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Gary R Varner
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The major influences in my life have been those early anthropologists, ethnologist and folklorists who studied the early and contemporary cultures of humankind, exploring the technology, rich oral traditions, folklore and religious structures that are still so abundant in the world.
The need for universal respect and enjoyment of our differences is paramount. To do otherwise only cheats us all of our common heritages.
"If we lose touch with mythology, with ancient stories and songs and ways of doing things, we lose our humanity. We become as superficial as an Internet search or a television comedy. We'll end up looking back on our past with as little comprehension as most people today have of Egyptian hieroglyphics, or the meaning of Stonehenge."--novelist Phillip DePoy, 2007.
Gargoyles, Grotesques & Green Men is now available through most online retailers. Illustrated with dozens of photographs from Viet Nam and Turkey, the UK and across the United States, this is a fascinating look at the ancient symbols and icons that continue to surface in our modern world.
Publication History:
Essays in Contemporary Paganism 2000
Water of life Water of Death: The Folklore and Mythology of Sacred Waters 2004
Menhirs, Dolmen and Circles of Stone: The Folklore and Magic of Sacred Stone 2004
The Mythic Forest, the Green Man and the Spirit of Nature 2006
Strangely Wrought Creatures of Life & Death: Ancient Symbolism in European and American Architecture 2006
The Dark Wind: Witches and the Concept of Evil 2007 (Available in both trade paper and in a special beautiful hardcover edition, titled The Roots of Witchcraft)
Creatures in the Mist: Little People, Wild Men and Spirit Beings Around the World - A Study in Comparative Mythology 2007
The Sword in Myth & Legend 2007
Mysteries of Native American Myth and Religion 2007
The Gods of Man: Gods of Nature - God of War 2007
Maria Lionza: An Indigenous Goddess of Venezuela 2007
The Use & History of Amulets, Charms and Talismans 2008
Gargoyles, Grotesques & Green Men: Ancient Symbolism in European and American Architecture 2008
The Owens Valley Paiute - A Cultural History 2009
Sacred Wells: A Study in the History, Meaning, and Mythology of Holy Wells & Waters - has been reissued in a 2nd edition August 2009 by Algora Publishing
Visit Folklore, History & The Study of MythVisit Folklore, History & The Study of Myth
Accomplishments: Gary has been listed in successive editions of Who's Who in America and Who's Who in the World and is a member of the American Folklore Society and the Foundation for Mythological Studies.
His books have been purchased by over 800 university and public libraries around the world, including the National Museum of the American Indian at the Smithsonian in Washington, DC.
Varner's articles and books have been referenced or cited in the following publications:
1) “The Unveiling of the sacred in Eliade’s Men and Stones” by Ali Shehzad Zaidi, Humanities Department, State University of New York at Canton in neohelicon, Vol. 36, Number 1/June 2009 published by Akadėmiai Kiadó and Springer Science+Business Media
2) Ghosts of the Southern Tennessee Valley by Georgiana C. Kotarski (Paperback - Jun 1, 2006) John F. Blair, Publisher
3) Robert Koch and the Study of Anthrax (Uncharted, Unexplored, and Unexplained) by Kathleen Tracy (Library Binding - Sep 2004) Mitchell Lane Publishers (September 2004)
4) Beings - Webster's Specialty Crossword Puzzles, Volume 2: The Enthusiast's Edition (Paperback) ICON Group International, Inc. (May 5, 2009)
5) Mystical Places and Marvelous Meals: A Travel Cookbook (Paperback) by Sara Nieves-Grafals (Author), Al Getz (Contributor) iUniverse, Inc. (December 13, 2005)
6) Treat or Trick? Halloween in a Globalising World by Hugh O'Donnell (Hardcover - Feb 1, 2009) Cambridge Scholars Publishing (February 1, 2009)
7) “Nix”, New World Encyclopedia, http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/entry/Nix
8) “Externsteine” in Atlas Obscura http://atlasobscura.com/places/externsteine
9) The Green Man Biography, Links, Resources http://www.egreenway.com/meditation/greenman.htm
10) Myths, Legends, and Sacred Stories http://www.nativetreesociety.org/myths/index_myths.htm
