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Edward C. Sellner tells of the tradition of the Celtic anamchara or " soul friend," the loving mentor who promotes the spiritual growth of those he or she guides, in his original and insightful Stories of the Celtic Soul Friends. Here, punctuated by the stimulating stories of the four leaders of the early Celtic church--St. Patrick, St. Brigit, St. Columcille and the relatively obscure St. Colman of Land Ela--the author traces, celebrates and demonstrates the tradition's immediacy to our own faith, lives, and work, holding Jesus as the perfect exemplar. Mentors, teachers of religion, pastors, counselors, and anyone embarking upon a spiritual journey, should find this a beneficial, as well as invigorating, read. ... Read more

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The Celtic spiritual and wisdom tradition is, paradoxically, very ancient and very new. It is a way of perceiving reality and a way of being in the world. The wisdom of this tradition is re-emerging, at this time, from centuries of marginalization. Much of the wisdom held within this tradition has similarities with that found in other primal cultures. The wisdom of the Celtic tradition will speak in a particular way to those having roots or links, however tentative, with the Celtic soul or consciousness. This book emphasises the need for modern humans to inhabit those dimensions of reality that once created the world of the Celtic people. These realms which still exist in our psyches, but have been marginalised over the centuries. The focus of the book is the reclamation of specific gifts from our ancestry in the Celtic past that might serve humanity today. ... Read more

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Lavishly illustrated throughout with pictures of famous sites and artifacts, maps, and line drawings, this beautifully-written volume is also a collection of prayers, poems, and songs, taken from the rich tradition of both the Celtic Christian and Druid traditions. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Through the year with the Celts
The author notes that if you don't pick up this book in November, then you should not start at the beginning....start where ever you are in the calendar.Her purpose in writing this book is to "help the readerbecome more aware of times and seasons." (ix)One of the importantthings about Celtic spirituality (and the reason so many people areembracing it) is that the Celts, unlike others in the "Western"world, saw the goodness of God in all His creation.They lived in theworld and they loved it.So Shirley Toulson takes us through the year asthe Celts lived it, celebrating their saints from the great three ofColumba, Patrick, and Brigit to the more obscure, the great seasonalfeasts--holidays--such as Beltain and Samhain, and of course the holy daysas well.Well illustrated, containing maps to many of the holy places (ofwhich the Celtic lands have so many), and lots of literary excerpts, poems,and prayers, this is a book to enjoy year after year.Organized by monthand season rather than day, as the Celts lived and we should too, this is abook to keep close and consult often. ... Read more

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Part one of this program features the sacking of Rome and introduces Augustine of Hippo and his The City of God, which examines the Churchs uneasy relationship with human frailty and worldliness, as piety became identified with self-denial and celibacy was viewed as central to the pursuit of perfection. Part two tracks the spread of Christianity to Ireland and its establishment in Britain and northern Europe by Celtic monks, who had formulated the concept of penance and the culture of pilgrimage. However, it was not the Christianity of Saint Patrick, but of Rome, that succeeded in dominating Britain. ... Read more

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Rees takes readers on an armchair tour across the United Kingdom to the places where many Celtic saints worked and prayed. ... Read more

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It is an often overlooked fact that Celtic art is iconic for two very different world views: primeval Christianity and pagan/new age. Celtic art and spirituality stand on an overlap between these two cultures and act as connecting links between them. Both cultures can learn from their differences, ultimately supporting and nourishing the spiritual aspirations of each. Michael Green's Celtic Blessings 2011 Mini Calendar is a masterful marriage of these two worlds. Based on Celtic themes and early Irish Christian illuminated manuscripts, Green reenvisions these genres into a stunning modern look that is firmly rooted in the past.
At various times in his life, Green has been a wandering monk, artist and craftsman, television art director, architect, illustrator and author. His books include The I Ching Journals, The Illuminated Rumi, The Illuminated Prayer and The Unicornis Manuscripts (978-1-60237-119-4).
The interior pages of this calendar are printed on 100% recycled, 50% post-consumer paper, processed chlorine free and printed with soy based inks.
A Celtic Blessings 2011 Wall Calendar (978-1-60237-370-9) is also available through Amazon! ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

