Celtic religion and mythology Books

Book SynopsisTHE HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED BRAND NEW NOVEL IN THE #1 BESTSELLING RIVERS OF LONDON SERIESThere is a world hidden underneath this great city...The London Silver Vaults - for well over a century, the largest collection of silver for sale in the world. It has more locks than the Bank of England and more cameras than a celebrity punch-up. Not somewhere you can murder someone and vanish without a trace - only that''s what happened.The disappearing act, the reports of a blinding flash of light and memory loss amongst the witnesses all make this a case for Detective Constable Peter Grant and the Special Assessment Unit.Alongside their boss DCI Thomas Nightingale, the SAU find themselves embroiled in a mystery that encompasses London''s tangled history, foreign lands and, most terrifying of all, the North!And Peter must solve this case soon because back home his partner Beverley is expecting twins any day now. But what he doesn''t knowTrade ReviewThis gloriously eclectic mash-up of police investigation and supernatural insanity is as wise, witty and utterly absorbing as the rest of this glorious series. * Daily Mail *This might be Aaronovitch's greatest success yet. 5 stars! * The Sun *Aaronovitch has no peers [...] his plotting is still satisfyingly inventive and the continuing characters maintain their charm. * The Guardian *Ben Aaronovitch has created a wonderful world full of mystery, magic and fantastic characters. I love being there more than the real London. * Nick Frost *Fresh and original and a wonderful read. I loved it. * Charlaine Harris *A charming, witty and exciting romp through a magical world not all that far from our own. * The Independent *

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Book SynopsisGorgeous Collector's Edition. Many medieval writers, especially from France and Wales, wrote stories about the great British leader, King Arthur. Legends, folklore and myths from this period come together to paint a picture of who he was with some describing him as a great warrior, defending Britain from its enemies, while others suggest Arthur had magical qualities. Throughout this mystery, King Arthur has become an iconic figure, known for his court and knights and his chivalric adventures. This collection offers a selection of myths, featuring Arthur’s knights of the round table, his love for Queen Guinevere and of course the ultimate betrayal by his most trusted knight, Sir Lancelot. Flame Tree Collector's Editions present the foundations of speculative fiction, authors, myths and tales without which the imaginative literature of the twentieth century would not exist, bringing the best, most influential and most fascinating works into a striking and collectable library. Each book features a new introduction and a Glossary of Terms.

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Book SynopsisThe Celtic Spirit Oracle is a tool to aid spiritual growth and for the Elemental energies to be able to communicate to you and help to raise the consciousness of humanity. Now is an important time to step up and be the change that you want to see in the world. The Elemental beings, Celtic gods and goddesses represent the energies that work through this deck, and their messages at times are so subtle - like a whisper that gets lost in our noisy way of life. Some people are able to hear their messages if they slow down enough to listen. This oracle is born from artist/author Nicola McIntosh's Celtic shamanic work and her Celtic lineage. The Celts had a deep understanding of nature's cycles and the importance of working with nature and its Elemental beings, which is evident in their artwork, myths and legends. Are you ready to hear the ancient wisdom from the Otherworlds? The Elemental's remind you that everything you need is inside you, you only need to be still and listen. Magick awaits you within!

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Book SynopsisLets you tune into the sacred power and ancient wisdom of trees. From the birch to the willow, this title introduces fifteen revered trees of the Celtic Tree Calendar and describes their unique gifts. It helps you learn from the author's personal stories of revelation.

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Book SynopsisGet to know the Good God of Ireland through mythology, history, and modern worship. The Dagda is one of the most well-known of the Irish Gods, a king of the Tuatha De Danann and mediator between the Gods and mortals after the Gaels came to Ireland. A popular God among Irish and Celtic pagans, the Dagda is a powerful figure who reaches out to us from myth and memory. For those seeking to honor him today finding information can be difficult or confusing. Pagan Portals - the Dagda offers a place to begin untangling the complex history of this deity.

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Book SynopsisDiscover your inner goddess and channel the power of these amazing female Celtic divinities.The Celtic goddesses and druids were legendary beings. Now these heavenly spirits have personal relationships with us in everything we do. All females are divinely attuned to goddesses from birth for guidance and protection through life until death. Working by divine plan, goddesses imbue us with their ancient wisdom, which becomes our own, helping us to avoid pitfalls and reach our full potential. The Celtic Goddess Oracle Deck features 52 of these inspiring deities, all beautifully illustrated. The accompanying guidebook includes seven methods to read the cards and explains the messages they have for us. For example, Cerridwen is the goddess of truth and she encourages you to be your most authentic self, while Awen, goddess of inspiration, helps you find the answers you need.

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Book SynopsisHardcover collector's edition

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Book SynopsisTrace the roots of Scottish folklore from Arthurian legends to magical beasts, demons and witches, going A-Z location by location throughout the country.Scotland has one of the richest traditions of folklore in the world, and the nation?s greatest writers have been influenced by the country?s abundance of customs, superstitions, ghost stories and folktales. Robert Burns, Walter Scott, James Hogg and Robert Louis Stevenson all used Scottish folklore in their work.This book traces the roots and traditions of Scottish folklore and introduces all its key parts, combining a huge range of material from gypsy-lore and Arthurian legend to tales of magical beasts, demons and witches and lore associated with the natural world.

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Book SynopsisBeyond its housing estates and identikit high streets there is another Britain. This is the Britain of mist-drenched forests and unpredictable sea-frets: of wraith-like fog banks, druidic mistletoe and peculiar creatures that lurk, half-unseen, in the undergrowth, tantalising and teasing just at the periphery of human vision. How have the remarkably persistent folkloric traditions of the British Isles formed and been formed by the identities and psyches of those who inhabit them? In her sparkling new history, Carolyne Larrington explores the diverse ways in which a myriad of imaginary and fantastical beings has moulded the cultural history of the nation. Fairies, elves and goblins here tread purposefully, sometimes malignly, over an eerie, preternatural landscape that also conceals brownies, selkies, trows, knockers, boggarts, land-wights, Jack o''Lanterns, Barguests, the sinister Nuckleavee, or water-horse, and even Black Shuck: terrifying hell-hound of the Norfolk coast with eyes

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Book SynopsisAn authentic book of regional magic and lore from an esteemed Scottish authorTrade ReviewScottish Witchcraft draws on the history, myth, and folklore of Scotland and incorporates them into Craft practice, with exercises and rituals, tips and advice to help the reader explore their own path. Anna Franklin, author of The Hearth Witch s Compendium

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Book SynopsisThe teachings of Zen Buddhism combined with the earth-based tradition of Druidry can create a holistic way of life that is deeply integrated with the seasons, the environment and the present moment. In soul-deep relationship we can use the techniques and wisdom from both traditions to find balance and harmony within our own lives. In this text we explore the concepts of the Dharma (the Buddha's teachings) and how they relate to the wisdom of the Druid tradition. We also look at the Wheel of the Year in modern Druidry with regards to the Dharma, incorporating the teachings into every seasonal festival in an all-encompassing celebration of nature. We explore meditation, mindfulness, animism and integration with nature, learning how to find sustainable relationship in the work that we do, opening our souls to the here and now and seeing the beauty and wonder that enchants our lives in every waking moment. Step into a new life, fully awake and aware to the beauty of the natural world.

