Product Description
This unique and captivating book celebrates a seldom discussed, yet long and noble English, Welsh, Irish, and Scottish tradition; one that dates back to the earliest inhabitants of the British Isles: female-based religion.In "Britannia Rules" the author Lochlainn Seabrook overturns the long-standing notion that the first Britons and Celts were "patriarchal" and that they worshiped a male "Heavenly Father."Using the latest archaeological, anthropological, etymological, onomastic, historical, and mythological evidence, he shows that both the Anglo-Saxons and the Celts were actually matriarchal peoples who venerated the Supreme Being in female form.This "Heavenly Mother" of the early Celto-Britons was none other than the universal "Great Goddess," venerated around the ancient world under a myriad of names, and who manifested in ancient Egypt as Isis, in Judaism as Asherah, in Islam as Allat, in Hinduism as Kali Ma, in Gnostic Christianity as Sophia, in orthodox Christianity as Mary, and in Buddhism as Mara.In light of the overwhelming worldwide reemergence of feminine spirituality, the advent of the Goddess Reclamation Movement, the recent resurgence of British and American interest in traditional Anglo-Celtic culture, and the new found interest in the real relationship between Jesus and Mary Magdalene, this is a topical work; one that will be read with keen interest, not only by those readers who are of English and Celtic heritage, but by people of all nationalities and faiths.Lochlainn Seabrook, the sixth great-grandson of the Earl of Oxford and the fortieth great-grandson of the British Queen Boudicca, is the author of over thirty adult and children's books.Often compared to English writer and poet Robert Graves (1895-1985), Seabrook is a seventh generation Kentuckian of Anglo-Celtic Appalachian heritage, with a twenty-five year background in thealogy (female-based religion), etymology, anthropology, and comparative religion and mythology. ... Read more

Product Description
There is No God breaks through limited religious dogma and bigotry, by revealing the real truth about the ancient english belief systems, showing what a beautiful and and personal thing it is.All of the information from Tree Magick, The Little Folk to all aspects of Folk Lore and the symbolic nature of all living things, and their spiritual connection to us, and we to them in a very clear and precise way.

Follow the life times travel of an English Shaman, that explores the worlds both within and without, Grandfather Michael takes you by the hand to look at all aspects of Great Creators handiwork, and when the journey is complete, an inner realization would have awaken within, so you can travel your own lifes path, strong in the knowledge that what has awoken will lead you forth in a clear, strong light. ... Read more

Product Description
The Secrets of Avalon is a unique and ground-breaking book whichchallenges many of the accepted views of the Arthurian tradition. From clues in old tales and documents, place names and the mythic landscape, August Hunt weaves a tapestry of the Celtic Gods and the Arthurian tales which heralds a new chapter in the interpretation of the deeds and existence of the greatest heroes of British legend - King Arthur and Merlin. Not only does the author place these figures in the British landscape, he also dispels many of the older inaccurate ideas about them and demonstrates which of their tales have been assimilated from other old sources to produce the popular images that exist today.By applying his wealth of knowledge and exploring the obscure andunresolved areas of the Arthurian tales, August Hunt provides new and provocative interpretations leading to startling conclusions about many subjects including the nature of Merlin, the dragon spirits of Britain, the real Holy Grail, the location of Avalon and the identities, human and divine, of the major characters in the Arthurian tales. Amongst these the author also focuses on the significant but often shadowy female figures of the myths like the Lady of the Lake, the Mother of Arthur and the Nine Goddesses of Avalon. The quest for the hidden mysteries leads from Wales to Cornwall to Scotland,from Ireland to France and Italy, but most of all from the forgotten fragments of the past to the unfolding of the myths which dwell at the heart of the British psyche.The author also includes fascinating appendices on a new interpretation of the Ogam alphabet and how to use it for divination, the symbolism and ritual uses of the Thirteen Treasures of Britain, and the zodiacal correspondences of King Arthur's battles.~~~~~~About this AuthorAugust Hunt has a lifelong passion for the Arthurian myths and has been studying them since his youth, which is also when his passion for writing first emerged.His first short stories appeared in his high school newspaper in the 1970's, and since then he has received scholarships and literary prizes for his fictional work, and has written numerous magazine articles, books, novels and screenplays.He has lectured extensively on the Arthurian myths and related Dark Age topics at colleges and events, and has acted as consultant on television documentaries about King Arthur for the Discovery Channel and National Geographic.His works on the Arthurian mythos and other Dark Age topics are also featured on various websites.Drawing on his considerable knowledge of folklore, Celtic myth, onomastics and Dark Age history, August Hunt is providing new and challenging material which illuminates many of the previously shadowy areas of the Arthurian tradition, including his own theory on the historical identity of King Arthur, discussed in his workShadows in the Mist: The Life and Death of King Arthur.August holds a degree in Celtic and Germanic Studies, and is a member of the International Arthurian Society.When he is not engaged in his research and writing, he enjoyes hiking and landscaping, with unusual passions such as designing and erecting modern stone circles and monuments which reproduce the solar equinoctial and solstictial alignments of their ancient European counterparts.He lives in the Pacific Northwest of the United States of America with his fiancée, a dog, several fish and two lizards affectionately referred to as the 'family dragons'. ... Read more

