The Spirit of the Celtic Gods and Goddesses: Their History, Magical Power, and Healing Energies

by Carl McColman, Kathryn Hinds, Courtney Weber (Foreword by)

Overview

Brings the history of these gods and goddesses to life, along with visualizations, rituals, and exercises to help make them part of the reader’s spiritual practice.

Figures like Brigid, Cernunnos, Rhiannon, and the Morrigan are honored for their magic, their bravery, and their mythical deeds. Among pagans, the gods and goddesses of Gaul, Ireland, Wales, and the other Celtic lands rank with the most popular and influential of the Greek, Roman, Norse, and Egyptian pantheons.

This book provides an accessible guide for readers to learn about and connect spiritually with the gods and goddesses of the Celtic lands:

• Learn key features of each of the major Irish, Welsh, and continental Celtic deities
• Discover the major myths and lore associated with each deity
• Create rituals and magical work appropriate for each deity
• Understand the psychological archetypes of each god and goddess
• Forge true and meaningful relationships with the deities for our time
• Relate the various gods and goddesses to the sabbats and holy days

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781578637171
Publisher:	Red Wheel/Weiser
Publication date:	07/01/2020
Pages:	256
Sales rank:	171,973
Product dimensions:	5.90(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Carl McColman is the author of several books on Christian mysticism, paganism, and goddess spirituality. Carl’s work is characterized by an optimistic, expansive understanding of spirituality, rooted in Christianity while embracing the wisdom of the world’s contemplative traditions. He is a professed Lay Cistercian—a layperson under the guidance of Trappist monks. He regularly speaks, teaches, and conducts retreats on contemplative Christian practice and blogs at www.carlmccolman.com.

Kathryn Hinds (d. 2018) was a teacher, novelist, poet, and writer of more than 50 nonfiction books on world history and mythology, including The Celts of Northern Europe. Kathryn was a student of Norse, Irish, and Welsh literature and a priestess in the Welsh bardic tradition.

Table of Contents

Foreword ix

Part 1 Introduction 1

Chapter 1 Entering the Otherworld 3

Chapter 2 An Overview of the Celtic Tradition 11

Chapter 3 What This Book Does and Doesn't Do 19

Part 2 Goddesses and Heroines 29

Chapter 4 The Mothers: Threefold Soul of the Earth 31

Chapter 5 Anu and the River Goddesses 37

Chapter 6 Brigit: The Exalted One 45

Chapter 7 The Morrigan: The Phantom Queen 57

Chapter 8 Medb: She Who Intoxicates 65

Chapter 9 Macha: Goddess of Many Lives 73

Chapter 10 Rhiannon: The Great Queen 81

Chapter 11 Ceridwen: Keeper of the Cauldron 93

Chapter 12 Arianrhod: The Lady of the Wheel 103

Part 3 Gods and Heroes 111

Chapter 13 Cernunnos: Master of the Hunt 113

Chapter 14 The Dagda: The Big Father 119

Chapter 15 Manannán and Manawydan: Lords of the Mist 125

Chapter 16 Lugh and Lieu: Gods of Strength and Skill 135

Chapter 17 Oenghus: The Young Lover 147

Chapter 18 Cú Chulainn: The Hound of Ulster 153

Chapter 19 Gwydion: The Trickster-Magician 163

Chapter 20 Brân: Guardian of the Land 171

Chapter 21 Taliesin: The Divine Poet 177

Part 4 Goddesses and Gods in Our Lives 187

Chapter 22 The Mysteries and the Virtues 189

Chapter 23 Putting Devotion into Practice 201

Chapter 24 Storytelling and the Living Tradition 209

Afterword for 2020 Edition 215

Appendix A Taking Your Journey Further 219

Appendix B Recommended Listening 225

Appendix C The Celtic Fire Festivals 229

Chapter Notes 235

Bibliography 237