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

by Mara Freeman (Author) "Step over the threshold into an old-style Irish house, and imagine this is your home..." (more)
Key Phrases: silver chanter, faery music, paddle wire, Kindling the Celtic, Saint Brigit, Tuatha Dé Danann (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
For over 2,000 years, oppressors and natural disasters have worked against the Celts, threatening to obliterate the ancient tribe's language, traditions, and spirituality. "Yet in the past 30 years or so, many willing minds and hands have undertaken the task of rekindling the guttering flame of the Celtic spirit," writes author Mara Freeman in Kindling the Celtic Spirit. Freeman is, in fact, one of those maintaining the fire, having spent 35 years studying Celtic traditions and assembling this well-written and organized tribute. Following the format of the Celtic calendar, Freeman shares the stories, recipes, spells, and Gaelic expressions that go with each of the monthly festivals and celebrations. The February chapter celebrates the Festival of Brigit (the goddess who represents the bride or young maiden). October pays tribute to the Festival of Samhain (the celebration that marks the beginning of winter and may have been the Celtic New Year). She recounts the origins of Samhain Eve, or "Mischief Night," which Americans celebrate by trick-or-treating. She teaches magical spells, tells a spine-chilling spooky story, and shows readers how to carve turnip lanterns, using a large rutabaga.

Although she writes about faeries, tree spirits, and other mythological creatures, Freeman narrates with confidence and maturity, so that readers feel as though they are sitting with a learned scholar. The elegant pen-and-ink illustrations by Linda Carol Risso capture the humble pagan origins while respecting the sophistication of Celtic design. The upshot is a beautifully crafted book with plenty of substance for those who like immersing themselves in this enchanting, age-old tribe. --Gail Hudson

Review
"...Mara Freeman brings a depth of scholarship and clarity of presentation that outshines the rest." -- R. J. Stewart, author of the bestselling Merlin Tarot, and many books on meditation, music and magic

"...a stunning book, rich in enchantments, legend and lore...abounding in practical wisdom to nourish body and soul." -- Margie McArthur, author of The Wisdom of the Elements

"A very important work...[a] long awaited and much needed inspirational manual..." -- Elizabeth Murray, author of Cultivating Sacred Space

"Mara Freeman has written a book that is fun, deep, playful, serious, useful, magical and enlightening." -- Matthew Fox, author of One River, Many Wells and Original Blessing

"Mara Freeman...has a profound understanding and appreciation of [Celtic] tradition, and a talent for sharing it effectively." -- Alexei Kondratiev, author of The Apple Branch: A Path to Celtic Ritual

"This is an excellent book, offering a bright window into the Celtic World." -- John Matthews, author of Drinking From the Sacred Well

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 416 pages
• Publisher: HarperOne; 1st edition (December 26, 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 006251685X
• ISBN-13: 978-0062516855
• Product Dimensions: 7.5 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars See all reviews (26 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #180,638 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #38 in	Books > Literature & Fiction > World Literature > Mythology > Celtic & British Isles
  #59 in	Books > Religion & Spirituality > Earth-Based Religions > Celtic

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

44 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Not quite reconstructionist, but still tops, August 31, 2001

By	RoseWelsh "rosewelsh" (St. George, UT United States) - See all my reviews

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)

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic as well as beautiful!, April 6, 2002

By	Jacquelyn Smith (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

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!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Authentic as well as beautiful!, April 6, 2002

By	Jacquelyn Smith (Toronto, Canada) - See all my reviews

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!