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Tuatha de Brighid - Recommended Book List
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The purpose of this book list is to assist folks in educating themselves about religion - specifically about Tuatha de Brighid Modern Druidry.
The books currently included in this list ideally meet the following criteria:
Some books on this list are academic, some are inspirational, and some are a work of fiction. In any educational process, most of the work falls to the student - and this is no different when one learns from a book then when one learns in any other way. Even the most brilliant and honest academics have an agenda - this is simply human nature - as it is also human nature to be passionate, and, hopefully, convincing, of one's own opinion. This is even more so when the subject is religion. Therefore even the best books are ultimately presented to you from a point of view of the author and do not represent any sort of objective truth in entirety. The fact that something is written down does not make it true. The fact that something is well-written does not make it true. The fact that something is well-referenced or well-argued does not make it true. In TdB we define a Druid as a Seeker of Truth, be it an individual truth, or a universal Truth. In this search, a book is an important tool - but only a tool, not an end in and of itself. And therefore one must read with a discerning mind, and a discerning heart, and a discerning soul, and not be afraid to doubt, to question, or to reject what is not fitting. Please use the books as a tool in harmony with other tools in your posession: namely intellect and intuition. It might be said that Intellect, Intuition and Information are the three pillars of Wisdom - a triple "I", as it were... Undoubtedly most of you know this already - but it bears repeating all the same.
This list is perpetually under construction. Members of TdB are welcome to suggest new books, as long as the book fits the criteria given above. Please submit your proposals in the following format: CATEGORY:
"The Druid Renaissance" by Philip Carr-Gomm Historical Indo-European Paleo-Paganism: "The Druids" by Peter Berresford Ellis "The Religions of the
American Indians" by Ake Hultkrantz, translated by Monica Setterwall "A History of Religious Ideas (in 3
volumes)" by Mircea Eliade General Note "Bard - The Odyssey of the Irish" by Morgan
Llywelyn "Ritual Theory, Ritual Practice" by Catherine Bell
LONG LIST BY CATEGORY: Modern Druidry:
This book provides an overview of modern Druidry presented by various authors, and as such is a good resource and quite inspirational. Some articles are more valuable then others. Specifically, "Who Owns the Past?" by Prof. Ronald Hutton, and "The Door" by Philip Carr-Gomm are very, very, very good. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
Kondratiev is a Celtic reconstructionist, and therefore much of the thrust of this book is directed towards building a specifically pan-Celtic cultural/religious aggregate, including language, specific history, etc. The rituals he presents, in addition to being specifically Celtic, are also, somewhat surprisingly for a reconstructionist, heavily influenced by neo-Pagan practice. However, even if the reader is not a Celtic reconstructionist, this book is a treasure trove of both authentic tradition, and specifically Druidic inspiration. Kondratiev's emphasis on personal and tribal relationship with the land of one's dwelling, and with the cycles of Nature is wise and enlightening, and his speculation is well reasoned. His use of Celtic lore is a fine example of reinterpreting ancient material in modern context. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
This book is a hidden treasure. It is, unfortunately, difficult to find, but well worth the search. The author presents, sensibly and with a great deal of implicit authenticity, a framework within which to build one's family practice of Druidry without emphasis on any specific cultural tradition. It is useful, it is well-written, and it is rare in that it addresses specifically religious context and practice as it was likely done by the ancients without losing the modern perspective. Useful for a family of one, or a family of many. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________ TITLE:
In the Grove of the Druids: The Druid Teachings of Ross Nichols This is Carr-Gomm's newest, and the book consists of a series of essays and papers written by Ross Nichols. Most of them are previously unpublished, and were found among his papers after his death. A few of the sections are journal articles that were published in the 1950s and 1960s. Carr-Gomm provides and introduction, and context for each article. Some of the articles are somewhat disjointed and confusing, but most are a look into the brilliant mind of one of the founders of modern druidry. Nichols had a broad education and range of interests, and he sought similarities among Egyptian religion, Indian religions, Christianity (to some extent), and druidry. Important for its historical value. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
Historical Indo-European PaleoPaganism: _________________________________________
This book is likely the best survey of what is known about the Ancient Druids. Ellis presents both the history of Druidry in the context of general history of the Celts, and his analysis and speculation on the nature of Druidry. The text reads easily, yet he does manage to present both convincing evidence, as well as convincing argument for his conclusion, which in short seems to be that the Druids were not specifically priests, as is often thought, but rather a class of intelligentsia among the ancient Celts, who served as priests as well as in many other capacities. This is a very useful book, well written, and with many useful references. In my opinion, it is a must for anyone studying Druidry. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
A nice introduction, if just a tad flashy. One of the best features of this book is that the referenced archeological finds are beautifully illustrated with detailed drawings and photographs. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________ This is likely the best survey and analysis of extant Celtic lore and tradition ever written. The authors address the patterns of mythology, the historical context, the comparisons with other mythologies, the cosmological and cultural meanings implicit in mythology, as well as possible ritual implications, and much else. It is a well-written book, though it is not easy to get through because of it's detailed and involved material. Well reasoned, and extremely useful. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
