Women in Celtic Myth: Tales of Extraordinary Women from the Ancient Celtic Tradition [Paperback]

Moyra Caldecott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 1992

In Celtic myth, the mixture of wise spiritual teaching and dramatic imagery creates new, potent, and disturbing visions. This selection of eleven storiessome more than 3,000 years old focuses on the women of ancient British mythology, from the formidable women warriors who trained heros to fight and kill to the beautiful companions who led them to higher realms of feminine intuition and spiritual wisdom. Caldecott goes beyond a mere recounting of female strength, providing lucid personal commentary that illuminates the complete myth and the culture from which it springs. These powerful stories transmit a recognition of the mystery of being and an understanding of the powerful magic of inner transformation.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Moyra Caldecott, author of more than 16 books and novels set in prehistoric times, including Guardians of the Tall Stones and Crystal Legends, has devoted the major portion of her life to collecting and examining myths and legends across the world.Women in Celtic Myth shows how these tales form a code of universal symbolic importance in expressing the eternal journey of the human spirit. With degrees in both English literature and philosophy, Caldecott lectures on the subject of Celtic myths at sacred sites throughout England.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Destiny Books (March 1, 1992)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0892813571
• ISBN-13: 978-0892813575
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 6 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 11.2 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #191,522 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #40 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Celtic
  • #85 in Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Native American

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great stories, January 15, 2001

By 

Kashmir White (Los Angeles, California United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Women in Celtic Myth: Tales of Extraordinary Women from the Ancient Celtic Tradition (Paperback)

This book takes each of the Celtic goddesses (Irish, Welsh, and Scottish) and devotes a little fictional short story to her. Chapters include "Arianrhod and Bledouwedd," "The Three Etains," and "Emer and the Women Who Loved Cu Chulaind," as well as chapters (or stories) on Maeve, the Morrigan, Grania, Macha, and many others. The stories are based on elements of the actual myth, but because they are new short stories crafted by the author they flow smoothly and are so interesting you can't put the book down.. I have found that learning about the myths this way has helped me to understand them much better. Caldecott also has a good introduction discussing the Celts and their myths, and a commentary after each story with added info about each myth and listing her sources for further reading.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars This is a great read!, May 28, 2000

By 

Sharon Simmons - See all my reviews

This review is from: Women in Celtic Myth: Tales of Extraordinary Women from the Ancient Celtic Tradition (Paperback)

Ms. Caldecott offers interesting history on the Celts in her introduction and also offers insightful interpretations and analysis of Celtic mythological tales after retelling these great stories from the point of view of the main female characters. A great book -- I highly recommend it for anyone interested in the genre.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A wonderful introduction to Celtic goddess devotion, April 7, 2001

By 

Kaulika - See all my reviews

This review is from: Women in Celtic Myth: Tales of Extraordinary Women from the Ancient Celtic Tradition (Paperback)

I read this book a number of years ago, and I still love it. Each goddess is given a new myth, based in the old, and written from a new, feminist perspective. If you are into Celtic spirituality at all, I highly recommend this book. If you are a student of Celtic mythology, I also recommend this book, for the different perspective it will give you. It is an easy read, and great introduction to the central goddesses in Celtic mythology.