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The Druidry Handbook: Spiritual Practice Rooted in the Living Earth
A living tradition of nature spirituality rooted in Celtic antiquity and revived to meet the challenges of contemporary life, Druidry offers people a path of harmony through reconnection with the green Earth. The Druidry Handbook is the first handson manual of traditional British Druid practice that explores the Sun Path of seasonal celebration, the Moon Path of meditation, and the Earth Path of living in harmony with nature as tools for crafting an earthhonoring life here and now. From ritual and meditation to nature awareness and ecological action, John Michael Greer opens the door to a spirituality rooted in the living Earth.
Featuring a mix of philosophy, rituals, spiritual practice, and lifestyle issues, The Druidry Handbook is onestop shopping for those seriously interested in practicing a traditional form of Druidry. It offers equal value to eclectics and solitary practitioners eager to incorporate more earthspirituality into their own belief system/ it also appeals to the merely curious.
Featuring a mix of philosophy, rituals, spiritual practice, and lifestyle issues, The Druidry Handbook is onestop shopping for those seriously interested in practicing a traditional form of Druidry. It offers equal value to eclectics and solitary practitioners eager to incorporate more earthspirituality into their own belief system/ it also appeals to the merely curious.
272 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2006
269 people are currently reading
2115 people want to read
About the author
John Michael Greer
215 books517 followersJohn Michael Greer is an author of over thirty books and the blogger behind The Archdruid Report. He served as Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America. His work addresses a range of subjects, including climate change, peak oil, the future of industrial society, and the occult. He also writes science fiction and fantasy. He lives in Rhode Island with his wife.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 81 reviews
March 14, 2012
I came to this book with a certain amount of cheerful skepticism - which is how I approach religion in general - and was pleasantly surprised. I'm not sure it's possible for a book to explain a religion while being *less* dogmatic about it, and the history was interesting and presented with no attempt to hide flaws or controversy or claim any sort of divine revelation. In fact, the whole book was basically "here are some things that we find useful, and some variations that also seem to work for people, your mileage may vary."
While I may never be able to take "ritual magic" totally seriously, it's nice to find practitioners who don't really seem to either, and in addition to the history and basic lore I found the discussion of meditation particularly interesting, and the outline of a druid candidate's first year of study seemed sensible, interesting, and useful. If nothing else, this book has pointed me in the direction of an interesting writer whose blog I will definitely be investigating.
While I may never be able to take "ritual magic" totally seriously, it's nice to find practitioners who don't really seem to either, and in addition to the history and basic lore I found the discussion of meditation particularly interesting, and the outline of a druid candidate's first year of study seemed sensible, interesting, and useful. If nothing else, this book has pointed me in the direction of an interesting writer whose blog I will definitely be investigating.
December 2, 2021
I read this book as part of my long self-education in religion and mythology. Modern Druidry is a really fascinating subset of Neopaganism that focuses on respect towards nature and personal contemplation, with rituals, symbols, and myths reaching back into ancient Celtic culture.
As an atheist studying religion, I like being able to snatch little nuggets from different faith traditions if I find them useful. For example, I loved much of the advise here for gaining a better connection with nature. And as someone who already has a daily meditation practice, I tried out some of the Druidry-specific meditation techniques, because why not.
That being said, there were some parts of this book that I found frustrating and eye-roll-inducing. For someone who allegedly cares deeply about the Earth and its environment, this author proved to be ignorant of important, evidence-based issues around environmentalism (he speaks against nuclear energy, for example, which just drove me up the wall).
And of course, Druidry as Greer presents it is ripe with all sorts of magical thinking nonsense, which is normal for most religions, but I somehow found myself especially annoyed with it here. I think it's because of Greer's strange justification for it all; he talks about how "modern materialism" is "barren," "nihilistic," and "meaningless." Here's a longer quote:
"Founded on a materialism that was just as dogmatic and rigid as the religions it opposed, the new vision of a clockwork universe set in motion by an absentee god threatened to empty the world of meaning and make humanity lose touch with its own spiritual possibilities. Reduce the cosmos to lifeless atoms colliding in a void, insightful people had already realized, and every human and spiritual value gives way to a universe ruled by blind necessity and brute force." (page 15, emphasis mine)
He then of course presents Druidry, a mystical tradition that believes in things like magic and "Earth energies," as an alternative to people who "couldn't stomach either the rigid dogmatism of organized Christianity or the equally rigid nihilism of emerging modern science."
I just............ LOOK. THERE IS NOTHING INHERENTLY RIGID, NIHILISTIC, OR MEANINGLESS ABOUT A SCIENCE-BASED WORLDVIEW!
I'm genuinely baffled... how do you write something like that and not develop cognitive dissonance? Do people not hear themselves when they say this sort of thing? You find an evidence-based view of the world boring or uninspiring so you... what? Embrace one not based on evidence?! How does that work, cognitively?
More importantly, it's just not true! How can you say a science-based view of the world is uninspiring? I'm tempted to think people who say this have not fully lived. Have you never sat under a full night sky and marveled at ancient light reaching you over eons of time? Have you never pursued a goal you cared about? Helped someone less fortunate than you?
The world — the REAL world — is full of wonder, beauty, and possibility. You don't need to embrace a worldview of magic or mysticism to find meaning, fulfillment, and awe in your day-to-day life. I can confirm that personally.
