The Sacred World of the Celts: An Illustrated Guide to Celtic Spirituality and Mythology

by Nigel Pennick

The Sacred World of the Celts is a comprehensive and richly illustrated examination of ancient Celtic traditions and their continuity and relevance to the present day. 

Celtic language and legend were largely passed down through the monks of Ireland and Wales and consequently were "christianized." In turn, these renditions were subject to the interpretations of various "Celtic" revivalists that further concealed the true nature of the Celtic world. Nigel Pennick pushes back these disfiguring overlays and restores to us the primordial Celtic tradition, one which interweaves the spirit into all aspects of daily life. 

Examines all aspects of Celtic life, including myth, the status of women, and the bardic tradition. 

Book of the Month Club Featured Alternate Selection 

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Mythology, Religion

144 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1997

About the author

Nigel Campbell Pennick, born 1946 in Guildford, Surrey, England in the United Kingdom, an author publishing on occultism, magic, natural magic, divination, subterranea, rural folk customs, traditional performance and Celtic art as well as runosophy.
He is a writer on marine species as well as an occultist and geomancer, artist and illustrator, stained-glass designer and maker, musician and mummer. He also writes on European arts and crafts, buildings, landscape, customs, games and spiritual traditions. He has written several booklets on the history of urban transport in Cambridge and London . He is best known for his research on geomancy, labyrinths, sacred geometry, the spiritual arts and crafts, esoteric alphabets and Germanic runic studies.
He has written many books in German and has over 50 published books and hundreds of published papers on a wide range of subjects.

Reviews

[Katie · Rating 5 out of 5]

It is a nice history book.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am reading books about Celtic culture because I am looking for Celtic mythology stories. That hasn’t been too easy to find so I may have to get my hands on The Mabinogion. (Most likely a difficult read.)

There was some information on Celtic mythology in this book, but I didn’t find the lack of mythology disappointing because the history is fascinating. I was engaged and interested. If you have a fair amount of knowledge about historic Celtic customs, this maybe too basic, but if you are just learning, like me, it’s a great way to begin.

[Annie Payne · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really hate writing negative reviews. If I was able to read a book to its completion, then it wasn't terrible. However, I thought this book went on and on about some things for far too long while teasing about more appealing aspects of the Celtic culture without giving enough details and information for those areas. With all of that said, I was able to finish the book, but I probably would not recommend it to others, and I definitely wouldn't reread it.

[Bern · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book very much. An older book and a definite “Celtic 101” quick run down but some good information and shows the meld of pagan ways into Christianity and a resurgence of appreciation of the actual nature of The Old Ways.

[Joan]

I’m not gonna rate this because I have no academic basis of knowing how accurate or inaccurate it was. But it was an interesting overview of Celtic history. Although kinda disappointing to see there was no bibliography at the end (except for pictures).

[Salem S · Rating 3 out of 5]

Focuses pretty heavily on the post-christianization of the Celtic regions. I was hoping for a bit more old world religion in the sections about it. Overall a good and informative read, though.

[R.M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Liked it and the pictures!

[Audra · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference book