Faith and Magick in the Armed Forces: A Handbook for Pagans in the Military

In this practical handbook for pagans in the military, Barner reviews a wide selection of topics that could potentially confront this small group and their families. As the wife of a career Air National Guardsman who has seen two tours of duty in Iraq, she writes with firsthand knowledge about the difficulties pagans face in the military where the majority of personnel and chaplains are evangelical Christians. Barner spells out what rights pagans have and even includes an excerpt from the Wicca section of the U.S. Army Chaplain's Handbook. More importantly, she lists the potential roadblocks thrown up by military chaplains and shows how best to overcome them without risk of punishment. The book is rounded out with several excellent spells and ceremonies for such things as deployment, going into battle and returning to the home front. It also includes a ritual for a pagan military funeral. Interviews with a pagan soldier, a spouse and the child of a soldier give additional insight into the struggles they confront. Barner writes fluently and with compassion about the warrior's path in today's world. (May)