For comments, see below. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
For comments, see below. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________ While Davidson's focus is ostensibly Norse, her books are somewhat deceptively named. This is due to the fact that her presentation is always given towards discerning patterns, and she makes liberal use of comparisons between Norse pagan religions and related cultural groups, such as the Celts, the Balts, the Slavs, and even the Greeks and Romans. This makes her books uniquely valuable for a modern Druid, because she presents her analysis from a comparative perspective appropriate to the cosmopolitan outlook of a modern human being. Additionally, while her books are quite easy to read, they are rich with meaningful analysis, and very, very useful. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
While the author seems to be unfriendly towards the subject, this book is nevertheless useful in that it presents the extant archeological evidence as well as analysis thereof in a fairly concise manner. The reading level is rated 3 not because the book is complex, but because it is boring and thus challenging to finish. Back to Table of Contents _______________________ In this book Dr. Hutton endeavors to provide a survey of Pagan religions of the British Isles from 30,000 BC to the final onset of Christianity - a formidable task, which he fulfills admirably. Aside from the fact that Hutton is a well-known and respected historian, and likely a trustworthy author, the value of this book also lies in it's dispassionate analysis of the evidence, and exposition of how modern scholarship often debunks some of our favorite illusions... This book is a little depressing, and quite humbling. It's conclusion, namely that no authentic reconstruction of Celtic pagan religion in modern day is possible because we do not - and never will have - enough data to provide an incontrovertible and accurate picture of what it might have been like, while sad, is also curiously empowering, in that in leaves us with little choice but to be what we are – modern Druids, with little choice but to supplement what we do still have of ancient traditions, with a modern understanding, and eventually, modern tradition. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
Unless one is a linguist, most of this book is rather boring, and the language of it is difficult. The value of it, however, lies in the fact that it establishes almost beyond a shadow of a doubt the connection between various Indo-European groupings (such as Germans, Celts, Slavs, Indians, etc.) linguistically, and therefore culturally, mythologically and religiously. Which means, basically, that a modern Druid could fill in the blanks in our knowledge of, say, Celtic ritual, by learning about Hindu ritual patterns and their evolution. This allows for a view of, if not universal, such as we are attempting to devise in TdB, then, at least, cosmopolitan, and even eclectic Druidry, without necessarily straying too far afield from authentic tradition. How important that may be to the reader is of course up to the reader. At any rate, the chapter on Proto-Indo-European religion is certainly both interesting and valuable, even if you don't read the rest of the book. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
Miranda Green writes well, and, therefore, while the subject of this book, however useful it may be, is by it's nature somewhat tedious, it nevertheless reads fairly effortlessly. The book provides a window into the religious life and attitudes of the ancient Celts via their iconography, and as such is very, very useful, most especially since (whether by design or not), there are no contemporary writing available to us. It is often true, though, that iconography provides simultaneously a more complete, and more ambiguous (and possible more profound) insight into the subject at hand. While some may not agree with all of the authors conclusions and insights, and certainly should be compared to the analogous expositions by other authors, it most certainly deserves recommendation. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________ TITLE: 'The Life
and Death of a Druid Prince: The Story of Lindow Man an Archaeological Sensation Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
_________________________________________ General Religion: _________________________________________ While this book does not constitute lively reading, it is nevertheless a thorough overview of the subject, and is useful in a dry, uninspiring sort of way. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________ Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
This very interesting book provides an insight into the explicit and implicit feminine aspect of Judaism, recounted in historical perspective from Asherah of Canaan to the Queen Sabbath in the tradition of modern Hasidim. There is some delving into the Jewish mystical traditions that is quite thoughtful and well presented. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________ This book is a real eye-opener. It presents the Gospels not only with a translation geared to give the reader a flavor of what the originals might have sounded like, but also via a historical analysis of what may and may not be actually attributed to the historical Jesus. This book has a tendency to rather seriously turn one's assumptions about Christianity on their heads. With wiggling toes. The book is thoroughly scholastic, and the methods and reasoning of the authors are discussed at length. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
A Wiccan classic. Well written and inspirational. Scholarship is fairly irrelevant in this one, but there is nothing much offensive to history here either, especially with the inclusion of updated footnotes. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________ This book does a most admirable job of presenting a still major
Oriental religion/philosophy in a format accessible to any intelligent reader. For
verification purposes, among others, I suggest reading Lao-tzu's Taoteching in any or
better yet several translations. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
A Chinese classic which if read without commentary or much reflection, could be
read in a matter of minutes. That that would not be easy to accomplish is a tribute to the
depth of thought Lao-tzu puts into such apparent simplicity of language. It is easy to
love Oriental writers! Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________ "Drawing Down the Moon" by Margot Adler _________________________________________
