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The Book of Celtic Magic: Transformative Teachings from the Cauldron of Awen
Delve into the depths of a magical current that spans over two thousand years. The Book of Celtic Magic provides the unsurpassed power of practical magic and the transformative forces of ancient Celtica. Druid priest Kristoffer Hughes invites you to explore the pantheon, myths, and magic of his native Wales. Discover the magical allies, the gods and goddesses, and the spirits of place that form the foundation of this vibrant tradition. Practice rituals that draw you closer to the divine energy of the trees, plants, and animals that surround you. Work with spells, conjurations, invocations, and magical tools that have been developed and refined from genuine Celtic sources. Complete with exercises and a glossary of terms, this step-by-step guide is a definitive source of authentic Celtic magic.
360 pages, Paperback
First published August 1, 2014
120 people are currently reading
823 people want to read
About the author
Kristoffer Hughes
16 books79 followersKristoffer Hughes (Wales) is Chief of the Anglesey Druid Order, a Mount Haemus Scholar, and a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. He is a teacher, writer, workshop leader, and guest speaker at Pagan conferences, camps, and festivals throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, and North America. Hughes has also contributed to Welsh and English television and radio. He's the author of four books and the creator of the Celtic Tarot.
Hughes is also a Death Services Professional for Her Majesty's Coroner service. He hosts frequent Amicus Mortis/Friends Death, Death Midwifery and Mortality Salience courses in person and online.
Hughes is also a Death Services Professional for Her Majesty's Coroner service. He hosts frequent Amicus Mortis/Friends Death, Death Midwifery and Mortality Salience courses in person and online.
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Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews
June 18, 2014
I began reading this book determined not to just put it down, never to come back to it again. The thing about Celtic Magic, for me, is that I find it a hard subject to get into. I love esoteric subjects, find them so fascinating, especially witchcraft and magic, but Celtic Magic has always left me cold.
This book, however, was different right from the beginning. What I usually find when reading anything on Celtic Magic is how long winded it is. I find it takes me so long to take in what the author is trying to impart, this often puts me off wanting to read the book. I found this book to be very easy to understand - the language is clear and very informative. I have learnt more from this book about Celtic Magic than any other book I have ever tried to read.
The book is full of rituals and meditations. At the very start the reader is invited to start a journal so that they can record their thoughts and feelings upon performing the rituals and meditations. I found this a very useful tool whilst reading this book and I actually think it helped me to connect with the book a lot more. The book came across as a teaching tool, but there was nothing stuffy or boring about it. I felt like I was sitting down with a trusted mentor each time I came to read, and that made reading the book a joy.
As you work through the book the author recommends other books that you might find useful. Although this is not a new concept, some authors will have listed books that can seem unnecessary to readers. The author seemed to only recommend what he thought would be of use to his readers, of course it is entirely up to the individual reader if they choose to act upon those recommendations, but I felt inspired to look up some of the recommended books with the intention of obtaining them.
Having read many books on the subject of witchcraft and magic I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book was not your usual Alexandrian, Gardnerian, neo-pagan offering. Those sorts of books leave me cold, this book, however, was full of useful information; lists of Celtic Gods and Goddesses that the author had worked with, detailing their areas of usefulness. The book has covered areas such as trees and plants, such as how to use them in magical rituals and how to feel more connected to nature. There was a section on animals and totems, which was quite impressive.
I particularly loved how there is a meditation for more or less every area that the author covers in the book. This not only helps the reader to connect to this particular practice, but it also helps you to absorb the information you are learning and helps absorb the material.
I also loved the glossary at the end, the words are listed and in brackets the author has included the correct pronunciation of each word. This is particularly useful as there an awful lot of Welsh words included.
On the whole this book was a joy to read, in an area I have struggled to get to grips with in the past. I would recommend this book to novices and those who are already walking a spiritual path, no matter how far down it you have got. There is plenty to learn from the book and I think it will be a useful accompaniment for novices and those who are more established in their practices.
Highly Recommended 5 stars *****
This book, however, was different right from the beginning. What I usually find when reading anything on Celtic Magic is how long winded it is. I find it takes me so long to take in what the author is trying to impart, this often puts me off wanting to read the book. I found this book to be very easy to understand - the language is clear and very informative. I have learnt more from this book about Celtic Magic than any other book I have ever tried to read.
