Customer Reviews

Kindling the Celtic Spirit: Ancient Traditions to Illumine Your Life Through the Seasons

5 star:		(23)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

As a graduate of a medieval studies program specializing in Irish literature, I am prompted to write this review to let people know how thrilled I am to have come across a book that contributes so much to our understanding of Celtic spirituality and how to apply its teachings in a modern context. Far from being "new-agey" this book is head and shoulders above the usual Wiccan and pagan-based junk that passes for "Celtic." "Kindling the Celtic Spirit" is lucidly written, honest about what we know and what we don't know about the Celts, inspiring, and above all, offers an accessible introduction to many of the key aspects of Celtic mythology and spirituality - I particularly loved the sections about music and animals, the chapter on tree-lore and the many marvelous recipes! The author really knows her stuff and is an exceptionally lyrical writer of a caliber not to be found in most popular books on the market today. It's definitely a book to keep or to give to friends to get them hopelessly addicted to the beauty of Celtica!

I'm a Celtic Reconstructionist (for more on that see imbas.org). This book is full of good information, though I do not like the way she puts the sun holy days in prominance (not something the old Celts did.) But she does mention Sam & Gam energies of the year (basically light and dark) which is good.

What I like most is the way she uses poetry and her choices of poetry. Most books on Celtic spirit tend to use poetry that doesn't flow or connect to my heart. Most of her choices, or choices of translations, are wonderful.

I don't like the way she collects all her information (animal lore, myths, seasonal crafts ect) under a particular month ONLY because it's hard to reference later.

Her uses of stories are also done well. She choses good stories to tell that illustrate the holy day and then tells them beautifully.

The only thing I really don't like is the fact that the book, like Faery Wicca by Stepanich, is a way to gather "followers" and bring in the dough through classes, trips, workshops and divination. At least if you don't read the appendixes you won't see that part though ;o)

Oh, another useful thing she does is give prononciations (sp) of Celtic words! :o) :o)

As a graduate of a medieval studies program specializing in Irish literature, I am prompted to write this review to let people know how thrilled I am to have come across a book that contributes so much to our understanding of Celtic spirituality and how to apply its teachings in a modern context. Far from being "new-agey" this book is head and shoulders above the usual Wiccan and pagan-based junk that passes for "Celtic." "Kindling the Celtic Spirit" is lucidly written, honest about what we know and what we don't know about the Celts, inspiring, and above all, offers an accessible introduction to many of the key aspects of Celtic mythology and spirituality - I particularly loved the sections about music and animals, the chapter on tree-lore and the many marvelous recipes! The author really knows her stuff and is an exceptionally lyrical writer of a caliber not to be found in most popular books on the market today. It's definitely a book to keep or to give to friends to get them hopelessly addicted to the beauty of Celtica!

This wonderfully researched, thought-out and laid-out book is seasoned with an abundance of Celtic lore. The authors knowledge and apparent love of all thing Celtic is felt on every page. The book is divided into twelve chapters, one covering each month. And each chapter has peppered throughout an array of Celtic history, poetry, ritual, recipes, blessings, songs, goddess and god stories, myth, bestiaries, crafts and much more.

This compact book has a very reader-friendly layout and includes wonderful line-art through. The resource section is nine pages long and covers everything from Irish genealogy to Celtic music.

Kindling The Celtic Spirit would make a wonderful gift for anybody who cherishes Irish/Celtic tradition or as a book to keep beside ones bed, to read before sleeps so that one may drift off and enter a magical time and place where faeries played in sacred groves, bards sang of courageous deeds, and the Tuatha De Danann lived and prospered.

My house is the house of a bibliophile: book shelves line the walls, most of them stacked two volumes deep: books I've read that I will probably not read again, books I intend to read. Then there are the gems that have become an integral part of my life. Among these are the stories so well written that I read them again and again to recapture the magic. Also amid the best are the books that I use for research, those deep wells that come amazingly and repeatedly to my rescue with ever more pieces of insight.
Very rarely do I find a book with stories so well told and with information so well researched and presented that it functions in both of these ways. Such a rare hybrid is Mara Freeman's first book, Kindling The Celtic Spirit. I have owned the book only for a few months, and yet it has become a regular companion.

For a less skilled writer, such a patchwork of the arts, crafts, history, philosophy, and scholarship would be a cumbersome hodgepodge. Somehow, Freeman magically leads us through each month of the Celtic year with a sense of deep interconnectedness and wisdom, overlaid with just plain fun. Each chapter is more wonderful than the last, because the last has left you a richer reader, a more informed traveler. It is the business of the bard to use words to open the gateways to other realms and thereby aid us in our journeys. This Mara Freeman does, and well. The bard preserves and honors our heritage even as she illuminates our present circumstances. This too Mara Freeman does, and well. The bard builds bridges between our ancestors, ourselves, and our descendants. This Mara does enchantingly.
Kindling The Celtic Spirit is not a book to read once and put on the shelf; it is a book to live with. Freeman sets out to show us that our Celtic ways can be an abundant lifestyle not an occasional foray into a distant past. If my experience is any measure, she has succeeded brilliantly.

This is a book to be passed down along with its traditions and recipes. Mara Freeman makes each page one to savor, with illustrations, poetry, ancient sayings in Gaelic of the British Isles and fairy speak, that alone should make it a must for your otherworldly library. My only wish is that with the second edition there would be some pages left blank in-between to add one's own family recipe or craft into the book. BUY THIS BOOK!

This beautifully conceived & executed book is bursting with an abundance of Celtic lore, legends, traditions, history, resources and practical applications for enriching our lives through the ways & wisdom of our ancestors. It carries the reader from month to month through the year and brings the meaning & significance of each month and season fully alive. We have already begun using some of the seasonal rituals, crafts, recipes & meditations in our own home and know that this book will be a companion to us for years to come.

When I purchased this book I wasn't sure about the amount of information that contained. I bought it because I wanted to learn more about Celtic mysticism and get a good insight. As soon as I got it I began reading it and I was drawn into it. It has a great deal of useful information. For those interested in learning more about Celtic traditions this is a great book to get.

I loved this book. Its descriptions of the turning of the year, things to do (crafts, recipes as well as rituals), beautiful poems and stories make this a wonderful introduction to Celtic beliefs.

I found this book to be a great companion book to books on modern day Druidry (such as the like by Emma Restall Orr and Philip Carr-Gomm).

This book helps one build a better connection with the past and helps us to better honor our ancestors as well as the Gods.

Mara's beautiful book is a wonderful companion for anyone looking for that country beyond the mists where sacred story lives. For those already familiar with things Celtic, it's a resource for ritual and celebration. I can't wait to get the accompanying CD.