The Fires of Yule: A Keltelven Guide for Celebrating the Winter Solstice [Paperback]

Montague Whitsel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 1, 2001

An ecumenical Pagan ?book of days? for celebrating the Winter Solstice, providing symbolism, rituals, day-by-day activities and lore for those who seek a more enriched and transforming experience of the December Holidays. A poetic primer for personal transfiguration at Christmas.

Product Details

• Paperback: 288 pages
• Publisher: 1st Book Library (November 1, 2001)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0759655650
• ISBN-13: 978-0759655652
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,493,496 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Montague Whitsel is an earthen mystic, narrative poet and spiritual adventurer rooted and sourced in the landscapes of western Pennsylvania. He has been writing poetry and stories since he was 11 years old. As a poetic thinker, he explores the mystery of life in Earth & Spirit and then attempts to express it. He holds degrees in anthropology (BA), sociology (MA), history (MA), philosophy (BA) and religion (MTS). WHile he has taught at the college and university levels, Mr. Whitsel prefers teaching spirituality on a private basis, which he has been doing since the early 1980's, aiding students in learning and practicing a variety of spiritualities, especially those rooted in Celtic traditions. He is striving to reclaim the best poetics from ancient religious traditions, and is deeply interested in the relationship between science and the art of living, exploring ways of grounding our spiritualities today in the revelations of science.


If you want to now more about the author, you may find him at:

http://montaguewhitsel.blogspot.com/
http://rosscountypa.webs.com
www.myspace.com/montwhit13

You may follow him on Twitter at:
http://twitter.com/MontagueWhitsel

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Solstice Celebration Open to All, September 11, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: The Fires of Yule: A Keltelven Guide for Celebrating the Winter Solstice (Paperback)

This book blends pagan and Christian symbols and stories to create a unique version of the Winter Solstice celebration that can be participated in and enjoyed by anyone who seeks to reconnect with ancient traditions in a contemporary and more meaningful way. The author makes a sincere effort to bridge the gap between secular and spiritual points of view, hoping that the reader will open his or her mind to new customs and possibilities for reawakening an aesthetic sense of the sacred season. Mr. Whitsel's rich language is a nice change from the matter-of-fact, utilitarian wording of so many current books on spirituality and reveals the deep passion that he feels for this subject. Certainly, one isn't compelled to "believe" in a new "system" of spirituality in The Fires of Yule, only invited to draw upon whatever symbols and rituals serve to augment one's appreciation of the Solstice, whether those be Celtic Christian or Celtic Pagan.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Yuletide Fantasy Come True!, January 4, 2006

By 

Aletheia RavenTor (Pennsylvania) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Fires of Yule: A Keltelven Guide for Celebrating the Winter Solstice (Paperback)

This year during December, as I awaited the magick of the Winter Solstice and the New Year to be born, I read this exciting little book by Montague Whitsel! I am a priestess in the Wicchan tradition, and for years I have been looking for a way of walking my Way through the Winter Solstice Days with poetic, folkloric and magical symbols and rituals. This book -- ecclectic to the hilt -- has provided me with the most thorough guide I have yet run across. It's not your usual cup of brew! It might take you by surprise; but I will be recommending it to everyone in my covens, and to all my friends!

4.0 out of 5 stars Inspiring traditions for Yule, November 29, 2008

By 

C. E. Wells (SC, United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Fires of Yule: A Keltelven Guide for Celebrating the Winter Solstice (Paperback)

This is a guide to a celebration called the Fires of Yule that is celebrated in a fictional world created by the author. He draws on both pagan and christian themes to create a practice for experiencing the gifts of Yule. And he certainly succeeds: whether you follow the activities to the letter or simply incorporate a few ideas into your Yule celebration - you will undoubtedly experience a deeper relationship with the winter solstice. I must admit I found some of the author's poetry pretty awful (sorry!). But you don't have to like everything about this book in order to be blessed by its unique spirit. I recommend it for all open-minded pagans and adventurous christians.