The Druid Network

SW17: Recommended Reading

There are many excellent books and websites available on the topic of Celtic Society and Druids throughout the ages.

Every Druid has their own preferences in their practises, but most will agree that good scholarship and credibility in reading material is important. Spiritual fulfilment is also an important factor in selecting reading material.

Where to start when looking for credible and spiritually fulfilling resources?

The following is a list of books and online resources that we have found especially helpful.

Editor note 2023: This list is the original list from the course when written in the early years of the twenty first century. There is another readong list on the TDN site which will be more up to date.

  • Beginner’s Resources
  1. Carr-Gomm, Philip. The Elements of the Druid Tradition. Element, 1996.
  2. Eddy, Steve and Hamilton, Claire. A Beginner’s Guide: The Timeless Wisdom of the Celts. Hodder & Stoughton, 1999.
  3. Matthews, Caitlin. The Elements of the Celtic Tradition. Element, 1989.
  4. McColman, Carl. The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Celtic Wisdom. Alpha Books, 2003.
  5. Restall-Orr, Emma. Thorsons Principles of Druidry. Thorsons, 1998.
  6. Shallcrass, Philip. Piatkus Guides – Druidry: A Practical and Inspirational Guide. Piatkus, 2000.
  7. Worthington, Charistiona. A Beginner’s Guide: Druids. Hodder & Stoughton, 1999.
  • Druids
  • Studies of Ancient Druidry
  1. Berresford-Ellis, Peter. The Druids. Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co., 1995.
  2. Green, Miranda. The World of the Druids. Irish Books & Media, 1997.
  3. Markale, Jean. The Druids: Celtic Priests of Nature. Inner Traditions International, 1999.
  4. Piggott, Stuart. The Druids. Thames & Hudson, 1968, 1975
  5. Rutherford, Ward. The Druids: Magicians of the West – The Doctrines, Beliefs and Practices of Druidism. Sterling Publishing Company, 1990.
  • 19th & Early 20th Century Druidry and Fantasy Lore
  • These books could be written off as fantasy lore of the 19th Century, but they do offer insight into an important part of our history as Modern Druids – the 19th Century Revival and what they believed at the time.
  1. Graves, Robert. The White Goddess. Noonday Press, 1948.
  2. Frazer, J.G. The Golden Bough: A Study in Magic and Religion. The MacMillan Press, 1976. (originally published in 1922)
  3. Matthews, John. Secrets of the Druids: Wizards, Powers & Spells, Chants & Visions, Bardic Traditions, Celtic Lore and Merlin’s Magic. Black Dog & Levanthal. 2002. (The title is absolutely hokey, but this book is a compilation of articles and such from their previous books: The Druid Sourcebook, The Celtic Seers Sourcebook and the Bardic Sourcebook. I believe they also have some material from their Celtic Shaman’s Sourcebook as well. An excellent study in 19th Century Druid revivalist beliefs and practices, as well as some modern ones.)
  4. Nichols, Ross. The Book of Druidry Compiled by (John Matthews), Aquarian 1990.
  5. Spence, Lewis. The Mysteries of Britain: The Secret Rites and Traditions of Ancient Britain Restored. Newcastle Publishing Co., 1993.
  6. Winwood-Reade, W. The Veil of Isis or Mysteries of the Druids. Newcastle Publishing Co., 1992
  • Modern Druidry
  1. Myers, Brendan Cathbad. The Mysteries of Druidry: Celtic Mysticism Theory and Practice. New Page Books, May 30, 2006.
  2. Bonewits, Isaac. Bonewits’s Essential Guide to Druidism. Citadel, August 1, 2006.
  3. Carr-Gomm, Philip and Murphy-Gibbs, Dwina (Editors). The Druid Renaissance. HarperCollins, 1996.
  4. Ellison, Robert (Skip). The Solitary Druid : A Practitioner’s Guide. Citadel, October 1, 2005.
  5. Greer, John Michael. The Druidry Handbook: Spiritual Practice Rooted in the Living Earth. Weiser Books, February 20, 2006.
