For àwọn òrìṣà, Flash of the Spirit by Robert Farris Thompson is a good start that focuses on sacred art, but also provides a great introduction to àwọn òrìṣà's characters. The Altar of My Soul by Marta Moreno Vega is a more organic, personal narrative by a Lukumí cleric which also has a useful summary of information about orichás in a Cuban and Puerto Rican context. Finally, Tales of Yorùbá Gods and Heroes is an eminently readable and clear storybook introduction to àwọn òrìṣà in a West African context.
For the shén, the first few chapters of Journey to the West are excellent. As soon as they actually leave on the journey, though, you can read a chapter or two and then skip to the end, although the chapter about Womanland is worth stopping for. Seriously. I have read the entire thing. It was a mistake.
For the theoi and æsir, D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths and D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths are lavishly illustrated children's books which remain my favorite sources about those two groups (and, in fact, among my favorite books I've ever read, ever). If you have children, please get them these books. Even if your children are now 30.
For the shén, the first few chapters of Journey to the West are excellent. As soon as they actually leave on the journey, though, you can read a chapter or two and then skip to the end, although the chapter about Womanland is worth stopping for. Seriously. I have read the entire thing. It was a mistake.
For the theoi and æsir, D'Aulaires' Book of Greek Myths and D'Aulaires' Book of Norse Myths are lavishly illustrated children's books which remain my favorite sources about those two groups (and, in fact, among my favorite books I've ever read, ever). If you have children, please get them these books. Even if your children are now 30.
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