THe thread of Books

[Twig]

Books, books, books. They are out there. :D So what have you read in the way of Druidry and the druidic sciences?? Also, what is your opinion on it? Does it get a

:D-Great Book
:)- Pretty good book
:p:Yuck
:mad:Does more harm than good

etc.

Peace,
Twig
:elf:

[Maggie]

The archives might have the lists that I and several other posters put up last year, Twig.......

Regards,

Maggie

[flar7]

any Links? Suggestions?;)

[Maggie]

Originally posted by flar7
any Links? Suggestions?;)

Well, kinda depends on what a person is looking for.....:)

The ADF has a reading list on their site-----adf.org

I like Ronald Hutton and Peter Ellis for history. Some of Miranda Green's books are good. Alexei Kondratiev has a book out for celtic rituals that is considered to be good, The Apple Branch. I like one called Kindling the Celtic Spirit by Mara Freeman. I think the OBOD has a web site too, for a different 'flavor' of druidism. John and Caitlan Mathews are great for inspiration--I have a couple of her books simply because they're beautiful!--but their scholarship is not of the best.

Regards,

Maggie

[flar7]

I will try to remember the tiltles and authors of the books I see
at my local "used" book store. Surprisingly enough, they have
a few.(hick town)

[catlin]

Ok, I found John o' Donohue's "Anam Cara" and "Echo der Seele" (sorry guys, no idea about the English title" very interesting, the same is D. Conway's "Celtic magic", several books by M. and C. Matthews were also pretty good.

[Myrddyn Emrys]

In this Druid's oppinion, ANYTHING written by Douglas Munroe
(i.e. The 21 Lessons of Merlyn) shold have a warning label stating:

WARNING! All the useful information you may find in this text is so intemixed with useless gobbeldygook that it will take you this life and most of your next to decipher the dung from roses!

His herbal list in there is good(for example) but fails to announce the warnings clear enough on some of them. Example, aspirin sensitive people SHOUD NEVER use ANY willow bark. People with high blood pressure SHOULD NEVER use All Heal.

(I personally still can't determine if Munroe thinks he's Merlin or Arthur!)

Myrddyn
:nyah:

[Haruka2077]

Hmm... I've been pagan for 10 years and for some reason have never explored the Druidic path. Can anyone recommend a solid book on the subject for someone who already has the basics of paganism down? I'm curious to know the difference between this path and others.

[Myrddyn Emrys]

I suggest two books, both of the same author:

"Thorson's Principals of Druidry" by Emma Restall-Orr
and
"SPirits of the Sacred Grove" also by Emma Restall-Orr

She is the Co-Founder of the "British Druids Order", the books are clearly and well written. They should give you an idea of how similar/dissimilar this is to what you already know.

Enjoy!

Myrddyn Emrys

[mol]

Originally posted by Myrddyn Emrys

In this Druid's oppinion, ANYTHING written by Douglas Munroe
(i.e. The 21 Lessons of Merlyn) shold have a warning label stating:


That book seems to be very controversial among Druids...

[Twig]

I've seen a few posts with his book mentioned. I'll dig up and bump the original thread.

Peace
Twig

[Myrddyn Emrys]

Originally posted by mol

That book seems to be very controversial among Druids...

He tends to mix way too many cultures together. In the companion book, "The lost Books of Merlyn" Munroe even suggests the use of "spirit masks" such as a Voodun Priest or an African Shaman would wear.

In "The 21 Lessons" he explains about the use of the "Three Rays Of Awen" but neglects to add the "Three Drops of Inspiration" along with them, and also neglects to explain to the readers tha tthese can be drawn different ways to invoke or evoke for different needs. He also explains about drawing the "Dragon's Eye" (a very POTENT symbol) but again neglects to explain the different ways to draw it for differnt needs, or to even explain what the individual parts represent. I hearken it to handing a gun to someone and merely saying "this is a gun and the things inside come out really fast!" He even details ot how to go on a "Wild Hunt" which litterally takes the "hunter" into another realm. For a novice, this could be highly dangerous.