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Book SynopsisA practical guide to the creation of natural wands for magical work. From Moses to Merlin to the power of the royal scepter, the wand has been a key magical device found in nearly every civilization and esoteric tradition throughout history. The fundamental purpose of a wand is to act as a spiritual conduit, harnessing the power of the adept’s intention and channeling it into manifestation. Exploring the history, lore, and creation of living wands—those crafted from local natural materials—fifth-generation Druid Jon G. Hughes presents a practical guide to the harvesting, crafting, and potentializing of living wands, as well as rods and staffs. He offers detailed harvesting advice, explaining the magical actions and meditations specific to each tree that should accompany crafting work as well as important influences such as the phases of the moon and the seasons. He looks in depth at woodlore, explaining the variety of woods and other bot

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Book SynopsisFlowers are found in magic traditions around the world, from ancient Egypt, China, and India to the Norse and Native Americans. Yet many of today’s well-established flower traditions--like bridal bouquets--originated in the Druidic magical lore of Wales, Ireland, and Scotland. As fifth-generation Druid Jon G. Hughes explains, flowers hold a preeminent position in Druidic folk magic with their own special branch of magical workings. In this practical guide, Hughes details how to use flowers in magical practice, focusing on flowering plants with a long history of magical use going back to Druidic times yet many of which are commonly found throughout the world such as buttercup, blackberry, and dog rose. He discusses what type of flower and form of flower magic is best for specific enchantments and rituals in the areas of love and sex magic, healing and focusing, and protection. He looks at the magical use of fresh flowers and provides detailed instruction on every stage of the harvesting, crafting, and practical use of flower magic potions, including a comprehensive herbarium of all the flowers that may be used. Examining the complex relationship between flowers and bees, the author looks at the physical and spiritual gifts of bees, such as honey, propolis, and bee’s wax, and the importance of bee culture in Druidic flower magic, including the tradition of the honeymoon, the significance of the hexagram, and medieval beekeeper lore. Inviting you into the gentle yet powerful realm of Druidic flower magic, the author also details how to plan, plant, and take care of your own magical flower garden with all the botanicals you will need to pursue the path of flower magic.Trade Review“A valuable handbook that details a pre-Celtic tradition of flower lore and essential magic. Jon G. Hughes also comprehensively lists 149 flowering plants and their attributes and their uses in magical practice as well as the spiritual nature of bees and how to create a physic garden.” * NIGEL PENNICK, author of Elemental Magic *“Flower Magic of the Druids is a lovely book that offers instruction on how to infuse and extract herbal preparations in harmony with the seasons to energetically capture the subtle essences of individual flowers and other plant portions to enhance love, protection, and good fortune. Flower Magic of the Druids is a reminder that the power of nature with intention can be a tool for transformation.” * Brigitte Mars, author of The Sexual Herbal *Of special interest to students of flower based magic in general, Druid magic in particular, Flower Magic of the Druids: How to Craft Potions, Spells, and Enchantments by Jon G. Hughes is enhanced for the reader with the inclusion of a section of full color photographs and is deftly organized into three major sections: The Ancient Art of Flower Magic; Flower Magic Workbook; The Druid's Garden. Exceptionally well written and presented, Flower Magic of the Druids is an especially recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and college library Metaphysical Studies collections. It should be noted for students, academia, and Druid practitioners that Flower Magic of the Druids is also available in a digital book format (Kindle, $15.99). * Midwest Book Review *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION The Wonders That Surround UsPART 1 The Ancient Art of Flower MagicONE Origins of Druidic Flower Magic TWOOther Flower Traditions and Practices THREE Basic Precepts of Druidic Flower Magic PART 2Flower Magic Workbook FOUR Identification, Selection, and HarvestingFIVE Methods for Extracting the Three Cardinal Essences SIX Crafting and Casting Potions SEVEN Stocking the Flower Magic PantryPART 3 The Druid’s Garden EIGHT Bees, Flowers, and Druids: A Symbiotic Relationship NINE Building a Physic Garden TEN Directory: The Attributes of Flowering Plants CONCLUSION An Unbroken Lineage of Practical MagicIndex

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Book Synopsis"In this twenty-fifth anniversary edition, you will find John a "soul friend" on your own journey through life, offering support and solace, clarity, and consciousness-expanding narratives that invite you to experience relationships with people, nature, and even your inner world in new ways that nurture well-being and resilience in these challenging times." -Daniel J. Siegel, MD, Neuropsychiatrist and New York Times Bestselling AuthorA special twenty-fifth anniversary edition of the classic work of Celtic spirituality and mysticism by beloved poet and philosopher, John O'Donohue, with a new introduction by the President of Ireland, Michael D. Higgins, an afterword by the late author's brother, Pat O'Donohue, and insightful material from O'Donohue's circle of close friends.In this revered classic, John O'Donohue excavates themes of friendship, belonging, solitude, creativity and the imagination, among many others. Widely recognized for bringing Celtic spirituality into modern dialogue, his unique insights from the ancient world speak with urgency for our need to rediscover the thresholds of the soul.With lyrical wisdom and fluency, O'Donohue encourages pathways of discovery to come home to the natural rhythm in ourselves in sacred connection with one another and the landscapes we inhabit. This timeless collection nourishes the heart and elevates the spirit. It is "a book to read and reread forever." (Irish Times)Trade ReviewAnam Cara is a rare synthesis of philosophy, poetry, and spirituality. This work will have a powerful and life-transforming experience for those who read it. -- Deepak Chopra, author of The Seven Spiritual Laws of SuccessJohn O'Donohue is a man of the soul. His scholarly meditation on the continuing relevance of Ireland's spiritual heritage has become a publishing phenomenon... This poetic meditation has become a bestseller on both sides of the Atlantic... A lyrical prayer * The Times *Words of wisdom... a heady mixture of myth, poetry, philosophy... profound and moving * Independent *This book is a phenomenon in itself... a book to read and reread forever, its style of varied narration responds to our times * Irish Times *John O'Donohue's unique voice and heart and his exquisitely elevating poetic imagination are immortalised in these pages, saturated as they are with his lyrical and contagious love of life and love for people and nature. Even reading it at random is profoundly healing and affirming, especially in hard moments. * Jon Kabat-Zinn, author of Meditation is Not What You Think and the bestselling classic, Wherever You Go, There You Are *The moment I read Anam Cara... I felt like I had found a kindred spirit. I love everything John has written. It comes from such a deep, profound, wise, and insightful space. * Maria Shriver, author, advocate, and journalist *What a profound joy it is rereading Anam Cara, John O'Donohue's glorious book of teachings about nature, human life, friendship, love, and loss. Anyone who ever spent time with John came away changed, as do his readers. * Diane Ackerman, bestselling author and poet *In this twenty-fifth anniversary edition, you will find John a 'soul friend' on your own journey through life, offering support and solace, clarity, and consciousness-expanding narratives that invite you to experience relationships with people, nature, and even your inner world in new ways that nurture well-being and resilience in these challenging times. * Daniel J. Siegel, MD, bestselling author, neuropsychiatrist *With this twenty-fifth anniversary of Anam Cara, John's fervent call to dignify each other reverberates in every corner of our beautiful broken world with more urgency and presence. * Ellen Wingard, Advocate for Social Impact Leadership *A lively spiritual companion to all Celts-or to those who are Celtic in their hearts. * Publishers Weekly (starred review) *For almost twenty years the poetic and prophetic words of John O'Donohue have held sacred space and holy weight in my heart. * Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Senior Pastor-Trinity United Church of Christ (Chicago, Illinois) *Anam Cara is a radiant source of wisdom, a link between the human and the divine. This work is a blessed, rare gem. * Larry Dossey, M.D., author of Be Careful What You Pray For, Prayer Is Good Medicine, and Healing Words *John O'Donohue is an unassuming man with a grand sense of humor. . . charming. * Joy Redfield Kwapien, author of The Celestine Journal *John brightens the way for you, if you have the courage to go there--he was obviously sent here with the light. * Davy Spillane, Grammy Award-winning musician/composer at North Atlantic Music Studios (Ireland) and Producer of Anam Cara Audiobook *John O'Donohue's book of Celtic wisdom comes at you like a blast of fresh wind rushing above the din of modern noise and cynical contemporary conversations, revitalising the spirit to effectively face this turbulent world. Indeed we need John's wildly original and provocative voice more than ever. * Gail Straub, Co-Founder--Empowerment Institute, Author of The Rhythm of Compassion *From the very first sentence, Anam Cara takes us on an exhilarating journey through the human soul and its many wondrous and mysterious labyrinths, and John O'Donohue is the perfect guide to light the way--a radiant soul full of deep wisdom, true compassion, and boundless joy. * Andrew Carroll, New York Times bestselling author and co-founder, with Nobel Laureate Joseph Brodsky, of the American Poetry & Literacy Project *Anam Cara has accompanied me on my spiritual journey from its very inception. I have returned to this book often, for solace, wisdom and --most of all--to be reminded that I am not alone in what I desire for myself and for our world. John O'Donohue has been my "soul friend" for years, and his brave revelations of his mind and heart have changed my life. Get ready for a life-altering journey. * Edward L. Beck, Roman Catholic Priest, CNN Faith and Religion Commentator *In the age of social media in which we add and discard friends with the tap of a screen, we need more than ever John O'Donohue's vital words of wisdom on how the right relationships can lift a life and feed the soul. This book is about deep love, belonging, and honoring nourishing ties that crush small-minded concepts of what friendship can be. A must read for all on the spiritual journey. * Sophfronia Scott, author of The Seeker and the Monk and Love's Long Line *John blew away the dust of many years of spiritual disillusionment and blessed the world with an ancient message infused with beauty, love and divine truths. This was a man formed from the wildness of clay and rock of the West coast of County Clare. It was a privilege to know John and to witness him enliven weary souls in search of the divine spark. He was and continues to be an Anam Cara (soul friend) to those of us blessed to have known him and for all who continue to walk the path through his inspired writings. * Áine Minogue, Irish Musician *

