{"id":17991,"date":"2019-02-01T01:10:47","date_gmt":"2019-02-01T06:10:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/content\/?p=20391"},"modified":"2019-01-31T14:09:48","modified_gmt":"2019-01-31T19:09:48","slug":"book-review-bardic-book-of-becomingby-ivan-mcbeth-with-fern-lickfield","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2019\/02\/01\/book-review-bardic-book-of-becomingby-ivan-mcbeth-with-fern-lickfield\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review – The Bardic Book of Becoming: An Introduction to Modern Druidry by Ivan McBeth with Fern Lickfield"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

\nBook\nReview<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nThe\nBardic Book of Becoming<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nAn\nIntroduction to Modern Druidry<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nby\nIvan McBeth with Fern Lickfield<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\nIvan\nMcBeth died peacefully at home on September 23.2016, and his name and\nwork remains as that one of the penultimate Druids. Reading the\nintroduction and the words of his partner, Fern Lickfield drew me\ninto this book well before the actual meat of the book. And, the\nclosing words of Orion Foxwood, completed a beautiful book of hope,\nteaching and wisdom in the way of the bard. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nThis\nis a book of beginnings that offers those new to the path of Druidry\nsolid foundation in a style of mystery and magick that has survived\nand evolved into a modern practice that honors the earth that was, is\nand can be. This book is chockfull of visualizations, rituals and\nstories filled with the keys of understanding that will open the\ndoors of personal experience. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nA\nmost endearing approach is that of Ivan offering his own stories of\nhow he came to a path of Druidry, what it meant to him and how he\nwished to enchant the world with these teachings that emanate from a\nhistory that systemically wove the natural world and man into a dance\nof collaborative embrace and mutual support. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nIvan\nbegins the teachings in Chapter One, entitled We\nAre One<\/strong>. A simple, yet profound\nstatement that he continues to peel back the layers of in reminding\nus that we began inseparable from the Earth\u2019s Mother and although\nwe have recently lost our way, the choice is ours to return to that\nplace of symbiotic union and relationship with everything. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nWe\nlearn that there are three levels\/grades of training that form the\nDruid Path, the Bard-the Ovate and finally the becoming of a Druid.\nThis study and path is one of commitment, the early Druids training\nfor at least twenty years and all of that training oral in its\npassing on. Nothing was recorded. That was the way of the ancient\nDruids. There have been revisions to this in keeping with the demands\nof modern society and the inability n most cases to devote all of\none\u2019s life and time to this training. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nPart\nOne<\/strong> moves smoothly and clearly\nthrough al that is required to begin the foundations of a Drudic\npractice. It is rich with visualizations, exercises, and\nopportunities to create your own experiences that will form the\nscaffolding of who and what you become as you evolve and grow in a\nnatural and wholistic world. The mere telling of Ivan\u2019s experiences\nis a mystical gateway filled with passkeys and inspired ways of\npractice. This style adds a personal approach and engages the reader\ninto a palpable experience in the re-telling. This also exemplifies\nthe ways of the Druids in past years and the power of their teachings\nhanded down through storytelling and oral rendition. We are one and\nour stories all lead to the mysteries of who and what we are on this\nplanet and in this time. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nPart\nTwo<\/strong> dedicates its chapters to the\nElements and the role they play in the practice of Druidry. These are\nthe cornerstones of the natural world and as such are held in the\nutmost sacredness to those on a Druid\u2019s path. I particularly liked\nthe way in which Ivan drew you in with experience and a very simple,\nyet rich in layers of meaning accounting of the energies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\nIn\nkeeping with the tradition of experience that is so richly laden\nwithin a Druid\u2019s path, I am purposefully keeping this review brief.\nThe greater worth of its information is to be found by your diving\ninto its pages and immersing yourself in an ancient practice of\ncultivating awareness of all\nthat is of this natural world; most importantly ourselves. This book\nis a treasure of wisdom for anyone on a spiritual path that\nintegrates our responsibility as stewards of our planet and our\ninter-connectedness. It is a read I would highly recommend, not as\nencouragement of taking this path as your own, although you may find\nthat resonance, but simply as a book dedicated to living in accord\nwith the mysteries and magic of the Cosmos and how we may empower\nthat work within ourselves. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bardic Book of Becoming: An Introduction to Modern Druidry on Amazon<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

