Carmina Gadelica
Hymns & Incantations Collected in the Highlands and Islands of Scotlandin the last Century
by Andrew Carmichael
$19.95/$15.96 from amazon.com
Andrew Carmichael traveled the Highlands and Island for many years, gathering and writing down the oral poetry and songs of "our dear, loveable people." His collection consists of an intriguing blend of pre-Christian and Christian prayers, blessings, magical invocations, and hymns. The lover of Gaelic tradition enters another world upon opening this book: a world long since passed from our seeing, but lovingly preserved according to the oral tradition of our forebears.These "charms of the Gaels" have been handed down through countless generations as precious, eternal testimony to the daily ritual of life in ancient Celt-dom. There are songs and prayers for rising each morning, for going to rest at night, charms and blessings for curing various health problems, homages to the sun, moon and stars, and praises to the land, sea and sky. Through these ancient and powerful songs, the Gaels gave constant witness to the living nature of God which surrounded them. These are their words, as they seek protection and blessing, healing and strength, comfort and community.
Druids: A Beginner’s Guide
by Cairistiona Worthington
$10.54
Judging from the response you readers have toward all things Druid, I figured you’d be interested in this one, too. This is especially true if you have read Druid Renaissance, which includes Worthington’s incredible essay about the Modron (Mother) and the Mabon (Divine Child).The author is a well respected Druidess, and Modron of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids. Her beginner’s guide touches the various teachings and beliefs of druidry as it exists today. It covers things like ceremony, ritual, gods and goddesses, and the Mysteries of life, death and rebirth.
A teacher of sacred practices, a loving wife and perceptive mother, Worthington writes with authority, insight, compassion and fathomless spirituality. Each chapter ends with a practical Druidically-natured exercise that will open the heart and mind of any of you who seek a deeper awareness of God/ess, Nature, and their relationship to your Self.
Thank you, Cairistiona, for this special gift.
The Druid Tradition
by Philip Carr-Gomm$9.95
$7.96 from amazon.com
This is not a new book, but one that I feel deserves attention. It functions as a solid introduction to Druidry, clearly explaining what the modern movement is and is not. Carr-Gomm takes a close look at how Druidry has evolved over the centuries, leaving out speculation, unfounded theories and pretended links with antiquity.
With practical exercises at the end of each chapter, the text gives us a real feel for the nature of Druidic life and philosophy, and gives a character sketch of the Druids as priestly scholars and judges.
It’s a good book to be able to hand someone who asks you, "But aren’t Druids devil worshippers? Didn’t they practice human sacrifice?" You won’t be converting anyone to this way of life by giving them this book to read, but you will be helping to educate them.
Irish Witchcraft & Demonology by St. John D. Seymour
$9.33 by special order from Amazon.com
This is a Barnes and Noble reprint of an old book that is written in archaic and classic style. The accounts of infernal characters in it range all the way from 1223 to the late eighteen hundreds. Irish witches, their familiars, demons and devils all are carefully described in some amazing accounts that lovers of the occult will treasure. There is even a record of some of the questions that were asked of a spirit when it was on trial:
"Whence are you? Are you a good or a bad spirit? Where is your abode? How are you regimented in the other world?" and even the presumptuous "Are you happy in your present state?" "To which the spirit replied in a voice of anger, "If you were not the man you are, I would tear you in pieces for asking such a question" and then went off in a flash of fire !! -- which, we fear, afforded but too satisfactory an answer to the question."
By that account, we at least know what not to ask a spirit…
This was very interesting book to read and keep on your coffee table. Your mother-in-law will be appropriately horrified by the cover.
Fire in the Head by Tom Cowan
$17.00
$13.60 from Amazon.com
The title of this book comes from a poem by William Butler Yeats: The Song of Wandering Aengus. Fire in the head is one of the trademarks of visionary experience. The subtitle of the book is Shamanism and the Celtic Spirit.As far as I know, the ancient Celts didn’t have a similar word for this type of spiritually powerful, wise person (someone please correct me if I’m wrong). What they did have is a valuable and enduring sense of sacred power and knowledge, a sense that, through centuries of experimentation and practicality, they honed to a fine point. The spirit of Celtic "shamanism" probably reached its heights with the Druid priests who were the elite of Celtic society long before Julius Caesar ever came calling.
In this book, Tom Cowan explores myths from different cultures to explain the roots of Celtic spirituality. The recurring connection to the myths is the use of non-ordinary reality (a trance state) to access levels of knowledge that are usually closed to ordinary understanding.
