Customer Reviews

The Celtic Seers' Source Book: Vision and Magic in the Druid Tradition

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I was excited to get this book, because it was very well recommended. John and Caitlin Matthews reprint some historical essays that are hard to find, and write in a clear style. However, I thought it was too much dry history. I was forcing myself to get through it and not retaining what I read. This would be an excellent reference book, but not something I would plan on reading cover to cover.

I'm a big fan of John Matthews, and Caitlin as well... but I must say I enjoy the books from a spiritual viewpoint much more than a scholarly one. I'm not a scholar myself.. just one in training, but I can read between the lines.

I'm critical of the Matthews, because they tend to use some of the old texts to favor their points... and perhaps leave out what doesn't favor their points. It isn't all that bad though... still I tend to stick with books more like "Celtic Love" or "The Celtic Devotional" when reading the Matthews.

In this book, there really isn't much by Mr. Matthews. The introduction... yes. Thats pretty much it. The rest is a collection of essays on Celtic related studies. I spent the most time looking into the essays on the Ogham (which make up about 1/3 of the book).

It just seems to me that the John, the editor, chose a bunch of essays that reflect his view on things, ambiguous things at that, and then threw in a couple shorter essays for diversity.

The essays themselves are a mixed bunch, most of them are totally boring and dry, and I say this quite used to books of this type. Some of the authors, one would think, would not be included in a book of scholarly merit. I mean, MacAlister's essay on the ogham is just about the silliest thing I've ever read!

Still, there are controversial opinions included in this work, and there is much to learn. I personally didn't find this book useful at all, or enjoyable to read, but I realize that this might not be the case for everyone.

The Celtic Seers' Source Book was a very interesting book. I have been interested in the Celts and the Druids all of my life, and this book gave me more information into the ancient culture. Definetly worth taking a look at. Also contains lots of history.