The Celtic Way of Seeing: Meditations on the Irish Spirit Wheel [Paperback]

M.A. Frank MacEowen (Author), Tom Cowan (Foreword)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 20, 2007

The Celtic way of seeing posits a direct link between the eye and the heart, a link that connects seekers to forces, energies, and knowledge that exist beyond the corporeal world. Here, Frank MacEowen explains this intuitive way of seeing by retelling a traditional Irish story, "The Settling of the Manor of Tara." The story is essential because it introduced to Irish culture the concept of the four directions — north, south, east, and west. For the Irish, just as for Native Americans, the directions act as guides and protectors. Once seekers learn to “see” the directions, spirituality becomes a living thing, making each seeker not just an observer but a participant. After retelling the ancient story in beautiful, prose evocative of ancient Ireland, MacEowen then places its wisdom in contemporary terms, and shares exercises and practices that help readers incorporate the teachings into daily life.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Frank MacEowen teaches us to see in the Irish way: within and beyond and through. He is a great and generous guide to the mysteries. His words open doors to the past and windows to the future.” — Patricia Monaghan, author of The Red-Haired Girl from the Bog: The Landscape of Irish Myth and Spirit “The Celtic Way of Seeing combines a modern psychological awareness with the language of a poet and the vision of a shaman. As a result, the book is both highly practical and inspiring.” — Philip Carr-Gomm, author of The Druid Way “Frank MacEowen has created a book of both profound and practical truth. As a student of seasons and directions myself, I’m struck by the Celtic twist on circle teachings and energies. Much good to ponder here, and to apply to daily life as well. And, as always, Frank brings a bit of Irish soil in his words, and some fine mist in his phrasing. Beautiful.” — Susan Chernak McElroy, author of Why Buffalo Dance and Animals as Teachers and Healers --This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

From the Back Cover

"Frank MacEowen teaches us to see in the Irish way: within and beyond and through. He is a great and generous guide to the mysteries. His words open doors to the past and windows to the future."
-- Patricia Monaghan, author of The Red-Haired Girl from the Bog: The Landscape of Irish Myth and Spirit

"The Celtic Way of Seeing combines a modern psychological awareness with the language of a poet and the vision of a shaman. As a result, the book is both highly practical and inspiring."
-- Philip Carr-Gomm, author of The Druid Way

"Frank MacEowen has created a book of both profound and practical truth. As a student of seasons and directions myself, I'm struck by the Celtic twist on circle teachings and energies. Much good to ponder here, and to apply to daily life as well. And, as always, Frank brings a bit of Irish soil in his words, and some fine mist in his phrasing. Beautiful."
-- Susan Chernak McElroy, author of Why Buffalo Dance and Animals as Teachers and Healers

"The Celtic Way of Seeing inspires and equips all of us, regardless of our personal heritage, to perceive the world around us with wiser and more compassionate eyes. By breathing new, visionary life into the ancient myths and rituals of the Celts, Frank MacEowen helps us map a better future for ourselves and for humankind."
-- Jack Maguire, author of Essential Buddhism, Waking Up: A Week in a Zen Monastery, and The Power of Personal Storytelling

"The Celtic Way of Seeing is an important contribution to the reclaiming of indigenous wisdom for modern life. Frank MacEowen's deep insights into what he calls the Irish Spirit Wheel places it alongside the medicine wheels, mandalas, and sand paintings of other Earth-honoring cultures. I heartily recommend this book for everyone wanting to deepen their connections to the vast horizon of Celtic spirituality."
-- Tom Cowan, author of Yearning for the Wind

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: New World Library; annotated edition edition (February 20, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1577315413
• ISBN-13: 978-1577315414
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #328,907 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #73 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Celtic

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sacred Directions for the Celtic Heart, September 29, 2008

By 

Deanna Joseph "www.deannasrealm.com" (California) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: The Celtic Way of Seeing: Meditations on the Irish Spirit Wheel (Paperback)

I am a big time fan of Frank MacEowen and his teachings on Celtic Spirituality. To say I was pleased that he'd come out with a book on the Irish Spirit Wheel would be an understatement.

The Irish Spirit Wheel is a mandala, and is akin to the Native American Medicine Wheel. For many years now I'd been interested in learning about the Medicine Wheel, but I longed for something that was more directly connected to my own ancestors. And this is it!

I have had so much fun, and learned quite a lot, by going through this book.

In the first part of the book, Frank re-tells the Irish story "The Settling of the Manor of Tara," which is a tale of forgetting. But it's much more than just forgetting something like where we left our wallet or grocery list. It's about the wisdom and knowledge deep within our spirit, told through stories by our ancestors, that's been forgotten. He also goes into the five sacred directions and their basic meanings.

In part two he goes into more detail. He gives detailed exercises, meditations, questions and reflections for each of the five sacred directions; the Center (our center, where we find balance), East (prosperity), South (inspiration), West (knowledge) and North (battle).

In my previous studies on the medicine wheel, I found that I was taking the directions too literally. Through the exercises in this book, I find that I'm connecting with the metaphorical directions and the energies of the sacred directions.

For instance... I've been working on prosperity. According to the Celtic Way of Seeing, prosperity is in the East, along with house holding. This is important because the energy of our home directly affects how abundance comes into our lives (and I'm not just talking financial abundance, but love and health also). It's also important to be a "hearthkeeper" because being a keeper of the hearth makes the home inviting. It makes visitors feel welcomed and nourished. And it makes those who live there also feel cared for. It's all these "feelings" that ultimately bring prosperity into our lives.

To be a hearthkeeper myself, I've let myself become more domestic. I light candles, I bake, I keep the house clean. I read to my children, I support my husband. And I find that these actions all add to the energy of our home. These yummy energies are so inviting, that prosperity can't help but come to visit. And I've experienced this in my own business too.

The Celtic Way of Seeing is a guide back to our selves. It's filled with wisdom, and I've enjoyed both reading through it, and going back to it again and again and again. I would highly recommend it to anyone wishing to follow the path back to their heart, and see through the eyes of wisdom just how beautiful life can be.

33 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Celtic Way of Seeing?, September 4, 2007

By 

Jodi C. "Jodi" (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Celtic Way of Seeing: Meditations on the Irish Spirit Wheel (Paperback)

I really disliked this book. I really had trouble with the author's idea of the Tuatha De Danann as doe eyed, peace loving people that didn't understand violence. Interesting take on a warrior class of people that used force and violence to take the island from the Fir Bolg ... especially since they brought a sword and a spear as two of their treasures and the direction North is associated with battle. His take was too happy and shiny, hold hands and sing Kumbiaya for me. I prefer Celtic books to have some basis in Celtic history and Celtic values. To me it's really a slap in the face of Irish people everywhere to dumb down what it means to be a warrior to fit a new age peace loving sugar and spice agenda.

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Awakening, March 8, 2007

By 

T. Conner "aestas" (Alabama, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Celtic Way of Seeing: Meditations on the Irish Spirit Wheel (Paperback)

Frank's work constantly invokes change within my life and his new book 'The Celtic Way of Seeing' is no different. Deep within it's pages lie the boundless and enlightening knowledge to place your life back in line with the Great Song of the universe. Through exercises, storytelling, meditations and student examples of the four directions and center, we are shown how by reclaiming our connection with the natural world, we can bring about a beautiful awakening within our own lives and inspire those around us.