Excerpts from the Carmina Gadelica illuminate women's concerns in pre-modern Scotland with an aim to helping both Pagan and Christian women resacralize their lives.
Kondratiev, Alexei (1998) Apple Branch San Francisco: Collins
A summary of Celtic history and religion followed by suggestions on how to bring Celtic spirituality into your own life. Excellent research.
Using Celtic poetry and modern spiritual practices the author details creation of "stones of contemplation" used as a meditation aid. Poems are given in both English and Gaelic and encourage a connection with the mystical elements of the Celtic world.
Celtic goddesses presided over war, nature, animals, healing and fertility. From early iconography, the vernacular traditions and to the ultimate transition to Christianity, this book details the Godddesses and legendary women of the Celts.
An integrated look at the Celtic Gods of Britain and the Continent based mainly on the archaeological record with reference to vernacular and classical writings; this updates Anne Ross on Britain.
This is an English-only edition of the prayers and incantations Carmichael gathered in 19th century Scotland. It also lacks the folkloric commentary of the full volume. It is a wonderful source of poetic inspiration none-the-less.
A classic scholarly analysis of Irish mythology in the context of Indo-European folklore.
Stewart, Robert J. (1990) Walker Between Worlds : A New Edition of the Secret Commonwealth of Elves, Fauns and Fairies Out of Print but can be found online
Robert Kirk (1644-97), minister of Aberfoyle wrote about the folks beliefs of 17th century Scotland.
General Archaelogy and Iconography
Chadwick, Nora (1998) The Celts, 2nd Edition New York: Penguin Books
Overview of Celtic kingdoms both insular and continental, religion, Christianity, art and literature.
Cunliffe, Barry (1979) The Celtic World: An Illustrated History of the Celtic Race, Their Culture, Customs and Legends,New York : McGraw-Hill. [Out of Print]
A beautifully illustrated account of both Insular and Continental Celts. Cunliffe tends to see the Celts with Romanized eyes.
A meticulously footnoted study of the interactions between the Mediterranean world and the "barbarians". Details economic ties which greatly influenced the culture of the Celts
Classic treatment of the Gods of Britain based mainly on the archaeological record with reference to vernacular and classical writings. Has largely been replaced by more recent findings and theories.
----(1970) The Everyday Life of the Pagan Celts, London: Transworld [Out of Print]
Comprehensive discussion of both insular and continental life, drawing on both archaeology and contemporary literature for information.
Scholarly discussion of Celtic myth and thought. The author has also written books on druids and on shamanism and this allows insights on subjects such as prophesy. He then carries the influence of the Celts up into Arthur and other later manifestations.
