Advanced Celtic Shamanism [Paperback]

D.J. Conway (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 2004

The hazel tree and the sacred well - ancient mythical symbols of Celtic wisdom and spirituality - provide a thread to follow through history and lore, back to the ancient practice of European shamanism. In her new book, D. J. Conway uses the four paths of shamanism (healer, bard, warrior, and mystic) to translate Celtic spirituality into a usable form for today's seekers. Unlike beginners' guides now on the market, this book is an advanced study of the practice.

Product Details

• Paperback: 350 pages
• Publisher: Crossing Press (September 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1580910734
• ISBN-13: 978-1580910736
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,195,214 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Discover books, learn about writers, read author blogs, and more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Not great., May 17, 2006

By 

Shonna Gariepy "Shonna" (Las Vegas, Nevada USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Advanced Celtic Shamanism (Paperback)

I'm not normally so turned off by a book that I give it one star and wish like mad that there was a choice for zero. This is one such book, however, and I have yet to find a DJ Conway book that I have been able to take seriously. Conway has a habit of making up her own tradition and writing it as fact, as history, as Tradition. Conway's idea of tradition is to decide what feels right for her, which is more than fine - many of us do this in our own lives, however where she loses my respect in her writing is in that she writes of these beliefs as having some historical basis when there is in fact none.

If you want something that will give you advanced *anything* Celtic, read the works of Skip Ellison (ArchDruid of Ar n'Draiocht Fein), John & Caitlin Matthews, and especially Celtic mythology and legend such as The Mabinogion for more of a Welsh flavor, The Tain bo Culain (or simply The Tain) which is also known as The Cattle Raid of Cooley for the Irish end, might also try reading Celtic Heritage by Alwyn and Bryn Rees, it's a bit dry but brilliant and well-researched.

I suppose what it comes down to is this: What is it that you want to get out of your reading materials? If you want fiction, this book certainly fits the bill as it is the author's mostly made-up and ill-researched version of Celtic Spirituality/Shamanism but you might find more interesting and educational fiction in the books of Marion Zimmer Bradley or Morgan Llewellyn.

How serious are you about your Path? Try reading around and find out.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars advanced bs... not worth a dollar, October 29, 2006

By 

G. R. Raneri (North Las Vegas, Nevada United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Advanced Celtic Shamanism (Paperback)

firstly, this book is historically and factually incorrect. (not always but ive found big mistakes like citing aries as a water sign? fire duh basics) anywaze also alot of DJ Conway's references are basic 101 reader works and not reference texts or nonfiction works. (she gets her references from books that i dont consider advanced.) So where is this advanced shamanism.. not here. Dj Conway changes information to fit her idea of the occult and lables it something that is historic, ancient, and obviously pre-established. This is NOT a good book. tell you what youd be better off reading a book by an archeologist and putting the peices together by your self. She does have good meditaions but this is not what it presents its self as. Straighforward, it was a waste of money.

19 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Spend Your Money Elsewhere, March 17, 2002

By 

Francine Nicholson (New England) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Advanced Celtic Shamanism (Paperback)

From the first pages, which speak of Celts in India and druids teaching karma, it was clear that D.J. Conway knows little about authentic Celtic tradition. This book is an amalgam of New Age fluff, from aromatherapy to eight-spoked wheel. There is very little here that could be considered Celtic.

If you are interested in Celtica, I recommend _Celtic Heritage_ by Rees & Rees. For authentic Celtic rituals, try Kondratiev's _Celtic Rituals_. If you are interested in shamanism, try Vitebsky's book or Harner's _The Way of the Shaman_.