Celtic Books

The book is exactly what one needs, if the punitive and controlling factions of Christianity have driven one away. There is another way to know God: The generative and intimate God of the Celtic Church, who permeates all creation.

We are using this as the text for a Lenten course in Celtic Christianity. It provides an excellent overview on the contributions of the Early Fathers made in Celtic Britain, Scotland, and Ireland. Great resouce for Christian studies.

I opened this book with hopes but was disappointed. The earlier chapters on Pelagius and Eriugena were interesting. As the argument moved on, though, it seemed Celtic spirituality sounded merely like the progressive theology in the church today. I wondered if calling it "Celtic" was just a way to make it sound more exotic. I also didn't care for how Augustine and Calvin(ism) were treated as the villians of the drama. I'm guessing the matter is more complicated than this.

The theme of approaching God through nature is a valuable one, and I appreciated that aspect of the book. For a better treatment of the contemplation of nature within the context of Christian spirituality, I recommend Diogenes Allen's Spiritual Theology.

I have long been drawn to the spiritual philosophy that was Celtic Christianity which believes that mankind is at it's core good and that the spark of God resides in all creation. After reading several good books on the subject I have to say this book was the most accessable to me. A true teacher is able to explain complex subjects in a way that a novice can understand and J. Philip Newell is definitely a true teacher of this subject. For me Christianity as understood by the Celtic mind and soul is by far the most enlightened view of the teachings of Jesus and it's suppression over the centuries has been a great loss to humanity. I only hope that books like these and the stirring in the souls who are drawn to this form of Christianity mark a resurgence of this beautiful, enlightened view of God, Jesus, mankind and the earth.

Of all of Philips' books, this is my favorite. His gentle personality shows through this wonderful introduction to Celtic Spirituality. It is the first book that I give to people who have never read anything about the Celtic tradition. Knowing the man, himself, I can hear his voice in each chapter of this book. His scholarship is sound and his ability to explain difficult spiritual concepts in a simple, forthright manner is refreshing.

Pride of Lions, by Morgan Llywelyn, is the sequel to Lion of Ireland, a fictional account of Brian Boru, High King of Ireland. Pride of Lions follows the children of Brian Boru as they struggle in the political and social chaos of Ireland after the Battle of Clontarf, which resulted in a victory of the Irish over Vikings but loss of Brian Boru and his heir. The story is from the point of view of Brian's youngest son Donnchad or Donough as he prefers to be called. Donnchad is the son of Brian and his 2nd wife Gormlaith.

Donough has struggles to learn politics as he tries to emulate his father in every way. He fights many fronts socially in his family as he is torn between supporting his one remaining half brother Teague, who is older and claims the Kingship of Munster. He is also driven by his Mother who is ever working her political schemes for gain and revenge. He finds love in a Druid woman yet struggles to make a marriage and political alliances through his sisters' husbands who includes the King of Dublin and King of Scots. His wife is tied with the Saxon and Dane families in England, and helps Brian lay a foundation for his ultimate goal of claiming his father's title of High King of Ireland.

He is frustrated and young and seems to struggle on every front. At times while reading this book I felt the same feelings. It is definitely a different story than Pride of Lions. I didn't like the path the book was taking and yet was saved in the final chapters. The ending wonderful and I truly loved Donough's final choices. He proves that one can be successful by not repeating history. Donough showed he can live up to his father's fame and learn from his mistakes. I love the path Morgan Llywelyn took and the message sent. Pride of Lions is a lesson in life, achievement and self-worth as well as a great book and wild ride.

There's one thing I love about Llywelyn. She writes this book in short chapters. I mean short. Seriously, if I ever become a novelist, this is how I will write. Andrew M. Greeley does the same thing and look at him. You pick up the book - right before bed - and you say, "oh, just a chapter before bed." Ten chapters later, 15 minutes later, you think, "Well that wasn't so bad.... ANOTHER CHAPTER THEN!!" It goes like that until you're bleary-eyed and exhausted, but the book is finished and you're headed off to the used book store to trade it, because everyone loves to read Llywelyn and you know they'll take it.

I know, I should be commenting on the plot, the depth, the scope, the RESEARCH. Honestly, I could care less. It was pretty interesting as a read, it didn't say much you don't already know (if you like reading about the Irish, which I do), and it went quickly. Great for a read while on the beach really. You just don't have to think too much about it, and you certainly don't have to read any paragraphs twice to get-the-deeper-meaning. After a long day at the office, that suits me just fine.

