Laura Perry - author, artist, creator

Today I'm reviewing a book in the Shaman Pathways series, titled The Druid Shaman: Exploring the Celtic Otherworld , by Danu Forest. Find all my book reviews here . I really didn't know what to expect from this book; Druidry and shamanism are two traditions that are not often linked, and as a shamanic practitioner, I'm far more familiar with the latter. But as I read, I was fascinated and impressed. Danu Forest makes the case for Druidry, in its original form, as the native shamanic tradition of the Celts. The shape-shifting and world-traveling heroes from ancient Celtic tales draw us into the customs and practices of the ancestral Celts with their music, their tools, their rituals. While Ms. Forest gives plenty of  background regarding the Celtic spiritual traditions, particularly those with a shamanic bent, this is largely a practical book. It takes the reader through the process of creating shamanic tools, finding spirit allies in nature, connecting with the anc...

If you're looking for a bit of fiction to take you away from the dreariness of winter (or the exhaustion of summer, if you're in the southern hemisphere), I recommend The Casquette Girls by Alys Arden. I have always loved stories that combine the mythical with the mundane, the historical with the modern. The Casquette Girls delivers, in spades. New Orleans in post-hurricane devastation is the setting for this intriguing tale that weaves together the history of the city with the experiences of one young woman whose life turns upside down thanks not only to the storm damage but also to the eruption of magical forces – both benevolent and malign – in her life. This gripping novel could easily be categorized as paranormal suspense, young adult fiction, fantasy, even thriller, but I think it transcends all those genres. In fact, I’ll go so far as to say that the city of New Orleans itself is the main character, in all its entrancing, charismatic timelessness. The city dr...

Today I'm reviewing Brendan Howlin's new book about following the Druid path in a modern urban setting. The official publication date is March 2014 but you can pre-order it now from Amazon.com and Amazon.co.uk as well as all the other Amazon platforms. The term ‘Druid’ brings to mind groups of people in long white robes chanting in circles in the middle of the forest. How on earth is it possible to be a Druid in the middle of a concrete-and-steel city? Mr. Howlin explains exactly how it is not only possible, but valuable and even pleasurable. There is life everywhere, even in the most built-up of manmade places, and learning to truly see that life and connect with it is the start of a special kind of spirituality. Rather than outlining the tenets and practices of Druidry in encyclopedic form, Mr. Howlin takes the reader through a series of exercises which bring recognition of the living world and connection with it as well as the ability to relax and focus on life as ...

A Modern Celt is my favorite kind of pagan book: one that makes historical traditions and sources relevant for the modern reader. Mabh Savage has turned out a useful work that will resonate with anyone interested in Celtic spirituality. Steeped in Celtic lore and mythology from an early age, Ms. Savage understands that not every person will connect with every deity, but that the Celtic tradition as a whole has deep meaning for many modern Pagans. To this end she introduces us to the Irish gods and goddesses, not just as they appear in the ancient tales, but as they have shown themselves in her life and the lives of those close to her. In addition to discussing the deities, Ms. Savage takes the reader through the wheel of the year from the viewpoint of modern Celtic spirituality, offering glimpses into the meaning of each major point on the circle and inviting us to explore them more deeply ourselves. She also shares wonderful stories from her fellow Celtic Pagans, showing us t...