Recent Reviews for Gary R Varner
|
Hecate: The Witches' Goddess (Book) - 6/16/2009 5:42:59 AM
I have always been intrigued with Hecate. It started when I first read MacBeth. I write Goddess poetry (among other subjects) and am compiling a book entitled, The Goddess, A Journey of Fantasy ". I don't think I have written a poem about Hecate, so you have inspired me to do so. Thank you for that.
I wish you success with your book.
Much peace, love, and light,
Amber "V" Moonstone
Amber "V"
Gargoyles, Grotesques & Green Men: Ancient Symbolism in European... (Book) - 2/16/2008 2:04:28 PM
I loved this book. Now I see the Green Man everywhere!
The Sword and Dagger in Myth & Legend (Book) - 3/12/2007 1:20:43 PM
Congratulations on the release of your new book!
Chrissy
The Sword and Dagger in Myth & Legend (Book) - 3/7/2007 3:28:39 PM
Greetings Mr. Varner,
I just wanted to drop you a little note letting you know that I just purchased this and your latest book. I actually have all of your titles and I have enjoyed them a great deal. They are definitely part of my most treasured section of my personal library.
Keep writing! .:)
Namaste,
Kris Walker
Strangely Wrought Creatures of Life & Death: Ancient Symbolism ... (Book) - 11/16/2006 4:52:16 PM
Anyone who can do such dedicated research truly amazes me! Congrats on your new book.
Chrissy
The Mythic Forest, the Green Man and the Spirit of Nature (Book) - 3/24/2006 3:14:04 PM
Congratulations on your new book!
The Mythic Forest, the Green Man and the Spirit of Nature (Book) - 3/24/2006 7:53:16 AM
This book sounds truly fascinating. As a forest lover my entire life, and a lover of ancient myths and lore, I can't wait to read it.
Sacred Wells: A Study in the History, Meaning and Mythology of Holy Wells & Waters (Book) - 12/8/2002 8:06:27 AM
Ah, Gary, you are a kindred spirit! I am definitely putting your book on my "to buy" list! Looks fascinating in various aspects; both sociologically and nature-wise as well.
Sacred Wells: A Study in the History, Meaning and Mythology of Holy Wells & Waters (Book) - 7/24/2002 6:39:45 PM
Sacred Wells is an excellent reference on holy wells and springs around the world. Photos taken by the author complement the text and make it an enjoyable read. I recommend to to anyone with an interest in the topic.
The Treatment of Death Among the Paiute (Article) - 9/22/2009 3:10:32 AM
A fascinating article and so well written.
The Paiute Cosmology (Article) - 7/20/2009 8:49:50 AM
enjoyed the read
The Folklore of Trees (Article) - 3/11/2009 1:53:33 PM
As a long-time environmental educator/conservationist, I find your subject irresistible. I love folklore especially as it relates to nature. This is a very enticing excerpt as it's convinced me to check out your book. I already own Fred Hageneder's The Meaning of Trees (Botany, History, Healing, Lore).
Best wishes for success.
A reply to ecauldron (Article) - 1/24/2009 12:19:30 PM
Gary, I find it shameful when those who disagree with any small thing about our work find it necessary to bash the entire product. I have always found your work to be well-researched and intelligently presented, whether it coincides with any long-held beliefs of mine or not. There have even been times, believe it or not, when your research has turned my head back to doing my own research on the subject, so that I might either prove myself right or teach myself something you've opened my eyes to. I hope you will keep us advised as to any replies you receive from ecauldron regarding this matter.
Fire Symbolism in Myth and Religion (Article) - 10/29/2008 4:23:49 PM
Aries, the Ram, my element is fire. Thanks for sharing this - educational and enlightening.
Fire Symbolism in Myth and Religion (Article) - 10/22/2008 2:45:17 PM
interesting read
Cajoling the Gods (Article) - 10/11/2008 12:51:57 AM
I've read that the Chinese treated threated their gods as if they were state officials, and if the god failed to comply with his worshipers' request he was removed from his post.
Master Eckhart takes has an interesting view on the problem. I've read in a second hand reference that Master Eckhart compared a Christian's love for God to farmers' love for a cow - both being examples of love that's fueled by a prospect of benefit. I haven't yet encountered this statement in any of the Eckhart's sermon I've read myself, but, on the other hand, I haven't yet managed to read the entire corpus of his work.
Interesting article.
The Use of Magic in Christianity (Article) - 4/10/2008 8:10:29 AM
Acutally, the Christian ban on magic goes further back than the fifth century. One of the oldest Christian books outside the Bible, the Didache, says the following:
Didache 2:2 - Thou shalt not practice magic. Thou shalt not practice sorcery.
Didache 3:4 - Be neither an enchanter, nor an astrologer, nor a purifier, nor be willing to took at these things, for out of all these idolatry is engendered.
Didache 5:1 - Now the way of death is this: First of all, it is evil and full of curses: murders, adulteries, strong desires, unlawful sex acts, thefts, idolatries, magic acts, sorceries, robberies,
Yes, some Christians still practiced magic, but not because it was okay. The same way some Christians today don't live by the tenets of their religion, so it was back then.
