Tuesday Intros and Teaser Tuesdays - 'Druidism' by Dudley Wright

I haven't done one of these in a few weeks now and I won't be able to drop by other blogs until after work. But then I will dedicate myself, promise! This week I will feature a book which I took out of my University library about a year and a half ago and haven't gotten around to reading yet. No one else has requested it though, so clearly I'm not taking it from anyone else. And now that University is ending I have to get onto it. The book I'm talking about is Druidism: the Ancient Faith of Britain by Dudley Wright. 

From the famous Coligny Calendar to the legendary mistletoe rite, to the magic of the Tuatha de Danann of Ireland and ancient "druidic" temples, Wright draws on comparative evidence from Gaul and beyond to give a detailed view of the ancient druids. First published in 1924, this Kindle edition includes the original plates and illustrations, and an extensive bibliography.
Tuesday Intros is hosted by Diane over at Bibliophile by the Sea and Teaser Tuesdays is hosted over at A Daily Rhythm.

Intro:

'It is problematic whether the question, asked so frequently both in the past and the present, as to what period in the history of the world witnessed the foundation of Druidism, will ever be answered with definiteness. Some writers have maintained that it was a development or offshoot of the Egyptian religion and, along with Freemasonry, originated in the sublime teachings of Ptah, which, by some, are believed to have been brought out of Egypt by Moses. Faber, in his Pagan Idolatry, expressed the opinion that the Druidical Bards were probably the founders of Freemasonry; certainly members of the Craft will be able to tace many analogies and similarities between Druidic and Masonic ceremonial and practices, but the extent, if any, to which the one has been drawn from, or is dependent upon, the other, must be more or less a matter of speculation.' p.1
It's obvious that this book is from 1924 because those sentences last forever! However, this beginning does get to the core of what I find interesting about Druidism: how rooted it is in world culture. I want to know how it developed and what it inspired.


Teaser:
TeaserTuesdays2014e'The ceremony of initiation, so far as can be gathered from the records, was solemn and arduous. The candidate first took an oath not to reveal the mysteries into which he was about to be initiated.' p.61
I would love to be initiated into all the mysteries. Whenever I see a film about secret societies everything inevitably goes wrong and yet I still want to be a part of it. Anyways, I want to know more about these records  and these mysteries so I will definitely be starting this book soon!

So, what are you reading and teasing? Also, would you read about Druidism or is it not for you?

Comments

  1. Interesting teaser! Totally new to me read there! Hope you're enjoying it!

    Here's my Tuesday Post

    Have a GREAT day!

    Old Follower :)

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    1. I definitely am although it can be quite dry at times! Thanks for commenting :)

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  2. I have always been fascinated by the Druids. This might be a little too academic for me, but it's still fascinating. Secret societies, initiation rites, etc. Enjoy!

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    1. They are really interesting, aren't they? I'm hoping it won't be too academic so I don't feel like I should be taking notes! Thanks for commenting :)

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  3. This sounds like an interesting book. Not too keen on the cover, though.

    My Teaser.

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    1. The picture I used was the first page because the cover itself is a boring blue without anything on it! Thanks for commenting :)

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  4. This does sound fascinating. I've been interested in the subject since I read that the Merlin of Arthurian legend was possibly a druid and that Merlin may have been a title rather than a name. I've even toyed with writing an urban fantasy built around that tidbit of speculation.

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    1. It's so interesting how immersed druids are in our popular culture and yet I don't really know anything about them! Thanks for commenting :)

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  5. I'm completely fascinated. I hope it's thorough.

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    1. I think thorough is definitely a word that applies to this book! Thanks for commenting :)

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  6. What an interesting sounding book although maybe a bit out of my comfort zone - I do hope you enjoy it. Thanks for visiting my Tuesday post https://cleopatralovesbooks.wordpress.com/2015/05/26/first-chapter-first-paragraph-may-26/

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    1. I am enjoying it, although it's not exactly easy reading! Thanks for commenting :)

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  7. Sounds like an interesting book. I hope it was worth the wait!

