OBEs from Celtic perspective: sugg reading list

[James S]

Thank you for this list Tisha. I'll start keeping my eyes out for them, especially
Fire in the Head, this one sounds particularly interesting.

As you've so correctly pointed out "whichcrap" books are so prolific, and do a roaring trade especially in the various new age shops. Australia has one very prominent witch - Fiona Horne, who I believe is currently residing in the US. You can't go past the metaphysical section of a bookstore without seeing her face plastered over half the books, right beside all the books on charms & curses. She's quite a good singer, she used to front an Aussie band called Def FX which helped here gain media recognition. Trouble is, though she has a reasonable knowledge of wicca, her books are aimed mostly towards the teen witch, cyber-witchcraft market. Lots of spells & incantations! Oh Goody!!

James S

- You don't choose the belief, the belief chooses you!

[WalkerInTheWoods]

Thank you for the list. I will try to pick one up soon. So many books, so little time.

[Tisha]

Hello!  

For those of you who are interested in celtic shamanism, the following books might give you a "language" with which to frame your OBE experiences. What distinguishes the shaman from other magical practitioners is the ability of the shaman to leave his/her body (i.e., OBE) for the purpose of serving the community.  

I'm listing these books in the order of my preference:

Fire in the Head:  Shamanism and the Celtic Spirit, by Tom Cowan(1993).  I think I liked this book the best.  It covers everything, from ancient origins, to characteristics of the shamanistic experience, all from a Celtic perspective. Discussed are issues such as the Otherworld, divination, soul journeys, soul retrieval, spiritual guides, "fairies," truthtelling, and  the shaman's roles of psychomomp, therapist, minstrel, doctor, priest, etc. etc.  If can pick only one book from this list, pick this one.

The Silver Bough, by F. Marian McNeill (1956).  This qualifies as a "classic."  It is a four volume series, hard to find, but if you do find it, grab it!  It is a study of Scottish folklore, and reveals much about the Celtic person that is "different" from other Europeans, esp. in light of attitudes toward the supernatural.  This book gives a good picture of what life was really like in northern europe during a time when OBEs (and other phenomena) were taken for granted.    

Celtic Sacred Landscapes, by Nigel Pennick (1996).  Mr. Pennick is a well-known authority on N. Euro sacred traditions.  This book covers the inner and outer landscapes of the Celts:  Trees, stones, spring/wells, holy mountains, caves, islands, labryinths, etc.  These landscapes were used by celtic shamans to "journey" into other Worlds.  So, if you are tired of just lying in bed and meditating, and want to add some culture and whimsy to your day-to-day OBE practices, this is the book.

FOR MERLIN LOVERS ONLY:  There is a lot of crap out there on Merlin, because he's such a compelling character, people just can't seem to leave him alone.  But here are two books on Merlin that are worth reading:

Merlin: Priest of Nature, by Jean Markale (1995).  This is the English translation of the 1981 Merlin l'Enchanteur This guy has written 40 books on Celtic civilization and pre-Christian societies.  

The Quest for Merlin, by Nikolai Tolstoy (1985).  Yeah, this is the son of Leo.  Anyway, this is well-researched, authoritative volume.


OKAY!  That should get you going, if you are interested.  There are other books that I have on Celtic Shamanism, but I haven't read them yet, so I can't recommend them . . . yet.  Once I will do, I will add them to this list.

HAPPY READING!


Tisha

"As Above, So Below"