The Notes make Plummer's Classic still worth it
In the first part of the twentieth century, Charles Plummer was the acknowledged doyen of early insular historiography, and the study of early Irish history and literature is indebted to much of his scholarship, including this valuable edition of Irish saints' Lives, which was the standard edition for most of the twentieth century.Plummer's work has, however, begun to show it's age.For example, Plummer based his edition on the Codex Kilkenniensis, while studies by W.W. Heist, and especially Richard Sharpe, have since established the Codex Salmanticensis as the standard text since it seems to contain the oldest recensions of the Lives.Moreover, Plummer's approach to the saints, in which he pervasively saw reflexes of pagan deities, is out-of-fashion in today's scholarship which focuses with much more detail on the historical and societal context of the Lives; as a result, some of Plummer's notes are of limited use.Nonetheless, the comparative study of the Kilkenniensis collection offers the valuable opportunity to examine a medieval redactor at work, and many of Plummer's notes shine in the breadth of their learning and thoroughness of documentation.The _Vitae Sanctorum Hiberniae_ thus remains a necessary tool for serious scholars of early Ireland. ... Read more

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This scarce antiquarian book is included in our special Legacy Reprint Series. In the interest of creating a more extensive selection of rare historical book reprints, we have chosen to reproduce this title even though it may possibly have occasional imperfections such as missing and blurred pages, missing text, poor pictures, markings, dark backgrounds and other reproduction issues beyond our control. Because this work is culturally important, we have made it available as a part of our commitment to protecting, preserving and promoting the world's literature. ... Read more

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Ellis's study seeks to bring sanity into the debate between feminists who see women in ancient Celtic society as prototypes and those who see these interpretations as nonsensical. The author's scholarly and balanced approach has resulted in the most revealing and reliable portrait of Celic women ever written. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (5)

Celtic Women - Strong Women
Peter Berresford Ellis reveals the important role Celtic women played in their society in his book, "Celtic Women: Women in Celtic Society & Literature." Using historical documents, Ellis offers evidence that women in Celtic society had rights that were protected by law to own property, to choose who and when they wanted to marry, to divorce if they wanted and to take with them the property they owned prior to marriage, as well as half of the property held with their husband (after a certain period of time). The women of the Ancient Celts fought in battles, and trained young warriors. They could be rulers, priests, doctors and lawyers. Ellis reveals how all of these rights granted to Celtic women gradually changed after the introduction of Christianity by the Roman priests. Well written and documented, Ellis makes the history of the Ancient Celts, particularly women, very interesting reading.

Mixing fact and fiction
Ellis makes interesting points, but seems very uncritical in his use of mythology in a way that's been debunked in Celtic studies for decades.If you want a much more compelling analysis of the real roles of Celtic women at least in early Irish society, I'd suggest *Isle of Women* by Lisa Bitel.