  6. Hansen, Daniel. American Druidism: A Guide to American Druid Groups. Peanut Butter Publishing, 1995.
  7. Hutton, Ronald. Druids Hambledon Continuum. May 1, 2007.
  8. Talboys, Graeme. Way of the Druid: Renaissance of a Celtic Religion and its Relevance. O Books, January
  9. White, Larisa. World Druidry: A Globalising Path of Nature Spirituality. Self Published at http://www.larisa-a-white.com in 2021
  • Devotionals/Books of Days/Prayers
  1. Hamilton, Claire. The Celtic Book of Seasonal Meditations: Celebrate the Traditions of the Ancient Celts. Red Wheel/Weiser, 2003
  2. Matthews, Caitlin. A Celtic Devotional: Daily Prayers and Blessings. (Caitlin Matthews), Godsfield Press, 1996.
  3. Matthews, Caitlin. Celtic Book of days: A Guide to Celtic Spirituality and Wisdom. Destiny Books, 1995.
  4. Matthews, Caitlin. The Arthurian Tarot Course: A Quest for All Seasons. Thorsons, 1993.
  5. Matthews, Caitlin. The Celtic Book of the Dead. St. Martin’s Press, 1992.
  6. Matthews, Caitlin. The Celtic Spirit: Daily Meditations for the Turning Year. Harper San Fransisco, 1999.
  7. Serith, Ceisiwr. A Book of Pagan Prayer. Weiser Books, 2002.
  • Ogham
  1. Ellison, Robert Lee (Skip). The Druids’ Alphabet: What Do We Know About the Oghams?. Earth Religions Press, 2003.
  2. Kindred, Glennie. The Tree Ogham. Self Published, 1997.
  • Ritual/Seasonal Observances
  • Beginner
  1. Blamires, Steve. Glamoury: Magic of the Celtic Green World. Llewellyn, 1996.
  2. Corrigan, Ian. Druiheachd: Symbols and Rites of Druidry. 1993.
  3. Freeman, Mara. Kindling the Celtic Spirit: Ancient Traditions to Illume Your Life Throughout the Seasons. HarperCollins, 2001
  4. Hugin The Bard. A Bard’s Book of Pagan Songs: Stories and Music from the Celtic World. Llewellyn, 1993. (This one is fun)
  5. Laurie, Erynn Rowan. Circle of Stones: Journeys and Meditations for Modern Celts. Eschaton, 1994.
  6. Restall-Orr, Emma. Ritual: A Guide to Life, Love and Inspiration. Thorsons, 2000.
  • Advanced (Geared Towards Planning large Group Rituals)
  1. Bonewits, Isaac. Rites of Worship: A Neopagan Approach. Dubsar House Publishing, 2003.
  2. Kondratiev, Alexei. Celtic Rituals: An Authentic Guide to Ancient Celtic Spirituality (originally published as The Apple Branch). New Celtic Publishing, 1999.
  • Spirituality (Cosmology/Lore/Deity)
  • Beginner:
  1. Memory-Paterson, Jaqueline. Tree Wisdom: The Definitive Guidebook To the Myth, Folklore and Healing Power of Trees. Thorsons, 1996.
  2. An Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom (Caitlin & John Matthews), Element Books, 1993.
  • Advanced:
  1. O’Dubhain, Searles. The Elements of the Duile. A good article on Celtic Cosmology and the beliefs of body, mind and spirit – http://www.imbas.org/articles/elements_duile.html
  2. Nora Chadwick’s Essay “Imbas Forosnai” – An excellent study on meditation and divination techniques used by Celtic seers. http://www.maryjones.us/ctexts/colloquy.html
  3. Evert-Hopman, Ellen. A Druid’s Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year. Destiny Books, 1995.
  4. Green, Miranda. The Gods of the Celts. Barnes & Noble, 1986.
  • Mythology
  • Beginner:
  1. Berresford-Ellis, Peter. The Chronicles of the Celts: New Tellings of Their Myths and Legends. Robinson Publishing, 1999.
