Raven Kaldera

[David19]

First, it's really cool that there's a shamanism section now, and I'd thouht this would be a good topic.

Has anyone heard of Raven Kaldera, author of 'Urban Primitive' (http://www.amazon.com/Urban-Primitive-Paganism-Concrete-Jungle/dp/0738702595), amongst other titles (http://www.cauldronfarm.com/books.html).

He's a Northern Tradition shaman, and his site is, http://www.cauldronfarm.com/ which has a lot of very great and cool articles (on shamanism, the Norse gods, the Norse nine worlds, LGBT related issues, etc).

If you have heard of him (or even if you haven't and have just read his site), what do you think of him?. I've heard that some people don't seem to like him, but I've also seen many people speak highly of him and respect him.

I personally love his site, and there's quite a few books of his I want to get. Would you consider him a shaman or do you have any other views/opinions of him and his work.

Thanks.

[Simply Puzzled]

If you have heard of him (or even if you haven't and have just read his site), what do you think of him?. I've heard that some people don't seem to like him, but I've also seen many people speak highly of him and respect him.

I *love* Raven Kaldera. For starters, when I had a rather obscure question that no one was able to help me with on MysticWicks' Tarot Forum, I sent him an e-mail, and he worked on the problem for a while to come up with an elegant and beautiful solution that has greatly helped my Tarot reading. That he spent a while helping a stranger who randomly e-mails him says a lot about his commitment, I think.

Secondly, after reading his writings, I cannot come to any other conclusion but that he is the real deal. He is leaps and bounds ahead of the neo-shamanic crowd in his practice and devotion, and I think his website is an absolutely stunning resource. I'm going to start collecting his books soon. I have read Urban Primitive, but that was before he was called by Hel, and it represents a very different magical path. His new ones look very good.

So yeah, I think he's cool.

[Windsmith]

I've been impressed with him so far. My wife and I read the handfasting book he co-wrote with Tannin Schwartzstein when we were planning our handfasting. I know that's not necessarily representative of his usual writing or his credibility as far as shamanistic practice goes, but it was a good read. Yeah, some of the rituals they included (actual handfasting's they'd presided over) were on SO MUCH CRACK, but that's certainly not their fault, and the parts they wrote themselves, as well as the overall layout of the book, clearly showed that they know their stuff. I'm also keen on anyone who's working with issues of transgender and spirituality.

[David19]

I've been impressed with him so far. My wife and I read the handfasting book he co-wrote with Tannin Schwartzstein when we were planning our handfasting. I know that's not necessarily representative of his usual writing or his credibility as far as shamanistic practice goes, but it was a good read. Yeah, some of the rituals they included (actual handfasting's they'd presided over) were on SO MUCH CRACK, but that's certainly not their fault, and the parts they wrote themselves, as well as the overall layout of the book, clearly showed that they know their stuff. I'm also keen on anyone who's working with issues of transgender and spirituality.

Thanks for the post, I've read parts of that Handfasting book in Borders, and it seems like a very excellant guide (not that I'll be needing it for awhile, if ever for myself, but maybe if I wanted to plan a handfasting for friends). I love the way he incorporated different traditions into the book, not just a standard Wiccan one, like he has Heathen weddings, Hellenic, interfaith (Christian/Pagan, Jewish/Pagan, Muslim/Pagan, etc), LGBT, Polyamorous relationships, even fantasy and science fiction-themed weddings, etc.

I love the way he incorporates his transgenderness and spirituality and how he can empower transgendered people (and in fact, other LGBT people too and a lot of others).

I *love* Raven Kaldera. For starters, when I had a rather obscure question that no one was able to help me with on MysticWicks' Tarot Forum, I sent him an e-mail, and he worked on the problem for a while to come up with an elegant and beautiful solution that has greatly helped my Tarot reading. That he spent a while helping a stranger who randomly e-mails him says a lot about his commitment, I think.

Secondly, after reading his writings, I cannot come to any other conclusion but that he is the real deal. He is leaps and bounds ahead of the neo-shamanic crowd in his practice and devotion, and I think his website is an absolutely stunning resource. I'm going to start collecting his books soon. I have read Urban Primitive, but that was before he was called by Hel, and it represents a very different magical path. His new ones look very good.

So yeah, I think he's cool.

Thanks, I haven't e-mailed him, but I've heard he's very approachable and I can tell from his writings (both from what I've seen in his books and his site) that he's extremely knowledgable and talented and also very passionate about the subjects that he writes about (whether it's the gods, shamanism, LGTB issues, BDSM, etc).

