The Quest: A Search for the Grail of Immortality [Paperback]

Rhuddlwm Gawr (Author)

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

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Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Camelot Press; 2nd edition (1985)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0931760011
• ISBN-13: 978-0931760013
• Product Dimensions: 7.8 x 5.1 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (117 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,929,088 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars the author is being attacked by Christian Welsh children, October 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Quest: A Search for the Grail of Immortality (Paperback)

First, I am not one to be taken in the Welsh Nationalist extremists, by the nasty people who seem to dislike the author, by con artists or shysters, including those who warned me not to read this book. So I did a great deal of research over the past months since first reading a used copy of this book. I have also looked at the documents and information generated by Taliesin enion vawr and Gerald Gardner. I have also explored Barddas and other documents written by Old Iolo. I have researched the bards of Prince Llewelyn (which this book is supposedly based upon). I have explored the University of Wales Library in Cardiff and in Aberstwyth. The following is a summary of the results of my research: 1) Llewelyns Bards were descendants of Druids. 2) Llewelyn was favorably drawn to Druidism 3) there is evidence that Llewelyn was a Knights Templar 4) There is evidence that his wife was a member of a mystery organization in France. 5) I found out who Taliesin enion Vawr was and where he was born. 6) I found out who Sarah (Rhuddlwm Gawrs teacher was 7) I interviewed a member of Dynion Mwyn in Cardiff Wales who witnessed Rhuddlwm Gawrs initiation 8) I actually visited the area near Betws-y-coed where Rhuddlwm met his teachers. AND found it at the direction of a member from Cardiff. It is not quite as recognizable as it is in the book, but I believe that could be because of the long period of time between Rhuddlwm Gawrs Welsh experience and when this book was written. Does it contain some similarities to Gardnerian practices. Of course. Most Witchcraft in Wales/Scotland/Cornwall comes from similar backgrounds. I looked at the Witchcraft that was practiced as late as the 1600s, that which was practiced in the 1800s and that whicch survived even into the 1900s. It is all very similar in its practice. This Book is no exception. Read it for the story of someone who became drawn into the Craft and "Old Religion" as the Americans say.

This book is an inspired work of NON-fiction, but I am sure the Gardnerians will attack it, the Christians will attack it, and the "NeoPagan Welsh Critics will attack it. Don't listen to them. Listen to your heart as you read excerpts from it. It is not only neat, it is valuable as a good introduction to how a family tradition is practiced. In fact, its story has been copied by a great number of "nitiates" who claim to be Welsh Witches" but only read the book. Great Read!!!

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars AboutThe Authors, October 21, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Quest: A Search for the Grail of Immortality (Paperback)

Taliesin, Enion Vawr, is a ninth level Elder in his family's tradition of Welsh Witchcraft. He was born in North Wales in the 1920s and raised by an aunt and uncle in a small village near the town of Betws y Coed. It was here he learned of his family's heritage of Druidism and Welsh Witchcraft as he met Y Tylwyth Teg (Welsh fairies) at Fairy Ring near Betws y Coed, and swam with the water sprites in the local river. He spent a great deal of time with his aunt who was an herbalist and elder of the Dynion Mwyn tradition. He learned of the energy of the mountains through doing "Cave Workings" and hiking near Mt. Snowdonia. In 1963 while visiting friends in Bangor, he was inspired to begin teaching the first class from outside the family. (Taliesin taught the Old Ways until 1992 when he turned over the
leadership of Dynion Mwyn to his sister who became chief elder until she died in 1999. Taliesin was responsible for opening up the Welsh tradition to outsiders. His dying wish was that the basic philosophy of the Welsh tradition be available to all through the Internet, and that seekers be given a "Taste of Wales" through home study classes. He died in January 2000.)

Lord Rhuddlwm Gawr and Lady Cerridwen Gawr, of the United States, inherited the leadership of Dynion Mwyn. Rhuddlwm Gawr, BLA, D.D., N.D. was initiated into the Dynion Mwyn tradition of Welsh Witchcraft in 1966 and is an authority on the ancient Celtic
mystery religions. He draws extensively on his Welsh, English and Native American ancestors in relating the various philosophies inherent in the religion of Dynion Mwyn. He is an author of several books, a successful lecturer, and holds degrees in Environmental Design, Naturopathy, Religion, and Computer Technology and is even now completing studies toward a Ph.D. in Psychology. In addition to formal academic training, Rhuddlwm has intensely applied himself to the study of Metaphysics, Occult Mysteries, Parapsychology, western and eastern philosophies, world history, Native American studies, archaeology, and quantum physics. Rhuddlwm is founder of The International Association of Cymry Wiccae, The Church of Y Tylwyth Teg in the U.S., and Co-founder of The Universal Federation of Pagans. He is an elder of Dynion Mwyn and Y Tylwyth Teg and has presented workshops on Welsh Witchcraft and Druidism since 1973. Merridden Gawr B.A., D.D., is a sixth level high priestess and Elder of Y Tylwyth Teg. She has been teaching Welsh Witchcraft for over twelve years. She holds degrees in Ancient Religion and Celtic Mysteries, and is studying Law. She was born in a small town in the Midwest section of the United States, but grew up in Kansas City where she was first exposed to college life. Merridden draws on her Welsh and Native American heritage in teaching the mysteries. From an early age she questioned her conservative religious upbringing and eventually rejected it to begin studies in Metaphysics. Merridden is an Elder of The Church of Y Tylwyth Teg, Inc. in the United States. Merridden makes her home in the foothills of North Georgia, where she teaches, writes and raises her daughter, Brittany Ffion who is even now learning about her Welsh heritage. Their book offers you an "alternative" philosophy, one that gives back your personal spiritual power. Their charming writing style is unique among modern teachers. Using a rare blend of Welsh humor and mystical knowledge, they present complex information in a language anyone can understand. There is something about their words that you can't quite put your finger on, but you will find that reading this book may cause your life to change dramatically. They ask nothing of you other than you open your heart to a new aspect of reality.

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book has changed my Life, October 24, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The Quest: A Search for the Grail of Immortality (Paperback)

I don't know what those other people are writing about. They must be angry at someone. And it seems strange that their reviews were written over a just a period of few days. No bad ones before and none after (although I expect as soon as they see this one they will renew their efforts to keep people from reading this book.) I am thirty-six, wife to a wonderful man who understands my interest in occult matters and ancient Wales and is very supportive. I have two wonderful daughters. I feel one of them must be a descendant of Taliesin since when she was born she had a glowing halo around her head.

Being a book of Welsh Witchcraft initially attracted me to this book. That and the small mass of nasty comments which actually seemed to coming from here in the UK rather than the US where they claimed to have originated. But I digress.

The Quest has become my stalwart friend in a time when my spirituality had become clouded with doubt. I didn't know where to go and who to turn to. My husband tried to help, but he didn't understand.

Then while searching for books on spirituality and Wales, a friend came across The Quest. She sent me the information and I went on Amazon.com.uk the very next day and purchased it.

I don't know how or why this book has affected me this way, but I am absolutely delighted in what I have learned and how my life changed in a period of two days. It took me two days to finish the book and I almost could not put the bloody thing down!

Yes there are some mistakes in spelling, of both English and Welsh words. But overall an excellent tribute to the spirituality of the Welsh people.

I have learned there are more books written by the same people and I am excited to continue my reading.

I feel I can recommend This book to ANYONE who is concerned about the progress of their spirituality. It is WONDERFUL! Thank you Amazon.com. It has changed my life!

Branwen