This book is a facsimile reprint and may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages.

A personal account of one mans journey through the dappled groves of culture and tradition, who explores Druidry through the eyes of a man in love with his heritage and land. Written with clarity, humour and pathos, this journey through tradition descends into the mysteries of Druidry and of its practice in the 21st century. fundamental principles of Druidry from ritual, connection, mythology, shamanism 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.

As the Roman Empire began to crumble, Celtic Christians began to embark more often on pilgrimages and quests. They found visionary islands on Skellig Michael, Iona, and Lindisfarne, yet their spirituality was largely concerned with politics and people. Brigid ruled a monastery for women and men, princesses and slaves, while Arthur was defending Celtic Britain against English invaders, and Aidan died protesting against his king. While some Celtic Christians did slam the monastery gates on the sinful world, most tramped into the hills to stand alongside ordinary people. Drawing on historical documents and a thoughtful examination of legends, this is an insightful resource that unveils the development of and tenets behind the various strands of Celtic Christianity.

In "Stations of the Sun" and "The Triumph of the Moon", Ronald Hutton established himself as a leading authority on the historian of Paganism. His wealth of unusual knowledge, complemented by a deep and sympathetic understanding of past and present beliefs that are often dismissed as strange or marginal, and an ability to write lucidly and wittily, gives his work a unique flavour. The essays which make up "Witches, Druids and King Arthur" cover elegantly and entertainingly a wide range of beliefs, myths and practices.

Druidism was the religion of the Celts and the Druids themselves were all-powerful, taking precedence over the Celtic kings. Over and above the evidence of classical texts and of archaeology, the richest source of information about the Druids is the vernacular material from Ireland and Wales. It is the author's unparalleled familiarity with the Gaelic texts, and her ability to see Druidism through Celtic eyes, that marks out this study from earlier books and strips away modern myths about the Druids.

This well-documented summary of Druidic culture offers a detailed account of the racial history, prehistory, and social atmosphere of early Gallic and British civilization. The amply illustrated text considers the many theories of the origin of Druidism, its early mention by Greek and Roman writers (ca. 52 b.c.), and the temples and religious practices of these ancient people. The author, a noted expert on Druidism, was in charge of British antiquities at the British Museum from 1938-1950. His thorough study of a fascinating topic will appeal to anthropologists, folklore enthusiasts, and anyone interested in the early religious and cultural life of Celtic Britain. 51 black-and-white illustrations.

This pocket-sized informative travel guide is a companion to the principal Celtic sites in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Comprehensive both in content and detail, the places featured include: Scotland - Iona, Whithorn, Melrose; England - Lindisfarne, Whitby, Jarrow, Ripon, Lichfield, Old Sarum, Glastonbury, Tintagel, Canterbury, Lullingstone; Wales - Bardsey and the Llyn Peninsula, St Winifred's Well, St David's, Lantwit Major; and Ireland - Skellig Michael, Glendalough, Kells, Kildare, Slane Hill and Tara. The stories of the saints associated with these and other places are retold for today's visitors and pilgrims, along with quotations, prayers and readings from the Celtic era. Practical information is also given, plus maps, illustrations and suggestions of other places to visit nearby. An introduction explains the significance of pilgrimage to these places both in Celtic times and in the present day.

Everyone possesses the spiritual, psychic, and worldly potential of a Goddess or God. In this breakthrough book, Francesca De Grandis brings years of experience as a shamanic counselor and traditional spiritual healer to reveal how you can cultivate and celebrate the secret, magical side of your nature. This month-to-month program of many practical exercises, rituals, and prayers will help you:

• Discover your innate wisdom

• Heal inner blocks to happiness and meaningful action in your life

• Achieve your goals and feel energized, strong, and capable

• Unleash creativity and passion for living

• Celebrate a vibrant and healthy sexuality

Based on traditional Celtic culture and the author's own successful and unique Third Road teaching, this enriching journey deep into the heart of shamanism and Goddess Spirituality will appeal to all seekers, not just Wiccans. A lyrical sourcebook of rituals, spells, mysticism, and mirth, Goddess Initiation is designed for everyone who wants to integrate commonsense Spirituatity -- and a bit of Faerie dust! -- into their everyday lives.

