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

by Moyra Caldecott (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
In Celtic myth, the mixture of wise spiritual teaching and dramatic imagery creates new, potent, and disturbing visions. This selection of eleven stories-some 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.

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: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #657,136 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

21 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars What in blazes does Freud have to do with the ancient Celts?, February 7, 2002

By	Melusine (www.FantasyLiterature.net) (Columbia, MO United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Four stars for the actual stories in Moyra Caldecott's collection, _Women in Celtic Myth_. But then I always like a good retelling. I was particularly impressed with "Findabair and Maeve", since the story of Queen Maeve's daughter is obscure. Ditto for the two Scottish folk tales, "The Sea-Maiden" and "The Farmer's Youngest Daughter."

Read it for the stories, SKIP the psychological and/or mystical theory that follows each one. It is completely obnoxious and off-base. The example that really sticks out in my mind is the analysis of Maeve and Aillill as the animal passions and the thinking mind, respectively. Huh? Maeve drinks and fights and has sex, so she represents the id? I don't buy it. Maeve drinks and fights and has sex because the Irish likes stories about people who did those things. Or, if you're determined to read a deep meaning into the myth, at least come up with one that's germane to the culture. If you want to tell me that Maeve's behavior indicates a sovereignty figure, I'll listen. If you want to tell me her myth is a Freudian text written long before its time, I'll just groan and skip ahead to the next tale. This book would have been much better if the modern psychological theory could have been left out.

7 of 7 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 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.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	Sharon Simmons (W. Sacramento, California) - See all my reviews

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.