Product Description
This book compiles articles and essays that examine: the Druid tradition, the Druid as healer, the power of magic in modern Druidry, Druidic ceremonies, festivals and rites of passage, an Druidry's roots in the love of nature. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

A Fine Collection of Essays.
I didn't know exactly what to expect when I ordered this book following an impulse-buyer's urge to find something on modern Druidry... What I found was a refreshing collection of essays by various authors (among them: Isaac Bonewits, Cairistiona Worthington, Caitlin Matthews, Mara Freeman, Tom Cowan and, of course, Philip Carr-Gomm, the editor) offering insight into the wide range of the modern practices and philosophies of Celtic and Pagan earth-spiritualities.

Carr-Gomm's foreword says it all when he writes, "Druidry is the perfect lover. You fall in love with her so easily because she is so romantic. She whispers to you of the magic and mystery of the turning stars and seasons. She loves trees and Nature above all things, and you yearn for these too..." And yet, "Just when you are convinced you will marry her," she transforms into a mocking, hideous hag who disappears, leaving you only "some lines from classical authors, whose accounts are probably inaccurate anyway, a few inferences drawn from linguistic and archeological research, which could be wrong, with the rest from material written from the seventeenth century onwards, replete with speculation, forgery and fantasy."

This collection is not about Recontructionist Druidism, nor is it apologetic for not being so. It acknowledges the tough work of scholarly research and objective criticism, but is not bound by them; seeking instead to follow "awen," the inspiration and creative draw of the earth. Several essays are strictly academic, tracing the development of modern druidic movements or exploring what little evidence exists of ancient druid practice; other essays are closer to memoir or poetic prose, telling the personal stories of those who have sought and come to rest within the tradition of modern Druidry. Offering a broad perspective (without much of the in-fighting that, even as a newcomer to this topic, I can sense often bogs it down), this is a wonderful introduction to the movement. It helps if the reader is familiar with other Pagan and Wiccan practices and texts, but it is certainly not necessary. This book will be enjoyable for the merely curious and the serious seeker alike.

I'll end by giving Carr-Gomm the last word: "The articles in this collection show that She is as present as She ever has been--and perhaps more so at this time. The Goddess who seduces us with romantic images of magic and mystery at one moment, and then repels us with images of the tattered remnants of past ages at the next, is trying to lead us beyond the realm of illusion to something more substantial, more enduring and more creative."

Wonderful Collection of Essays
Yes this book is an updated version of The Druid Renaissance. So yes IF you already own that book, you don't need this one. However IF like me you didn't own the original and wish to learn more about what it means to be a Druid, by all means buy this one. This book was recommended to me by a couple of my friends and I found it to be an excellent read. I did find at times the material to be a bit "over my head," but this I find is more to all the information covered in the book.

There were a few specific essays I enjoyed, such as The Irish Bardic Tradition (outlining the origin of bards and how they continued to exist long after the Druids supposedly were "converted" to Christianity), The Sacred Calendar and The Wheel of Change (essays discussing various Druid holidays), and the Oakley essay describing the "history" of Druids and witches. I find it interesting how people draw parallels between Druidry and Wicca, and yet they appear to be quite a bit different in the ways each group practices their religion.

Mr Carr-Gomm did a wonderful job in compiling the original work and with this new version.