Anyway, my major frustrations aside, it was really interesting reading this and learning more about a lesser-known spiritual tradition.
As an atheist studying religion, I like being able to snatch little nuggets from different faith traditions if I find them useful. For example, I loved much of the advise here for gaining a better connection with nature. And as someone who already has a daily meditation practice, I tried out some of the Druidry-specific meditation techniques, because why not.
That being said, there were some parts of this book that I found frustrating and eye-roll-inducing. For someone who allegedly cares deeply about the Earth and its environment, this author proved to be ignorant of important, evidence-based issues around environmentalism (he speaks against nuclear energy, for example, which just drove me up the wall).
And of course, Druidry as Greer presents it is ripe with all sorts of magical thinking nonsense, which is normal for most religions, but I somehow found myself especially annoyed with it here. I think it's because of Greer's strange justification for it all; he talks about how "modern materialism" is "barren," "nihilistic," and "meaningless." Here's a longer quote:
"Founded on a materialism that was just as dogmatic and rigid as the religions it opposed, the new vision of a clockwork universe set in motion by an absentee god threatened to empty the world of meaning and make humanity lose touch with its own spiritual possibilities. Reduce the cosmos to lifeless atoms colliding in a void, insightful people had already realized, and every human and spiritual value gives way to a universe ruled by blind necessity and brute force." (page 15, emphasis mine)
He then of course presents Druidry, a mystical tradition that believes in things like magic and "Earth energies," as an alternative to people who "couldn't stomach either the rigid dogmatism of organized Christianity or the equally rigid nihilism of emerging modern science."
I just............ LOOK. THERE IS NOTHING INHERENTLY RIGID, NIHILISTIC, OR MEANINGLESS ABOUT A SCIENCE-BASED WORLDVIEW!
I'm genuinely baffled... how do you write something like that and not develop cognitive dissonance? Do people not hear themselves when they say this sort of thing? You find an evidence-based view of the world boring or uninspiring so you... what? Embrace one not based on evidence?! How does that work, cognitively?
More importantly, it's just not true! How can you say a science-based view of the world is uninspiring? I'm tempted to think people who say this have not fully lived. Have you never sat under a full night sky and marveled at ancient light reaching you over eons of time? Have you never pursued a goal you cared about? Helped someone less fortunate than you?
The world — the REAL world — is full of wonder, beauty, and possibility. You don't need to embrace a worldview of magic or mysticism to find meaning, fulfillment, and awe in your day-to-day life. I can confirm that personally.
Anyway, my major frustrations aside, it was really interesting reading this and learning more about a lesser-known spiritual tradition.
Read
April 27, 2025There is so much that I appreciate about Greer's Druidry Handbook: Spiritual Practice Rooted in the Living Earth, which is the handbook for the first degree studies in the AODA. There is plenty of material in this book to get a new druidry practitioner started, but I believe an experienced druid practitioner would also find this text valuable. The text includes discussion of Druid history (particularly the Druid revival and the emergence of contemporary Revival Druidry) as well as a section on central concepts to Druidry (including symbols, myths, elements, the eightfold year, and Oghams). The last large section is dedicated to the first degree curriculum for AODA, with a full chapter on each of the three paths (the earth path of giving more and taking less from the earth, the sun path of celebrating seasonal holidays, and the moon path of meditation), a small section on the structure of the AODA as an organization, and the entirety of the first degree curriculum requirements (NOTE: this is outdated and no longer AODA's curriculum; their curriculum is on their website). Greer provides thorough annotated bibliographies for each book section, leaving the reader with plenty of suggestions for further reading with clear explanations of why each book is recommended, as well as a complete bibliography of sources (which is happens far too infrequently in many spirituality-related texts published these days). The text presents a vision of Druidry that is welcoming, inclusive, non-dogmatic, and adaptable to any practitioner's needs.
I will mention here that like some other reviewers, I do wholeheartedly disagree with Greer on a number of issues including, particularly, the idea that environmentalism can come down to individual lifestyle changes and be sufficient -- he really does not see much, if any, room for collective action here, and many of the proposed lifestyle changes presume that a practitioner has disposable income and the ability to access things like robust public transit networks which are, in many cases, the results of precisely the kinds of collective activism he dismisses. Additionally, some passages reinforce a binarist conception of sex (see discussion of telluric/solar currents) that suggest essentialist thinking.
Greer's tone throughout the book is one of offering suggestions, not insisting that the reader reproduce his path as their own, and encouraging finding one's own way. Similarly, his approach to ritual (he includes seasonal rituals of his own design) is not necessarily one that perfectly fits my path; however, he notes that one can practice Druidry rituals found elsewhere, modify his, create one's own -- whatever works -- and encourages engaging in rituals that you find meaningful, personally relevant, and accessible.
I will mention here that like some other reviewers, I do wholeheartedly disagree with Greer on a number of issues including, particularly, the idea that environmentalism can come down to individual lifestyle changes and be sufficient -- he really does not see much, if any, room for collective action here, and many of the proposed lifestyle changes presume that a practitioner has disposable income and the ability to access things like robust public transit networks which are, in many cases, the results of precisely the kinds of collective activism he dismisses. Additionally, some passages reinforce a binarist conception of sex (see discussion of telluric/solar currents) that suggest essentialist thinking.
