By Oak, Ash, & Thorn: Modern Celtic Shamanism (Llewellyn's Celtic Wisdom) [Paperback]

D.J. Conway (Author)

Book Description

Series: Llewellyn's Celtic Wisdom | Publication Date: January 8, 1994

Take one part of the world''s oldest spiritual system (shamanism), mix in one part of one of the world''s most popular spiritual cultures (the Celts), and bring it up to date by blending in modern forms of shamanism. The result is one of the most amazing books you''ll ever use, D. J. Conway''s By Oak, Ash, & Thorn.

This book is filled with information that can start you on a lifetime of study, practice, and spirituality. First, you''ll learn about ancient and modern forms of shamanism. You''ll discover the secrets of the three shamanic worlds, and how you can travel through these mysterious realms. You''ll be shown how to communicate and deal with the entities and allies you meet there. You''ll also learn about the tools that a shaman uses.

The thing that makes this book unique is that it comes from the viewpoint of Celtic shamanism, and not some generalized form. As a result, the worlds are specifically Celtic in nature. The tools come from Celtic myth and lore. The fifty entities you meet are named and defined as the Faery Folk and their kin — from the Bean sidhe (banshee) to the Will o'' the Wisp (a faery who appears at night in lonely places carrying a lantern to confuse travellers). Almost fifty more animal allies are listed and described. You will also learn the mysteries of the vision quest and how it applies and can be used by Celtic shamans.

Before starting your journey you will take a test to determine your strengths and weaknesses as a potential shaman.

Other topics include:

- Shamanic Healing
- Soul Retrieval
- Shape-shifting
- Invisibility
- Divination with stones, the omen stick and the Ogam alphabet
- Pathworking through the three shamanic worlds
- Different forms of Celtic magic
- Herbs

This only begins to hint at everything that you can learn from this book. Get your copy today.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

When most people think of the spiritual path of the ancient Celts, they think of the Druids. But just as there are many groups of Christians with varying ideas today, should we not assume that there were other spiritual paths open to the Celts?

In By Oak, Ash, & Thorn, D. J. Conway reveals that there was, indeed, another system which was shamanic in nature. Then she updates this ancient system with many of the modern techniques of shamanism to present a system that is usable today but goes back thousands of years: Celtic Shamanism.

This book shares a complete system with you. It begins by describing many aspects of shamanism, but with a Celtic spin to them. You will be amazed at how you see all of the shamanic references in the ancient Celtic texts. You will also discover the tools you need for Celtic Shamanism and learn that they come directly from ancient sources. And of course, you'll learn how to make use of them today.

Divination? You'll learn several Celtic techniques, including working with the ancient Ogam Runes. Shamanic Vision Quests? The book explains how to take Celtic ones. Journeying through the Shamanic otherworlds? It's in the book within a Celtic context. Magic? Of course! Secrets of herbs? They're in here. Healing? Instructions are included. Shamanic soul retrieval? In this book you'll find out how.

I really like this book's honesty. This is not ancient shamanism. Much of ancient shamanism wouldn't apply to us today. Rather it draws upon the ancient Celtic shamanism and combines it with some of the latest interpretation of shamanic beliefs and techniques. The result is a book that is fresh and meaningful.

One of the great things about this book, besides showing an entirely new — yet ancient — Celtic path, is that it shows how the ancient systems can be infused with life and value for today. This is a book you are going to read many times.

About the Author

A native of the Pacific Northwest, author D.J. Conway has studied the occult fields for over 35 years. Her quest for knowledge has covered every aspect of Paganism and Wicca to New Age and Eastern philosophies; plus history, the magical arts, philosophy, customs, mythologies and folklore. In 1998, she was voted Best Wiccan and New Age author by Silver Chalice, a Pagan magazine.

Conway is the author of  more than 20 nonfiction  books including: Celtic Magic (Llewellyn), Dancing with Dragons (Llewellyn), Mystical Dragon Magic (Llewellyn), The Ancient Art of Faery Magick (10 Speed Press), and The Little Book of Candle Magic (10 Speed Press).

She lives a rather quiet life, with most of her time spent researching and writing.

 

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Llewellyn Publications; 1st edition (January 8, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 156718166X
• ISBN-13: 978-1567181661
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #385,713 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #84 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Celtic

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

56 of 63 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars pseudo-Celtic Wicca thinly disguised..., January 9, 2004

By 

blackrose "rosendubh" (Philadelphia, PA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: By Oak, Ash, & Thorn: Modern Celtic Shamanism (Llewellyn's Celtic Wisdom) (Paperback)

I picked up this book a few years ago... having an interest in things Celtic and in shamanistic techniques. I found it lacking in both.

This is yet another book by Conway which is just Wicca disguised as something else. All of her books sound exactly alike and say exactly the same thing - which some 'cultural flavors' thrown in to try and deceive people into thinking it's actually something new. It's also an easy sell as many neo-pagans and New Age followers are attracted to all things Celtic and 'native'.

Now I'm not going to say there is no such thing as Celtic shamanism - as shamanistic techniques are thought to be able to cross borders, and I see no reason why you can't blend shamanistic techniques with authentic Celtic beliefs. This book, however, is disappointing on the 'authentic' level and marginally "fluff".
This book will not be a good guide for Celtic Paganism - and it definately won't make you a Shaman (tho, as has been said, no book really can - tho you can learn the techniques).
The only reason I gave it three rather than lower is because the questionable nature of this book lead me to search out better sources.

I suggest books by John and/or Caitlin Matthews on the subject of Celtic Shamanism, Michael Harner on general Shamanism, and Peter Bellesford Ellis on Celtic studies for those truly interested in the depths on such things. They're good to start.

However, for more neo-pagan (of which I am) pseudo-Celtic eclectic Wicca - this book fits the bill...

(A note on Conway in general - I question anyone who claims to be as dedicated a devotee to as many different paths as she writes about. And since every book does sound the same, excepting a few particulars thrown in mostly for flavor, this 'suspicion' only deepened the more I read of her books. The scholarship, as with most Llewellyn products, is always questionable.)

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Approach with caution, June 16, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: By Oak, Ash, & Thorn: Modern Celtic Shamanism (Llewellyn's Celtic Wisdom) (Paperback)

I pretty much agree with everything said in other reviews, good and bad. This book is not an historically acurate portrayal of the ancient Celts, and it will not make you a shaman.

That having been said, I don't think it is without value. The book is a good introduction to a way of meditation, and her insights into the ancient Celts, which she admits are gleaned from her inner research and not academic research, are interesting, though not historically accurate. I wouldn't reccomend against reading this book, though please don't beleive you are learning Celtic shamanism. And maybe buy it used.

30 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Don't be Tempted ..., January 30, 2000

By 

"eponess" - See all my reviews

This review is from: By Oak, Ash, & Thorn: Modern Celtic Shamanism (Llewellyn's Celtic Wisdom) (Paperback)

... to buy this book if you are looking for good information related to Celtic Paganism. You won't find it here. What you will find is another attempt to put a veneer of "celticism" over Wiccan spirituality and pass it off as Celtic Paganism. Once again DJ Conway shows her inept knowledge of the Celts and *REAL* Celtic spirituality and cranks out a book aimed at those who want to "learn to be a Celtic Pagan in 5 easy steps" without any real background information on who the Celts were and how their outlook on life and Cosmology differs from the Greco-Roman outlook and our Western viewpoint today. If you want to learn a Wiccan spirituality that is painted with pretty Celtic designs and motifs, then by all means buy this book. If you are looking for a book that offers information about who the Celts were and a sound method of exploring the possibilities of Modern Celtic Paganism, then look elsewhere.