The book is full of rituals and meditations. At the very start the reader is invited to start a journal so that they can record their thoughts and feelings upon performing the rituals and meditations. I found this a very useful tool whilst reading this book and I actually think it helped me to connect with the book a lot more. The book came across as a teaching tool, but there was nothing stuffy or boring about it. I felt like I was sitting down with a trusted mentor each time I came to read, and that made reading the book a joy.
As you work through the book the author recommends other books that you might find useful. Although this is not a new concept, some authors will have listed books that can seem unnecessary to readers. The author seemed to only recommend what he thought would be of use to his readers, of course it is entirely up to the individual reader if they choose to act upon those recommendations, but I felt inspired to look up some of the recommended books with the intention of obtaining them.
Having read many books on the subject of witchcraft and magic I was pleasantly surprised to find that this book was not your usual Alexandrian, Gardnerian, neo-pagan offering. Those sorts of books leave me cold, this book, however, was full of useful information; lists of Celtic Gods and Goddesses that the author had worked with, detailing their areas of usefulness. The book has covered areas such as trees and plants, such as how to use them in magical rituals and how to feel more connected to nature. There was a section on animals and totems, which was quite impressive.
I particularly loved how there is a meditation for more or less every area that the author covers in the book. This not only helps the reader to connect to this particular practice, but it also helps you to absorb the information you are learning and helps absorb the material.
I also loved the glossary at the end, the words are listed and in brackets the author has included the correct pronunciation of each word. This is particularly useful as there an awful lot of Welsh words included.
On the whole this book was a joy to read, in an area I have struggled to get to grips with in the past. I would recommend this book to novices and those who are already walking a spiritual path, no matter how far down it you have got. There is plenty to learn from the book and I think it will be a useful accompaniment for novices and those who are more established in their practices.
Highly Recommended 5 stars *****
July 25, 2016
This rating may or may not change in the future. I was able to complete a few of the meditations on this book some of which felt very enlightening.
What concerns me is that while he does provide a rich history of the celts and a vast image of the Celtic divinities and dieties, Kristoffer Hughes is not one to keep grounded into a positive realm. The way he goes about with the attributions of the digits and the using of the bones is interesting though not so realistic as to what a modern witch would perform today. He refers to all practitioners as "magicians" and separates the females by calling them "witches" he feels the need to separate these two though I'm not sure why. A witch is a witch. A pagan is a pagan that's pretty plain and simple. I feel though he has a beautiful approach to some things he also tends to over complicate. I felt at times with some of the spells he may be venturing into a bit of a darker road, which I believe is never necessary, until it is. Also the author really seemed to put off the energy that he merely read plenty of books to know how to do this but didn't give off much of his own practice and experience. Anybody can read a book on witchcraft or 10 or 50 books but it's simply not real and you will not gather wisdom until you've put in your own practice and make your own experiences. I may want to refer to this book for later references if needed, however I feel like I may have either reached it too early or that it's not quite my cup of tea...at least not yet.
What concerns me is that while he does provide a rich history of the celts and a vast image of the Celtic divinities and dieties, Kristoffer Hughes is not one to keep grounded into a positive realm. The way he goes about with the attributions of the digits and the using of the bones is interesting though not so realistic as to what a modern witch would perform today. He refers to all practitioners as "magicians" and separates the females by calling them "witches" he feels the need to separate these two though I'm not sure why. A witch is a witch. A pagan is a pagan that's pretty plain and simple. I feel though he has a beautiful approach to some things he also tends to over complicate. I felt at times with some of the spells he may be venturing into a bit of a darker road, which I believe is never necessary, until it is. Also the author really seemed to put off the energy that he merely read plenty of books to know how to do this but didn't give off much of his own practice and experience. Anybody can read a book on witchcraft or 10 or 50 books but it's simply not real and you will not gather wisdom until you've put in your own practice and make your own experiences. I may want to refer to this book for later references if needed, however I feel like I may have either reached it too early or that it's not quite my cup of tea...at least not yet.
February 1, 2024
I feel bad giving this such a low rating, but I went through almost the entirety of it either completely lost or wondering where the other half of the information was. Let me also state that I've been studying Gardner witchcraft for twenty years now, and am not the biggest practitioner, so maybe take my review with a grain of salt. Honestly, I probably should have started with something along the lines of "Celtic Magic for Dummies," because this book was way too advanced for me, as I am someone who is just learning Celtic Magic. Like I said, I spent half of the book super confused or wondering what the information he's talking about has anything to do with the subject in question. When I got to the chapter of bone oracles, I was excited, but there was no explanation how to use them or what to do (time to find a more in depth book on that). Now, this book did have a lot of meditations and invocations to follow, which is great. I did happen to learn a few things and he gave me more things to research and look into so I have a firm grasp and understanding (and then I can COME BACK to this and be like ohhhh, I see).
