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Trance-Portation Learning to Navigate the Inner World
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. TrancePortation offers a comprehensive and multispirited way to enter the inner realm. Blending the modern world with the ancient arts, TrancePortation'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, TrancePortation 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.
304 pages, Paperback
First published November 1, 2008
82 people are currently reading
556 people want to read
About the author
Diana L. Paxson
54Ìýbooks408ÌýfollowersDiana L. Paxson (born 1943) is a novelist and author of nonfiction, primarily in the fields of Paganism and Heathenism. Her published works include fantasy and historical fiction novels, as well as numerous short stories. More recently she has also published nonfiction books about Pagan and Heathen religions and practices.
In addition to her multiple novels and collaborations, she has written over seventy short stories. Her best-known works are the Westria novels, and the later books in the Avalon series, which she first co-wrote with Marion Zimmer Bradley, then took over sole authorship of after Bradley's death.
Paxson was nominated for the Mythopoeic Fantasy Awards twice, in 1989 for the "White Raven" and in 1983 for "Lady of Light".
Paxson's non-fiction books include Taking Up the Runes, Essential Asatru, and Trance-Portation. She writes a regular column for the women's spirituality magazine, Sagewoman.
Paxson has been active in the leadership of a number of organizations. She hosted the first activities of the Society for Creative Anachronism, and was subsequently among that group's founding Directors and Corporate Officers when it incorporated[1]. She was the western regional director of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, and is a frequent panelist at science fiction conventions, especially Baycon, where she was the 2007 Fantasy Guest of Honor.
A leader in the Neopagan and Heathen revivals, Paxson is the founder of the The Fellowship of the Spiral Path and has served as First Officer of the Covenant of the Goddess. She has been Steerswoman of the Heathen group, The Troth, a member of its Board of Directors, and currently edits its journal, Idunna. She is a pioneer in the revival of Oracular Seidh, which she has taught and performed at many Neopagan and heathen festivals and retreats.
She composes and plays music for the harp. She currently lives at her home, Greyhaven, in Berkeley, California.
More can be found on her blog:
In addition to her multiple novels and collaborations, she has written over seventy short stories. Her best-known works are the Westria novels, and the later books in the Avalon series, which she first co-wrote with Marion Zimmer Bradley, then took over sole authorship of after Bradley's death.
Paxson was nominated for the Mythopoeic Fantasy Awards twice, in 1989 for the "White Raven" and in 1983 for "Lady of Light".
Paxson's non-fiction books include Taking Up the Runes, Essential Asatru, and Trance-Portation. She writes a regular column for the women's spirituality magazine, Sagewoman.
Paxson has been active in the leadership of a number of organizations. She hosted the first activities of the Society for Creative Anachronism, and was subsequently among that group's founding Directors and Corporate Officers when it incorporated[1]. She was the western regional director of the Science Fiction & Fantasy Writers of America, and is a frequent panelist at science fiction conventions, especially Baycon, where she was the 2007 Fantasy Guest of Honor.
A leader in the Neopagan and Heathen revivals, Paxson is the founder of the The Fellowship of the Spiral Path and has served as First Officer of the Covenant of the Goddess. She has been Steerswoman of the Heathen group, The Troth, a member of its Board of Directors, and currently edits its journal, Idunna. She is a pioneer in the revival of Oracular Seidh, which she has taught and performed at many Neopagan and heathen festivals and retreats.
She composes and plays music for the harp. She currently lives at her home, Greyhaven, in Berkeley, California.
More can be found on her blog:
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
February 16, 2011
This was a great introduction to altered states of consciousness and types of meditation, including visualizations and interacting with spirit guides. I learned a lot and intend to implement a lot of the suggestions.
January 15, 2013
I've been a pagan for 15 years and have been veering towards shamanism and mysticism, so I picked up this book hoping to strengthen some beginning trance and journeying techniques as it is not my strong suit. I was very disappointed in this book, as was our whole book group. This is one big book of prep and fluff with no real meat in it. I read the whole thing, and thought I must have missed something, because the author never actually gets to an exercise where she tells you how to journey. That seems assumed, and yet every other ultra-beginner thing she could go over is gone over. Quotes from her students are not very helpful or coherent. The author tries so hard to not lean towards a particular tradition that she white washes the reality of the gods and the spirit world, going so far as to say she doesn't know nor does it seem to matter if what we experience in trance is "real" or just archetypes of our unconscious. If you already know how to ground, meditate, do a guided visualization, and create sacred/protective space, then I doubt you will find much useful here. I expected a lot more from a respected author in the pagan community.
