Pagan Portals - Dancing with Nemetona: A Druid's exploration of sanctuary and sacred space Paperback – May 30, 2014

A very good basic primer on this unknown subject and an important step for the beginner into the animist approach into paganism. Simple and has a core knowledge that will give thought to the reader where to start his/her path down the old forested road. A light read that I do recommend.

I loves this book. A good starting point and helps one focus on the sacred and the goddess. Recommended highly!

A great sneak peek into a different typerspective of druid. I'm am thankful for this author for giving me a basic understanding for what I believe in.

I've never had a book ruin my day before, but this one did. I was so looking forward to it, and after the perfunctory etymology lesson, giving examples of why nemeton is in so many place names, she goes on to say it's actually your aura. I'm not kidding. Take out "nemeton" and put in "aura" and you'll have the same book written five thousand times by every elementary metaphysicist on earth. Even the "information" on the alleged goddess is completely devoid of any semblance of reason or evidence, much less the ring of devotion. I couldn't go on. My brain wanted to vomit, but couldn't (on account of being a brain). Given the previous writing on "Zen" Druidry, I think this one should more accurately be titled Druidry for People Who Like The Word and Don't Really Care about What They're Appropriating.

Wonderful book.

With an ease and lightness of touch, this book reflects on the sacred in relation to physical and subtle space, relationships and boundaries, safety and risk, liminality and letting go. Sacred time too – I liked the author’s definition of ritual as “taking a moment, taking time out, to celebrate or honour a specific moment of time”.A modern Druid, Joanna van der Hoeven uses her personal journey to illustrate her themes and suggests practices to explore them – within the home, within the forest and within the inner world. These practices, and the book as a whole, are accessible to beginners or non-aligned seekers as well as those already grounded in Druid and Pagan tradition. This is helped by the careful arrangement of the book in six chapters: Lady of Boundaries and Edges; Lady of Hearth and Home; Lady of the Sacred Grove; Lady of sanctuary; Lady of Ritual: Lady of Everything and Nothing.The last chapter opens the way to reflections on personal identity and the no self/true self paradox of Zen and other non-dual traditions. To enter into “immersion into the entirety of being … to be at one with existence, to truly experience life”, there seems to be a necessary letting go of our customary self-sense and a finding of true self through being in the moment, returning to the core. In this way the book continues the journey of the author’s earlier and well-received Zen Druidry.

I've just been introduced to a new goddess. Actually, she's a very old goddess, but one I had only heard of in passing, in discussions of Druid groves. Joanna van der Hoeven's marvelous little book, Pagan Portals Dancing with Nemetona, explores the human relationship not only with this goddess but also with the concepts of sacred space and boundaries. Known as the Lady of the Sacred Grove, Nemetona teaches us that we are each a kind of living, moving sacred space, and the way we interact with other people, animals and the places we visit affects us (and them) at a very deep level. Like the other titles in the Pagan Portals series, this is a fairly short book but it's full of valuable information and exercises - a touching house blessing, a visualization of your own inner sacred grove, and more. I love the way Ms. van der Hoeven dovetails the layers of sacredness in our lives, from our 'insides' (mental and physical), to the people we interact with, the world at large and the deities that inhabit it. I also love the idea of the micro-retreat - what a great way to maintain your sanity in an increasingly insane world! - and the collection of essays that depict other people's experiences with Nemetona demonstrates that she is not only ancient and worldwide, but also fully relevant today.

In my own practice I have no connection to Goddesses in any shape or form but sometimes it is just the words we use to describe our experiences that separates us. Which is why in Joanna's writing, even though the way she works is unfamiliar to me, the importance she places on sacred space around us and within us, the need to create these for ourselves and how vital it is that we learn how to do so, resonates strongly.In this easy to read book you will find guided meditations to help you connect to Nemetona, to find your own nemetona, learn to expand it and much more. Despite having no connection to the Goddess Nementona I found the book an enjoyable and at times thought provoking read.I particularly liked the appendix of others exploration of Nemetona for they showed clearly what Joanna says in the book, that there is no right way to do this, no right way to meet or envisage Goddess, only the way that works for you.This is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Druidry who feels drawn to the Goddess Nemetona or who would like to begin working with her and also for those looking for alternative ways of finding, or deepening the connection to their own sacred space.

Highly recommended. With an ease and lightness of touch, this book reflects on the sacred in relation to physical and subtle space, relationships and boundaries, safety and risk, liminality and letting go. Sacred time too – I liked the author’s definition of ritual as “taking a moment, taking time out, to celebrate or honour a specific moment of time”.A modern Druid, Joanna van der Hoeven uses her personal journey to illustrate her themes and suggests practices to explore them – within the home, within the forest and within the inner world. These practices, and the book as a whole, are accessible to beginners or non-aligned seekers as well as those already grounded in Druid and Pagan tradition. This is helped by the careful arrangement of the book in six chapters: Lady of Boundaries and Edges; Lady of Hearth and Home; Lady of the Sacred Grove; Lady of sanctuary; Lady of Ritual: Lady of Everything and Nothing.The last chapter opens the way to reflections on personal identity and the no self/true self paradox of Zen and other non-dual traditions. To enter into “immersion into the entirety of being … to be at one with existence, to truly experience life”, there seems to be a necessary letting go of our customary self-sense and a finding of true self through being in the moment, returning to the core. In this way the book continues the journey of the author’s earlier and well-received Zen Druidry.

This gentle read dances along light-footed through a few key ideas about establishing a sacred relationship with whatever space we find ourselves in, with a sprinkling of suggested exercises thrown in. It is not a deep, philosophical work, nor an instruction manual, but rather a person sharing their practices and leaving the reader to take from them what they will. Joanna points the way; she doesn't take you there. It has the personal feel of a series of blogs, but don't think that means there is little of substance. Far from it. It may be a short book (I read it one lazy Sunday afternoon) but it touches on some profound ideas - there is plenty to ponder here (especially in the last chapter), making it the perfect book to read, then dip into from time to time for a little boost of inspiration.

From a non pagan view this is still a delightful book. It has a light touch when relating to the aspects of nature from a personal perspective and the intrinsic nature of sacred spaces and finding sanctuary. Specific instructions are given to enable the reader to create a personal space. Certain parts resonated with me and made me smile and give an acknowledging nod.

Was disappointed, wish I read the negative reviews as they Express how I feel about this light read. She went of track for me.

As usual Joanna writing style makes this a very readable study. Simple language and easy to absorb explanations of fascinating material. I am getting to the point where any new book from Joanna is a must buy! From very vague knowledge to Nematona becoming part of my life in a few weeks, says it all.