Psychology & Related Areas

    No matter where we are on life's journey, we can all benefit from the study of psychology.  I found it particularly difficult to narrow this section of Solitary-Pagan.net -- partly because the field of psychology is so large, and partly because I am a Psychologist (it's all interesting to me).  At the end of this page you will find a large but selected list of topics found in various social sciences that you may want to research.  For the main part of this section I decided to focus on a few areas that may be of particular interest to Pagans.  

    If you want to explore the field of Psychology in a general way try Psych Web, the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science websites.  

    If you are searching for Counseling information, the site most often recommend for Pagan clergy is Counseling Basics for Wiccan/Pagan Clergy.

Gender Studies

    Much as been written about the blending of the Deep Ecology, Feminist, and Goddess Movements.  There are so many resources available in this area that it is difficult to make just a few recommendations.  You may want to browse the resources at Gender and Religion -- a site that includes a section on Wicca and Paganism and many other topics, such as women's ordination.

You may also use the Research Tools to search for: 

• ecofeminism

• thealogy (yes, with an "a" in the middle)

• gender issues and religion

• feminism and religion

• Goddess movement or Goddess worship

     Jone Salomonsen, in her book Enchanted Feminism, finds the influence of feminist thinking on some branches of Paganism, particularly Witchcraft, to be of primary importance.  She writes, "This lack of differentiation between feminist and non-feminist versions of Witchcraft ... is like quoting from Luther when describing the Catholics" page 10.  Gender issues are often discussed in Pagan books and social circles, particularly as they related to male and female polarities in ritual. (See more about this topic on the Goddesses, Gods & Sacred Others page.)

Sexual Orientation

     Another internet search that will bring an overwhelmingly high number of search engine hits is "sexual orientation" and "religion."  My experience, both in reading and at gatherings, is that most Pagans are open and accepting of all loving relationships, including polyamorous relationships.

Psychology of Religion

    Psychologists in this field try to apply psychological principles and methods of scientific inquiry to religious beliefs, attitudes, worship and ritual styles, and lifestyles.  One of the best places to start your introduction to this area is at the Psychology of Religion Pages by Michael Nielsen, Ph.D.  In exploring Paganism you might be particularly interested in the sections on new religious movements.  Another website that will give you thought-provoking information is Psychology and Religion at AmoebaWeb.  

     If you are looking for an academic textbook on the topic, I would recommend the 3rd edition of The Psychology of Religion: An Empirical Approach by Spilka, Hunsberger, Gorsuch, and Hood, or Wulff's Psychology of Religion:  Classic and Contemporary. If you are looking for something that is a classic, but not in the traditional academic style, you might want to check out the work of Alan Watts, such as The Book:  On the Taboo Against Knowing Who You Are, or Viktor Frankl's work, Man's Search for Meaning.

Transpersonal Psychology

    Transpersonal Psychology integrates traditional research psychology, counseling psychology, spirituality, and paranormal psychology.  The Association for Transpersonal Psychology describes the field this way: 

It recognizes our personal uniqueness as well as a transpersonal dimension, something which is beyond our individual egos, and yet still is a part of us. Based on observations and practices from many cultures, the transpersonal perspective is informed by modern psychology, the humanities and human sciences, as well as contemporary spiritual disciplines and the wisdom traditions. 

You will find a great deal of useful information at their website.  The World Wide Web Virtual Library entry for Transpersonal Psychology also has information and links to other site.

Ecopsychology

    The electronic journal, Ecopsychology On-Line:  With Earth in Mind, defines ecopsychology as the following:. 

• The emerging synthesis of ecology and psychology

• The skillful application of ecological insight to the practice of psychotherapy

• The study of our emotional bond with the Earth

• The search for an environmentally-based standard of mental health

• Re-defining "sanity" as if the whole world mattered

    Ecopsychology is a new field, and there are only a few established "classics."  A great place to start is with the book, Ecopsychology: Restoring the Earth, Healing the Mind, edited by Theodore Roszak, Mary Gomes, and Allen Kanner.  There you will find a wide variety of essays -- some theoretical, some application, much cross-cultural diversity, and some very Pagan themes.

    The International Community for Ecopsychology also provides good information. Finally, the American Psychological Association Division for Population and Environmental Psychology has useful information on the interaction between humans, built environmental, and natural environments.

Additional Areas of Psychology

    As I said earlier, this section is particularly difficult to narrow.  The topics highlighted here were selected from the American Psychological Association and the Association for Psychological Science websites as well as several internet search engines.  You may want to make use of the Research Tools to learn more about these.

    If you decide to do some research on the topics listed below, I would encourage you to keep these questions in mind:

• Are the writers in this area sensitive to religious or spiritual issues?

• Is there a "Pagan perspective" on this topic?

• Is this information useful for a Pagan lifestyle?

• What can I find in this area that is helpful to me or someone I know?