I couldn't get enough of "Lion of Ireland", so "Pride of Lions" was a natural next-read. This book, like the first, was also virtually impossible to put down, although I have to admit may not be as good as the first. The ways that the different players scheme to align themselves to Brian Boru's crown is very enjoyable to follow, but the ending leaves something to be desired. I won't give it away, but the ending almost leaves the reader feeling as though the book was rushed and the ending had to be thrown together quickly. Other than that, the book is a very worthy to successor to the story of Brian Boru, and a very fascinating look at the dark and bloody past of the Irish.

In her follow-up to the wonderful "Lion of Ireland," Morgan Llywelyn picks up where she left off, spinning the tale of Donough, Brian Boru's eldest surviving son. Her vivid style and talent with words continues the legend she brought back to life with her previous novel. The battle in which Donough, his troops battle-ravaged and starving, face their enemies as hundreds of CuChullains will bring chills to your spine as you read. However, although the novel starts off with the potential to live up to her previous triumph, the book comes to an all to quick and unsatisfying ending.

I guess I am in the minority here since I didn't think this book was anywhere close to Lion of Ireland. While Pride of Lions proves to be very readable and somewhat interesting book, I thought it was pretty lightweight material and it really wasn't that exciting as Lion of Ireland. I supposed there were few good spots but overall, the book slogs through the story.

I think the weakness lies in the length. My paperback version got only 395 pages. This story needs more. But what this story really need was a character, interesting, heroic and true and to be honest, the lead character Donough really don't fit the mode.

While I enjoyed Lion of Ireland, this follow-up book falls short. This doesn't mean you shouldn't read it if you enjoyed the first book. Just be prepared that maybe it won't taste good as it smell.

I would have preferred more focus on the main topic. He spent too much time relating later druids to early Christians.

Hello,

I've read this book with eagerness and passion. It has never been dry though very academic. The theories in there are the result of some of the best critical thinking of our day. It has always been respectful of the celts and mindful of common historical anomalies.

Very well researched with a lot of details.
very conclusive. Enjoyed reading it and learned a lot
of new facts about European history.

This is probably the best treatment the Druids have received from any book I have read, though it suffers from Ellis' typical tendency to focus on tiny details, be sceptical of Classical sources, and repeat the same points constantly.

It was Ellis' book 'The Celtic Empire' that first sparked my interest in the Ancient Celtic (particularly Gaulish) world several years ago, and this book is written and outlined similarly. The subject of the book is of course the 'priestly caste' of the pre-Christian Celtic world, who have been long known for several centuries as mistletoe-worshipping, human-sacrificing barbarian philosophers with huge beards.

As I imagined he would, Ellis fiercely challenges the stereotypes, often at the expense of the writings and observations of various Classical and British scholars. He uses the culture and religion of Ancient India to show their common Indo-European roots with the Celts and reveal their common religious heritage, and how many of the features of Druidism were actually to be found across ancient Europe, even in the Classical World.

I do not agree with how Ellis handled the subject of human sacrifice in the Celtic world. He paints it to be a rare occurence yet he gives us an account of the barbaric slaughter of Greek prisoners by a Galatian warband, and several other similar incidents. He then goes into Gaelic myth, which only records one case of human sacrifice (to Crom Cruach, which was incidentally overthrown by the Druids), and lastly concludes with the matter of human sacrifice in the Romano-Greek world. In my opinion, giving a dozen scattered examples of Roman and Greek sacrifices does not even need to be in a book on Celtic religion; it is straying away from the whole thrust of the chapter. Overall, I found the author's treatment of this subject to be less than adequate, or fair to the Classical World.

Overall, however, I was deeply impressed with the content and scope of this book. The author does not dig deep into a bunch of kinky new-age mystic stuff, but simply presents that which is known about the Druids in a readable manner. He touches on a variety of interesting topics, including the true meaning of the name 'Druid', the role of Christianity and female Druids in Druidism, and, most interesting to me as a student of the Roman-era Celtic world, the role of the Druids in the 1st-4th Century Roman Empire. Were the Druids wiped out by the righteously indignant Roman legionaries, as tradition tells us, or did they simply come to occupy different social roles? The author's answer to this question is provocative and informative.

