Listen to the call of spirit and seek truth in wild groves, the shifting seasons, and the beauty of the Old Ways. Discover how to embark on this sacred green path and enrich your life with its ancient wisdom. Practicing Druid Penny Billington offers a clear and structured course of study grounded in Celtic history and mythology, and highlights the mysteries and modern practice of this nature-based tradition. Each chapter begins with an evocative visualization and captivating Welsh mythic tales from the Mabinogion are woven throughout, introducing lessons and key concepts. A series of hands-on exercises will help you internalize these truths, develop a spiritual awareness rooted in nature, build a relationship with the multi-dimensional world, and ultimately adopt a druidic worldview to guide you in everyday life. From joining a druidic community to starting out as a solitary practitioner, this unique spiritual guide offers advice on everything you need to know about practicing Druidry today. "I loved this rich and intuitive approach to the study of modern Druidry. Penny's book is full of wisdom and insight. The comprehensive course is accompanied by beautiful visualizations and carefully crafted inspirational exercises."―Barbara Erskine, bestselling author of Lady of Hay
While I'm sure this book contains valuable and accurate information (I'm a beginner so I honestly can't do more than judge from the other comments on that part), I found it to be rather...preachy. And not in a good way.
There were several paths where the author mentions things such as what your home should look like, how you should dress to be invisible and whatnot, and I don't agree with that being relevant to a spiritual path at all. Maybe it's important if you're specifically becoming a nun or something of the sorts, but I know plenty of druids who lead completely normal lives, and who have completely normal looking homes.
I guess I simply don't agree that the way I look in any way dictates what's going on in my brain, spirituality is an inner path, not a superficial one. It frustrates me that a book with such good ratings annoyed me that much. Then again, I also realised while reading the other comments, that this book is written by a member of the OBOD, which explains a lot of what I mentioned above.
Useful, practical and certainly an asset. For the money and time invested, the information is useful and the author's tone is certainly friendly and inviting, but the more I read, the more I found the emphasis on gender and gender roles to be boring, heteronormative, and at times a bit sexist and close minded to the point where it was distracting rather than immersive. I get a lot of pagan texts tend to have this sort of mindset but I think it's worth challenging. I find a lot of these books assume everyone reading is straight and cis and adheres to archaic gender dogmas. It makes the subject seem less approachable, exclusive even. I don't for a second think the author does this on purpose, but it reads that way, and a friend I lended the book to had also reported similar feelings.
This is a critically acclaimed book among Druidry circles. I can see why, in some ways, and I think for many people it is a useful book to promote deep and engaged study. I think it raises some interesting points, gave me some things to put down in my workbook, and its explanation of Celtic myths, along with their useful breakdowns, is very valuable. My major critique re: this book, is as a disabled person from Australia:
Like many (most) Druidic material, it suffers from forgetting that disabled people, and people with chronic illnesses exist in the world, and that many of them - indeed so many there's a Serious Ilnesses + OBOD group online - cannot do daily walks, and daily praxis, in the way that Billington INSISTS you do. There is absolutely no sense of forgiveness towards frail or sick bodies, there's not even an awareness they exist.
I - like many tens of thousands of other pagans - am too sick for daily praxis in the way advised in this book. I've noticed Druidry, more than other pagan groups, seems to forget disabled people exist. If you are a sick person, you may find yourself excluded in this book. Of course you can pick and choose whatever is useful to you (though the book strongly recommends, repeatedly, against doing this).
DNF at 31%. It is rare for me to not finish a book like this; however, I just couldn't get through this one. I will certainly seek out another book on Druidry (this was my first) but I will not be finishing this. There were some things I really liked in here -- some mediation ideas and practical suggestions I did really appreciate. However, this book had several major issues for me that I just could not get past. One is ableism -- the author presumes that the only reason that one might not be able to, say, take walks every day is that they feel too busy or work long hours. Some of the strongly emphasized daily practices in here are simply not feasible for many folks, including myself, and there is no acknowledgment of that, no suggestion of alternatives, and no affirmation that not being able to take walks every day is okay. The second is completely uncritical use of the 'g' word to refer to Romani people. This is neither necessary in this book (it is in a totally uncited remark about a 'past belief' that is really out of nowhere) nor even remotely acceptable given that it is a slur. The third issue is the pervasive, almost aggressive insistence on the Western gender binary. I feel like this is one of the most gender stereotypical and heteronormative books I've encountered, and that's saying a lot. The focus on imposing gender constructs onto the landscape, celestial bodies, and elements as though they are given in the things themselves (rather than cultural ideas which are neither timeless nor universal) was both pervasive and distracting. I will certainly return to some of the practices shared in this book, but this is definitely not the one for me.