The Druid Renaissance
I edited this book under its original title 'The Druid Renaissance' in 1996.
When the publisher decided to reissue it last year I asked them to retain the original title, but they insisted on a new title.
Some contributors made minor changes to their contributions and updated their Resources or Contacts sections.
Tom Cowan contributed an inspiring preface for the new edition.
I am very sorry that the title change has resulted in a previous reviewer buying virtually the same book twice. Only buy this book if you don't have a copy of 'The Druid Renaissance' already!
If - however - this book is new for you, I can strongly recommend it: the contributions are broad-ranging and inspiring and for this reason I have given it 5 stars.
A friend in England wrote the following review of it:

Book Review -

The Rebirth of Druidry ed by Philip Carr-Gomm pub Thorsons 2003

This is actually `The Druid Renaissance' published under a new name, with an arresting new cover and a new Preface by Tom Cowan, author of `Fire in the Head.'Actually it's the only book I know that has a Preface, a Forward and an Introduction, all by worthy authors in the field so it can't be bad. If you have TDR then don't buy it but if you don't then seriously consider this Reinaissance rebirth as there is a wealth of information and a diversity of approaches about modern day Druidry enclosed within its covers.
The authors are exclusively people who are working and teaching in the tradition today, some are familiar names on the spines of book covers, some are more familiar in the context of active druidry, many are both.The book is divided into several Sections `The Call of the Land' ; `The Call of the Druid' ; `The Re-Enchantment' ; `Druid Ceremony' and `Finding Our Roots - Finding our Future'. Contributors in order of their appearance in the book are Tom Cowan; Philip Carr-Gomm; Professor Ronald Hutton; Erynn Rowan Laurie; Philip Shallcrass; Isaac Bonewits; Steve Wilson; Dr Michel Raoult; Frank MacEowen; Cairistiona Worthington; Louise Larkins Bradford; Chris Turner; Robert Mills; Madeleine Johnson; Dr Graham Harvey; Caitlin Matthews; Dr Gordon Strachan; Dr Christina Oakley and Mara Freeman.
Their topics cover Druid Revival, Herbs, Stars, Bardism, Druid Ceremony, Sacred Calendars; Jesus in Glastonbury; Celtic Shamanism; the Mabon myth; Druids and Witches, Healing and Ecology.Such richness seems to me to answer the triad for a Modern Druid which the editor Philip Carr-Gomm suggested in his connecting link to section V

`The three tasks of a Druid
to live fully in the present;
to honour tradition and the ancestors;
to hear the voice of tomorrow.

This book is not just an introduction to the philosophy and practice of druidry, it is more a reference for living the tradition.

MaddyJohnson ... Read more

Product Description
The universe is filled with countless gods, goddesses and nature spirits. Many made themselves known to the Druids of ancient Northern Europe. How can modern day Druids make contact with these age-old Beings? 'Old Gods, New Druids' offers a series of twenty humorous and informative lessons that can be used for group or solitary study and is ideal for people interested in Druidry and the Pagan spirituality of ancient Britain and Ireland. ... Read more

Product Description
Tides and Times is the second in the series of lessons by Amado Crowley now being released to the public.It examines the human race's magical response to the natural world, giving a magical perspective on the seasons, physical reality, and personal problems. It explains the role that sex plays in magical ritual, and what it originally meant to be a 'Chosen One', or 'The Living Sacrifice'.This book describes the origins of Occultism, which can be traced back to ancient, prehistoric times. It suggests that our ancestral knowledge still sleeps in our unconscious, perhaps disguised as racial memory. The cosmos throbs with unseen power and, as we stumble towards our destiny, we may fail to recognize what motives drive us. Tides and Times helps us reconnect with that power. ... Read more

Product Description
The Awen I sing, from the deep I bring it.
(Taliesin)
Natural Druidry is a deeply personal account of one man s journey through the dappled groves of culture and tradition. Exploring the inspiration of Druidry through the eyes of a man in love with heritage and the land, Kris takes you on a journey into the mysteries of the Druid tradition, into the shadows of the past and the magic of Druidry.

Written with simplistic clarity, humour and tears, Kris invites you to share his journey through tradition, descending into the mysteries of Druidry and of its practise in the twenty-first century. Exploring the fundamental principles of Druidry from ritual, connection, mythology, shamanism and finally a personal ride through the Druid year. Share in a world of wondrous beings, of sheer potentiality beyond comprehension, and the awe and childlike surrender one feels when confronted with the enchantment of Druidry.