The Book's chapters are: Introduction (Identifying the Druids); the Celtic World; Origins of the Druids; Druids through Foreign Eyes; Druids through Celtic Eyes; Female Druids; Religion of the Druids; Rituals of the Druids; Wisdom of the Druids (further divided into 10 sections); and Reviving the Druids. It also contains a comprehensive bibliography and index.

Great book...but rather technical in terms of history and geography, so if you are looking for an "easy" or "light" reading, this is not the book for you. I found it to be incredibly informative. I have loaned it out many times and at this point have to beg it back (after 4 months) from the last person who borrowed it. It has been loved by all who have borrowed it (as a matter of fact I've had to work pretty hard to get it back from everyone!) It contradicts some theories I have heard before, but gives excellent support for the author's theories of culture development. Great for sociological discussion. Highly recommend for teaching situations involving Celtic culture and history.

Eternal Echoes: Celtic Reflections was a dissapointment for me. It seemed very repetitive although it did make some good points.

My goodness this book droned on and on about belonging and longing without any real wisdom coming through. I will never buy a book again because someone else said it was good I lost money on this one.

Not being familiar with this author I was pleasantly surprised at the depth of Celtic Spirituality I encountered. I was captured from the first few paragraphs of the Prolog. Having such a complete list of the contents was extremly helpful.I will be exploring future books by this author in the future.

This is a wonderful book to read along with The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz, The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran, The Celtic Spirit by Caitlin Matthews. O'Donohue brings deep insight into such topics as belonging, alienation, kinship, fear... all the basics. His scholarship and sense of poetry help us create a new language out of the depths of our experiences, so that we see ourselves in new light. The author began his journey with the book Anam Cara, which contains a wonderful friendship blessing I say often. Eternal Echoes is even more on point, if not equally so. Slainte, Mr. O'Donohue.

This book is from the soul, and we all need soul food every now and again. I picked it up in Ireland while chilling out from a broken marriage and it spoke to me like no other book has ever done. With prose like exquisite poetry, John O' Donohue touches the soul with a true taste of spirituality.

Very inspirational, it's wonderful to read a work of art that is so "biblical" in it's ability to motivate. It speaks metaphorically,pragmatically and is grounded in common sense. I'm looking forward to reading it again, and then sometime later, again.

Very informative and well written (as usual from Amber and Azrael!) This is one of the books from the series covering the Wheel of the Year quarter and cross quarter holidays. I like them all, but this is probably my favorite...but then, I am partial to Brigid. Highly recommended!

Each Llewellen book has a cool introduction about the history of the holiday. I recommend all the sabbat books in this series - - they have a lot more information than in any individual sabbat book.

This book will stir you as the days just start to get longer. Another full of rites, lore, and let's not forget all the recipes! Another recommended for your personal library.

I really loved this book. It had a really large amount of historical knowledge pertaining mostly to the goddess Brigid both as a goddess and as a saint. I loved the recipes. Alot of them are based on irish cuisine and I Think that the writer's made an honest attempt to make alot of the recipes using foods that would have been used thousands of years ago. Alot of the foods are au naturel of course which means they are good for you. I also enjoyed alot of the craft and divination and ritual ideas. I also liked the fact that the author's gave alot of tips on how to celebrate this great holiday with your family like if you have kid's and such. This was a valuble purhase with a high volume of information that I haven't read in any other book pertaining to the sabats. I highly recomend this book to any person who is wiccan/pagan that would like to bring more meaning and value into the celebration of the holidays and I also reccomend it to anyone who likes to study religion and history. Wonderful book. If I lost it I would buy it again.

Of all the titles in this series, this one was my favorite by far. These authors included a wide variety of fun and creative activities for Imbolc. They included several rituals, for single, small groups, and large groups. I wish they would write a book for each of the sabbats since their ideas and insights really brought this celebration to life for us. If you have read any of the other series titles and were disapointed by the weak content, give this one a try. I think it was really good.

Despite debate, if one approaches this book with an open mind, one finds alot of evidence supporting the idea of Celtic Shamanism. This is a remarkable cross cultural survey as well of shamanism. It's well researched and presented. I love it so much, I am on my third copy. It's a classic of this admittedly narrow field.

...but that doesn't mean that this isn't a top notch book. I found it to be an exceptional source of information about shamanism in general and celtic shamanic beliefs in particular. I highly recommended it to all with an interest in such subjects. IF, however, you are looking for a "how to" book, this is not what you are looking for.

