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heathermac51's review against another edition
4.0
Robert Lee (Skip) Ellison did a wonderful job of describing the modern Druidic Revival in his book, "The Solitary Druid: Walking the Path of Wisdom and Spirit."
Ellison starts the book with a history lesson on Celtic myth and directly into veneration of the Kindred (ancestors). Ellison gives a brief overview of a general consensus of what Druids believe on a variety of topics as to what is and isn't acceptable while giving examples of past indications. Of course, this is a history lesson as well as to what we believe the Druids were like with the minimal amount of mentions there are of Druids from history. As Ellison points out, much of what we know today is from people who quoted others or from enemies who had to fight them who had an agenda with what they wrote. So, the idea that we will ever really and truly know the Druids of the ancient days is never going to happen, but at least with so many comments in common, backed with archaeological evidence, there is plenty that is known for certain. Ellison presents these, with the sources, in this book as well.
Ellison covers all of the holidays and even certain things that happen in everyone's lives, such as the loss of a beloved pet. There is all of this and more with how to prepare for rituals, how to open and close the ritual, as well as giving poems and prayers that can be said for the intention behind the ritual. Also, what would a book about Druids be without mention of the Ogham, which Ellison also talks about in this book? He even gives A LOT of sources for all he wrote about with handy charts to say what each means with a bit on Runes as well.
This book was a collection of a lot of history and valuable resources. Many other Druidic orders were mentioned besides his ADF organization so that you could explore other avenues. It would be a great book for anyone interested in Druidry, the history of Druids and the Celtic people, as well as inspirational for prayers and veneration of Kindred and gods/goddesses alike. Did I agree with everything, no, but Ellison didn't put anything in the book that was opinionated that could be taken poorly, only a different belief, which was even more interesting to read about.
Ellison starts the book with a history lesson on Celtic myth and directly into veneration of the Kindred (ancestors). Ellison gives a brief overview of a general consensus of what Druids believe on a variety of topics as to what is and isn't acceptable while giving examples of past indications. Of course, this is a history lesson as well as to what we believe the Druids were like with the minimal amount of mentions there are of Druids from history. As Ellison points out, much of what we know today is from people who quoted others or from enemies who had to fight them who had an agenda with what they wrote. So, the idea that we will ever really and truly know the Druids of the ancient days is never going to happen, but at least with so many comments in common, backed with archaeological evidence, there is plenty that is known for certain. Ellison presents these, with the sources, in this book as well.
Ellison covers all of the holidays and even certain things that happen in everyone's lives, such as the loss of a beloved pet. There is all of this and more with how to prepare for rituals, how to open and close the ritual, as well as giving poems and prayers that can be said for the intention behind the ritual. Also, what would a book about Druids be without mention of the Ogham, which Ellison also talks about in this book? He even gives A LOT of sources for all he wrote about with handy charts to say what each means with a bit on Runes as well.
This book was a collection of a lot of history and valuable resources. Many other Druidic orders were mentioned besides his ADF organization so that you could explore other avenues. It would be a great book for anyone interested in Druidry, the history of Druids and the Celtic people, as well as inspirational for prayers and veneration of Kindred and gods/goddesses alike. Did I agree with everything, no, but Ellison didn't put anything in the book that was opinionated that could be taken poorly, only a different belief, which was even more interesting to read about.
oisin175's review
fast-paced
2.0
A useful resource for absolute beginners, but for anyone who has any experience in the pagan spaces this book is mostly just rehashing a lot of information and providing questionable facts. The heavy reliance and Kondratiev is disappointing considering his book is based around the idea of building Celtic rituals that honor cultures and language rather than deities or kindreds. His information is generally recognized as useful, having him as the sole source for so much "pagan" folklore is worrying. There are definitely better books for pagan practice and for anyone who has basic experience in writing solitary rituals the utility of this book sinks rapidly.
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