From a friend:

Compass has a series on pagans that has been good viewing http://www.abc.net.au/compass/

Pagans Pt 1 – Sexy Beasts June 12

For 2000 years the pagan ancestors of Northern Europe have had bad press – often portrayed as immoral, even animalistic. Richard Rudgley, UK anthropologist and Ethnologist, goes in search of the truth behind the headlines – what do the sexually suggestive stories and objects he finds really tell us?

Pagans Pt 2 – Magic Moments June 19

Magic, luck and the supernatural all have a powerful hold over our imaginations. That’s because for thousands of years magic was not entertainment – it was a matter of life and death. What was the purpose of this ancient magic. This program probes back deep into our pagan past – to times when magic was everywhere, and the people who controlled the magic were all powerful.

Pagans Pt 3 – Band of Brothers Sunday 26 June at 9.45pm

Beer drinking thugs appear to have been a constant in Northern Europe since the earliest times. But more surprisingly Richard Rudgley discovers that the behaviour of contemporary sporting heroes, football managers and members of that famous man’s club – the House of Parliament – also has roots deep in our pagan past. This program explores the lives and aspirations of the pagan men and leaders that have helped to make men what they are today.

Pagans Pt 4 – Sacred Landscapes Sunday 3 July at 9.45pm

The pull of the land, the countryside is in all of us. Richard Rudgley argues that this is the pull of our pagan heritage. But he warns that this was no romantic relationship with nature. Our pagan ancestors recognised the power of natural forces, had to live according to the rhythm of the seasons and ruthlessly exploited the Earth’s resources. On a journey that takes in Ireland and Iceland, Mystery and murder, Rudgley rediscovers our pagan roots.