Lots of good solid information here. I must admit I like his writing style as well. Excellent material, well presented!

On my shelf of shamanist titles, this one sits prominently figured. Cowan presents the traditional fantastic experiences of the shaman in an amazingly receivable framework. His experience of archetypes in well-known myths and legends opens one to the ability to read all things symbolically, thus, as the dynamic spiritual presences that they are. To that end I regard Cowan as a shapeshifter of symbols, not an interpreter of them. His telling of olde tales connects their spirit with a modern audience.

In this book his love and connection to the Celtic path is evident, though it is not necessarily rooted in what we know of Celtic history, itself. I feel it is important to make that distinction, as Cowan is cultivating the opening of the shamanic experience of metaphor in a Celtic context. He is not a Reconstructionist, thus this work offers, rather, an experiential opportunity in a Celtic framework.

I first became interested in shamanism after reading books by core-shamanic practioners Michael Harner and Sandra Ingerman. While these books described a way of relating to and healing with the natural world that I have always longed for, my heart yearned for a practice more connected with my long-forgotten European ancestry. Soon I found this book, which addresses the issues of recovering native European Celtic traditions. I agree that it's a wonderful introduction to Celtic mysticism and spirituality. Cowan covers a wide variety of topics to "pull" from and trigger remembrance. Regarding the witchcraft issue, black and white magic has been a part of every native tradition since the beginning of time. Certainly the inappropriate use of magic figures prominently in our collective soul wounds, and needs to be considered.

I ordered this book, expecting a book on Celtic reconstructionist paganism. It is actually something a little different and yet quite inspiring in its own right. Where I expected to find a treasure-trove of lore, instead I found a handbook for Celtic tribalism.

There are three areas that some people are likely to find controversial but in both these areas, Kondratiev clearly lays out his case.

The first issue that some people may have is the language issue. Here I applaud Kondratiev. Celtic languages are structurally very different from either Romance or Germanic languages and the semantics are similarly very different. These two components create a fundamentally different way of relating to oneself and the world. Hence it is entirely impossible to adopt an authentic Celtic mode of consciousness without being fluent in the language. At the same time, I am well aware (through experience) that learning a Celtic language is FAR more difficult than learning languages closer to home. All I can say is that the time is well spent.

The second is the celebration of holidays. To the main four fire festivals, he adds the solar events (equinoxes and holidays). His defence is that these ceremonies are largely naturalized in Celtic countries. Furthermore, this is generally in keeping with his idea that this is not so much paganism as an embrace of the Celtic spirit (and hence he embraces both pre-Christian and Celtic Christian elements as separate golden ages). While I will say that this approach may not be for everyone, he is quite consistent in his methodology and it is unfair to characterize it as "wiccan" on this basis.

The third involves how sacred space is set up. Here he uses what looks to me to be an adaptation of Hermetic techniques to do so but he re-engineers these to be based entirely on Celtic lore. While I believe that his techniques are grounded both in lore and comparative studies, one must admit that they are probably not the same techniques which were used in either of the two golden ages he mentions. (For the record, it is not only Wiccans who cast circles-- they got this from the Hermeticists and the ritual seems to be based largely on Greek antecedents.) I suspect the issue here is that there may not be any viable alternatives at the moment other than creating the sorts of permanent structures which were found in both earlier periods......

On the whole I thought that this was a good book and I hope that Kondratiev publishes more.

The author's main thesis in this work is that despite the rigorous machinations of time and decline, combined with the constraints and demands of modern technological life and historical events which radically and sometimes violently altered and affected Celtic communities, that a pro-active spiritual framework can be created, instituted and evolved based on traditional beliefs and cosmology. This book emerges with others in a like vein as a proposal toward the reinstitution of a natural spiritual foundation for individual and communal life, and thus seems a valid modern trend for serious speculation and social experimentation. Such movements stand in opposition to the materialistic objectivist worldview which holds sufficient and sometimes excessive appropriation as the necessary objective and instead offer and promote a social tribal dynamic which holds human experience and perception as the most valued commodity.

