Celtic Traditions: Druids, Faeries, and Wiccan Rituals

Customer Reviews:

Non-scholarly Claptrap.......2007-06-02

Sirona Knight should never be considered a scholarly source on Druidism. She's just horrible & Wicca-fies everything she touches. Her books are usually her take on things, not an expression of things as they are or were. Stay away--FAR away!

Excellent Source for Celtic Paganism.......2006-08-07

This book is one of the best I've read on Celtic traditions. Most books on the Celts give you lots of examples of rituals and tools, but they don't explain the base of the Celtic beliefs. THIS BOOK DOES. This book gives you the history on the Celtic traditions. Not just a general overview, but why they believed they way they did. It is the best source of information I have come across. It has the information on tools and rituals, but those are no good if you follow something you don't know the history of or why you are doing rituals or what the tools are used for. This book has everything.

A well written book on the Celts.......2006-04-02

I have read several of Sirona Knight's many books, and have always found them enjoyable to read. "Celtic Traditions" offers an excellent overview of Celtic culture, including a section on faery traditions. Beautifully combines historical data with modern Celtic spirituality. I strongly recommend this book along with "The Druids" by Peter Ellis and "The Complete Idiot's Guide to Elves and Fairies" by Sirona Knight

I am so angry I bought this book.......2005-10-14

This woman has the writing skills of a high school dropout. Some sentences are written so badly I had to read them again just to make sure they were in English. For some reason I thought this was a serious book about the Celtic revival phenomenon instead, I found out it was just another new age junk book filled with clichés, gross generalizations and non-sequiturs. Here is a classic example (pp. 29-20)

"Matriarchal order and lineages stem from the early concept that creation comes from women. Creation is a divine seed, stemming from the Mother. Plainly, the mother's identity is always certain while the father's is not..."

I want my money back.

A Must Have on Celtic Spirituality.......2005-05-27

This book would be a great starting point for those interested in exploring the realms of Celtic Magic. Ms. Knight covers Shamanism, the Celtic Gods and Goddesses, the Druids (including a brief description of the Ogham, a Celtic form of tree divination), the Faeries, and modern Celtic Traditions. She includes several visualizations and some sample rituals. She also talks about Celtic Wicca, which I didn't actually think was necessary; for me the Celtic lore would have been enough, but of course this would be an added plus for those interested in following the Wiccan path.

She also has a recommended reading list and a list of favorite Celtic music titles which I found to be very helpful.

Ms. Knight's writing is enjoyable and easy to read, and I would definitely recommend it to anyone wishing to explore the Celtic path.

A Brief History of the Druids (Brief History, The)

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Outstanding!
Essential for understanding European thought and history
Good Solid Overview of Druid History
Academic Grudge Match
a perfect introduction to the subject

A Brief History of the Druids (Brief History, The)
Peter Berresford Ellis
Manufacturer: Carroll & Graf
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

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ASIN: 0786709871

Book Description

Shrouded in legend, the mysterious cult of the ancient Druids continues to fascinate, inspiring latter-day imitators who often are only a poorly researched and romantic reflection of Druidic lore. In this compelling and readable history, respected Celtic scholar Peter Berresford Ellis explores who the Druids really were and what role they played in the Celtic world. Ellis provides a fresh and convincing interpretation of the facts, based on both archaeological and etymological findings. “Remarkable ... offers much for the academician as well as the general reader. Fascinating reading!”—Joseph A. King, author of Ireland to North America

Customer Reviews:

Outstanding!.......2007-05-07

Great book...but rather technical in terms of history and geography, so if you are looking for an "easy" or "light" reading, this is not the book for you. I found it to be incredibly informative. I have loaned it out many times and at this point have to beg it back (after 4 months) from the last person who borrowed it. It has been loved by all who have borrowed it (as a matter of fact I've had to work pretty hard to get it back from everyone!) It contradicts some theories I have heard before, but gives excellent support for the author's theories of culture development. Great for sociological discussion. Highly recommend for teaching situations involving Celtic culture and history.

Essential for understanding European thought and history.......2006-12-16

I recently completed a movie script that takes place in pre-Christian Europe. This book was an absolutely essential tool in my research.

Berresford Ellis is a thorough and careful scholar, but he writes clearly, and engagingly. Occasionally, he takes on other scholars and he does repeat that the Romans' authority on Celtic matters is highly biased. Given that almost all academic research on pre-Medieval matters relies heavily on Roman sources, Ellis's insistance on their fallibility is important. He carefully traces several fallen chestnuts of "knowledge" to their sources. Likewise, he uncovers many good ancient accounts of ancient (mostly Greek) encounters with Druidism that differ radically from the received (mostly Roman) knowledge.

The book was an eye-opener on that score. I have not found a more reliable source of information on Druidic matters than this one.

Good Solid Overview of Druid History.......2006-08-27

I enjoyed this book- it isn't as "dry" as I was expecting for a history book, and actually didn't take me long at all to get through. It covers all the basic bases to introduce to people what the Druids were, at least what we do know about them. The only thing I wished was that the author would have looked into the Druid Revival more if he was going to do a chapter on it. He's obviously treating it with disdain, and because of this only presented some of the less credible people involved in the Druidry revival, or at least barely mentioning the ones that inspire many modern followers. Other than the last chapter, excellent book and a muast-read for those interested in Druidic history!