Mind you, though, he DOES have a lot of good basic knowledge in there as well, such as some of Taliessin's work translated, and some old discourses on what to do or not do as a Druid. His Information on the Festivals is good, as is his thesis on a Druid's "Leech Chest" (sort of an Herbal Doctor's kit. But even in this he leaves out pertinent information on some of the herbs).

I just feel his works are the type that should be monitored by a teacher, and not just left to a novice to utilize without guidance. I actually have first hand experience in this area, let's just call it the Obi-Wan syndrome...

Myrddyn Emrys

[younghawk]

I believe most things that we learn in books are going to be coded, that some things will be truth and others useless gobbeldygook( i like this wording Emrys).

It is for us to find the knowledge to be able to see the truth and to also be able to see the useless gobbeldygook.

The truth is not suppose to be easy to see, to me it is something that has to be earned.

Like i said this is my opinion

YoungHawk
Seeker of the line of truth that goes through everything

[MoonAnu]

Hi everyone. This is technically my first post but I've been lurking for a while before I made this account.

What about Exploring Celtic Druidism by Sirona Knight? Supposedly she is a Third Degree Craftmaster of the Celtic Gwyddonic Druid Tradition for over fourteen years. It seems the book focuses more on the Gwyddonic Tradition than Druidism itself. So-far I like it, it's pretty basic and explanatory, but I haven't read the entire book yet so I can't really rate it.

What is everyone elses opinion on the book?

- Alex

[Twig]

Hi everyone. This is technically my first post but I've been lurking for a while before I made this account.

What about Exploring Celtic Druidism by Sirona Knight? Supposedly she is a Third Degree Craftmaster of the Celtic Gwyddonic Druid Tradition for over fourteen years. It seems the book focuses more on the Gwyddonic Tradition than Druidism itself. So-far I like it, it's pretty basic and explanatory, but I haven't read the entire book yet so I can't really rate it.

What is everyone elses opinion on the book?

- Alex

Although this isn't wherre I would usually welcome people, this is where you posted soooooo WELCOME!!!!! Look around and ask, answer, post gripe. Whatever you feel like for we are all here to help each other! :)

Peace,
Twig
:elf:

[Myrddyn Emrys]

Hmmm...
Haven't read, but now want to get....

Myrddyn Emrys

[Aldrick]

Yeah I thought you'd enjoy that book love. :)

Also, Im not sure if this were mentioned before now but I found the following also informative.
Spirits of the Sacred Grove: Emma Restall Orr (more of a Journal though)
By Oak, Ash & Thorn: D.J. Conway (about Modern Celtic Shamanism but also very insightful)
Also the two Myrddin style books written by Douglas Monroe
The 21 lessions of Merlyn and it's follow-up The Lost Books of Merlyn

[Myrddyn Emrys]

Also the two Myrddin style books written by Douglas Monroe
The 21 lessions of Merlyn and it's follow-up The Lost Books of Merlyn

You need to check out a couple other threads on THOSE books. Very in-depth oppinions on them.

Myrddyn Emrys

[Aldrick]

I shall assume you are reffering to the 'Book' thread and proceed there. I had only though that someone might benifit from them if I posted here aswell.

[Arienadean]

I have a copy of:

The Mysteries of Britian - The secret Rites and Traditions of Ancient Britain Restored. By Lewis Spence.

However I am looking for other books on the subject. I do have some diffrent books:

The rights of passage(I can't find my copy at the moment to say who authored it)

The book of Runes by Ralph H. Blum

Witta - an irish pagan tradition by Edain Mc Coy

Diary of a witch by Sybil Leek

The Witches Almanac

Scottish Witchcraft - The history and magick of the picts by Raymond Buckland

The way of cartouche by Murry Hope

i-ching by Chris marshall

Karma Cards - a new age guide to your future through astrology by Monte Farber

[Pan]

By Oak, Ash & Thorn: D.J. Conway (about Modern Celtic Shamanism but also very insightful)

I noticed that no one mentioned if this was a good book or not?

It's hard to find the others mentioned for me. :( But I do know where I can get a copy of that book. Is it a good one?

[Myrddyn Emrys]

It's a good start, but try to find others as well. Bookstores will special order books if you ask. All it takes is the Title, the Author, and as usual, $(just the cost of the book).

