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The Sidhe: Wisdom from the Celtic Otherworld
This newest book by John traces his connection with a “Faery” or Sidhe being. It is full of wisdom and interesting detail about this “cousin” race to humanity. It includes six exercises and an illustration of a “Great Glyph” which acts as a tool of attunement with these graceful beings.
115 pages, Paperback
First published May 1, 2004
About the author
John Matthews
441 books201 followersJohn Matthews is an historian, folklorist and author. He has been a full time writer since 1980 and has produced over ninety books on the Arthurian Legends and Grail Studies, as well as short stories and a volume of poetry. He has devoted much of the past thirty years to the study of Arthurian Traditions and myth in general. His best known and most widely read works are ‘Pirates’ (Carlton/Atheneum), No 1 children’s book on the New York Times Review best-seller list for 22 weeks in 2006, ‘The Grail, Quest for Eternal Life’ (Thames & Hudson, 1981) ‘The Encyclopaedia of Celtic Wisdom’ (Element, 1994) and ‘The Winter Solstice’ (Quest Books, 1999) which won the Benjamin Franklin Award for that year. His book ‘Celtic Warrior Chiefs’ was a New York Public Library recommended title for young people.
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
December 6, 2021
"I knew then that something was going to happen in Ireland. I had no idea then just what an enormous and irrevocable change it was going to make to my life." pg 5, ebook
John Matthews received a call from a friend whose occupation is archaeology. The friend showed John into a barrow where he first saw the glyph that is on the cover of this book.
John claims that through meditation upon the glyph, he communicated with other beings whom he believes are 'the Sidhe.'
"To truly know a thing is to become one with it. Just as to become one with it is to truly know it." pg 27, ebook
He shares the communications that he had through the glyph throughout the text. At the end, he includes six exercises that the beings gave him and encourages readers to try the practices for themselves.
Readers could potentially experience the connection John felt.
"Drawn by this feeling, I lay down beneath the branches of the old oak, and, as I had done countless times before, stared up through the branches at the patches of blue sky that showed through. As I did so a sense of stillness and peace descended upon me." pg 36, ebook
The Sidhe: Wisdom from the Celtic Otherworld reminded me of the multiple works of Abraham Hicks or Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul. There's probably a reason for that.
It could be that the channelers are tapping into a similar place. In this book, John calls it the "great net" of creation. I've heard it called, "Indra's net," among other names in other sources.
Whatever it may be, I find it interesting that the communications received are similar enough to draw comparisons.
"Among the greatest gifts we have observed in your race is the desire to know and to explore. This hunger has propelled you far along the path of the day and the path of the night. Hence, your journey is indeed one of exploration, not only in time and space, but in the dimensions of Spirit."
Of course, I had to try John's method for myself. I'm always so curious about these kind of things.
Unfortunately, I fell asleep rather than having a memorable experience. I expect the fault was on my side, but perhaps I experienced something in my sleep- I just failed to remember it.
I do plan to give the meditation a try again in the future, when I'm not so sleepy.
I was fascinated with the way the glyph looks like a treble clef with multiple circles. When John began to describe the Sidhe's connection to music, I felt that comparison made sense.
"Much of our time is spent in the making of music- though for us it is more serious than a pleasant pastime, since it is part of our creative process in more than an abstract fashion." pg 69
Playing music is one of the few activities that put me into a flow state. Perhaps I should try meditating that way.
Anyway, I recommend this book for the curious or spiritual seekers. If you try the exercises within, please do share your results. Maybe some day, the world will have more answers than questions about these ineffable things.
Or, maybe, we'll open yet another door for endless discoveries. Either way, I'll be interested to see what comes next.
John Matthews received a call from a friend whose occupation is archaeology. The friend showed John into a barrow where he first saw the glyph that is on the cover of this book.
John claims that through meditation upon the glyph, he communicated with other beings whom he believes are 'the Sidhe.'
"To truly know a thing is to become one with it. Just as to become one with it is to truly know it." pg 27, ebook
He shares the communications that he had through the glyph throughout the text. At the end, he includes six exercises that the beings gave him and encourages readers to try the practices for themselves.
Readers could potentially experience the connection John felt.
"Drawn by this feeling, I lay down beneath the branches of the old oak, and, as I had done countless times before, stared up through the branches at the patches of blue sky that showed through. As I did so a sense of stillness and peace descended upon me." pg 36, ebook
The Sidhe: Wisdom from the Celtic Otherworld reminded me of the multiple works of Abraham Hicks or Seth Speaks: The Eternal Validity of the Soul. There's probably a reason for that.
