Celtic paganism books are written works that delve into the ancient religious beliefs and practices of the Celtic people. The Celtic pagans were the pre-Christian inhabitants of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and other regions where Celtic tribes settled. These books offer insights into their spirituality, rituals, deities, and mythologies. One well-known book on Celtic paganism is "The Celtic Book of Days" by Caitlin Matthews. This book explores the sacred calendar of the Celtic people, which was based on the cycles of nature. It provides information about the festivals, rituals, and traditions associated with each season and offers practical suggestions for how to align with the Celtic year.
It provides information about the festivals, rituals, and traditions associated with each season and offers practical suggestions for how to align with the Celtic year. Another popular book is "The Book of Celtic Magic" by Kristoffer Hughes. This book focuses on the magical practices of the ancient Celts and provides step-by-step instructions for performing Celtic spells, incantations, and divinations.
Celtixp paganiem books
Which books for someone totally new to CR?
Gods and Heroes of the Celts Marie-Louise Sjoestedt
This is an excellent introduction to Celtic mythology in a variety of cultures. Its short and clear, emphasizing the importance of not attempting to smoosh Celtic deities into Classical Mediterranean models. A wonderful overview.
Celtic Mythology Proinsias MacCana
This coffee table style book is a wonderful introduction to Celtic myth as well, and includes fabulous color photos of artifacts and archaeological sites. Its an easy read and covers a great deal of territory.
Celtic Heritage Alwyn and Brinley Rees
A more complex read than the others, Celtic Heritage relies very heavily on Dumézilian models and comparisons to Hindu religion. While these comparisons are useful, many in Dumézils camp tend to rely too heavily on Hindu models and view Celtic religion as almost identical in structure, if not in practice. It is important to remember that Celtic and Hindu cultures are in fact different, and that while similarities can help illuminate gaps in the Celtic records, it is not wise to attempt to import ritual and pattern in toto from one culture to another.
A Circle of Stones Erynn Rowan Laurie
A book of practical exercises written by a CR elder for the CR community. The author states that she would present the material differently now, given her many more years of research and experience, but the practices presented and the materials on altars are extremely useful for those on an Irish or Scottish CR path.
Which three books are most important?
Four General Celtic Books:
Myths and Symbols in Pagan Europe H.R. Ellis Davidson
Celtic Mythology Proinsias Mac Cana
Celtic Heritage Alwyn & Brinley Rees
Gods and Heroes of the Celts Marie-Louise Sjoestedt (translated by Myles Dillon from the original French Dieux et Héros des Celtes )
Three Scottish Books:
The Gaelic Otherworld John Gregorson Campbell, ed. by Ronald Black
Carmina Gadelica Alexander Carmichael
The Silver Bough F. Marian MacNeil
Three Irish Books:
The Year in Ireland Kevin Danaher
Irish Folk Ways E. Estyn Evans
The Wisdom of the Outlaw Joseph Falaky Nagy
Three Welsh Books:
Trioedd Ynys Prydein: The Triads of the Island of Britain Rachel Bromwich
The Mabinogi and Other Welsh Medieval Tales Patrick K. Ford
Ystoria Taliesin Patrick K. Ford
Two Gaulish Books:
The Celtic Gauls: Gods, Rites and Sanctuaries Jean-Louis Brunaux
Lady With A Mead Cup Michael Enright
Which books do you recommend? (The Big List)
Celtic Art George Bain
A Military History of Ireland Thomas Bartlett and Keith Jeffery, eds.
Healing Threads Mary Beith
Irish Bardic Poetry Osborn Bergin
Auraicept na n-Éces: The Scholars Primer George Calder, ed.