Myrddyn Emrys

[Storm]

I have noticed that there is not a wide aray of commentary on druid books in general. There are just a few in this thread and nothing written on Amazon. Why is that? I have just purchased three books and when the get here I shall read them and then I will post a review. Of course these will be my information on druidry so basically all I can tell you is if I learned anything or not.

[Killing_Yggdrasil]

i personally like 'By Oak, Ash, & Thorn', but then again i am not purely druidic. i mix and match eastern philosophies, western philosophies, everything. And i have a large interest in shamanism.

i know they are historical fiction, but Morgan Llywelyn's books are amazing. 'Druids' and 'Pride of Lion's' in particular are my favorites.

[altagreenman]

I'd give my opinion on this book but my ex claimed it as hers in prior to me finishing the book. I do think that the story was good though.

[tensen]

Well, kinda depends on what a person is looking for.....:)

The ADF has a reading list on their site-----adf.org

I like Ronald Hutton and Peter Ellis for history. Some of Miranda Green's books are good. Alexei Kondratiev has a book out for celtic rituals that is considered to be good, The Apple Branch. I like one called Kindling the Celtic Spirit by Mara Freeman. I think the OBOD has a web site too, for a different 'flavor' of druidism. John and Caitlan Mathews are great for inspiration--I have a couple of her books simply because they're beautiful!--but their scholarship is not of the best.

Regards,

Maggie

I give a really big thumbs up to The Apple Branch by Alexei Kondratiev. It is a good mix of a scholarly book without seeming too absolutely dry. It felt right... but I haven't yet done my own research to confirm his views on some things, so I can't be sure everything is factual.

[Slasint]

Its a shame that people try to pretend that learning about the life of druidism can come from a simple book. Druidism is a role that has been passed down through family lines as forms of knowledge. They didn't write books on their knowledge because writing wasn't possible. Plus it was a self explanatory law of druidism that you dont tell anyone anything unless they are young and devoted. Most druids(98%) are druids from birth being taught as they are brought up in life. You cant walk the journey unless you are born on a journey. Also, you can make druids out of normal humans whom have no knowledge but they will never be a true druid in any form. But then there are diffrent types of Druids. My reign is out of ancient connacht. Tuatha Da Danaan. We worship those gods and follow those belives. alaon de constagod

[Phoenix Blue]

:rolleyes: No one said "druidism can come from a simple book." The conversation is about books on various aspects of Druidry; if you have something to add to that, please do; but a blanket "druidism cannot come from a simple book" does nothing but stroke your own ego.

[Seamus MacNemi]

The whole point of Druidism (as far as I am concerned) is the pursuit of TRUTH. That is what the prefix DRU directly states. Here we have the Sanskrit root for all of our English words for TRUTH, TRUST, DURATION. DURABLE, ENDURING ect. The term Druid means simply 'a seeker of truth'. It has little to do with the worship of any specific Gods and belongs to no specific tribal group.
While it is true that the ancient Druids practiced Pagan religion, They were merely acting in their turn as culture creators and culture bearers. They were the ones who created the mythologies which gave the people their identities, their systems of law, their arts and sciences. Our entire society and all of its history is built upon the foundations which they laid.
We cannot recreate the Druidism that was. But we can create a Druidism that IS. That is the nature of the task which lies before us.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

I just picked up "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Celtic Wisdom" by Carl McColman. So far on flipping through it, it doesn't seem to be too bad, no egregious errors or anything that I've picked out. It runs the gaumet from Druidry to Celtic Recon to Celtic Christianity, as well as a few other Celtic/Celtic inspired (I refuse to call Celtic Wicca a Celtic path) paths. Really nice Appendices in the back,a large bibliography and several pages of suggested websites to visit, as well as a historical timeline.

The only thing I've noticed that really bothers me is the only information in here pertains to Irish or Welsh spiritual traditions. I'd like to see some more stuff on Scottish, Gallic, Manx, Breton, and Cornish traditions.

Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone else has read it at all, and what the general opinon of it is.

[skilly-nilly]

Back to Slasint and Seamus MacNemi: The most meaningful pursuit of LIFE is Truth. Truth is accessible to all, regardless of birth or lineage. Being born in a Druid line may make an educational pathway more accessible but what Druids learn comes from the Timeless Land. Not being born in a Druid line( or, Seamus, whoever your mother is) does not bar anyone from finding, perceiving, and understanding the Truth.

