This book is an inspired work of NON-fiction, but I am sure the Gardnerians will attack it, the Christians will attack it, and the "NeoPagan Welsh Critics will attack it. Don't listen to them. Listen to your heart as you read excerpts from it. It is not only neat, it is valuable as a good introduction to how a family tradition is practiced. In fact, its story has been copied by a great number of "Initiates" who claim to be Welsh Witches" but only read the book. Great Read!!!
Then I recently discovered The Word. Unbelievable. It's 400+ pages are actually worth every penny. It describes a complete system of paganism and Witchcraft which has not been addressed in any publication as far as I know.
It is understandable. It doesn't throw out a lot of "you must be an initiate to understand this" and yet it teaches you about the Mysteries. It doesn't tell you what the mysteries are, it tells you how to find them. It reveals the mysteries to you.
It talks about ritual. It talks about initiation. It talks about the wonderful country of Wales and makes you want to be there. It makes you want to learn the language.
Before I read this book, I really had no interest in Wales. Now I want to build a house there and take my kids there. I have already contacted a family near Conwy who is going to open their house to us next year for a visit. I am very excited, because I understand it's not that far from Betws-y-coed and Bangor and I really want to visit those two places.
This book is a jewel. I read a little each day and then come back and read it again. There is just so much.
I love it.
They also seem to dislike the author. It is obviously a personal thing and has nothing to do with the value of the Book. I have a degree in Welsh History and a long association with the Welsh Folklore Society. Besides actually visiting Betws-y-coed and tracing the authors life, I have interviewed several members of Y Tylwyth Teg in Florida and two members of The Dynion Mwyn "mother grove" in Wales. Very interesting people. I may debate whether the family which taught the authors, was totally correct in their philosophy, but I can say they were honest and sincere. I found nothing inconsistent with the ideas and words in the Way. In fact, I was hard pressed to contradict anything they purported to believe. Those who are criticising the book are listening to rumour instead of reading the book. I wonder why these nut cases don't want you to read it? If in fact it contains some ideas and words allegedly taken from other sources, so what. I have read over sixty books on Witchcraft in the last 17 years which are like reading a carbon copy of each other. But, I also have read the Way. From whatever source these Co-authors obtained their material, it is fresh and absolutely wonderful. No, the critics didn't bother to read the book. They just have a problem with people reading the truth. The author(s) must be doing something right. A very famous book store in California has already (according to them) sold over a thousand copies. Good for you Rhuddlwm. You've done good. Excellent Book on Welsh Witchcraft. There is a rumour that someone is talking to the author about a movie project, based on the books he has written over the last thirty years. I am looking forward to seeing it.
I saw the excellent reviews and the poor reviews on Amazon. Frankly, that got my attention. I read some excerpts but could find no controversial passages. So I bought it. Ouch! It is not an inexpensive book. But after reading most of it, I have decided that I will never again look at the price tag before purchasing a book that looks interesting. This is an excellent buy. There is so much information in this one book, I may never buy another craft book again! I would like to talk to Rhuddlwm about his experiences. I just returned from Europe and wish I had had enough time to see Betws-y-coed Wales. His description of the Fairy Ring allowed me to feel the energy spiral up. Does anyone know how to get in touch with him?