Customer Reviews

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

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(6)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

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.)

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.

... 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.

Okay - I only managed to read the first chapter and then skim over the following two because this book is really badly researched despite the author stating that she has spent many years researching the topic.

My first impression was that it was almost identical at the beginning to Tom Cowan's "Fire in the Head" to the extent of quoting the same quotes - but who copied who??

Conway's recalling of even some of the basic Celtic myths has a lot to be desired - even her version of the "tribal invasions" appeared to have various errors in it (and I have personally researched and written about this topic myself!!).

Overall extremely disappointing for what I read of it. Research is questionable - there are many better written and better researched material available.

I really enjoyed By Oak, Ash, and Thorn. I also agree that you either hate it or love it. I don't think that DJ Conway is trying to say "YOU HAVE TO DO THIS, THIS, AND THIS TO BE A CELTIC SHAMAN!," I believe that she has incorporated a Celtic twist on some shamanistic techniques that can be used by anyone. I myself found it interesting to look at, even though I am not training to be a shaman or intend to be in the future. (I'm just too busy you know). I hope that people don't expect to see absolute word in any book, and I think that in New Age books, many people expect to find out exactly the answers to the questions of religion printed on the page. This book is a beautiful and interesting companion and guide that made me think, and I am thankful for it. Please try it out.

I believe I just spent the last few days going through a train wreck. I have noted in the book several times where the woman repeats herself, almost word for word. Contradicts herself from my count so far, 16 times. The interchanging of 'druid' and 'bard' and inserting shaman is for lack of another word, childish and dumb. The rituals are restricting, the suppose to be 'shaman like tools' are that of the Wiccan world. The calling on dieties when a shaman traditionally did not call upon them 'just to make things work' made me gag. Over all, very disgusted over this book. Please, D.J. Stop writing about things you don't know jack about? Save us the heartache of seeing your signature on every half put together book that is 'Generic Wiccan' slapped with pretty titles like 'Norse Magic' or 'Celtic Shamanism'. Anyone who has had spiritual experiance, actually wish and long for something that is meaningful and deep beyond the act of simply replacing prayer with 'spells' will be disheartened, angry and feel quite upset after reading this monstrosity. Being a shaman, druid, spiritualist or pagan is about an individual journey, not a hacked up piece of fiction thrown together and at an audience. Please, if you want something meaningful, stay away from her step by step books. Find the path yourself.

I found this book to be of limited usefulness, although I had initial great hopes for it. I am a Wiccan priestess and the student of a Native American shaman because celtic shamans are few and far between, and had hoped that this book would fill in some of the gaps. There was little in this book that is not covered better elsewhere, and most of what the author conveys is very superficial.

Speaking for myself, I found the true spirit of shamanism in this book. Conway succeeds in connecting it with Celtic culture. She understands the core essence of both subjects. Some readers seem to think that she intended some sort of archeological study of "true" Celtic shamanism. This was clearly not the intent, as is stated in both the introduction and in chapter two, "Shamanism: ancient and modern." She is trying to introduce people to the SPIRIT of shamanism, and in this she richly succeeds. You have to approach this book with an open mind- not unlike the guided visualizations that form an important part of the text.

The goal here is to try to heal modern man's almost total disconnect with the heart of nature- and with the deep archetypical powers. The author is correct in stating that we have cut down the World Tree and blown up the tunnel to the Underworld. This book is to identify and steer the sort of individuals who are born to sense and heal this soul-killing divide. It will point the way to the true teachers.

For a change Llewellyn assigned a first rate designer and artists to this book- the cover and interior illustrations and details add and do not detract from the whole. Of course, I may be biased here- the frontispiece is the sacred Oak....

I first encountered this book when pursuing the Llewellyn Online catalog. While Llewellyn generally publishes books I consider to be rather on the "fluffy" side, this was one of their better publications.

While we all know, and several reveiwers have already reminded us, that anything we assert about the Celts is subject to speculation I would still say that it is a fairly valuable resource for those looking for an introduction to "shamanic" concepts with a Celtic twist. Take the historical claims with a few grains of salt, but, don't allow them to ruin your overall enjoyment of the book. There's a measure of truth in pretty much everything and if it works for you- use it.

I have read several books and articles on shamanism made by shamans, anthropologists, people in indigenous cultures that have shamanic cosmological worldviews, and works by modern NeoShamans. What I see is that this book dresses up the Wiccan worldview, gives it catchphrases found in New Age and NeoShamanic works, and gives it a Celtic spin, but there is no real depth to this book. Yes, I have read it, and I have found it very deeply wanting in terms of context, depth, and ability to communicate shamanic teachings, worldviews, or even basic legends and understanding of Celtic myth.

Almost the entirety of Chapter 2 is Michael Harner's work paraphrased in one form or another where he is not directly quoted. In other chapters Conway frequently intersperses non-Celtic or New Age words and practices in with little to no direction as to safe or effective practice, such as the bare mentioning of kundalini in Chapter 3. This book recycles much of what other authors have wrote, while contributing, in my opinion, little to either the understanding or practice of Shamanism or NeoShamanism.