The Word is not for the beginner. He would better served by buying a copy of The Quest by Rhuddlwm or the complete book of Witchcraft by Raymond Buckland. But it is an excellent depiction of the Welsh Witchcraft religion of Dynion Mwyn and Y Tylwyth Teg. It is a very good guidebook that can take the serious student to the equivalent level of a third degree elder of what ther americans call the Gardnerian tradition.
Though the author, Rhuddlwm Gawr, was also a student of the late Taliesin enion Vawr, a well known Welsh Witch, who taught a large number of Witches in the UK (If they would admit it), the Word seeks to teach you the spiritual elements and religious philosophies common to ALL earth religions, whether Irish, Celtic, Saxon, Russian, Finnish, or what have you.
Rhuddlwm Gawr is credited with taking the Welsh "old religion" to the U.S., and Welsh covens and solitary witches practicing the YTT version of the craft in the U.S. today have him to thank for getting it out of the closet. While Rhuddlwm Gawrs "Word" is a must-have for any serious Welsh Witch practitioner, it is also full of down-to-earth spiritual wisdom, which makes it a wonderful addition to the library of any broadminded seeker on the path toward the One.
I was initiated by Taliesin's sister and high priestess at that time (1985) and learned more than I ever could by reading any of the current fluffy books by wiccan authors. I attended several of Taliesin's workshops and I thought they were brilliant.
Please buy a copy today!
Gwlad yr Hav rotir new i'r neb nvy keis
Bricriu
The Word is compiled by three very important personages in the Welsh Witchcraft movement: Taleisin enion Vawr, Rhuddlwm Gawr, and Merridden gawr. The title does not lie: it truly is the Word of Welsh Witchcraft. It could be a complete Welsh witch's handbook. After reading this, you will know everything you need to hold a circle and to practice Welsh Witchcraft. You won't be an initiated Wiccan -- that can only be done by someone who possesses the capability to do so -- but you will be able to serve the God and Goddess in the Welsh Pagan style. You will also be ready to study for initiation and to reap its benefits and fulfill its responsibilities.
This book isn't perfect: I disagree with some of their views on gender polarity. Still, it deserves 5 stars merely because it stands so far above its competition. This volume will prove more useful to you than any of the silly fluffy-bunny trash which pollutes so many Newage bookstores today. It's Witchcraft as it was, as it could be, and as it should have been. No Neopagan should be without it.
Then it moves on to practice, as opposed to strictly intellectual study. Here you learn the sound basics of actual magical techniques (breathing, meditation, visualization, and channeling energy.) Next comes dedication. Finally comes all the steps to ritual design (purification of self, of space, creating sacred space, invocation, ritual observance, energy raising, earthing the power, thanking the Gods, and breaking the circle.) No matter what spiritual path that you may later choose to follow, these are foundations that will carry over and serve you well.
Finally, a complete Book of Shadows (a highly personal individual book of rituals, spells, and magical lore) is included, which you may use as is, or use as a model upon which to pattern your own.
In the back you have a glossary of all the specialized terms used in the text. There is also an excellent bibliography of books for further specialized study, as well as, a full index. The two appendixes of occult suppliers and publications may be a bit out of date.
When I went to her workshops my questions were many but I knew they certainly could not be all answered there that day. Afew weeks prior to this meeting I questioned my friend about a book he was was reading. "what is it about?" I asked. Its about Welsh Witchcraft" he replied. Why would you be reading that? I questioned. He hesitated for a moment and replied it was "for a class my wife is taking before she attends a Gathering".
"A gathering?" I asked in excitement, and promptly removed the book from his hands and read the introduction and first chapter in a few minutes. Then I remembered. Seven years earlier I was introduced to Witchcraft by a book my wife had brought home from the library. After reading this book I began the task of working as a solitaire witch, learning what I could from books and experimentation, I could not read enough to satisfy my wanderlust. I toiled to make the old religion mine but found difficulty in finding the true inner explanations for my desires to be a Witch.
What is a Witch? I would continue to ask myself as two years went by.
Now back to the Gathering. The "teacher" is discussing the history of her religion, Y Tylwith Teg. By the end of the class I was filled with the desire to learn much more about this old family tradition. I approached the teacher and convinced her that I needed to learn more, she gave me a handful of old and ragged papers held together by a string and placed them in myhand. " This is the story of Rhuddlwm Gawr, our church leader who brought the religion of Y Tylwith Teg to America ." I looked down, and in my hands I was holding the book "The Quest" by Rhuddlwm Gawr.
As I begin to read I found myself in the authors place, living his experiences as he is introduced to the "Fairy Faith". He introduces me to the history, legends and myths of Y Tylwith Teg. He involves me as he questions his teachers and guides drawing me into the progression of his own personal quest and initiation. Soon I found that many of my answers about what a Witch should be, what their responsibilities in are in modern society, and most importantly discovering my own personal reasons to follow this "path" become fully understood. The author provides carefully selected details of how a Witch in modern times should conduct their lives, live their religion, and begin their own Quest for Love, Knowledge and Power. And how to live a more complete and fulfilling life as they exercise and expresstheir personal Power in their everyday lives.
Now I have read the Word by the same author. I highly recommend that any seeker of truth pick up the book The Word, by Rhuddlwm Gawr, and discover the timeless story of mankind's quest to discover the true purpose and meaning of life.
The Word is 10 times better than The Quest and I used to think The Quest was the best one I had ever read.
Buy The Word