11) More on the Wishing Tree Tradition, November 3, 2008 in Oldtent Archives 2007-2008 http://arch0708.goldtent.net/2008/11/03/more-on-the-wishing-tree-tradition/
11) Could this possibly be a Vortex ???? http://www.supernaturalconnections.com/blog/view/id_754/title_could-this-possibly-be-a-vortex/
12) The Green Man Mythos http://www.nativetreesociety.org/myths/green_man_mythos.htm
13) Restoration and the Sacred Mushroom: Did Joseph Smith use Psychedelic Substances
to Facilitate Visionary Experiences? Presented at the Sunstone Symposium, August 2007 by Robert T. Beckstead http://www.mormonelixirs.org/
14) Midwives Neg – LR Lab www.debatecoaches.org/openevidence/wp-content/uploads
15) Healing the Earth http://futurepositive.synearth.net/2005/11/07/
16) Why Gods Exist http://www.atimes.net/The-Edge/The-Lounge/171763-Why-Gods-Exist.html
17) Robin Hood “Under the Greenwood Tree”: Peasants’ Revolt and the Making of a Medieval Legend by Danielle Sabatka HIST 495: Independent Research Dr. Martha Rampton 1 May 2008 http://www.pacificu.edu/as/history/students/sabatka.pdf
18) Venezuela's Maria Lionza ... 16th century native girl, born to an Indian chief http://www.vheadline.com/readnews.asp?id=77241
19) YEŞİL ÜZERİNE DEĞİŞİK MİTOLOJİK,EZOTERİK YAKLAŞIMLAR Kategori: Katran ve Tüy — Etiketler: altın dal, hulk, osiris, pagan, pan, yeşil adam, Dosyalar, Katran ve Tüy — KatranveTuy @ 09:21PM WednesdaySeptember17th, 2008
http://www.katranvetuy.com/?tag=pan
religious-book-store.com
booksXYZ
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Books
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 | Maria Lionza: An Indigenous Goddess of Venezuela by Gary R Varner
Maria Lionza, a 16th century Indian girl is now a goddess to one-third to one-half of the people of Venezuela. Little known in the west, this book examines her life and the native traditions that have embraced her as well as the political clout that she has in the 21st century. This fascinating religion is a mixture of Native traditions, Santeria and Catholicism....
Click here to buy this book!
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Articles
The Treatment of Death Among the Paiute by Gary R Varner
An excerpt from the book, The Owens Valley Paiute - A Cultural History by Gary R. Varner ...
Lilith and Baal--Two Stories by Gary R Varner
An excerpt from the book, The Gods of Man by Gary R. Varner...
The Paiute Cosmology by Gary R Varner
An excerpt from a book in progress, The Owens Valley Paiute: A Cultral History by Gary R. Varner....
Gargoyles & Grotesques by Gary R Varner
A short excerpt from a book now available from Lulu Press, "Gargoyles, Green Men & Grotesques: Ancient Symbols in the Architecture of Europe and America", by Gary R. Varner...
The Creation of Supernatural Beings by Gary R Varner
An excerpt from Gary R. Varner's book, The Gods of Man....
The Folklore of Trees by Gary R Varner
An excerpt from Gary R. Varner's book, The Mythic Forest, the Green Man and the Spirit of Nature....
A reply to ecauldron by Gary R Varner
I recently became aware that I was subject to discussion on a pagan forum site, called "ecauldron." People on the site maligned my recent book, Creatures in the Mist, indicating that a search of my na...
Merry Solstice...er...Happy Yule... by Gary R Varner
No Matter What the Holiday is Called, The Message is the Same
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Fire Symbolism in Myth and Religion by Gary R Varner
An article on the mythic symbolism of fire....
Cajoling the Gods by Gary R Varner
An article about the not so different ways that humankind deals with its gods....
Leland Among the Indians by Gary R Varner
A chapter in the forthcoming book, Charles Leland: Journalist, Adventurer, Folklorist by Gary R. Varner
Halloween: An Ancient Day of Remembrance and Renewal by Gary R Varner
Samhain, today known as "Halloween", is an ancient holy day to remember the dead, to welcome in the new year, and to shrug off unwanted "baggage" from the last year. This article discusses the history...
Searching for Mermaids in the Karoo by Gary R Varner
Mermaids have been with us for thousands of years, recorded by the Babylonians back to 2000 BC and still seen today in small Irish coastal villages. This article, by South African film-maker and write...
