Full Description
A handbook for becoming a modern Druid.
In this authentic handbook for the Celtic Druid path, Ellen Evert Hopman shares lessons, rituals, and magical techniques drawn from the ancient wisdom teachings of the Celts as well as a modern Druid Order created by the leading minds of 20th-century Celtic Reconstructionism.
Hopman begins by exploring what we know about the original ancient Druids, citing Druid-contemporary sources such as Caesar and Diodorus Siculus as well as transcriptions of Druid oral teachings. She explains the basic tools and clothing of a Celtic Druid, including instructions for making the essential tools of the craft, such a Crane Bag, the Serpent Staff, and the Apple Branch, the tool used to open a Druid rite. She explores meditation techniques based on ancient texts and discusses the Gods and Goddesses of the Celtic pantheon, Druidic cosmology, and the Druidic festivals that occur throughout the turning of the year. She shares hymns to the Moon and the Sun as well as invocations for connecting with specific deities and elements. She also outlines the basics of Druidic liturgy, enabling you to create Druid rituals for seasonal rites, baby blessings, house blessings, hand-fastings, funerals, and other sacred observances.
Detailing Druidic magical techniques, Hopman shares charms and incantations for abundance, protection, and healing as well as plant spells for performing magic with herbs. She discusses many forms of Druidic divination, including interpreting omens and divining with the ancient Irish alphabet, Ogham. Exploring the special connection between humans and Nature, a core component of Druidic practice, the author explains how to bond with Nature and the sacred land as well as examining the connection between Druids and trees.
Revealing how to become a modern Druid, this concise yet detailed guide presents everything you need to know to start your journey on the Druidic path.
Contents
Foreword by Kenneth Proefrock, NMD
Preface: Why I Wrote This Book
Acknowledgments
PART 1
An Introduction to Druidry
Ancient Wisdom and Modern Knowing
What a Druid Is and Is Not
Historical Knowledge about the Druids
Goddesses and Gods of the Druids
The Druidic Festivals and High Holy Days
Magical Techniques of the Druids
Druidic Wisdom Tales and Poetry
An Introduction to the Brehon Laws
PART 2
Becoming a Druid
How to Practice Druidic Arts, Magic, and Spirituality
The Tools of a Druid
Druidic Meditation
Creating Druid Rituals
Charms for Divination and Augury
Charms for Abundance, Healing, and Protection
Herbal Charms and Spells
PART 3
Druids and Nature
Words of Wisdom from Fellow Druids
Revelations of Nature by Kenneth Proefrock, NMD
Druids and Trees by Peter J. Quandt
Resources and Suggested Reading
Glossary
Notes
Bibliography
Index
