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the Book!

Praise for 'Celtic Myth and Religion':


Dr. Benjamin Bruch, PhD Celtic Languages and Literatures, Harvard University:
     In Celtic Myth and Religion, Sharon Paice MacLeod presents a clear, concise overview of Celtic myth and folklore and its relationship to the religious practices of the pagan Celts. While many popular works on ancient Celtic religion are based on nineteenth century scholarship and outdated translations of medieval Irish and Welsh manuscripts, this book draws upon the most recent academic work on Celtic history, culture and literature, backed up by quotations directly from primary sources. Her study of Old Irish language and literature and comprehensive knowledge of Celtic folklore and mythology have enabled the author to create a user-friendly introduction to Celtic spirituality that incorporates a wide range of contemporary research, as well as material drawn from ancient and medieval texts and the folk traditions of the Celtic nations.


Mary McKenna, Mythic Links, Dublin, Ireland:
     Celtic Myth and Religion provides insightful perspectives of a great mythic legacy. The clear and engaging style of the writing breathes fresh life into this inspiring lore. Sharon speaks in an informed and poetic voice which makes accessible the wisdom of a rich tradition.

Choice Magazine:
     This well-organized readable book... unites a wide scattered body of primary information on the myths, ritual practices, songs, cosmology, poetry, folklore, and symbolism created within and shared among the Celtic cultures of Western Europe.... The use of shamanic perspectives as an analytical tool allows the separation and examination of such topics as wisdom texts and the nature of the supernatural and its relation to the world of humanity. The author's thoughtful review of the history of the survival of Celtic lore (and the growth of innacurate portrayals of it by well-meaning scholars and philosophers, beginning in the late 18th century) and her deft use of a diverse array of new translations from several Celtic languages to illustrate specific points are particularly valuable. Recommended.

Ian Corrigan, Ar nDraoicht Fein:
     Celtic Myth and Religion... summarize(s) what is presently known... about pre-Christian Celtic religion, and the "indigenous religious traditions of the Celtic-speaking peoples, from the first millenium B.C.E. to the early modern era." MacLeod does a fine job of it... This book deserves an immediate place on the shelves of those interested in the topic.

     Heart O' Scotland website:
     An outstanding resource providing a comprehensive overview of Celtic myth and religion.

Selected for New Acquisitions for Nov. / Dec. 2011 by both the Royal Irish Academy, and University of Toronto

     Reviews from Amazon.com

W. Orion Morris: 5 out of 5 stars New book from McCloud
     This is yet another well researched and well written book on Celtic beliefs from this author. I rarely read non-fiction, but her works are one of the few exceptions. A thoroughly good book that keeps the reader interested and wanting more!

Texas Tea: 5 out of 5 stars Authentic, Accurate, Accessible
     The first authentic book I've seen outside of an academic library that provides useful and relevant information about Celtic myth, religion, folklore (and even shamanism).
     Scholarly enough for academics to rely on and accessible to all readers and spiritual seekers too. It's a relief to see this culture and its traditions handled so clearly and with care.
     People have been churning out misinformation about the Celts, the druids, fairy traditions and so forth since the Victorian era - most (if not all) of the other books out there on Celtic spirituality are based on this faulty foundation.
     It's time for Celtic traditions to be presented accurately, without projecting every imaginable type of modern stereotype onto them. Well done - I can't recommend this book highly enough.

Bev Sutowski: 5 out of 5 stars Best book available on Celtic myth and religion
     Excellent! Absolutely the best book available on the topic, historically accurate and a great read. The only reliable popular source out there with authentic information about these traditions. In a market glutted with books professing to set forth the ancient traditions of the Celts, this book stands out and makes the others obsolete. Highly recommended!

Healing Spirit: 5 out of 5 stars Great compilation of Celtic topics
     Excellent resource. Broken down into various subject matter so the reader can open anywhere in the book to refer to material. However, book flows beautifully from one chapter to the next. Author knows her subject matter and has done her research to provide a wonderful book that stays true to the Celtic heritage. Authentic.

Jessie Capper: 5 out of 5 stars This is the book we've waited for - Thank you!
     So many books out there are either dry and dull, or total fluff. I can't remember how many times I picked up a book that said it was 'Celtic' and found it was Wicca or Goddess worship, or someone's personal musings. Or academic books that squeeze the life out of a topic. This book is easy to read, but packed full of the real thing - very scholarly sources and a respectful presentation of the culture and religion. Also inspiring. Wish I'd had it years ago. It has a chapter on just about everything you'd want to know - at last!