The Gaelic Otherworld John Gregorson Campbell, ed. Ronald Black
Carmina Gadelica Alexander Carmichael
Medieval Irish Lyrics with The Irish Bardic Poet James Carney
The Great Queens Rosalind Clark
A Guide to Britain's Pagan Heritage David Clarke
Twilight of the Celtic Gods David Clarke and Andy Roberts
Fairy Legends and Traditions of the South of Ireland Thomas Crofton Croker
Ancient Irish Tales Cross and Slover
The Ancient Celts Barry Cunliffe
The Celtic World Barry Cunliffe
Mythic Ireland Michael Dames
The Year in Ireland Kevin Danaher
Myths and Symbols in Pagan Europe H. R. Ellis Davidson
Early Irish Literature Myles Dillon
Tales of the Elders of Ireland tr. by Ann Dooley and Harry Roe
Lady With a Mead Cup Michael Enright
Irish Folk Ways E. Estyn Evans
The Mabinogion tr. by Patrick K. Ford
The Tory Islanders Robin Fox
The Philosopher and the Druids: A Journey Among the Ancient Celts Philip Freeman
Early Irish Myths and Sagas tr. by Jeffrey Gantz
The History of the Kings of Britain Geoffrey of Monmouth (tr. by Lewis Thorpe)
Irish Folktales Henry Glassie
Passing the Time in Ballymenone Henry Glassie
Celtic Goddesses Miranda Green (This is a qualified recommendation)
Gods of the Celts Miranda Green (This is a qualified recommendation)
Symbol and Image in Celtic Religious Art Miranda Green (This is a qualified recommendation)
The World of the Druids Miranda Green (This is a qualified recommendation)
A Golden Treasury of Irish Poetry David Greene and Frank OConnor
The Making of a Druid Christian-J. Guyonvarch
Symbols of the Celts Sabine Heinz
Survivals in Belief Among the Celts George Henderson
A Celtic Miscellany Kenneth Hurlstone Jackson
The World of the Celts Simon James (This is a qualified recommendation)
The Law of Hywel Dda tr. by Dafydd Jenkins
The Mabinogion tr. by Gwyn Jones and Thomas Jones
A Guide to Early Irish Law Fergus Kelly
The Tain tr. by Thomas Kinsella
The Celtic Heroic Age John T. Koch and John Carey, eds.
The Apple Branch Alexei Kondratiev (This is a qualified recommendation)
A Circle of Stones Erynn Rowan Laurie
Death, War, and Sacrifice Bruce Lincoln
The Banshee: The Irish Death Messenger Patricia Lysaght
Celtic Mythology Proinsias Mac Cana
The Learned Tales of Medieval Ireland Proinsias Mac Cana
The Religion of the Ancient Celts J. A. MacCulloch
The Oxford Dictionary of Celtic Mythology James MacKillop
In Search of the Indo-Europeans J. P. Mallory
A Guide to Ogam Damian McManus
The Silver Bough F. Marian McNeill
Celtic Art Ruth and Vincent Megaw
Ancient Irish Poetry Kuno Meyer
A Primer of Irish Metrics Kuno Meyer
Conversing With Angels and Ancients Joseph Falaky Nagy
A Handbook of the Scottish Gaelic World Michael Newton (This is a qualified recommendation)
The Wisdom of the Outlaw Joseph Falaky Nagy
The Book of the Cailleach Gearóid Ó Crualaoich
Celtic Consciousness Robert ODriscoll, ed.
The Silva Gadelica Standish OGrady
Early Ireland Michael J. OKelly
Welsh Folk Customs Trefor Owen
Manx Calendar Customs Cyril I. Paton
Cattle Lords & Clansmen Nerys Patterson
Sex and Marriage in Ancient Ireland Patrick C. Power
Pagan Celtic Ireland Barry Raftery
Celtic Heritage Alwyn and Brinley Rees
The Folklore of the Scottish Highlands Anne Ross (This is a qualified recommendation)
Pagan Celtic Britain Anne Ross (This is a qualified recommendation)
The Pagan Celts Anne Ross (This is a qualified recommendation)
Gods and Heroes of the Celts Marie-Louise Sjoestedt (translated by Myles Dillon from the original French, Dieux et Héros des Celtes )
The Aran Islands John M. Synge
The Secret Commonwealth and the Fairy Belief Complex Brian Walsh
Beyond Celts, Germans, and Scythians Peter S. Wells
The Fairy-Faith in Celtic Countries W. Y. Evans Wentz (This is a qualified recommendation)
Y Geiriadur Newydd: The New Welsh Dictionary Christopher Davies
English-Irish Dictionary Tomás De Bhaldraithe
Foclóir Gaedhilge agus Béarla: Irish-English Dictionary Patrick S. Dinneen
Geiriadur Prifysgol Cymru Gareth Gareth, Gareth Bevan, and Patrick Donovan, eds. (Welsh)
Dwellys Gaelic Dictionary Edward Dwelly (Scots Gaelic)
Foclóir Póca An Gúm (Irish)
Etymological Dictionary of Scottish-Gaelic Alexander MacBain
A Pronouncing and Etymological Dictionary of the Gaelic Language Malcolm MacLennan (Scots Gaelic)
Foclóir Gaeilge-Béarla Niall Ó Dónaill (Irish)
The Dictionary of the Irish Language The Royal Irish Academy
Speaking Our Language Cànan (Scots Gaelic)
Colloquial Welsh Gareth King
Modern Welsh: A Comprehensive Grammar Gareth King
Teach Yourself Gaelic Roderick Mackinnon (Scots Gaelic)
Buntús Cainte Tomas O Domhnallain (Irish)
Learning Irish Mícheál Ó Siadhail
Grammar of Old Irish R. Thurneysen (also includes some Gaulish and Welsh)
The Independent Scholar's Handbook Ronald Gross (Not specifically about anything in the Celtic sphere but essential for learning how to continue your studies after school lets out)
Which books for kids?