January 30, 2013
**IMPORTANT NOTE FOR GROUPS**
Directions for group work is in Appendix 1. Unfortunately, this little tidbit is not mentioned within the main chapters. There is very little direction for group work within the book proper. When you're going from an ebook version, it's much harder to just flip through the book, so we had no idea that group exercises were sitting there.
Overall I'd have to say that I was disappointed with this book. The first half of the book gave pretty detailed and informative directions, but the second half of the book seemed to move way too fast with not enough detail for the exercises. Also, the descriptions of this book made it sound like it was made specifically to lean toward group work. This is not true. As noted above, the book chapters are focused on individual work. Even the appendix with group directions is geared toward large groups (well, they call them medium-sized, i.e. 20-60!). The group work directions also read like the group leader should be fairly experienced (which, I guess I would agree with if you're leading such a large group), which isn't really conducive to a small group learning together.
Paxson also assumes you have some familiarity with different ritual traditions, or at least with some fictional concepts like LOTR, because she uses them as examples a lot. It's not that you need the knowledge in order to complete the exercises, but the knowledge does help to understand them better. Well, I have no knowledge of different traditions (at least not any that she talked about) and it's been probably 20 years since I read LOTR and I'm not a big fantasy fan.
Directions for group work is in Appendix 1. Unfortunately, this little tidbit is not mentioned within the main chapters. There is very little direction for group work within the book proper. When you're going from an ebook version, it's much harder to just flip through the book, so we had no idea that group exercises were sitting there.
Overall I'd have to say that I was disappointed with this book. The first half of the book gave pretty detailed and informative directions, but the second half of the book seemed to move way too fast with not enough detail for the exercises. Also, the descriptions of this book made it sound like it was made specifically to lean toward group work. This is not true. As noted above, the book chapters are focused on individual work. Even the appendix with group directions is geared toward large groups (well, they call them medium-sized, i.e. 20-60!). The group work directions also read like the group leader should be fairly experienced (which, I guess I would agree with if you're leading such a large group), which isn't really conducive to a small group learning together.
Paxson also assumes you have some familiarity with different ritual traditions, or at least with some fictional concepts like LOTR, because she uses them as examples a lot. It's not that you need the knowledge in order to complete the exercises, but the knowledge does help to understand them better. Well, I have no knowledge of different traditions (at least not any that she talked about) and it's been probably 20 years since I read LOTR and I'm not a big fantasy fan.
July 5, 2011
Overall the book was very helpful; although most was review, the last chapters of the book were extremely informative. Addressing problems such as "spiritual emergencies" and group adaptation to trance is probably what I will take with me as I travel on this path of serving the Gods. Highly recommend for anyone wanting to start serious Otherworld journeys.
February 19, 2014
Very thorough book about practicing trance and meditation. I enjoyed the mix of spiritual and empirical observations. This book covers a lot of territory and may be an advanced beginner book for people exploring meditation and trance, allowing those who have started with the basics to begin making more complex journeys into their subconscious or other psychic worlds.
October 30, 2018
Great overview and guide to the subject. Filled with personal anecdotes along with quotes and stories from others. If you want to explore trance and altered states within your personal religious practice this is a good starting place for you.
November 13, 2023
"The goal of this book is to teach skills that underlie the spiritual practices of a variety of traditions, from the ceremonial to the shamanic. But acquiring the 'gifts of the spirit' cannot be an end in itself. They have to be used." pgs xv-xvi
Author Diana Paxson pulls from a variety of spiritual traditions in an effort to teach readers the basics of going into trance.
The first few chapters are about how to prepare yourself, set up cues for trance work, and to do the exercises "safely" which include setting up wards and how to come back out of trance.
"All of the senses can provide cues for psychic or magical work. By repetition, we condition ourselves to move into a particular state when we experience a specific stimulus." pg 64
The next chapters delve into what practitioners may find once they're in trance and how to navigate this other state of consciousness. This includes how one might find guides, how to behave, and how to deal with the various entities that may be encountered.