The author fulfills a desire amongst many who until recently have been content with the genealogical research of their ancestors but are now pursuing a greater and intrinsically more viable understanding of their cultural and ethnic identity. Amongst those there are some who are exploring a radical reorientation of their spiritual life, and intent on adopting and absorbing distinctly identifiable traits and traditions that existed in pre-Christian Celtic lands. This was one of the first books written in that mold; and now part of a movement which has grown into what is now termed `CR' or Celtic reconstructionism. This movement is not only concerned with the preservation of key aspects of the culture such as language, myths, dress and religion but also with their specific detail orientated performance within a modern context. The Apple Branch was written before the emergence of the CR movement, is now somewhat rejected by certain individuals but without a doubt certainly inspired many in their search for establishing a new cultural and spiritual dynamic in their lives.

By his own testimony the author begins with a romantic and partisan account of Celtic history and people. For me, this story is perhaps one of the most enchanting, passionate and thought provoking articles on this subject I have ever read. From the earliest Greek observations through Roman dominance of Gaul, the conversion to and effects of Christianity up to the present remnants of the culture exemplified by the `six nations' of Wales, Scotland, Ireland, Brittany, Cornwall and the Isle of Man. Kondratiev sees two historical `golden ages,' and anticipates a third which he terms Keltia in which Celtic civilization has not only survived but is blossoming with a renewed vigor.

In the four remaining chapters the author recreates a framework of sacred ritual, activity and observance through a process of careful extrapolation; analyzing and exploring historical Gaelic texts for illuminating fragments of information. In chapter two, `Drawing the Circle' he offers a foundation for future development. The importance of space, time and ritual in conjunction with language, and present a fully reconstructed Celtic ceremony based around the four sacred directions, their meaning and benefits. He establishes the Celtic worldview and cosmology in terms of cyclical events.

In chapter three `Cycles of Earth and Sun' the solar and earth festivals are explored within the context of human life as a microcosmic representation of ever-revolving periods of time, the alternation of seasons, summer and winter and the `garland' of eight feasts composed of Samhain, the Winter Solstice, Imbolc, the Mid-Spring equinox, Bealtaine, the Summer Solstice or Mid-Summer, Lughnasadh, and the Autumn Equinox. Kondratiev fully explores the physical and spiritual meanings and dimensions of each festival with reference to original texts such as the Carmina Gadelica, mythic tales, epics and traditional lore.

In chapter four `Cycle of the Moon' he adopts the song of Amairgen Gluingel Mac Mil found in a medieval 12th century Irish text called the Lebor Gabala Erin or History of Invasions as the basis for monthly observances and reflections. This is reinforced from the archeological evidence provided by the Calendar of Coligny (a Roman era bronze artifact detailing solar and lunar changes) to create a 13 month lunar year.

Chapter five, `Cycle of the Tribe' incorporates the celebration of conventional days of Christian Saints within the Celtic tradition, but adopting them within a greater spiritual purpose and as a reminder of the concrete historical reality of Celtic communities. Invocations and remembrances that resonate as living embodiments of the past, much like an anchor which holds the sway of the soul.

The question remains; is this book of any value outside of a marginal section of society interested in Celtic spirituality and ritual reformation? Even from an academic standpoint the author provides a valuable insight into the traditional faith and beliefs of the Celts in Western Europe, the author being a graduate of Columbia University majoring in anthropology and linguistics and a respected authority of Celtic culture. For me on a personal level the text enabled me to understand and integrate a natural sense of rhythm in my day to day life, to completely comprehend the fundamental ebb and flow on both macro and microcosmic levels. This was especially enriching within my working life; the constant repetition of tasks takes a radical shift away from a perceived boredom to a mantra-like reasoning. This is not a book of fantastic fiction or regurgitation of dreamy myths, more of a glowing cultural paradigm which challenges the reader to make a shift in consciousness. The Apple Branch is offered, dare you accept it?

The information on language and culture is useful for beginners. But the author presents Wiccan ritual and theology as Celtic. (Wicca is not Celtic.) Due to this, some sections of this are worthwhile, but others are very misleading. While I'm sure the author means well I can't recommend this.

Through exploration of the myths assocuated with the different Celtic holidays, Alexei outlines a ritual structure and activiies for each of the Sabbats, each moon as well as a ceremony to honour each of the Celtic countries.

This book, to me, was the pefect combination of the scholarly, spiritual and practical. One that really came through for me was Alexei's passion for all things Celtic Reconstruction and for restoring and honouring the beliefs of the ancient Celts. I really agreed with his suggestion that learning a Celtic language is important because so much of the langauge can't be translated into English and also because the dedication it requires to learn shows real commitment to the path. I fully intend to one day learn at least some Gaelic.