An excellent introduction to Druidry/Druidism for anyone interested. The author is affiliated with OBOD (Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids) and not with NARD (North American Reformed Druids), so the book obviously reflects her affiliation. Regardless, the information she includes is on point concerning modern Druids and the differences between their practices and those of the ancient Druids, those of other pagan & neo-pagan religions, and those of the religions that most of us regard as "mainstream."
2.5 Terribly bothered by the Greek-Roman element ideas. Where are the three realms, sea, sky and land? And a druid must be invisible? So anyone who wishes to express his/herself can't be one? Why is this even important? I have many more questions.
This isn't a horrible book, but not quite right. I don't like the inaccuracies, nor this "you should look like this and that to be a druid" . Very inaccurate, more new age than close to the celtic reconstructionism.
I'll admit I didn't agree with everything she said, I'm with the Reformed Druids of North America and not with Order of Bard, Ovates and Druids where she is from. Yet, I found this to be helpful, pack with great info and tips too.
This is a fantastic book full of information and lessons to help the reader understand Druidry from a daily and practical level. Its not designed to be read through like a novel - which is the way I read it. So, I will be spending a second time through, taking each of the chapters very slowly and handling each lesson as intended. This is a very well thought out and extremely well written book. If you're interested in Druidry from a practical application perspective - I would suggest to start here with Penny's book.
This is a wonderful book, it's taken me ages to get through simply because it's full of practical exercises and I bought it at the same time as beginning my Bardic Grade studies with OBOD. In the end I decided to give my whole attention to the weekly gwers and as such will probably return to this book at a later date.
DNF. I don't find myself wanting to pick this up and continue and it took me over 2 months to get 50 pages in. I don't really connect w/ the author's voice at all and if I'd known she's affiliated with OBOD I probably would have skipped this entirely as I tried out their podcast and didn't like it either. And who knows, maybe this just isn't the path for me.
"Druidry is not an escape. It is a deepening of our involvement in life."
I read this book based on the recommendation of Dani Lang's Esoteric Moment video book reviews on YouTube. She recommended it in a few videos so I figured it was a good intro book.
I've been drawn to this path, but I really wasn't sure if it was right for me as an atheist. Having read this book, listened to the DruidCast podcast, and watched a lot of Tea with a Druid and Dani Lang videos, I'm moving on to additional research and coursework with OBOD. It's definitely appealing. I like the idea of crafting the path that feels right to me. Leaving what doesn't work and keeping the rest. One doesn't have to dress a certain way, be a certain gender (or any gender, though there is a lot of the usual Pagan God/Goddess gendering if that bothers you - she points out how the sun & moon have different gender identities in different religions so I think you can pretty much use whatever speaks to you most), use magic, or believe in deity.
Nature appreciation, pursuit of knowledge and skills, deepening one's self-insight, and service to others seem to be a common thread with people on this path. The book says not to call yourself a druid if you intend to use magic to harm others or perform sacrifices which I can definitely get behind.
There is a huge amount of Celtic mythology strewn through the book in every chapter. Soooo much Welsh (there's a glossary). The reader is also encouraged to research the mythology of their ancestors and the indigenous people of wherever they live.
There are also brief meditations and invitations to take a break and think about what you're reading.
"So that's why we walk each day. Without doing the practical work, without ever going out into the land, we will never 'get it' - even if there are a thousand books on Druidry on your bookshelves."
I do really like that right at the beginning she's telling you to start going outside because that's pretty much what this whole path is about. It's also probably the hardest part for me during the winter with 3 small kids.
I bought this in Kindle, paperback, and Audible formats and I intend to re-read it at least a few more times.
I think there are a variety of people tht can enjoy this book. If you're a Celtic history nerd or someone of Celtic ancestory, looking to learn how an ancient religion and culture translates to modern times or someone exploring different spiritual or religious paths. The book does a great job of appealing to both.
