for familiarity's sake. It feels brave, embracing a sparse map of belief to find individual meaning in the land you’re in.

There’s enough in the book for anyone with an interest in druidry. If you’re a fan of plant and animal symbolism, she includes some of that. If you’re in search of ritual structures flexible enough to follow you through your travels, there’s some of that too.

I particularly enjoyed Brett’s suggestions on searching for symbolism for yourself, though observing and recording the natural forces at work in your life. I live in a desert. Though December - February is still winter in the US, seasons in our climate mean the opposite of what they mean in most parts of the country. I look forward to using some of these tools to embrace where I live.

There’s little in this book that could cause offense. Respect is reinforced frequently, especially with regard to native peoples’ sacred spaces and symbols.

I’d happily recommend this to someone interested in learning about current druidic practice. Yes, it’s focused on Australia, but the author makes every natural location accessible by sharing how she worked to make Australia accessible. It is well-rounded instruction, useful anywhere.

I’d also give this book to anyone with a desire to connect more with nature and with history. There are wonderful suggestions about record keeping, setting aside time to meditate, and developing intuitive observation skills.

http://www.arbeckert.com/20170913/australian-druidry-connecting-with-the-sacred-landscape-by-julie-brett/