Mysteries of Celtic Britain

By Lewis Spence

Book Overview

The Mysteries of Celtic Britain by Lewis Spence is a comprehensive exploration of the spiritual and mythological traditions of the ancient Celtic peoples of Britain. Drawing on a wide range of sources including archaeological evidence, folklore, and historical accounts, Spence delves into the mysteries of the Druids, the sacred sites and monuments of pre-Christian Britain, and the legends and myths that have shaped the Celtic imagination.The book is divided into three sections, each focusing on a different aspect of Celtic spirituality. The first section explores the role of the Druids in Celtic society, their knowledge of astronomy, medicine, and magic, and their connection to the natural world. The second section looks at the sacred sites and monuments of Britain, including Stonehenge, Avebury, and the hill forts of the Iron Age. Spence examines the symbolism and meaning behind these ancient structures, and how they were used in religious and cultural rituals.The final section of the book delves into the mythology of the Celts, including the stories of King Arthur, the Welsh Mabinogion, and the Irish Ulster Cycle. Spence examines the themes and motifs that run through these tales, from the hero's journey to the battle between light and dark, and how they reflect the spiritual beliefs and values of the Celtic peoples.Throughout the book, Spence draws on his extensive knowledge of Celtic history and mythology to paint a vivid picture of the spiritual world of the ancient Britons. The Mysteries of Celtic Britain is a fascinating and informative read for anyone interested in the history, mythology, and spirituality of this rich and complex culture.The author contends that the island of Britain was the seat of the development of a cultus and secret tradition of extraordinary vitality and individuality. In this volume he has collected data concerning it and made an effort to systematize it. Contents include: Cult of the Dead; The Mystery of Celtic Philosophy; �������Barddas�������; The Arcane Tradition in British Mediaeval Literature; The Mystery of the Grail; The Secret Tradition in Rite and Legend; The Higher Philosophy of British Mysticism; The Way of Initiation; The Writings of �������Morien�������; Druidism and the Secret Tradition in Ireland.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work. This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0752526820
• ISBN13: 9780752526829
• Release Date: July 1998
• Publisher: Siena Publishers Association
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.52 lbs.

Customer Reviews

A Fascinating Study

The history and factual realities of ancient Druidism in Breton are hard to locate in such a well presented and researched manner as this. I was not familiar with most of this strange sect's beliefs, but this book is as worth-while for the new student as it is for the expert. Naturally the most controversial aspect of Spence's thorough analysis is the theory that the basis for Egyptian, Hebrew and even Hindu dogma originated...