The Elements of the Druid Tradition

Rating:
Summary: This book has three major problems
Review: 1. Revisionist history. The author postulates that Wicca and Druidry has endured more than 1000 years of persecution. This may be true for Druidry, but Wicca has only been around for that past 53 years.

Wicca did not exist until Gerald Gardner wrote his series of books after the anti-witchcraft laws were overturned in England. From my studies; Wicca appears to be a combination of mental mysticism, Freemasonry, and Witchcraft.

2. This author completely ignores the tools used in Druidry.

3. I believe this author read too much Wiccan literature and incorporated it into his vision of Druidry.

Wiccans believe in both a God and Goddess, Druids acknowledge a single creator (based on other druid material I have read).

Rating:
Summary: A wonderful way to understand modern Druidry
Review: Many of the myths and misinformation that has surrounded modern Druidry are dispelled in this succinct presentation of the Druid tradition by one of the foremost authorities on Druidry. Along with this study of the history and founding spirituality of classical times are some very practical modern exercises at the end of each chapter that the reader can readily apply to his/her everyday life.

Rating:
Summary: The only introduction you'll ever need!
Review: The current chief of the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids, the world's largest druid order today, presents a concise and easy-to-read introduction and history of what has become modern druidry. There are no attempts to pretensiously link the current movement with the ancient past and the author portrays a likely evolution of the celtic priesthood without resorting to so-called secret texts, lost documents, or wild speculations -- just the facts as known. This work also discusses the three grades within modern druidry, providing a reasonable description of how each functioned, and then compares the current thread with other neo-pagan movements emerging in the second half of the 20th century, such as Wicca. Above all it dispells the myths written mainly by the Romans over the past two millennia. For the open-minded. Read it and see!