Charles G. Leland & his views on religion by Gary R Varner
A chapter from the book in progress on 19th century folklorist and adventurer, Charles G. Leland--known today as possibly the founder of Wicca....
Charles G. Leland: Journalist, Adventurer, Folklorist by Gary R Varner
A chapter from a new biography in progress on the 19th century folklorist best known for his book, "Aradia: Gospel of the Witches." A talented man, but was he a fraud?
Why Gods Exist by Gary R Varner
A chapter from the new book by Gary R. Varner, "The Gods of Man: Gods of Nature - God of War" available from Amazon and other online stores....
Amulets for Health by Gary R Varner
A short chapter from the new book by Gary R. Varner, "The Use & History of Amulets, Charms and Talismans."...
A review copy did you say?... by Gary R Varner
An article about the bad reviews authors may receive......
The Nature of Hecate - Goddess of Witches by Gary R Varner
A chapter from a book in progress by Gary R. Varner, "Hecate - The Witches' Goddess."...
Are books and their readers becoming extinct? by Gary R Varner
A new report on the decline in reading indicates more than one cause. ...
Antiquities: The Case for Cultural Diffusion by Gary R Varner
An excerpt from "Mysteries of Native American Myth and Religion" by Gary R. Varner....
Creatures in the Mist reviewed by Library Journal by Gary R Varner
The nations "bible of the library world" reviewed Gary R. Varner's book, Creatures in the Mist in its August 15, 2007 issue....
Death in Folklore and Mythology by Gary R Varner
How is death treated in mythology? Did the concept of death create the need for religion? An article by Gary R. Varner....
Folklorist Gary R. Varner to Appear at the 9th Annual Harvest Festival by Gary R Varner
Gary R. Varner, author of numerous books and articles on folklore and mythology will attend the 9th Annual Harvest Festival in Fair Oaks, California. ...
The Green Man and the Church by Gary R Varner
An exerpt from a book on the Green Man released March 2006 from Algora Publishing. ...
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News
New Book on an Ancient Culture Released by Gary R Varner
Gary R. Varner, author of numerous books on ancient cultures, folklore and mythology, has recently released his latest book, The Owens Valley Paiute - A Cultural History....
Folklorist Gary R. Varner Interviewed on Australia's #1 Alternative Radio by Gary R Varner
Folklorist Gary R. Varner interviewed on the Underworld Show with Lia Ramses....
Biography about Charles G. Leland no longer available by Gary R Varner
Book withdrawn after personal attacks....
Pre-Historic Rock Art of California by Gary R Varner
New 18 month calendar of exceptional prehistoric rock art of California offered by folklorist Gary R. Varner....
2nd Review of Charles G. Leland: The Man & the Myth by Ghost Writer Review by Gary R Varner
A second review from Ghost Writer Review of Charles G. Leland: The Man & the Myth. ...
Sacred Wells to be reissued by Algora Publishing by Gary R Varner
Sacred Wells: A Study in the History, Meaning, and Mythology of Holy Wells & Waters by Gary R. Varner will be part of Algora Publishing's fall release....
The Ghostwriter Review reviews Charles G. Leland - The Man & the Myth by Gary R Varner
A new five star review of Gary R. Varner's biography of Charles G. Leland....
Charles G. Leland Book by Gary R. Varner Delayed at the Printer by Gary R Varner
Charles G.Leland - The Man & the Myth will have its retail release date postponed......
New Review of Hecate: The Witches Goddess by Gary R Varner
A new review from POD Book Central of Gary R. Varner's book on the ancient goddess,Hecate....
Gods of Man available for advance orders from Amazon.com by Gary R Varner
The new book by Gary R. Varner, The Gods of Man: Gods of Nature-God of War is now available from Amazon....
Mysteries of Native American Myth & Religion Available from Amazon.com by Gary R Varner
Gary R. Varner's book on Native American culture and mythology is now available from online retailers. ...
Creatures in the Mist Now Available in Hardcover by Gary R Varner
Gary R. Varner's book on mythic creatures now available in hardcover edition....
New Book on Witchcraft and The Continuing Witch Hunts Published by Gary R Varner
Press Release From PRLeap...
"Creatures in the Mist"--A new look at ancient myths and mythic creatures by Gary R Varner
Gary R. Varner's latest work, Creatures in the Mist: Little People, Wild Men and Spirit Beings Around the World--A study in comparative mythology is now available....