This is a short list of books that have received recommendations within various CR fora. This is neither meant to be a complete list nor is it necessarily meant to be a recommendation of these works by the compilers (though some of them are). Consider it rather to be a sampling of the diversity there is in the field of books for children that have Celtic themes to them.
Little Celtic Activity Book Winky Adam
Finn MacCoul and His Fearless Wife: A Giant of a Tale From Ireland Robert Byrd
The Silver Cow, a Welsh Tale Susan Cooper
The Celts Activity Book Mike Corbishly
The Wishing of Biddy Malone Joy Cowley
Fin MCoul: the Giant of Knockmany Hill Tomie De Paola
Lucy Dove Janice Del Negro
A Childs Book of Celtic Prayers Joyce Denham (Illustrator), Helen Cann (Illustrator)
Celtic Gods and Heroes John Green
Gods and Fighting Men Lady Gregory
More Celtic Fairy Tales Joseph Jacobs
The OBrien Book of Irish Fairy Tales and Legends Una Leavy
The Children of Lir Sheila MacGill-Callahan
The Tain: The Great Celtic Epic Liam MacUistin
Druids, Gods & Heroes from Celtic Mythology (World Mythology Series) Anne Ross
Shape-Shifter, The Naming of Pangur Ban: Book One (The Pangur Ban Celtic Fantasies) Fay Sampson
Pangur Ban the White Cat: Book Two (The Pangur Ban Celtic Fantasies) Fay Sampson
Finnglas of the Horses: Book Three (The Pangur Ban Celtic Fantasies) Fay Sampson
Life in Celtic Times A. G. Smith
The Cool Maccool: Heroic Deeds of Finn Maccool Legendary Celtic Hero Gordon Snell
There are so many translations, which ones do you recommend?
In order to make a reliable translation, the translator must be fluent in both the language they are translating from, and the language they are translating into. In addition, they must be an expert on the cultures from which those languages arise. As we have often stated in this FAQ, one cannot fully understand a culture without understanding the language of that culture. Similarly, one cannot make an accurate language translation without understanding the unique cultural contexts, beliefs of the cultures peoples, and idioms of those languages.
Some Specific Recommendations:
These are some editions which are known to be good translations of the source materials:
Tales of the Elders of Ireland Ann Dooley and Harry Roe, trans.
The Mabinogi and Other Medieval Welsh Tales Patrick K. Ford, trans.
The Second Battle of Maigh Tuiredh Elizabeth Gray, trans.
The Mabinogion Gwyn Jones and Thomas Jones, trans.
The Celtic Heroic Age John T. Koch and John Carey, eds.
Which authors/publishers should I absolutely, without doubt, avoid like plague fleas?
This list is based on many peoples experience and is specifically designed with CR in mind. For example, while Robert Graves has a poetic and evocative side to his writing, he is inaccurate and pretty much worthless in relation to Celtic subject matter. So while it may be difficult to make blanket statements and judgements, in relation to Celtic matters, we do feel qualified to steer you away from these authors and publishers.
Some inaccurate authors to stay away from:
Francesca de Grandis
Publishers who put out more questionable books than good ones:
For reviews of several books both good and bad on Celtic Paganism and Druidism, with in-depth explanations of why they are considered good or bad books, we suggest the reviews on the Digital Medievalist site.
Which authors/publishers are, with few exceptions, very reliable sources?