_________________________________________ Comparative Religion: _________________________________________
Thorough, inclusive, intelligent and well-written. While not an easy read by any means, it is one of the few books that paint a clear picture of the panorama of human spirituality. One gets a real sense of continuity and growth, as well as the natural interconnections. It is the culmination of the author's life's work and an invaluable resource. As a matter of record, I would recommend any book by this author. His work is a classic. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
A good study of comparative Indo-European mythology with emphasis on shared cultural and religious experience. There are chapters on individual traditions, as well as focal recurring themes. Quite academic in tone, but well worth the effort. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________ A very good, readable introduction to a variety of Mystical traditions. Instructive especially because no historical Druidic mystical tradition survives, placing us in a position to build on the basis of other traditions. While a perfectionist might find some slight inaccuracies in presentation, none of them, in my view, are crucial. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
This book traces the history of Divine Feminine in human spirituality via analysis of the evolution of it's imagery, both physical and verbal. It is a very good book, well-illustrated and thoughtful, as well as very affirming without being aggressively feministic. It is quite Yungian in it's approach, though, so those who are allergic to Yung should probably pass it by. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________ "Other Ways of Knowing" by John Broomfield _________________________________________
_________________________________________ Lore: _________________________________________ Any recounting of Celtic legends such as The Tain, and The Mabinogion is useful and available in various translations both on the Web and in print. The Icelandic Sagas are also likewise available. There is an abundance of Greek, Roman and Indian material available as well. In general, any collection of folk tales and legends is useful depending on the student's particular interests. Some few examples of the kind of books one might find are:
A light, sometimes whimsical recounting of some of the Celtic legends. A very easy read. Pleasant. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________ This is an invaluable resource for anyone studying Celtic religious culture and history. Many of the pieces are a most charming blend of Pagan and Christian traditions, and many of the forms are almost certainly of ancient origin, which makes it a wonderful treasure trove for writing Celtic liturgy of whatever flavor. As well, introductions and background pieces are quite interesting in their own right. A wonderful, wonderful book for any Druid to have and use. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
This is a compilation of Norse mythology in verse. Decent translation and good, informative commentary. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________ Another classic source material of Norse mythology. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
Folk tales speak to us on many levels, and have a way of preserving traditions since time immemorial. In Russia, which has for a long time existed somewhere at the intersection of Paganism and Christianity, especially amidst the country folk, this is particularly true. If one looks beyond the obvious story, it is not hard to discover shades and images of the ancient beliefs and practices - and in specifically Russian variation of pre-Christian Indo-European tradition the emphasis that comes to the fore is a lively, blatant animism that fits nicely into any modern Earth spirituality. Aside from the usefulness of any folk tale collection to the study of culture and religion, these are just plain good. The translation is wonderful, the stories are timeless, and the illustrations are great. Good for kids of all ages. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________ While this book is a fairly poor translation, it is unfortunately the only one available - and it is a valuable resource for anyone wanting to do modern Druidry with a Slavic twist. The introduction is decent, as well. _________________________________________ Title:
The Raid
_________________________________________ Back to Table of Contents
Fiction: _________________________________________
Aside from being a very entertaining book of fiction, "Bard" is also interesting from an educational perspective. The story is a reinterpretation of the Book of Invasions of Ireland - specifically dealing with the Sons of Mil. The main character is the legendary Bard Amergin. The author does a marvelous job of maintaining a balance between mystical and mundane, making her story both believable and spiritually captivating. A good read. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
"Druids" deals with a spiritual journey of a Druid priest in the time of Roman conquest of Gaul. The historical background and ambiance is very good, and the story itself is very engaging. The author's portrayal of the religion of the Druids and their function in the Celtic society is an interesting interpretation, and while some might argue with it, it remains a perfectly plausible view, well-presented and readily understandable to a modern reader, whatever his religious background may be. Back to Table of Contents
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See below for comments. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
While both of Bell's books, with a possible exception of a few chapters, undoubtedly qualify as "snore volumes" for most folks, they nevertheless are very useful for those fascinated with ritual practice. The author approaches ritual from an anthropological perspective, and in the course of her exposition gives a fairly comprehensive history of this field of study, numerous examples of ritual from a variety of cultures, both religious and otherwise, and provides interesting insight into ritualistic patterns and their connection and interaction with their host cultures. While this is not a cook book for writing ritual, and reading it will not teach one how to either create or perform religious ritual, it does provide a very valuable perspective on the nature and role of ritual in our life, and as such, I highly recommend it for those who are interested in creating effective and meaningful rituals. Back to Table of Contents _________________________________________
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