Academic Grudge Match.......2005-11-22

I suppose that books are a nicer alternative to MTV's Celebrity Death Match when it's time to settle a score (not half the fun, though.) There is admittedly a huge amount of very academic and erudite information here concerning the Druids and Celtic history but I felt that he wasn't really writing for me. Instead, he was carrying on a running argument with Nora Chadwick, another equally talented writer who happens to differ with Ellis on several apparently key points of Celtic lore. So be it - if Druids are your thing you'll likely find the book interesting though maybe a bit dry and academic. If you're looking for something to read along with your stack of vampire or werewolf comics, though, you'll likely find it long and tiresome.

a perfect introduction to the subject.......2005-10-31

Like his previous work, "The Celts", Peter Berresford Ellis has managed to pack a great deal of information in a small package. The book begins with a good basic overview of the Celts themselves and then possible origins of the Druids. The next two chapters relates the commentaries of non-Celts about the Druids, and then comments about the Druids from Celts themselves. There are discussions of female Druids, their religion and rituals (given a careful survey considering what little we know about these aspects), and then better than half the book covering a section on the Wisdom of the Druids. The book closes with a review of the Druid revival.

Ellis' gives his subject a balanced treatment, presenting both sides of an argument if there is more than one theory. There are some fascinating sections in this book including the section detailing ancient Celtic law and the final chapter on the revival of Druidism is practically worth the price of the book as I have never seen this aspect of Druidry presented so cleanly and succinctly. Modern practitioners of Druidry are given a fair, if somewhat jaundiced treatment, in the book's final pages.

The Druids: Priests of the Ancient Celts (Contributions to the Study of Religion)

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The Druids: Priests of the Ancient Celts (Contributions to the Study of Religion)
Paul R. Lonigan
Manufacturer: Greenwood Press
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Druidism | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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Book Description

This comprehensive study of the Druids offers a fresh look at the enigmatic and often controversial question of the role of these priests in Celtic society. The religion of Druidism is examined as an inheritance of Indo-European tradition, with intriguing analogies made between Irish and Roman cultic practices. The author identifies the functions of the ancient priests, providing an inventory of their duties and services. Druids are also defined in terms of their connections with other branches of Eurasian mysticism. This study will be of particular interest to scholars of Irish culture, Celtic culture, and comparative religion.

Druid's Sword: Book Four of The Troy Game

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Will there be more?!?!?!?
Ugh!
A WASTE OF MONEY
Looking forward to trying Douglass' other series, but this one wasn't my cup of tea
Mystical

Druid's Sword: Book Four of The Troy Game
Sara Douglass
Manufacturer: Tor Books
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 0765305437
Release Date: 2006-05-16

Book Description

London WW II: The Blitz has all Londoners in its grip and people struggle to survive amidst the terror and chaos of constant bombardment. But is it just Hitlers Luftwaffe that is responsible for all the death and destruction that the city is facing? Brutus, the Greek Kingman who brought the bands of power to the isle of Alba millennia ago, once again walks the streets of London, this time as an American major. The men and women who are his eternal companions (and sometimes lovers and enemies) have been reborn in this time and place and all have come together for one last battle to finally complete the magical Labyrinth buried at the heart of the city. Half completed and resonating with an evil power, the Maze calls to them to complete the Game and possibly set all the players free. But a new power walks the land, a power that none anticipated and that has its own agenda. It could change the world forever. Druids Sword is the fourth and concluding volume in Sara Douglasss compelling Troy Game series, a riveting historical fantasy series of love and revenge set against the very fabric of time itself.

Customer Reviews:

Will there be more?!?!?!?.......2007-06-18

This book wrapped up all the different story lines of the first three books. Yes, the characters were different, but it's been 300 years since the last book, what do you expect.

The only complaint out of the book is the ending. It kind of leaves you hanging. The imps and the White Queen are still around and then Grace returns.....does that mean that there will be another book like the Wayfarer Redemption books? I certainly hope so.

Ugh!.......2007-06-13

I've been following this series for years, reading each new book avidly as the storyline and the relationships became deeper, richer, more complicated. I couldn't wait to see what sort of denouement Douglass had in store for the Troy Game.

I was particularly interested in what would become of Cornelia/Caela/Noah and her troubled bond with Brutus. I would have been satisfied with either of two possible endings:

(a) A redeemed Brutus asks Cornelia for forgiveness, and she forgives him.
(b) Brutus asks Cornelia for forgiveness, and she smacks him upside the head.

Instead, what do I get?

(c) Brutus decides he's "tired" of loving Cornelia and "can't be bothered" with it anymore, and falls head over heels for HER DAUGHTER.

So let me see if I have this straight. If you rape, abuse, and ignore your wife, then proceed to judge and condemn her for the next few lives for the horrible sin of being human, your reward is a younger, prettier version of her who doesn't carry the baggage of your lives together. (Yes, Grace has troubles as well, but hers only serve to show what a Noble, Virtuous, Tragic Heroine she is.) Along the way, the Jack/Grace romance is also used to cheapen the hard-won bond between Cornelia and Asterion.

The plot plods as well; it seems to consist of umpteen characters sitting around talking about how they've all been brought back together and hemming and hawing about what to do. I did sort of like the ending, but it was too little, too late, and with the wrong heroine.

A WASTE OF MONEY.......2007-05-11

OMG!!! What a load of crap. I waited until this book came out in paperback, partly because I was being cheap and partly because I read the reviews, and I am so glad that I did. If I brought this hard cover I would have been so much more upset. The last 3 books were great, I loved them and could not wait for the conclusion, however this book ran like a bad soap opera. There were so many times that I wanted to put it down, burn it, anything to get it away from me, however I am one of those people who once I have started a book I have to see it through to the bitter end. This is one time that I cursed this shortcoming. I am so disappointed in this book, I am disappointed in the conclusion, Ms Douglass has always leaned towards the sopa opera side in her books, but this book went way overboard. Borrow this book from the library, save your money because you are going to need some asprin after banging your head into the walls from frustration.

