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The Cauldron and the Drum: A Journey into Celtic Shamanism
Rhonda McCrimmon brings the ancient, healing wisdom of Celtic shamanism to life so we can break free from the chains of past traumas, hurts, and heartaches and live a whole, connected, and more meaningful life.
Celtic shamanism is a spiritual tradition whose origins predate the arrival of Christianity in northern Europe. According to this ancient tradition, the root of a person's physical, spiritual, and emotional health comes from the balancing the body's three energy centers called the “three cauldrons,” the Cauldron of Warming, the Cauldron of Motion, and the Cauldron of Wisdom. The Celts believed a person must activate, nurture, and maintain all three cauldrons to live a whole, connected, meaningful life.
Now, Rhonda McCrimmon—a beloved shamanic teacher— takes readers on a spiritual journey from the lowest of the three energetic cauldrons to the highest, sharing practices to cultivate each cauldron’s unique potential.
In each chapter, McCrimmon provides self-reflections and other exercises designed to help
The book also explores the tradition of Celtic fire festivals and the sacred practice of saining. Regardless of your ancestral roots, Rhonda McCrimmon invites you to explore this ancient wisdom and begin your journey down the shaman’s path. The book includes a foreword by HeatherAsh Amara, author of Warrior Goddess Training .
Celtic shamanism is a spiritual tradition whose origins predate the arrival of Christianity in northern Europe. According to this ancient tradition, the root of a person's physical, spiritual, and emotional health comes from the balancing the body's three energy centers called the “three cauldrons,” the Cauldron of Warming, the Cauldron of Motion, and the Cauldron of Wisdom. The Celts believed a person must activate, nurture, and maintain all three cauldrons to live a whole, connected, meaningful life.
Now, Rhonda McCrimmon—a beloved shamanic teacher— takes readers on a spiritual journey from the lowest of the three energetic cauldrons to the highest, sharing practices to cultivate each cauldron’s unique potential.
In each chapter, McCrimmon provides self-reflections and other exercises designed to help
The book also explores the tradition of Celtic fire festivals and the sacred practice of saining. Regardless of your ancestral roots, Rhonda McCrimmon invites you to explore this ancient wisdom and begin your journey down the shaman’s path. The book includes a foreword by HeatherAsh Amara, author of Warrior Goddess Training .
208 pages, Paperback
Published January 9, 2024
411 people are currently reading
374 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
April 12, 2024
I really like the concept of the 3 cauldrons.
February 7, 2025
I loved a lot about The Cauldron and the Drum, and I'll definitely reread it. I'm always skeptical about the use of the word "shamanism" because it's so often misused and misunderstood and I don't think it was necessary to use in this context. Western words like "seership" for western practices work fine. I do feel more connected, culturally, to the idea of the three cauldrons rather than the chakra system(s), so I'll have to learn more about that. I also refer to this as Irish rather than Celtic practice because there's really no such thing as pan-Celticism, either in history or the present-day. Therefore, I look for cultural specificity when learning about either historical or modern practices.
Correction: it's sort of a thing and if Celtic people are into it, more power to them, but most often it's weird English romanticised notions of Celtic peoples.
Correction: it's sort of a thing and if Celtic people are into it, more power to them, but most often it's weird English romanticised notions of Celtic peoples.
January 9, 2024
With gentle guidance, this fantastic author and teacher doesn't dictate methodology but rather allows you to find your creative way. Her book has provided me with tools to delve deeper and unearth parts of myself long hidden. Be sure to grab a copy of this must-read.
April 6, 2025
My conclusion is that this book reads very much like all the other repetitive run of the mill self-help books that are so popular right now, only with a little Celtic gloss and a little Shamanic gloss. Based on what little I have read about Celtic spirituality and modern shamanism, it definitely doesn’t sound like much of either. I checked Hierophant Publishing, and it does indeed specialize in self-help books.