Much of this book requires the use of non-ordinary vision to understand. Cowan’s book is ideal for studying in conjunction with John Matthews’ book The Celtic Shaman.
The Music of What Happens
Celtic Spirituality: A View from the Inside
by John J. O’Riordain C.Ss.R.
$9.95
7.96 from amazon.com
John J. O’Riordain, whatever other titles he may use, is hereby pronounced by the Mazed Muse to be "Bard". It’s far past time someone produced such a book as this, explaining the union of Celtic paganism with Celtic Christianity in peaceful, beautiful and healing words. One of the first things he relates in his book is a list of questions about the nature of God, offered by a princess of Eire to St. Patrick.
"…Who is God and where is God? Of whom is God and where his dwelling? Has he sons and daughters, gold and silver? Is he ever-living? Is he beautiful? Is he in heaven or on earth? In the sea, in the rivers, in the mountains, in the valleys? Speak to us tidings of Him: how he will be seen, how is he loved, how is he found? Is it in youth or in old age he is found?"
And Patrick replied gently, presenting the princess with a new idea about how to view God. Instead of a variety of gods and goddesses, he unveiled a mystery: all things in one God.
He said, "Our God is the God of all things, the God of heaven and earth, the God of the sea and the streams, the God of the sun, moon and stars, the God of the great high mountains and the deep glens, the God above heaven and under heaven. And he has a household - heaven and earth, and the sea and all that they contain."
In this way, continues the author, the old pagan religion has not been obliterated by the coming of the "new" g/God, but rather it has blossomed into a never before recognized fullness. Nothing has been lost; everything that was is contained in the Whole. The Whole is a song, a melody, a movement. And the sweetest sound of all is the music of what happens.
I love this book. I have ordered several copies of it to give to the people who are closest to me. Special thanks to Frank Mills, editor of Brigit’s Feast magazine, for recommending The Music of What Happens.
Celtic Gods Celtic Goddesses by Miranda Gray, Courtney Davis, RJ Stewart
ISBN 0713721138
$14.36 from Amazon.com
These three authors are arguably the most respected in their fields. Their obvious devotion to the preservation of myth and legend comes shining to life in the book about the earth based spirituality of the ancients. The artwork alone is worth the purchase price and the encyclopedic references make it a valuable resource. I know I've said that before, but you should buy this book just to put on your coffee table.
The Book of Druidry: History, Sites and Wisdom
by Ross Nichols, Philip Carr-Gomm, John Matthews
ISBN 1855381672
Thorsons Pub. $19.00
$15.20 from Amazon.com
Come on, you've always wanted to know exactly what the Druids did. All those stories about human sacrifice and dark magic intrigue you, though you might not admit it to your mom. Have I got a book for you!
The Book of Druidry offers an actual history of Druidism, without the prettyfied romance of newly awakened Druid wannabees.
Ross Nichols was the illuminated elder of Druidry and his book is a veritable bible on the philosophy, ritual, symbology and wisdom of this misunderstood and maligned religion. Philip Carr-Gomm is the present-day heir to Nichols' knowledge, and John Matthews is the high priest of Celtic spirituality. I've referred to this book so many times that my copy is now held together with a red rubber band. Hmmm. Guess I need to click on the "Buy It Now" button myself.Did I mention that this is a new edition? Classics never go out of style.
The Celtic Shaman by John Matthews.
Publisher: Element
ISBN: 1-85230-245-3
$14.95 US
If you are already a devotee of John and Caitlin Matthews, you know about this book and don’t need me to review it for you. If you are new to Celtic study, then order this one immediately.
Even readers who don’t practice shamanism will benefit from this important presentation that uncovers the techniques and methods of Celtic Shamanism. It provides an uncanny and insightful look into the mindset of our long ago ancestors, and no matter what your religion is, if you have an open heart, it teaches valuable skills for practical spiritual life.
The Fairy Faith In Celtic Countries by W.Y. Evans-Wentz
Publisher: Citadel Press
ISBN: 0-8065-1160-5
$12.95 US
All students of Celtica should have this book close at hand. The edition I have includes a foreword by Terence McKenna, which is an incredible boon. Dr. Evans-Wetz is also the celebrated translator of The Tibetan Book of the Dead, but this book (Fairy Faith) was his first love. In it, he presents a personally collected series of reports on fairy lore in Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Brittany. Do you remember the kelpie story from my first novel, Glencoe A Romance of Scotland? Couldn't have written it without this book.
This book should be Number One on your Celtic research shelf!
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