Inspiration lies at the heart of this book, where the joyous experience of the flowing spirit of Druidry known as Awen; sings through dry ink. Journey with Kris into the magic of the past and the present, deep into the vast cauldron of spiritual enlightenment that sings from the land, that whispers to us upon the breeze as the breath of our ancestors. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A must have for anyone interested in the Druid path
This is without doubt one of my favorite books on Druidry.Kris Hughes lives and breathes his spirituality and is a man in love with the land, his ancestors and the mythology of Britain.He is head of the Anglesey Druid Order and a well-known and respected speaker at Druid camps, workshops, courses and conferences. His enthusiasm and willingness to share his knowledge shine through in this, his first, book.Kris shares his personal view of Druidry by taking us through the yearly cycles and celebrations and providing a great overview of what Druidry means to him.Whether you are exploring Druidry or have been following the path for many years you will leave this book feeling like you have made a new friend and deepened your connection to your spiritual path. Reading this book will provide you with tools to follow a Druid path wherever you may be living. ... Read more

Product Description
First paper edition ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

A "must" for serious goddess devotees
Jennifer Reif's blend of scholarship and practical advice makes for a dynamite book. Demeter is an incredibly important goddess, yet books about her that cover both theory and practice are rare. Go deeper into the myths with this incredibly well-researched book. Highly recommended for all pagans and especially for women in the Goddess movement.

An Interesting Take on Modern Paganism
I'll be honest, I bought this book from amore Persephone-centric thought process, but I ended up reading the whole thing. It's a very nice, symbolism-rich take on paganism, and I gleaned quite a bit from its pages. It has lots of prayers and a beautiful take on the Demeter/Persephone myth. An added bonus is the wealth of pages on making Greek costumes, garlands, crowns, masks, etc. I would save it just for those alone! Definately worth picking up if you can find it.

Great book!!!
This book is a wonderful resource for those interested in exploring Demetrian paganism or merely those who want to learn more about the Demeter/Persephone myth.I especially appreciated the detailed ritual scripts and descriptions of each of the festivals.The chants and poems were also very useful.The book is very dense, but it is a fast read and easily accessible.

Great Book on Demeter and Persephone
A fantastic reconstruction of the rituals of Demeter and Persephone of Eleusis, Greece. Wheel of the Year rituals are quite different from Wicca, but still grain cycle based, and still with many universal themes. Reif has done a lot of research and offers in-depth information on Demeter and Persephone, the clerics of the temple, the liturgy for the rites, planting grain, sacred foods, etc. A lovely book (some great color plates), beautifully made and a great read. I recommend this one highly!

A wonderful reworking of the Demetrian mysteries
This book is wonderful. I felt like I was there at the Mysteries while I was reading this book. It's so good to see something else Pagan,yet different out there that is not the same old BS of "cast your circle this way..." I like change & so this was a new way for me to celebrate the Wheel of the Year in a different light. Ms. Reif gets you involved making masks,head wreaths,and even gives you help if you want to grow your own wheat. This book was like a breath of fresh air ! HYE! KYE! ... Read more

Product Description
Chapters: Hecate, Cardea, Janus, Portunes, Lima, Terminus, Jangseung, Trivia. Source: Wikipedia. Pages: 51. Not illustrated. Free updates online. Purchase includes a free trial membership in the publisher's book club where you can select from more than a million books without charge. Excerpt: Hecate or Hekate (ancient Greek , Hekát, pronounced or ) is a chthonic Greco-Roman goddess associated with magic and crossroads. She is attested in poetry as early as Hesiod's Theogony. An inscription from late archaic Miletus naming her as a protector of entrances is also testimony to her presence in archaic Greek religion. Regarding the nature of her cult, it has been remarked, "she is more at home on the fringes than in the center of Greek polytheism. Intrinsically ambivalent and polymorphous, she straddles conventional boundaries and eludes definition." She has been associated with childbirth, nurturing the young, gates and walls, doorways, crossroads, magic, lunar lore, torches and dogs. William Berg observes, "Since children are not called after spooks, it is safe to assume that Carian theophoric names involving hekat- refer to a major deity free from the dark and unsavoury ties to the underworld and to witchcraft associated with the Hecate of classical Athens." But he cautions, "The Laginetan goddess may have had a more infernal character than scholars have been willing to assume." In Ptolemaic Alexandria and elsewhere during the Hellenistic period, she appears as a three-faced goddess associated with ghosts, witchcraft, and curses. Today she is claimed as a goddess of witches and in the context of Hellenic Polytheistic Reconstructionism. Some neo-pagans refer to her as a "crone goddess", though this characterization appears to conflict with her frequent characterization as a virgin in late antiquity. She closely parallels the Roman goddess Trivia. Notable proposed etymologies for the name Hecate are: Arthur Golding's 1567 transla...More: http://booksllc.net/?id=14372 ... Read more