Story Circle Book Reviews, Mary Jo Doig
     A deep Celtic well of wisdom... - Five Stars
     Celtic Myth and Religion, A Study of Traditional Belief, with Newly Translated Prayers, Poems and Songs is a well-researched and richly diverse scholarly study of Celtic myth and religion, and an abundant treasure trove of information for both a novice, such as myself, or a student of Celtic history. Author Sharon Paice MacLeod's passion to learn more about her Celtic heritage led her, as a young person, to begin studying medieval history. She researched back in time to more ancient sources studying some of the Celtic languages, "which really 'cracked open' the hazelnuts of knowledge, revealing layers of understanding which would have other wise remained hidden or obscured." Thus was born Sharon MacLeod's pursuit of professional academic Celtic studies, which took her "into a path of marvels, mysteries and discovery."

     Celtic Myth and Religion contains three sections: Celtic Religion and Mythology, Celtic Shamanism and Wisdom Traditions, and Celtic Legends and Folklore. In the opening pages we learn that an early requisite to understanding the myths and religions of the Celtic peoples is "to identify some of the basic elements of those beliefs and practices." Although early Celts lived in a huge expanse of regions that included Turkey, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, northern Italy, much of Spain, Portugal, France, Belgium, Britain and Ireland, and religions differed in varied regions, the people each shared nine common elements:

* The worship of both male and female deities
* Respect for ancestors and elders
* Appreciation of the natural world
* The interconnection between this world and the Otherworld
* The cyclical nature of time and the immortality of the soul
* Cosmology and the sacred center
* The cauldron, the sword, the well, the head, the number three
* The importance of knowledge and skill
* Respect for truth, honor and courage

     Additionally, to understand Celtic beliefs and practices it is necessary to be aware of the culture and times. MacLeod has provided three primary sources to aid readers: archaeology, classical accounts or early written records that were usually reliable yet occasionally less so when second-hand accounts were passed on, and native writings dating back as early as the fifth or sixth centuries, often in monasteries. The latter two sources each have strong areas of reliability yet MacLeod also considers the recorders' biases.

     In these fascinating pages we meet diverse people, as well as varied aspects of the natural and spiritual world. Bards, seers, druids, shamans, animal and bird symbols, Arthur's Legend, fairies, healers, seers, and more grace the pages of this delightful, and often, magical book.

     I found it interesting that triads are important to Celtic tradition and discovered many throughout the book. One of MacLeod's favorite triads, that I also like, is: Three candles that illuminate every darkness: Truth, nature and knowledge.

     MacLeod provides an extensive bibliography along with several pages of chapter notes. Three appendices provide more information women's rights in early Celtic culture, further reading and study suggestions and, my favorite, Celtic Folksong Traditions. This last appendix is a natural extension of this study since the author is also an accomplished singer and musician. In this lovely overview I found songs as well as poems and prayers set to music, written in beautiful ancient languages, including Scottish Gaelic, each with an accompanying English translation. I found myself wishing for just one more addition to this particular appendix: the musical notes, so that I could sing or hum the tune and actually hear the often-haunting song.

     For anyone wanting to more deeply explore their Irish roots, like me, or to simply journey into a land rich in ancient history and folklore, MacLeod give us a deep Celtic well of wisdom from which to draw.

Christopher Pinard 5.0 out of 5 stars The best introduction on Celtic beliefs and traditions
     ...A good book with a historic basis on Celtic spirituality is hard to find these days. Most books on the bookstore shelves will be new-age or Wicca labeled as Celtic. However this book is not one of those. Sharon Paice Macleod gives us a marvelous introduction to the history and beliefs of the people that we know of as the Celts.... This book is more expensive than many on the subject. However when one considers the amount of solid research put into the book, it is a worthy investment... Her research is quite extensive. The bibliography and end section on notes made me thoroughly happy, as it will for anyone else wishing to study the subject matter further (especially Celtic Reconstructionists)...
     I really enjoy her writing style as it isn't overly academic to the point of being dry, but yet still has a great amount of substance. Her coverage of subject matter is wonderful. She gives an exquisite summary of what is known about Celtic cosmology, tribal beliefs, ancestor veneration, the celebrations of the year, traditions, folk beliefs, world view, etc. I really appreciated the lists of sacred animals and trees/foliage.
     I wish this book had been available twelve years ago when I first started looking into Celtic cultures/beliefs. I would recommend this book without hesitation as the first that one should look to when starting down a reconstructionist path.

Healing Spirit
     Great compilation of Celtic topics - Five Stars
     Excellent resource. Broken down into various subject matter so the reader can open anywhere in the book to refer to material. However, book flows beautifully from one chapter to the next. Author knows her subject matter and has done her research to provide a wonderful book that stays true to the Celtic heritage. Authentic.