Reading books can help to open one's mind to new and powerful ideas. Books are not the way, books are tools.


:rolleyes: No one said "druidism can come from a simple book." The conversation is about books on various aspects of Druidry; if you have something to add to that, please do; but a blanket "druidism cannot come from a simple book" does nothing but stroke your own ego.

Back to Phoenix Blue: You GO, person!

On the other hand, I like Miranda Green but find that Edain McCoy fails the potato test. Reading multiple books helps the truth-nuggets stand out. Inter-Library book loans are good for this because then you don't have to buy books with only a few nuggets in a lot of gobble-de-gook soup. :spaceman:

[LittleRhiannon]

I was at the store today and saw "Lore of the Bard" or uhh some combination of bard and lore. The only author name on the front was Rowan.

I flipped through it, but I didn't have enough money with me anyway, so I thought I should come ask you folks if it was worth it.

[banondraig]

"Echo der Seele" (sorry guys, no idea about the English title)

sometimes the titles are changed when switching languages, but the translation is "Echo of the Soul".

[banondraig]

thank you, skilly-nilly, for bringing up the potato test! any book that tells you about potatoes being eaten or used in any fashion by europeans prior to the sixteenth century is WRONG!!! potatoes are native to south america and were introduced to the british isles by sir walter scott. the potato test is a great way of weeding out books with poor scholarship.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

I agree completely. Hence why I don't trust anything from Edain McCoy. She fails the potato test.

[Grainne]

I bought that book about a month ago! I like it because it's written for anyone just beginning in celtic spirituality. It's not only for pagans but for christians as well. I've e-mailed Carl here recently to ask his permission to use something out of his book for the rite of passage that I was writing for my son. Really, really sweet man.

Slainte!

Grainne







I just picked up "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Celtic Wisdom" by Carl McColman. So far on flipping through it, it doesn't seem to be too bad, no egregious errors or anything that I've picked out. It runs the gaumet from Druidry to Celtic Recon to Celtic Christianity, as well as a few other Celtic/Celtic inspired (I refuse to call Celtic Wicca a Celtic path) paths. Really nice Appendices in the back,a large bibliography and several pages of suggested websites to visit, as well as a historical timeline.

The only thing I've noticed that really bothers me is the only information in here pertains to Irish or Welsh spiritual traditions. I'd like to see some more stuff on Scottish, Gallic, Manx, Breton, and Cornish traditions.

Anyhow, I was wondering if anyone else has read it at all, and what the general opinon of it is.

[banondraig]

Back to Phoenix Blue: You GO, person!


offtopic:

:hehehehe: great line! however, i feel like i should point out that Phoenix Blue is a male.

[malltynos]

agreed, banondraig - one should definately apply the potato test in all walks of life! LOL! was it Sir Walter Scott or Sir walter Raleigh though? I like the Matthewses approach, find their research well done and they are very down to earth in person. I like Emma Restall Orr well enough, but she is a little off track with her view that Druids never knowingly harmed anyone - I think the 2nd Augustan legion might disagree...I think that Morien Morgan and Philip Carr - Gomm are more to my taste, eccentric perhaps but knowledgeable nonetheless.

[Nantonos]

I have noticed that there is not a wide aray of commentary on druid books in general. There are just a few in this thread and nothing written on Amazon. Why is that? I have just purchased three books and when the get here I shall read them and then I will post a review. Of course these will be my information on druidry so basically all I can tell you is if I learned anything or not.

So, what did you think of the books? I agree that more comments on different books would be helpful.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Looks like we've been pretty dead in here lately...let's try to fix that.

The one book I repeatedly hear over and over that should belong in every Celtophile's library is Alexie Kondratiev's The Apple Branch. So I search for and upon finding it, I promptly purchase it and eagerly start reading.

Now, I've not finished the book, but here is my assessment thus far, He provides good background information. The history is spot-on, the scholarship well-researched, the writing style flows nicely, and it doesn't read like a dry academic textbook. He is quite thourough in his research, descriptions and explinations. For the most part I would higly recommend this book.

