A native of the Pacific Northwest, D.J. Conway (1939 - 2019) studied the occult fields for over 35 years. Her quest for knowledge covered Paganism, Wicca, New Age, and Eastern philosophies as well as history, the magical arts, mythology, and folklore. Conway wrote more than 20 nonfiction books, including Celtic Magic (Llewellyn), Dancing with Dragons (Llewellyn), Mystical Dragon Magic (Llewellyn), The Ancient Art of Faery Magick (10 Speed Press), and The Little Book of Candle Magic (10 Speed Press).
When most people think of the spiritual path of the ancient Celts, they think of the Druids. But just as there are many groups of Christians with varying ideas today, should we not assume that there were other spiritual paths open to the Celts? In By Oak, Ash, & Thorn, D. J. Conway reveals that there was, indeed, another system which was shamanic in nature. Then she updates this ancient system with many of the modern techniques of shamanism to present a system that is usable today but goes back thousands of years: Celtic Shamanism. This book shares a complete system with you. It begins by describing many aspects of shamanism, but with a Celtic spin to them. You will be amazed at how you see all of the shamanic references in the ancient Celtic texts. You will also discover the tools you need for Celtic Shamanism and learn that they come directly from ancient sources. And of course, you'll learn how to make use of them today. Divination? You'll learn several Celtic techniques, including working with the ancient Ogam Runes. Shamanic Vision Quests? The book explains how to take Celtic ones. Journeying through the Shamanic otherworlds? It's in the book within a Celtic context. Magic? Of course! Secrets of herbs? They're in here. Healing? Instructions are included. Shamanic soul retrieval? In this book you'll find out how. I really like this book's honesty. This is not ancient shamanism. Much of ancient shamanism wouldn't apply to us today. Rather it draws upon the ancient Celtic shamanism and combines it with some of the latest interpretation of shamanic beliefs and techniques. The result is a book that is fresh and meaningful. One of the great things about this book, besides showing an entirely new -- yet ancient -- Celtic path, is that it shows how the ancient systems can be infused with life and value for today. This is a book you are going to read many times.