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     Reviews from Goodreads

Mairead Sinclair rated it *****

     This one lovely volume contains a surprising amount of information, smoothly and clearly presented, from a remarkable volume of resources. To the non-specialist Celtic reader one might almost be tempted to think of it as a 'slim volume' consisting of an excellent overview of Celtic myth, folklore and religious symbolism (which it is). But it contains a professional synthesis of an enormous amount of information culled from the best in (recent and authoritative) Celtic studies publications. Well documented and easy to read, the author provides a glimpse into numerous aspects of Celtic belief and religious thought, from yearly cycles and deities in Britain, Ireland and the Continent, folk healers and seers, medieval wisdom texts, and women's legal rights in early medieval Ireland. Thought provoking sections on druids and priestesses, gender roles in seasonal cycles, ancestral beliefs and the importance of familial lineages, and the never-before fully examined existence of shamanism throughout the sources. Throughout the work are new (and in many cases very beautiful and resonant) translations of early texts, poems, and folk prayers and charms. A handy resource one would refer back to time and time again - highly recommended.

Ciaran Donohoe rated it *****
     A delightful read and an excellent resource! The author has gone to great pains to collect, interpret and clearly present innumerable aspects of Celtic religion, belief, myth and folklore - reflected in the copious bibliography - and presented with clarity and ease. Very useful for undergraduate survey courses, folklore and mythology departments, and comparative religion contexts. Recommended to both academic and lay enthusiasts with an interest in the topic. Interesting sections on seasonal symbolism and gender roles, shamanic elements throughout the tradition, druids (male and female), Celtic priestesses, ancestral beliefs, and lesser known Irish deities. Delightfully augmented with new (and much needed) translations of Old Irish, Middle Welsh and Scottish Gaelic poems, prayers and texts all by the author.

     reviews from Library thing

Irishscholar
     An excellent resource - a good read and a unique book! This fills a long awaited niche - an enormous amount of reliable information from numerous academic sources collected, collated and presented in an easy to read format (it flows so easily that the non specialist may not realize how much information has been put together in this one volume). Excellent for undergraduate survey courses in Celtic, Myth and Folklore, Comparative Religion - have recommended it to many students in my sections, as well as interested enthusiasts (who have been barraged for decades by inaccurate dross posing as Celtic culture). Congratulations - this replaces many out-of-print books as a good resource for academic settings and anyone interested in Celtic culture, mythology, folklore and traditional culture (including new age and neo-pagan students seriously interested in these traditions). (*****)

Albalecturer
     An authoritative collection of many important aspects of native Celtic belief, including mythological symbolism, deities, seasonal folklore from Scotland, Ireland and Wales. An enjoyable read, and an easy to access reference with excellent footnotes and bibliography. Extremely useful in light of the dearth of reliable recent works on the topic (and a market glutted with dry specialist materials and popular books on 'Celtic Spirituality' ranging from inauthentic to disrespectful.) Recommended to those interested in folklore and myth, song traditions, women's roles, and even those who wish to know more about the much maligned and misinterpreted druidic and poetic roles. Unique sections on female druids and seers, women's rights in early Irish society, in depth interpretation of seasonal celebrations and gender roles, shamanic elements in various Celtic sources, and the importance of genealogies and family traditions in traditional communities (ancient and modern). Well researched and written, with excellent appendices to boot. (*****)

JSKupperman
     Sharon Paice MacLeod’s Celtic Myth and Religion is a very good, introductory survey of the literature, folklore, archeology and academia concerning 1st century BCE to 5th century CE Celtic religion. MacCleod discusses various Celtic peoples, focusing primarily upon the Gauls, Irish and Welsh and is generally successful in not confusing their practices and beliefs... The greatest strength of this book is its breadth. It attempts to cover a great deal and does so quite successfully. The book discusses our various sources for knowledge of the Celts, the roles of druids, seers and bards, gods, folklore, the four major holidays and even has an appendix on the legal rights of Celtic women in the middle ages... MacLeod successfully evades the popular, and usually incorrect, “facts” that have crept into what passes for “Celtic studies” in popular modern Paganism. This should come as no surprise, however, given that MacLeod’s dedication to an academic pursuit of Celtic studies and the fact that this is not a book about, or specifically for, modern Pagans... Celtic Myth and Religion provides a more than adequate introduction to the study of pre-Christian Celtic religion. Though it may not be useful to someone already well engaged in this study, anyone new to the field, including Celtic reconstructionist Pagans and those coming from a more Wiccan background, will find it very useful indeed. (*****)

HildebrandFamily
     As a lover of non-fiction reading, this book went into depth of subject matter without becoming bogged down in the writing. Easy to read, easy to understand yet interesting ideas on an interesting subject matter. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in Celtic history. (****)

Merigreenleaf
     I found this to be quite interesting; it had a wide range of subjects ranging from the Celtic gods to the legends and even a section about the rights of women during that time, which I didn't expect from this book and was intrigued to find. There are so many different subjects touched on in this book... This is a great book to begin to educate readers on many different points of Celtic religion and the author did include a section on suggested books for further study, which I can see myself taking advantage of. I also liked how the tone of the book was scholarly rather than the new age kind of style that frequently happens in books about old religions and mythos. Overall, I enjoyed this book; it was easy to follow, the topics were interesting, and it's always a positive thing when a book leaves you wanting to read more. (****)

Megaelim
     This book is a good overview of the various mythologies and beliefs of the Celtic world. It touches on the old gods and goddesses, folk traditions, the roots of the Arthurian legends, and some interesting ideas about shamanistic practices. It’s got a more scholarly than new –agey tone to it (a definite pitfall of some Celtic-themed books). (****)



the Book!