But (isn't there always a but...), I wouldn't reccomed it to a newbie for one big reason. The rituals he includes literally reek of Wicca. Not to say that Wicca is a bad thing, it's not. However this is supposed to be a book dealing with Celtic ritual and practices. Wicca and actual Celtic religious practices have little in common, so why would he include rituals that are so blatantly Wiccan in nature? It's frustrating to say the least. I'm so sick of seeing books that claim to be about 'Celtic' religion, only to find out that they are Wicca with a 'Celtic' veneer. ~sighs~

Purely for the very good academic and historical info I would recommend it without reservation to the more advanced student of Celtic religion because they will at that point be knowledgeable to recognize the rituals for what they are. I fear that giving it to a newbie might give them the wrong ideas about us.

[Nantonos]

The one book I repeatedly hear over and over that should belong in every Celtophile's library is Alexie Kondratiev's The Apple Branch. So I search for and upon finding it, I promptly purchase it and eagerly start reading.

I did that too and was really dissapointed (I thought it was wiccalite fluff basically). Then I met Alexie on several lists and found someone who was well read, articulate,and interesting.

I assume therefore that it was either a case of paying the rent, or a deliberate attempt to court the bottom of the market that is most i need of solid facts and least likely to come across them.


Now, I've not finished the book, but here is my assessment thus far, He provides good background information. The history is spot-on, the scholarship well-researched, the writing style flows nicely, and it doesn't read like a dry academic textbook. He is quite thourough in his research, descriptions and explinations. For the most part I would higly recommend this book.

But (isn't there always a but...), I wouldn't reccomed it to a newbie for one big reason. The rituals he includes literally reek of Wicca. Not to say that Wicca is a bad thing, it's not. However this is supposed to be a book dealing with Celtic ritual and practices. Wicca and actual Celtic religious practices have little in common, so why would he include rituals that are so blatantly Wiccan in nature?

That was what put me off too, and more particularly that the reader is given to understand that this is ancient Celtic ritual when in fact it is nothing of the kind.


It's frustrating to say the least. I'm so sick of seeing books that claim to be about 'Celtic' religion, only to find out that they are Wicca with a 'Celtic' veneer. ~sighs~

I don't understand why Alexi did this, frankly.


Purely for the very good academic and historical info I would recommend it without reservation to the more advanced student of Celtic religion because they will at that point be knowledgeable to recognize the rituals for what they are. I fear that giving it to a newbie might give them the wrong ideas about us.

I fear that the newbie will take it as historical reconstruction and the expert will see it as wiccafluff - both would be wrong, in some ways - and thus, where is the actual audience?

[Skye_Traveler]

Greetings, if anyone's reading... YOO! HOO! :clapping: :megaphone LOL! ;)

I'm a newbie here to MW. Although I've been a solitary Wiccan for many years, I am new to Druidry. It has nudged me over the years, and there have been a series of synchronicities recently that pointed me back in this direction. So here I am. Having a huge spiritual library, my first thought was Barnes & Noble online. :bumpsmili

Here are 3 books I just received in the mail. Only the first one was mentioned in this entire thread, but thought I'd share the titles and authors to see if anyone has any input to share. I hope I didn't waste my $$$! :bangyourh

PRINCIPLES OF DRUIDRY by Emma Restall Orr

THE BOOK OF DRUIDRY by Ross Nichols

THE PRACTICE OF CELTIC WISDOM: DRUID MAGIC by Maya Magee Sutton, Ph.D., and Nicholas R. Mann

Anybody heard of the latter two books? I saw Orr was fairly well thought of here...

I am going to check out the other threads here in the Druid section as well.

Thanks in advance for any further info!

