Below are a small selection of books that will give you a background in understanding the celtic druids. Research is continuing into the celtic druids’ belief system in many different countries, though it is in the celtic lands that everyone goes to see at first hand the environments in which they once ruled. References in classical times to the druids were often derogatory, many coming from those avid defenders of human rights, the Romans, who took a more ‘civilised’ approach to human sacrifice and simply tossed their enemies to the lions for ‘entertainment’ over lunch …
What has been discovered in more recent times about the celtic druids indicates an order of astronomer-priests and law-makers who had inherited the remains of a megalithic science, and the megalithic observatories they did not build themselves, but which they are reputed to have utilised in a complex ‘religion of the stars’ that governed their daily lives, and set their calendars in line with the rhythms of the natural world – ‘as above so below’ …
The books featured below are simply those that are available to visitors to the Morien Institute website from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk.
There are many other privately published works on the druids that are not in general circulation, many not even in English, but the books below should give enquirers an idea of the state of current thinking about these mysterious people, whose power 2000 years ago was such that the might of the Roman empire was unleashed against them …
simply click on the book covers to order those titles directly from Amazon.com, or click on the UK editionlink to order directly from Amazon.co.uk. Some titles may not be available in both editions. Amazon.com customers can buy using Quick-Click Buttons next to each title
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all comments are editorial and customer reviews posted on the Amazon.com & Amazon.co.uk websites …
“A comprehensive and revealing look at the druids and their fundamental role in Celtic society that dispels many of the misconceptions about these important religious figures and their doctrine * Written by the world’s leading authority on Celtic culture. Druidism was one of the greatest and most exalting adventures of the human spirit, attempting to reconcile the unreconcilable, the individual and the collective, creator and created, good and evil, day and night, past and future, and life and death. Because of the oral nature of Celtic civilization our understanding of its spiritual truths and rituals is necessarily incomplete. Yet evidence exists that can provide the modern reader with a better understanding of the doctrine that took druidic apprentices 20 years to learn in the remote forests of the British Isles and Gaul.”
“Druid Magic: The Practice of Celtic Wisdom” by
Maya Magee Sutton, Nicholas R. Mann, Philip Carr-Gomm
“There’s lots of information in this book, including what is and isn’t a Celt, what is and isn’t a Druid, info on shapeshifting and other magic, spirituality, symbols, the Tree Alphabet, sources for further reading, and much more. I’m not a Druid, but I have an interest in Celtic history and culture. This is an invaluable resource for anyone interested in Celts, Druids, or magic in general. The book is written in a way that’s easy to understand, even if you’re not familiar with Celtic lore or magic. Even if you don’t intend to practice, it’s great reading, and will help you understand the difference between magic in fairy tales and real magic.”
“Still regarded with affection in the popular imagination, the druids, at the height of their power in Celtic Britain, were known for their love of nature and for worshipping heroes and ancestors. The English historian T. D. Kendrick – widely cited in many studies of druids and druidism – presents a well-documented summary of druidic culture, offering a detailed account of the racial history, prehistory, and social atmosphere of early Gallic and British civilisation. Amply illustrated with rare maps, jewellery, pottery, wall carvings, stone inscriptions, time-worn foundations and burial grounds, the text considers the many theories of the origin of druidism, its early mention by Greek and Roman writers (ca. 52 B.C.), and the temples and religious practices of these ancient people. A thorough study of a fascinating topic, this book will appeal to anthropologists, folklore enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the early religious and cultural life of Celtic Britaint.
“Awen: Quest of the Celtic Mysteries”
by
Mike Harris, (Foreword) Gareth Knight
“Awen is a Welsh word often translated as ‘inspiration’. However, in its fullness it is untranslatable as a single word, comprising as it does a kind of irradiation of the soul from paradisal origins. In the end, our descriptions and our definitions must be rendered in poetic terms. Hence the importance of the Bard. It was
the Celtic bards who laid the foundation of inner wisdom that has come down to us as the Arthurian Tradition. It was Celtic bards who, leaving Wales and Cornwall for Brittany, and thence seeking service with Frankish lords, provided the tales that informed the Arthurian romancers of twelfth and thirteenth centuries. Chrtien de Troyes, Robert de Boron and others, wove them into tales of Merlin, Arthur, Lancelot and Guenevere, the Lady of the Lake and the Questors of the Grail. The pages you hold before you reveal the source of the hidden tradition as preserved for us in the Celtic folk soul.”