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Book SynopsisJourney into Arthur's kingdom through the 22 Greater Powers of the Arthurian realm, together with the 56 Lesser Powers depicting the landscapes of Logres, the ancient Arthurian kingdom that lies outside of time. The book includes a complete meditation course leading you around the year, with the characters of the Arthurian world as your guides and teachers, along with detailed card meanings, divination methods and a wide selection of consultation spreads.By following the seasonal quest for the Hallows – the ancient treasures of the Goddess of the Land – you discover the spiritual empowerments of your soul's purpose. Meditate on the suits of Sword, Spear, Grail and Stone to assimilate the teachings of the cards and establish your own access to the realms within the timeless kingdom of King Arthur and his court.Table of Contents240-page book, with 78 colour cards.

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Book SynopsisThe history and partnership of the Angles and Saxons are explored in this thrilling adventure about the trials and tribulations of their settlement in Britain. Written by bestselling author Tony Bradman, this coming of age tale is perfect for fans of Rosemary Sutcliff and will have readers gripped from start to finish. Oslaf works hard to prove his worth in the village: he labours on the farm, he trains as a warrior and he is slowly finding his place in the community. But when the Chieftain makes the decision to move the village across the sea to the great new land of Britannia, suddenly the Britons are a greater threat than Oslaf''s rivalry with the Chieftain''s son, Wermund. Can the Angles and the Saxons defeat the Britons? And will Oslaf be as brave as the hero in the tale of Beowulf?This exciting and dramatic story is packed with great characters and insight into the Angles'' migration, settlement and partnership with the Saxons in 6th century Britain. The Flashbacks Trade ReviewIt is not easy to convey the real sense of being taken back in time in such a short book, only 160 pages, but in Tony Bradman's experienced hands, we are there in the early years of our history as a nation is being formed. This would read aloud well, and because it is short, be good for those boys whose interest needs to be caught and held. * Books for Keeps *If you are looking for a fictional story in the Anglo-Saxon times I would recommend this book. I do think by reading this story the kids will discover a lot of interesting facts about the life of that time and what would have happened when the tribes migrated to Britain. * ofamily learning together blog *

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Book SynopsisSoon to be a MAJOR MOTION PICTURE produced by M. NIGHT SHYAMALAN and starring DAKOTA FANNING. You can't see them. But they can see you. This forest isn't charted on any map. Every car breaks down at its treeline. Mina's is no different. Left stranded, she is forced into the dark woodland only to find a woman shouting, urging Mina to run to a concrete bunker. As the door slams behind her, the building is besieged by screams. Mina finds herself in a room with a wall of glass, and an electric light that activates at nightfall, when the Watchers come above ground. These creatures emerge to observe their captive humans and terrible things happen to anyone who doesn't reach the bunker in time. Afraid and trapped among strangers, Mina is desperate for answers. Who are the Watchers, and why are they keeping the humans imprisoned, keen to watch their every move? A spine-chilling debut horror adventure set in the remote and sinister forests of Ireland, from critically acclaimed Irish writer A.M. Shine. 'A dark, claustrophobic read' T. Kingfisher, author of Paladin's Grace 'Readers get an intimate glimpse into the fraying edges of each character's psyches, the constant hunger, the paranoia, the loss of hope, and far worse... The Watchers will appeal to fans of Kealan Patrick Burke, Josh Malerman, and Scott Smith' A.E. Siraki, BooklistTrade ReviewA dark, claustrophobic read -- T. KingfisherReaders get an intimate glimpse into the fraying edges of each character's psyches, the constant hunger, the paranoia, the loss of hope, and far worse... A combination of supernatural and psychological horror, The Watchers will appeal to fans of Kealan Patrick Burke, Josh Malerman, and Scott Smith -- A.E. Siraki, BooklistThis book has such atmosphere, and creepiness, and is an ideal read for the Halloween season, or any time you want some spookiness in your life! * Beauty and Lace *Intense and thrilling, The Watchers is a great debut and solid addition to the survival horror sub-genre * Read By Dusk *A brisk, at times scary but thoroughly enjoyable read * Bloody Flicks *A clever, highly original story beautifully written * The Untidy Bookshelf *The Watchers was a punch to the jugular... The author pulled out the rug from under me on more than one occasion. A must-read for the spooky season! * The Coy Caterpillar Reads *