Greer's tone throughout the book is one of offering suggestions, not insisting that the reader reproduce his path as their own, and encouraging finding one's own way. Similarly, his approach to ritual (he includes seasonal rituals of his own design) is not necessarily one that perfectly fits my path; however, he notes that one can practice Druidry rituals found elsewhere, modify his, create one's own -- whatever works -- and encourages engaging in rituals that you find meaningful, personally relevant, and accessible.
January 17, 2019
Like many who come to this book, I know John Michael Greer for his Hermetic and general audience political writings. I was aware that he was the AODA's archdruid as well as having an affiliation with ADF, an more explicitly reconstructionist polytheist group. Greer admits that revival Druidry is largely inspired by Masonic, Hermetic, and Victorian romantic revivalist lore and is ecumenical in his approach here. Most of the "Celtic" references are Welsh and there is no theological commitment explicitly made the practice. Greer admits that these roots are early modern and not ancient, and while this will displease some, it is also more honest than some claims to the traditional relationship to Druidry.
Like many, I find much of the ritual magic here to be anachronistic to Druidry, although Greer admits this, and just beyond my use of ritual practices. The historical part of the book, which is the first section, was refreshing modest its claims and did accurate the origins interesting, although if you are primarily interested in this aspect of the book, Ronald Hutton's books on Druids are much more detailed. The second part deals with the triads and paths, largely related to the curriculum of the AODA. I admit I do find AODA's take on meditation interesting if mostly speculative.
While the most useful to Druidry revitalists in the AODA and OBOD--Celtic Reconstructions and even the ADF druids may not find this as usual--even an outsider to the world like myself can find nuggets of wisdom and use here.
Like many, I find much of the ritual magic here to be anachronistic to Druidry, although Greer admits this, and just beyond my use of ritual practices. The historical part of the book, which is the first section, was refreshing modest its claims and did accurate the origins interesting, although if you are primarily interested in this aspect of the book, Ronald Hutton's books on Druids are much more detailed. The second part deals with the triads and paths, largely related to the curriculum of the AODA. I admit I do find AODA's take on meditation interesting if mostly speculative.
While the most useful to Druidry revitalists in the AODA and OBOD--Celtic Reconstructions and even the ADF druids may not find this as usual--even an outsider to the world like myself can find nuggets of wisdom and use here.
April 29, 2013
As one reviewer here at Good Reads noted - its an introductory primer to the course for AODA. I didn't find it especially interesting. In fact, I found Penny Billington's book "The Path of Druidry" to be far more useful and informative for me. I'm quite sure that there will be those who completely disagree (aren't there always folks who will disagree with whatever perspective that you write in a review?), and those who will absolutely love this work. I'm just not one of those folks.
April 15, 2008
The Druidry Handbook is a beginner's text for those interested in finding out more about Druidry (past and present) as well as those individuals who think they might want to become a Druid, either as a solitary or part of an organized study group. This book is divided into three parts.
Part one looks at the history of Druidry. I was quite impressed with this section as the author was not intimidated to discuss the lack of substantial resources about the Druids of ancient times nor did the author shy away from discussing the complexities associated with the Revival Druidry period. I was also pleased that the author looked to the Celtic myths for answers as many scholars tend to ignore these important resources completely.
Part two and three of this book look at specific aspects of Druidry. Part two introduces the reader to basic concepts such as the importance of triads in this belief system. Part three goes into more detail on general Druidic beliefs including a very good explanation of proposed calendar cycles and their associated ceremonies. The author also includes a very well thought out initiate program for those wanting to try on the Druid lifestyle.
Part one looks at the history of Druidry. I was quite impressed with this section as the author was not intimidated to discuss the lack of substantial resources about the Druids of ancient times nor did the author shy away from discussing the complexities associated with the Revival Druidry period. I was also pleased that the author looked to the Celtic myths for answers as many scholars tend to ignore these important resources completely.
Part two and three of this book look at specific aspects of Druidry. Part two introduces the reader to basic concepts such as the importance of triads in this belief system. Part three goes into more detail on general Druidic beliefs including a very good explanation of proposed calendar cycles and their associated ceremonies. The author also includes a very well thought out initiate program for those wanting to try on the Druid lifestyle.
November 21, 2020
I'm not a huge fan of the druid revival, that strain of counter culture spirituality that grew up in Britain alongside Gerald Gardner's Wicca. And yet. Though some of the details of the lore miss me as a target audience, the overall organization and clear presentation, win me over. The details can be swapped out, but the outline of spiritual practice and study is well rounded and complete. Following the template as given is a worthy endeavor, whatever your path. I read this first quite some time ago and pulled it our recently, not for the first time. The time I've spent with the text, and the rewards from re-reading, speak to it's worth.
July 16, 2023
Required reading for membership in the AODA. Although I liked this book overall, the 3 star rating is because some suggestions in the book are highly problematic. Greer takes a very anti-modern medicine, ableist approach to druidry that frankly doesn’t work for someone with chronic illness. The suggestion that it’s ecologically most ethical to cut your daily medications is, frankly, dangerous for people with health conditions.
This part of the book aside, the history of modern druidry was well written and researched. I also appreciated that it didn’t assume a basis in religious belief.
But seriously modern medicine is good, actually.
This part of the book aside, the history of modern druidry was well written and researched. I also appreciated that it didn’t assume a basis in religious belief.
But seriously modern medicine is good, actually.
