Good books?

[sidhemaiden]

Does anyone have any good books they could recommend me on Druidry?

I've read Druid Priestess by Emma Restal Orr and loved that! I'd like to know what other books people have enjoyed.

L&B Lady Eleanor

[Blackbird]

Knowing where to start is the hardest thing, there is so much information out there.

I think that I'll compile a booklist from our suggestions and pin it to the top of this page, as this kind of question often gets asked.

If it's specifically modern Druidry you're after, I would try:

The Book of Druidry by Ross Nichols
Druid Priestess/Spirits of the Sacred Grove by Emma Restall Orr (I know you've read this one - but I wanted to emphasise that these two are the same book under a different title!)
Taliesin by John Matthews
The Druid Renaissance edited by Philip Carr-Gomm

Having said that, modern Druidry isn't my specialism by any means, and there has probably been loads of other
stuff been published that you'd find useful.

Does anyone have any recommendations for books on Celtic languages/cultures/history/reconstructionism etc?

(I do have some, but don't want to do all the running on this one )

[branynos]

For Druids theres also "The Druid Sourcebook" edited by John Matthews. Its a collection of writings from Caesar to the modern day. Possibly more a reference book that a sit down and read.

Emma Restall Orr has other books, her intreptation is a modern one, she currently leads the 'Druid Network' and off shoot of BDO (which she co-chaired)

the website has a list of recommended reads
www.druidnetwork.org/resources/reviews/category_list.htm#general_druidry

a quick look and they're mainly modern neo-pagan druidry rather than historical books on druidism.
edit: oops thats because they have a seperate history category further down the page

[goldenhand]

I've got all the three Sourcebooks, and I'd definitely recommend them.

(The Druid Sourcebook, The Bardic Sourcebook and The Celtic Seer's Sourcebook.) As Branynos says, better for dipping into rather than reading cover to cover.

I also have the Matthews' 'Encyclopaedia of Celtic Wisdom', which is a similar type of thing.

There is also Peter Berresford Ellis' 'The Druids' which is a good read, (but don't believe everything he tells you!)
and Anne Ross has just published a book called 'Druids, Seekers of Immortality', which is a good introduction. I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who already knows a bit about the subject, as there's nothing new in there. But for a newcomer, it would be a good starting point - if you can live with Anne Ross' irritating insistence that the Celts were a unified people.

[Blackbird]

That annoys me too - she is determinedly pan-Celtic, regardless of evidence to the contrary. I suppose I really take the opposite stance, thinking that things were extremely localised, though with a few broad similarities.

Anyhow.

I still recommend her 'Pagan Celtic Britain' as a good resource for iconographical and epigraphical evidence of Brythonic Gods and Iron Age culture. It's worth checking places like Ebay and Amazon for second hand copies.

I do like the Matthew's 'Sourcebooks', but despite recommending the 'Taliesin' book, you do need to be careful with them. They definitely put their own spin on the evidence - which is fine, but it's not always made clear when comments are speculative, or when sources have been repaganised.

[goldenhand]

I find that too. But I would say that you should read any book carefully and always cross reference information where you can.

I learned long ago not to believe everything in black and white

Blessings,

Angharad

[scathach]

I go along with you there Angharad. I've been stung a few times too

I'd recommend Celtic Heritage by Alwin and Brindley Rees. It's quite old now, published in the 1960s, but it's still very good. It mostly looks at the Irish side, but there is some Welsh info too.

Scathach

[Blackbird]

I have 'Celtic Heritage' and agree it's very good. If I remember rightly, they were the first to explore the similarities between the Hindu and Celtic cosmologies. However, it is very Dumezilian, which dates it a good deal imho.

There is still much useful stuff in there though, and I like the way the book is structured, looking at specific themes within the myths such as births, deaths, voyages etc.

One book I've been really enjoying is Ian McKillop's 'Dictionary of Celtic Mythology'. It's really good to dip in and out of. The entries are properly sourced and it's pretty comprehensive. I've used it as a starting point for a few of my own encyclopaedia entries so far.

[Brochfael]

Personally I don't find Bobcat's books at all inspiring.

Greywolf (Phillip Shallcrass) is, to my mind, a much better read. But for something a little less fluffy I would recommend a Capel Bann book called "Celtic Sacrifice", sorry can't remember the author's name.

Do get a copy of the Mabinogion if you haven't already got it. Lady Charlotte Guest's version has some errors in it so the translation by Gwyn and Edward Jones is the one I'd recommend. "Celtic Bards, Celtic Druids" by John Matthews and Robin Williamson contains some real gems. I'd also suggest finding a full text of the Hanes Taliesin somewhere.

On the more academic side, Anne Ross is OK but a bit heavy going. Miranda Green (or Aldhouse Green) is better. Simon James's "Exploring the World of the Celts" is excellent and Ron Hutton's "Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles" should grace every pagan bookshelf in Britain. Other recommended authors include Francis Pryor and Ruth and Vincent Megaw.

Hope this helps
Blessings in friendship
Brochfael

[Blackbird]

*personally* speaking, I find the whole personality cult that seems to have settled on Bobcat very worrysome... though I'm not saying that was ever her intention.

There is certainly something about her writing and speaking that seems to attract people like moths to a flame, and I have spoken to several folk who love her work and hang on her every word.

But personally, I'm not a devotee either - she practices a very distinct form of Druidry which is nothing like mine. (Not making any claims that my way is better - or worse! - but just different)

I do think that for people looking to begin practicing modern Druidry, that her books have value, even though they are not my cup of tea.

[Brochfael]

"There is certainly something about her writing and speaking that seems to attract people like moths to a flame, and I have spoken to several folk who love her work and hang on her every word. "

Didn't work on Samantha (The amazing lady who puts up with me as a husband). She heard Bobcat talk about honour at the PF Wales and West conferance last year and thought it was the worst drivel she'd ever heard.

I definately felt it didn't measure up to the Brochfael (could this be used to justify or inspire the holocaust by some twisted individual) test.

My view of Bobcat is that in the abscence of someone better she's not a bad spokesperson for modern druidry BUT her druidry isn't mine and her talks and writings don't inspire me either!

[Blackbird]

lol, don't hold back now... ;D

The last report I had of her speaking at a conference was very worrying. Apparantly, she was rambling to the point of incoherence and seemed very unwell.

[Midori]

Bobcat (Emma) has been unwell for some time now. I don't know the details, but folk have told me it is serious.

BB Midori

[Sìle]

The Keys of Knowledge - Ogham, Coelbren and Pagan Celtic Religion by Kevin Jones

It will get you thinking! ;D

[Blackbird]

I'll second that

Excellent publication... and being prepared for a new edition, I believe?

[Sìle]

admin said:

... and being prepared for a new edition, I believe?

I hope so!!

[dane]

midori said:

Bobcat (Emma) has been unwell for some time now. I don't know the details, but folk have told me it is serious.

BB Midori

you can't get more seroius than having lived way past 'Medical Specialists' predictions for your death!

Edited : I've just noticed when Midoris post was dated - which makes my comment even more relevant.