Good resource, but plagued by Ellis' typical downfalls...
While Ellis' "Celtic Women" is the best book I have yet read on the subject, it suffers from peculiar inconsistencies, as well as the author's tendency to disregard or dismiss evidence which contradicts histhesis.This work is definitely preferable to Jean Markale's book of thesame title, as Ellis seems to be more of a scholar and less of a mystic. Ellis focuses on material from the Classical authors, native Celtic lawtexts, and vernacular works of literature and history in painting a vividpicture of the many roles of Celtic women and Celtic female divinities. This work is not without flaws, however, for one must ask, would a bookabout Celtic men include an overview of Celtic male gods?Femaledivinities are also prominent in Greek mythology, but I find the argumentthat the stature of goddesses reflects the status of women in the culturewhich worships them to be, at best, highly speculative.While there isdefinitely evidence that women could attain high social positions in Cleticsocieties, Mr. Ellis seems to gloss over the fact that ruling queens andinfluential female Brehons (judges) were notable exceptions to the rule. In addition, while there is much material introduced from native lawregarding women's rights to property and divorce, nothing is saidconcerning women's rights to child custody.The reader is left to wonderwhether nothing is said in these law texts about such an important andrevealing point as a woman's right to her own children, or if the authorconsidered it to be of no importance.As a woman, I would love to look tothe Celts as an example of the "original egalitarian model" thatthe book's jacket claims, but as a scholar I feel that Mr. Ellis overstateshis case, a failing of many of his otherwise fine works.Perhaps moredisturbing, there are sections of the book that strike a strangelydiscordant note in view of the overall theme.For instance, Mr. Ellisdevotes an entire chapter (out of 10) to the subject of personal adornment. In this chapter, he discusses not only the costume and adornments ofwomen, but of men as well.Does this suggest a view on the part of theauthor that the whole subject of dress is a concern specific to women, oris this material introduced solely by way of comparison?While I wouldrecommend this book as being the best available on the subject, I believethat a truly 5 star book on Celtic women has not yet been written.

This book is an excellent research resource.
After researching for years and looking desperately for a good resource on Women in the Celtic times, this book was an amazing find. I was thrilled by the information I found here. I learned things about Celtic Women that I had never imagined could be true. I know that I will be using this book for many years to come.

An excellently researched book on a fascinating subject.
There are many non-fiction books written on the Celts, but only a few on the subject of Celtic Women.This book is well-written and researched with care.Most interesting to this reader, was the chapter on a Celtic woman's legal status during different times of history.If you like this book I would also suggest the Mr. Ellis' book on the Druids, aptly named, "The Druids". ... Read more

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The activities of Jesus before the start of his ministry at the age of thirty have been the subject of much speculation. Did he travel beyond the bounds of Palestine in his search for wisdom knowledge? Where did he acquire the great learning which amazed those who heard him preaching and enabled him to cross swords in debate with Scribes and Pharisees? A number of legends suggest that Jesus travelled to the British Isles with Joseph of Arimathea, who worked in the tin trade. With these legends as his starting point, Gordon Strachan uncovers a fascinating network of connections between the Celtic world and Mediterranean culture and philosophy. Taking the biblical image of Wisdom as the 'master craftsman', Strachan explores the deep layers of Mystery knowledge shared between the Judaic-Hellenic world and the northern Druids -- from the secret geometry of masons and builders, which Jesus would have encountered in his work as a craftsman in Palestine, to the Gematria or number coding of the Old and New Testaments. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Jesus, The Master Builder
When you start to pick up this book, you feel like someone is trying to trick you by inserting a book about Jesus in the New Age section. And then you start reading and cannot put this down. Imagine that you are someone who doesn't really believe in Christianity the way it is sold, and that Jesus was one of the great profits or religious leaders, but still a man. Then, you pick this book up and start reading, and it makes so much sense, you could actually start another branch from Christianity, involving Druidry, and have a viable religion.

When you see the references to Jesus and the white robes he dressed in, all the way up to why St. John the Baptist would look at Jesus and tell him that Jesus should be baptizing him, all becomes clear. Jesus, was a Druid.

From the story of his uncle taking him to Avalon upon Jesus' father's death, to the fact that 20 years elapsed between his younger stories and his ministry, it is entirely possible, that the teachings of Jesus aligned with the teachings of ancient Druidry. Just the term translation of carpenter, and the serious work that Strachan has done, shows how things are continually thrown out of sequence and how this could be true.