Skye

:wave:

[shenanigans]

Greetings, if anyone's reading... YOO! HOO! :clapping: :megaphone LOL! ;)

I'm a newbie here to MW. Although I've been a solitary Wiccan for many years, I am new to Druidry. It has nudged me over the years, and there have been a series of synchronicities recently that pointed me back in this direction. So here I am. Having a huge spiritual library, my first thought was Barnes & Noble online. :bumpsmili

Here are 3 books I just received in the mail. Only the first one was mentioned in this entire thread, but thought I'd share the titles and authors to see if anyone has any input to share. I hope I didn't waste my $$$! :bangyourh

PRINCIPLES OF DRUIDRY by Emma Restall Orr

THE BOOK OF DRUIDRY by Ross Nichols

THE PRACTICE OF CELTIC WISDOM: DRUID MAGIC by Maya Magee Sutton, Ph.D., and Nicholas R. Mann

Anybody heard of the latter two books? I saw Orr was fairly well thought of here...

I am going to check out the other threads here in the Druid section as well.

Thanks in advance for any further info!

Skye

:wave:

actually, I own all three of those, although I've only read the latter two, and found them both to be informative and useful. Definitely books I'll keep in my library for a while longer.

[Kendrah]

What about Exploring Celtic Druidism by Sirona Knight? Supposedly she is a Third Degree Craftmaster of the Celtic Gwyddonic Druid Tradition for over fourteen years. It seems the book focuses more on the Gwyddonic Tradition than Druidism itself. So-far I like it, it's pretty basic and explanatory, but I haven't read the entire book yet so I can't really rate it.

What is everyone elses opinion on the book?

This is here say, but I've chatted with a Gwyddonic high priestess and she says Sirona Knight is a shame. That she was indeed initiated into the Gwyddonic trad, but she either left or was kicked out after a year. Which would make her only a first. I don't know if that has any bearing on the book, mind you. I haven't read it.

[Gwenhwyfar]

Greetings, if anyone's reading... YOO! HOO! :clapping: :megaphone LOL! ;)

I'm a newbie here to MW. Although I've been a solitary Wiccan for many years, I am new to Druidry. It has nudged me over the years, and there have been a series of synchronicities recently that pointed me back in this direction. So here I am. Having a huge spiritual library, my first thought was Barnes & Noble online. :bumpsmili

Here are 3 books I just received in the mail. Only the first one was mentioned in this entire thread, but thought I'd share the titles and authors to see if anyone has any input to share. I hope I didn't waste my $$$! :bangyourh

PRINCIPLES OF DRUIDRY by Emma Restall Orr

THE BOOK OF DRUIDRY by Ross Nichols

THE PRACTICE OF CELTIC WISDOM: DRUID MAGIC by Maya Magee Sutton, Ph.D., and Nicholas R. Mann

Anybody heard of the latter two books? I saw Orr was fairly well thought of here...

I am going to check out the other threads here in the Druid section as well.

Thanks in advance for any further info!

Skye

:wave:Iv had THE PRACTICE OF CELTIC WISDOM: DRUID MAGIC by Maya Magee Sutton, Ph.D., and Nicholas R. Mann for a while now, havent read all of it...I would have liked it to have a little more history kind of stuff but thats just me.

[Skye_Traveler]

Iv had THE PRACTICE OF CELTIC WISDOM: DRUID MAGIC by Maya Magee Sutton, Ph.D., and Nicholas R. Mann for a while now, havent read all of it...I would have liked it to have a little more history kind of stuff but thats just me.

Thanks for the input! :smile: I haven't started that one yet. I've started with the Orr book first. Maybe one of the other two has more history, but I don't recall offhand.

I'll keep checking back here. It's nice to have feedback from people who haved read the various books! :sunny:

Skye

[KellyP]

Good books for druid beginners? I consider myself very much a beginner but have amassed a fairly large library for the six months I have been studying. My recommendations follow.

A Brief History of the Druids, Peter Berresford Ellis - Is targeted at the general reader and I felt it did a great job of separating the seed from the shell on a large number of topics. If I have any complaint with this book, it is that Mr. Ellis occasionally tries to beat the reader over the head with an issue (e.g. that there were female druids). One of the greatest assets of this book is the eleven page bibliography.