Looking forward to trying Douglass' other series, but this one wasn't my cup of tea.......2007-03-14

In this final book in Douglass' Troy Game series Jack, Noah and their friends are living in London under the German air raids of WWII. After millennia of living only to complete the Troy Game, the terrible reality of its true nature compels them to destroy it. However, they are stymied with the realization that Noah and Weyland's daughter Grace's fate is tied to that of The Game -- she will also be destroyed. A pale, mysterious woman offers a dangerous alternative which will also risk Grace's life but is their only hope.

Reading the first three books in the series, starting with Hades' Daughter, is an absolute must. Although I did, the series never felt fully coherent to me -- there are many characters, who change identities during four different time periods, to keep track of, as well as the myriad plot details having to do with The Game itself. I did not come away feeling that I truly understood The Game, which detracted from my overall satisfaction upon finishing. As does the rest of the series, this book suffers from awful cover art.

Mystical.......2007-01-21

I am absolutely hooked on this series of Sara Douglas's books. It has been one of the most exciting, hard to put down books I have read in a very long time.

DRUIDS GODS&HEROS/CELT (World Mythologies Series)

Average customer rating:

Great for Kids and Beginners
I've finished the prologue... now what?
A beautiful book

DRUIDS GODS&HEROS/CELT (World Mythologies Series)
Anne Ross
Manufacturer: Schocken
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

Druidism | Earth-Based Religions | Religion & Spirituality | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0805240144
Release Date: 1986-06-12

Customer Reviews:

Great for Kids and Beginners.......2001-06-24

It's good news to see this book back in print. Originally aimed at children, this book was written by an able, insightful archaeologist and folklorist. The content reflects the author's professional expertise, her gifts as a teacher, and the insights she has gained from living among Scottish bearers of tradition. If you are looking for a wonderful and accurate book to share with children, this beautifully illustrated volume is ideal. However, I also recommend it to those who are new to the subject because it combines tales and archaeological evidence in a delightfully informative way.

I've finished the prologue... now what?.......2000-04-29

Ross's "Druids, Gods and Heroes from Celtic Mythology" was the first book about the Celts I ever got my hands on, and it is one I keep going back to -however, in continous Celtic study, it is getting less and less value. As a first book, it is great. Ross offers a simple glance at the Celtic world, along with a few of its gods, but it is very shallow. The stories, which are beautifully illustrated, are in short versions, leaving out much of the detail (which in itself slightly kills the Celtic spirit). As a prologue for continued study, it works just nicely, but I wouldn't reccomend it to anyone who's read a couple of books on Celtic mythology. As a camp-fire, story telling or general interest book, though, it is wonderful.

A beautiful book.......1998-02-19

I loved the artwork and the stories about the celtic myths. I was a little disappointed that there was so little information about the gods like Cernunnos, Epona, and others. But the book gave a very good explanation to why and I admire Anne Ross' as an author.

Brotherhood of the Sun: A Modern Story about an Ancient Order

Average customer rating:

A Call To Arms
Stellar Novelette.

Brotherhood of the Sun: A Modern Story about an Ancient Order
Patrick Cain
Manufacturer: Lifestream Publishing
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

ASIN: 0965922316

Product Description

A novel by the author of Caucasia.

Customer Reviews:

A Call To Arms.......2007-08-04

Getting the knowledge of THIS book into your hands IS THE PLOT of this "fictional" tale. One gets the impression that this is only classified as fiction out of courtesy (to whom?). Sure, there are villains and heroes, and even a little chase scene, but most of this book is monologue by Wise Ones, explaining their knowledge to the layperson who is about to release it to the world, and why he shouldn't do so. So, by virtue of the fact that you get to read their explanations, you are privy to their knowledge, and that you're reading is its announcement to the world. Full of interesting facts, quotes, & suppositions, that is great reading for anyone interested in religious history, the military-industrial complex, the dysfunctional society, and ancient arts & sciences. Now that you have the knowledge, what's the next step?

Stellar Novelette........2007-05-10

A more radical and convincing speculative work than The Da Vinci Code. Plausible explanations and scientific evidence uncover the earth's cataclysmic past (& future), an ancient global civilization, and the mythical origin of religion. Other excellent books: Secret Destiny of America, The Christ Conspiracy and Golden Thread of Time.

Average customer rating:

Many interesting illustrations and a decent introduction, but lacks depth. Only tentatively recommended
Illustrations make the history come alive
Not the best
A very basic introduction
Ideal introduction to the subject of druids past and present

The World of the Druids
Miranda J. Green
Manufacturer: Thames & Hudson
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Paperback

General | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0500285713

Book Description

"Copiously illustrated…well written, thoughtful, and thought-provoking."—Library Journal

In this authoritative account, Miranda Green unravels the truth about the Druids. Examining the archaeological evidence, Classical commentaries, and early Welsh and Irish myths, she shows that the Druids were fully integrated into Celtic society and fulfilled varied and necessary roles. The Roman writers reflected the double standards of an invading society: condemning the public sacrifice of enemies by the Druids while accepting their own practice of slaughter for sport as civilized. Yet the Classical sources can be used to help reveal the real Druids, and we learn of their multiple roles as judges, teachers, healers, magicians, philosophers, religious leaders, and fomenters of rebellion.

This book traces the history of the Druids from their beginnings to their resurrection during the Renaissance. Complete with timeline and gazetteer, the book will appeal to all those—scholar, general reader, or New Age enthusiast—who are fascinated by the Druids and their world. 291 illustrations, 51 in color.

Customer Reviews:

Many interesting illustrations and a decent introduction, but lacks depth. Only tentatively recommended.......2006-10-21

Illustration-heavy, The World of the Druids is a partial introduction to the Celtic Druids. Green reviews the various sources of information about the Druids (classical texts, archaeological evidence, and Welsh and Irish myths). Relying heavily on the near-300 illustrations that make up the bulk of the text, Green analyzes the little we do know about Druids: their political and religious roles, ancient Celtic religious practices, and the use of sacred space. Some of the text is dubious extrapolations, but Green is generally willing to admit just how little we do know. The tail end of the book looks at the Druidic revival, including renewed interest in the Druids, early modern texts on Druids, the erroneous but commonplace connections between Stonehenge and Druids, and historic and current new Druidic religions and movements, including aspects of Neopaganism. A little repetitive, lacking in-depth analysis and commentary, but with copious illustrations. This is a decent introduction to the subject and interesting to look through, but not particularly useful. Borrow it, don't buy it.