A review copy did you say?... (Article) - 2/27/2008 10:30:04 AM
My experiences reflect those cited by 'Glen'. As a result I have become very selective about submitting copies for 'review' purposes, unless I have a fairly substantial advance understanding of the mindset of the reviewing entity in reference. Trading a $50 book for 2 cents worth of (frequently impoverished) attitude is not a very equitable exchange, in my opinion, nor a productive one.
Mahalo, Kalikiano
Why Gods Exist (Article) - 2/9/2008 2:20:27 AM
Ah..The difference between God and Man is that Man needs to justify and explain his extistance to himself, God does not.
A review copy did you say?... (Article) - 12/30/2007 8:01:29 AM
Gary,
It's a shame that things like this happen because of simple miscommunication, no doubt, but it's affects are profound to the author. In my own case I found that people that were requesting a review copy almost immediately put it up for sale as used on amazon.com costing me a sale as well as the cost of the copy and the shipping fees. Best wishes, *Glen*
Are books and their readers becoming extinct? (Article) - 12/27/2007 3:25:57 PM
America at Risk is a lot clearer and although sadder! to know and feel Gary!
Great informed sad article! WE all must improve!
Warm hugs and Warmer Blessings, Warrior Purple Lady Sweet Sheooxoo
STay Positive! Happier New Year Ahead!!!!
The Nature of Hecate - Goddess of Witches (Article) - 12/25/2007 4:39:25 AM
Excellent informative article. Many thanks for this well written resource.
Keith
Are books and their readers becoming extinct? (Article) - 12/3/2007 10:30:43 AM
Thought-provoking article. It's difficult for me to assess the true magnitude of the decline in reading: to what extent is it "bad" and to what extent does it signify change from one medium to another? Does an e-book count as a book either in the official numbers of books read or within this discussion? If the number crunchers aren't counting e-books, the numbers are misleading. If we discount the change from paper books and magazines to e-books and "good" websites, then we're missing much of the literate, "quality" reading that's going on. I'm biased, of course, because I grew up with paper books and book-and-library-style research. I'm flabbergasted when I hear people calling a quick scan of several websites an example of "research," especially when the sites consulted have been written based on other websites. I do think America's at risk, as you say; I do hope, though, that the on-line/e-book reading counts for something.
Malcolm
Are books and their readers becoming extinct? (Article) - 11/21/2007 5:20:36 PM
thought provoking read
Are books and their readers becoming extinct? (Article) - 11/21/2007 6:11:30 AM
Maybe we should call it "Western civilization at risk". The rapid dumbing down of the western world is accelerating.
Good article.
Keith
The Use of Magic in Christianity (Article) - 8/9/2007 1:39:28 PM
I am a practicing wiccan and it is amazing how much of the old religon that is thought of as evil in christanity is acctually in christianity!!i find it very comical. LOL!
*Winter
Death in Folklore and Mythology (Article) - 8/8/2007 12:56:39 PM
Great overview of this important subject Gary. Thanks for sharing. Malcolm Watts
Gargoyles and the Church (Article) - 6/24/2007 7:50:52 AM
Very well presented, Gary! Don't forget one very well Bible-thumped "deity," Baal. As treated in the Bible, Baal is a major threat to God (how could God be threatened?). But the Baals were generic fertility images for their tribes in spite of the "evil" way they have been presented in the Bible. I frankly have always found it entertaining that Christians insist on empowering Satan by believing in "Him." Such belief is a form of worship. I think you are right on with your reasoning about why the gargoyles were presented around the outside of the cathedral sanctuaries. Well done, Gary! I will be looking for more from you ...
Ted
Mythology: An Ancient Record of Man's Past (Article) - 5/20/2007 5:06:56 PM
Fantastic! You've done so much work on this.
Chrissy
Mythology: An Ancient Record of Man's Past (Article) - 5/14/2007 12:58:28 AM
Thank you Jennifer. This article is a fascinating read. Willie
We Should Have Listened to Caesar (Article) - 5/13/2007 5:35:57 PM
It would have been useful to include Lord Acton's quote: "Religion, next to liberty, is the motive for good deeds, as well as the common pretext for crime." Bush has perverted good principles of government and the Christian faith, to his detriment, and the pollution of faith. Perhaps the understanding of a Christian believer like Lincoln, or a more modern such as Tony Campolo, should be included in reference.
'Aint going to study war no more'.... Please don't tarnish all of us evangelicals with that brush; just as not all atheists are Stalinists.
Mythology: An Ancient Record of Man's Past (Article) - 5/13/2007 11:09:52 AM
I would have to print this to read it in its entirety, but I did get as far as the animals created. My observation has been that the animals who stand before us on all fours are in a natural position of obeisance and truly at our mercy. If we could but recognize that truth, we might make better gods.
The Mythology of the Green Man (Article) - 5/2/2007 6:49:50 PM
This was all AWESOME To read and know!
I knew some of this!
I have a green man hanging off our back bedroom window!
Protection of our many 40ft. or taller Pine trees! around us and our home! Ihave a story book on him too~ I find of great interest! and folklore...
He is also green and see through, a beauty to have close by~!
Another Blessings!
STay POsitive!
Happy and Healthy! Kate~
WArmly, WArrior Lady Sheeeoox
|
| |
|