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Book SynopsisGraham Robb was born in Manchester in 1958 and is a former Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford. He has published widely on French literature and history. His 2007 book The Discovery of France won both the Duff Cooper and Royal Society of Literature Ondaatje Prizes. For Parisians the City of Paris awarded him the Grande Médaille de la Ville de Paris. He lives on the English-Scottish border.Trade Review'remarkable . . . an overarching, wondrous reworking of history rooted in painstaking, if not obsessive, research. And if its fantastical connections and arcane details leave the reader reeling, perhaps that is merely a reflection of the astounding complexity and continuing mystery of a lost civilisation that Graham Robb has restored to its rightful place.' Philip Hoare, Literary Review'a wonderful writer . . . No one else can make a bike ride through the French countryside so enthralling. No one else so relishes the odd corners of history.' Sunday Times'Robb produces an elaborately detailed account of [Celtic] society and ideas . . . Those who enjoy a mixture of myth and archaeology, who admire a vivid metaphor and a fine turn of phrase, will find much in this book to enjoy.' New Statesman'He is such a warm, gentle and generous writer, with no faux scholarly tosh or solitary ecstasy riffs [and] Robb's own calm eloquence is deeply persuasive . . . If Graham Robb has discovered that Ancient Gaul was arranged as a reflection of the universe, then that amazing discovery, and this heroically courageous publication of it, is a wonder and a marvel.' Adam Nicolson, Evening Standard'The findings of Graham Robb, a biographer and historian, bring into question two millennia of thinking about Iron Age Britain and Europe and the stereotyped image of Celts as barbarous, superstitious tribes.' Daily Telegraph‘Presenting one of the most astonishing, significant discoveries in recent memory, Robb, winner of the Duff Cooper Prize and Ondaatje Award for The Discovery of France, upends nearly everything we believe about the history—or, as he calls it, protohistory—of early Europe and its barbarous Celtic tribes and semimythical Druids. Popularly dismissed as superstitious, wizarding hermits, Robb demonstrates how the Druids were perhaps the most intellectually advanced thinkers of their age: scientists and mathematicians who, through an intimate knowledge of solstice lines, organized their towns and cities to mirror the paths of their Sun god, in turn creating the earliest accurate map of the world. In his characteristically approachable yet erudite manner, Robb examines how this network came to be and also how it vanished, trampled over by a belligerent Rome, which has previously received credit for civilizing Europe—though in Robb’s account, Caesar, at the helm, appears dim, unwitting, and frankly lucky, and the (often literally) deeply buried Celtic beliefs and innovations seem more relevant in modern Europe than previously assumed. Like the vast and intricate geographical latticework that Robb has uncovered, the book unfurls its secrets in an eerie, magnificent way—a remarkable, mesmerizing, and bottomless work.' Publishers Weekly, Starred Review and Pick of the Week'One certainly has to admire the perseverance Robb has shown, not just researching in libraries and map rooms, but also following trails on the ground. Fifteen thousand miles on a bike, very often to places that no tourist or researcher has ever visited or even inquired about before . . . If you accept Robb's complex arguments, drawn from astronomy, philology, archaeology and history, you do indeed get a new view of an ancient civilisation . . . all those miles on the bike. All those archaeological discoveries pointed out. If nothing else, The Ancient Paths creates a new respect for the ancient Gauls, and the ancient Britons. Whatever Caesar may have said, they weren't all woad and moustaches.' Tom Shippey, Guardian'an enthralling new history . . . 'Important if true' . . . rings loud in the ears as one reads the latest book by Graham Rob, a biographer and historian of distinction whose new work, if everything in it proves to be correct, will blow apart two millennia of thinking about Iron Age Britain and Europe and put several scientific discoveries back by centuries . . . it presents extraordinary conclusions in a deeply persuasive and uncompromising manner. What surfaces from these elegant pages - if true - is nothing less than a wonder of the ancient world: the first solid evidence of Druidic science and its accomplishments and the earliest accurate map of a continent . . . a book almost indecently stuffed with discoveries . . . suggestions follow thick and fast, backed by a mixture of close reading, mathematical construction and scholarly detective work . . . Robb manages his revelations with a showman's skill, modestly conscious that his book is unfurling a map of Iron Age Europe and Britain that has been inaccessible for millennia. Every page produces new solutions to old mysteries, some of them so audacious that the reader may laugh aloud . . . Beautifully written . . . It's a magnificent piece of historical conjecture, backed by a quizzical scholarly intellect and given a personal twist by experiment . . . watching its conclusions percolate through popular and academic history promises to be thrilling. Reading it is already an electrifying and uncanny experience: there is something gloriously unmodern about seeing a whole new perspective on history so comprehensively birthed in a single book. If true, very important indeed.' * Daily Telegraph *'The Romans did a good job of writing their predecessors out of history . . . As the conquerors got to write the history, we have to rely on their account of what they found. But as Robb makes clear, they told only part of the story.' ObserverAn ingenious and thoroughly gripping historical and archaeological bolt from the blue -- Books of the Year * New Statesman *

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Book Synopsis• Describes the arcane rituals, ancient beliefs, and secret rites of the Welsh Marches, including those of the Sin Eaters, Eye Biters, and Spirit Hunters • Includes a Grimoire of the Welsh Marches, a wide collection of spells and magical workings along with practical instruction on crafting and casting In this collaboration between a Druid and a Witchcraft researcher, Jon G. Hughes and Sophie Gallagher describe in intricate detail the arcane rituals, ancient beliefs, and secret rites of the Welsh Marches, the borderlands between Celtic Wales and Anglo-Saxon England--one of the oldest and most significant locations for early Witchcraft and a lasting repository for ancient Druidic lore. Drawing on their personal access to the archives of the National Museum of Wales, as well as the local museums found within the Welsh Marches, the authors share extracts from ancient texts, along with original photographs of related artifacts. In the second half of the book, the authors present a Grimoire of the Welsh Marches, a wide collection of spells and magical workings along with practical instruction on crafting and casting. Offering a comprehensive look at the earth-based beliefs and practices of primal Witchcraft and Druidic lore, the authors show not only how the traditions of the Welsh Marches had a profound influence on the cultural and spiritual history of the British Isles, but how their influence was exported to all corners of the world.Table of ContentsAcknowledgmentsPART 1 Witchcraft and Druidic Lore of the Welsh Marches 1 A Curious Beginning 2 The Welsh Marches 3 Magic, Religion, and Ritual in the Welsh Marches4 The Shropshire Amulet 5 Witchcraft, Christianity, and the Witch Terror 6 Witches of the Welsh Marches7 Druids of the Welsh Marches 8 Other Occult Arteworkers of the Welsh Marches 9 Prominent Occultists of the Welsh Marches 10 The Legacy of the Witches and Druids of the Welsh Marches PART 2 Grimoire of the Welsh Marches Yr Llyfr Swynion Gororau Cymru “The Book of Spells of the Welsh Borderland” 11 Finding Harmony between Two Ancient Traditions 12 Preparation of the Workplace and Crafting Components 13 Utilizing the Elements and the Will 14 Apotropaic Devices for Protection against Curses and Malevolent Energies 15 The Casting and Lifting of Spells and Curses 16 Elixirs of Love 17 Other Spells and Workings: Attachment Nosegays and Druid’s Breath 18 Scattering the Workplace and Caching ApparatusBibliography Index

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Book SynopsisHarness the mythic power of the Celtic goddesses, gods, heroes and heroines to aid your spiritual quests and magical goals. This book explains how to use creative ritual and pathworking to align yourself with the energy of these archetypes, whose potent images live deep within your psyche. The book begins with an overview of 49 different types of Celtic Paganism followed today, then gives specific instructions for evoking and invoking the energy of the Celtic patheon to channel it toward magickal and spiritual goals and into esbat, sabbat and life transition rituals. Three detailed pathworking texts will take the reader on an inner journey where they will join forces with the archetypal images of Cuchulain, Queen Maeve and Merlin the Magician to bring their energies directly into the reader's life. The last half of the book clearly details the energies of over 300 Celtic deities and mythic figures to evoke or invoke the appropriate deity to attain a specific goal. The book should help solitary pagans who seek to expand the boundaries of their practice to form working partnerships with the divine.

