The Grail Castle: Male Myths & Mysteries in the Celtic Tradition (Llewellyn's Men's Spirituality Series) [Paperback]

Ken Johnson (Author), Marguerite Elsbeth (Author)

Book Description

Series: Llewellyn's Men's Spirituality Series | Publication Date: October 8, 1995

This text explores the mysteries which lie at the core of being male when one takes a quest into the Celtic-Teutonic-Christian myth of the Grail Castle. The Pagan Celtic culture's world view resonates for men today because it offers a direct experience with the spirit often lacking in their lives. The book describes four male archetypes - the king or father, the hero or warrior, the magician or wise man, and the lover - which the authors exemplify with stories from the Welsh Mabinogion, the Ulster Cycle and other old Pagan sources. Exercises and meditations designed to activate these inner myths should awaken men to how myths - as they live today in the collective unconscious and popular culture - shape their lives. Finally, men should be able to learn how to heal the Fisher King - who lies at the heart of the Grail Castle myth - to achieve integration of the four archetypal paths.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Kenneth Johnson holds a degree in Religious Studies from California State University Fullerton. His emphasis was in the study of mythology and this interest is reflected in his writing and his astrological practice. Kenneth discovered astrology while traveling in Europe during the summer of 1973. He studied in Amsterdam and London before returning to the United States and developing a practice which focuses on archetypal themes and personal mythologies. In addition to his astrological interests, Kenneth is also a musical theater librettist and a member of the Dramatists Guild.

Marguerite Elsbeth (New Mexico) has facilitated shamanic healing and ritual groups, is a hereditary Strega, and is also exploring her ancestral ties to the Delaware Indian culture.  She has personally experienced crystal healing at the hands of a Shoshone medicine man and uses crystals in her own healing work.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; 1st edition (October 8, 1995)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1567183697
• ISBN-13: 978-1567183696
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.6 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,189,943 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An entertaining trip for men who desire a deeper look within, May 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Grail Castle: Male Myths & Mysteries in the Celtic Tradition (Llewellyn's Men's Spirituality Series) (Paperback)

In today's world of increasing balance between the sexes, sometimes men's spirituality is left unexamined or even ignored. No longer! This book delves deeply into the male side of myth and mysticism and seeks to help men answer difficult questions such as: What do I really want out of life? Why do I feel the need to bury my feelings? How can I become more fulfilled and complete a person? With a mix of psychology and Celtic mythology, the authors examine the four male archtypes -- Warrior, Lover, Magician, and King -- and through stories and examples help men analyze their motivations, how they think, what they lack, and finally, how to heal and to start down the road of wholeness on all levels of life. Included is a quiz to discover which of the four archtypes one embodies the most and meditations to promote understanding of your archtype(s). This book is one of the best on male spirituality out there, especially if you already have an interest in Celtic culture.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The essense of the Quest., June 16, 2002

By 

OAKSHAMAN "oakshaman" (Algoma, WI United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 1000 REVIEWER)   

This review is from: The Grail Castle: Male Myths & Mysteries in the Celtic Tradition (Llewellyn's Men's Spirituality Series) (Paperback)

This is no trivial "new age", pop psych, pot boiler. This is an extremely well written book of sacred wisdom. This is a book of the Quest, and of the Grail. Personally, I've read it three times in my life, and took the time to carefully consider and fill out the the "personal myth section."

The book welds the ancient celtic myths with Jungian type theory. I defy a man not to see himself as a Warrior/Hero, Lover, Magician/Wiseman, or King/Father (as expressed positively or negatively.) The book points out that as we mature we may evolve towards a more mature archetype (i.e. from Warrior or Lover towards Magician or King.) This is the result of the Quest, for both the true Magician and true King have descended into hell, and returned, to earn their gifts. There is a sophisticated understanding here that we are not supposed to strive to be an equal, homogenous, conglomeration of all these roles, but that there are separate, mature, archetypes that we are to embrace and develope towards during a lifetime. Like an acorn, we are to grow towards oakhood, or if an pine cone, to pinehood.

Here also is the explanation of the "The World Tree" universal to all mythologies. This tree is the link between the worlds, with it's branches in heaven and it's roots in hell. It is that which magician and shaman must be crucified on to transcend the world- or be destroyed. Indeed, there is a profound understanding here of shamanhood- and an emphasis on the complexity of this role.

This book also explains the failure and despair in so many modern lives. The sacred wound that never heals- the inability to accept and grow in spiritual undestanding. The wasteland resulting in a failed king's inability so realise that he and the land, and the people, are one....

I seldom say that I love it book, too many people use that phrase too carelessly. But this book of deep truth, deep myth, deep wisdom, I do not hesitate to say that I truly and deeply love.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Outstanding and Balanced, September 22, 2005

By 

Phronesus (Oklahoma City, OK USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Grail Castle: Male Myths & Mysteries in the Celtic Tradition (Llewellyn's Men's Spirituality Series) (Paperback)

I was very impressed by how organized and informative this book was. Reading this book was like attending a fascinating and positive lecture designed especially for men.

The book begins by telling the "Grail Castle" myth, and then follows with a clever discussion that looks at the myth from several perspectives. The discussion is especially practical because it focuses on how the myth applies to the issues of "today" that many men face, such as the feminist movement and the effects of having been initiated into manhood by the mother alone.

Later the book describes the four common male archetypes (Warrior, Lover, Magician and King) and the differing ways they relate to the Grail Castle. The descriptions, again, cater to today's issues and include both the positive and negative aspects of the archetype, offering suggestions for continued improvement. There is even a short quiz for the reader to take as an aid to discover which archetype he most fits. It is clear that the four archetypes parallel several common personality tests of today, and that they have a legitimate basis in the field of psychology.

I was most impressed to discover that this is not a book that talks down to the reader or monotonously relays dry information; while reading this book it was as though I was listening to the advice and perspectives of two mentors (the two authors), learning what was "really" on their mind. The information in the book seemed pleasantly balanced.

The end of the book instructs the reader to write his very own male myths, each one representing each seven year time span in his life.

Each chapter is followed by a handful of endnotes indicating the sources of information that were used. The two authors of this book have really done their homework and have put together this intriguing and very insightful book on male myths and mysteries in the Celtic tradition. The content would seem both honest and realistic without being offensive to anyone. I am very glad to have purchased and read this book.