A perfect book to learn more about modern day druidry and put it into practice as well. Billington has some lovely exercises in the book to help you on your way. Even if you're not that interested in druidry, but have a general spiritual interest, this book will fascinate you.
In current druidic recreations there are constant reminders that the historical information presented by the Romans is often times biased. While there is truth to this, it has lead to many present druids forming their own biasness against the Romans.
This seems to be very present in this book, as the author cites many Roman sources from a historical inaccurate, and ultimately biased side. She sites Julius Caesar's writings as trying to change the beliefs of those in the British Isles. However, the source she cites is from the Commentarii De Bello Gallico. Gallico, being Gaul (modern day France/Belgium), and the writings being his account of his travels around the landscape while leading the Roman Legions during the Gaulic Wars. Although he did launch two campaigns into the British Isles, which he references in his writings, ultimate comparisons of deities was more oriented to those encountered in Gaul.
It should also be mentioned that Rome did not often try to overthrow the gods of regions. The Romans envisioned deities as being certain beings that may go by different names in different areas. Thereby calling Lugh by the Roman name Mercury is not to devalue the God in the area. Rather, the god as presented to the Romans had many similarities to the god they knew as Mercury, so they used their name for him. If the Romans encountered a deity they did not have represented in their pantheon, often they would adopt that deity. See the cult of Isis, Mithras, etc. In fact, the Romans were very fearful of the divine. Before attacking Carthage, the entire army prayed to the Carthegenian deities asking for their blessing, in so far that even though they are attacking, to they do not wish to anger the local deities.
Another instance is describing the Medusa-like depiction of a goddess present at the British town of Bath, and how it must be a sinister goddess. The Goddess is Minerva (see Greek Athena), anything but sinister. The curses she cites being present in the area is true, but not related to Minerva. In Roman practice, curses were dedicated to gods of the underworld and left in dark places, a symbol of the underworld. Cracks in stone, thrown in caves, sunk to the bottom of lakes. The curses are not necessarily done in the name of a god/dess that may be featured there, rather because it had a feature that was dark, a feature that might be a gateway to the underworld.
However, since Rome conquered the celtic lands, many recreationist groups have this certain antagonism towards the culture. Some certainly merited, some taken a little out of hand.
As someone who has extensively studied Roman culture from previous curiosities, it then creates a problem for me. Whether other information present in the book that I'm not as well versed in is factual, or if there may be bias presented in those sections as well.
The meat of the book does contain very good information, but it is very slow to get going. It is constantly recommended as one of the better books to get started in learning about Druidism from a modern approach. But the first 1/3rd of the book is presented as more hypothetical. Daily walks of inner reflection. But what is the reader reflecting on? What were the druids? What did they do? Little anecdotes are presented, but far from in informative approach. The book also stresses for the reader to take their time. Often recommending taking a few weeks of continuing your walks before proceeding to the next chapter.
If someone was, such as I, looking for a book to get a basis on what a druidic "faith" might be. A down and dirty reading of: what we know, how we interpret it, what they did, important aspects of daily function/ritual, etc. This book would be a poor choice. After weeks of reading guidelines, practicing what the book asks you to (mostly walking and reflecting), when the information is finally presented you might find it doesn't resonate at all.
The author cites magical intent of the rays, seasons, elements. With no clear idea what the "magic" is, or how it is practiced, how you might practice it. Personally, I'm not interested in the "magical" aspects, yet. However, others might be, and all they will see are references, with no guidelines on "doing".
It's a very slow burn book, focused more on inner reflection and getting to a certain state of mind, than an actual book on practice and "doings".