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Book SynopsisMyths and Legends of the Celts is a fascinating and wide-ranging introduction to the mythology of the peoples who inhabited the northwestern fringes of Europe - from Britain and the Isle of Man to Gaul and Brittany.Drawing on recent historical and archaeological research, as well as literary and oral sources, the guide looks at the gods and goddesses of Celtic myth; at the nature of Celtic religion, with its rituals of sun and moon worship; and at the druids who served society as judges, diviners and philosophers. It also examines the many Celtic deities who were linked with animals and such natural phenomena as rivers and caves, or who later became associated with local Christian saints. And it explores in detail the rich variety of Celtic myths: from early legends of King Arthur to the stories of the Welsh Mabinogi, and from tales of heroes including Cúchulainn, Fionn mac Cumhaill and the warrior queen Medb to tales of shadowy otherworlds - the homes of spirits and fairies. What emerges is a wonderfully diverse and fertile tradition of myth making that has captured the imagination of countless generations, introduced and explained here with compelling insight.

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Book SynopsisThe wisdom contained in this book is not derived via the usual methods of scholarly and historical research, and neither is it based on theory or speculation. Rudolf Steiner acquired his original contribution to human knowledge from metaphysical dimensions of reality which are hidden to most people – but visible to anybody who is prepared to develop spiritual means of perception. With his philosophical and scientific training, Steiner brought a new systematic discipline to the field of spiritual research, allowing for fully conscious methods and comprehensive results. A natural seer, he cultivated his spiritual vision to a high degree, enabling him to speak with authority on previously veiled mysteries. Samples of his work are to be found in this book of edited texts, which brings together excerpts from his many talks and writings on the subject of the Druids. This volume also features an editorial introduction, commentary and notes by Dr Andrew Welburn. Chapters: The Sun Initiation of the Druid Priests and their Moon Science; The Mysteries of Ancient Ireland; Celtic Christianity – the Heritage of the Druids; Teachings of the Mysteries – the Spirit in Nature; The Great Mysteries – the Mystery of Christ; The Function of the Standing Stones; Spiritual Imaginations.

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Book SynopsisThe presence of gods was felt in every corner of the Celtic world, and influenced all areas of life in Celtic society. This fascinating book delves into these corners to examine all aspects of the gods, ritual customs, cult objects and sacred places of the ancient Celtic peoples. Miranda Green introduces the Celts and the evidence that they left behind, placing them in their geographical and chronological context, and continues on to look at Celtic cults of the sun and sky, animals and animism, mother goddesses, water gods and healers, as well as examining the influence of religion on war, death and fertility. Embracing the whole of the Celtic world from Ireland to Australia, and covering from 500 BC to AD 400, this is a rewarding overview of the evidence for Celtic religions, beliefs and practices which uses modern scholarship to bring a mysterious and captivating part of European history to life.Trade ReviewAn excellent detailed survey by one of our leading authorities on Celtic religion . . . an important contribution.

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Book SynopsisA practical guide to the Anglo-Saxon Futhark and how runes were used in Old England In the early Anglo-Saxon period, the region of Great Britain known as Northumbria was a kingdom in its own right. These lands, in what is now northern England and southeast Scotland, were the targets of the first Viking raids on Britain. This violent influx, followed by the establishment of trade routes with the Norse, brought the runes to the region, where they intermingled with local magical traditions and legends, resulting in the development of a practical runic wisdom entirely unique to Northumbria. In this guide to the Wyrdstaves, or runic practices, of Old Northumbria, Nigel Pennick examines the thirty-three runes of the Anglo-Saxon Futhark and how they were used in Old England for weaving the web of Wyrd. Sharing runic lore and legends from the area, he explains how the Northumbrian runes are unique because they contain elements from all the cultures of the region, including the Picts, Britons, Romans, Angles, Scots, and Norse. He illustrates how each rune in this tradition is a storehouse of ancient knowledge, detailing the meanings, historical uses, symbolism, and related tree and plant spirits for each of the thirty-three runes. The author describes the Northumbrian use of runes in magic and encryption and explores geomancy divination practices, the role of sacred numbers, and the power of the eight airts, or directions. He also shows how the Northumbrian runes have a close relationship with Ogam, the tree alphabet of the ancient Celts. Providing a magical history of Northumbria, as well as a look at the otherworldly beings who call these lands home, including boggarts, brownies, and dragons, Pennick explains how traditional spirituality is intimately tied to the landscape and the cycle of the seasons. He reveals how the runic tradition is still vibrantly alive in this area and ready for us to reawaken to it.Trade Review“In Runic Lore and Legend: Wyrdstaves of Old Northumbria, Pennick delivers the most thorough account of Anglo-Saxon history, mythology, and cosmology. His ability to weave their narrative into the use of the Northumbrian Runes and reveal their modern relevance is nothing less than magickal.” * S. Kelley Harrell, author of Runic Book of Days *“Nigel Pennick is one of the greatest living runic experts, bringing meticulous research and a profound magical understanding to his subject. This important book examines the distinctive Anglo-Saxon Futhark of Northumbria, essentially setting the thirty-three runes in the context of both time and place.” * Anna Franklin, author of Pagan Ways Tarot *“The magical runes of England have, ironically, been the most neglected of all the runic alphabets in writings in the English language. To have one of the leading authors on the wisdom of the runes pen this comprehensive manual on the Northumbrian wyrdstaves is a most valuable gift to all who follow the Northern Tradition. Pennick’s weaving of local history and lore around the runes illuminates his subject in a way that no other book has been able to achieve.” * Richard Rudgley, author of The Return of Odin: The Modern Renaissance of Pagan Imagination *“Nigel Pennick is a true initiate who can demonstrate to the reader how nature and cosmos correlate to each other. He explains runes, medieval traditions, and Celtic magic in a pedagogic way that helps us understand how these topics are universal--something that gives us knowledge about ourselves and is of highest relevance for humankind today. I regularly return to Nigel Pennick’s books and am delighted to add Runic Lore and Legend: Wyrdstaves of Old Northumbria to my shelf.” * Thomas Karlsson, Ph.D., author of Nightside of the Runes *"This book is far more than the cover promised--had I seen this in a bookshop I could have easily passed it over for something that appeared less intimidating but to have done so would have denied me the delightful, personable yet incredibly intelligent and thorough writing of this author... " * Em Chuter, Pagan Dawn: Journal of the Pagan Federation *Table of ContentsINTRODUCTION Our Picture of Past Times CHAPTER 1The Kingdom of Northumbria A Brief History CHAPTER 2 The Spirit Landscape of Northumbria CHAPTER 3 Northumbrian Geomancy The Year, Time, and Space CHAPTER 4 Runes and Consciousness Weaving the Web of Wyrd CHAPTER 5The Runes of Northumbria CHAPTER 6 The First Airt of the Northumbrian RunesCHAPTER 7 The Second Airt of the Northumbrian Runes CHAPTER 8 The Third Airt of the Northumbrian Runes CHAPTER 9 The Fourth Airt of the Northumbrian RunesCHAPTER 10Runes in Magic and Encryption CHAPTER 11 Magical Symbols and Artifacts of Old Northumbria CHAPTER 12 Ing Legendary and Magical HistoryCHAPTER 13Yr The Outlaw Archers CHAPTER 14 Otherworldly Beings of the Northumbrian Landscape Boggarts, Hobs, Brownies, and Bogeymen POSTSCRIPT Ancestral TreasuresGlossaryBibliography Index