There has been a lot of discourse recently critical of the self-help industry exploiting our collective natural desire for self-improvement, self-development, etc, as our society grows more dysfunctional. From what I understand, there is concern that some books have caused serious harm, but mostly the harm seems to be in the form of financial burden (from buying books that turn out to be useless) and sometimes spreading misinformation. It is always possible that despite all this, a rare book will resonate with a particular person(s) and actually do the thing that it purports to do. If that’s indeed the case with this book, more power to you, but I still think that fact-checking any apparent facts presented in the text would be wise to avoid falling for misinformation. There were a few jarring things that jumped out at me and others as we read; it would not surprise me if there were more.
As for me, I have yet to do a comprehensive review of all the available literature on shamanism or of the Celts, but I doubt that when I do, I will want this book to live in my library.
There has been a lot of discourse recently critical of the self-help industry exploiting our collective natural desire for self-improvement, self-development, etc, as our society grows more dysfunctional. From what I understand, there is concern that some books have caused serious harm, but mostly the harm seems to be in the form of financial burden (from buying books that turn out to be useless) and sometimes spreading misinformation. It is always possible that despite all this, a rare book will resonate with a particular person(s) and actually do the thing that it purports to do. If that’s indeed the case with this book, more power to you, but I still think that fact-checking any apparent facts presented in the text would be wise to avoid falling for misinformation. There were a few jarring things that jumped out at me and others as we read; it would not surprise me if there were more.
As for me, I have yet to do a comprehensive review of all the available literature on shamanism or of the Celts, but I doubt that when I do, I will want this book to live in my library.
May 23, 2024
Lovely introduction to celtic spiritual work
Enjoyed the fact that they translated words into galic and gave easy to understand explanations
Building awareness was spoken about which really touched me because mindfulness really changed my life. To see this was practiced by my ancestors too made me feel so connected to them
Easy to hold & to read not painful on my hands
Some of the resources were either hard to find or very expensive so not available to read easily
Meditation exercises looked really good but be better if they were available to do online.
No mention of how to do the meditations if you cannot visualise or struggle with it.
I loved learning about how the Celts understood and worked with the energy centres in the body
Loved the section about connecting to the earth, but no mention of how to make it more accessible to disabled people.
Really enjoyed how they spoke about how other cultures understand energy centers in the body
Enjoyed the fact that they translated words into galic and gave easy to understand explanations
Building awareness was spoken about which really touched me because mindfulness really changed my life. To see this was practiced by my ancestors too made me feel so connected to them
Easy to hold & to read not painful on my hands
Some of the resources were either hard to find or very expensive so not available to read easily
Meditation exercises looked really good but be better if they were available to do online.
No mention of how to do the meditations if you cannot visualise or struggle with it.
I loved learning about how the Celts understood and worked with the energy centres in the body
Loved the section about connecting to the earth, but no mention of how to make it more accessible to disabled people.
Really enjoyed how they spoke about how other cultures understand energy centers in the body
November 21, 2025
Rhonda’s exercises to be present with nature wherever you live are excellent. Her stories and lived experience bring her premise to life. Walking a”Shamanic” path is shared with a Celtic / Scottish perspective that is interesting and for some an awakening.
I was able to attend “Fire in The Mountain “ on The BlackFoot Tribe land in 2025. While there I was able to attend small classes hearing the native language and some of their creation beliefs.
At the end of the week the overall impression was come live our ways and learn our language and you can be part of the Black Feet family.
I feel like Rhonda invokes this idea through her writing. Walk and experience nature, commune with the trees and the Earth, and you can live a shamanic life.
If you’re looking to connect with The Earth or for a spiritual tradition that isn’t dogmatic, this book is worth a read.
I was able to attend “Fire in The Mountain “ on The BlackFoot Tribe land in 2025. While there I was able to attend small classes hearing the native language and some of their creation beliefs.
At the end of the week the overall impression was come live our ways and learn our language and you can be part of the Black Feet family.
I feel like Rhonda invokes this idea through her writing. Walk and experience nature, commune with the trees and the Earth, and you can live a shamanic life.
If you’re looking to connect with The Earth or for a spiritual tradition that isn’t dogmatic, this book is worth a read.