Product Description
This volume is produced from digital images created through the University of Michigan University Library's large-scale digitization efforts. The Library seeks to preserve the intellectual content of items in a manner that facilitates and promotes a variety of uses. The digital reformatting process results in an electronic version of the original text that can be both accessed online and used to create new print copies. The Library also understands and values the usefulness of print and makes reprints available to the public whenever possible. This book and hundreds of thousands of others can be found in the HathiTrust, an archive of the digitized collections of many great research libraries. For access to the University of Michigan Library's digital collections, please see http://www.lib.umich.edu and for information about the HathiTrust, please visit http://www.hathitrust.org ... Read more

Product Description
A collection of archive and classic writings on the origins, development and revival of the druidic tradition. The text covers customs and practices, Celtic roots and modern interpretation. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (8)

One of my favorite authors
John and Caitlin Matthews are two more authors that I generally enjoy. I caught on to Celtic worship many years ago and for a long while they seemed the only non-Llywelyn published authors which were accessible. They both get kudos for being tireless translators and bringing to mainstream readership many older documents which we would not otherwise be able to read for ourselves.

The Druid Source Book is a compilation of Druid history, scholarship and commentary from a range of sources. It is especially treasured for the beginning section on the Druids in history, quoting many of the sources, Caesar and beyond, and their words. The book also contains a wealth of knowledge spanning the last two centuries or so from historians and practitioners alike. It is a very nice addition to any Druid shelf for this wealth of source material.

Great Compilation
Matthews does a wonderful job of pulling together different treatises throughout history on how the world has and does view Druidism.This is a very dry read, but is filled with great information.

excellent
I read a review where an individual stated that "this work was outdated'. Well the ancient druids certainly 'are' and here is a good collection of their history! It seems the more and more I readreviews of Matthews work I come across the complaint that its "dry history'. While this may be true there are also gems within the desert if one cares to look. Also all the books that I've ever read about "druid magic, techniques, shamanism etc...I have found to be worthless and just a dressed up version of wicca. The Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom is another example of fine writing and research. Once again we must remember this was"an oral tradition".

Good Collection
John Matthews is the editor of this book and has put a lot of work into collecting different material on the Druids.Some of the matterial used is difficult to find as it is out of print, or is an abridged form of larger writings.

It contains material from Caesar to Ross Nichols.Also, there is a list of further readings, and major Druid orders if your interested.

A Good Place to Start
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. This book is also helpful in that many of the passeges contained within are extremely hard to find and it is nice to have them collected in one volume(even if alot of them are not complete).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. ... Read more

Product Description
Magickal Weddings is a handbook that helps to bring romantic handfasting traditions from antiquity into modern-day ceremonies. It is also a practical wedding planner from start to finish, filled with charts and worksheets, to help any couple organize their handfasting. This complete guide offers: suggestions for vows; ritual elements; tips on how to choose the right day to handfast; different ways to include and accommodate friends and family members in the ceremony; and the symbolism behind elements like cords, flowers, decorative elements, and gemstones. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Magickal Weddings
This book has alot of useful info about Handfastings, also it has a good description of when and where it all began.

Wedding Bliss-We love this book!
My spouse and I had great fun and success using this book to plan our wedding. Many chapters talk about the symbolism of different elements that can be added to the ceremony to make it richer and more meaningful. Looking back, the day was so special and magical because of the rich symbolism that we added with the help of this book. There is also a wonderful chapter on writing your own vows. And the book offered plenty of practical advise as well. It was full of ideas, charts and budgets. We love this book!

Terrible History, Decent planning help
Please please please don't belive hardly ANYTHING this author tells you about the "ancient history of celtic handfasting". All of this God/Goddess duality is GREAT for Wiccans, but please please don't believe that that is how the "ancient Celts" actually practiced and worshiped. We have hardly ANY evidence for the prehistoric Celts, and what we have is skewed, slanted, and possibly even misinterpreted (archaeological evidence is VERY difficult to interpret). The author does a decent job of giving you things to think about for planning your wedding (such as date, place, altar objects, etc) but I wouldn't say that she does a super job of anything, really.