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Book SynopsisThe mythologies of the world are collective cultural dreams, and as such should be analyzed first from cultural perspectives. How do myths of the ancient Egyptians or Greeks, for instance, reflect the realities of the Egyptian and Greek cultures? When compared, however, mythologies reveal certain universal themes or motifs that point to larger trans-cultural issues such as the place of the human species in creation or the nature of deity as a concept. World Mythology: A Very Short Introduction is organized around the universal motifs. Creation, the Flood, the Hero Quest, the Trickster/Culture Hero, the Pantheons, the High God, the Great Goddess. Veteran mythology scholar David Leeming examines examples of each motif from a variety of cultures--Greek, Egyptian, Norse, American Indian, African, Polynesian, Jewish, Christian, Hindu--treating them as reflections of the cultures that dreamed them. He compares and analyzes them, exposing their universal significance and creating a world mythology.Trade ReviewDavid Leeming distils world mythology into some of its most essential forms — deity, creation, flood, trickster, and hero — and he offers illuminating examples of each one. His clear, concise summaries and interpretations will surely serve as springboards for further research. This volume makes an inspiring introduction for newcomers to the field, and a handy reference guide for anyone already working with myth. * Joanna Gardner, Co-founder, Fates and Graces Mythologium *Table of ContentsList of Illustrations Definitions 1 Deity 2 Creation 3 The flood 4 The trickster 5 The hero Conclusion References Further Reading Index

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Book SynopsisContaining Ireland's most popular prayers and blessings, this book is packed full of inspirational words to take comfort in. In turn these words provide us with hope, joy and solace.This little book, designed to fit in the smallest bag or pocket, will bring those old words back to life, reminding us that poetic lines and wise sayings can wrap around you like a hug, making the world seem a better place for a while.

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Book SynopsisAn easy-to-use guide to the last ten ogham of the Celtic tree alphabet; it can also be a companion book to Celtic Tree Rituals and The Healing Power of Trees

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Book Synopsis"A masterfully blend of history, mythology, spell work and personal anecdote that beautifully explores the depth and breadth of ''The Great Queen.''" -Amy Blackthorn, priestess of The Morrigan, and author of Blackthorn''s Botanical Magic"She is the spirit of fury and peace, power and destruction, joy and terror," writes author Courtney Weber. "She is warrior, queen, death omen, mother, murderer, lover, spy, conspirator, faery, shape-shifter, healer, and sometimes the living earth itself. A captivating contradiction: a demonic female who both haunts and heals; benevolent in one moment, ghastly the next, and kind the moment after that."The Morrigan is one of Pagan Ireland''s most famous-and notorious-goddesses. Her name translated as "phantom queen" or "great queen," the Morrigan is famous for being a goddess of war, witchcraft and death, protection and retribution. This book also explores her patronage of motherhood, healing, shapeshifting, and the land. Classified among the Sidhe (fairies), the Morrigan dates back at least to Ireland''s Iron Age, but she is as modern as she is ancientenjoying a growing contemporary and global following.Author Courtney Weber provides a guide for the modern devotee of this complex, mysterious goddess that encompasses practical veneration with modern devotionals, entwined with traditional lore and Irish-Celtic history.

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Book SynopsisCONTENTS:Ollam na néces: Anders Ahlqvist and Celtic Studies in Australia by Pamela O'NeillShapeshifting in Old English Literature and Early Irish Influence by Daniel AnlezarkBriathar: Traversing Genders by Timothy CausbrookThe Eternal Primitive: Celt and Maori by Aedeen CreminThe Status of the Welsh Language in Medieval Wales by Helen Fulton'A Well of Wine in her Stem' by William GilliesThe Nemed, Uraicecht Becc and Early Irish Governance by Julianna GriggThe Lord of Slaughter by Neil McLeodBut for One Vowel: Breton Seafaring in Australia by Pierre NoyerTochmarc Étaíne II: A Tale of Three Wooings by Tomás Ó CathasaighFrom Finnegan to Finn Again: A Wakean Tribute to Professor Anders Ahlqvist by Desmond O'MalleyA Note on Relative Marking in Irish by Ruairí Ó hUiginnThe Date of the First Life of St Samson of Doi by Lynnette OlsonTo What Extent Was Lindisfame a Celtic Establishment? by Murray-Luke PeardThe Accusative Plural of Early Irish Dental and Guttural Stems by David Stifter

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Book SynopsisThe cauldron has always been a symbol of magick and creation and played an integral role in Celtic history. Aptly known as the vessel of manifestation or creation, what we put into it creates something new. Delve into the history of the cauldron and learn the many ways it can be used to help focus your intent to manifest change in your life. This easy-to-follow book contains practical, modern-day recipes and rituals that can become a part of your everyday life, no matter where you live and what culture you come from. Bringing together her knowledge of Celtic shamanism, crystals and working with plant spirit medicines, Nicola McIntosh teaches you how to create herbal brews, essences, incense, spell bottles, medicine pouch recipes, meals, anointing salves and much more in a variety of cauldrons. The cauldron is symbolic of transformation and a modern-day approach brings the old ways into the new.

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Book SynopsisConnect more meaningfully to the cultural wisdom and occult knowledge of the rich and thriving Celtic world. Reclaim ancestral traditions and older ways of connecting with the earth and spirituality by going straight to the heart of mystical traditions. Celtic Mysticism explores the folk magic that has thrived in the British Isles for thousands of years. With this guidebook for both newcomers to magical practice and those searching for a concise reference to a long history, discover how to honor your connection to nature and the rhythms of the seasons in the Celtic way. Explore the history behind Celtic practices, rituals, and spells and then engage with them firsthand, forming a deeper bond with Mother Earth. Illuminated by beautiful illustrations, this guide presents: The lore and history of the Celts Rites and spells based in green magic and natural cycles Meditations and rituals to bring the ancient wisdom into modern life Key concepts, figures, and legends of Celtic tradition As with every title in the Mystic Traditions series, Celtic Mysticism is a celebration of a unique and beautiful culture. As such, the subject matter and content has been treated with the utmost care and respect to ensure an accurate and reverent presentation that is accessible to a variety of audiences, and serves to further educate and foster support for these rich practices and traditions for years to come.Celtic Mysticism is your engaging, accessible, and hands-on introduction to the deep magic and spirituality of the Celts. The Mystic Traditions series explores mystical and spiritual traditions and magical practices from around the world from a modern perspective. These guides offer concise introductions to the origins of mystical practices; explain key concepts, figures, and legends in these traditions; and give straightforward and engaging instruction on how to connect directly with these practices through rituals, spells, and more. Also available in the Mystic Traditions series: Native American Spiritualism, Zen Buddhism. Table of ContentsContents Introduction Chapter One: Early Celtic Life Chapter Two: Bards, Ovates & Druids Chapter Three: The Seven Gifts & the Five Elements Chapter Four: The Wheel of the Year Chapter Five: Druid Tools, Symbols & Knots Chapter Six: Celtic Myths, Legends & Folklore Chapter Seven: Celtic Deities Chapter Eight: Lore, Groves & Portals Conclusion Index

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Book SynopsisLet the Anamchara, your soul companion, guide your inner journey. On the unpredictable path of life, who wouldn't wish for a loving friend to hold our hand for every decision we make or every doubt we have? Discover the Anamchara, your spirit guardian who always walks beside you, and free yourself of prejudice and limiting beliefs.Anamchara Oracle will guide you to find peace and happiness, delivering messages about your past, present and future and offering you daily tools and actions to reshape your life around your dreams. Allow your wonderful self to bloom!