BTW, this isn't really shamanism-related, but what did you think of Urban Primitive?, as I've been thinking of getting it, but I'd like some opinions first.

Thanks again to both of you for your replies.

[Simply Puzzled]

BTW, this isn't really shamanism-related, but what did you think of Urban Primitive?, as I've been thinking of getting it, but I'd like some opinions first.

Thanks again to both of you for your replies.

Urban Primitive is hard to nail down. It's a typical book in that I discarded 90% of what I read, but the 10% I took from it made it worth reading. Normally I encourage supporting authors, but in this case, I'd probably say try to borrow it, read it in the store, or buy it used, and then use the money you save to buy something else of his.

[David19]

Urban Primitive is hard to nail down. It's a typical book in that I discarded 90% of what I read, but the 10% I took from it made it worth reading. Normally I encourage supporting authors, but in this case, I'd probably say try to borrow it, read it in the store, or buy it used, and then use the money you save to buy something else of his.

Thanks, maybe I might try and read it all in the store or buy it a used copy.

[Hamelyn]

I fell in love with Raven Kaldera's work when I picked up Urban Primitive, because he took ideas I already had but didn't see elsewhere and ran with them in ways that made sense to me. I found Dark Moon Rising when I really needed it, and I decided to approach Raven through email and snail mail over the summer when I had a bit of a spiritual crisis. Now I'm planning on making a pilgrimage to the farm when I'm stateside again. I'm thinking Imbolc, but it will more likely be Beltaine.

BTW, Asphodel Press, which publishes their books, is an independent publishing kind of thing. I believe you can buy the books more or less directly if you snoop around the Cauldron Farm website. EDIT: but starting with a borrowed copy is always a good way to find out if you like a book, as was already suggested.

[Lupabitch]

I've only read Dark Moon Rising and The Ethical Psychic Vampire, but I enjoyed both immensely and I'm looking forward to getting his works on shamanism. I like that he has his own way of doing things and isn't afraid to go against the grain.

Also, having met Tannin S., I can say she is most definitely an awesome person. She's apparently got a solo book in the works on how to handle magical emergencies, and I'm looking forward to it.

[David19]

I've only read Dark Moon Rising and The Ethical Psychic Vampire, but I enjoyed both immensely and I'm looking forward to getting his works on shamanism. I like that he has his own way of doing things and isn't afraid to go against the grain.

Thanks, those 2 I'd really love to read (actually all his books sound quite cool).

Also, having met Tannin S., I can say she is most definitely an awesome person. She's apparently got a solo book in the works on how to handle magical emergencies, and I'm looking forward to it.

That sounds cool, I'll keep a look out for it, 'Urban Primitive' is one of the ones I want to get soon (so many books, so little money).

[Zephyrstorm]

I came across Raven Kaldera when I was writing my handfasting a few years ago, and found his book to be a great resource. My study group is currently reading Urban Primitive together and using it as a springboard for some great discussions.

I'm really wanting more of his books, particularly his new one on Polyamory. Like others have said, I like the fact that he discusses issues that are relevant to GLBT, BDSM and other lifestyles and the like. As with every other book, there are things that he puts forth that I don't quite buy, but even that gives important lessons at times.

[Lykathea]

I find Raven Kaldera's books on Norse shamanism to be interesting and informative, however, I do not like Urban Primitive. That book reminds me of everything wrong with chaos magic ("car spells"? dear gods) and is highly suspect in terms of intellectual rigor.

[Hamelyn]

I'm confused.

What's wrong with car spells? We do spells and we use cars. The entire point of Urban Primitive was to focus on magic in a context that's often overlooked but often experienced. If it seems a little made up, well, he admits that. It's based on the authors' experiences, same as his more solo project about Norse shamanism. He readily admits that it's not like how most Asatru et cetera worship because it's based on his own experiences. What makes those more valid than his experiences while living in cities? And "highly suspect in terms of intellectual rigor" is a strong thing to say with no supporting detail. Please help me understand what you mean, because it doesn't make a lot of sense to me the way it's written.

[Anthony41671]

The only book of his I've read is his Polyamory book...but it's great.

I have never personally met him, but I have friends that not only know him, but are friends of his too. Plus my wife has met him and attended a camp that he runs, so my opinion is slightly skewed by theirs.

What I know of/about him, is that he is the real deal and he's a great guy to boot.