The Conquest of Gaul, Julius Caesar - You can find this under other titles dependent upon the translator and publisher of the work. While many researchers believe his account of the Gauls and the Druids to be political propaganda to sway the Roman Senate, it still stands as one of the few texts from someone who dealt with the subjects first hand.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Celtic Wisdom, Carl McColman - As has been posted elsewhere in this thread, do not expect to find everything you will ever want to know about Celtic beliefs in this text. However, I came to the subject knowing nothing more than the most popularized nonsense regarding the Celts. This book helps lay out the material in such a way that it builds an excellent foundation for further study. Take what McColman offers and from there pursue more advanced material where you have questions or interests.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Paganism, Carl McColman - Yep, I am a complete idiot. This book takes you to the basics of paganism and tries to move the reader along discussing three paths of Wicca, druidism, and shamanism. He does a fair job at helping the casual reader sort out the differences between the widely held views of each path. Again, don't expect ever nuance to be found in McColman's guide. It is a starting point.

Drawing Down the Moon, Margot Adler - It was a struggle to fight my way through this rather massive document. The writing is easy and the material is interesting. There is just a great deal of it. My reason for recommending such an overwhelming project is straightforward: Adler captures the major struggles, major players, and major views of most neo-Pagan paths.

I hope this proves helpful to someone. While I don't believe we can learn everything we need on our path from books, I do think it is useful to come into the community with a basic common vocabulary and understanding.

Good luck and happy reading.

Kelly
I don't talk to trees anymore. Of course, I don't talk to them any less.

[ibonewits]

KellyP's list is excellent.

I would also recommend:

The Druids by Stuart Piggott, a grouchy intro to facts and fantasies of Druidism.
The Druid Renaissance edited by Phillip Carr-Gomm, chapters by various Druid leaders (including myself) on their groups.
The New Comparative Mythology C. Scott Littleton, an intro to the common Indo-European patterns of mythology and religios practice as discovered by georges Dumezil.
Celtic Heritage by Alwin & Brinley Rees, a Dumezilian analysis of Celtic myth and culture, especially the Irish and the Welsh, that really clarifies many mysteries.

I do not, Not NOT recommend anything by Douglan Monroe or books about Druidism or Celtic Studies by people who usually write Wiccan books...

cheers,
Isaac

[Phaedra B]

KellyP's list is excellent.

I would also recommend: Darlin',

You forgot Ronald Hutton's excellent book, Witches, Druids, and King Arthur, an exploration of how history and historical myth intertwine.

Ooops, I forgot ... I read it and you didn't ;)


cheers,
Isaac Giggles,
Mrs. B.

[KellyP]

The New Comparative Mythology C. Scott Littleton, an intro to the common Indo-European patterns of mythology and religios practice as discovered by georges Dumezil.
Celtic Heritage by Alwin & Brinley Rees, a Dumezilian analysis of Celtic myth and culture, especially the Irish and the Welsh, that really clarifies many mysteries.
Excellent! I have been trying to wade into the Dumezil tripartite theory a little more but much of his work seems to be caught up in advanced texts. Puhvel's Comparative Mythology was great and I found Mallory's In Search of ... manageable but was afraid to get much deeper. Thanks for the suggestions on entry level sources.



I do not, Not NOT recommend anything by Douglan Monroe or books about Druidism or Celtic Studies by people who usually write Wiccan books...
I am so glad there are icons of the field that can state what should NOT be read. There are many sources I would warn against but feel reluctant to offer negative reviews so early in my studies.

Kelly
People hunt in Oklahoma, so my druid robes are blaze orange. Got a problem with that?

[Sonic Seamus]

For those that have read The Apple Branch, how would you compare it with Thorsons Principles of Druidry? The descriptions read a lot alike.

I've read Thorsons Principles of Druidry and am looking for something else to move on to.

[Nantonos]

For those that have read The Apple Branch, how would you compare it with Thorsons Principles of Druidry? The descriptions read a lot alike.

I've read Thorsons Principles of Druidry and am looking for something else to move on to.

Well, I must admit I got Apple Branch on the recommendation of several people, and was severely disapointed. Alexi is very erudite, articulate, great person (if you talk in email for example) but that particular book does not show it at all. Its a Wicca-lite with a sprinkle of Celtic seasoning. Which is fine if that is what people are looking for; if they are looking for traditional or historical material and imagine the Apple Branch is it, then they will find the book of little value.

So it depends what you are looking for, and which direction your path is leading you. Have you read any of Emma Restall-Orr's books?

