The CR FAQ: An Introduction to Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism [Paperback]

Kathryn Price NicDhàna (Author), Erynn Rowan Laurie (Author), C. Lee Vermeers (Author), Kym Lambert ní Dhoireann (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0615158005 | ISBN-13: 978-0615158006 | Publication Date: August 22, 2007

Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism (CR) is a polytheistic, animistic, religious and cultural movement. It is an effort to reconstruct, through both scholarly research and experiential practice, a spiritual tradition that is true to ancient Celtic religion and relevant to our lives in the modern world. This print edition of "The CR FAQ - An Introduction to Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism" includes a detailed pronunciation guide and an extensive glossary of terms and deities. "The CR FAQ" was written by a diverse collective of Celtic Reconstructionist (CR) elders and long-term practitioners. It is the very first book to be published that is wholly about Celtic Reconstructionism. All profits from the sale of this book are being donated to Gaelic language and cultural preservation charities in the Celtic Nations and worldwide.

Product Details

• Paperback: 204 pages
• Publisher: River House Publishing (August 22, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0615158005
• ISBN-13: 978-0615158006
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.9 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,109,562 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Interesting Book, April 27, 2008

By 

a person who reads (U.S.A, EARTH) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The CR FAQ: An Introduction to Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism (Paperback)

I really enjoyed reading this book and learned a lot about CR. I think that everything in this book is available on the web, but I am still glad that I bought the book, because reading it on the internet would have been overwhelming for me. Also, I think its great that the profits go to good causes.

I have a few issues with the book that I would like to address. The first is that there seems to be a lot of hostility towards eclectic neo-pagans. I agree with the authors that some eclectics do perpetuate a lot of cultural theft, but I also believe that it is possible to practice eclecticism ethically. The tone of the writing came off as a little self-righteous. For instance on page 74-75 the answer to a question about CRs stealing cultural elements from Native Americans, ends by saying "This is why we do our best to make a distinction between our approach and that of eclectics and "shame-ons." The authors seem to be implying that all eclectics steal cultural elements from Native Americans, because they leave out the word "some" before "eclectics". They also make the mistake of equating shamanism with Native Americans. If it is offensive to call Celtic spiritual practices shamanism, why is it ok to call Native American practices shamanism, when it is not a word from any Native American language? That just doesn't make sense to me.

My other problem with the book is with the reading list--which I really think is a great bunch of books. The problem for me is that the authors take pains to point out which books get a "qualified recommendation" and the reasons why those recommendations are qualified, but it doesn't go far enough. For instance "The Silver Bough" gets recommended without a qualifier, but in the first of the series F. Marian McNeill writes some outdated ideas about early Scots worshipping a "solar god". There are other books on the list that I feel could have used a qualifier and to give it to some and not others could be confusing to readers who may feel the absence of qualifiers mean that those particular books do not contain misinformation.

I do recommend this book highly (with the aforementioned "qualifiers") for anyone interested in Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism and related subjects.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A note from one of the authors, December 2, 2007

By 

Erynn Laurie "Professional Madwoman" (Everett, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The CR FAQ: An Introduction to Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism (Paperback)

Yes, I helped write this book. It's currently the only book available that is specifically about the path of Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism. It covers a wide variety of topics of interest to anyone exploring this group of traditions, from who we are to how we celebrate our holy days. It showcases a number of different views within the movement and offers resources for getting into the community online and building a personal practice locally. There are ideas for practice, reading lists for folks from beginners to advanced practitioners, and discussions of issues from the place of clergy in CR to involving your kids in your practice.

I give the book four stars because there is so much else to be said that we really couldn't fit into this short volume.

All profits from the purchase of this book go to a Gaelic-language charity that promotes the language in Scotland and globally. None of the authors sees so much as a penny from this work, so in buying this not only can you learn about Celtic cultures and how the modern CR movement is working to reconstruct their polytheistic traditions, you're also supporting Gaelic-speaking communities directly.

1 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Creating Understanding, May 27, 2008

By 

Sandman (USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The CR FAQ: An Introduction to Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism (Paperback)

I am Wiccan, but pride myself being a student of all religions. I was extremely happy to have come across this book, and to be able to have the opportunity to place CR in perspective.