Comments on: The Magic of Shapeshifting – Rosalyn Greene http://paganbookreviews.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/ Book reviews from a pagan bibliophiliac Thu, 27 May 2010 15:54:48 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: elvynwolf http://paganbookreviews.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-3597 elvynwolf Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:13:38 +0000 http://lupabitch.wordpress.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-3597 Truthfully, I've enjoyed the book, but even I had my own points of goin "WTF?!" Granted, while it's true that most reports of someone seeing a demon animal, the animal was black, I've been around black animals all my life and never have they been evil or prone to attracting evil. In fact, they've been some of the most loving companions I could have ever asked for. I didn't buy the whole "Oh, you start out as a fox and then turn into something else" crap. Even my mate, when I read that one to him was like "What the hell ever! You are what you are! If you're a wolf, you're going to be a wolf, not start out as a fox and then turn into a wolf." I do tend to think that old myths and legends about physical shifting has truth in it somewhere, but that's an entirely 'nother topic and a very lengthy one at that. I do recommend keeping the salt nearby, as it was illustrated earlier, but the information about the different types of shifts that were described I found to be quite handy and interesting. Overall, I would probably have to personally give the book at MOST 3 pawprints myself, but it's sort of a stretch. Truthfully, I’ve enjoyed the book, but even I had my own points of goin “WTF?!” Granted, while it’s true that most reports of someone seeing a demon animal, the animal was black, I’ve been around black animals all my life and never have they been evil or prone to attracting evil. In fact, they’ve been some of the most loving companions I could have ever asked for.

I didn’t buy the whole “Oh, you start out as a fox and then turn into something else” crap. Even my mate, when I read that one to him was like “What the hell ever! You are what you are! If you’re a wolf, you’re going to be a wolf, not start out as a fox and then turn into a wolf.”

I do tend to think that old myths and legends about physical shifting has truth in it somewhere, but that’s an entirely ‘nother topic and a very lengthy one at that.

I do recommend keeping the salt nearby, as it was illustrated earlier, but the information about the different types of shifts that were described I found to be quite handy and interesting.

Overall, I would probably have to personally give the book at MOST 3 pawprints myself, but it’s sort of a stretch.

]]> By: Korak http://paganbookreviews.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-2800 Korak Thu, 11 Sep 2008 20:05:08 +0000 http://lupabitch.wordpress.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-2800 I enjoyed the book when I first read in 2002, but like you, my opinion of it went down as I learned more about the therian community through actual contact with therians at howls, etc. I was particularly incensed by Greene's comments about wolf hybrids (that they are sociopathic animals with split souls, or some such derogatory nonsense), and since my uncle has lovingly raised wolf hybrids since 1990, I think I know them well enough to [i]assure[/I] everyone that Greene's comment is totally untrue. I highly recommend a book called All the Loving Wolves by Michael Belshaw as an antidote to the kind of hysteria about hybrids Greene seems to believe. I enjoyed the book when I first read in 2002, but like you, my opinion of it went down as I learned more about the therian community through actual contact with therians at howls, etc. I was particularly incensed by Greene’s comments about wolf hybrids (that they are sociopathic animals with split souls, or some such derogatory nonsense), and since my uncle has lovingly raised wolf hybrids since 1990, I think I know them well enough to [i]assure[/I] everyone that Greene’s comment is totally untrue. I highly recommend a book called All the Loving Wolves by Michael Belshaw as an antidote to the kind of hysteria about hybrids Greene seems to believe.

]]> By: Affliction http://paganbookreviews.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-2513 Affliction Tue, 15 Jul 2008 19:36:33 +0000 http://lupabitch.wordpress.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-2513 Interesting how Shifting is such a disputed topic here, considering its a common and relatively easy thing to do anywhere except earth on this plane.. I suppose Im what you would call a Therian, I've been trying to research ways of manifesting my true form on this plane, but to no avail. From my own personal experience with Shifting its naught but impossible to do here, Human bodies arent meant to shift, thats about all there is to it. My Mate tried it once and was in bed for a week because of it... However I do believe that anything may be possible with the right way of doing it, I believe it never hurts to try.. even though sometimes it does, if it doesnt kill you, it will only make you stronger! mentally stronger, at least ;) Interesting how Shifting is such a disputed topic here, considering its a common and relatively easy thing to do anywhere except earth on this plane..
I suppose Im what you would call a Therian, I’ve been trying to research ways of manifesting my true form on this plane, but to no avail. From my own personal experience with Shifting its naught but impossible to do here, Human bodies arent meant to shift, thats about all there is to it. My Mate tried it once and was in bed for a week because of it… However I do believe that anything may be possible with the right way of doing it, I believe it never hurts to try.. even though sometimes it does, if it doesnt kill you, it will only make you stronger! mentally stronger, at least ;)

