Customer Reviews

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

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

 

 

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.

_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.

"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"

Some reviewers have made some ill-informed, yet critical, comments how this book is about wicca rather than authentic druidry, and then how it doesn't kow tow to the feminist wiccan agenda. I am writing as an initiate in a traditional British Druid society. It must be understood that what is known of the old Druid practices is somewhat sparse; Druidry was subjected to corrosive forces for more than 2000 years. While there are some significant differences between them, there are distinct parallels between the Druid traditions and what is now called Wicca. It must be understood that Druidry evolved over many millenia, and that it changed its focus more than once. It was never something fixed, uniform and stable. Too many people want to think of it as being something that was immutable. Well, it ain't so; to think like that is sentimental and smacks of a nostalgia for something that never was. Among other things, there was a major change in the general Druid tradition at about the 6th century BC. It also must be understood that there were many variants of Druidry, as there were many tribes and many royal lineages. Druidry at one time was the spiritual culture of Gaul, Britain, Ireland, the Isle of Man and Scotland. In these lands, different languages were spoke and different gods and goddesses were recognised. To criticise Blamires' book on the basis that it isn't real Druidry therefore is sheer nonsense. Blamires' books are excellent. His exercises give the sincere readers wonderful opportunities to develope their inner world. Perhaps he will have learned something from the rather arrogant and ignorant criticisms of some of his readers and write a book containing exercises for the elimination of self-importance. For all those who love the Irish culture and Druidry, Blamires' books are not to be overlooked.

Overall, this book gives a decent accounting of Celtic myths and Deities. However, since it pushes a four directional ritual, it is really nothing more than a highly Celtified version of Wicca. There is nothing wrong with Wicca per se, but it is not what the ancient Celts practiced. What is known as Wicca today was developed in the 1950's by Gerald Gardner. Despite this misleading four directional approach, the author has come up with some good material. But it should be remembered that the rituals are not strictly Celtic and reflect modern Wiccan practice. The good information on the stories and figures of Celtic religion is what makes me give this 3 stars. Otherwise, I wouldn't bother with it. It is not traditionally Celtic.

While information is thorough and sound, I found it rather interesting that Mr. Blamires had nothing good to say about any of the female deities. I am not a dianic or feminist witch - I worship both the Goddess and the God. However, I was slightly offended at the way in which he treated the Goddess in this book. Perhaps Mr. Blamires did not mean it to come across that way, but his book is the least favourite in my library. There is nothing in this book that you cannot find in another book dealing with celtic culture, religion and magick.

This is a great book for research. The myths and origins of the Celts are represented nicely. I don't, however, recommend this book if you are looking for Spells or Rituals.

I liked this book a lot, although it was a little hard to stay focused on. I cannot attest to the historical accuracy, but it was a nice source of some celtic legends. :)

this is book has awesome exercises to enter and work with deities and other beings in the otherworld. it is really good book on the irish celts as well,my only problem is that the author,seems to have my way is the only way attitude.