Customer Reviews

Advanced Celtic Shamanism

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(5)

 

 

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.

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.

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_.

I bought this book hopeing for some insight into breton ideas and other part of celtic lore. It had none of this. As a shamanistic book its great for kindergardeners. For those interested in celtic shamanism I suggest any book by frank maceowen or Dreamtime by Moriarty. This book is based much more on fantasy than on reality. The excercises are just plain silly and much to ridgid for anyone who truely wants to journey. Even the information in it is suspect.

D.J. Conway does it again. Seriously, why doesn't she just write fiction novels. It's clear that most of her ideas are fantasy backed up by more fantasy. There is almost nothing of value in this book about Celtic or shamanic anything. Conway even embarrasses respectable wiccans. I agree with another reviewer, I wish there was a 0 setting. I'm just glad I was not duped into opening my wallet for this garbage, I reviewed it in the bookstore.

I bought this book after reading a friends copy. I found that while it has some inaccuracies, there are many parts of this book that ring true (for me at least), and wanted my own copy for future reference. I believe it is an excellent book for continuing to study The Shamanic Path; but as with all written information, your own direct experiences are more important and this book should only be used as a guide.

This book is not necessarily advanced but merely a continuation of the earlier book By Oak, Ash, and Thorn by the same author, with some overlap. Filled with mini glossaries, correspondances and exercises, it's only recommended if you absolutely adore the first title.

I liked her first book much better, bu that is only because of how eye-opening it was for me. The only thing I think could be better with this book is that she could have used some of the space to present more new info about her personal celtic way of spirituality (which is of course what this is and she does not deny that this is what she has gleaned from her own journeys) instead of putting material in that was is the first book. I really love, though, how she separates the different aspects of celtic shamanism while still maintaining that all of these parts are necessary for a person to be a complete shaman. A very good suppliment to her first book, By Oak, Ash, and Thorn

I found this book an good, one volume, source of hard to find material. I reference it often and use it for the purpose it was intended, to expand upon the basics. I would say it is a good intermediate level sourcebook.

I was immediately drawn to the book and I have learned to never dismiss my intuition, thus I bought it. The moment I opened the book and began reading I felt as though it was written about me. I found it held the same beliefs I have always had since I could remember, I never understood while seeing visions of my past (14-1500's), I was dressed like a man (though a woman) and wielded a sword and fought like a man. I always knew of women back then dressing in gowns and dresses not breeches. After reading the book it all began to make sense. Why I felt the way I did, looking back on my experiences, how I feel about things,and why I had such a poll toward the Celtic Culture. I cannot speak for how this book will effect another, But I know the effects it had on me. But I feel this book would have something in it for anyone with that *inner* knowing.