The final parts of the book tackle the difficult topic of spiritual emergencies and give some suggestions for group trance work.
Overall, this book covers a wide variety of topics that spiritual practitioners may need when they begin the practice of going into trance. In that way, it could be an invaluable addition to your library.
On the other hand, I didn't agree with all of the advice given. It didn't make sense with my experience of the trance work I've completed and I think it might scare beginners away.
The particular advice that I'm referring to is the idea that if you come out of trance too fast that you might leave parts of your soul behind, which you will then need to retrieve before you are able to feel like yourself again.
I understand, from the book, that soul retrieval is a common enough shamanic practice. Still, I feel like we are doing beginners a disservice to plant in their minds the idea that this is something that could happen.
Why not instead say it is best to come out of trance slowly and leave it at that? Anyone who falls asleep knows that it is more pleasant to wake up slowly than to be shaken to consciousness. Do we leave portions of ourselves behind when we're jolted awake by an alarm clock? I say no.
In addition, when Paxson talks about the kinds of entities one may encounter in trance, including animal guides or even gods, she gives them all of the foibles that go along with being a part of the human race. In the section about developing a relationship with a god or goddess, she talks about how practitioners may have to deal with divine jealousy.
I think it might be better to say, you bring your entire self with you when you go into trance. Your strengths and failings are on full display in your interactions with what or who you find there. Again, this avoids planting any negative expectations for practitioners while still providing ample warning.
Recommended with reservations for spiritual seekers who are looking to add trance work to their repertoire.
Author Diana Paxson pulls from a variety of spiritual traditions in an effort to teach readers the basics of going into trance.
The first few chapters are about how to prepare yourself, set up cues for trance work, and to do the exercises "safely" which include setting up wards and how to come back out of trance.
"All of the senses can provide cues for psychic or magical work. By repetition, we condition ourselves to move into a particular state when we experience a specific stimulus." pg 64
The next chapters delve into what practitioners may find once they're in trance and how to navigate this other state of consciousness. This includes how one might find guides, how to behave, and how to deal with the various entities that may be encountered.
The final parts of the book tackle the difficult topic of spiritual emergencies and give some suggestions for group trance work.
Overall, this book covers a wide variety of topics that spiritual practitioners may need when they begin the practice of going into trance. In that way, it could be an invaluable addition to your library.
On the other hand, I didn't agree with all of the advice given. It didn't make sense with my experience of the trance work I've completed and I think it might scare beginners away.
The particular advice that I'm referring to is the idea that if you come out of trance too fast that you might leave parts of your soul behind, which you will then need to retrieve before you are able to feel like yourself again.
I understand, from the book, that soul retrieval is a common enough shamanic practice. Still, I feel like we are doing beginners a disservice to plant in their minds the idea that this is something that could happen.
Why not instead say it is best to come out of trance slowly and leave it at that? Anyone who falls asleep knows that it is more pleasant to wake up slowly than to be shaken to consciousness. Do we leave portions of ourselves behind when we're jolted awake by an alarm clock? I say no.
In addition, when Paxson talks about the kinds of entities one may encounter in trance, including animal guides or even gods, she gives them all of the foibles that go along with being a part of the human race. In the section about developing a relationship with a god or goddess, she talks about how practitioners may have to deal with divine jealousy.
I think it might be better to say, you bring your entire self with you when you go into trance. Your strengths and failings are on full display in your interactions with what or who you find there. Again, this avoids planting any negative expectations for practitioners while still providing ample warning.
Recommended with reservations for spiritual seekers who are looking to add trance work to their repertoire.
January 1, 2025
I want to start out saying that this book was very much a surprise, I found it at a used book store for 9.99 a few years back and had no idea who Diana Paxton was at the time. I picked it up because it had a cool cover and I liked the play on words in the title. Reading through it I found it very readable but in depth enough that I would keep going back to learn more. It's a good size book, 230 pages not including the appendices and bibliography but manageable with lots of practical information about trancework. It has examples galore for both the nordic practitioner and those of us who just want something we can use without getting into what culture to pick. The bibliography is substantial and I can’t see any questionable sources listed that pop.