March 11, 2009
Rooted in Masonry, Ceremonial Magic and Iolo Morganwg (a.k.a., nothing really Celtic/Druidic) ... not really my cup of tea, but if you are into those sort of things, you'll enjoy this. AODA and OBOD members will probably like it the best.
March 6, 2018
I took notes this time!
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I purchased this as an introduction to modern Druidism and was overwhelmed by the amount of information in it. It certainly exceeded expectations! As soon as I finished, I re-added this book to my personal reading list with a comment to "take notes next time!"
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I purchased this as an introduction to modern Druidism and was overwhelmed by the amount of information in it. It certainly exceeded expectations! As soon as I finished, I re-added this book to my personal reading list with a comment to "take notes next time!"
August 31, 2016
He knows his stuff, but is dogmatic, too 'ritual his way' for me. I felt was being baptised just reading it. It was fun comparing him to Cunningham, who I like alot more.
July 27, 2023
3.5 stars
i've been fascinated with modern druidry for years - i love the idea of balance and blended paths that's so central in it, compared to the strict god/goddess dualism of wicca or the academic reconstructionism of heathenry/asatru - and this was a fantastic primer to the path! i've done a decent amount of reading through the resources available on druidry.org, and this was a nice expansion of the research i've done on my own, along with some practical exercises for getting started (which i always love to see balanced out with theory). the concept of the seven spirals of druidry especially is fascinating, especially where it follows the tradition of the bardic/poetic schools of antiquity.
however, as is the case with most mainstream occult authors, john michael greer dives into some topics he's not quite qualified to talk about, which results in some Interesting ideas being shared as fact. for all the emphasis put on research here, he lays out some pretty strict guidelines and makes some wild claims related to ecology/environmentalism (like the idea that the onus of climate change is in fact on individuals and that heavily polluting companies are "just responding to consumer demand" which is...a wild oversimplification of a complex topic). i would take greer's own advice and say to do your own research on environmentalism and environmental activism, from reputable scientific sources, because there's a lot of conflating personal ideology with fact here. he also suggests managing your health "as much as possible" with herbalism and natural remedies rather than medicine because the medical field is a big contributor to waste and pollution? which in modern occult and pagan circles is a SLIPPERY SLOPE to antivax MLM nonsense, so watch out for that.
another thing that stood out to me is in the section on meditation, which has some great content but also claims that "Some old meditation manuals state, for example, that meditating with alcohol in your bloodstream causes long-term neurological damage. While I don't know of any studies verifying this, it's not a risk you should take." which is straight up not how any of this works! he also says that meditating should be done outside of the influence of any drug, in which he includes caffeine, which makes me wonder what else is considered a drug and also like...what about people who take medication for physical or mental illnesses?? when combined with the whole use herbalism not medicine thing feels eugh to me but not out of the ordinary in this genre of book.
another thing to be aware of - while i love the blended paths approach of druidry, there's a lot of emphasis on borrowing from other paths here and no discussion of cultural appropriation, which is an important and ongoing conversation in modern paganism and should be talked about! research is your best friend! don't take from closed cultures! etc.
basically there's a lot of good info here but you have to sift through some personal ideology stuff to get to it, which is not uncommon. would recommend, but like have your critical reading skills ready!
i've been fascinated with modern druidry for years - i love the idea of balance and blended paths that's so central in it, compared to the strict god/goddess dualism of wicca or the academic reconstructionism of heathenry/asatru - and this was a fantastic primer to the path! i've done a decent amount of reading through the resources available on druidry.org, and this was a nice expansion of the research i've done on my own, along with some practical exercises for getting started (which i always love to see balanced out with theory). the concept of the seven spirals of druidry especially is fascinating, especially where it follows the tradition of the bardic/poetic schools of antiquity.
however, as is the case with most mainstream occult authors, john michael greer dives into some topics he's not quite qualified to talk about, which results in some Interesting ideas being shared as fact. for all the emphasis put on research here, he lays out some pretty strict guidelines and makes some wild claims related to ecology/environmentalism (like the idea that the onus of climate change is in fact on individuals and that heavily polluting companies are "just responding to consumer demand" which is...a wild oversimplification of a complex topic). i would take greer's own advice and say to do your own research on environmentalism and environmental activism, from reputable scientific sources, because there's a lot of conflating personal ideology with fact here. he also suggests managing your health "as much as possible" with herbalism and natural remedies rather than medicine because the medical field is a big contributor to waste and pollution? which in modern occult and pagan circles is a SLIPPERY SLOPE to antivax MLM nonsense, so watch out for that.
another thing that stood out to me is in the section on meditation, which has some great content but also claims that "Some old meditation manuals state, for example, that meditating with alcohol in your bloodstream causes long-term neurological damage. While I don't know of any studies verifying this, it's not a risk you should take." which is straight up not how any of this works! he also says that meditating should be done outside of the influence of any drug, in which he includes caffeine, which makes me wonder what else is considered a drug and also like...what about people who take medication for physical or mental illnesses?? when combined with the whole use herbalism not medicine thing feels eugh to me but not out of the ordinary in this genre of book.
another thing to be aware of - while i love the blended paths approach of druidry, there's a lot of emphasis on borrowing from other paths here and no discussion of cultural appropriation, which is an important and ongoing conversation in modern paganism and should be talked about! research is your best friend! don't take from closed cultures! etc.
basically there's a lot of good info here but you have to sift through some personal ideology stuff to get to it, which is not uncommon. would recommend, but like have your critical reading skills ready!