Beyond doubt, the illustrations are the most interesting and useful part of this text. There are nearly 300 of them, all with explanatory captions; many are also mentioned in the body of the text itself. They cover a variety of topics, findings, landmarks, and archaeological digs. Texts on Celtic history and religion generally lack illustrations or, if they have some, have few, making this a useful resource. Unfortunately, some of the images are drawn reproductions (rather than photographs) and few are in color, somewhat decreasing their value or usefulness. Furthermore, Green fails to discuss any of the illustrations, or indeed any one aspect of the text, in much depth. As a result, The World of the Druids is a quick read and doesn't require revisitation--I recommend that the interested reader find a copy to borrow rather than purchasing the text.

The lack of depth is the most disappointing part of the text. To some extent, the lack of depth isn't Green's fault: we know very little about the Druids, and so much of the text resolves to unanswered questions and admitted gaps in our knowledge. That said, while there may not be many hard facts to relate, Green could do a better job of discussing what we do and don't know. The text contains some worthwhile information: Green dispels a number of common misconceptions, has a good grasp of the classical texts discussing Druidism, and writes a fair and balanced historical overview of the study of, writing about, and interest in Druids. However, she tackles no one subject in sufficient depth. Almost every page is split into a main body, a number of illustrations with captions, and an inserted box on a related subject or illustration. These numerous divisions make the text read quickly, but limit the depth and detail that Green can go in to.The result is a fairly broad, approachable text that lacks in depth and ultimately in usefulness. I recommend this book as an introduction to the subject and as a source of illustrations, but the interested reader should definitely go beyond this text and look for other, more detailed scholarly texts on the subject. For the same reason, this is a good book to borrow but not worth buying. That money is better spent on more detailed texts that will require time, attention, and even note-taking.

Illustrations make the history come alive.......2005-11-23

This book absolutely brims over with illustrations, making it an excellent addition to any Druidic shelf. While I disagree with some of Ms. Green's statements (such as saying the Celts were basically illiterate - an argument convincingly disputed by Peter Berresford Ellis, among others) and I am not comfortable with the summation of modern Druids comprising the end (making us all seem cookie cutter similar), I still believe this book should be read. The numerous illustrations I have already mentioned do much to show examples of things or places you may have heard of before, but were previously unable to picture mentally. At the end of the book is an excellent "travel planner" if you plan to visit some of the ancient sites associated with ancient Celts and Druids.

Not the best .......2004-10-09

Green has solid Celtic studies credentials and her previous books, like the Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend (Thames and Hudson) were exemplary in terms of quality photographs and helpful bibliography. I therefore had, perhaps unfairly, high expectations for Green's The World of the Druids. Though there is a fair amount of text on each page, most of the emphasis is on the images and their captions. The captions often reinforce the impression that the non-artifact images created by artists like Gustav Dore and Fuseli are legitimate sources of data about historic druids, when they are at best sources of data about romantic nineteenth century presentation and imaginative views regarding druids.

Much of what Green has to say is speculation, presented as fact or scholarly hypothesis, like her ruminations on druidic prayer: "Druids and their peers would have conducted solemn prayer rituals for the whole tribe or community on important occasions. Lesser priests might lead small communities in prayer, and the head of the household perhaps led private family prayers" (32). Unfortunately, there really isn't a lot of data one way or the other about druid praying in the pre-Christian era. Green makes such assertions without referring to sources or even using the resources of comparative religion as support. There are a number of similar problems.

Green is at her best in The World of the Druids in her discussions of archaeology, and at her worst in discussions of myth and literature. Her chapter on sacred places is particularly well done, but not by itself worth the price of the book. She does include a brief survey of modern druid groups' beliefs and a directory of neo-pagan druid groups, but readers would probably do better to use the web to find Neo-Pagan druid resources since addresses and contact people change so quickly. The gazetteer of Celtic museums in the back of the book is a very useful list, and quite nicely done, though I wish her bibliography had been a bit more extensive.

I think in Green's efforts to relate to a new audience, specifically Neo-Pagan and new age readers, she missed her target by "dumbing down." Green would have done better to have written a well-bibliographied introduction to druids along the lines of The World of the Celts or her Dictionary of Celtic Myth books. I think that Neo-Pagan readers can readily find enough unscholarly material about druids; what they need is access to well-researched and cited books directing them to additional sources. Unless you already have Piggott's The Druids, and Green's World of the Celts, I'd give The World of the Druids a miss.

A very basic introduction.......2003-02-07

Green's World of the Druids looks at various sources of information about the ancient Druids, including archeology, history, folklore, and classical sources. She relays more recent discoveries, explains the origins of the Druids, their role in society, religion, prophesy and a sacrafice. And, Green takes a look at Druids in the modern day.

This is a reasonably good introductory book on the Druids. It does tend to brush over some areas without as much detail as some other books in an effort to appear "credible," thus fresh ideas are somewhat lacking. For those looking for more of an introduction to Druid history, this more abridged (scaled down) work is a bit easier than many other texts, but it may not serve as well for those with a more solid grasp of Druidry and Celtic studies. I personally find much of Miranda Green's work simply reiterates what is already commonly written by other authors, and I don't get much new out of her work, which is a shame given her enjoyable writing style.