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Book SynopsisStep into the enchanting world of British and Irish folklore with this captivating introduction to the myth and magic of oldFolklore brings to life mythical creatures, fantastical knights and formidable spirits, and passes these stories down through the generations. From the famous Arthurian legends to monsters, sprites and faeries, The Little Book of Folklore explores the magical and mystical tales that have shaped the British Isles. Filled with stories of iconic characters like Robin Hood and Merlin, as well as lesser-known tales of the Green Man, giants and witches, this book is a beginner''s guide to this world of intrigue and wonder.As well as the stories themselves, this beautiful little book also explores:- Modern customs and traditions grounded in folklore, such as May Day and Halloween- The deep connection between folklore and nature- The historical context surrounding folklore and the insight it gives us into the beliefs of British

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Book SynopsisExplore the enchanting world of Welsh fairy tradition as this illustrated guide unveils the enduring presence of these magical beings in Celtic myth and folklore

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Book SynopsisAttuned to the movements of nature, the Celts understood that all things are connected, and they “divined” answers to their queries as well as what the future holds from the animals, plants, the winds, and the seasons. Trees and animals had particular knowledge of past, present, and future. Through natural methods of divination, bards, healers, soothsayers, and holy women and men gained powers to see into the unseen. Stories and legends of their powers were told and retold, transmitting an enormous store of wisdom across the generations. In this oracle deck and guidebook, Rosemarie Anderson interprets Celtic myths and legends to create an oracle system of 64 cards featuring symbols from the ancient Celtic ways of knowing. The symbols represent three thousand years of Celtic culture and history, derived from archaeological excavations of Bronze and Iron Age Celtic sites throughout Europe and from the myths, folktales, and faery traditions still flourishing in rural Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The symbols of the cards represent cauldrons, spirals, leprechauns, faeries, animals, trees, the wondrous child (Cú Chulainn), the Sacred King, Cernunnos (the antlered god), the Morrigán (the raven goddess), Tir na nóg (the Blessed Isles), and other imagery and figures from Celtic lore. The accompanying guidebook explores the meaning, symbology, and mythic background for each card, such as how the Triple-Mother Goddess (Card 1) represents magnificence and the primal goddess in all her aspects--maiden, mother, and crone. The guidebook also explores the Celtic worldview, the basic principles of Celtic divination, as well as how to use the oracle to receive answers to specific questions. Conveying the power and wisdom of the ancient Celtic ways of knowing, this oracle offers a hands-on way to gain insight into the hidden forces at play in our lives.Trade Review“Rosemarie Anderson is a wise and trusted guide for anyone on the spiritual path of awakening. She introduces us to this ancient Celtic oracle and invites us to ask our questions of the Celtic gods and goddesses, trees and animals, and our ancestors. Then we are asked to listen silently and patiently to the answer that emerges from within our own true nature.” * Linda Sparrowe, author of Yoga at Home: Inspiration for Creating Your Own Home Practice *“This splendid, nature-based, Celtic-wisdomderived deck will alert you to deepen your connections, align your energies, and sidestep your obstacles.” * James Fadiman, Ph.D., author of Your Symphony of Selves *“Aiding discernment and spiritual growth, Rosemarie Anderson’s mythopoetic interpretation of Celtic archetypal images reaches creatively into the unconscious, where dreams live, growth is shaped, and change is born.” * Penelope Duckworth, author of Mary: The Imagination of Her Heart *“Rosemarie is the author of the wonderful Divine Feminine Tao Te Ching, which I read every day. This book of oracles consisting of 64 cards has been many decades in the making and reflects the embeddedness of Celtic spirituality in everyday life while all aspects and expressions are interconnected. Rosemarie explains how to cast the Oracle, including spreads of cards representing past, present and future. Prompted by her, I asked about my most important task in the years ahead. The first card—Mare—related to healing the wounds of abandonment and loss of trust, the second—Mother Goddess Carrying Children and Food—represents well-being and comfort, with a call to nourish oneself with soothing activities and relationships; while the third—Tir Na Nog, 64—represents the blessed isles to the west, which is about becoming aware of simple pleasures of life. I very much resonated with these cards and the call to simplicity and contentment. Highly recommended.” * David Lorimer, Paradigm Explorer Journal *

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Book Synopsis Stories, spells, rituals, and recipes celebrating the worldwide influence of this beloved Celtic goddess, with contributions from Amy Blackthorn, Laura Tempest Zakroff, Courtney Weber, and many others This anthology celebrates Brigid, an ancient and mysterious Celtic spirit who ranks among today’s most popular modern goddesses. Venerated in many forms including as a saint and a goddess, Brigid has traveled the globe alongside the Celtic diaspora. Once a goddess with a narrow territory, she is now an internationally beloved presence. While acknowledging her origins, this book also explores Brigid from the perspective of those outside her original Celtic homeland. Editors Cairelle Crow and Laura Louella have gathered art, poetry, stories, spells, rituals, recipes, and traditions as an homage to the worldwide influence of Brigid’s magic and lore, especially among the descendants of immigrants to the Americas. In compiling these individual works, Cairelle and Laura have given voice to those traveling ancestors by showcasing a rich and beautiful heritage manifested through embodiments of devotion by their descendants, as well as others touched by Brigid.

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Book SynopsisFor sisters Mary Kennedy and Deirdre Ní Chinnéide, spirituality has been at the centre of their lives since childhood. Their home on St Brigid's Road in Clondalkin, Dublin, was around the corner from a holy well, a place that signalled family, community and divinity.In these pages, they draw on this heritage, with an emphasis on Celtic spirituality - a key focus in Deirdre's work and a long-held area of interest for Mary. The journey to the well is a pilgrimage to source, to that which remains steadfast whatever challenges we face. Traversing the Celtic seasons of Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine and Lughnasa, the authors explore themes such as hope, love and loss, resilience and new dawns, through personalreflections, stories, lore and healing words.Journey to the Well is a book of rich connection that celebrates the divine within each of us.

