The Book of Hedge Druidry: A Complete Guide for the Solitary Seeker

by Joanna van der Hoeven

Overview

Experience the Mystery and Magic of Contemporary Druidry

The Book of Hedge Druidry is for those who feel called to explore a powerful earth-based spirituality rooted in Celtic lore. With hands-on practices as well as fascinating perspectives on what it means to be a Druid, this book walks you through the magic of the liminal realm and helps you fill your own cauldron of inspiration.

Longtime Druid Joanna van der Hoeven guides you in creating an altar and crafting rituals based on the Wheel of the Year and important life passages. You will discover enchanting moon rites and ideas for daily practice as well as insights for working with herbs, spells, and the ogham alphabet. When you step onto the Hedge Druid's path, you learn to work with the in-betweeen places, straddling the boundary between this world and the next and developing profound relationships with ancestors, goddesses, gods, spirits of place, and the Fair Folk.

Druidry is a powerful tradition that evokes the mystical spirit of times past. This comprehensive guide to solitary Druidry will connect you to a higher wisdom for the benefit of all.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780738758251
Publisher:	Llewellyn Worldwide, LTD.
Publication date:	07/08/2019
Pages:	360
Sales rank:	150,560
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Joanna van der Hoeven (Suffolk, UK) is a Druid, Witch, author, and teacher. She has written several books on Druidry, including The Awen Alone: Walking the Path of the Solitary Druid. She has also written countless articles for Pagan magazines and websites, and spoken at conferences, fairs, and festivals. Joanna is the cofounder of Druid College UK, which offers a three-year training program, and she is also the director of her own dance company. 

Table of Contents

Contents

Introduction 1

PART ONE: THEORY
Chapter 1: The Druids / 7
Chapter 2: The Awen / 17
Chapter 3: The Gods / 25
Chapter 4: The Ancestors / 31
Chapter 5: The Three Realms: Land, Sea, and Sky / 37
Chapter 6: The World Tree, the Hedge, and the Otherworld / 47
Chapter 7: The Four Quarters / 61
Chapter 8: The Wheel of the Year / 69
Chapter 9: The Cycle of the Moon / 95
Chapter 10: Meditation / 105
Chapter 11: Prayer / 117
Chapter 12: Magic / 127
Chapter 13: Animism and Connection / 137

PART TWO: PRACTICE
Chapter 14: Altars, Ritual Space, and Tools / 143
Chapter 15: Crafting Sacred Ritual / 153
Chapter 16: Rites and Rituals for the Hedge Druid / 169
Chapter 17: Seasonal Rituals / 195
Chapter 18: Moon Rites / 225
Chapter 19: Rites of Passage / 231
Chapter 20: Daily Practice / 241

PART THREE: STUDY
Chapter 21: Herblore / 251
Chapter 22: Ogham / 261
Chapter 23: Spellcraft / 269

PART FOUR: SKILLS AND TECHNIQUE
Chapter 24: Ethics / 283
Chapter 25: Peace / 295
Chapter 26: Voice, Body, and Movement / 301
Chapter 27: Teacher, Leader, Priest / 309

Conclusion 317

Glossary 319

Bibliography 325

Editorial Reviews

"In The Book of Hedge Druidry, Joanna van der Hoeven has deftly woven together various strands of wisdom to craft a tapestry that is accessible, foundational, and inspirational to all who are drawn to the path of Druidry. She offers insightful practices, heartfelt rituals, powerful tools, and resonant meditations that are infused with tradition and informed by experience; clearly Joanna has walked the pathways she now illuminates for others to explore as well! This is a practical guide that encourages seekers to immerse themselves in the work of the Hedge Druid—a spiritual path that values direct participation with, and first-hand knowledge of, the worlds within us, around us, and beyond us."—Jhenah Telyndru, author of Avalon Within: A Sacred Journey of Myth, Mystery and Inner Wisdom and The Mythic Moons of Avalon: Lunar and Herbal Wisdom from the Isle of Healing

"The Book of Hedge Druidry is a beautifully written exploration of the world of the Hedge Druid. Joanna van der Hoeven digs deeply into the core theories that inform the practices of the solitary Druid with a sensitivity and depth of insight that reveals the richness of this path. Joanna freely shares her extensive knowledge and experience and offers the reader a wealth of useful practical suggestions; everything from ritual creation, prayer and meditation to the study and application of Ogham, Herblore and Spellcraft. In the skillful presentation of both theory and practice, Joanna provides a working template for the Hedge Druid, encouraging them to develop their own path, one that has true resonance and personal meaning. Highly recommended!"—Philip Carr-Gomm, author of Druid Mysteries, What do Druids Believe? and The Druid Way

"Joanna van der Hoeven eloquently offers tools, theories, techniques, and her inimitable wisdom to guide the solitary Druid practitioner through the dappled groves of tradition. This is the perfect ally to those new on the path and seeking a genuine voice to accompany them."—Kristoffer Hughes, author of The Book of Celtic Magic

From the Publisher