    Orie @ Let's Take A Shelfie

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    1. So far it is definitely worth it! Thanks for commenting :)

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  8. Great teaser! This book sounds intriguing. Thanks for visiting my blog :)

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    1. I was intrigued as soon as I saw the title and so far it's pretty good! Thanks for commenting :)

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  9. I took a course once called "Mysticism, Contemplation & Prayer" just for fun. It seems as though this would have fit into the coursework beautifully! One of these days I'll take a little break from fiction and read something slightly more cerebral again 😊

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    1. That sounds like a really interesting course! I think academic books are just made difficult by the writing style and could probably be a lot more straight-forward! Thanks for commenting :)

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  10. Sounds very interesting, but I'm not sure I would make it all the way through. Hope you enjoy it.

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    1. So far I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I make it through! Thanks for commenting :)

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    1. It is, although also a bit dry! Thanks for commenting :)

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  12. The tome sounds extremely intriguing; particularly in the part where said candidate "took an oath not to reveal the mysteries into which he was about to be initiated." What could those mysteries pertain to? Great teaser Juli :)

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    1. I am extremely curious about the mysteries but I'm not quite sure the book will actually reveal them! Thanks for commenting :)

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  13. From the teaser the book sounds intriguing. Here is mine
    http://totallyaddictedtoreading.blogspot.com/2015/05/teaser-14.html?zx=1f90ed251fcece8c

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    1. It really does draw you in! Thanks for commenting :)

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  14. I don't think that this is a kind of book that I would read. But it's great that you're enjoying the book. :)

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  15. This sounds interesting, although not really my type of book.

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    1. "Academic" books can be quite off-putting in tone sometimes but they're always really interesting I think! Thanks for commenting :)

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  16. Ha! Love your comment about the long sentences! Hope you enjoy the book. Thanks for stopping by!

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    1. They are sooo long!! xD Thanks for commenting :)

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  17. Sounds very different to me. I might read a bit more Juli.

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    1. The talk of mysteries and ceremonies eventually draws you in ;) Thanks for commenting :)

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  18. That sounds fascinating. I'm reading a fair bit of historical fiction and there's so much I'm learning about times past.

    Thanks for visiting Write Note Reviews.

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    1. I love it when books can be both fun to read and informative at the same time! Thanks for commenting :)

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  19. I don't think I've every read about druidism.

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    1. I think there's not a lot written about it although druids pop up quite a lot in popular culture! Thanks for commenting :)

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  20. I am definitely curious about this one. I'll be watching for your review. Thanks for visiting my blog.

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    1. I'll let you know when it's up :) Thanks for commenting :)

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  21. I find this very interesting. I sure hope you enjoy.

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    1. Thank you, so far I am! Thanks for commenting :)

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  22. Yeah, initiation ceremonies always have to be so mysterious and secretive! Great teaser! Thanks for stopping by my blog earlier!

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    1. The more secretive they are though, the less they can tell us about them... damn xD Thanks for commenting :)

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  23. Sounds interesting!

    (And I didn't even know about BEA or ABEA, so it looks like I won't be participating ): Will you? I'd love to see your posts!)

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    1. You can still sign up, even now! Or just get involved without signing up, that's always a possibility! I've been trying to keep up with it, but it's a lot of work sometimes! Thanks for commenting :)

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  24. That's a very interesting teaser! Thanks for stopping by my blog, and for introducing me to Armchair BEA - it sounds very interesting and I'm going to have to check it out! Cheers!

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    1. Yaay! ABEA is a lot of fun and you meet a lot of new people, even if it's only for the few days ABEA lasts! Thanks for commenting :)

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  25. This looks really interesting. I'd keep reading!

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    1. It's very promising so far! Thanks for commenting :)

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  26. I would love to be initiated into the secrets and mysterious ways of the druids as well, Juli!
    Have a great weekend.

    Lexxie @ (un)Conventional Bookviews

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