After careful consideration we have come to the (somewhat uncomfortable) conclusion that we cant provide you with a definitive answer to this question. It is difficult to say an author will always be reliable, as people are fully capable of changing their minds, or spinning things differently for different publishers. Academic presses tend to be more reliable than occult presses as a general rule. Books on history and archaeology will most likely be more reliable than those on Celtic Spirituality. We have pulled together a selection of reading lists that contain a number of books that are quite good on a variety of different topics relevant to CR.
So how do I find this stuff?
In many areas, it can be hard to find good resources at your local bookshop. Its important to remember that most bookstores will do special orders for you if you ask. An excellent online bookshop for Celtic Studies books is Books for Scholars, which carries many important and otherwise difficult to find texts, primarily in Welsh and Irish studies, but also for other Celtic cultures.
Used copies of the books you want can sometimes be found through Abebooks , a site that acts as a central catalogue & order site for hundreds, if not thousands, of used bookstores around the world.
For books that are very expensive, you can check your local library, and if the books are not there, ask the librarian to help you with a process called Inter-Library Loan or ILL. This will bring a book you want from another library to your local library for you to borrow, and most US and Canadian libraries participate in these webs of information-sharing.
Another possibility, particularly for rare books or information that is difficult to find, are online editions. Many of the Irish-language resources with translations are available at websites like the Irish Texts at CELT page or the translations of texts from many Celtic cultures at The Celtic Literature Collective. Searches for authors and particular out of copyright titles at Project Gutenberg can also be fruitful.
Sabhal Mòr Ostaig maintains an online collection of Scots Gaelic texts, including the first volume of the Carmina Gadelica , an important source text for traditional prayers, spells and invocations from the Highlands and Islands, collected in the late 19th and early 20th centuries by Alexander Carmichael. SMO is the premier Gaelic-language college in Scotland and has a wide variety of Gàidhlig language resources on its website. Volumes one and two of the Carmina can also be found at The Internet Sacred Texts Archive .
Resources exist, even for those with little or no money. Its just a matter of learning to look and knowing where to begin.
Copyright ©2006 NicDhàna, Laurie, Vermeers and ní Dhoireann.
All copyrights are retained by the individual authors.
Complete credits and statement on reproducing this text.
Celtic Goddesses Miranda Green (This is a qualified recommendation)
It also delves into the Celtic concept of the Otherworld and its significance in their spiritual beliefs. "The Druidry Handbook" by John Michael Greer is a comprehensive guide to Druidry, a spiritual tradition associated with the ancient Celts. This book explores the history and lore of the Druids, their practices, and their connection to nature. It also provides exercises and rituals for those interested in pursuing Druidry as a personal path. Celtic paganism books often draw inspiration from ancient texts such as the Mabinogion, a collection of Welsh myths, and the Irish mythological cycles of the Tuatha Dé Danann. These texts offer glimpses into the rich mythological landscape of the Celtic people and are often referenced in contemporary books on Celtic paganism. In conclusion, Celtic paganism books offer a wealth of knowledge and insights into the religious practices and beliefs of the ancient Celtic people. Whether it is exploring the sacred calendar, delving into magical practices, or studying the lore of the Druids, these books provide a valuable resource for those interested in connecting with Celtic spirituality..
Reviews for "The Role of Celtic Paganism in Historical Novels: Uncover the Magic"
1. Jane - 1 star - I found the "Celtixp paganiem books" to be extremely boring and lackluster. The writing was dull and uninspiring, and the characters were poorly developed. I felt like I was dragging myself through each page, hoping for some excitement or intrigue, but it never came. Overall, I was disappointed with this series and would not recommend it to anyone.
2. Mark - 2 stars - I understand that the "Celtixp paganiem books" have a dedicated following, but personally, I couldn't get into them. The world-building felt disjointed, and the plot seemed disjointed and confusing at times. The pacing was also off, with long stretches of the story that felt unnecessarily slow. While I appreciate the author's attempt to create a unique fantasy universe, I found it difficult to engage with and ultimately put the book down before finishing it.
3. Sarah - 2 stars - Unfortunately, the "Celtixp paganiem books" did not live up to the hype for me. The prose was overly descriptive and weighed down the narrative, making it difficult to stay engaged. The lack of action and slow plot progression left me feeling bored and uninterested. I had high hopes for this series, but it just didn't resonate with me, and I struggled to connect with the characters or their motivations. Overall, this was a disappointing read.