A collection of wonderful Druidic tales. Contents: The Druid Path; The Enchanting of Doirenn; Liadan and Kurithir; Dervail Nan Ciar; Randuff of Cumanac; The Dark Rose.

"Sacred Symbols" is a series of volumes that introduce the ancient, universal wisdoms of humankind. Symbol and ritual go to the heart of human experience. Throughout history humans have developed elaborate symbolic systems to help allay their fear of the unknown and to tap the deep well-springs of spirituality. Today, people are discovering the relevance of these belief systems to life in the 1990s. This volume covers the symbols of the Celts. The last significant tribal culture in Europe, the Celts are today associated with a particularly rich body of symbolism and mystery. Rituals, omens and signs were central to their religious beliefs, and these were expressed in a variety of beautiful designs and symbols found in Celtic stonework, metalwork and manuscripts. Relevant to contemporary New Age cults, the major symbols of the Celts are explained in this book.

The Celtic hymn, 'Be thou my vision' keeps its popularity after twelve centuries because of its vivid response to our deep human need for God. Following the great success of his earlier books, David Adam takes us through this well-loved hymn, discovering the spiritual riches that are hidden in all our lives. The Celtic tradition often speaks more directly to us than foreign spirituality: The Eye of the Eagle explores the inner resources which are our native heritage. It includes exercises so that we can experience for ourselves the many aspects of vision, which is such a vital part of every Christian life.

The primary aim of New Directions in Celtic Studies is to focus on contemporary issues and to promote interdisciplinary approaches within the subject. Written by international scholars and practitioners in fields such as folklore, ethnomusicology, art history, religious studies, tourism and education, the book brings together in one volume a wide range of perspectives. It responds to the recent questioning of the viability of the notion of 'Celticity' and the idea of Celtic Studies as a discipline and points to a renewed vitality in the subject. New Directions in Celtic Studies is divided into four sections: popular culture and representation; commodities and Celtic lifestyles; contemporary Celtic identity and the Celtic diaspora; Celtic praxis.

Noted French scholar and linguist discusses the gods of the continental Celts, the beginnings of mythology in Ireland, heroes, and the two main categories of Irish deities: mother-goddesses-local, rural spirits of fertility or of war-and chieftain-gods: national deities who are magicians, nurturers, craftsmen, and protectors of the people.

A practical guide to the celebration of Beltaine and the sacred herbs of spring * Explores the identification, harvest, and safe practical and ritual use of more than 90 plants and trees * Details rituals for honoring the traditional Gods and Goddesses of spring, such as the Goddess Chloris, the Goddess Flora, and the Daghda * Reveals which herbs to use for luck, magic, protection, purification, abundance, fertility, and love as well as the herbs of the Faeries and Elves and herbs for journeying to the Otherworld and for contacting the High Gods and Goddesses Marking the beginning of the Celtic year, the festival of Beltaine, May Day, is a celebration of the return of spring and the promise of summer, a time for love magic and spells for increasing the fertility of the land and the plants that grow upon it. Like Samhain in autumn, Beltaine is also a time when the veil between the physical and spiritual world is at its most transparent and the ancestors and denizens of the Otherworld easily interact with the world of humans. Presenting a practical guide to the celebration of Beltaine, Ellen Evert Hopman examines the plants, customs, foods, drinks, and rituals of May Day across many cultures. Discussing the gods and goddesses of spring, Hopman details the rituals for honoring them as well as traditional poems, prayers, incantations, folk rhymes, and sayings related to this time of year. She explores well dressing, the custom of honoring the source of sacred water by decorating a well. She also looks at Beltaine's association with Walpurgisnacht and Hexennacht, which fall the preceding evening. In the extensive section on the sacred plants of Beltaine, the author explores more than 90 herbs and trees, offering spells, rituals, and recipes alongside their medicinal healing uses. She reveals sacred woods suitable for the Beltaine fires and Beltaine flowers for rituals and spells. She explores herbs for luck, magic, purification, abundance, and love; herbs for protection, such as bindweed, elder, and St. John's wort; herbs of the Faeries and Elves, such as burdock and dandelion; and herbs for journeying to the Otherworld and contacting the high gods and goddesses. She also details the identification, harvest, and preparation of seasonal edible herbs, greens, mushrooms, and flowers. Woven throughout with mystical tales of folk, Faery, and sacred herbs, this guide offers each of us practical and magical ways to connect with Nature, the plant kingdom, and the Spirits that surround us in the season of spring.

