Book Review-Pagan Portals: Venezuelan Folklore: Spirits and Legends of the Dead by Alan U. Dalul
Book Review
Pagan Portals: Venezuelan Folklore: Spirits and Legends of the Dead
By Alan U. Dalul
Publisher: Moon Books
96 Page E-Book
Release Date: January 1st, 2025
Another Pagan Portals Book to add to my collection! This particular entry into this wonderful series of booklets concerns Venezuelan folklore, specifically centered around death, spirits and the supernatural. Through my studies of folklore and mythology of many different cultures, I’ve found that a lot of our legends tend to overlap. Venezuelan Folklore adds to the wealth of knowledge out there about Latin American spirituality, folklore and folk practices and beliefs.
Aside from being a fascinating examination of these subjects, it also seems to be a personal form of catharsis and empowerment for the author. He states in the book that for a long time, he resented Venezuela, and his Venezuelan ancestry. Over time, it seems that the author got involved in spiritual and magickal pursuits, and ended up coming back full circle to his ancestry. There’s a lot of value in this, and it doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re bound to just that belief system and culture, and I think that more folks, especially those in the US, should explore their ancestral beliefs and folklore.
Pagan Portals: Venezuelan Folklore is an excellent source of Latin American folklore, and inspiring as well, as you can see the benefits that exploring one’s ancestry can bring to the table. I have no qualms about this book, and found it fascinating, touching on subjects from La Llorona to restless spirits of the dead, and more. I give it a 5/5 star rating. A well thought out, well written and researched book!
Alan U. Dalul is an independent author, journalist and blogger from Venezuela, recently based in Utah. He has a bilingual The Wild Hunt, which he started while studying Communications at College.
***
Author Bio:
The Modern Merlin has been a Polytheist and Animist Pagan, Witch, Sorcerer, Wizard, Druid, Mystic, Ceremonial Magician, Occultist, Shaman, Seer and Soothsayer for over 15 years, venerating and casting magick with deities and spirits from many cultures, including Ancient Greece, Rome, Norse & Germanic, Celtic, Egyptian, Sumerian, as well as many Faeries, Nymphs, Dryads, Ancestors and other nature and land spirits and spirits of place. He is a Priest of Hecate, Diana, Hades, Lilith and Persephone, among others. He has experience in the Left and Right Hand Paths, working with both hands as needed. He currently practices Necromancy and Deathwalking, as well as Traditional Witchcraft, Druidry, Hellenism and Ceremonial Magick, incorporating all of them into a cohesive practice, with some shamanic touches. He studies and practices Astrology as well as Tarot and other forms of divination such as Runes, Palmistry and Ogham. He has also been investigating the paranormal for over 10 years and has a keen interest in researching various mythologies, cosmologies and folklore from around the world. He is the Co-Editor of PaganPages.Org and he has a personal blog where he shares Astrological, Pagan, and other magickal wisdom for free! He gives readings and other spiritual services on his Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see!
