Irish Megalithic Tombs

Author: Elizabeth Shee Twohig
Series: A Shire Archaeology Book
Publisher: Shire Publications
Published: First Edition 1990, Second Edition 2004, this is from the second edition.

Synopsis: This is a summary of the research that has been carried out on ‘megalithic’ tombs such as Newgrange and Knowth in County Meath. The four main tomb types are described. Plans and photographs illustrate their main features together with a brief history of the tombs and there is also a glossary of the terms used.

Review: I’ve always been facinated by the Megalithic Tombs of Ireland and this is why I bought this book.

This is a very short but interesting read. The book is packed  with great information if you are interested in the Irish Megalithic Tombs. The first chapter sets the scene by giving you an introduction to the different types of tombs that can be seen in the landscape. Chapters 3 to 6 are a deeper explanation of the different types of tombs, but it was chapter 2 that I really enjoyed. Chapter 2 was an explanation of the history of the study of these tombs.

Like I said before, the book is short, 60 pages of text, but it was 60 pages of beautifully laid out information by a really good writer who knew what she was talking about.

A section of the book that came after the conclusion (chapter 7) and the one page glossary was a list of sites to visit, there were, of course, the usual suspects (Knowth and Newgrange), but there were sites I’d never heard of (Carrowmore and Calliagh). Then of course came a further reading section, which I always look forward too in a book.

I highly recommend this tiny book.

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Fairy Witchcraft: A Neopagan’s Guide to the Celtic Fairy Faith

Author: Morgan Daimler

Series: Pagan Portals

Publisher: Moon Books

Published: 2014

ISBN: 978-1-78279-343-4

 

Synopsis:Many neopagans today are drawn to honor the fairies but find that the modern-day path to Fairy is hidden in mist and shadow. Yet the path is still there, waiting for those who are ready to seek it out. This is a guidebook for those seeking a path that combines modern neopagan witchcraft with the older Celtic Fairy Faith. Topics include basic beliefs and practices, holidays, tools, altar set up, and theology, with the intent of giving the seeker a solid grounding in the basics of modern Fairy Witchcraft.

 

Review: If you know me well, you’d know that the moment I see the word Fairy in any book title I tend to run away and hide. The only reason I actually read this book is because I knew the author was a great researcher and an honest writer who tells it like it is. Plus it was a fairly short read and I was curious about the subject matter.

The Introduction to the book presents the author’s thoughts on her practice and what she is going to present in the book. The Frequently Asked Questions that she provided also answered a lot of the simple questions that came to my mind about the subject matter. The rest of the book gets down to the basics of what she is offering. She begins by giving us some pointers on how to interact with the Fairies and then she moves on to the aspects of beliefs, ritual, tools, and space. I absolutely loved the “Through the Veil” stories that she adds at the end of most of the chapters. A very human look at what can happen when interacting with Fairies.

She ends the book with two appendices and an impressive bibliography. The first appendix has an example of a self dedication ritual and the second appendix has some interesting resources.

I think this book presents a very traditional yet modern way of looking at Fairies and our interactions with them, it provides the reader with the very basics of what they need to start on that path to follow and expand on it. A very much needed 101 book on Fairy Witchcraft.