]]> By: lupabitch http://paganbookreviews.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-1000 lupabitch Wed, 24 Oct 2007 22:01:59 +0000 http://lupabitch.wordpress.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-1000 Alia - start by going to Wikipedia and looking up related topics, such as lycanthropy, therianthropy, werewolf, etc. Also, I highly recommend Jamie Hall's "Half Man, Half Beast" as a superb collection of shapeshifter myths. Alia – start by going to Wikipedia and looking up related topics, such as lycanthropy, therianthropy, werewolf, etc. Also, I highly recommend Jamie Hall’s “Half Man, Half Beast” as a superb collection of shapeshifter myths.

]]> By: lupabitch http://paganbookreviews.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-999 lupabitch Wed, 24 Oct 2007 22:01:06 +0000 http://lupabitch.wordpress.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-999 Sarenth--first, no apologies for long responses :) As far as I'm concerned, the best existing websites are still among the most accurate sources of information on therianthropy in specific (I'm biased about my own books, of course ;) ). As to more general works on shapeshifting, information is primarily found through shamanic material. IMO, scattered but relatively accurate information is better than a bunch of bad information all collected into one place. I'm really hoping somebody from the therian community (or someone who isn't therian, but who has a thorough understanding of it and uses good sources) will write a more solid work on the topic of therianthropy. Sarenth–first, no apologies for long responses :)

As far as I’m concerned, the best existing websites are still among the most accurate sources of information on therianthropy in specific (I’m biased about my own books, of course ;) ). As to more general works on shapeshifting, information is primarily found through shamanic material.

IMO, scattered but relatively accurate information is better than a bunch of bad information all collected into one place. I’m really hoping somebody from the therian community (or someone who isn’t therian, but who has a thorough understanding of it and uses good sources) will write a more solid work on the topic of therianthropy.

]]> By: Alia http://paganbookreviews.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-998 Alia Wed, 24 Oct 2007 21:51:37 +0000 http://lupabitch.wordpress.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-998 can you help me? where i can get sources for legends or myths about werecats/werewolves? can you help me? where i can get sources for legends or myths about werecats/werewolves?

]]> By: Sarenth http://paganbookreviews.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-994 Sarenth Wed, 24 Oct 2007 06:25:08 +0000 http://lupabitch.wordpress.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-994 I understand where you are coming from in the beginning of your review, especially concerning each time you came back to it your opinion had "gone down" regarding it. Unfortunately, this is one of the very few books widely available for public consumption on therianthropy and shapeshifting, perhaps aside from Ted Andrews' book(s), that I have found. The book, when I first picked it up, helped me to understand my particular spiritual situation in a way that my then-defunct-and-decimated therian community. When I put it down, did some self-discovery, growing, etc. and came back, I actually grew disgusted with it, having read one of her primary sources: Montague Summers. Good review, sorry for the long response. I understand where you are coming from in the beginning of your review, especially concerning each time you came back to it your opinion had “gone down” regarding it. Unfortunately, this is one of the very few books widely available for public consumption on therianthropy and shapeshifting, perhaps aside from Ted Andrews’ book(s), that I have found. The book, when I first picked it up, helped me to understand my particular spiritual situation in a way that my then-defunct-and-decimated therian community. When I put it down, did some self-discovery, growing, etc. and came back, I actually grew disgusted with it, having read one of her primary sources: Montague Summers.

Good review, sorry for the long response.

]]> By: Spanky http://paganbookreviews.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-983 Spanky Mon, 22 Oct 2007 21:28:15 +0000 http://lupabitch.wordpress.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-983 I second Lost Dog Found. I second Lost Dog Found.

]]> By: Lost Dog Found http://paganbookreviews.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-982 Lost Dog Found Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:38:16 +0000 http://lupabitch.wordpress.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-982 Never read this book, but after this, I'm not going to. Thanks for the review. Never read this book, but after this, I’m not going to. Thanks for the review.

]]> By: Kitsula http://paganbookreviews.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-980 Kitsula Mon, 22 Oct 2007 17:59:40 +0000 http://lupabitch.wordpress.com/2007/10/20/the-magic-of-shapeshifting-rosalyn-greene/#comment-980 2nding the Bravo! Never thought about the possible 'furry bias' in it before, but thinking about it again, it does make a bit of sense. 2nding the Bravo!

Never thought about the possible ‘furry bias’ in it before, but thinking about it again, it does make a bit of sense.

]]>