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Book SynopsisDiscover the world''s greatest myths and legends - from Greek mythology to Norse mythology - in this comprehensive guide.What did Japanese mythology say about the beginning of the Universe? How did Oedipus become the classic tragic hero in Greek mythology? Who brought about the origin of death in Maori mythology? Combining vivid retellings of famous legends with over 1,000 illustrations of characters, famous artworks, and artefacts, Myths and Legends makes it easier than ever before to understand the stories that are central to every culture.Delve into the well-known tales of the ancient Greeks, which hold the key to such phrases as Achilles'' heel, as well as the lesser-known but richly colourful myths of Africa and the Americas. Explore global ideas such as fate and fortune, and the Underworld, and find out about the key characters - heroes, tricksters, and gods - that make up each myth system. Filled with the cultural and religious meanings behind each leg

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Book SynopsisMost people have heard of the Celts-the elusive, ancient tribal people who resided in present-day England, Ireland, Scotland and France. Paradoxically characterized as both barbaric and innocent, the Celts appeal to the modern world as a symbol of a bygone era, a world destroyed by the ambition of empire and the spread of Christianity throughout Western Europe. Despite the pervasive cultural and literary influence of the Celts, shockingly little is known of their way of life and beliefs, because very few records of their stories exist. In this book, for the first time, Philip Freeman brings together the best stories of Celtic mythology.Everyone today knows about the gods and heroes of the ancient Greeks, such as Zeus, Hera, and Hercules, but how many people have heard of the Gaulish god Lugus or the magical Welsh queen Rhiannon or the great Irish warrior Cú Chulainn? We still thrill to the story of the Trojan War, but the epic battles of the Irish Táin Bó Cuailgne are known only to a few. And yet those who have read the stories of Celtic myth and legend-among them writers like J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis-have been deeply moved and influenced by these amazing tales, for there is nothing in the world quite like them. In these stories a mysterious and invisible realm of gods and spirits exists alongside and sometimes crosses over into our own human world; fierce women warriors battle with kings and heroes, and even the rules of time and space can be suspended. Captured in vivid prose these shadowy figures--gods, goddesses, and heroes--come to life for the modern reader.Trade Review"Freeman s Celtic Mythology is a satisfying presentation of a decent selection of Irish and Welsh myths and tales from both pagan and Christian sources...the Oxford hardback is smallish and well-designed. The introductions are short and sweet, as are the endnotes, and since Irish and Welsh names are tricky, a glossary is provided. This would be an excellent collection for introductory courses in Celtic Studies; it is also an entry point for anyone wanting to become familiar with these tales. Freeman's version is engaging, accessible, and faithful."--Reading Religion "Philip Freeman's book is a delight. This spirited retelling of the famous stories of the Celtic west serves as a brilliant introduction to the beliefs and values of the pagan and early Christian communities of Ireland and Wales. I can think of no better way to begin to explore the culture of the early Irish and Welsh." --Barry Cunliffe, author of Britain Begins "Philip Freeman brings to life the tales the ancient Celts told to each other, and what tales they were! Filled with passion, rage, bravery, and adventure, these stories are as exciting today as they were on the dark nights of the distant past. Heroes, heroines, gods and goddesses come to life in Philip Freeman's brilliant re-telling of these little-known but unforgettable stories." --Terry Golway, author of The Irish in AmericaTable of ContentsIntroduction: Who were the Celts? Pronunciation Guide Chapter One: The Earliest Celtic Gods Chapter Two: The Book of Invasions Chapter Three: The Wooing of Étaín Chapter Four: Cú Chulainn and the Táin Bó Cuailnge Chapter Five: Tales from the Ulster Cycle Chapter Six: Stories of the Irish Otherworld Chapter Seven: Finn the Outlaw Chapter Eight: Welsh Mythology-The Mabinogi Chapter Nine: Welsh Stories and Sagas Chapter Ten: Christian Mythology Glossary Notes Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA leading spiritual teacher reveals how Celtic spirituality—listening to the sacred around us and inside of us—can help us heal the earth, overcome our conflicts, and reconnect with ourselves.John Philip Newell shares the long, hidden tradition of Celtic Christianity, explaining how this earth-based spirituality can help us rediscover the natural rhythms of life and deepen our spiritual connection with God, with each other, and with the earth. Newell introduces some of Celtic Christianity’s leading practitioners, both saints and pioneers of faith, whose timeless wisdom is more necessary than ever, including:  Pelagius, who shows us how to look beyond sin to affirm our sacredness as part of all God’s creation, and courageously stand up for our principles in the face of oppression.Brigid of Kildare, who illuminates the interrelationship of all things and reminds us of the power of the sacred feminine to overcom

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Book SynopsisA leading spiritual teacher reveals how Celtic spirituality—listening to the sacred around us and inside of us—can help us heal the earth, overcome our conflicts, and reconnect with ourselves.John Philip Newell shares the long, hidden tradition of Celtic Christianity, explaining how this earth-based spirituality can help us rediscover the natural rhythms of life and deepen our spiritual connection with God, with each other, and with the earth. Newell introduces some of Celtic Christianity’s leading practitioners, both saints and pioneers of faith, whose timeless wisdom is more necessary than ever, including:  Pelagius, who shows us how to look beyond sin to affirm our sacredness as part of all God’s creation, and courageously stand up for our principles in the face of oppression.Brigid of Kildare, who illuminates the interrelationship of all things and reminds us of the power of the sacred feminine to overcom

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Book SynopsisIncluding works from Welsh, Irish and Scottish Gaelic, Cornish, Breton and Manx, this Celtic Miscellany offers a rich blend of poetry and prose from the eighth to the nineteenth century, and provides a unique insight into the minds and literature of the Celtic people. It is a literature dominated by a deep sense of wonder, wild inventiveness and a profound sense of the uncanny, in which the natural world and the power of the individual spirit are celebrated with astonishing imaginative force. Skifully arranged by theme, from the hero-tales of Cú Chulainn, Bardic poetry and elegies, to the sensitive and intimate writings of early Celtic Christianity, this anthology provides a fascinating insight into a deeply creative literary tradition.Kenneth Hurlstone Jackson was born in 1909. He began his career as a lecturer in Celtic at Cambridge, before becoming the first chair of the Department of Celtic Language and Literature at Harvard. He undertook war service with the Uncommon Languages section of British censorship and subsequently held professorships at Harvard and Edinburgh. Professor Jackson died in 1991.

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Book SynopsisOffers an invitation to deepen our prayer life. Written in the Celtic tradition, and illustrated by line drawings, this book provides resources both for personal daily prayer and corporate weekly worship. Designed to stimulate spiritual formation, it includes prayers of confession, adoration, and intercession and thanksgiving.

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Book SynopsisA new look at the stories at the heart of Celtic mythology, exploring their cultural impact right up to the present day.Trade Review'This is simply the best concise work on its subject, for a student or general reader, yet published. The author is not only expert in the original texts but has a profound understanding of how they have been used ever since: and so why they matter' - Ronald Hutton, Professor of History, University of Bristol and author of 'The Witch' and 'Pagan Britain''Scholarly but accessible' - Cotswold Life'An eminently accessible introduction to "Celtic myth" and the specific quirks of its modern reception that will serve as an excellent introduction' - Cambrian Medieval Celtic Studies'For those interested in the power, pliability, and potency of Irish and Welsh mythology, this book has much to offer' - Church Times'Readers will have a refreshingly mist-free experience with Williams as an engaging and expert guide. Highly recommended for the interested non-specialist' - FolkloreTable of ContentsIntroduction: The Nature of Celtic Mythology 1. Shining Brow: Taliesin, Chief of Poets 2. The Celtic Arthur 3. Merlin: from Wildman to Wizard 4. Brutus: Britain’s Forgotten Founder 5. The Tragic Story of Branwen 6. The Hero Cú Chulainn: The Hound of Ulster 7. Finn: The Roving Warrior 8. Blodeuwedd: The Woman Made From Flowers 9. The Celtic Love Triangle: Deirdriu of the Sorrows 10. Irish Fairies: The People of the Síde Epilogue: The Legacy of Celtic Myths

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