Customer Reviews

Sacred Cauldron (Llewellyn's World Magic Series)

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As far as books concerning the Celts published by Llewellyn go this is one of the best. The MacCrossan has a good basic knowledge of Celtic linguistics and history but he treats the cultures as if they were things of the past. His rituals are also so dry that the ancient filidh and druídh would probably cry. I'd suggest that you pick up a copy of _the Apple Branch_ if you can find it. When entering into Celtic Paganism it's important to remember that the Celts are still posses living cultures and languages.. MacCrosan really seams to forget that.

I am only passingly familiar with MacCrossan's book, but it does appear to have certain fundamental flaws- such as dry ritual scripts, and an anachronistic focus on reconstruction rather than living Celtic tradition. But as far as I know, and according to Celtic scholars who have read the book, the basic historical information is for the most part correct. I'm posting this to balance out the previous review- anyone who considers Cunningham a reliable source cannot possibly know what they are talking about.

Boasting "...a comprehensive course in the history and developement of Celtic religious lore, the secrets taught by the Druids, and the... rites and cerimonies as practiced by modern-day members of the Druidactos...", The Sacred Cauldron lives up to its claims. Mac Crossan gives historic information, linguistic study, and bardic lore of the Celtsas well as including information about a specific sect of modern Druidry. He gives no indication that he will teach spirituality, nor living faith, only a historic look at the Druids and Celts. If you are looking for an acurate book on Druidry, that teaches facts and doesnt make things up (such as druid links to wicca, the "authentic" way the Druids astral projected, or any other fancifull "facts" of a practice we know little about) then MacCrossan is a much needed adition to your library, and not Cunningham (who is Wiccan, not Druid) or Conway (who teaches druid astral journeys, of which we have no way of knowing).

This book attempts to recreate the basic pagan traditions of the ancient Celts in a way that, for example, that some Asatru scholars have done with the Norse traditions. While the book has some substantial flaws regarding ritual scripts, etc. I think it is, nonetheless, a significant contribution to the field and would therefore recommend it.

On the positive side, the book draws from historical linguistics and mythology to create a compelling introduction to the study of the practice of historically-centered Druidism. There is a great deal of material that should be contemplated in this book. I also appreciate the general descriptions fo the deities and of Celtic cosmology.

However, the drawbacks are significant and worth noting. In the historical section it seems to me that the author applies Dumezil's theories somewhat mindlessly (i.e. without noting how and where substantial deviations in this area are made). This is a major trap in the application of Dumezil's theories (and one which Dumezil himself fell into a few times).

Secondly (and far less significantly), the ritual scripts are a bit dry IMO, and really should only be used as a point of departure anyway. Anyone who has internalized the material enough should be capable of doing their own rituals anyway an not relying on book versions.

On the whole, I think the book is worth owning and it will remain in my own library. I would thus recommend it.

Other books which individuals who are interested in this should get include:

Celtic Heritage: Ancient Tradition in Ireland and Wales

The Apple Branch: A Path to Celtic Ritual

Indo-European Religion After Dumezil (Journal of Indo-European Studies Monograph Vol 16)

Also do a Google search for "The Excellence of the Ancient Word"

Written in the style of Cunninghams books, this tome fails to offer realistic information on Druidic practice. While the text is precise and often very detailed, this book fails to make the connection between the present and the past. Moreover, it's author (a convert to Catholicism) bases his theories on his own ideas and not on anthropologic evidence. Failing to hold a degree in anything remotely related to the subject matter, and not having real-first hand knowledge of druidic practice lead me to seek more authoritative sources.

I recommend this guide to anyone who just wants some basic info on Druidism. If, however, you'd like to follow this path, a more practical guide (Cunningham or others) is recommended.