47 of 47 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Not New Age Hippie Fluff, September 20, 2002
This review is from: The Druids: Celtic Priests of Nature (Paperback)
Unlike a lot of New Age Fluff out there, Markale uses analytical thinking along with evidence etched in the stone of history and archeology to deduct for us what druidism must have once been like. He covers beliefs and philosophies, rites and responsibilities of the druids with great accuracy.
The way the book is written though, does assume the reader has some basic knowledge about the celtic civilization that lived and thrived before the romans, with Julius Caesar at the head, conquered Gaul.
And while the ancient Gauls left no written histories or books on philosophy, Markale is able to piece together bits and pieces of Roman and Greek writings about the druids to give us a hint at the scope of intelligence that dotted Gaul before the onslaught of Romanization and the later wave of Christian oppression.
The only part of the book I did not like was the end where Markale seems like he's stretching to reach and accord between ancient druidism and the parallel path of Chrisitanity and his repeated tries to correlate druidism and the followers of christ as similar religions.
All in all, though, this is a good book and a must read for anyone trulty interested in pre-fluff druidism.
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59 of 61 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Detailed Insight Into The World of the Druids, November 6, 2005
This review is from: The Druids: Celtic Priests of Nature (Paperback)
Jean Markale's book "The Druids: Celtic Priests of Nature" must be read several times to grasp all that it says. This is not in any way because the book is poorly written - on the contrary it is very well written, and contains so much information that it must be read several times just to begin to grasp the depth of its content.
Markale begins by looking at the history of the druid's name throughout history, where both Greek and Latin historians recognized that druids were knowledgeable of the secrets of nature ~ they were much more than mere magicians. Furthermore he shows a link between druids and the disciples of Pythagoras. (Though it is quite unlikely that the druids had any direct contact with Pythagoras himself.)
We see the role of druids in society. Often serving as judges, counselors and advisors to kings, and peacemakers between nations; the role of peacemaker in no way prevented the druids from participating in combat if there was a need to do so.
The druids are contrasted with the revealed religions of Islam and Christianity. Without disparaging the great revealed religions, Markale clearly shows that druidry and all the texts that belong to it are well worthy of interest and study.
The great knowledge and power of the druids naturally leads to the question: Where did the druids come from? Markale explains the common misconception that the druids were the builders of the megalithic monuments (such as Stonehenge). We then see good evidence (in "The Battle of Mag Tured) that druidry was studied by the mysterious `Tuatha de Danann'. It is said that "The Tuatha de Danann were in the Isles of the North of the World, learning science, magic druidism, sorcery and wisdom, and they surpassed all the sages in the pagan arts." This of course leaves us to question just were are the `Isles of the North of the World'. If we are to take this as literal we have a clear connection to Nordic culture. This seems to be incontestable for there is certainly a strong connection between the druids and the vitki (rune masters) of the North.
It was the Tuatha de Danann that brought the four fundamental talismans of Celtic Theology: The Stone of Fal (or Coronation Stone); the Fiery Spear of Lugh; the Sword of Nuada; and Dagda's inexhaustible cauldron.
Markale continues by offering insight to the `gods of the druids'. Although we read of "The Father of All" and "The Three-Faced Goddess" we also see that the druids did not follow their "gods" in the way of those who profess one of the revealed religions, rather they interacted with the gods of a well established `mythology (?)' / faith.
Though the druids did not `worship' in the manner of today's religions, they did have a number of initiations and rituals. Markale gives us insight into the druid sanctuary, the mistletoe and plant rituals, sacrifices and the four elements. It was (and is) the four elements that reveal the power of the druids in that they have the ability to control earth, air, fire and water. Each element is used in various rituals bringing the druid into closer contact with nature.
Finally, Markale comments on neo-druidry. Today there are many groups that attempt to follow the traditions of the druids. The religious thought and theology of the druids carry on today... offering knowledge, wisdom and insight to those who seek it.
Overall, I found "The Druids: Celtic Priests of Nature" a very interesting and enlightening book, well worth study and reading.
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96 of 105 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
The ONLY book on Druidry out there worth the time., November 19, 2001
This review is from: The Druids: Celtic Priests of Nature (Paperback)
I know that there is a guy on this page who reviewed it saying the same thing. But it IS the truth. This man does his research, shows WHY historically and/or mythologically, he makes claims. He debunks a lot of the crapola out there available just by presenting the evidence.
I started with his book on Halloween and moved on to this one. If you want to get a feel for what the Celtic ancestors believed and what they did and have it make sense (unlike direct translations of mythology and dry academic texts) both books a superb! I was on a search for this for 13 years, looking for the truth not what neo-pagans and Wiccans claimed to be truth. I did not like the cut and paste methods the former use to make something "Celtic: i.e. use Greek ritual structure and use Celtic gods. Talk about whacky. If you don't know what I mean by that, read his books and you WILL understand.
This book is a little hard to get into at the beginning. i would recommend starting on a chapter that sounds interesting and reading the first few chapters later.
Go for it!!
Reconstructionist Celtic imbas.org
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