December 18, 2025
As someone who has felt drawn to nature spirituality for quite some time and never knew how to integrate it into my life and practice, I took interest in the AODA (Ancient Order of Druids in America), and picked this book up as one of the recommended reads for the community. I'm also someone whose religious upbringing in childhood has left a hesitant mark on my interest in spiritual communities, so part of the draw in this book is the non-dogmatic and welcoming approach it takes with Druids of all walks. 💚
The chapters are divided up quite nicely for someone just dipping their toes into revival Druidry's history and current state of being. It is, of course, written from the perspective of someone in the AODA, but offers basic information on many different branches of Druidry and where some key differences in the groupings lie. I appreciate that no set of practices are seen as "wrong," and that Greer's focus is on suggesting tools and ideas that can be altered as solo practicioners see fit. As someone interested in pursuing AODA's Candidate curriculum for my own routine purposes, having a whole chapter designated to the main points of this curriculum is a lovely reference to have on hand.
There are some areas I find myself personally disagreeing with (drug use, as someone who relies on daily pharmaceutical medicine for mental health management), but I don't believe this disagreement comes from a sense of hostility on the author's part, and is merely a difference in life paths. I recognize that any points of discomfort I came across were merely differing perspectives, which are welcome in the practice, and I find that all the more encouraging~ /|\
The chapters are divided up quite nicely for someone just dipping their toes into revival Druidry's history and current state of being. It is, of course, written from the perspective of someone in the AODA, but offers basic information on many different branches of Druidry and where some key differences in the groupings lie. I appreciate that no set of practices are seen as "wrong," and that Greer's focus is on suggesting tools and ideas that can be altered as solo practicioners see fit. As someone interested in pursuing AODA's Candidate curriculum for my own routine purposes, having a whole chapter designated to the main points of this curriculum is a lovely reference to have on hand.
There are some areas I find myself personally disagreeing with (drug use, as someone who relies on daily pharmaceutical medicine for mental health management), but I don't believe this disagreement comes from a sense of hostility on the author's part, and is merely a difference in life paths. I recognize that any points of discomfort I came across were merely differing perspectives, which are welcome in the practice, and I find that all the more encouraging~ /|\
April 10, 2020
3.5 stars. Both Greer and I acknowledge that there's so much more to be said about the topics he introduces. One of the strengths of this book are the extensive, annotated lists of further readings. Overall The Druidry Handbook is a very good introduction to revival Druidry. The history, lore, and meditation sections were especially interesting or useful.
May 26, 2024
Really loved the pūrākau and also the kōrero on awen - the life force n mauri in the context of the Druid whanau
December 22, 2021
My research into Celtic Christianity and Spirituality lead me to this book and the modern Druid Revivial. This is a great primer for anyone wanting to learn about Druidry as a spiritual practice or a scholarly pursuit. Druidry is not a religion. There is no dogma, no one tells you that there is a deity or who it has to be, or how you must worship. If you want to find ways of getting closer to nature, have a scholarly foundation in ecology, nature crafts, incorporate a solid meditation practice, and improve the world you live in from the inside out - this is a great starting point.
I love that Greer repeatedly states that it is about how you interact with the world around you. You can only change your views, your actions, your beliefs, your practices, etc. Forcing or coercing others to do what you think is the "right" thing is not how we solve our own or the world's problems.
For those who are curious Christian Druids are mentioned multiple times throughout the book and there are several in the Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA), which is the organization he wrote this book for.
I love that Greer repeatedly states that it is about how you interact with the world around you. You can only change your views, your actions, your beliefs, your practices, etc. Forcing or coercing others to do what you think is the "right" thing is not how we solve our own or the world's problems.
For those who are curious Christian Druids are mentioned multiple times throughout the book and there are several in the Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA), which is the organization he wrote this book for.
November 29, 2022
Between this, O'Driscoll's Sacred Actions, and the writings of John Beckett, one has everything one would need to get a good start in the philosophy and practice of modern druidry. Especially appreciated for Greer's clear and evocative expressions of the three Druid elements, and his detailed exploration of the ogham and their associations.
September 22, 2016
For many Druids, Greer's The Druidry Handbook is their first introduction to Modern Druidry. It's easy to see why. The book has a beautiful, simple cover of Oak Leaves and claims to be a "hands-on manual of traditional British Druid practice" (publisher description). The author is the Grand Archdruid of Ancient Order of Druids of America (AODA). This book serves as the main textbook for the order's first level of teaching and is a great way to sample the flavor of their Druidry. There are many fantastic elements in this book for those looking to begin their Druid practice regardless of whether they join that particular order.
The first part of the book focuses on brief history of revival Druidry as a spiritual practice. For those who are interested in a reconstructionist viewpoint, this might not be your cup of tea. The author doesn't go into any great detail about history and is up front with what sources they do or do not use. I personally am always a bit gun shy when Druids use Iolo Morganwg as a source. While you cannot run away from his influence on Druidry, I do wish authors would be more up front with how sketchy his academic methods were. Generally though, this section is interesting and useful.