Discussion & analysis of Celtic mythology is relatively light, especially that from Non-Irish sources, but her accounts and interpretation are considered standard by many. Her account on women in Celtic Society, and as female Seers and Druidesses, (she gives them an entire chapter) is somewhat refreshing.

My only other complaint would be in her description of modern-day Druids all being Neo-Druids, and her promotion of a "shared perception" between Druids and Wiccans. While they are quoted as being "separate and distinct," the focus on Wiccan beliefs, rituals and coven membership seemed unnecessary in a more scholary book. I found it sad that the author felt the need to promote witchcraft in the form of Wicca, yet made no mention of Celtic witchcraft or magic, and 'shamanic' practices (for lack of a better term), which is laden throughout Celtic folklore, scarcely got a paragraph's mention, next to the five pages she dedicated to Wicca.

Mostly minor complaints aside, all in all, this is a good general book on Druidry, but I would recommend comparing it to other, more detailed works, to fill in those areas where detail isn't as deep as it should be, comments are light, and varying interpretations are needed. This book also does not hold up to her work on the Celts in general (The Celtic World), but it's still reasonably good. Just be sure to compare her offerings to that of others like Anne Ross, Alwyn & Brinley Rees, Nora Chadwick and Peter Berresford Ellis, for a wider range of understanding and viewpoints on the Druids, and the Celts in General.

Ideal introduction to the subject of druids past and present.......2000-02-16

Do you have an interest in the druids past and present? Do you want to know the facts, not someone's romanticized version of them? Then this book is what you are looking for. Dr. Green presents the evidence with accuracy and sensitivity, describing what is known about the druids before the coming of Christianity (which is actually very little), the evidence of the medieval tales and saints' lives (which is suspect), and the efforts to revive "druidry" since the Renaissance. The illustrations are carefully described, appropriate to the text, and beautifully reproduced. My only complaint is that Dr. Green's description of modern druids mainly covers groups in the UK, with little acknowledgement that groups exist worldwide. Nevertheless, I highly recommend this volume as an ideal introduction to the subject for yourself or as a gift.

Average customer rating:

Another great book from an honored scholar
Irrelevant twaddle presented as scholarship.
Hit and Myth
bloody brilliant as ever
Still something new to say

Witches, Druids and King Arthur
Ronald Hutton
Manufacturer: Hambledon & London
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

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ASIN: 1852853972

Book Description

In this book, Ronald Hutton showcases his wealth of unusual knowl-edge on paganism, myth, and ritual. Hutton is known for having a deep and sympathetic understanding of past and present beliefs that are often dismissed, and a gift for lucidity and wit. Witches, Druids and King Arthur has a unique and accessible flavor; it elegantly and entertainingly covers a wide range of beliefs, myths, and practices and their place in history.

Customer Reviews:

Another great book from an honored scholar.......2007-09-04

This book is another compelling, if challenging entry from honored pagan scholar Ronald Hutton. Professor Hutton has brought us previous scholar tomes including The Triumph of the Moon, a history of modern paganisem in Britain, and the historical survey, The Pagan Religions of the British Isles, and Stations of the Sun, a history of the ritual year in Britain.

As anyone who have read Hutton before will know the Professor's published work aims for the general reading audience, though without doubt an educated one. However, the challenges of reading Hutton are worth it, and it is no less so than in this reviewed work.

The books only flaw, in my opinion, is the fact that this is not a continous work at all, but a collection of essays that the writer feels are related to each other. This is most true, though a couple, essays on ritual nudity and on the pagan elements in the writings of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkein, are interesting though they don't seem to fit within the general theme indicated by the title. The rest of the fascinating essays cover: How Myths are Made, Arthur and the Academics, Glastonbury: Alternative Histories, and histories of medieval and modern paganism.

In the end, this is a book not to be missed. The discussion is lively and the information is profound. I heartily recommend this book.

Irrelevant twaddle presented as scholarship........2006-09-02

This volume of Hutton's scholarship on pagan topics appears to be a collection of essays that were written over several years and have been assembled into a book format with little or no thought to common ground. Hutton displays his very pronounced literary centric view of history, anything that wasn't written, or the writing didn't survive, didn't happen. For example, in the chapter on "Paganism in the lost centuries, Hutton goes on and on about some irrelevant Middle Eastern city which may or may not have sheltered pagans among other religions. While that might be of interest to some Middle Eastern medievalist scholars, it has absolutely nothing to do with the history of western paganism. In his "Modest look at Ritual Nudity," Hutton accurately points out that Wicca is very unique in its use of nudity, and astutely understands that Wiccan nudity helps to separate the serious religious seeker from the casual wannabe. However, Hutton goes on and on with more irrelevant twaddle about ancient Greek art and Roman nudity. Overall it displays what Hutton admits to be his "religion," scholarship based on writing as the sacred. It is perhaps a good book for those who share Hutton's "religious" views about the sacredness of the written word, and the corresponding lack value of anything not written. I rate it a 3 because he has some interesting things to say, but seems to lack real understanding of his topic.

Hit and Myth.......2004-01-16

Collections of essays by major historians can be a mixed bag. Ronald Hutton's new collection is one of the better ones. This is a collection of nine essays where Hutton tries to shed light on the murky world of magic and myth. The book begins with an essay on how myths were made, and then follows with two essays on King Arthur and Glastonbury. The next two essays deal with the problem of modern paganism and its connection to ancient paganism. The first deals with ancient paganism and the second deals with its convoluted path to the present day. Then we have a chapter on the existence of ritual nudity, one on Christianity in C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, one on modern druids and a final chapter on Hutton's experience writing his previous book on modern witchcraft.