If you don't believe in the myth of Jesus, this book comes closest to making story, if ever proved, be the one that has been cleaned up a great deal and taken completely out of context. This could make people believe that a real story existed. ... Read more

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In Irish Dreamers, Father Fitz offers us fourteen delightful stories to reflect upon orsimply enjoy. Father Fitz has a knack for parable, for writing about the human conditionwith experience, wisdom, and affection. He clearly loves his characters, especially theflawed ones, and his stories remind us with confidence that redemption is within thereach of all of us. Although these Celtic parables are about Irish people in Irish settings,it is easy to recognize ourselves or someone we know in similar predicaments.Theopportunity for journaling after each story enables us to own the stories even morecompletely; the questions for reflection provide us with insights into our lives. ... Read more

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Celtic spirituality is often spoken of as something ancient, remote and in need of re-discovery. This volume presents it as a lived experience even in modern Ireland. Reading some of the literary legacy of Ireland leads one to ask "from where does all this spiritual richness spring?" The questions leads to an investigation of the Celtic world as it emerged on Continental Europe around 1000 BC, to the Celts' eventual absorption of the Christian message in the Ireland of the 5th century, the blossoming of what is now called "Celtic spirituality" during the early-middle ages, and its survival down to the present day. Father O'Riordain speaks of one of the key characteristics of both Christian and pre-Christian Celtic spirituality as being its communal emphasis. For Christians, this community life is further enhanced by a keen awareness of being part of a greater community of saints gathered around the throne of Goodness, ever united in praising and thanking the creator God who is revealed in Father, Son and Holy Spirit. ... Read more

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Fascinating combinations of old and new appear in a breathtaking collection of illustrations and paintings that honor early Celtic Christian saints, with designs drawing upon the significant places, objects, and achievements of each figure. St. Bridget appears in an illustrated version of the ruins of fifth-century statuary, including some with a milk cow at her feet, an echo of earlier mother-goddess legends. Similar tributes salute Saints Columba, Patrick, Aidan, David, Michael, Cuthbert, Winefride, Kentigern, Petroc, Piran, Ia, Kevan, Nectan, Ita, and Winwaloe.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Simply the best of the recent books on Celtic history
This is simply the best book (in english at least) available on the broad sweep of Celtic history.John Davies asks questions that few, if any, other historians ask.An example is his attempt to determine when continental Gaulish celtic stopped being spoken.Most historians seem to assume that once the Romans took over Gaul, that was the end of Gaulish celtic being spoken.But Davies always asks more of the historical record than most authors do.He is also very evenhanded and, although he is Welsh and proud of it, he does not try to make the contributions of celtic speaking peoples to european and world history more than what they are.He writes very well and this book is aimed at a more general public than his book on the history of wales (which is also excellent).I absolutely recommend this book for anyone interested learning about the history of the celtic speaking peoples.

Good book
Beautiful photos.The text serves as a very good and well-written intro to Celtic history and culture in general, stretching from ancient times to the modern world.Good for someone who enjoys the subject but knows little about it.

who are those guys in the white sheets,not the.................?
nope,just some neo-celtics doing some bonding.This picture book packs a wallop and shows the divisions of Celtic groups in Europe and the Islands.I had read previously that Stonehenge may very well not be a Celtic site seeing as it was built thousands of years before the Celts even inhabited the Isles,so the Celts may well have kidnapped the site and claimed it for their own.This picture book has excellent interpretations of European sites including the La Tene and the Halstatt.According to Davies these groups were separated by hundreds of years and may have been as different from each other as night and day,so one would want to be careful when discussing the Celtic World.Remember Caesar was able to play these people against each other very well.The book also tells the history of the Celts right to the present day including the Neo-Celtic movement,and the histories of the numerous Celtic dialects.If Celtism hasn't been watered down enough,then the "New AGERs",might take it another step removed.There are some subtle "digs" between the lines in this book.I asked myself after reading this book,"Is this new Celtic movement an unconsciuos attempt to remove the psychological yoke placed on the Celtic peoples by the Romans and William the Conqueror?When true Celtic speakers see these druidic ceremonies do they wince in pain at the further kidnapping of their culture.Well remember the Celts may have borrowed Stonehenge using the same methods.Grave goods in the high status burials of supposed Celts include a sword and cauldrons,so to be a new age druid you need-a sword,a cauldron,and a farmer's almanac?This books makes alot of questions,but the critical reader will welcome it. Excellent job. ... Read more