The second part of the book begins to delve into the practices of Druidry. The author walks beginners through what AODA calls the Earth, Moon, and Sun path. The Earth path is all about living in more harmony with Earth through simple lifestyle choices, tending to nature, and observing how the natural world works. The Moon path works with tuning the skills of self-reflection and meditation. The Sun path follows the seasons and rituals of the year. Each path gives concrete ideas on how you can begin to incorporate their messages and ideas into your every day. The tone is encouraging and simple leaving lots of room for readers to adapt the challenges of change as they need to. However, I felt torn in these sections. The author waffled between allowing for flexibility on practices while also being surprisingly adamant about some specific practices.
Take for instance meditation. The author stresses the importance of discursive meditation. Posture is limited to two options, sitting in a chair being the one most suited to Westerners. Sitting on the ground to meditate was mentioned as being problematic because it cut off the flow of energy from the Earth (so very not my experience!). Meditation was spoken of as a challenge to overcome, an experience that was frustrating at the beginning. I'm much more optimistic than the author on this topic. I believe that anyone can meditate and do so well, even at the beginning. The mindset (optimistic vs. pessimistic) one carries into the experience can be vital to the success of it. Whatever position is comfortable for you is great when starting. We just need more people open to meditation! Why limit the possibilities of beginners?
Despite this complaint, I do think that the book will be very useful for many readers looking to begin their Druid practice. It is a specific flavor of Druidry, a flavor that isn't really for me personally, but one that will continue to appeal to folks for generations. I also loved that the end of the book featured a course outline for those interested in continuing their studies with AODA. This element and the frankness of the author allows readers to easily tell whether AODA and Druidry is for them. If you read this and are thinking "nah, this Druidry isn't for me," I'd suggest reading something from Philip Carr-Gomm or Penny Billington or some nice deep history of Druidry (I'd like to be able to recommend a specific author but history is hard for me to focus on. As of yet I haven't found one that I can confidently say is yummy to begin with) first before counting all Druidry out.
The first part of the book focuses on brief history of revival Druidry as a spiritual practice. For those who are interested in a reconstructionist viewpoint, this might not be your cup of tea. The author doesn't go into any great detail about history and is up front with what sources they do or do not use. I personally am always a bit gun shy when Druids use Iolo Morganwg as a source. While you cannot run away from his influence on Druidry, I do wish authors would be more up front with how sketchy his academic methods were. Generally though, this section is interesting and useful.
The second part of the book begins to delve into the practices of Druidry. The author walks beginners through what AODA calls the Earth, Moon, and Sun path. The Earth path is all about living in more harmony with Earth through simple lifestyle choices, tending to nature, and observing how the natural world works. The Moon path works with tuning the skills of self-reflection and meditation. The Sun path follows the seasons and rituals of the year. Each path gives concrete ideas on how you can begin to incorporate their messages and ideas into your every day. The tone is encouraging and simple leaving lots of room for readers to adapt the challenges of change as they need to. However, I felt torn in these sections. The author waffled between allowing for flexibility on practices while also being surprisingly adamant about some specific practices.
Take for instance meditation. The author stresses the importance of discursive meditation. Posture is limited to two options, sitting in a chair being the one most suited to Westerners. Sitting on the ground to meditate was mentioned as being problematic because it cut off the flow of energy from the Earth (so very not my experience!). Meditation was spoken of as a challenge to overcome, an experience that was frustrating at the beginning. I'm much more optimistic than the author on this topic. I believe that anyone can meditate and do so well, even at the beginning. The mindset (optimistic vs. pessimistic) one carries into the experience can be vital to the success of it. Whatever position is comfortable for you is great when starting. We just need more people open to meditation! Why limit the possibilities of beginners?
Despite this complaint, I do think that the book will be very useful for many readers looking to begin their Druid practice. It is a specific flavor of Druidry, a flavor that isn't really for me personally, but one that will continue to appeal to folks for generations. I also loved that the end of the book featured a course outline for those interested in continuing their studies with AODA. This element and the frankness of the author allows readers to easily tell whether AODA and Druidry is for them. If you read this and are thinking "nah, this Druidry isn't for me," I'd suggest reading something from Philip Carr-Gomm or Penny Billington or some nice deep history of Druidry (I'd like to be able to recommend a specific author but history is hard for me to focus on. As of yet I haven't found one that I can confidently say is yummy to begin with) first before counting all Druidry out.
August 12, 2014
I was disappointed in this book. I've been wanting to get into Druidry for a long time and read more about the Druids. I had no idea were to begin or what to look for and then I found The Druidry Handbook on Barnes & Nobles website. It had good reviews so I figured I might as well start out with this book, but it ended up falling flat and not being what I thought it would be. The only thing it describes that can even remotely be applied to the Druids or even the Celts in general was the description of the Ogham alphabet. There was really almost nothing about the druids in it at all. It only really talked about Christo-Druid, well actually Christo-Pagan since it doesn't even talk a lot about Druids. If you don't know what Christo means it's short for Christian, which refers to someone who is Christian but also has a druid life style/pagan life style. Christo-Druidry started coming around the 1800's with the Druid revival. I also didn't like the lessons it had to teach or the stories it listed, I didn't really feel like they applied to Druidry at all. This also had a Wiccan feel to it, so if you don't like Wicca you might not like this. That's just my opinion though, you might feel differently. I don't recommend this to beginners or anyone who wants to know anything about the druids. I would recommend this to anyone who is pagan but still has some Christian beliefs, you might find it useful.