The Path of Druidry was all over the place as far as a book, some parts were very intriguing and others overtly whimsical. Lots of references to the book, The Mabinogion, of ancient tales and myths. Lots of reference to King Arthur and Merlin. Lots of references to connecting both to the druids. Historical facts were touched here and there. Some times talking about Roman writing which was the first to mention the druids. These were the intriguing pieces of the book. There was also a spiritual, magical and oneness with nature aspect of the book. The author was a self proclaimed Druid and much of the book was geared toward someone looking to become a Druid. A Druid is apparently one with the world be it nature, spiritual and community responsibility. The Druid path is one of self-direction and self-worth looking for peace with their fellow man and nature. Some of the whimsical parts were giving trees things such as a gender, giving them attributes of strength or weakness, giving them personalities. There were lots of odd, peculiar, nature rituals that were in good nature. But I would have a hard time considering them as a daily part of anyone’s activities. A breathing exercise while imagining birds flying and singing that aren’t there seems a little ludicrous. Where the sidewalk ends and the park’s grass starts isn’t a magical doorway to a land filled with elves and talking trees. These are all interesting ideas to increase your oneness with mythology and creativity but fail as a guide anyone should be following as a spiritual awakening. All in all, the book was interesting with some awkwardness but moves me to another book that as t was more of what I was looking for out of this one, The Mabinogion, but a book thst fit the title well.
This was an unusual read. Despite not being a Druid of any kind myself, it was interesting to see how modern Druids see their religion.
I enjoyed the more pratical side of things with respect to being in touch with the natural world. Some of the exercises to help a person relate to nature were really good. In my own religious thinking I suspect I am more of a religious naturalist (someone who sees the world as entirely natural and finds their spirtual needs met in nature).
However I found myself fairly incredulous of the ideas about "working with [certain] energies" which just seemed a bit meaningless to me from a scientific point of view. I strugged quite a lot with this and ended up substituting the phrase "feelings about" for the phrase "energy of" and the whole thing made a lot more sense.
Anyway, it was an interesting read and went into significant detail despite the huge lack of historical source material on druidism. I feel that this book really represents a new religion based necessarily loosely on the Druids of history. In days of climate change and huge human populations maybe thinking in more of a druidic way might benefit us all?
I was not expecting this book to be as good as it was or cover the topics that it did. I was originally looking for a book that covered druidry, and this was one of the only books my library had to offer. I expected to put down this book soon after starting, as I thought this would be a book more about modern wicca-like ideas than anything else. However, interwoven between the chapters is an explanation of ancient Welsh mythology and stories- a great primer for the topic. So many new characters and folk beliefs were introduced to me in this book, I'm so happy to have stumbled upon it. While the more spiritual aspects of this novel weren't necessarily to my tastes, it was easy to keep going because of the great writing and rich history explained in it. Though, this book did confirm what I already knew- unfortunately there just isn't much historical knowledge on druids, not very much information at all. 😭
3.5-4 stars This is a very long introduction and journal type book delving into what it means to be a druid. It was very informative (almost too much information for me). Each section ended with a meditation and journaling exercise which was very handy. This isn't a book to sit down and read through in one sitting. Its meant to be spread out over the course of the 14 chapters with time to do each exercise in between the chapters. It left me with mixed feelings about the druid path. I wasn't sure aware of the extent that King Arthur's legend was related to Druidry. It was a bit offputting for me. It is hard to explain. I still very much connected to quite a bit of what I listened to. So maybe I need to look at some other sources to see how I feel.
A good, practical textbook for those new to Druidry and wishing to pursue their own course of study. This is the most comprehensive of the Druidry introductory books I've come across. I wasn't entirely convinced by the use of the Mabinogion, and I felt the author was addressing a very particular demographic that I didn't fit in to. The Druidry presented here is quite a conservative, status quo spirituality - at a number of points the reader is told not to stand out and to fit in with wider society. Still worth a read.
Penny's book is an awesome guide to getting started with Druidry. I read the book in full first as I found the stopping and starting to do the study breaks a little disruptive. I've enjoyed the main content of the book and look forward to revisiting all the study sections as and when in my own time. Would highly recommend.
Too much referencing Iolo Morganwg. Also, as time went on and I took more classes/read books by Lora O'Brien, Morgan Daimler, and Orlagh Costello, I lost interest in the modern druid movements and prefer learning from native (non-revival) celtic sources. It's not a bad book, it's just not my thing anymore.
A great introduction to what it means to be a Druid. It has exercises and meditations. It also incorporates some myths or folk stories that I feel were not well tied in to the content of each chapter. I enjoyed both but felt the folk stories deserved their own separate chapters.
Great for beginners. Has lots of information but is kind of redundant and doesn't provide a lot of new information if you have read a lot of books on druidry. Writing is clear and concise.
Overall good, covers a lot of Welsh mythology which is interesting & gives some good solid practices to get you started. Just didn't really speak to me though.