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In A Brief History of Nakedness Philip Carr-Gomm traces our preoccupation with nudity in three distinct areas of human endeavour: religion, politics and popular culture. Rather than study the history of the fine-art nude, or detail the ways in which the naked body has been denigrated or imprisoned, this book explores new territory - revealing the ways in which religious teachers, politicians, protestors and cultural icons have used nudity to enlighten or empower themselves, or simply entertain us.
"I absolutely loved A Brief History of Nakedness. Besides being a fascinating read, it contains the most fun, intriguing, and diverse collection of nude photographs anywhere. A must for anyone interested in art, political activism, and cultural studies. This ''brief'' history must have taken forever to research. It makes me want to rip off my clothes for a good cause immediately." --Annie Sprinkle PhD, artist / sexologist
(Annie Sprinkle )
"In this lucid and wide-ranging book Philip Carr-Gomm . . . strips bare the paradoxes of humanity''s attitude toward its own naked figures. Using a snappy blend of history and imagery, he invites readers to join him in making thrilling, confusing, funny, and beautiful realizations about that simultaneously mysterious and obvious state of unclothedness. From the rituals of witchcraft to the human art installations of Spencer Tunick to the non-nakedness of the Naked Chef, Carr-Gomm offers the revelation that far from being merely a basic physical state, human nakedness - sacred, obscene - holds the key to understanding politics, culture, and our very nature as human beings."--Kathleen Rooney, author of Live Nude Girl: My Life as an Object
(Kathleen Rooney )
"A Brief History of Nakedness admirably uncovers religious, political and popular performances of and reactions to nudity in a remarkable array of cultures. Everything from ancient religious devotional practices to recent streaking controversies is discussed in an expert and delightful manner."--Graham Harvey, Open University
(Graham Harvey )
"Not only the best book on its subject, but a marvellous read: racy, compassionate, candid and perceptive."--Ronald Hutton, Professor of History, University of Bristol
(Ronald Hutton )
The male in Druidry can be seen to equate to direct energies such as courage, focus, the hero, light, strength and power, and the use of directional tools. The female in Druidry is a pulse or rhythm, an apparently divided energy in itself, a series of apparent contradictions and paradoxes; a very different type of knowledge, light and power. She is intuition and patience, love and fury, and she is both the ebb and flow of energies, of life and death, renewal and decay. This book came about as a result of a visit to Ireland and a personal need to learn more about the Lady in Druidry, 'abroad' is meant in the wider sense of 'out and about' rather than being in another country. To analyse the Goddess is to restrict her, her ways are too complex for linear thought. We need to experience her rather than expect to understand her and substitute our restricted vision for a wider, holistic view of this incredible world into which we have been born. This is a book of discovery, intuition and enlightenment - shared rather than taught.
This book shows the reader how to use herbs when celebrating Druid festivals and rites of passage. Also included are chapters on how to prepare herbal tinctures, salves and poultices; herbs used by the Druids; herbal alchemy and the planets; and the relationships between herbs and sacred places.
What do people think of when they hear the word Druidry? The real questions, not questions about the old men in white robes stereotypes. What makes a Druid? What do they do? Having been a practising Druid for over ten years, Cat Treadwell wondered too. Asked to present a talk at a national Pagan Festival, and unsure exactly what the audience would want to hear, she started a blog, asking friends and colleagues (Muggle and Pagan) what they would like to know about the Druid Path. Two years later they are still asking. This book answers some of those questions. Cat has compiled and expanded on the common queries (So, do you worship the sun?) as well as the day-to-day aspects of Druidry as a lived path. She reveals how Druidry is constantly evolving to be relevant and accessible in the modern world.
Bard Song is a collection of poetry, mostly in medieval Welsh and Irish metre, and reflections on the nature of the Bard in early Celtic society and the role of poetry within modern Druidry and polytheism.
Ancient tales from the Celtic Lands set to the exquisite sounds of harp, whistle and pipes. Adapted and narrated by Mara Freeman. Includes: The Children of Lir, The Selkie and the Legend of the Oldest Animals.
Meditation has a great deal to offer anyone on a spiritual path. Through self-knowledge and inner peace, we gain insight. In contemplation and communion, we may hear the voice of spirit. This book offers a broad range of meditative practices, and explains how to develop your own visualisations. for those who want to go further; there is advice for running meditation groups and for using meditation in ritual.
This exploration of the Welsh-Celtic myth of the prophet/poet Taliesin and the witch/goddess Cerridwen takes the reader on a transformative journey. It introduces them to core Celtic philosophy and magic, then embarks on a powerful, experiential foray into one of Wales' most profound legends. Readers will gain a deep understanding of the myth that is the heart of Celtic mystery and become well-versed in a magical ritual for successfully working with one of Celtica's most esteemed goddesses: Cerridwen. Author Kristoffer Hughes, a practising Druid and scholar, examines the historical development of the Taliesin myth, provides an engaging in-depth analysis of each character's archetypal role in the story, and presents practical applications, including a year-long magic ritual. As lyrical as it is practical, this unique guide offers readers the tools and understanding to immerse themselves fully into the mysteries of Celtic magic.
Step once more into the world of living druidry in a mystery peopled with rogues and runes, flower maidens and Norse re-enactors: and the stake our intrepid druid is playing for is the fate of the very land itself. Gwion, with occasional hindrance from his raven familiar, Hugo, is summoned to the red sandstone of the Wirral to once again do what a druid has to do, armed only with his trusty wren bag of tricks and obligatory hipflask.
Journeys of the Soul
The Life & Legacy of a Druid Chief by Philip Carr-Gomm
With the Selected Poetry, Letters, Travel Diaries, Watercolours and Drawings of Ross Nichols, Foreword by Christina Oakley Harrington
Ross Nichols was one of the key figures in the revival of interest in Druidry and Celtic Spirituality in modern times. The Order of Bards Ovates and Druids, which he founded, is now the largest Druid group in the world. Journeys of the Soul vividly describes Nichols’ journey through life in the first complete biography of this enigmatic and influential Druid Chief, allowing us an intimate and controversial glimpse into the life and mind of one of the founding figures of the modern Pagan movement.
Photographs, sketches and colour reproductions of his watercolours are included with the letters and diary excerpts of Nichols’ own journeys, continuing the theme of Philip's biography with stories of travel in evocative places: by the pyramids in Egypt, in the mountains of Bulgaria, in the 'House of Mysteries' at Pompeii.
In these travel journals, Nichols weaves impressions of the countryside and the people with historical and archaeological information, psychic impressions, anecdotes, jokes and poetry. As we follow a historian and spiritual teacher on his journeys, we too are taken on journeys of the soul.
Illustrated 220pp privately published hardback signed by the author (Only available through the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids).
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