Background
Diana Paxson was born on February 20, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. She is the daughter of Edwin W. Paxson and Mary (Herrington) Paxson.
(Journey to a time before King Arthur in this prequel to T...)
Journey to a time before King Arthur in this prequel to The Mists of Avalon—a spellbinding story of three remarkable women who alter the fortunes of Roman Britain as they fight to reclaim the magic and traditions of a once glorious past. Caillean, the young priestess fated to become Lady of Avalon, who rescues and raises the orphaned Gawen—heir to a mystic and dangerous royal line...Dierna, who must use all her strength, wisdom, and love to guide Avalon through treacherous political waters and veil the island from a hostile world...Viviane, Lady of the Lake and keeper of the Grail, destined for true greatness as she prepares Avalon for the coming of a legendary king... Bestselling author Marion Zimmer Bradley brings the mesmerizing world of myth and magic, romance and history, brilliantly to life in this novel of epic grandeur worthy of fantasy’s finest storyteller.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451456521/?tag=2022091-20
1998
(Mighty Rome subjugated the isle of Britain only to abando...)
Mighty Rome subjugated the isle of Britain only to abandon it, leaving behind a bloody patchwork of warring tribes. The fragile peace imposed by the conquerors has been shattered, compelling Artoria Argantel -- Lady of the Lake and Druid priestess -- to call upon the Spirit of War and Justice to deliver a champion who will unite the broken land. It is from Argantel's ancient and royal blood that the hero will spring; his sword will be forged from star-steel by ancient spells, carried by soldier-priests from the steppes of Asia to the edges of the Empire. Only one man can wield this holy steel, aided by the wizard Merlin, whose heritage is a magic wilder still. Only one man can free the sword from its prison of stone. Artor, a fosterling of unknown parentage. The promised High King.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0739407767/?tag=2022091-20
2000
(In the long-awaited return to Avalon by the beloved autho...)
In the long-awaited return to Avalon by the beloved author of The Mists of Avalon and her collaborator, bestselling author Diana L. Paxson, Marion Zimmer Bradley fuses myth, magic and romance in a spectacular unfolding of one woman's role in the making of history and spirit...
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0451458621/?tag=2022091-20
2002
(Although many of us first encountered runes in J.R.R. Tol...)
Although many of us first encountered runes in J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, this sacred alphabet is by no means a fabrication for books or movies. Similar to Hebrew letters in the sense that each symbol contains a meaning that transcends its original function as a letter, the runes are practical, flexible, and effective symbols with a variety of uses. Today, the best known application of rune lore is divination: chips or stones marked with runes are drawn, cast, or laid out in patterns like tarot cards. In Taking Up the Runes, Paxson delves into the ancient historical meaning of each rune and explains their contemporary uses and meanings. We discover that the real power of runes comes from inside ourselves when we find the wisdom and power within each symbol and internalize them.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1578633257/?tag=2022091-20
2005
(A journey to fulfillment and renewal. In Essential Asatru...)
A journey to fulfillment and renewal. In Essential Asatru, renowned author and priestess Diana Paxson demystifies an ancient, rich, and often misunderstood religion, and offers a practical guide for its modern followers. Filled with clear, concise instructions on living Asatru every day, this truly accessible guide takes you on a journey from Asatru’s origins in Scandinavian and German paganism to its acceptance as an official religion in the 1970s. The book also includes: -A complete history of Asatru gods and goddesses, including Odin, Thor, and Ostara -The life values, such as honor, truth, fidelity, and hospitality, that shape Asatru’s tenets -Indispensable information on rituals, rune casting, ethics, and divination This is an elegant and splendid introduction to a centuries-old religion that continues to enrich and fascinate its followers today. Praise for Diana L. Paxson “An accomplished writer . . . I look forward to reading any of Diana Paxson's work.” —Marion Zimmer Bradley “A skilled writer.” —Publishers Weekly on Priestess of Avalon
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0806527080/?tag=2022091-20
2006
(The ability to move from the ordinary into an altered sta...)
The ability to move from the ordinary into an altered state of consciousness is one of the most valuable skills in both magic and religion. From the ceremonial magician to the shaman, using trance work to explore inner realms is essential to the magical process of healing, transcendence, and wisdom desired throughout diverse occult and spiritual traditions. Trance-Portation offers a comprehensive and multi-spirited way to enter the inner realm. Blending the modern world with the ancient arts, Trance-Portation's first three chapters, Travel Planning, Crossing the Threshold, and Getting Started, offer preparatory suggestions including meditations and relaxations, breathing, warding, shifting gears, and returning. Drawing on examples from varied traditions, from Western Mystery to Native American, Ancient Celtic to Eastern Mysticism, and peppered with folk lore and tales from popular science fiction stories, Trance-Portation explores spiritual journey work extensively, offering readers the chance to find their own ways into the inner realm, encounter their own guides and fellow travelers, and create divine relationships with the deities and gods and goddesses that they meet.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1578634059/?tag=2022091-20
2008
(Throughout history, the uncertainties of life have driven...)