The teachings of Zen Buddhism combined with the earth-based tradition of Druidry can create a holistic way of life that is deeply integrated with the seasons, the environment and the present moment. In soul-deep relationship we can use the techniques and wisdom from both traditions to find balance and harmony within our own lives. In this text we explore the concepts of the Dharma (the Buddha's teachings) and how they relate to the wisdom of the Druid tradition. We also look at the Wheel of the Year in modern Druidry with regards to the Dharma, incorporating the teachings into every seasonal festival in an all-encompassing celebration of nature. We explore meditation, mindfulness, animism and integration with nature, learning how to find sustainable relationship in the work that we do, opening our souls to the here and now and seeing the beauty and wonder that enchants our lives in every waking moment. Step into a new life, fully awake and aware to the beauty of the natural world.

The Mary of the Celts is essential reading for anyone interested in the reality of devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary in Celtic spirituality. The book explores themes and images associated with the Annunciation, Nativity, Crucifixion, and Assumption, as also the Blessed Virgin's Joys and Sorrows, through a detailed study of poetry on Mary from the Celtic regions of medieval Britain and Ireland. There are haunting images such as the Blessed Virgin Mary as daughter of her Son and as the chamber of the Trinity, with her virginity remaining as unstained and pure as glass pierced by a beam of light, as well as references to popular apocryphal legends, including those of the Instantaneous Harvest that grew while Mary and her child were fleeing into Egypt from Herod's men, and of the girdle thrown down by the Virgin to St Thomas at the Assumption. Amongst the many poets encountered are Muiredeach Albanach, a thirteenth-century Irishman who established a dynasty of poets in the Western Isles of Scotland, and his Welsh contemporary Brother Madog ap Gwallter, whose poem on Mary and her child at Bethlehem has been praised for a Franciscan simplicity and freshness. Taking the original verse in Middle and Early Modern Irish, Middle Welsh, and Middle Cornish (from medieval Cornish drama), Andrew Breeze relates their characteristic images to patristic material, other vernacular poetry (especially in Old and Middle English), Latin hymns, and medieval painting and sculpture. Indeed, The Mary of the Celts has been written as a guide to Marian iconography. It will be useful for students of medieval European literature and art, as well as for specialists in early Irish and Welsh, all of whom will find in it much that is new. It should make readers aware of the wealth of Marian material to be found in Celtic Ireland and Britain, not all of which has had the attention it deserves beyond the Celtic lands. In reviewing Andrew Breeze's Medieval Welsh Literature, Dr Jerry Hunter of the University of Wales wrote in The Times Literary Supplement, 'he has succeeded where generations of scholars have failed'. The Mary of the Celts is likely to have a similar warm welcome from all those concerned with the Marian devotion of the Middle Ages in the Celtic lands and beyond. Dr Andrew Breeze (b. 1954), FSA, FRHistS, was educated at Sir Roger Manwood's Grammar School and the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge. Married with six children, he has been lecturer in English since 1987 at the University of Navarre, Pamplona. Besides numerous research papers on philology, he is the author of the controversial study Medieval Welsh Literature (Dublin, 1997) and co-author with Professor Richard Coates of Celtic Voices, English Places (Stamford, 2000).