It could be that the channelers are tapping into a similar place. In this book, John calls it the "great net" of creation. I've heard it called, "Indra's net," among other names in other sources.
Whatever it may be, I find it interesting that the communications received are similar enough to draw comparisons.
"Among the greatest gifts we have observed in your race is the desire to know and to explore. This hunger has propelled you far along the path of the day and the path of the night. Hence, your journey is indeed one of exploration, not only in time and space, but in the dimensions of Spirit."
Of course, I had to try John's method for myself. I'm always so curious about these kind of things.
Unfortunately, I fell asleep rather than having a memorable experience. I expect the fault was on my side, but perhaps I experienced something in my sleep- I just failed to remember it.
I do plan to give the meditation a try again in the future, when I'm not so sleepy.
I was fascinated with the way the glyph looks like a treble clef with multiple circles. When John began to describe the Sidhe's connection to music, I felt that comparison made sense.
"Much of our time is spent in the making of music- though for us it is more serious than a pleasant pastime, since it is part of our creative process in more than an abstract fashion." pg 69
Playing music is one of the few activities that put me into a flow state. Perhaps I should try meditating that way.
Anyway, I recommend this book for the curious or spiritual seekers. If you try the exercises within, please do share your results. Maybe some day, the world will have more answers than questions about these ineffable things.
Or, maybe, we'll open yet another door for endless discoveries. Either way, I'll be interested to see what comes next.
December 2, 2008
Had numerous things wrong with the book but the most obvious was that he refused to give the locale of where he received his information, a sign of falsehood in my opinion, and the symbol he uses to channel the being bears a very, very strong resemblance to the "Cho Ku Rei" symbol of Japanese Reiki.
June 26, 2011
An odd little book. Interesting, if you can suspend disbelief - which I actually found rather difficult to do. But, like most 'channeled' material I've read: lots of vague, general statements about 'becoming one' with everything. Overall, I prefer his wife Caitlin's works, which are filled with gorgeous, inspirational language.
July 27, 2011
Para que nadie se lleve a engaños, ni considere que su inocencia le traiciona, decir que este es el relato de cómo una mágica persona sintió la llamada del pueblo de los túmulos y de lo que el enviado de las hadas le contó sobre su naturaleza y el destino de los hombres.
En otras palabras, que nadie espere teorías antropológicas, filosóficas, teológicas o mitológicas ni un desarrollo al respecto de la imagen de los Sidhe. Esto es un relato mágico.
Recomendado para los que buscan ejemplos de construcción o reconstrucción de nuevos mitos a partir del concepto cultural base. Para los que crean en la canalización y lo puedan tomar como relato histórico y para los amantes de la literatura con tiempo.
No lo recomiendo para quien busque estudios, realidades e informaciones facilmente contrastables de cualquier campo sobre las figuras feericas y el folclore céltico.
Para mi, literatura de calidad media.
En otras palabras, que nadie espere teorías antropológicas, filosóficas, teológicas o mitológicas ni un desarrollo al respecto de la imagen de los Sidhe. Esto es un relato mágico.
Recomendado para los que buscan ejemplos de construcción o reconstrucción de nuevos mitos a partir del concepto cultural base. Para los que crean en la canalización y lo puedan tomar como relato histórico y para los amantes de la literatura con tiempo.
No lo recomiendo para quien busque estudios, realidades e informaciones facilmente contrastables de cualquier campo sobre las figuras feericas y el folclore céltico.
Para mi, literatura de calidad media.
April 4, 2021
Amazing experience.
February 15, 2013
A really interesting book that shares a world view that can be found in many other spiritual books, but the review by David Spangler turned me on to this book. It made me think and renewed my interest in megaliths and sacred sites. His experience of the Sidhe is somewhat different from mine, but still fascinating .
July 22, 2012
This book is a very quick read, and I did very much enjoy it. It is quote-worthy. Regardless of whether or not you believe that John Matthews actually "met" the Sidhe, the advice contained herein is quite valuable.
January 21, 2011
An interesting story of a man supposedly interacting with the Sidhe. I did agree with a lot of the ideas of reality in the book and found new perspectives interesting.
September 2, 2012
Very interesting.