Terrific
I really enjoy this book.I found the explainations of dates and times for weddings helpful and handy (as my fiance and I debate the date with our parents.)Her easy, welcoming style in much appriciated.All in all a very inclusive effort.

Great Book on Handfastings!
Although I follow the Reclaiming Pagan/Wiccan tradition, I found this book very user friendly for all types of Wiccan & magical weddings & handfastings.It is very straight forward, informative, and supportive. ... Read more

Product Description
Contemporary Druidry is one of the fastest growing religions in Western society. This book addresses the attempt by practitioners to bring an ancient spirituality into the mainstream. It examines ancient Druid beliefs and critiques the contemporary expression by comparing the two. Relying on eight years of research and more than 200 interviews, the book provides an outsider's look at this faith. ... Read more

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`Darrah makes the valid point that episodes in the Arthurian romances read like motifs from the ancient mythologies...(he) reconstructs a lost British paganism, grounded in the rivers, hills and woods, and especially those grey monoliths...reminders of a cosmology vanished from this island.' NIKOLAI TOLSTOY, DAILY TELEGRAPH Contends, with a good deal of evidence, that the impact of pre-Christian Welsh, Irish, Scottish, Cornish and Breton religion is greater than has been previously thought... Extensively researched and well written. CHOICEThe origins of Arthurian romance will always be a hotly disputed subject. The great moments of the legends belong partly to dimly-remembered history, partly to the poets' imagination down the ages, yet there is another strand to the stories which goes back deeper and further: the traces of ancient pagan religion, found both in Arthurian heroes who have inherited the attributes of gods, and in episodes which reflect ancient religious rituals. Darrah's careful study of the thematic relationships of, particularly, the more obscure episodes of the romances and his identification of the relative geography of Arthurian Britain as portrayed in the romances will be valuable even to those who differ with his conclusions. His most original contribution to an unravelling of a pagan Arthurian past lies in his appropriation of the fascinating evidence of standing stones and pagan cultic sites. This is dark and difficult territory, but building on elusive clues, and tracing a range of sites, especially in south-west Britain, John Darrah has added a significant new dimension to the search for the sources of the legends of Arthur and his court. JOHN DARRAH has also written The Real Camelot. ... Read more

Product Description

For Aífe, the beautiful adopted daughter of Drui healer Ethne and her warrior partner Ruadh, life revolves around the sacred beauty and ancient mystery of the Old Ways. Surrounded by lush, green trees and frolicsome wildlife, the Forest School has been the heart of her Druidic education-and her beloved home. But to become a healer and priestess, she must leave behind all that she loves and journey to the Druid Isle . . .

Handsome and spirited, Lucius is resolved to seek adventure outside of the Christian monastery where he was raised. Following a daring escape one night, Lucius arrives at a Pagan Gaulish village and discovers their gentle way of life. But a political firestorm is brewing, and Lucius is caught in the middle as the church and the Romans attempt to destroy everything the Druids hold dear. In his desperation to escape ruthless enemies and untold dangers, Lucius finds himself on the Druid Isle, where he will face the biggest decision of his life.

Set on a third-century island off the coast of Scotland, this instructional Celtic tale delves deeply into the spiritual mysteries of the Druids, offering glimpses of Druidic daily life, herbal lore, and ancient rituals, along with a fascinating look at the Romans, Gauls, and Britons. Includes a Celtic/Druidic glossary.

"One of the best features of the book is the small bits of old lore from the Druids scattered throughout . . . I would definitely recommend this book!"—Rev. Skip Ellison, Archdruid of Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF) and

author of Ogham: The Secret Language of the Druids 

Customer Reviews (4)

Hurray Ellen's done it again!
Thank you Ellen for once again pulling me in to the lives and ways of your characters.I loved "Priestess of the Forest", and was sorry to see it come to an end, and was thrilled when this next novel " The Druid Isle" finally came out to wrap up what was started in book one.I was happy with the story and impressed to find that, though it answered questions left open from Priestess, it was a great story unto itself.You don't have to read one to enjoy the other, but WOW!you should!I love the history that is infused so nicely you hardly know you're learning anything.Great job...got more?

