Pagan Portals

Joanna van der Hoeven is a Druid, bestselling author and teacher. She is the cofounder of Druid College UK. Joanna moved to the UK in 1998, where she now lives with her husband in a small village in Suffolk near the coast of the North Sea.

Storytelling and practicality combine to guide the reader through the creation and uses of ritual tools. Joanna is clearly inspired by the ancient tales and offers useful insights and ethical understanding to ground old teachings in a contemporary setting. A clear passion for the Land permeates the book and will inspire many readers to deepen their links to their own local landscapes. The ritual format moves beyond the Wiccan styles familiar in so many other books, to consider practices rooted in myth and Insular Celtic culture. Whilst built on solid scholarship, this book is accessibly written and engaging, a definite bonus to the bookshelves of those starting out in Druidry as well as experienced walkers wanting to revise and reconsider their journeys.--Robin Herne, Course Leader, Religious Studies and Ethics, University Campus Suffolk and author of Old Gods, New Druids Concise, precise and, despite its brevity, comprehensive. Indeed, just like a true Crane Bag, this book contains all you need plus that little bit extra. Its open and friendly style makes it an easy read and it gets directly to the point. But don't be deceived by that into thinking it is superficial. Far from it. A wonderful little tome that provides the perfect start for a lifelong practical exploration of an essential part of the Druid Way.--Graeme K Talboys, author of The Path Through the Forest: A Druid Guidebook, Way of the Druid and Arianrhod's Dance