  2. Cotterell, Arthur. Celtic Mythology: The Myths and Legends of the Celtic World. Arness Publishing Ltd., 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000.
  3. Gregory, Lady. Complete Irish Mythology. The Slaney Press, 1994. (Gods and Fighting Men originally published in 1904, and Cuchulain of Muithemne originally published in 1902)
  4. Holleston, T.W. Celtic Mythology. Newcastle Publishing, 1997
  5. Matthews, John and Stewart, R.J. Celtic Warrior Chiefs. Firebird Books, 1993.
  6. Matthews, John. The Song of Taliesin: Stories and Poems from the Books of Broceliande. Aquarian, 1991.
  7. (Penguin Classics) A Celtic Miscellany. 1971.
  8. (Penguin Classics) Early Irish Myths and Legends. 1981.
  9. (Penguin Classics) The Mabinogion. 1976.
  10. Ross, Anne. Druids, Gods and Heroes from Celtic Mythology. Peter Bedrick Books, 1986.
  11. Scott, Michael. The Book of Celtic Wisdom. Hodder & Stoughton, 1999.
  12. Squire, Charles. Celtic Myth and Legend. Newcastle Publishing Co. Inc., 1975.
  13. Stewart, R.J and Williamson, Robert. Celtic Bards, Celtic Druids. Blandford, 1996.
  14. Stewart, R.J. Celtic Gods, Celtic Goddesses; Blandford, 1992.
  • Advanced/Specialized:
  1. Davis, Courtney and James, David. The Celtic Image. Blandford, 1996.
  2. Day, David. The Search for King Arthur. De Agnosti Editions Ltd., 1995.
  3. Heath, Jennifer. On the Edge of Dream: The Women of Celtic Myth and Legend. Plume, 1998.
  4. MacCana, Proinsias. Celtic Mythology. Feltham, 1970.
  5. Markale, Jean. Women of the Celts. Inner Traditions, 1986.
  6. Matthews, John. Gawain: Knight of the Goddess – Restoring an Archetype. Aquarian Press, 1990, 1992.
  7. Matthews, John. Taliesin: Shamanism and the Bardic Mysteries in Britain and Ireland. Mandala, 1991.
  8. Matthews, John and Caitlin. Ladies of the Lake. Aquarian, 1992.
  9. Matthews, John and Stewart, R.J. Merlin Through the Ages: A Chronological Anthology and Source Book. Blandford, 1995.
  10. O’Connor, Peter. Beyond the Myst: What Irish Mythology Can Teach Us About Ourselves. Orion, 2000.
  11. Rees, Alwyn and Brinley. Celtic Heritage. Thames & Hudson, 1990. (Originally published in 1961)
  12. Tolstoy, Nikolai. The Quest for Merlin. Sceptre, 1990.
  13. Webster-Wilde, Lyn. Celtic Women in Legend Myth and History. Cassel plc., 1997.
  • Celtic Culture/Beliefs/Language (Reconstructed)
  1. The Parent Directory for Imbas’ Celtic Studies Articles – http://www.imbas.org/articles/
  2. Dictionary of Druidism by Sean O’Tuathail – Gaelic Words and their applications to Druidry – http://www.imbas.org/articles/focloir_draiochta.html
  3. O’Driscoll, Robert (Editor). The Celtic Consciousness. George Brazillen Inc., 1982.
  4. A Celtic Reader: Selections from Celtic Legend, Scholarship and Story (John Matthews, Editor), Aquarian, 1991.
  • Celtic History
  • Beginner:
  1. Berresford-Ellis, Peter. A Brief History of the Celts (Originally published as The Ancient World of the Celts). Constable & Robinson Ltd., 1198, 2003.