What is the result of this interesting concoction? Let's start off with some problems. The essay on druidism is somewhat dry and is largely about complicated internal squabbles among modern druids. The opening chapter starts off by pointing out how modern Celtic nationalism is based on myths. We learn about the story (first told by Hugh Trevor-Roper, to whom the book is dedicated) of how the kilt was not the ancestral uniform of the Highlanders but was designed by an English businessman in Scotland in the 1700s who wanted more convenient clothing. Much of the origins of Welsh and Cornish nationalism come from romantic English sympathizers. But the discussion of Irish nationalism is disappointing. Who, after all, is Hutton trying to refute in pointing out that many nationalists have English, Norman and Protestant origins? Everyone in Ireland knows that Wolfe Tone and Parnell were Protestants. It is Unionism, not Republicanism, that defines Irish nationalism as no more than a whining Catholic sectarianism. And Hutton's deflation of the "myth" of Drogheda, based mostly on one contentious recent monograph, ignores the hundreds of thousands who died in the course of Cromwell's supression of the Irish rebellion. Finally there is a certain undue sympathy towards the mystics and magicians he is covering. In his deflation of the remarkable claims about Glastonbury Abbey, that Arthur's bones are buried there and that it is where Joseph of Arimathea came to England, he goes out of his way to suggest that they could conceivably be true. At one point he refers to modern paganism as an "entirely valid religion" that, notwithstanding its claims to the contrary, dates no earlier than the first decades of the twentieth century. That is all very liberal and tolerant, but one wonders what an "invalid religion" would be like.

Having said that however, much of the rest of the book is interesting and useful. To turn back to the opening chapters on myths, not only do we learn of the origins of the quite false statistic that nine million people were killed in the witch trials, we also learn of the limits of oral history. Contrary to what many people have thought, oral traditions become dramatically less accurate after a century or so. Hutton goes on to describe how he tried to use oral traditions to supplement his earlier histories of the English civil war and was maddeningly unsuccessful. Sir Henry Ireton supposedly defends the honor of a daughter he did not have, Oliver Cromwell dies a non-existent violent death, Charles II's fate is confused with his father's, major events go by with some areas completely forgetting them, while others "remember" non-existent romantic trivia. Meanwhile the Cornish, who in the 16th century rebelled against the rise of Protestantism, now remember themselves as Protestant heroes. We also learn the most recent research on King Arthur. The earliest reference to him comes in the early ninth century. In the seventies there was a surge of archaeological research which supposedly proved Arthur's existence. Hutton shows that it proved nothing of the sort, but is cautious about the idea that Arthur never existed. We also learn how Tolkein's and Lewis' fantasies deviate from Christianity. In the two chapters on late paganism we learn about the traditions of late paganism and how they were transferred to the modern day. There is much talk about neoplatonism and the mysterious Sabians and the Arabian city of Harran, but Hutton is clear in showing that there was no direct continuous tradition from either source. When some of this neoplatonism surfaced in the twelfth and fifteenth centuries, they were mostly used by intellectuals who wished to use classical insights to strengthen Christianity. Hutton reminds us that the old distinction between religion (supplication to a God) and magic (invoking divine power for one's own ends) is still possible and still alive. Although modern pagans use ideas from neoplatonic and Egyptian magic, Hutton notes the contrast between modern optimism and late classical pessimism, the abstinence of the past with the sexuality of today, as well as the modern Pagan appeal to the people and the strictly minority and mysterious nature of the late paganism they invoke. There are many strange areas of the past that have been ignored by historians and are now dangerously infested with cranks. Ronald Hutton is a fine guide to these obscure areas.

bloody brilliant as ever.......2004-01-08

This is another excellent book from Ronald Hutton. On first reading the chief delight for me is Prof. Hutton's marvellously wry and gentle style, with its keen eye for absurdities and inconsistencies in documents and the historical record, but always extending a delicious good grace to those whom he treats. Every essay in here is fascinating, moving nimbly between literary reception of texts, anthropology, historiography and sociology.
Its pages are rich with insisght and the fruits of learning, which makes for interesting reading in itself, but the pleasure is doubled by Hutton's wonderfully present and human yet always couteous prose style. Very highly recommended indeed.

Still something new to say.......2003-12-16

Ronald Hutton has already written so extensively on the subjects covered in ths book that you wouldn't think he'd have anything else to say about them, but he still manages to come up with fresh and interesting information. The first essay in the book 'How Myths are Made' is particularly fascinating as he shows the astonishing way that myths can distort reality. You may be surprised to learn from this book for instance, that both the Scottish and Welsh national costumes were invented by English people. Even more surprising is the history of Irish nationalism, I didn't know until I read this book that the Irish revolt of the 1640s was led by the Fitzgerald family, who were of Norman descent, or that the massacre of Drogheda wasn't really much of a massacre, no women or children were killed. The 19th century rebels against Irish rule, Wolfe Tone, Parnell etc were all Protestants. Connaught, the most Catholic and Gaelic province of Ireland, was also the most amenable to English rule. The other essays in the book are also filled with interesting information. You can read about the development of the myth of King Arthur, for whose existence the evidence is very scanty, but never mind, it's a good story anyway. If you've read Mr. Hutton's previous book 'The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles' you won't be surprised to learn that there is no evidence for pre-Saxon religious activity in Glastonbury, though I still treasure an irrational hope that the Holy Thorn was really planted by Joseph of Arimathea, and that the Holy Grail is still hanging around there somewhere. Other essays cover the ancient origins of modern Paganism, Witchcraft, Druidry, and ritual nmudity among other things. Occasionaly I found what I was reading a bit over my head, but mostly it is a fascinating book, he even managed to make those old bores Tolkein and C.S. Lewis seem quite interesting in the esaay I thought I would enjoy least 'The Inklings and the Gods' (i've always found 'Lord ot the Rings' one of the world's most boring books)If you enjoyed Mr. Huton's previous books you will certainly enjoy this one.