The Mythic Forest, the Green Man and the Spirit of Nature Now in Hardcover by Gary R Varner
Varner's latest book on world folklore and mythology, recently released in trade paper from Algora Publishing, is now avaiilable in hardcover. ...
New Painter of Mythic Art Opens Shop by Gary R Varner
An artist friend has recently opened a new online shop for prints of mythic images, including mermaids, faries, Celtic gods and goddesses, Merlin, the Green Man and more. Check it out!...
Strangely Wrought Creatures of Life & Death Released by Gary R Varner
Gary R. Varner's latest book on the symbolism of architecture released through Lulu.com....
Creatures in the Mist” by Gary R. Varner signed with Algora Publishing by Gary R Varner
New book on folklore by Gary R. Varner finds a publishing home....
Gary R. Varner's Interview on What a World Radio Postponed by Gary R Varner
Folklorist Gary R. Varner will guest on Nevyn Campanella's What a World Radio show...sometime in February 2006...
The Druid Network Review of "Menhirs, Dolmen and Circles of Stone" by Gary R Varner
A new book review by Britain's foremost Druid website, The Druid Network....
Circle Magazine Publishes Article by Gary R. Varner by Gary R Varner
"May Day: Festival of the Trees", written by Gary R. Varner published by Circle Magazine....
New Contract Signed for Green Man Book by Gary R. Varner by Gary R Varner
Folklorist Gary R. Varner signs new contract with Algora Publishing....
Folklorist/writer Gary R. Varner to Appear at the 2005 Wordstock Book Fair by Gary R Varner
Gary R. Varner will be at the Portland Annual Festival of the Book, April 23, 2005....
New Book on the Folklore of Sacred Waters to be Released January 1, 2005 by Gary R Varner
New folklore book by Gary R. Varner to be released....
New Book on Folklore Featured at the 2004 Frankfurt Book Fair by Gary R Varner
Gary R. Varner's new book on folklore featured at the Frankfurt Book Fair....
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Links
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| The Hunger Site
A quick and free way to contribute food, medicine, medical treatments and books to the needy as well as protecting rainforest land and providing food and care for animals.
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Gary R. Varner's Bookshop for Folklore & Mythology
A direct link to my book bookshop at Lulu Press where several of my newest titles can be found.
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Folklore, History & the Study of Myth
My folklore site featuring my books, events, blogs, and more. Please stop by and sign the guest book.
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Algora Publishing
The publisher of three of my newest books on folklore and mythology. Algora has recently released a second edition of Sacred Wells: A Study in the History, Meaning & Mythology of Holy Wells and Waters. This is an exanded edition with many new photographs.
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Additional information
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| Three new books are now available everywhere. These are The History & Use of Amulets, Charms and Talismans. This book is a fascinating story of the development and continued use of both unusual and everyday items to obtain health, good luck, success and influence with the gods. This book is illustrated, footnoted and indexed. Gary's 2002 book, Sacred Wells, has been issued in a second 2009 edition by Algora Publishing and is now available. In addition, The Owens Valley Paiute - A Cultural History is also available from many online retailers.
Gary's other books include The Mythic Forest, The Green Man and the Spirit of Nature which is a global analysis of the Green Man tradition in folklore from the Old World to the New. It is also a book about the folklore and mythology of tree and forest lore and contains many never before published photos of the Green Man in Wales, Ireland, England and across the United States. A must for those interested in nature lore and the Green Man archetype. He has also released a book on the ancient symbolism found in European and American architecture called "Strangely Wrought Creatures of Life & Death." Illustrated with over 50 photos of gargoyles, grotesques and other creatures and symbols, this book is a must for anyone interested in symbolism, folklore and architectural history. It is an area many find fascinating but also an area with almost no serious study devoted to it.
Six books published in 2007 include Algora Publishing's Creatures in the Mist: Little People, Wild Men and Spirit Beings Around the World and, from Lulu Press, The Dark Wind: Witches and the Concept of Evil,The Roots of Witchcraft, The Sword in Myth & Legend, Mysteries of Native American Myth and Religion, and, The Gods of Man: Gods of Nature - God of War.
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Contact
Information
PO Box 15635
Sacramento
CA
95852
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