A top pick for any fiction collection focusing on spiritual and new age elements
The nature of the Druids is mysterious to outsiders, and therefore it was sought to be destroyed. "The Druid Isle" is a novel following Aife and Lucius, two individuals who find themselves on the Druid Isle, in the third century AD. Faced with the coming Roman army, Ellen Evert Hopman tells a story of the Celts and druids that is riveting, intriguing, and steeped in Celtic history. "The Druid Isle" is a top pick for any fiction collection focusing on spiritual and new age elements.

Continuation of a great story
This book is the sequel to Priestess of the Forest: A Druid Journey and continues to follow the lives of the druid healer Ethne and the warrior Ruadh years after the first book took place, as well introducing the new characters of Aife, their foster-daughter who is studying to be a druid, and Lucius, a young monk with a mysterious past.
The story itself is detailed and well told, with strong charcterization and a fast paced story. The reader is quickly swept up in the lives of the four main characters, as well as several minor charcters, and the ending is very satisfying, answering a question left open from the earlier book.
Beyond it's value as a good work of fiction - and it's worth recommending just for the story - the book is also a subtle primer on druid belief and practice. Reading this will help the reader understand Gaelic culture circa the 3rd century CE and will also help with an understanding of different druidic principles on a practical level. Unlike a non-fiction book on the same topic the reader isn't spoonfed step-by-step instructions and explanations, instead you see the concepts and practices in action as the characters live them out. Very reminiscent of the old mythologies.
I would definitely recommend this book for anyone looking for a good story, or for anyone who wants to learn more about druidry.

I Can't Rave Enough About The Wonderful Story and Druid Lore
As an enchanting mesmerizing story, I couldn't put the book down.As a book that is now part of my reference library, I found the historical Druid practices, descriptions, and information to be invaluable and enlightening.I bought the book as a companion to Ellen's first novel, Priestess of the Forest: A Druid Journey.The book is excellent even if you haven't read her first novel; as a follow-up sequel, it is terrific.The Druid Isle satisfies that desire to continue on with Ethne's journey that you wish had never ended in the first book.You can't go wrong making the purchase. ... Read more

Product Description
In The Tribe of Witches, a wide-ranging theoretical framework for understanding the major cults worshipped amongst the Iron-Age tribal group called the Dobunni, later known as the Hwicce, was put forward. Towards the end of that volume, the mother goddess of the Dobunni was introduced. In A Dreaming for the Witches, the cults that worshipped the tribal deities are explored more fully. The surviving textual data and archaeological material are reviewed, and what we know of the Dobunni pantheon, using predominantly Welsh sources placed in a wider European context, is discussed. The Roman period process of interpretatio is explored, along with European traditions of mythical animals and plants which created our underlying cultural tales and traditions. The Tribe introduced the Matrona of the Dobunni; this work gets to grips with the tribal father. The sacred landscapes accounted for by Nennius are investigated, and the mythical landscape around Gloucester revealed. Finally, a discussion is put forward which places the cults of the Dobunni at the heart of the Christian grail myths. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

An Illuminating, Superior Work
I find this book extremely well researched and equally illuminating. Yeates painstakingly yet eloquently demonstrates the connections between an ancient people of Britain, the landscape they inhabited and revered, their divinities, and those who came to be called "witches." This book serves as an antidote, not by a practitioner but rather by a scholar, to those recent academic texts that claim that "witches" never existed and that pagan traditions and their deities died simply because they were, respectively, forbidden and demonized by Christian authorities. Very impressive! Blackthorn Krause, CA ... Read more

Product Description
This is a comprehensive and thought-provoking exploration of some of the metaphysical notions that are the foundation of modern druidic thought and practice. It is a serious and informed contribution to an often-neglected area of the modern Druid Way in which past practice is all too often rekindled without an attendant understanding of past psychology or philosophical perceptions. In this, it is a manifesto for a Druid Way that is both true to its Celtic roots and responsive to the modern world. ... Read more

Product Description
Awaken the bard within in this inspiring journey into your creative potential. Expanding upon the foundation of The Bardic Handbook, this volume explores the transformations the bardic initiate must go through to become a fully-fledged Bard. This originally took 12 years of study in the Bardic Colleges - but communities need bards right now, bringing healing and hope with their words and music and so the training process is accelerated over 12 months, echoing the 12 years of Taliesin's journey from Gwion Bach to the Shining Brow. Extracts from the author's notebooks and journals over 20 years illustrate his own journey - showing how this ancient wisdom has been gleaned and validated by powerful personal experience. The Way of Awen is a way of living creatively. ... Read more