Throughout history, the uncertainties of life have driven people to seek counsel from prophets, seers, and oracles on everything from love to livelihood: people want to talk to their lost loved ones, heal old family traumas, find out about work, and determine what the future will bring. In The Way of the Oracle, bestselling author, scholar, and priestess Diana L. Paxson offers a broad overview of the traditions of famous oracles in history: from the pythia at Delphi, the son of Beor, the Irish druidess, and the Greenland völva, to today's modern seers who are resurrecting ancient skills to serve their communities. Paxson identifies the core elements of prophetic practice, her belief in probability rather than predestination, and offers exercises and examples to demonstrate how anyone can be trained to do oracle work. Her methods focus on trance skills and improving communication between one's unconscious and conscious mind to encourage self-knowledge and decision making. The Way of the Oracle introduces the practice of oracle work to a wider audience, and shows how exploring the potential of other minds can expand our own.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1578634830/?tag=2022091-20
2012
(Odin is arguably one of the most enigmatic and complex ch...)
Odin is arguably one of the most enigmatic and complex characters in Norse mythology. Revered since the Viking Age, Odin has been called the greatest of the gods--the god of words and wisdom, runes and magic, a transformer of consciousness, and a trickster who teaches truth. He is both war god and poetry god, and he is the Lord of Ravens, the All- Father, and the rune master. Odin: Ecstasy, Runes, and Norse Magic is the first book on Odin that is both historically sourced and accessible to a general audience. It explores Odin's origins, his appearances in sagas, old magic spells, and the Poetic Edda, and his influence on modern media, such as Tolkien's Lord of the Rings trilogy. Each chapter features suggestions for rituals, exercises, and music, so readers can comprehend and become closer to this complicated god. Author Diana Paxson, an expert on Viking-era mythology, provides a complete portrait of Odin and draws on both scholarship and experience to provide context, resources, and guidance for those who are drawn to work with the Master of Ecstasy today.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1578636108/?tag=2022091-20
Diana Paxson was born on February 20, 1943 in Detroit, Michigan, United States. She is the daughter of Edwin W. Paxson and Mary (Herrington) Paxson.
Paxson graduated from Mills College, earning Bachelor of Arts degree in 1964. Also she was educated at the University of California in Berkeley, obtained her Master of Arts degree in 1968.
Paxson worked as a community college teacher of English and composition at Chabot College in Hayward, as well as a developer of educational materials for Far West Laboratory for Educational Research and Development from 1971 till 1981.
She served as a book illustrator for years from 1971. She also worked as an editor of the journal Idunna from 1996.
Paxson published her first fantasy novel, Lady of Light, in 1983.
This volume, the first of six works known collectively as the “Westria chronicles, concerns a royal leader, Westria’s King Jehan, who endeavors to find himself a bride capable of using powerful jewels that magically maintain his kingdom’s stability.
Since completing the Westria series, Paxson has focused on historical fantasy. In the mid-1980s she produced two of the earliest contemporary urban fantasies: Brisingamen, the story of an academic who restores an ancient necklace that unleashes the power of the Norse Goddess Freyja, and is opposed by the Norse god Loki, who soon begins wreaking havoc at the University of California in Berkeley.
Paxson turned to the Celtic legend of Tristan and Iseult for The White Raven, which chronicles that couple’s doomed love. Among Paxson’s other novels from the 1990s are The Serpent’s Tooth, a re-telling of the King Lear legend in which an aging king foolishly divides his domain between two conniving daughters while banishing his third daughter, the only one of the three who actually loves him.
In the early-1990s Paxson teamed with Adrienne Martine-Bames to produce three volumes relating the escapades of Irish folk hero Fionn Mac Cumhal. This series is comprised of Master of Earth and Water, The Shield between the Worlds, and Sword of Fire and Shadow. These volumes were derived by Paxson and Martine-Barnes from actual Irish legends. At the same time she was writing the Wodan's Children trilogy, dealing with the Germanic Nibelungen legend.
She writes a regular column for the women's spirituality magazine, called Sagewoman.
Paxson has been active in the leadership of a number of organizations.
(Throughout history, the uncertainties of life have driven...)
2012(Journey to a time before King Arthur in this prequel to T...)
1998(The ability to move from the ordinary into an altered sta...)
2008(In the long-awaited return to Avalon by the beloved autho...)
2002(Mighty Rome subjugated the isle of Britain only to abando...)
2000(Odin is arguably one of the most enigmatic and complex ch...)
(Although many of us first encountered runes in J.R.R. Tol...)
2005(A journey to fulfillment and renewal. In Essential Asatru...)
2006Paxson is a member of Aquarian Order of the Restoration and a founding member of such organizations as Dark Moon Circle and Equinox.
Paxson married Donald C. Studebaker, a writer using the pseudonym Jon De Cles in 1968. They have 2 children - Ian and Robin.