June 1, 2007
I have long considered myself a Pagan, and for most of that time have claimed Druidry as my Path of choice. Upon reading this book I find out I was right.
Greer outlines his ideas of the Druidic Path(s), and doesn't ignore, euphemize, or try to cover up the plain fact that this religion is loosely based on ideas of what the original Druids of ancient times might have done. Indeed, there is no way we could have an accurate idea of that, given the thoroughness with which the Romans and then Christians obliterated traditional religions. All we have are a few mentions, the odd passage or two, and a smattering of Celtic lore. The Magic part is that from this we have created a lovely system of practices and beliefs that has become a religion.
For folks wondering about Druidry, the history of Celtic religions, or looking for a baby idea for a religion to explore, I would highly recommend this book. And you don't have to be a Pagan or a Druid to follow some of Greer's ideas. To paraphrase one of the major concepts; Druidry is a way of living one's life, not a set of rules and requirements.
Greer outlines his ideas of the Druidic Path(s), and doesn't ignore, euphemize, or try to cover up the plain fact that this religion is loosely based on ideas of what the original Druids of ancient times might have done. Indeed, there is no way we could have an accurate idea of that, given the thoroughness with which the Romans and then Christians obliterated traditional religions. All we have are a few mentions, the odd passage or two, and a smattering of Celtic lore. The Magic part is that from this we have created a lovely system of practices and beliefs that has become a religion.
For folks wondering about Druidry, the history of Celtic religions, or looking for a baby idea for a religion to explore, I would highly recommend this book. And you don't have to be a Pagan or a Druid to follow some of Greer's ideas. To paraphrase one of the major concepts; Druidry is a way of living one's life, not a set of rules and requirements.
January 15, 2018
A fascinating, well-written book about something I knew nothing about. I had no idea people did this sort of stuff (and take it seriously). I think you would actually have to take it seriously to truly appreciate this book. However, I took a lot from the writer’s perspective on ecologically-minded living and this book had the best guide to breathing exercises I’ve encountered yet. All in all, better than I had anticipated for a book I decided to read on a lark.
August 12, 2013
This is the outline of the training program in the order of druidry I belong to, the Ancient Order of Druids in America. It's not a curriculum I've finished, but it's one that I find admirable and intend to complete someday.
October 2, 2011
Get Penny Billington - The Path of Druidry Walking the Ancient Way. Was way more informative than this book. Was very disappointed with this book
August 2, 2024
Let me preface this by saying I never expected to be drawn to Druidry at this point in my life, but here I am! If that resonates with you, and you've stumbled upon this new path, then John Michael Greer's "The Druidry Handbook" can be a welcoming guide.
Now, I'm not talking about some scholarly paper filled with jargon. Greer's book is refreshingly clear and straightforward. It lays out the core tenets of Druidry in a way that even someone new to the path can grasp.
Here's what I found particularly helpful:
Structured Approach: Greer breaks Druidry down into three paths: Sun (seasonal celebrations), Moon (meditation and inner exploration), and Earth (living in harmony with nature). This structure provided a clear framework for understanding the different aspects of Druid practice.
Actionable Steps: What truly impressed me were the practical exercises and rituals included in the book. It wasn't all theory – Greer offered ways to incorporate these ideas into your daily life, even for someone like me who wasn't sure where to begin.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Modern Focus: If you're looking for a deep dive into the historical underpinnings of Druidry, this book might not be it. Greer emphasizes applying Druidic practices in the modern world.
Writing Style: Some might find Greer's writing style a bit on the esoteric side. While easy to understand, it leans towards a more metaphorical and poetic way of explaining concepts.
Overall, "The Druidry Handbook" served as a valuable introduction for me, a curious newcomer to Druidry. It provided a foundation for understanding the core practices and offered practical ways to explore them. If you're like me, someone seeking a fresh perspective later in life, this book is a worthwhile starting point.
Now, I'm not talking about some scholarly paper filled with jargon. Greer's book is refreshingly clear and straightforward. It lays out the core tenets of Druidry in a way that even someone new to the path can grasp.
Here's what I found particularly helpful:
Structured Approach: Greer breaks Druidry down into three paths: Sun (seasonal celebrations), Moon (meditation and inner exploration), and Earth (living in harmony with nature). This structure provided a clear framework for understanding the different aspects of Druid practice.
Actionable Steps: What truly impressed me were the practical exercises and rituals included in the book. It wasn't all theory – Greer offered ways to incorporate these ideas into your daily life, even for someone like me who wasn't sure where to begin.
However, there are a few things to keep in mind:
Modern Focus: If you're looking for a deep dive into the historical underpinnings of Druidry, this book might not be it. Greer emphasizes applying Druidic practices in the modern world.
Writing Style: Some might find Greer's writing style a bit on the esoteric side. While easy to understand, it leans towards a more metaphorical and poetic way of explaining concepts.
Overall, "The Druidry Handbook" served as a valuable introduction for me, a curious newcomer to Druidry. It provided a foundation for understanding the core practices and offered practical ways to explore them. If you're like me, someone seeking a fresh perspective later in life, this book is a worthwhile starting point.
January 12, 2022
This week I continued on the Druidry path with “The Druidry Handbook” by John Michael Greer. This book was recommended to me by the Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA). AODA is one of the larger organizations of druids in North America and is well established. This handbook is the first book for people looking into the AODA to read.