***<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

About\nthe Author:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Robin\nFennelly is a Wiccan High Priestess, teacher, poet and author. <\/strong>\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She\nis the author of (click on book titles for more information):<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nInner Chamber Volume One on Amazon<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s\nWritten in the Stars<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Astrology<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nInner Chamber, Vol. Two<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

poetry\nof the Spheres (Volume 2) on Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qabalah<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nInner Chamber, Vol. Three<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Awakening\nthe Paths on Amazon<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Qabalah<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\nYear With Gaia on Amazon<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nEternal Cord<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Temple\nof the Sun and Moon on Amazon<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Luminous\nDevotions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nMagickal Pen Volume One (Volume 1) on Amazon<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\nCollection of Esoteric Writings<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nElemental Year on Amazon<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Aligning\nthe Parts of SELF \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The\nEnchanted Gate on Amazon<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musings\non the Magick of the Natural World<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sleeping\nwith the Goddess on Amazon<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Nights\nof Devotion<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A\nWeekly Reflection on Amazon<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Musings\nfor the Year<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Her\nbooks are available on Amazon<\/strong> or\non this website<\/a><\/strong> and\nher Blogs<\/a><\/strong> can\nbe found at<\/strong>: Robin\nFennelly<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Follow\nRobin<\/strong> on\nInstagram & Facebook.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Book Review The Bardic Book of Becoming An Introduction to Modern Druidry by Ivan McBeth with Fern Lickfield Ivan McBeth died peacefully at home on September 23.2016, and his name and work remains as that one of the penultimate Druids. Reading the introduction and the words of his partner, Fern Lickfield drew me into this book well before the actual meat of the book. And, the closing words of Orion Foxwood, completed a beautiful book of hope, teaching and wisdom in the way of the bard. This is a book of beginnings that offers those new to the path of Druidry solid foundation in a style of mystery and magick that has survived and evolved into a modern practice that honors the earth that was, is and can be. This book is chockfull of visualizations, rituals and stories filled with the keys of understanding that will open the doors of personal experience. A most endearing approach is that of Ivan offering his own stories of how he came to a path of Druidry, what it meant to him and how he wished to enchant the world with these teachings that emanate from a history that systemically wove the natural world and man into a dance of collaborative embrace and mutual support. Ivan begins the teachings in Chapter One, entitled We Are One. A simple, yet profound statement that he continues to peel back the layers of in reminding us that we began inseparable from the Earth\u2019s Mother and although we have recently lost our way, the choice is ours to return to that place of symbiotic union and relationship with everything. We learn that there are three levels\/grades of training that form the Druid Path, the Bard-the Ovate and finally the becoming of a Druid. This study and path is one of commitment, the early Druids training for at least twenty years and all of that training oral in its passing on. Nothing was recorded. That was the way of the ancient Druids. There have been revisions to this in keeping with the demands of modern society and the inability n most cases to devote all of one\u2019s life and time to this training. Part One moves smoothly and clearly through al that is required to begin the foundations of a Drudic practice. It is rich with visualizations, exercises, and opportunities to create your own experiences that will form the scaffolding of who and what you become as you evolve and grow in a natural and wholistic world. The mere telling of Ivan\u2019s experiences is a mystical gateway filled with passkeys and inspired ways of practice. This style adds a personal approach and engages the reader into a palpable experience in the re-telling. This also exemplifies the ways of the Druids in past years and the power of their teachings handed down through storytelling and oral rendition. We are one and our stories all lead to the mysteries of who and what we are on this planet and in this time. Part Two dedicates its chapters to the Elements and the role they play in the practice of Druidry. These are the cornerstones of the natural world and as such are held in the utmost sacredness to those on a Druid\u2019s path. I particularly liked the way in which Ivan drew you in with experience and a very simple, yet rich in layers of meaning accounting of the energies. In keeping with the tradition of experience that is so richly laden within a Druid\u2019s path, I am purposefully keeping this review brief. The greater worth of its information is to be found by your diving into its pages and immersing yourself in an ancient practice of cultivating awareness of all that is of this natural world; most importantly ourselves. This book is a treasure of wisdom for anyone on a spiritual path that integrates our responsibility as stewards of our planet and our inter-connectedness. It is a read I would highly recommend, not as encouragement of taking this path as your own, although you may find that resonance, but simply as a book dedicated to living in accord with the mysteries and magic of the Cosmos and how we may empower that work within ourselves. The Bardic Book of Becoming: An Introduction to Modern Druidry on Amazon *** About the Author: Robin Fennelly is a Wiccan High Priestess, teacher, poet and author. She is the author of (click on book titles for more information): The Inner Chamber Volume One on Amazon It\u2019s Written in the Stars Astrology The Inner Chamber, Vol. Two poetry of the Spheres (Volume 2) on Amazon Qabalah The Inner Chamber, Vol. Three Awakening the Paths on Amazon Qabalah A Year With Gaia on Amazon The Eternal Cord Temple of the Sun and Moon on Amazon Luminous Devotions The Magickal Pen Volume One (Volume 1) on Amazon A Collection of Esoteric Writings The Elemental Year on Amazon Aligning the Parts of SELF The Enchanted Gate on Amazon Musings on the Magick of the Natural World Sleeping with the Goddess on Amazon Nights of Devotion A Weekly Reflection on Amazon Musings for the Year Her books are available on Amazon or on this website and her Blogs can be found at: Robin Fennelly  Follow Robin on Instagram & Facebook.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":208,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-17991","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17991","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/208"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17991"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17991\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17991"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17991"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17991"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}