  2. Delaney, Frank. The Celts. Grafton, 1989.
  3. Kelly, Fergus. The Big Little Book of Irish Wit and Wisdom. Black Dog & Leventhal Publishers, 1997. (A compendium of Irish Laws, Proverbs, Blessings and Triads)
  4. Chadwick, Nora. The Celts (New Edition). Penguin, 1997.
  • Advanced:
  1. Dillon, Myles and Chadwick, Nora. The Celtic Realms: The History and Culture of the Celtic Peoples from Pre-History to the Norman Invasion. Phoenix Press, 2000. (Originally printed in 1967)
  2. Green, Miranda (Editor). The Celtic World. Routledge, 1995, 1996.
  3. Hutton, Ronald. Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles: Their Nature and Legacy. Blackwell Publishers, 1993.
  4. Markale, Jean. The Celts : Uncovering the Mythic and Historic Origins of Western Culture. Inner Traditions, 1993.
  5. Ross, Anne. Pagan Celtic Britain. Academy Chicago Publishers, 1996 (Originally published in 1967).
  • Wisdom Texts
  1. Carmichael, Alexander. Carmina Gadelica. Floris Books, 1992.
  2. Cleary, Thomas. The Counsels of Cormac: An Ancient Irish Guide to Leadership (New Translation from the Original Old Irish). Doubleday, 2004.
  3. Guyonvarc’h, Christian-J. The Making of a Druid: Hidden Teachings from the Colloquy of Two Sages. Inner Traditions, 2002.
  4. Kinsella, Thomas (Trans.). The Tain: Translated from the Irish Epic Tain Bo Cuailnge. Oxford University Press, 2002.
  5. CELT: Corpus of Electronic Texts – An excellent resource for original texts – http://www.ucc.ie/celt/
  6. The Colloquy of Two Sages from the Book of Leinster – Translated by Whitley Stokes – http://perso.wanadoo.fr/sejh/keltia/colloquy.html
  7. The Cauldron of Poesy translated by Erynn Rowan Laurie – A look at Celtic Cosmology – http://www.seanet.com/~inisglas/cop1.html
  • Personal Accounts/Modern Takes on Celtic Spirituality
  1. Carr-Gomm, Philip. The Druid Way. Element, 1993.
  2. Chopra, Deepak. The Way of the Wizard. Harmony Books, 1996.
  3. Cowan, Tom. Yearning for the Wind: Celtic Reflections on Nature and the Soul. New World Library, 2003.
  4. Cowan, Tom. The Mist-Filled Path: Celtic Wisdom for Exiles, Wanderers, and Seekers. New World Library, 2002.
  5. Henderson-MacEaowan, Frank. The Spiral of Memory and Belonging: A Celtic Path of Soul and Kinship. New World Library, 2004.
  6. Cruden, Loren. Walking the Maze: The Enduring Presence of the Celtic Spirit. Destiny Books, 1998.
  7. O’Donohue, John. Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom. HarperCollins, 1997.
  8. O’Donohue, John. Eternal Echoes: Celtic Reflections on Our Yearning to Belong. Cliff Street Books, 1999.
  9. Owens, Yvonne. Journey of the Bard. Horned Owl Publishing, 1997.
  10. Pennick, Nigel. The Sacred World of the Celts: An Illustrated Guide to Celtic Spirituality and Mythology. Godsfield Press, 1997
  11. Restall-Orr, Emma. Spirits of the Sacred Grove: The World of a Druid Priestess. Thorsona, 1998.
  12. Wood, Juliette. The Celtic Book of Living and Dying: An Illustrated Guide to Celtic Wisdom. Chronicle Books LLC, 2000.