Product Description
An in-depth look at the history, herbal uses, and spiritual aspects of the sacred trees in the ancient Celtic Ogham Tree Alphabet

• Details the 20 trees of the ogham alphabet and their therapeutic and magical virtues

• Examines the Forest Druid practices associated with each tree as well as the traditional uses in Native American medicine

• Describes the Celtic Fire Festivals and how each tree is featured in these holy days

• By the author of A Druid’s Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year

The Druids used the ancient Ogham Tree Alphabet to work magic and honor the dead, surrounding each letter with medicinal and spiritual lore. Poets and bards created a secret sign language to describe the letters, each of which is named for a tree or a plant. For centuries this language was transmitted only orally in order to protect its secrets.

Combining her extensive herbal knowledge and keen poetic insight, Ellen Evert Hopman delves deeply into the historic allusions and associations of each of the 20 letters of the Ogham Tree Alphabet. She also examines Native American healing methods for possible clues to the way ancient Europeans may have used these trees as healing agents. Druidic spiritual practices, herbal healing remedies, and plant lore are included for each tree in the alphabet as well as how each is used in traditional rituals such as the Celtic Fire Festivals and other celebrations. Hopman also includes a pronunciation guide for the oghams and information on the divinatory meanings associated with each tree. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

You need this one in you tree collection.
If you are a tree lover, natural medicine lover or have the previews book, you will want this book. It completes the other part adding some new stuff you will enjoy lots.

The Wisdom of Trees
This was such an interesting read.I may never indulge in tree medicine but the history of the druids was very intriguing and enlightening.I would suggest it for anyone that wants to know more about our ancient trees and if your interesting in druid knowledge and ways.I rented it from the library and couldn't take enough notes to satisfy my curiosity, so I ended up buying it from Amazon.Best to read in the spring as many of the tinctures and poltices use spring time bark.After reading this book I wanted to identify all my neighborhood trees and really enjoy what we take for granted every day.Hope you enjoy the read too.

The only disadvantage to the book is knowing where to cut the bark and how to really prepare the medicines in the book.I would like to engage but the directions are not in print.

The trees are our life
I love, love, love this book!

I recommend this book to anybody who wishes to live a healthy, Earth-friendly life.

Hint:Mix a little cream with the tea made from the inner bark of the apple tree, you will never forget the incredible flavour!

Druid Herbal
As someone who has studied Celtic herbalism with Master Herbalists -- and as a practising Druid, I can attest that the herbal constituents, effects, and uses described in this book are spot on. In addition, the author provides little-known folkloric information and background, as well as anecdotal information on how these herbs are used by her own Tradition of Druidism today. Along with her book on Tree Medicine, Ms. Hopman provides information vital not only for Druids, but for herbalists and traditional healers everywhere.

Phantasmic Exploration of Arboreal Altercations and Allusions
This author is a true Bard and Namer to her brothers the Trees. She interprets their meanings, their power, and the history of their cosmogony. Much like the famous reconstructionists, she recognizes that the sign and the signified are not neccessarily the same when it comes to truly diving into the unique marks of the Ogham [Ogam]. She poetically enumerates on the history of the signs, their religious significance, as well as the many "differing" Ogams that have existed throughout time, from as far back as as we can reach, through the latest dicipherings... Ellen Evert Hopman is a sister to Trees, and can hear their countless whispers and songs, which is what makes this book so magical.-- Crow Birchsong ... Read more

Product Description
These are some of the original fairy stories behind popular modern fantasies like, “True Blood.”

Andrew Lang's Fairy Books constitute a twelve-book series of fairy tale collections. Although Andrew Lang did not collect the stories himself from the oral tradition, the extent of his sources, who had collected them originally (with the notable exception of Madame d'Aulnoy), made them an immensely influential collection, especially as he used foreign-language sources, giving many of these tales their first appearance in English. As acknowledged in the prefaces, although Lang himself made most of the selections, his wife and other translators did a large portion of the translating and telling of the actual stories.

For more titles like this, go to http://dreamz-work.com or type “dreamz-work” into the search field.
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Customer Reviews (1)

Excellent Book on Fairies
This is an excellent book. It chronicles stories told by true witnesses to fairies and story weaver accounts as well. --Matt (Editor) ... Read more