The book is very practical and informative but it also has a sense of humor to balance out the information, keeping it from being dry. I will definitely be keeping this on my bookshelf for many years to come!
The book is very practical and informative but it also has a sense of humor to balance out the information, keeping it from being dry. I will definitely be keeping this on my bookshelf for many years to come!
November 14, 2023
This is the best book I've read on this subject. It's a 101+ book, but for prep and basics and as an aid to teaching, it is, hands down the best book. It gives context to what you're doing. That makes it fairly dense. There are quick guides and walk throughs available, but I find myself craving the long, book length exploration of a topic.
For specific 'where' and 'why', this may not be your book, that becomes a personal question, one answered by the individual and their tradition. Still, I find revisiting the basics more than pays off when my practice has grown stale.
For specific 'where' and 'why', this may not be your book, that becomes a personal question, one answered by the individual and their tradition. Still, I find revisiting the basics more than pays off when my practice has grown stale.
July 5, 2018
Dianna is a marvelous teacher and writer. Her instructions are clear and include enough detail for me as a student to understand. She brings in a variety of traditions and melds everything together so that the subject is relevant for people on a variety of paths.
March 26, 2018
interesting look at trance states and how to get there and back.
July 15, 2020
Diana is very thorough and this is a good introduction to trance work.
July 23, 2011
The information contained in this book may be sound, but I found the style of delivery rather dry and uninspiring; I had to push myself to read the book, as it was part of a book club group read. I am not a newcomer to trance, and perhaps this made it more difficult for me to engage with the information provided.
The book is designed to be read over a period of months, as each chapter's exercise is undertaken and understood before moving on to the next.
There appears to be a serious flaw with the book: the author assumes every reader is capable of adapting each exercise to their own tradition, but this is not always the case. For instance, if the reader is also new to particular path, faith or tradition they will have no understanding of the landscape traversed by followers, or the deities, entities, etc. and, as such, will not know how to adapt the exercises therein. Although Paxson does provide some examples, these are not comprehensive and this could leave a newcomer rather at a loss.
For the reasons above, I am not sure I could recommend it to others even though the core of the information is solid. It is more suited to a group learning experience where the teacher is using the book as a guide and the author has provided a useful appendix for exactly this purpose.
The book is designed to be read over a period of months, as each chapter's exercise is undertaken and understood before moving on to the next.
There appears to be a serious flaw with the book: the author assumes every reader is capable of adapting each exercise to their own tradition, but this is not always the case. For instance, if the reader is also new to particular path, faith or tradition they will have no understanding of the landscape traversed by followers, or the deities, entities, etc. and, as such, will not know how to adapt the exercises therein. Although Paxson does provide some examples, these are not comprehensive and this could leave a newcomer rather at a loss.
For the reasons above, I am not sure I could recommend it to others even though the core of the information is solid. It is more suited to a group learning experience where the teacher is using the book as a guide and the author has provided a useful appendix for exactly this purpose.
July 23, 2011
The information contained in this book may be sound, but I found the style of delivery rather dry and uninspiring; I had to push myself to read the book, as it was part of a book club group read. I am not a newcomer to trance, and perhaps this made it more difficult for me to engage with the information provided.
The book is designed to be read over a period of months, as each chapter's exercise is undertaken and understood before moving on to the next.
There appears to be a serious flaw with the book: the author assumes every reader is capable of adapting each exercise to their own tradition, but this is not always the case. For instance, if the reader is also new to particular path, faith or tradition they will have no understanding of the landscape traversed by followers, or the deities, entities, etc. and, as such, will not know how to adapt the exercises therein. Although Paxson does provide some examples, these are not comprehensive and this could leave a newcomer rather at a loss.
For the reasons above, I am not sure I could recommend it to others even though the core of the information is solid. It is more suited to a group learning experience where the teacher is using the book as a guide and the author has provided a useful appendix for exactly this purpose.
The book is designed to be read over a period of months, as each chapter's exercise is undertaken and understood before moving on to the next.
There appears to be a serious flaw with the book: the author assumes every reader is capable of adapting each exercise to their own tradition, but this is not always the case. For instance, if the reader is also new to particular path, faith or tradition they will have no understanding of the landscape traversed by followers, or the deities, entities, etc. and, as such, will not know how to adapt the exercises therein. Although Paxson does provide some examples, these are not comprehensive and this could leave a newcomer rather at a loss.