[Pandoras]

I have a lot of down time at work and can usually get through one book a week. I'm ready to order my next reads, but I'm having a hard time deciding. The possibilities are below. The Druid path is not one I've explored so I'm looking for introductory titles. If you've read any of these, please share your thoughts.


The Druid Renaissance: The Voice of Druidry Today by Philip Carr-Gomm
Druid Magic: The Practice of Celtic Wisdom by Maya Magee Sutton and Nicholas R. Mann
Spirits of the Sacred Grove: The World of a Druid Priestess by Emma Restall Orr
Kindling the Celtic Spirit: Ancient Traditions to Illumine Your Life Throughout the Seasons by Mara Freeman

[Ladyvi]

the druid magick one i have and one i started with. that and elemental magick by amber wolfe.

i liked druid magick. while explaining druid way and the way of magick it also has practical applications and exercises like a work book. i found it very good learning and teaching tool

[Nantonos]

The Druid Renaissance: The Voice of Druidry Today by Philip Carr-Gomm
Druid Magic: The Practice of Celtic Wisdom by Maya Magee Sutton and Nicholas R. Mann
Spirits of the Sacred Grove: The World of a Druid Priestess by Emma Restall Orr
Kindling the Celtic Spirit: Ancient Traditions to Illumine Your Life Throughout the Seasons by Mara Freeman


Druid Rennaisance I have skimmed and decided not to buy, it was a bit loose with historical material for my taste. Druid Magic I have not seen. Spirits of the Sacred Grove (this book seems to go by different titles depending on country and edition) I have and like. Its very experiential, very personalview of one person's approachto Druidry. I would recommend it .Kindling the Celtic Spirit is okay, if you want a seasonal workbook and are happy with material from wildlydifferent historical periods, regions, and cultures all mashed together as if all Celtic peoples have a timeless, unchanging culture and evolved in a sealed bubble separate from all other human peoples. That aspect put me right off, naturally.

So if it was me (which it isn't) I would go for Bobcat's book (Emma Restall-Orr). But then, I would want something on historical druidry too, which you won't get a lot of from her book. What you will get is a vivid insight into the practices, experiences and feel of one particular Druid.

[Pandoras]

Kindling the Celtic Spirit is okay, if you want a seasonal workbook and are happy with material from wildlydifferent historical periods, regions, and cultures all mashed together as if all Celtic peoples have a timeless, unchanging culture and evolved in a sealed bubble separate from all other human peoples.

So in other words, you don't recommend this book? :rollingla

[lightdragon]

What about The Druids by Peter Ellis?

[KellyP]

What about The Druids by Peter Ellis? A Brief History of The Druids by Peter B. Ellis is near the top of my list of book recommendations. He does an excellent job of sorting out what is or is not known about the historical druids. It is not a book to read in order to learn about modern practices of druidry though.

[ap Dafydd]

A couple of books which haven't been mentioned and which I'd recommend are "Exploring the World of the Druids" by Miranda J Green, "The Druids" by Jean Markale, and "The Druids" by Anne Ross (and indeed anything by the above mentioned folk, all of whom have written extensively on Celtic studies).

gwyn eich byd

Ffred

[Sonic Seamus]

What about The Druids by Peter Ellis?

I'm just about done with this one. It's a lot of historical stuff with dates and comparisons of authors which can leave your head swimming. He goes to great lengths to dispell a lot of myths, romanticism and all out propaganda (mostlly by Romans on the war path and christian missionaries). By the end of the book you have a pretty good idea of who and what Druids really were in ancient times.

As far as druidic ritual there isnt much there except for what we already know (i.e. belife in the Otherworld. the Gods and Goddess as ancestors, certain sacred holidays, etc).

[lightdragon]

I'm just about done with this one. It's a lot of historical stuff with dates and comparisons of authors which can leave your head swimming. He goes to great lengths to dispell a lot of myths, romanticism and all out propaganda (mostlly by Romans on the war path and christian missionaries). By the end of the book you have a pretty good idea of who and what Druids really were in ancient times.

As far as druidic ritual there isnt much there except for what we already know (i.e. belife in the Otherworld. the Gods and Goddess as ancestors, certain sacred holidays, etc).
I agree here totally. The main thing is that the book is not fluff