Average customer rating:

Non Fiction
food for thought
Enigmatic
Misses both the general reader and the historian
A good introduction to the Druidic controversies

The Druids
Peter Berresford Ellis
Manufacturer: Eerdmans Pub Co
ProductGroup: Book
Binding: Hardcover

General | Ancient | History | Subjects | Books

General | World | History | Subjects | Books

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ASIN: 0802837980

Customer Reviews:

Non Fiction.......2007-09-03

Beresford Ellis has written an introduction to Druid society and culture. It is not overly long, and reasonably accessible, I think. It looks at clearing up the misconceptions (or Asterix caricatures :) :) ). For those interested in learning something about this group of people, this book is certainly worth a look.

food for thought.......2004-07-21

Ellis's writing style can be a bit frustrating for the pagan reader, but as a student of history I found this book most enjoyable. The author's theories about the similarities between Celtic and Indian culture are, if nothing else, intriguing. I feel that the material was presented in the manner intended: as a sampling of the evidence that will hopefully inspire others to do the research for themselves. As a Celtic reconstructionist pagan, I personally share his views on "new agers" claiming to follow a Celtic path. A triumphant book that delivers us from the New Age dregs of revisionist religion to at least a plausible level of ancient custom.

Enigmatic.......2003-05-28

Who were the Druids? This group, surrounded by legend and folklore for millenia, continues to fascinate moderns, perhaps because of the enigmatic character of their identity. Probably most of the popular images of Druids -- of being tree worshippers, of being itinerant poets and prophets, of being priests who practiced human sacrifice and built strange structures such as Stonehenge -- are generally misperceptions, perhaps even deliberate 'character assassination' attempts by the victorious political and religious authorities that moved into Druid areas. Indeed, the bulk of Classical information on the Druids comes from anti-Druid writings of the Romans.

`By the time the Celts themselves came to commit their knowledge to writing, they had become Christianised and, not surprisingly, the Druids continued to get "a bad Press". Their portrayal remains an extremely biased one.'

In this very readable book on The Druids, Peter Berresford Ellis presents an examination of the archaeological, etymological and historical evidence to give an account of the identity and importance of the Druids in early Celtic societies.

`The Druids emerge as the intellectual caste of ancient Celtic society. They were the doctors, the lawyers, the ambassadors, the advisors to kings. They also had a religious function.'

One historical fact that is often overlooked is that the early Celtic 'empire' was as expansive as the Roman Empire, stretching from Britain and Ireland in the northwest, through Gaul and central Europe north of the Alps, stretching as far as Turkey to the east, and also extending down into Iberia. The Celtic language group includes influences on all major European languages as well. However, the Celtic empire had no imperium, no central structure or organisation, but was rather a loose confederation, in which the Druids, as the intellectuals, helped to keep a cohesion of social life if not political and economic life.

The Druids operated largely without writing, following the tradition of many early peoples by using an oral tradition of learning and history. Thus the earliest appearances of the Druids come from Greek and Roman writings. The Druids were seen as a philosophising, priestly caste, also somewhat of a civil authority. Indeed, both Julius Caesar and Cicero mention the Druids in their writings, and one Druid ambassador even addressed the Roman Senate in search of an alliance against the barbarian Germanic tribes (Caesar, however, with intent to conquer Gaul, persuaded the Senate to support the Germans so as to facilitate the conquest of Gaul -- of course, shortly thereafter the Germans became the enemies of Rome, and would remain so for the most part for the rest of Roman history).

Ellis examines the Druids from many vantage points, looking at the writings about the Druids by both insiders (Celts) and outsiders. Ellis also examines the religion, rituals, and wisdom of the Druids, which includes subchapters on schools, books, philosophy, law, history, poetry, music, medical knowledge, art, astronomy and astrology, and mysticism.

Ellis argues in his final chapter that the Druids never truly disappeared. As a social class, rather than as a narrowly-defined group of wizards and priests, the Druids as an intelligensia remained under a new classification, but this social strata was slowly destroyed by the nations who conquered the Celts and made strides to assimilate or eliminate the Celtic peoples. Ellis traces the literary/historical chain of events that led to the identification of the Druids as a small subset of this intelligensia, mostly those dealing with religion and the arts, most commonly associated with secret rites or witchcraft, which is present in today's thinking about the Druids.

`Celtic and Druidic "truth" of every description -- from "arcane knowledge", "karmic destiny", "the true path", to "mystic awareness" -- are solicited in the commercial deluge of New Age philosophies. The Druids and the Celts were there when our seventeenth and eighteenth century ancestors sought "Romanticism" as a counter-balance to the "Age of Reason" and industrialisation. It is not surprising that they are still being reinvented at this time because, in our sad and sorry contemporary world, people still want a quick fix on spirituality.'

This is a fascinating and highly readable text on the history of the Druids, and the history of the way the Druids have been portrayed (and misrepresented).

Misses both the general reader and the historian.......2001-07-24

To defend his lack of academic documentation in the book, Peter Berresford Ellis claims he writes for the "general reader," not the historian. I'll leave it to the other reviewers to explain how Ellis's book disappoints historians, but as a general reader I feel qualified to say it disappoints me. Here's why:

1) The book's writing style is a lengthy listing of names and places with minimal transition or elaboration to string them together meaningfully. For a general reader, Ellis makes a fascinating subject tedious to follow.

2) Some of the arguments Ellis makes are weakly supported and, frankly, appear unobjective. In a tone that crosses to sarcasm, he attacks several sources as pro-Roman (i.e. untrustworthy) without explaining his evidence thoroughly.

A good introduction to the Druidic controversies.......2000-12-17

Peter Berresford Ellis is a popular historian, not an academic historian. The primary difference between popular and academic historians is that they write for different audiences. Ellis' work has been criticized for lacking the kind of detailed references that a peer-reviewed book or article would include. The reader must guess where the citations and allusions may be researched and accept the citations and translations as accurate.