I also found his chapter on the different moons incredibly useful and enlightening. It was actually the first time I was able to translate a cycle of named moons into Southern Hemisphere time/seasons. The chapter on the sabbats contained an absoute plethora of stories related to each holiday that in the end dragged out all the major themes assocaitated with each. Also very very useful.

As useful as it was though, I found the sabbats chapter did get longwinded (it was over 100 pages!) and might have been better broken up into sevral smaller chapters.

I really liked the ritual structure used. His explanation of the quarters helped me to understand the actual Celtic understanding of the quarters (it's not elemental!) but also made my brain hurt trying to figure out where each quarter would be in the Southern Hemisphere. Other than that one small complaint, the structure left plenty of room for sticking in your own meaningful symbols and your own personal flavour.

In the end I found this book the perfect combination of scholarly, practical and spiritual, like I said in the beginning. If you can bare a little long windedness I really recommend this book - great overview of Cetic mythology and wonderful application of it to the modern world.

I first met this author when at an annual gathering for a Celtic Reconstructionist organization, so I can tell you first off, he is the real deal. In his book is a "Practical Coligny" that I still use at Full Moon rituals. This book is powerful and wise, full of mythology, history and ritual. If you were to only five books on Celtic ritual, this must be one of them.

This book has been available for a long time, and the designs are truly timeless. I've knitted several Alice Starmore sweaters from this and other books, and each is a work of art. The detail, construction, fit and style are always the very best.

Don't be afraid to substitute yarns, as Starmore yarns are very difficult to find. Just be careful that you are exactly on gauge, and you'll do fine. I've found that the Aran weight patterns can be worked in worsted using a smaller sized needle and minor adjustments to the pattern, and still achieve a wonderful result.

The Fair Isle technique can be a bit daunting if you're not familiar with it. But, don't despair, there are many other books available, including Starmore's Fair Isle Knitting, that will assist you with any questions. My only caveat with any Alice Starmore pattern is to take time, really study the pattern, work out all the gauges and tension matters, and take your time when knitting. These aren't patterns to be rushed. With care and attention to detail, you will achieve greatness.

If you need to adjust a pattern, that is also pretty easy. Just plan it out beforehand. As the patterning is based upon repeated motifs, you have plenty of ability to adjust.

If you are knitting a cardigan from The Celtic Collection, don't try to save money on buttons either. Only the best will do, for these are sweaters that last a lifetime.

Every Starmore pattern I've knitted, and a few of those sweaters are ten years old, yet look as fresh and new as if they'd been designed last week. You simply cannot go wrong. I consider The Celtic Collection a cornerstone of my knitting library. The sweaters are treasures of my wardrobe.

Alice Starmore is truly a design genius. Don't be fooled by the visual complexity and subtlety of these designs. With few exception, they are all knit with two strands of yarn at a time. She uses between 6 and 20+ various shades in various color palettes and makes tapestry rich sweaters a knockout. Follow her color recommendations or design your own, you won't be disappointed in the results. Stranded on a desert island, I would take this book, my needles and a boatload of yarn!

This is my first Alice Starmore book. I heard about her on a knitting forum site. I believe this is the only Alice Starmore book that is still in print. It is a lovely book and lives up to the high expectations raised about Alice Starmore designs on the knitting site. The beautiful sweaters are photographed on models in breathtaking natural scenery. It's a knitting book and travel book under one cover.

Her designs are based on traditional motifs seen on Irish jewelry and in illustrations in old Irish manuscripts. The colors are either beautifully subtle or strikingly bold.

I have found out why this is the only one of her books in print. There is a controversy surrounding Alice and her daughter Jade (which I will not attempt to explain) which explains why her other books will probably never be reprinted and no new books of knitting designs will be written by her. So buy this beautiful Alice Starmore book for a great price from Amazon while you still can!

I got this book on a whim, not knowing much about what patterns I'd find within. When it arrived in the mail, I pored over all the beautiful things inside and then brought it to my knitting class that night. My knitting friends are all jealous and have found patterns they want to make too - but the work is pretty advanced. There are some lovely color patterns, some cable ones - just gorgeous - but not for the faint of heart. I like that there are some for children as well. The photos are stunningly beautiful and I know I'll get a lot of use out of this book.