November 14, 2020
To start with this book has some beautiful cover art. I don't usually comment on bookcovers in reviews, but this one is both organic and magical and definitely made me want to pick up the book to see what it was about.
For anyone looking for a comprehensive explanation of the Druidic religion as it is practiced today, this is it. Hughes very clearly explains the definition of what is Celtic, something that isn't as simple as a specific tribe or nationality. He goes on to mention that the tradition represented in this book is based on Welsh roots rather than the Irish Celtic tradition which has been covered in many other books.
He succinctly describes a mytho-centric belief system wherein a pantheon of gods and goddesses and their mysteries are an inherent part of ritual and practice, as well as the role that singing and verse play in this form of magic. Hughes also gives sources, some of them not commonly known, for the historical basis of the tradition that is described. The Tale of Taliesin features highly.
I was pleased that he explains the particularly Druidic term 'Awen', the divine spirit of inspiration. This was something that people unfamiliar with the Pagan traditions and especially with modern Druidism may have needed clarification on.
Hughes also does a good job of explaining 'magic' in terms of natural forces. The philosophy expounds that all things are connected and everything we say or do affects the world around us. There are explanatory historic references of folk magic in Wales that tie history and modern tradition together.
Hughes does assume that the reader practices certain conventions, like keeping a journal, but he also reminds us of the accepted ethics in religions that practice magic and warns of natural consequences.
I'm not sure if I could agree with his statement that a magician must live a life of servitude, but the spirit of the idea of doing good is sound. Parts of the book did seem moralistic, but the explanation about living a magical life and direct consequences for magical actions is well placed.
The whole book is rich with symbolism and contains many meditation exercises to fully embrace the information imparted. I found some of the given rituals repetitive for my taste, but who am I try argue with the traditions of others?
Hughes explains that the Celtic tradition includes ritual other than the well-known Gardnerian formula and the Celtic connection to land, sea and sky as the elements, also explaining where fire fits in to this alternate view.
He emphasises planning and assessing reasons for performing ritual and offers ritual formulas with many variations to suit individual taste. There is a large section about magical allies or guides as well as Celtic gods and goddesses. Here he seems to qualify the information with a concession to those who choose not to believe in these deities. Do they exist or not? I appreciate that he's leaving room for disagreement, but I'm reading about his system and beliefs so why hedge?
I especially liked the material on the genius loci, or place spirits, which correlates with information I've read on these elsewhere.
Hughes asks us to use our imaginations and follow guided journeys through visualization. He draws on his personal experience and encourages the reader towards self evaluation as to why they want to do magic.
He shows us the meanings behind Ogham script and the significance of the wand and cauldron in Celtic ritual, and also teaches us a mixture of folklore and herbal medicine and where animals fit into this magical philosophy, often appearing as teachers.
Near the end of the book, he shows us a form of divination specific to this system that I haven't seen before.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to study modern Druidry or who just wants to round out their knowledge of Pagan paths with something different than the plethora of books on Gardnerian tradition. I found it interesting and informative.
For anyone looking for a comprehensive explanation of the Druidic religion as it is practiced today, this is it. Hughes very clearly explains the definition of what is Celtic, something that isn't as simple as a specific tribe or nationality. He goes on to mention that the tradition represented in this book is based on Welsh roots rather than the Irish Celtic tradition which has been covered in many other books.
He succinctly describes a mytho-centric belief system wherein a pantheon of gods and goddesses and their mysteries are an inherent part of ritual and practice, as well as the role that singing and verse play in this form of magic. Hughes also gives sources, some of them not commonly known, for the historical basis of the tradition that is described. The Tale of Taliesin features highly.
I was pleased that he explains the particularly Druidic term 'Awen', the divine spirit of inspiration. This was something that people unfamiliar with the Pagan traditions and especially with modern Druidism may have needed clarification on.
Hughes also does a good job of explaining 'magic' in terms of natural forces. The philosophy expounds that all things are connected and everything we say or do affects the world around us. There are explanatory historic references of folk magic in Wales that tie history and modern tradition together.
Hughes does assume that the reader practices certain conventions, like keeping a journal, but he also reminds us of the accepted ethics in religions that practice magic and warns of natural consequences.
