Customer Reviews

The Way: A Discovery of the Grail of Immortality Welsh Witchcraft and the Old Religion

5 star:		(54)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
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1 star:		(31)

 

 

This is the book I have been searching for years to help enlighten on anyone's path to spirituality. This book covers prophecies to the rise of Atlantis! Since owning this book for over a year, it has become a refrence guide that I can not live without. If interested in Paganism to Bhuddism, one will find this book informitive & to the point. Lord Rhuddlwm Gawr is a truely gifted & knowlegable writer. No matter what spiritual book I may be reading, this book must be within hands reach! Grab this book while you can & open your eyes. R.R.D.Newsome

This is my book. I love it and will always love it. No one else can read it. It is my Witches Bible. I lost it once but now that I have found it, no one can borrow it. I recommend it.

I am a Pagan. that may put off some of you, but I am proud of being a Pagan. I am proud to own this book and really feel that this religion is for me. Like a lot of young people, I don't think much of those who trash others because of the way they believe. The people who wrote this book, believe the same as I do. I applaud the courage they had to stand up to the Welsh Bullies who obviously don't like something about the book. I loved it. I hope they write more of them.

I am a Pagan and a librarian in a samll midwest town. I came across The Way while searching for a book that was different from the rest of the books which claimed to describe Pganism and Witchcraft. There are so many of them and they are all written by the same group of people. I wanted something controversial, I wanted something with depth. I found the Way.

It has a personality. It is written by a person about his life experiences instead of just another how-to book. This person went through pain and spiritual suffering. He went into the abyss and survived!

When you read this book. Don't read it at first for the Magick or Ritual. Read the story. THEN go back for the desert.

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. She met Lord Rhuddlwm in 1986 in Atlanta, Georgia and they were married a year later. Merridden is an Elder of The Church of Y Tylwyth Teg, Inc. in the United States. Rhuddlwm and Merridden make their home in the foothills of North Georgia, where they teach, write and raise their 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.

Over the past several weeks, I read the Way several times. Those critics who have given it poor reviews obviously have another reason for not wanting you to read it. It does not contain theosophical teachings. I know. I'm a theosophist. These critics must have read something else.

They also seem to dislike the author. It is obviously a personal thing and has nothing to do with the value of the Book. I have a degree in Welsh History and a long association with the Welsh Folklore Society. Besides actually visiting Betws-y-coed and tracing the authors life, I have interviewed several members of Y Tylwyth Teg in Florida and two members of The Dynion Mwyn "mother grove" in Wales. Very interesting people. I may debate whether the family which taught the authors, was totally correct in their philosophy, but I can say they were honest and sincere. I found nothing inconsistent with the ideas and words in the Way. In fact, I was hard pressed to contradict anything they purported to believe. Those who are criticising the book are listening to rumour instead of reading the book. I wonder why they don't want you to read it? If in fact it contains some ideas and words allegedly taken from other sources, so what. I have read over
sixty books on Witchcraft in the last 17 years which are like reading a carbon copy of each other. But, I also have read the Way. From whatever source these Co-authors obtained their material, it is fresh and absolutely wonderful. No, the critics didn't bother to read the books. They just have a problem with people reading the truth. The author(s) must be doing something right. A very famous book store in California has already (according to them) sold over a thousand copies. Good for you Rhuddlwm. You've done good. Excellent Book on Welsh Witchcraft. There is a rumour that someone is talking to the author about a movie project, based on the books he has written over the last thirty years. I am looking forward to seeing it.

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!!!

I first came across the original version of this title in 1985. I believe it was printed in the early 80s. The advertisement stated that it was a good book to study if I wished to be a Witch and interested in the Celtic tradition. I had just been initiated into the Gardnerian tradition in New York, and since there was almost nothing in our book of shadows, I was very pleased that this book became available at just the right time. Since then, I have read all twenty three of Rhuddlwms books which began to appear in 1976. Unfortunately there are only four of them currently in print. This one (I think) is the best of them all. It is affordable, and contains relavent material for almost any tradition. Excellent Excellent book. You will find out when you read it, that it will touch a cord in you that will take you down a path which you will love and cherish.

Gloria Wilson
Offeriades Dynion Mwyn tradition
New York

In the United States, Wicca and Witchcraft have by and large degenerated into silliness, choked on spells and drugs. Here in Wales, it is difficult to even mention the fact that Witchcraft exists because of the foolish people who try to compare it with known History. This is unfortunate; the religion of Taliesin einion Vawr, Gerald Gardner (and later Alex Sanders) had solid scholarly as well as mystical roots. While some of those roots have since become suspect -- there was real intellectual activity, appreciation for the mysteries, and real philosophical rigor, behind this religion. These were serious people who weren't afraid to visit a library, expose their family history, and who even included some decent poetry in their rituals. Go to their web page at http://www.tylwythteg.com if you want the real truth behind their religion.

*The Quest* is written by two Welsh Witches. The title does not lie: it truly is a Quest of "The Way" of Welsh Witchcraft. After reading this, you will know what a Circles is, What Welsh Witchcraft is. You won't be an initiated Witch -- that can only be done by someone who possesses the lineage to do so -- but you will be able to serve the God and Goddess in a Welsh Witch style. You will also be ready to study for initiation and to reap its benefits and fulfill its responsibilities.

This book isn't perfect: I disagree with some of their views on gender polarity. Still, it deserves 5 stars merely because it stands so far above its competition. This volume will prove more useful to you than any of the silly fluffy-bunny trash which pollutes so many Newage bookstores today. It's Witchcraft as it was, as it could be, and as it should have been. You will appreciate our country within a country after you read this book. It is Real. No Neopagan should be without it.

I am a Welsh Witch but not a member of the Dynion Mwyn. I am a third degree, 71 years old and was initiated by an initiate of pat crowther many many years ago. I have studied quietly these many years and watched the Pagan community grow and fragment. But one thing I don't think I can tolerate, is the trashing and bashing of a Witch by those who are not, but pretend they are or by Welsh "Critics" who have an ignorance of the book they are criticizing. I met Rhuddlwm Gawr many years ago. I saw him to have a true spirit of The Craft, not like the money hungry pretenders of todays flash in the pan wicca. Gerald wanted us to band together and fight for our religion, not bash someone because its the latest thing to do or because we disagree with them. I have read all of Rhuddlwm's books over the years and have found them to be genus. Not that Rhuddlwm is a genus, but he was inspired by the Muse if anyone ever was. When I met him, he was a quiet unassuming writer who I am sure is saddened by the rubbish these welsh pretenders are heaping on him. In his early days I am sure he made mistakes in judgement, as we all have done, but in all my questioning of those I am familiar with who have trashed him, I have never gotten one concrete accusation from them. Ergo, a lot of wannabees will follow the leader like lemmings when it comes to "lets see who can say the worst about the victim." All of that said, I believe that this would be a great book for those just starting out in the study of Witchcraft. I also believe that Rhuddlwm's books aren't for someone who is trying to learn about Witchcraft mysteries by themselves. I think that it lacks definitions for some terms that a beginning Witch would not know without an explanation. But, I think that this could be a first book that could be read by someone interested in Welsh Witchcraft. Although it covers a wide range of subjects, it does so by telling a story to demonstrate their importance. The book is aimed towards someone who may have no familiarity with Witchcraft. I also believe that this would be great as a book for someone who has a teacher or has little experience. BUT, in general, I believe this is a wonderful book. I hope that all people interested in Welsh Witchcraft, would consider this book. And remember, always criticize authors politely and with constructive criticism, not "this is a terrible terrible book!" Hugely recommended.