For the reasons above, I am not sure I could recommend it to others even though the core of the information is solid. It is more suited to a group learning experience where the teacher is using the book as a guide and the author has provided a useful appendix for exactly this purpose.
August 26, 2012
It may be because I read it in an e-version that the organization was hard to follow. She introduces an exercise, but it can't be implemented until the whole chapter is read, at which point, she supplies a list of exercises to "practice." If you want to work through this book sequentially, as she highly recommends, you have to construct your own schedule, pulling it piece by piece from the suggestions.
There was some attempt to embrace alternate traditions for the journey setting, but the result was the copy paste of the same ritual/song with blanks for "insert your favorite grove/god here."
Take this book as interesting if read quickly, and pluck whatever nuggets of information you can from Paxson's knowledge. If you are wanting instruction, however, you will have to write your own.
One odd thing I found about this book and her other, "The Oracle," is that she seems to lack conviction in her spirituality, and not just of the North, but of the force of Spirit behind the work she does. This may not be true at all, but the books give me that impression. For depth of worldview, you will need to read elsewhere.
There was some attempt to embrace alternate traditions for the journey setting, but the result was the copy paste of the same ritual/song with blanks for "insert your favorite grove/god here."
Take this book as interesting if read quickly, and pluck whatever nuggets of information you can from Paxson's knowledge. If you are wanting instruction, however, you will have to write your own.
One odd thing I found about this book and her other, "The Oracle," is that she seems to lack conviction in her spirituality, and not just of the North, but of the force of Spirit behind the work she does. This may not be true at all, but the books give me that impression. For depth of worldview, you will need to read elsewhere.
February 25, 2016
A highly readable, flowing text that reaps the benefit of having worked this material with others as both teacher, and practitioner. Those students share a few insights along the way to demonstrate the variety of experiences possible. Several references to helpful books strengthens the possibilities once these exercises are tried.
Offering a slow, progressive program to build a solid foundation in trance work. Beginning by explaining the process, and how best to manage in a modern Western framework, building up to path-working to meet allies, and deities. Expands that work to how one can use these skills to attain mystical states, and practical applications such as healing, and pain management.
I added several books to my reading list based on on suggestions. Also, her latest book on possession, depossession, and divine revelations is in line to be read next month. I am excited to see how the two works dovetail together.
Offering a slow, progressive program to build a solid foundation in trance work. Beginning by explaining the process, and how best to manage in a modern Western framework, building up to path-working to meet allies, and deities. Expands that work to how one can use these skills to attain mystical states, and practical applications such as healing, and pain management.
I added several books to my reading list based on on suggestions. Also, her latest book on possession, depossession, and divine revelations is in line to be read next month. I am excited to see how the two works dovetail together.
April 24, 2014
This is an excellent book for those who wish to begin using trance and journey techniques. The author does a thorough job of explaining the principles behind this type of spiritual work, but what makes this book such a good resource is the practical advice. The book touches on common problems people face, includes cautions and protection ideas, as well as how to connect to Otherwordly spirits and deities and what to expect.I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in beginning this type of work; this book will give the reader a firm foundation to work from.
January 27, 2013
I'm currently taking the course that this book accompanies- and it's such a great read with good practices and exercises that I feel I can keep going back to. The material is well-written and very informative. Even if you feel like you're at a more advanced stage of practice, this book serves as a great basic/primer to have on-hand to aid in building these particular skills.
June 6, 2014
A lot of the material was redundant to me personally, but I also picked up a few things I hadn't been aware of before. However, I think this book is a wonderfully clear, concise, and thorough manual for any responsible novice of trance work; a determined traveller can get a lot of mileage out of this book. Well done!
September 29, 2009
I'm currently reading this book right now!
February 11, 2012
This is a fabulous primer for the beginning journeyer. Paxson helps one through various stages and aspects of trance work. I definitely recommend it for anyone new to the experience.
March 8, 2016
Good book on meditation and spirit journeying. I only wish she had some guided meditations to go along with the book. I would buy that in a heartbeat!
February 20, 2011
Im learning so much from this book really like it
June 23, 2015
Interesting and practical, but not a "must read" for me.
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