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 …
“Secrets of the Druids” by
John Mathews (Compiler)
“An in-depth study of the history, lore and tradition of Celtic philosophy and religion, this beautifully designed book offers a fascinating look at the mysterious ways of the Druids, the high priests of paganism. Covering all aspects of Druidism from Part One: Druid Lore, Customs & Beliefs – its early history to its revival in the 18th and 19th centuries, to the way it is practiced in the modern world. Part Two: The Celtic Seers – Vision, Seership and the Dark Speech, Poetry and Prophecy, the Prophecies of Merlin, Irish & Welsh legend. Part Three: The Bards – inspirational legacy and teachings of the ancient Celts, the Bardic singers, Bardic poetry, the modern tradition. * Top author: John Matthews, a practising Druid who lives in Oxford and is one of Britain’s leading writers on Celtic history, Arthurian lore and Wiccan tradition. * Definitive: this is the essential sourcebook for anyone interested in Druidism – its origins, traditions and practice. * Beautifully bound in gold-embossed blue silk over a hardback case”
“Drinking from the Sacred Well: Personal Voyages of Discovery with the Celtic Saints”
“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.”
“Celtic Mysteries: The Ancient Religion” (Art and Imagination) by
John Sharkey
“Discusses the religion of the ancient Celts and shows burial chambers, standing stones, cromlechs, and sacred wells in Ireland. A richly illustrated volume that traces the social life and arts of the Celtics from about 500 B.C. through their spread into Britain and Ireland. This is a lovely book, with many wonderful plates of celtic art. However, if you want an in-depth look at the celtic art style and its evolution and meaning, this book is somewhat superficial. The limited text has a somewhat New Age approach to it, and it does help if you know at least a bit of celtic mythology and folklore already. If you are looking for a richly illustrated book of celtic art, this is the book for you.”
“The Illustrated Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion” by
James George Frazer & Robert K. G. Temple (Editor)
“A classic study of the beliefs and institutions of mankind, and the progress through magic and religion to scientific thought, The Golden Bough has a unique status in modern anthropology and literature. First published in 1890, The Golden Bough was eventually issued in a twelve-volume edition (1906-15) which was abridged in 1922
by the author and his wife. That abridgement has never been reconsidered for a modern audience. In it some of the more controversial passages were dropped, including Frazer’s daring speculations on the Crucifixion of Christ. For the first time this one-volume edition restores Frazer’s bolder theories and sets them within the framework of a valuable introduction and notes.”
“Robert Graves, the late British poet and novelist, was also known for his studies of the mythological and psychological sources of poetry. With The White Goddess: A Historical Grammar of Poetic Myth, Graves was able to combine many of his passions into one work. While the book is so poetically written that many of the passages amount to prose poems, it is also frequently plot driven enough to feel like a novel, and it is rich with scholarly insight into the deep wells of poetry. Especially fascinating is the chapter in which Graves explores the ancient and ongoing practice of poets’ invoking the muse. Graves details the practice in both the Eastern and Western literary traditions, and shows specific similarities and differences among Greek, British, and Irish tales and myths about the muse. Graves has much to offer students of history and myth, but poetry lovers will also be fascinated with The White Goddess.”
“Celtic Tree Mysteries: Practical Druid Magic and Divination” by
Steve Blamires
“Steve Blamires constructs for his readers a base camp in the history and use of the ogham before launching an expedition toward complete understanding of the physical, mental, and spiritual aspects of the ogham and the trees they represent. Quite a quest, but Blamires succeeds. Where other popular forms of magic can be slanted toward development of only one aspect, Blamires’s study of the threefold nature of the ogham insures that the body of practical magical knowledge gathered on this journey will be useful in all levels of existence. Trees, and the magic associated with them, manifest the spiritual aspects of the Green World. Celtic Tree Mysteries revives the ancient knowledge and lore of the trees with a practical system of magical ritual and divination.”
“The Book of Druidry” by
Ross Nichols & Philip Carr-Gomm (Foreword)
“A comprehensive study of the Druids, from their earliest history to the present-day renaissance. The most comprehensive survey of Druidry available, from their earliest history to the current renaissance–including a study of the shaping of their ideas, their principal deities and myths, their learning and social organization, and more.The Book of Druidry was one of the first mainstream books published on Druidry, and is essentially the posthumously published work of Ross Nichols, former chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. This book is interesting from a historical perspective, but is most certainly not a Druid’s bible, or sourcebook.”
“The Epics of Celtic Ireland: Ancient Tales of Mystery and Magic” by
Jean Markale
“Celtic historian Markale provides a treatise on Irish epics and legends which includes plenty of spiritual insight as it probes how mythic tales have shaped modern beliefs. Students of Irish history or spirituality will find Epics of Celtic Ireland an excellent survey of early Celtic literature and spiritual beliefs. This is indeed one of the best sources I have found relating to the simple retelling of the ancient, Celtic tales. Everything is explained with great simplicity, lending itself to be understood without sacrificing the original context of the stories. I highly recomend it to those new into celtic literature, and to those already versed as well.”
“Elemental Power is not a primer. Much of it is written in visionary genre and pathworking techniques, with poetic methods used in the presentation of the materials within. Sources are cited clearly in the text and bibliography invariably. Elemental Power reflects a blended, inclusive philosophy, and an independent point of view of Celtic tradition in the greater shared sense. Celtic Faerie Craft and Druidic Majick are to be understood in their general, common sense. Or, if it is helpful, more as adjectives or verbs, less like nouns. I make this clarification so that readers will not expect a set of religious rituals or doctrines. Mine is a spiritual, shamanic approach to the Old Ways of Nature. My emphasis is on the reader being able to make personal, transformational connections to the elements of Nature and self-nature – regardless of their religious preference.”
“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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