I'm not sure if I could agree with his statement that a magician must live a life of servitude, but the spirit of the idea of doing good is sound. Parts of the book did seem moralistic, but the explanation about living a magical life and direct consequences for magical actions is well placed.
The whole book is rich with symbolism and contains many meditation exercises to fully embrace the information imparted. I found some of the given rituals repetitive for my taste, but who am I try argue with the traditions of others?
Hughes explains that the Celtic tradition includes ritual other than the well-known Gardnerian formula and the Celtic connection to land, sea and sky as the elements, also explaining where fire fits in to this alternate view.
He emphasises planning and assessing reasons for performing ritual and offers ritual formulas with many variations to suit individual taste. There is a large section about magical allies or guides as well as Celtic gods and goddesses. Here he seems to qualify the information with a concession to those who choose not to believe in these deities. Do they exist or not? I appreciate that he's leaving room for disagreement, but I'm reading about his system and beliefs so why hedge?
I especially liked the material on the genius loci, or place spirits, which correlates with information I've read on these elsewhere.
Hughes asks us to use our imaginations and follow guided journeys through visualization. He draws on his personal experience and encourages the reader towards self evaluation as to why they want to do magic.
He shows us the meanings behind Ogham script and the significance of the wand and cauldron in Celtic ritual, and also teaches us a mixture of folklore and herbal medicine and where animals fit into this magical philosophy, often appearing as teachers.
Near the end of the book, he shows us a form of divination specific to this system that I haven't seen before.
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants to study modern Druidry or who just wants to round out their knowledge of Pagan paths with something different than the plethora of books on Gardnerian tradition. I found it interesting and informative.
November 27, 2017
Kristoffer is so engaging and interesting. He is knowledgeable, but his writing style is conversational. I learned a lot, but it wasn't a struggle. One of the things i am learning right now, is that I can translate some of the celtic methods to my home in Northern California. We have different trees and plants and animals which belong in our place that can be honored and consulted in a similar way.
September 8, 2021
Very much enjoyed the writing style and descriptions. Beautifully written.
April 16, 2022
I liked and learned very much.
February 6, 2018
For Druids and Witches following a Celtic tradition or path, the resources for learning how to incorporate magic into their practice may seem at once inexhaustible and at the same time underwhelming. It's so challenging to be sure that the book or teacher you are working with actually understands magic, let alone how it might impact your practice. The Book of Celtic Magic: Transformative Teachings from the Cauldron of Awen by Kristoffer Hughes, however, is a treasure trove of Celtic wisdom, spells, real experiences, and foundational ideas that will enrich and inspire anyone following a Celtic, Pagan path.
This book is comprised of six parts. The first part gives readers a general overview of the author's perspective on Magic and the basics for ritual and spellcraft. The second part of the book goes into surprising detail on the companions one can work with in using Celtic magic. This is by far the largest section of the book. The third part of the book dives into working with Ogham and trees; this is followed by part four covering plant magic. Finally, part 5 and 6 cover divination including an awesome section on using bone oracle.
Each chapter is short and to the point, wasting no one's time (we have magic to do!). Chapters also include "exercises". These are, at times, frustratingly in the middle of the chapter making for a somewhat disjointed reading experience albeit a generally very useful and interesting one. Many of these exercises are guided meditations or rituals. Other times these will be spell work or magical crafts, practical how-to's which will be the draw for many readers to this book. Overall, I really enjoyed the balanced approach to "Why" and "How" in the book. You are encouraged to get out there and do stuff. The training wheels are only there as long as you need them.
I loved learning about the forts of truth as a divination system. I am eagerly investigating how this might impact my own practice. There are tabbed pages throughout the book of other ideas that I have or will be soon trying out. Books are best when they leave you feeling motivated to pursue action and magic!
My only complaint really is that there is no ending. I wanted a chapter to wrap things up for me, a chance to say goodbye to the author after all these brilliant ideas were conveyed. Oh well, I guess I'll just go read another of Kristoffer Hughes books so I don't HAVE to say good-bye.
This book is comprised of six parts. The first part gives readers a general overview of the author's perspective on Magic and the basics for ritual and spellcraft. The second part of the book goes into surprising detail on the companions one can work with in using Celtic magic. This is by far the largest section of the book. The third part of the book dives into working with Ogham and trees; this is followed by part four covering plant magic. Finally, part 5 and 6 cover divination including an awesome section on using bone oracle.