The handbook is divided into three sections. The first section reviews the history of druidism in today’s world. It delves into both the ancient traditions of Druidry in Europe as well as the Druid Revival in the 1800’s. Greer is honest about the impact of both pieces of history and how they fit into today’s modern world. The second section discusses the druidic philosophy in the triads, and how various triads impact the modern world. The final section is a practical workbook. It walks an aspiring druid through the acknowledged traditions and celebrations of Druidry, as well as the druid’s lifestyle. Similar to many religions Druidry is about how one lives their life in total, not just the celebrations they participate in.
This was an enlightening book for me. I have read some other books on Druidry, mostly focusing on the solitary path. I really enjoyed seeing how the history of Druidry impacted today’s lifestyle, as well as how to adapt Druidry to life in North America where you don’t always have ready access to the sea. This is required reading for those entering into AODA but even if you’re not this is a great start on learning about druidism.
The handbook is divided into three sections. The first section reviews the history of druidism in today’s world. It delves into both the ancient traditions of Druidry in Europe as well as the Druid Revival in the 1800’s. Greer is honest about the impact of both pieces of history and how they fit into today’s modern world. The second section discusses the druidic philosophy in the triads, and how various triads impact the modern world. The final section is a practical workbook. It walks an aspiring druid through the acknowledged traditions and celebrations of Druidry, as well as the druid’s lifestyle. Similar to many religions Druidry is about how one lives their life in total, not just the celebrations they participate in.
This was an enlightening book for me. I have read some other books on Druidry, mostly focusing on the solitary path. I really enjoyed seeing how the history of Druidry impacted today’s lifestyle, as well as how to adapt Druidry to life in North America where you don’t always have ready access to the sea. This is required reading for those entering into AODA but even if you’re not this is a great start on learning about druidism.
July 19, 2020
This took me a while to get through, but I'm glad I did. If you are brand new to modern Druidry, this is a good place to start for a rundown of the basics and a framework for completing your first year of work to attain the first degree of Apprentice in the AODA. It covers the history of modern Druidry, details about it's development and basic principles, myths, symbols, and concepts. In the Earth Path it covers how you can better connect with nature and live in harmony with the natural world. In the Sun Path it covers guidelines for observing the seasonal festivals. In the Moon Path it covers meditation techniques. I'm still exploring and haven't committed to a spiritual practice yet, but I will hold onto this for the tips on meditation and some of the ideas for practicing mindfulness when I'm exploring the natural world around me.
September 14, 2023
Probabilmente uno dei libri più onesti sul druidismo moderno. Nessuna volontà di mistificare il passato, nessun desiderio di ritenersi diretto discendente di chissà chi. Ho apprezzato particolarmente la parte teorica (il libro è diviso in due parti, una pratica e una teorica), in cui ripercorre la storia e le origini del movimento druidico. Mi ha permesso di guardare con occhi diversi il druidismo di oggi e di rispettarlo maggiormente.
Non penso che il druidismo sia la mia strada, per questo non mi esprimo sugli esercizi (di base, una serie di consigli da portare avanti per un anno). Per il resto, è abbastanza chiaro: se sei interessato a qualcosa di più, è bene contattare altri druidi. Il sistema iniziatico e comunitario non viene nascosto, in questo testo. Apprezzatissimo per l'onestà intellettuale.
Non penso che il druidismo sia la mia strada, per questo non mi esprimo sugli esercizi (di base, una serie di consigli da portare avanti per un anno). Per il resto, è abbastanza chiaro: se sei interessato a qualcosa di più, è bene contattare altri druidi. Il sistema iniziatico e comunitario non viene nascosto, in questo testo. Apprezzatissimo per l'onestà intellettuale.
May 2, 2025
weirdly anti-science at times (in regards to nuclear energy in one notable section). the author seems to hold the viewpoint that science is somehow against a druidic worldview which i... don't think is true at all. otherwise, though, a good and comprehensive overview of druidry with lots of avenues for further research.
(also as other people have noted, takes a very individualistic approach to environmentalism which is just kind of goofy to me. how can you be an environmentalist and also ignore the overwhelming role corporations and the government have in our ecological crisis? yeah individuals should do what they should, but still.)
(also as other people have noted, takes a very individualistic approach to environmentalism which is just kind of goofy to me. how can you be an environmentalist and also ignore the overwhelming role corporations and the government have in our ecological crisis? yeah individuals should do what they should, but still.)
August 4, 2022
Meh it was an okay book. Read it mostly cause I like the author's other books. But of them this is perhaps the dullest. I did learn a bit about history of the druidic revival. But the faith portrayed here is barely spiritual. Mostly ritual, with a light dabbling in meditation. Unfortunately also includes many excuse to avoid meditation, and has stereotypes about eastern meditation as if they were all western Zen practices.
Anyway, in terms of archival, I guess it could be okay as a reference cause John mentions it in his many other better books.
Anyway, in terms of archival, I guess it could be okay as a reference cause John mentions it in his many other better books.
May 13, 2023
Having read introductions to Druidry by Philip Carr-Gomm, Emma Restall Orr and Penny Billington, "The Druidry Handbook" is probably my favourite. Greer does a great job of introducing Druidry in a clear, practical, flexible and sufficiently comprehensive way. His intellectual honesty regarding the modern roots of Druidry, free of fantastical speculation and thoroughly pragmatic, was particularly refreshing.
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