The Heart of the Fire [Paperback]

Cerridwen Fallingstar (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1990

Fiona McNair is a peasant girl in 16th Century Scotland. Her grandmother, the leader of the village coven, is teaching her herbcraft, healing and magic, as she follows the visions that lead her in a path of shamanic powers known as Witchcraft. Fiona grows to be beautiful and falls in love - with her wild Gypsy friend Annie; with Sean, the youthful, wealthy and potentially dangerous son of the village Lord; and with a minstrel who still dares sing the old songs of magic and power.

Then, the Witch-hunter comes.

The Heart of the Fire is a suspenseful blend of magic, romance, danger and eroticism. Even more, it is an authentic past-life chronicle, a unique and revealing window into the lives of historical Witches from their own viewpoint: who they were, what they believed, what all of us lost as the magical web of life was torn asunder.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"... a good read, a vividly written and compelling book that is next to impossible to put down..." -- New Directions for Women

"Fallingstar is a consumate storyteller who brings her characters to life in all their fullness and complexity. I cannot remember the last time a book moved me so deeply." -- Fireheart

"Have you ever wondered what it would be like to visit a coven of Witches who lived during the late sixteenth century? Would you like to experience the feelings of country peasants poor in worldly goods but rich in ancient wisdom? Here is a well-written story that takes you there. You will feel the fog and rain of Scotland and smell the herbs hanging from the ceiling of the Wise Woman's croft. You will know the joy of dancing and feasting when a rich man invites the whole village to his son's wedding. You will tremble with fear when the Witch-Hunter comes.

Cerridwen Fallingstar is an experienced shaman who lectures, teaches classes and does individual counseling. For convenience, this book is called a novel, but it is really the author's past life recall. And the writing is brilliant. The love scenes are the most erotic I have ever read and the pace and timing of the story are flawless.

From the opening pages of this book, when six year old Fiona socks a goat on the ! jaw, to the tragic ending, I was mesmerized. Highly recommended." -- Sage Woman's

"I feel that reading this book can be a powerful healing for both male and female readers. Open yourself up, let this book in and you will be amazed at the results." -- Mighty Natural Magazine

"The author brings us an exciting novel of 521 pages filled with edge of the seat adventure which is hard to put down." -- Omega New Age Directory

"This book is an erotic, magical and intricate chronicle of life as seen from the view of an accused witch. This book is a must, even for those on a tight book budget." -- Our Own Community Press

About the Author

Cerridwen Fallingstar, a shamanic Witch and Priestess, has taught classes in magic and ritual for twenty-four years. Since childhood, she has had the ability to time-travel, entering alternate realms and distant times at will. She is a professional writer, teacher and psychic.

Product Details

• Paperback: 521 pages
• Publisher: Cauldron Pubns (October 1, 1990)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0962147001
• ISBN-13: 978-0962147005
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #910,564 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Unforgettable book, November 1, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Heart of the Fire (Paperback)

This is an unforgettable book about the ancient Goddess religion and its survival even to the 16th century. For women, reading it is a particularly empowering experience, a reclaiming of our ancient heritage. I think, however, it could be an empowering experience for men as well.

Fallingstar shows both what it means to be a man in a male supremacist culture, and what it can mean to be a man outside of patriarchy, in a culture that celebrates the sacred humanity of both woman and man, goddess and god.

One of the underlying themes of the book is how male domination corrupts men, and like all supremacism does, destroys their humanity.

We see young Fiona and Annie, best friends, learn about their ancient heritage from the elder women of the village, a heritage stretching in to ancient times, perhaps to the origins of humanity. We experience their intense bond, their falling in love, with each other and with young men who cross their path. As another reviewer noted, each eventually meets her true mate, both men of power and magic.

Ms Fallingstar's portrayal of the lovemaking scenes was consciousness-raising for me, since it showed once and for all that there is a definite, indivisible line between the erotic and the pornographic. One is based and grounded in humanity; the other in ownership and domination. Women have had it beaten into us that if we are anti-porn, we are anti-sex. It was joyous to re-discover that this is not so, and to find writing that depicts that so beautifully.

This is a story about the Burning Times, so it does end tragically. I want to include a warning here for anyone thinking about getting this book for their teen daughter, or any reader who is a survivor of violence. The end of the book contains vivid descriptions of rape and torture from the victim's point of view and is traumatic to read. Otherwise, this book is a must.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This Book Was Impossible to Put Down, September 13, 2001

By 

Oli Fabulous (NY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Heart of the Fire (Paperback)

Cerridwen Fallingstar's novel is amazing. Her writing style is not that original or beautiful, but her descriptions manage to reenchant the world...after reading the first few chapters I went outside, cast a circle, and felt a more palpable energy than I have recently.

As Fiona, the main character, grows and changes, one can't help but be caught up in her world. Once she met the minstrel i felt something catch and i thought, 'ah, that's a lot like the kind of person i'm looking out for..." And once the witchhunter came, Goddess, I felt my heart sink heavy with some sort of collective memory.

Even though I am a Witch, the New-Agey, simplistic politics that Fallingstar adds at the end got my goat a little bit. You see, she claims that Fiona McNair is one of her past incarnations..which I find simultaneously annoying and believable.

At any rate, this book is not to be missed.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Like Going Home, January 21, 2001

By 

Laura Codispoti (MCKINLEYVILLE, CA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Heart of the Fire (Paperback)

Reading this book was like going home for me. The descriptions of the countryside and rituals, the smells and feelings invoked transported me through time. I read the first 225 pages in a day. I highly recomend this book to anyone interested in the old ways, herb lore, and magik.

The love scenes will make you squirm in your seat and long to run your fingers through the long smokey hair of Annie or press your face in to the strong chest of the minstrel. I wish it could have lasted forever.

I was not prepared for the brutality at the end of the book, however, and felt the wind knocked from me. I ached to help Fiona, feeling every stab of pain she felt... I sobbed, and wept for not only her experience but for all those who have suffered in the name of "God" and religion.

This is an outstanding book but be wary the end is very graphic and brutal.

Blessed Be.