The Path of Druidry: Walking the Ancient Green Way

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/Beligum), 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, was 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 aspecs 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".

Penny Billington has written a warm, accessible and wise book, based on her own extensive experience in Druidry and ritual magic. The emphasis here is on practical ways of being a Druid by doing what Druids do, and whenever necessary and appropriate, adapting the exercises she gives to one's own circumstances and capacities. Of course, no book can replace doing the work at hand, whether it's learning basic chords and fingerings as a guitarist, mastering the forms and patterns of a foreign language, or the art and science of breadmaking and brewing.But the author offers a great deal. As an active and longtime member of OBOD (the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids), and a student of the teaching of Dion Fortune (founder of Society for Inner Light, and one of the major figures in the authentic occult and magical tradition issuing from the U.K.), Billington draws on these streams, while shaping a coherent and profound entrance to Druidry. As she notes, you can walk the solitary path, or join a Druid organization. But making use of texts like this one can be a useful middle way. The book, as the author notes, is consciously in step with contemporary practice, annotated so that readers can check and verify sources for themselves, and brim-full of techniques and practices in keeping with the teachings of several modern Druid organizations. The emphasis is on finding one's own Druidry, not conforming to some arbitrary standard of ritual or someone else's "real" Druid ideal.Much has been made about how the specific practices and beliefs of ancient Druids are forever lost to us since they left no written records, and the references to Druids in the works of classical Greek and Roman authors are mostly based on secondhand accounts and sometimes markedly biased. But what such writers and speakers often forget is the surviving body of legend, myth, teaching and wisdom in Celtic literature. In each chapter, Billington includes an adaptation of a story from the Mabinogion, the Welsh collection of myth, legend and teaching which has wonderful relevance and serves as a storehouse of much Druid teaching. Sustained meditation on these stories will reveal much of use and value to the aspirant after a Druidry that is authentic simply because it is grounded in knowledge and practice.Billington also develops the idea of the three rays of knowledge, nature and devotion into a coherent and balanced teaching. I especially liked how, throughout the text, she raises at least as many questions as possible answers, and how in each chapter she points us toward finding our own answers, as a good teacher should. Finally, Billington's book is both orderly and spiraling, acknowledging that we return to the foundations, revisit the basics, at many different times in our journey, often to see them as new and fresh because it is we who have moved and changed and grown. Highly recommended.

I absolutely love this book. Penny has a way of making it seem as if you were walking along with her. The exercises are fun and illuminating. I’m an experienced Druid and have been practicing for many years, and found this helpful in bringing me back to what I love about this path. A novice will absolutely benefit from the wisdom and guidance here. Highly recommend.

A good introduction to modern Druidry. While not a comprehensive view, it provides you with the basics, as well as vital background info, that the reader will need to start understanding what modern druidry is about.

Bought used. Seeming this came from a public library. I'm not too offended. I would have rated this a five-star but inside this book I found a this mormon card. This is ridiculous. Overall the book is in decent shape.

This book played a major role in my path of Druid spirituality. Penny does an amazing job at storytelling, helping you to visualize, and the meditations really give you great ideas to work with so that you can eventually perform your own work that’s personal to you. I’ve had this book for quite a few months now and I am still reading it.

Thank you Penny . I listened to your interview on the radio with Clare Balding and I ‘found my tribe ‘ I have purchased 6 of this book for my nearest and dearest friends. My life bible 🙏🏽

The style and format of this book is just brilliant as it gives information and practical actions and ideas to try out in a relaxed and enabling way. As a reader new to all this I was hooked from the first page and couldn't wait to read more and have a go myself. The text is written in an open and encouraging style and, to my inexperienced mind, seems to encapsulate the very essence of Druidry.I can wholeheartedly recommend this book to anyone who is interested in learning about Druidry - and can honestly say it has fundamentally changed my understanding of what it means to be a Druid, and a lot more!

am really enjoying this book, and have bought both the book and the kindle version, for more serious study (i can highlight bits in the hard copy and get a better general overview, whereas the kindle i like for night-time reading.). i've already recommended this book to a friend, and am really glad i found it...

Am only a couple of chapters in, but am very impressed. The writing style is inclusive, welcoming and intelligent. It has relevant tips on incorporating your journey into everyday life. It does not pressure you into doing things, but like the journey it is encouraging you to follow, it allows you to pace yourself and pick the book up as and when you want to.The language is easy to follow and the explanations are detailed enough that you can follow them, yet not too simplistic.Am thoroughly enjoying this book.

A nice book but a bit of a heavy read