June 26, 2025
I chose to read 'The Cauldron and the Drum' because I wanted to learn more about the Three Cauldrons attested to in Bardic Law. This was a good introduction and I feel that it provided enough for an initial exploration. There are also some good exercises here. I did though find the information presented a bit thin and, although it was presented as fact relating to our Celtic ancestors, no sources are presented. I am not against intuitive information but it isn't presented in that way, which I find frustrating. Nevertheless, this is a valuable book for those just setting out on an alternative spiritual path.
January 20, 2024
I started listening on audible as the book was released and a physical copy was en route.
It did not disappoint. Rhonda's writing style makes the subject matter come to life in a down to earth, relatable and recognizable way. Through the book I got a richer understanding on what the different cauldrons are about and how to connect to them. Some of the insights she gives were definite eye-openers. Even though the book is rather small. (wish it would be bigger) It does give ample material to start exploring and working with the depths of cauldron work and "celtic" Shamanism.
It did not disappoint. Rhonda's writing style makes the subject matter come to life in a down to earth, relatable and recognizable way. Through the book I got a richer understanding on what the different cauldrons are about and how to connect to them. Some of the insights she gives were definite eye-openers. Even though the book is rather small. (wish it would be bigger) It does give ample material to start exploring and working with the depths of cauldron work and "celtic" Shamanism.
August 23, 2025
How have I finished TWO self help / healing books this summer? Both gifts? What are people trying to tell me. This one was fun. Good exercises, and not too crunchy for me. More about reconnecting with yourself, others, and the earth. Not a huge fan of the genre, but I could see myself recommending it to specific people.
January 20, 2024
Wonderfully warm, wise and healing path to connect with soul, Earth and ancestors . Rhondas teachings can bring you home and allow you to find the magic withing. Thank you for helping me save myself .
May 28, 2024
Lovely book
What a beautiful and well written book this is. Full of relatable & insightful experiences. The exercises on each chapter are fantastic, too, bringing in the practical side of the teachings. I'm so glad i found this book 📖. Thank you 🙏 😊
What a beautiful and well written book this is. Full of relatable & insightful experiences. The exercises on each chapter are fantastic, too, bringing in the practical side of the teachings. I'm so glad i found this book 📖. Thank you 🙏 😊
Read
April 12, 2025Lovely, clear book exploring the Celtic approach to inner work. McCrimmon is a gem , very accessible and refreshingly humble, not at all presumptuous or esoteric. This is a practical tome. Can't wait to study further with her.
March 26, 2024
Weaving in and out between relatable stories and practical exercises, this is a lovely introduction to a Celtic-Inspired Shamanism.
December 31, 2024
A quick intro into Celtic shamanism with a lot of reflection and practice ideas to take forward. Great final book of 2024
January 15, 2025
Ancient Celtic Shamanism comes to life in the easiest, most direct presentation I’ve read. Down to earth, simple to understand style makes this Shamanism book my favorite!
August 31, 2025
A lovely take on creating one own's relationship with and understanding of all things divine. Very enjoyable. Thank you, Rhonda McCrimmon.
November 8, 2025
Wonderful book, especially for people beginning to explore traditions and practices from Celtic times. For those more experienced, there are still thoughtful prompts to take note.
November 20, 2025
Beginning my journey
If you are just beginning on the path of shamanism or being pagan, then this is a powerful read. It's been enlightening and given me much to think about.
If you are just beginning on the path of shamanism or being pagan, then this is a powerful read. It's been enlightening and given me much to think about.
November 11, 2024
Alles wat ik zocht in een boek over sjamanisme. Helder geschreven, to the point en niet onnodig herhalend. Rhonda legt het systeem van de drie ketels als energiecentra echt geweldig uit, met duidelijke en haalbare oefeningen. Ik houd van de praktische, down to earth insteek. Het geeft vertrouwen dat ook jij dit pad kunt bewandelen, ongeacht je achtergrond. Een realistische basis in heldere taal.
June 10, 2024
An amazing piece of work. Written in a warm and relatable way. Lots of practical and accessible ways to incorporate the three Celtic cauldrons into your personal and spiritual development.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews