Book Review-Pantheon: The Minoans by Laura Perry

Book Review

Pantheon: The Minoans

By Laura Perry

Publisher: Moon Books

168 Page E-Book

Release Date: September 2nd, 2025

Pantheon: The Minoans is another excellent addition to the Pantheon series by Moon Books. I’ve owned other entries in this series-Pantheon: The Egyptians and Pantheon: The Norse for some time now, and have also reviewed Rachel Roberts’ entry, Pantheon: The Romans. I also have a review forthcoming of Pantheon: The Greeks. To say that I’m a fan of this series of books is an understatement, and The Minoans is no different. The Minoans, the natives of the island of Crete, were more influential in Classical mythology than many know. Many of the Hellenistic Greek Gods we’re so familiar with have their roots in Minoan culture.

Laura Perry admits from the start of this book that little is historically known of the Minoans, so called because of the (mythical?) King, Minos. What is known is from Archeological digs done in the area of Knossos. What’s left is to gain gnosis, much of it unverified by myth, because of the lack of material to draw from. While some hard-line reconstructionists may take issue with this, I’m of the belief that if you don’t have UPG, that you’re not really doing the work. For that, I applaud Perry and her Tribe of Ariadne for doing the work, and giving us a beautiful, matriarchal spiritual tradition to draw from.

I’ve been in a Greco-Roman kick for a while, and reading The Minoans has given me much new material to draw from, new deities to explore developing a relationship with, and new tidbits of history to incorporate into my knowledge of classical myth. While some practitioners of Hellenic Polytheism may take issue with the large amount of UPG in this book, I again applaud it, as it shows that real work is being done to bring the Old Gods into the modern world. They’re liable to change as much as we are. My particular favorite part of this book was the seasonal rites, as they’re particular to Crete and its environment and seasonal changes, and gives some idea of how the Ancient Minoan, Mycenaean and later Greek peoples experienced those facets of life as well.

For Polytheists of the Classical pantheons like myself, this book is a welcome addition to my library. I have no qualms with this book, save for the caveat of UPG, and as such, give it a 5/5 rating. I won’t knock this book because of the UPG, especially given what little historical record we have of the Minoan people.

Laura Perry is an artist and author, and the founder and Temple Mom of Ariadne’s Tribe, a worldwide inclusive Minoan spiritual tradition. In addition to her work with The Tribe, she is also a Wiccan priestess, Reiki Master, and a longtime herbalist. She has written previous books on Minoan spirituality, Labrys & Horns: An Introduction to Modern Minoan Paganism and Ariadne’s Thread: Awakening the Wonders of the Ancient Minoans in Our Modern Lives, both now in second edition. She has also written Minoan themed novels and romance. She is also the creator of The Minoan Coloring Book and The Minoan Tarot. You can find her online at LauraPerryAuthor.com.

 

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Author Bio:

The Modern Merlin is a Polytheist, Pagan, Animist, Witch, Sorcerer, Paranormal Investigator, Amateur Folklorist, Chaos Magician and Occultist. He embarked on his spiritual and magickal journey over 15 years ago. As such, he has extensive knowledge of The Occult, Ceremonial Magick, Chaos Magick, Witchcraft, Sorcery, and both modern and ancient world religions and folklore. He is a practicing Sorcerer, blending ceremonial high magick, chaos magick and witchcraft, as well as plant medicine, poisonous plants and entheogens, shamanic techniques, and mysticism. He believes that magick can be as simple or as complex as one needs it to be, and rejects dogma, instead trusting his intuition, and encourages other magickal and spiritual folks to do the same! He venerates and casts magick with a wide array of spirits and deities, and works with both the Left and Right Hand Paths, having experience in both. He has also studied eastern philosophies such as Taoism, Zen Buddhism, and Hinduism. He is an Astrologer and Tarot reader and actively studies and practices many other forms of divination including Runes, Ogham, Palmistry, Lenormand and Scrying. An animal lover, he sees divinity in nature-the trees, plants, animals and sky.  Also an avid reader, you’re hard pressed to not find him nose deep in a book, most likely on an occult, mystical, religious or magickal subject. He is the Co-Editor of PaganPages.Org and the author of multiple columns for PaganPages.Org. He gives readings and other spiritual services through his Facebook Page, The Modern Merlin, as well other free informational posts for everyone to see! You can reach him on Facebook, or e-mail him at [email protected]