“A Druid’s Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year” by
Ellen Evert Hopman
“Hopman provides the religious and historical background of the Druids before proceeding to the herbal information in chapters that progress through the seasons from All Hallows (the beginning of the Druidic year) through the fall equinox. Each of these chapters first sets the seasonal context, then presents a list of the herbs pertinent to that season. Each entry in a list cites the parts of the plant that are used and their herbal, homeopathic, and magical uses. Hopman follows the herbal with a discussion of planetary effects on herbs and the herbs used for major life events. Helpful appendixes guide the non-Druid in pronunciation, list sources of information and plants, and give a short list of references. Hopman’s effort will fascinate anyone interested in herbs and their lore as well as that sizable group that finds the Druids and their approach to life intriguing.”
“Omens, Oghams and Oracles: Divination in the Druidic Tradition” by
ichard Webster
No UK edition
“From the Celts of Europe and Asia, Webster has gleaned time-tested and practical methods of divination, from the simplicity of the Druid-sticks to the intricacies of the Oghams. Omens, Oghams & Oracles is an excellent source for the beginning or the experienced prognosticator. Readers will find, as I quickly did, that the methods described not only give insight to the future, but lead to a deeper understanding of how nature and spirit are connected.An excellent book covering several sources of Celtic and Indo-European divination systems. The information on Oghams is quite satifactory to learn and get started. The information of geomancy is indispensible for those interested in the divination, and not the endless rhetoric and lore attributed to the classical ceremonial application.”
“The Celtic Seers Source Book: Vision and Magic in the Druid Tradition” by
John Matthews (Editor)
“It is not often to see such a well-presented and thoughtful anthology about the power of Celtic visionaries. John and Caitlin Matthrews have presented us with a fascinating array of subjects about seership – precognitive
dreams, the prophecies of Merlin, the ancient Ogham alphabet, the Silver Bough, and more. Contributing authors range from antiquarians to modern writers in our own time … Particularily outstanding is the chapter on “The Spells of Women” by Caitlin Matthews, addressing often-neglected themes that need to be addressed. If you have ever wanted to learn more about the vatic tradition of the Celts, this is an introduction that will open doorways to a new way of perceiving the early Celts and their history.”
“The Druid Source Book: From Earliest Times to Present Day” by
John Matthews
“The Druid Source Book is a fine gateway to information for those researching Celtic religions or starting a quest for a spiritual path. Unlike many books on the subject, the Source Book is a collection of writings, essays, and articles that relate to the religious practice, gods and myths of the celts. The writings are from several different points of view and time periods. The book is devided by chronological periods so you get not only the information the articles offer, but a historical reference on how this particular religious system was viewed at differtent times of history. I recomend this book to any person with an interest in celtic religions that want to go to the source information,rather than a regurgitation by someone else, and avoid contamination by others opinions.”
“The Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom: The Celtic Shaman’s Sourcebook” by
Caitlin Matthews & John Matthews
“In this stunning gift edition, Celtic experts Caitlin and John Matthews present inspirational primary material, rich in ancient wisdom, lore, and mythology. For readers who are fascinated by Celtic traditions, and spiritual heritage, this unique reference introduces several new translations of powerful Celtic literature, including stories, poems, and visionary writing-many dating from the 7th century. Brimming with invaluable ancestral knowledge and previously unavailable texts, this invaluable sourcebook offers readers a rare insight into shamanic memory, druidic divination and prophecy, shape-shifting myths, stories about soul loss and restoration, legendary magic, and healing traditions.”
“The Druid Animal Oracle: Working With the Sacred Animals of the Druid Tradition” by
Philip Carr-Gomm & Stephanie Carr-Gomm
“You are holding a source of great power and influence — the wisdom of the animal world drawn from the wellspring of ancient Celtic tradition. The Druids, like the Native Americans, revered animals as sacred guides, guardians and protectors. Today, the book and beautiful card set of The Druid Animal Oracle can bring healing and will help you draw strength from its intuitive knowledge. From the interpretations of the card spreads and the animal lore given, you will gain powerful insights into your life-situation and receive positive guidance for the future. Authors Philip and Stephanie Carr-Gomm, who live in England, are Chief and Scribe of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids, one of the largest international Druid groups.”
read Michael Bayley’s controversial books about Caer Sidi
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the history of Celtic Religion, Astrology and Astronomy
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