Rating: 
Summary: Take it from Jung: "I'd rather be whole than good."
Review: Dark paganism and spirituality aside, this book is a fantastic modern adaptation of Jungian theory (esp. "the shadow"), which can be very therapeutic for those who find themselves stuck between the "goodie-goodies" and the gung-ho Satanists. While this book definitely appeals to those who veer towards the "darker" path, it is in no way extreme to that end. I found it to be much more about the theories behind darkness and paganism (or whichever alternative lifestyles), rather than about the nuts and bolts of practical paganism. It is very refreshing to see someone else who is paying attention to the concept of achieving **balance** for personal growth, rather than adopting a brand of spirituality as some crutch or political statement. I was on Mr. Coughlin's mailing list for a long time awaiting this book's release, upon which it greatly exceeded all my expectations. If you like dark spirituality and/or paganism, but can't stand the "fluffies" and don't agree with the Satanists, this is your book.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent
Review: Hi Alpha fans! I await more emails!
Here stands yet another one of those great books that publishers who shall remain nameless would never even look at.
This book is excellent, and I'd strongly suggest it even to people who would not cconsider themselves "dark" in the sightest.
This is the unabashed LHP (of Self) to MacMorgan's unabashed RHP (of Selflessness) and between the two lies my own, personal path.I'd like to thank Joe Marks (you know who you are) for turning me onto this book. No book on the market stands alone, but it seems the books you've never heard of are the ones than can stand for themselves. Read this book, absorb it, try to react to what is said, not what you think might the author "really means." also suggested: Gary Varner's Essays in Contemporary Neopaganism, Katryn MacMorgan's All One Wicca.
Rating:
Summary: Awesome! A must Read!
Review: I learned about the existence of this book just as I was desparing that there were no good intermediate or advanced pagan books out there. "Out of the Shadows" was everything I was looking for and more. As someone who has long been attracted to dieties with darker, less nurturing aspects like Sekhmet, Kali, and Coyote, I agree that this book was much needed in presenting paganism without the "good vs. bad" dualism. The left hand path is often misunderstood, and I think this book is a wonderful introduction to it. It is a very psychological, thought provoking view. One will find no pre-made spells or rituals here; Coughlin explores the philosophy and mechanics of magic to help you understand why they work. -Quite a liberating thing!
It is also a joy to read; I really enjoyed the conversational style of writing that Coughlin used. He defines and clarifies several aspects of dark spirituality/goth subculture that I would not normally have read about, such as Vampirism and Satanism. He also goes into depth about subjects that would never see the light of day in other books: blood, pain, insanity, sex magic, curses, and drugs. Always there, though, is a reminder of the need for balance and responsibility. The final chapter on haunting was superb; it made sense of the hauntings that I have experienced and caused me to see them in a new way. This book tops my list of favorite pagan books; I reccomend it to everyone who can handle the subject matter and wants a full course meal in magic.
Rating:
Summary: The first book to really cover this subject in depth
Review: I would reccomend this book. The author covers a very broad subject well by the way he splits the book up, and it is well paced. While by no means an in depth study, it does not pretend to be, but the apsects it does cover are covered well and the overall sprit of the text makes it readable and interesting, even though it was covering familiar terretory. I just liked it a lot. I wouldnt say it's was this book does do that's important, it's what it doesn't do. You dont seem to be wading through somsones un-neccessarily wordy university dissertation, you dont find youself taking the chapters or subjects you need and skipping the other subjects, and you dont find youself saying "Sod it, I'll work through that later, I'm going out."
Rating: 
Summary: Could have been better easily.
Review: The book is extremely uneven, sometimes illuminating, sometimes patronising. While the author faithfully tries to illustrate the darker paths of paganism and magic, his repeated attempts to subtly put down any other approach to spirituality grows irritating. In addition, good editing would have improved the book greatly. The poetry, for instance, is autrocious. This is the only book on the topic that I came across, and I cannot recommend it without reservation. Use with a dose of salt only.
Rating:
Summary: Best By Far on Dark Paganism and Dark Culture
Review: There are not many books that will fully explain what true Dark Panganism and the many flowing over of Dark Culture(s) is. However, Mr. Coughlin has made this book a true classic in every way. If you truly want to pick up a book that truly tells you what true Dark Paganism is, then this book would be it. Highly Recommended. Worth your time and money.
Rating:
Summary: Best By Far on Dark Paganism and Dark Culture
Review: There are not many books that will fully explain what true Dark Panganism and the many flowing over of Dark Culture(s) is. However, Mr. Coughlin has made this book a true classic in every way. If you truly want to pick up a book that truly tells you what true Dark Paganism is, then this book would be it. Highly Recommended. Worth your time and money.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Read
Review: This book is absolutly outstanding.The author takes on a dificult subject and section by section covers all the aspects of darkness and dark spirituality.The author has a very easy style writing and you really get the feel that you are having a one on one conversation. Anyone even slightly interested in the subject, and anyone interested in Paganism shoul definatly read this book.
Rating: 
Summary: Author sells to minors - Should be rated at 0
Review: This book is not a book for minors and no where on this book is a warning as it deals with Sex Magic, BDSM and drugs and even states, "there is nothing wrong with using mind altering drugs." The author sold this book to a young minor without verification of age and without parental permission.
Rating:
Summary: Excellent review
Review: This book is one I would recommend as an excellent review for those who are drawn to the darkside (note: read non-evil!). While the book focuses on the darksider cultures, it also warns against becoming too enveloped in the darkness. Ultimately, this book will not tell you how to do dark magick or even be a darksider. But it will give you an appreciation for all things dark, and the desire to balance the darkness and the light.
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