Recommended Reading for Avalonian Path

Pagan Nonfiction

The 21 Lessons of Merlyn: A Study in Druid Magic & Lore by Douglas Monroe. Llewellyn Publications, 1992.

Although focused on the Druidic side, this book does include a few scattered references to the complementary Avalonian path. The research behind the content is not entirely solid in a scholarly sense, but most of the material works pretty well anyway, and is therefore relevant.

Be a Goddess! A Guide to Celtic Spells and Wisdom for Self-Healing, Prosperity, and Great Sex by Francesca De Grandis. Harper San Francisco, 1998.

This book presents the author's unique blend of women's spirituality, Celtic tradition, and Faerie magic known as The Third Road. Includes some valuable exercises to work through.

Celtic Women's Spirituality: Accessing the Cauldron of Life (Llewellyn Publications, 1998) and Celtic Myth & Magic: Harness the Power of the Gods and Goddesses (Llewellyn Publications, 1995) by Edain McCoy.

The first is a great guide to women's magic both ancient and modern in the Celtic system, with occasional historic references to people like the "banfhili" or "woman-seers" who balanced the traditionally-male roles. The second is a more general guide to Celtic myth and legend, and the divine and heroic figures found therein.

Contemporary Paganism: Listening People, Speaking Earth by Graham Harvey. New York Univ. Press, 1997.

All-around excellent guide to Paganism in today's world, with the most useful material for Avalonian research falling in the chapters on Druidry and Goddess Spirituality.

Sacred Mask, Sacred Dance by Evan John Jones with Chas S. Clifton. Llewellyn Publications, 1997.

A fine study of Celtic mask-magic and animal-magic, with attention to some of the older female-oriented interpretations. Many splendid ritual ideas.

History, Mythology, and Cultural Background

A Celtic Reader: Selections from Celtic Legend, Scholarship, and Story compiled and edited by John Matthews. Thorsons Pub, 1992.

Includes history, folklore, mythology, and much more; with sections on Druids, Bards, and Arthurian legend.

Dictionary of Celtic Myth and Legend by by Miranda J. Green. Thames & Hudson, 1997.

Generous content, but doesn't cover everything; black-and-white photos throughout.

Irish Folk & Fairytale Omnibus by Michael Scott. 1990.

A generous selection of folk and fairy tales, some accurate and others rather warped.

Irish Traditions edited by Kathleen Jo Ryan and Bernard Share, photographs by Kathleen Jo Ryan. 1990.

A coffee-table book, large and with full-color photographs throughout; touches on mythic history, culture, the verbal arts, and interactions with the rest of the world.

The Land of Ireland by Brian de Breffney, photographs by George Mott. Olympic Marketing Corporation, 1983.

Another coffee-table book, oversized and with full-color photographs throughout; gives an excellent impression of the territory and people.

The Story of the Irish Race by Seumas MacManus. Outlet, 1990.

Mostly history, with varying degrees of accuracy.

A Treasury of Irish Folklore: The Stories, Traditions, Legends, Humor, Wisdom, Ballads, and Songs of the Irish People edited by Padraic Colum. 1992

The title says it all; a fine collection.

Fiction

The Copper Crown (New American Library, 1994), The Throne of Scone (Roc, 1987), and The Silver Branch (1994) by Patricia Kennealy-Morrison.

Science fantasy featuring spacegoing Kelts, with considerable attention to the Ban-draoi school of sorceress-priestesses. Look in The Silver Branch for the "Litany to the Goddess" which features many evocative titles for Her.

Gossamer Axe (1993) and Strands of Starlight (New American Library, 1994) by Gael Baudino.

The first is urban fantasy featuring a Celtic harpist-cum-rockstar who is trying to rescue her (female) lover from the Sidh. The second is fantasy, set in the burning times, featuring a clash between Christianity and a quiet community of elves and some Pagans.

The Rising of the Moon by Flynn Connolly.

Science fiction set in a very dystopic Ireland, featuring a women's uprising; includes some useful bits and pieces of Goddess spirituality. This is one of the places I've found the phrase "Bandia duit" in use.

Two to Conquer and The Mists of Avalon (Del Rey, 1987) by Marion Zimmer Bradley.

The first is science fiction set on her popular world of Darkover, featuring a good look at the priestesses of Avarra who live by the Lake of Silence. The second is historical fantasy based on Arthurian legend, but told from a female perspective.

This list of Recommended Reading for the Avalonian Path copyright 1998 Elizabeth Barrette.

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The URL for this page is http://www.worthlink.net/~ysabet/spirit/avalonrdg.html and it was last updated on November 8, 1998.