  • Ethics
  1. The Truth Against the World: Ethics and Modern Paganism by Erynn Rowan Laurie – An excellent look at ethics in modern Paganism and with the Celts – http://www.seanet.com/~inisglas/ethics.html
  2. Celtic Values by Alexei Kondratiev – A look at Ethics and Celtic Values – http://www.imbas.org/articles/celtic_values.html
  3. The Ethical Paradigm of Druidism (Or It’s Not Just Tree Hugging Anymore!) By Brendan Cathbad Myers – http://www.wildideas.net/cathbad/ethics.html
  • Brehon Law
  1. Kelly, Fergus. A Guide to Ancient Irish Law. Dublin Institute for Advanced Studies, 1988. (Excellent Source if you are interested in Brehon Law!)
  2. Celtic Law: A Short Summary by Raimund Karl – The best online resource for Celtic Law studies! http://www.deadblack.net/samhain/laws.html
  3. GINNELL, Laurence. The Brehon Laws: A Legal Handbook. London: T. Fisher Unwin, 1894. vii, 249 pages. (Get it online at http://www.booksulster.com/ebooks)
  4. Nihtscada, Athelia. The Brehon Laws: Defining Ethics and Values for Modern Druidry (2004) – A look at the Brehon Laws and what they teach us about ethics and morals in today’s practices. – http://www.druidnetwork.org/ethical/articles/athelia_brehon.html
  • DruidCraft – “Druidcraft” is a fairly recent trend in creating a hybrid of Wicca/Druidry for those who want the best of both worlds.
  1. Carr-Gomm, Phillip. In the Grove of the Druids: The Druid Teachings of Ross Nichols. Watkins Publishing Ltd. May, 2002.
  2. Carr-Gomm, Phillip. Druidcraft: The Magic of Wicca and Druidry. Thorsons, 2002.
  3. Carr-Gomm, Phillip and Worthington, Bill. The Druidcraft Tarot.St. Martin’s Press, 2005.
  4. Restall-Orr, Emma. Living Druidry: Magical Spirituality for the Wild Soul. Cygnus, 2004.
  • General Paganism
  1. Adler, Margot. Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers and Other Pagans in America Today. Penguin Arkana, 1997. (originally published in 1975)
  2. Andrews, Ted. Magic of Believing (Volume One of Young Person’s School of Magic and Mystery). Dragonhawk Publishing, 2000. (A surprisingly excellent book for anyone to see how the true “magic of believing” works without the need for lineages, degrees or spells. I recommend it to anyone! It’s more about how you put your will to universe and work towards your goal.)
  3. Bonewits, Phillip Emmons Isaac. Real Magic. Samuel Weiser, 1989.
  4. Cuhulain, Kerr. The Law Enforcement Guide to Wicca: 3rd Edition Revised and Expanded. Horned Owl Publishing, 1989, 1992, 1997.
  5. Evert-Hopman, Ellen and Bond, Lawrence. People of the Earth: The New Pagans Speak Out. Destiny Books, 1996.
  6. Farrar, Stewart and Janet. A Witches’ Bible: The Complete Witches’ Handbook. Phoenix Publishing, 1981, 1984.
  7. Harrow, Judy. Spiritual Mentoring: A Pagan Guide. ECW Press, 2002.
  8. Harvey, Gram and Hardman, Charlotte. Pagan Pathways: A Guide to the Ancient Earth Traditions. Thorsons, 1996.
  9. Hutton, Ronald. The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft. Oxford University Press, 2001. (A historian’s look at the development of witchcraft and Wicca over the years – worth a look if you want to see the truth about Wicca from a more academic source.)
  10. Jones, Prudence and Matthews, Caitlin. Voices from the Circle: The Heritage of Western Paganism. Aquarian, 1990.
  11. Skelton, Robin. The Practice of Witchcraft: an introduction to beliefs and rituals of the old religion. Robert Hale Limited, 1988.
  12. Starhawk and the Reclaiming Collective. The Spiral Dance: A Rebirth of the Ancient Religion of the Great Goddess. HaperCollins, 1989. *Reprinted and Updated*
  13. Starhawk, with M. Macha Nightmare and the Reclaiming Collective. The Pagan Book of Living and Dying. HarperSan Fransisco, 1997.

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