Hence, you're not likely to find many historians recommending an Ellis book to their students. But students who have read Ellis will have a very clear idea of what materials to look for. And he does a very good job of challenging long-standing interpretations which have always been flimsy or weak at best. Unfortunately for him, the science of historical analysis requires accountability and Ellis refuses to be accountable. He takes his case to the popular audience and hopes to influence the broader imagination.

Customer Reviews:

Beware Chapters 8 & 9!.......2007-07-24

Although I generally liked this book, I was disheartened by chapter 8; "The Eight Stations of the Year." This is a Wiccan concept, unfamiliar to the Celtic/Druidic mindset. There is no evidence that the Druids celebrated the Vernal or Autumnal equinoxes or the Winter solstice.
I was similarly disheartened by chapter 9; "The 13 Months of the Year," which relies on Rob't Graves' good old "Celtic Tree Calendar," which, more recently, has been found to be pure claptrap. If you're interested in a Celtic calendar, look into the Coligny calendar.
Not bad overall, but these two later chapters belong in the garbage.

Interesting.......2003-02-08

This work by Mr. King is a very interesting read, though difficult to get started into. It is full of factual information, scholarly discoveries and ideas that make even experienced followers of the path sit back and think. Despite the utility and genius of the book, there are a few things that I didn't like about it.

First, the title is deceiving. A little less than half of the book is actually about the cycles of the Celtic year, and even less about the holidays and rituals. The entirety of the first 4 5 chapters is general background information on the Celts and the Druids. While this information is useful, and accurate, it is also replicated in 100 other books.

Second, Mr. King makes an interesting case that the Druids were the remnant of a long-forgotten Pythagorean cult, at best a dubious proposition and a laughable one at worst. Though his points are interesting, it is all conjecture with very little solid information to back it up.

Lastly, Mr. King doesn't delve deeply enough into the various subjects he explores. Though the information is good as a primer, it is hardly an advanced book on the subject of the Celts and the Druids. Most of the information can be found in any other book.

I gave the book 4 stars because Mr. King makes some points that are glossed over, skipped or ignored by other writers. While its true that he does this to try to prove his pet theories correct, the information is made no less valid. The few unique things in this book turn out to be rare gems in the sand.

My First Dip into the Celtic Society.......2000-05-11

This is my first reading of anything Celtic and I absolutely loved the book. My intention when I purchased the book was to find out about ancient agricultural societies and how they viewed the world, how they functioned as a whole, and what beliefs they held. Interestingly enough, my interest changed to actually enjoying the history behind the Druids and the society in which they were held in such high regard.

I enjoyed the book for several other reasons as well: King made a valid argument as to the location on the calendar as to where the Celtic year would begin and end. It is logical, to me at least, that for an agricultural society they would celebrate in the summer when food was plentiful and the days long; not in the winter when they were possibly starving and living off of the meager rations that they could eat from the salting of meat.

One of the other reasons that I liked this book so much was because it dealt with so much of the Celtic society in such a relatively short novel. King touches on religion, roman influence, cultural oversights by previous historians, and of course the calendar and their alphabet (which takes up a large portion of the later half of the novel for obvious reasons).

As a reviewer I would recommend this book to anyone interested in Celtic philosophy and Society who haven't read any or much Celtic history as of yet. What I got out of this book was that I wanted to read more about the society; to find out more about the Druids, the Bards (or Ovates) and their incredible---and sometimes magical---lives. Great read.

Good for the just-past-beginner student.......2000-04-24

I picked this book up without knowing anything about it in advance. I was interested in the author's idea of what a "druid year" would be. That is reserved for the end of the book. The beginning half is a well-researched look at what functions druids performed in their society, and a general over-view of pre-Christian Celtic society. This half is perfect for the student who past asking what a druid is and does, but wants a firmer historical context on which to base further study. In particular, Pliny's popular "white-robe and golden sickle" description is questioned, and for the general student's purposes, disproved.

In the second half of the book the author presents his version of the Celtic Druid Year. King's most notable (and controversial) idea is that New Year Celebrations were held at mid-summer, contrary to the popular belief that New Year arrived at Samhain. This idea, however, is not unique to King. Ronald Hutton has also argued against the possibility that Samhain was the Celtic New Year. For each of the 8 feast days, King describes what the situation would have been for the community the Druid(s) "worked" for -- what foods would be available and concerns regarding weather conditions as manifestations of their gods' favour/ disfavour. This description added to his discussion of the feast days helps present to the reader the practical rather than purely spiritual or magical functions of the celebrations.

Overall, this is a well researched and honest book. However, the author's insistence that the druids were the decedents or an off-shoot of the Pythagorian Cult is the reason it did not earn 4 or 5 stars. While King's research shows similarities between the two groups, it is this reader's opinion that King is too eager to find a "legitimate" source for druidry, akin to those who wish to place the druids as the decedents of the citizens of Atlantis or one of the lost tribes of Israel.

A very useful text.......2000-04-05

John King was one of the authors that introduced me to the subject of ancient Celtic history. This book is a bit cumbersome for a complete novice, but provides a very nice start for jumping beyond simple interest in the druids to actually understanding their historical context. King makes good use of quotes and footnotes and provides ample material for further reading. The only downside here is that the book does not really revolve around the title -- half of the book is explaining about ancient Celtic society in general and about the druids in general. This is fine if this is what you are looking for, but actual information about ancient Celtic astrology/astronomy is rather scarce here, though there is a detailed discussion of the calendar, the agricultural year, and of mathematics. There are some rather large jumps made in the latter section where the (perhaps mythological) connections between the druids and Pythagoras are emphasized. Nonetheless, I found this an excellent book that has been well-researched and yet avoids being presented in an overcomplicated or overacademic way; this text is very suitable for the beginning student of the subject.

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