I actually have two copies of this book. The first was purchased more than 15 years ago, and is a much loved / slightly tattered hardcover. I recently received the paperback version as a gift to replace my much-used original.

I love patterns that have either lots of colorwork, or lots of texture. This is why I learned to knit in the first place. This book is heavily skewed towards color work. I have been making the sweaters from this book for various relatives for many years, and am currently working on a sweater full of celtic creatures for my daughter. You can also transpose some of the designs, such as the entwined dragons from the back of a child's sweater onto other projects as long as you keep the stitches even on either side.

If you look at the guages, you can substitute available yarns for the yarns listed in the book. Consider the colors and yarn selections in the photographs as "suggestions" and you will free yourself to make some personalized choices.

Warning: In the years since this book was published, some of the patterns have become dated. This is mostly due to the shape of the sweaters and ever changing fashion trends.

Have I mentioned that I love this book? I can't imagine not having it to reach for when the urge to knit something glorious strikes.

I have to say I absolutely loved The Witches of Elleanan series. A true masterpiece for anyone's fantasy collection. I didn't know what to expect from a new series, set in the same world a little later after the first series. I have read other books by authors that seem to loose their touch when they deal with a new series that a previous series has taken place in. That did not happen in this book. I have to say, "Wow!" The author doesn't have a save the world/kingdom thing going on. She comfortably let's you see how your beloved kingdom has prospered from the change brought on in the first series. And it is good.

The tale does well with what it has, and there is never a dull moment. (Even though the action scenes aren't epic battles. And I loooove action.) The world is just as fleshed out and well felt as the first series. I almost expect to wake up and find my whole life is a dream and that I need to go back to my beloved home in Elleanan.

The characters are so real, I almost dare say, richer than the people in reality. The author flaunts her skills in making the unreal into reality it takes my breath away. Each character has a depth the most authors can't match.

I have to touch on an issue from someones review on this book. Some one commented on how the Scottish accent was to much. I was apprehensive at first when I started the Elleanan series, because of the Scottish accent. But I found that I slipped into translation smoothly, even adopting it. (Leading to bits of confusion!) The dialect is nothing to hate the novel for. In fact it gives this series, the writing, everything, the tone that makes this novel so incredible.

*****To conclude. Fantasy lovers will eat this up. It's different from the save the world/kingdom novels. Giving a reality that few books can really, truly give in a fantasy series. Kate Forsyth knows how to do it. And is it good! I can't get my hands on the rest in the series!!!

For those familiar with the author's works, The Tower of Ravens, and the rest of "Rhiannon's Ride", is set in Eillean, and takes place about 20 years after the sixth installment of the Witches of Eillean series. I would recommend that if you haven't read the series, but intend to, I would read it before starting The Tower of Ravens, due to the fact that there would be some spoilers in this series about the Witches series. This book/series, is about a half human half satyricorn girl who escapes her mother, who is the matriarch of her herd. She has some amazing adventures, and somehow comes through it all. Only things I could have wished to be different in this series, is maybe a little less sexual tension between Rhiannon and Lewen early on in the series, and maybe having the afterward being about 3-5 years out, instead of 3 weeks out. Overall, a very pleasureable reading experience. Couldn't put the books down. A must read for people who have read the previous series, and also, for those who would like to get to know the authors works better.

The Tower of Ravens is a wonderful continuance of The Witches of Eileanan. This gives Forsyth's wonderfully complex characters in her first series some relief to grow up in relative peace. This new trilogy is based in the next generation of Witches, some fifteen years after the end of The Witches of Eileanan saga. This Trilogy stands alone; however, I seriously recommend reading The Witches of Eileanan series first.

Bloody AWESOME!!! Highly recommended. So good that I have read all the books in this series. Also I have started the other books in the series before Rhiannon's ride. These ones tell the tales of the older characters in Rhiannon's ride. It doesn't really matter if you decided to read this series after the Tower of Ravens, but I think it would make things even more exciting!

None the less one of the best novels/series I have ever read.

Very rarely does a fantasy novel manage to take you into its world from the first page and refuse to let you go until the ending. More often than not, stories in a series get you hooked into its magical world, then leave you hanging as you breathlessly await the next installment. Not so with Kate Forsyth's THE TOWER OF THE RAVENS. For those who have never visited her world of Eileanan in books such as The Pool of Two Moons: Witches of Eileanen Book 2 (Witches of Eileanan) or The Cursed Towers (Witches of Eileanan, Book 3), never fear! THE TOWER OF THE RAVENS is a fantasy epic that can definitely stand alone, and does so with competent writing, fantastic world-building, and a deeply heroic cast of characters.

