Glamoury: Magic of the Celtic Green World (Llewellyn's Celtic Wisdom) [Paperback]

Stephen Blamires (Author)

Book Description

Series: Llewellyn's Celtic Wisdom | Publication Date: December 8, 1995

"Glamoury" refers to an Irish Celtic magical tradition that is holistic. This guidebook offers practical advice and modern versions of philosophies that should expand potential into areas previously closed. The reader may: view and experience the world in a more balanced, meaningful way; meet helpers from the Otherworld who may become valued friends; and live in tune with the seasons and gauge inner growth rates in relation to the Green World.

Editorial Reviews

Review

Glamoury is a holistic magic system promoted to break down barriers between humans and the natural world. Based on the ancient Celtic spiritual tradition, this offers techniques which blend Celtic history and research with exercises designed to expand psychic abilities. -- Midwest Book Review

About the Author

Steve Blamires was born in Ayr, Scotland, and is one of the foremost Celtic scholars in the world. He is a co-founder of The Company of Avalon, a working magical group offering an in-depth training in the Western Mystery Tradition. He leads spiritual tours to many of the sacred sites of Northern Europe. He has written numerous articles for publications in both the U.K. and U.S. He is the author of the book Celtic Tree Mysteries: Practical Druid Magic & Divination.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; 1st edition (December 8, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567180698
• ISBN-13: 978-1567180695
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #351,634 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #83 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Celtic

More About the Author

Steve Blamires was born in the West of Scotland where the Celtic culture and the Gaelic language are both still strong. He now lives in New York State but prior to emigrating to the States he lived on the Isle of Arran, Scotland, a place considered by the ancient Gaelic Celts as the mystical Otherworld. He has taken a passionate interest in his indigenous Celtic culture since his early teens. Steve has published several books to much critical acclaim on Celtic mythology and belief. His most recent book is a biography of the Scottish writer William Sharp (1855-1905) who also wrote under the name Fiona Macleod. He has made numerous radio and TV appearances on both sides of the Atlantic, gives regular presentations and workshops throughout the US and UK on all aspects of Celtic culture and tradition. When he is not enjoying his home in the Hudson Valley he travels the world as a historian, presenter and tour-guide on National Geographic expedition ships.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good basic grounding..., February 22, 2000

By 

Tamara Kilbreth Shaw - See all my reviews

This review is from: Glamoury: Magic of the Celtic Green World (Llewellyn's Celtic Wisdom) (Paperback)

Part history, part mythology, with a liberal sprinkling of magick. Glamoury provides an over view of Irish Celtic Magic. Though Blamires himself admits that the book is only intended to give a basic grounding in the subject, there is certainly enough information to help you decide if this is the path of personal and spiritual growth for you. Glamoury is a "life-affirming, holistic, magickal system that will break down the barriers between you and the natural world." It is based on natural cycles and also the archetypes found in the cycles of myths of Celtic traditional stories and tales. Blamires is eminently qualified to present this material as he is one of the world's foremost Celtic scholars, and founder of the Celtic Research and Folklore Society. This book contains a plentiful bibliography and additional resources to allow you to continue delving into the subject.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Not the Only Way, March 23, 2000

By 

Kelly (Fantasy Literature) (Columbia, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Glamoury: Magic of the Celtic Green World (Llewellyn's Celtic Wisdom) (Paperback)

_Glamoury_ is one of the most interesting books I have read in my studies of magic and witchcraft. It gives information on the gods, goddesses, heroes, and Sabbats that is more in-depth than most books give, and its exercises are interesting ones. You will explore, through trance, the mythic history of the land of Ireland as well as your personal history, and you will learn to meet deities and other astral beings via meditation.

However, the book's downfall lies in Blamires' implicit assertion that his way is the only way to Celtic spirituality. He calls his system "THE Irish system" (emphasis mine) and says that if you can't or don't want to do his exercises, then you just aren't ready for the rigors of Irish spirituality. He doesn't acknowledge that there are many paths, not just his own.

This aside, it is a useful resource if you can get past that, or if his particular spirituality is exactly what you're looking for. I did what I always do with books on magic--sift out what I don't like and keep what works for me.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The very best of Irish Celtic magical traditions, March 24, 2005

By 

Fiona Broome - See all my reviews

This review is from: Glamoury: Magic of the Celtic Green World (Llewellyn's Celtic Wisdom) (Paperback)

"Glamoury: Magic of the Celtic Green World" by Steve Blamires is one of the best resources in print when you're beginning Irish Celtic magick, but only if you are truly serious about this. This isn't a "fluff" book. It's a thorough summary of Irish Celtic magickal traditions in the context of real, documented history.

This is something that sets Irish Celtic (and pre-Celtic) traditions apart from the others: Ireland was not conquered by the Romans, so its oral and written history remain intact and undiluted. The Tuatha De Danann aren't fanciful mythology but real, documented beings--"gods and not gods"--who are still a rich (and active) part of Irish traditions.

Fluff and fantasy are fine. In fact, I often recommend choosing the fun path to faerie and Celtic magick because it is so beautiful and inspiring.

However, when you want to roll your sleeves up and get into what we know has been real in Irish magickal traditions for thousands of years, there is no better starting point than "Glamoury: Magic of the Celtic Green World."

Mr. Blamires' researching is impressive, and he quotes many important Irish historical sources. Few neo-Celtic authors have Mr. Blamires' academic background, which is why--in my opinion--this book is head-and-shoulders above most lighter treatments of this subject.

"Glamoury: Magic of the Celtic Green World" provides a complete array of other resources, too, including maps, biographies, pronunciation guides. Mr. Blamires offers insightful discussions about the contexts of these stories, as well as the points that are disputed or open to personal interpretation.

In "Glamoury: Magic of the Celtic Green World," Mr. Blamires provides an almost overwhelming wealth of vital information for anyone who is interested in Celtic magick and ritual. From attitudes to beliefs, from tools to actual rituals, this book is a complete and practical course in Celtic traditions.

If you can buy only one book for your Irish/Celtic (and pre-Celtic) magickal practices, this is your best choice. In fact, if you're serious about Irish traditions, start with this book. "Glamoury: Magic of the Celtic Green World" may be the only book you'll ever need for your Irish Celtic magickal studies.

*Important note: Glamoury has recently been republished by Llewellyn Books as "Magic of the Celtic Otherworld." No matter which title is on the bookcover, this is still an important book for anyone who is serious about Irish Celtic magickal traditions.

--reviewed by Fiona Broome for "Celtic Lore & Magic"