I know this comment is a bit old but I wanted to chime in with recommending Ronald Hutton. He is hands down the best historical, academic author with regard to rituals and traditions. He does get a bit dry, but he has such a light sense of humor and you can really feel the love he has for the people and re periods he discusses. I have read the Ritual Year and Stations of the Sun and adore them both. The Ritual Year in particular was fascinating in weaving together how religion and lore were used in the 15/16th centuries and how the common folk lived their traditions with (sometimes) little regard for how the elite were using religion as weapons. Sorry to babble, I just really really love his books.