Ever since she was a young girl, Rhiannon has wanted nothing more than to catch a winged horse, to tame and train it so that she could fly away and escape from the hellish nightmare that is her life. Scorned, ridiculed, and even feared by her fellow man, Rhiannon lives in near solitude, wanting only to belong. Without even a name at this young age, the daughter of One-Horn and a human father. One-Horn is the mother of the tribe of satyricon, fairies who have horns and hoofs instead of feet. Rhiannon, born without a horn and with human feet, is immediately branded an outcast, and she lives her solitary life with only the hope of escape as comfort.

When she finally manages to escape upon a winged horse, its not without injury and risk to herself. Arriving at the home of Lewen, an apprentice witch, she's finally given a name-and perhaps a chance to truly belong. When Lewen and his family decide to bring Rhiannon to the Tower of Two Moons in the city of Lucescere to be tested for magical ability, Rhiannon worries that she might once again lose any sense of self she's just beginning to gain.

Murder, intrigue, and suspicion soon surround Rhiannon when a member of the Guard is found dead. Suddenly surrounded by unimaginable evil and malevolence, it will take all the strength and magic that Rhiannon possesses to protect herself and those she loves.

THE TOWER OF RAVENS is a wonderful fantasy novel that will thoroughly immerse you in Kate Forsyth's magical world. A woman who wants only to find her place in the world, Rhiannon is a strong, caring woman who truly overcomes her past to be a woman that everyone can be proud of.

I purchased this book sight unseen based on the glowing reviews on Amazon. Once I received the book, was very disappointed and returned it. I've been doing goddess-oriented work for over 30 years and have read and published reviews of many books in this genre. While the writer is sincere, most of the time the book seems to be addressed to a five-year old. Lots of gushy, pep-talk writing. For the very very beginner, if anyone.

I've got to say after reading this book that the several "Gushing, Glowing" reviews must have been seeded by C.C.'s chums, because this is no a five-star book, not even a three or four star book in my opinion. I've been reading this genre (New Age/Celtic) for twenty years, and with few other exceptions, I found this book to be a fanciful, useless mish-mosh of all sorts of kooky suggestions and "psuedo-Celtic Factoids." C.C. is obviously a fun-loving jokester who's taken a little Celtic, Native American, Wiccan, and New Age thought and rewritten it into the fantasy world of Clan of the Goddess to make a few bucks. There are much better books than this on the market that more historically accurate (or at least believable) and with much better suggested rituals. Don't waste your time or money -- seek out well-known, respected authors who write on the topic(s) covered here and do yourself the favor of missing this book completely. My copy is now on its way to my local thrift store, since it's not even worth the shelf space and occasional dusting required to keep it.

Not everyone that wanders into the 'alternative religion' section of the bookstore is a lost soul seeking "home", however, many are. Should they stumble upon this book at the beginning of their journey they will count themselves doubly blessed. I have read and re-read this countless times. I have given it to my friends as gifts no matter what their religious beliefs. Brondwin speaks to the reader as an understanding friend and leads the reader through a self-strengthening journey. There are many exercises, rituals and explanations within the book's cover. Each one is worth the price of the book but together they can bring the reader a journey into her inner-self that is priceless. This is a book every female should read at least one!

The Clan of The Goddess is a book that I will keep and re-read over the years. I am only in the second chapter and am amazed at the changes already taking place in my life. This book has taught me to focus on the joy in my life and has shown me how many times my life has been touched & blessed by the Goddess!!
This book would be great for study groups, men or women. If you don't buy any other book this season, buy The Clan of The Goddess, you will truly be blessed by it!!

I have been doing spiritual counseling for 30 years and have a trunk full of techniques I use for myself and others. This book gave me a new technique for communicating to spirit which is now one of my very favorites for myself and also in my practice. I am recommending the Clan of the Goddess to all the new-to-spiritual-growth people I come across and also to the many friends I have who have done spiritual work for years. This book is a 'must have' in my library. Clan of the Goddess triggered some really old past life Celtic memories. All the rituals are to be done in a fun way with easy to obtain stuff, like the candles and music and herbs. The writer speaks to me with an easy and casual manner as if we have been friends forever.