Each chapter is short and to the point, wasting no one's time (we have magic to do!). Chapters also include "exercises". These are, at times, frustratingly in the middle of the chapter making for a somewhat disjointed reading experience albeit a generally very useful and interesting one. Many of these exercises are guided meditations or rituals. Other times these will be spell work or magical crafts, practical how-to's which will be the draw for many readers to this book. Overall, I really enjoyed the balanced approach to "Why" and "How" in the book. You are encouraged to get out there and do stuff. The training wheels are only there as long as you need them.
I loved learning about the forts of truth as a divination system. I am eagerly investigating how this might impact my own practice. There are tabbed pages throughout the book of other ideas that I have or will be soon trying out. Books are best when they leave you feeling motivated to pursue action and magic!
My only complaint really is that there is no ending. I wanted a chapter to wrap things up for me, a chance to say goodbye to the author after all these brilliant ideas were conveyed. Oh well, I guess I'll just go read another of Kristoffer Hughes books so I don't HAVE to say good-bye.
May 20, 2020
I was sort of hoping to read up about celtic mythology. But all the nonsense about implemeting magic in everyday life just was not for me and just felt...silly. I realized very early on that this book simply was not for me.
I honestly did not get very far. I rarely leave books unfinished, however, so might try to force myself to read it at some point and if need be change this review.
I honestly did not get very far. I rarely leave books unfinished, however, so might try to force myself to read it at some point and if need be change this review.
October 31, 2021
Interesting read. I found some of it enlightening, and some of it confusing. In particular, I found the chapters on the magical allies a bit lacking. I didn't always understand how their stories related to their decided functions in magical practice. Overall I liked the writing, but I did notice some typos.
November 26, 2025
A little overly flowery at times I feel like this book could have probably been condensed but ultimately a lot of the wordiness speaks to the passion and love of the author for the subject matter and that’s wonderful
September 12, 2020
I was drawn to this book for a better understanding of my celtic tarot deck.
April 18, 2021
A very interesting book and some things to adapt, especially when one is not in Europe but in North America were plants and trees are quite different.
September 1, 2021
Review to come. I have thoughts.
May 19, 2023
The Book of Celtic Magic by Kristoffer Hughes
362 Pages
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications, Llewellyn Worldwide
Release Date: August 8, 2014
Nonfiction (Adult), Spirituality, Religion, Magic, Metaphysical
The book is divided into the following parts.
Part 1: Weaving the Web of Celtic Magic
Part 2: The Companions of Celtic Magic
Part 3: By Oak, Ash, and Thorn: Celtic Tree Magic
Part 4: By Oakflower, Broom, and Meadowsweet: Celtic Plant Magic
Part 5: By Bone, Tooth, and Claw: Celtic Animal Magic
Part 6: The Islands of Annwn: A Celtic Divination System
This is a great book for anyone interested in Celtic lore and magic. The author provides exercises and meditations. He also recommends keeping a journal for your work with the book. I have studied Celtic magic for more than twenty years, and I learned several things from reading this book.
362 Pages
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications, Llewellyn Worldwide
Release Date: August 8, 2014
Nonfiction (Adult), Spirituality, Religion, Magic, Metaphysical
The book is divided into the following parts.
Part 1: Weaving the Web of Celtic Magic
Part 2: The Companions of Celtic Magic
Part 3: By Oak, Ash, and Thorn: Celtic Tree Magic
Part 4: By Oakflower, Broom, and Meadowsweet: Celtic Plant Magic
Part 5: By Bone, Tooth, and Claw: Celtic Animal Magic
Part 6: The Islands of Annwn: A Celtic Divination System
This is a great book for anyone interested in Celtic lore and magic. The author provides exercises and meditations. He also recommends keeping a journal for your work with the book. I have studied Celtic magic for more than twenty years, and I learned several things from reading this book.
December 25, 2015
Good book
A good book on magic based on celtic nature philosophy. If you have read a few books on this topic before you will probably find that there's not so much new stuff to learn from it but for beginners it's a very good book.
A good book on magic based on celtic nature philosophy. If you have read a few books on this topic before you will probably find that there's not so much new stuff to learn from it but for beginners it's a very good book.
April 9, 2020
I really enjoyed the writing style. Right up front, he mentions that his version of Celtic would not include any Irish tradition and would focus only on Welsh. Though I follow the Irish tradition, this book forced me to expand into that side of Celtic beliefs.
March 20, 2023
Great book and introduction into Welsh Celtic magick.
Displaying 1 - 18 of 18 reviews