[Ulfurskona]

First, it's really cool that there's a shamanism section now, and I'd thouht this would be a good topic.

Has anyone heard of Raven Kaldera, author of 'Urban Primitive' (http://www.amazon.com/Urban-Primitive-Paganism-Concrete-Jungle/dp/0738702595), amongst other titles (http://www.cauldronfarm.com/books.html).

He's a Northern Tradition shaman, and his site is, http://www.cauldronfarm.com/ which has a lot of very great and cool articles (on shamanism, the Norse gods, the Norse nine worlds, LGBT related issues, etc).

If you have heard of him (or even if you haven't and have just read his site), what do you think of him?. I've heard that some people don't seem to like him, but I've also seen many people speak highly of him and respect him.

I personally love his site, and there's quite a few books of his I want to get. Would you consider him a shaman or do you have any other views/opinions of him and his work.

Thanks.

First, to clear up something from the get go... because as Tony said, I have met him, and actually discussed with him and others who know him, about the seeming plethora of people who actively dislike him. Much of that stems from the corner of people who are Norse reconstructionists.

Raven follows his own path. Quite clearly in all of his Norse related materials (including at the top of just about every page on his site) there is a disclaimer. He is not a reconstructionist. Much of his practice is based on Unverified or Peer corroborated Personal Gnosis. Which drives most Asatruer/Norse recon of any breed to absolute distraction.

He is a very down to earth kind of guy. He lives what he teaches. If he's writing about it, its something that he's lived, something he knows, something he has experience with. He has no issue with UPG/PCPG.

First and formost he is a shaman. He works within a tradition that is intrinsically based within the Norse cultural aspect. I personally feel that of the many people out there who claim to be shamans, he is one of the truest practitioners because he lives his work. But like most people who follow the beat of their own inner drums...he has those who are more than willing to nay-say him and attempt to negate what it is that he is...simply because he refuses to kowtow to cultural expectations.

Editing to add: I highly recommend his poly book for anyone who is in a poly relationship, and most definately for those aiming to create a family of their multiple loves (since not everyone does poly that way, its not always applicable)... Dark Moon Rising is an excellent overview of the many ways in which poly/bdsm can be used as the groundwork for deeper magical experiences.

The handfasting book is a great pagan reference, and both Tannin and Raven know their stuff when it comes to that kind of thing.

Each person will ultimately have their own opinions, but if you want substance without a lot of fluff nonsense... I would certainly steer anyone in Raven's direction without hesitation or reservations when it comes to shamanic practices and learning to find your own path.

[David19]

First, to clear up something from the get go... because as Tony said, I have met him, and actually discussed with him and others who know him, about the seeming plethora of people who actively dislike him. Much of that stems from the corner of people who are Norse reconstructionists.

Raven follows his own path. Quite clearly in all of his Norse related materials (including at the top of just about every page on his site) there is a disclaimer. He is not a reconstructionist. Much of his practice is based on Unverified or Peer corroborated Personal Gnosis. Which drives most Asatruer/Norse recon of any breed to absolute distraction.

He is a very down to earth kind of guy. He lives what he teaches. If he's writing about it, its something that he's lived, something he knows, something he has experience with. He has no issue with UPG/PCPG.

First and formost he is a shaman. He works within a tradition that is intrinsically based within the Norse cultural aspect. I personally feel that of the many people out there who claim to be shamans, he is one of the truest practitioners because he lives his work. But like most people who follow the beat of their own inner drums...he has those who are more than willing to nay-say him and attempt to negate what it is that he is...simply because he refuses to kowtow to cultural expectations.

Editing to add: I highly recommend his poly book for anyone who is in a poly relationship, and most definately for those aiming to create a family of their multiple loves (since not everyone does poly that way, its not always applicable)... Dark Moon Rising is an excellent overview of the many ways in which poly/bdsm can be used as the groundwork for deeper magical experiences.

The handfasting book is a great pagan reference, and both Tannin and Raven know their stuff when it comes to that kind of thing.

Each person will ultimately have their own opinions, but if you want substance without a lot of fluff nonsense... I would certainly steer anyone in Raven's direction without hesitation or reservations when it comes to shamanic practices and learning to find your own path.

Thanks, I definitely intend to get his books, especially 'Dark Moon Rising', that's something I'd like to explore in a bit more detail and know more about and 'Urban Primitive' is definitely a book I want to get.

I also really love his site, Cauldron Farm (http://www.cauldronfarm.com/), and his articles are very cool, IMO, anyway.