April 17, 2016
Excellent book, lots of information and useful exercises
March 19, 2018
Very Interesting
This is and will be a very important read for many. An important account and energy to connect with as we evolve in this realm.
This is and will be a very important read for many. An important account and energy to connect with as we evolve in this realm.
February 18, 2019
Fascinating and provocative account of the authors encounters with The Sidhe through a portal discovered in an archeological dig.
February 21, 2021
ehm.... where do I start?
Many moons ago I read a book by John Matthews - possibly jointly written by John and Caitlin - and simply loved it. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the title. It had some interesting visualising / self-hypnosis execises with which I had some success. This to explain that I came to this book with a positive outlook. What a disappointment!
I am able to suspend disbelief; if I enjoy a book, I can ignore blatant stuff like aliens speaking english, scientific impossibilities and the total disregard of the laws of physics. I enjoy science fiction, as well as books that reinvent a long ago disappeared history, that mixes legends and magic... I am not a 'believer' per se, but like this type of books. So my gripe with this book is not that the author would have encountered and talked with a representant of a race of people from celtic legends. Neither am I bothered by the lack of geographical infformation for the archeological site where he would first have discovered the symbol / sigil (Great Glyph) that would facilitate entry into the parallel world.
None of that would have mattered much if the writing had been at least a little better than what seems to be a first attempt at a novel by a 12 year old. Right from the start, when he is supposedly asked to come over to Ireland by an archeologist who then does not want to disclose information about the site and is then never heard of again, to the weird dialogue-y type exchanges between the author and the representative from the Sidhe, it is just bad bad bad bad....
The only redeeming feature of this book is that it is short!
Avoid!
Many moons ago I read a book by John Matthews - possibly jointly written by John and Caitlin - and simply loved it. Unfortunately, I cannot remember the title. It had some interesting visualising / self-hypnosis execises with which I had some success. This to explain that I came to this book with a positive outlook. What a disappointment!
I am able to suspend disbelief; if I enjoy a book, I can ignore blatant stuff like aliens speaking english, scientific impossibilities and the total disregard of the laws of physics. I enjoy science fiction, as well as books that reinvent a long ago disappeared history, that mixes legends and magic... I am not a 'believer' per se, but like this type of books. So my gripe with this book is not that the author would have encountered and talked with a representant of a race of people from celtic legends. Neither am I bothered by the lack of geographical infformation for the archeological site where he would first have discovered the symbol / sigil (Great Glyph) that would facilitate entry into the parallel world.
None of that would have mattered much if the writing had been at least a little better than what seems to be a first attempt at a novel by a 12 year old. Right from the start, when he is supposedly asked to come over to Ireland by an archeologist who then does not want to disclose information about the site and is then never heard of again, to the weird dialogue-y type exchanges between the author and the representative from the Sidhe, it is just bad bad bad bad....
The only redeeming feature of this book is that it is short!
Avoid!
December 1, 2021
I like books in which the author stumbles upon secret information and reveals it surreptitiously, so I like that Matthews has the opportunity to encounter an Irish megalithic "passage grave" and is contacted by the Sidhe, an ancient race of Ireland. The book details the experience of Matthews as he learns the folklore of the country and simultaneously converses with the Sidhe, who want to warn humanity to change their course to avert the coming disaster of self-destruction. Humanity will have to integrate its spirit, heart, and mind, rather than continue isolating itself from its own inner Self. It must see itself as an ally of creation, rather than its ruler, and work in harmony with the natural world. It must acknowledge the presence of Spirit in all things. The author is a great story teller, and I was touched by the wisdom and concern in the message from the Sidhe. The story moves along lively as the author documents his reactions to each message as he receives it. The Sidhe encourage humanity to pay attention to its invisible guides available to help it raise its level of consciousness. The author provides meditation exercises for those who would like to try conversing with the Sidhe themselves. I tried them and found myself quickly receiving Sidhe messages! I recommend this book to those who wish to see what communication with an invisible ancient race living on an alternate dimension would be like. It's very interesting!
May 10, 2022
Amazing read!!
I was looking for a new book to read and this book found me.....it was exactly what I was looking for without knowing it existed.
I was looking for a new book to read and this book found me.....it was exactly what I was looking for without knowing it existed.
July 23, 2010
Still not sure what to think about this book!
December 29, 2015
A truly inspiring read, written by an author who is grounded in his attitude and delivery.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews