Druidry
by Philip Shallcrass
Published by Piatkus Books (2000)
Description
Written by a practising druid, this introduction to druidry explores the history and development of the art, exploring such subjects as divination through Ogham wands and reading signs from the natural world. It also looks druidic healing traditions, including the use of herbs and meditation.
Reviews
Review One
Review Summary
An insightful introduction that leaves you wanting more....,
Comments
In all honesty, I can't understand anyone being disappointed with this
book.
The information is useful to anyone who wants to know what Druidry is, and the exercises and guidance contained are an excellent way for anyone to get a _feel_ for the Path, if they are interested in following it or not.
I would definitely recommend reading both this and 'Principles of Druidry'
by Emma Restall Orr, as they both give different shades of what it is
to walk the Druidic Path, and combined give a greater insight that alone
Review Two
Review Summary
an excellent read!
Comments
I purchased this book and read the entire thing in just two days! I have
read a lot on druidry and indeed paganism and to say some of it can be
a bit `academic` is an understatement.
Not so with this little gem. From the opening page you are made to feel as if you are being taken on a spritual journey with a personal mentor. The author explains things in detail but in such a way that is understandable also.
Far from discouraging people who may be taking their first steps on this path I feel personally it would do the exact opposite. As well as a wealth of information on the tradition both ancient and modern there are also pathworkings and details of personal journeys made by the author. This book is well worth the price.
In my opinion a compelling read!
Review Three
Review Summary
Not Disappointed!
Comments
I bought this book and wasn't "disappointed,"..The section on
"Inspiration and Creativity: the Path of the Bard" is worth
the cover price alone. It is a clear introduction to the bardic arts --
intelligently written and very illuminating particularly with regard to
how the cycle of the sun is reflected in the body of Celtic myth. The
book is also very strong on the history of Druidry. It has a good section
on the Ogham and also includes a Gorsedd rite -- a gorsedd being a gathering
of bards. The Gorsedd rite was written by both Philip Shallcrass and Emma
Restall Orr (the joint chiefs of the British Druid Order) and gives an
example of how rituals can be structured while also including more specific
sections (to be used as appropriate) for handfasting celebrations, blessings
for children, bardic initiation and honouring the dead.
I don't believe that this book will put people off druidry. On the contrary, if you are interested in the bardic tradition or want to see what a full druid rite looks like, then this book will be very interesting for you. People seek different things from druidry and the books that exist aim to meet those different needs. In writing this, I in no way want to downplay the excellence of Emma Restall Orr's book, "The Principles of Druidry," which I also own and heartily recommend. But I think there is room on our bookshelves for more than one introduction to the beautiful, wild and wide-reaching tradition that is druidry.