    Queen of the Night: the Celtic Moon Goddess in our lives

Praise for 'Queen of the Night':


Reviews continue to roll in for Sharynne's book, This one is by Midwest Book Review
Legends of Celtic moon mythology in thirteen chapters, February 10, 2005
   "Writer, musician, member of the Celtic band "The Moors" and practicing Pagan Sharynne NicMhacha presents Queen Of The Night: Rediscovering The Celtic Moon Goddess presents legends of Celtic moon mythology in thirteen chapters, structured to represent the moon's thirteen monthly and annual cycles. Meditations, ceremonies, and exercises to help one connect with the Moon and become in tune with its power in everyday life. As much a transformational book for the self as it is a discussion of how the Moon has been perceived since British and Irish prehistory, Queen Of The Night discusses both astronomical and spiritual manners in layman's terms. A readily accessible and welcome contribution to new age literature and reference."

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This review by Michael Newton appears in Celtic Heritage magazine, and PanGaia:

   "There are, of course, a slew of New Age books out there purporting to reveal the secrets to the mysteries of the Celts to the unwary. By cobbling together a myriad of types of information sometimes not properly Celtic at all with a liberal dose of imagination, they claim to provide a template for neo-pagan Celtic ritual and worship. This, fortunately, is not one of those books: it is intelligent throughout, and does not provide the kind of overly simplistic answers (and contrived assumptions) that have become far too common in popular books about the Celts.

   Anyone familiar with Celtic sources will wonder how anyone could possibly write a dense 261-page book about the role of the Moon Goddess in Celtic tradition. But, as NicMhacha, a native of Ontario, points out, the moon is not just a physical object in the sky, it is a series of related concepts and perspectives that underlie our understanding of the natural world and our existence as spiritual beings. These concepts include fertility (the connection between the lunar cycle, water and organic life), the cyclic nature of time (both in terms of the universe and human life), rites of passage, and the archetypes of the feminine. By casting a wide net, she has uncovered a wealth of information which relates to the Moon and lunar symbolism in the many disparate traces of Celtic cultures.

   Most books about the Celts play very fast and loose with the idea of 'the Celts', citing, for example, Iron Age archaeological evidence from the European continent right next to modern folklore from Ireland. This is no longer accepted as valid methodology by serious scholars, as 'the Celts' were not a single, homogenous people over thousands of years, but rather (like any people) developed into distinct regional cultures as they took root in particular environments at particular times. It is important to assess evidence according to its particular context, and to be wary of the biases inherent in the nature of the evidence. NicMhacha does us the favour of examining the evidence chronologically, and warning us of the shortcomings of each kind of source.

   She begins with Neolithic archaeological evidence which, technically, is not verifiably Celtic at all; but, as she shows, there are continuities with Celtic cultures, and the latest research indicates that there were no mass invasions of Celts to the British Isles, so this material does have relevance. When she discusses the Classical sources, she alerts us to the fact that Greeks and Romans interpreted culture, and religion in particular, according to their own traditions. And while Caesar has some very interesting things to say, he had his own agenda that strongly influenced his depictions of Gaul and Britain.

    While the tales and legends recorded in medieval Ireland and Wales contain much suggestive material, they were recorded by people who had been Christians for centuries. NicMhacha finds echoes of lunar myths in some of these, and offers her own version of the fourth branch of the Welsh Mabinogi to reconstruct the lunar symbolism which may have played a much fuller role in older versions of the tale. Finally, by examining the linguistic evidence in the modern Celtic languages and the folklore of the Celtic lands, she rounds out what we can glean of the fading resonances of the lore of the moon.

   Another of the strengths of this book is her cross-cultural approach, scrutinizing lunar myth and symbolism from other peoples to find ways in which it might help illuminate the scant Celtic sources. While this may tax the casual reader, and it must always be used with great caution, it does help to strengthen the usefulness of the book, especially for the dedicated reader and independent scholar.

   Like many other neo-pagan books, most of the chapters end with a set of suggested meditations and exercises. Rather than simply tell the reader what to say, or what rituals to conduct, however, NicMhacha challenges the reader to engage directly with the natural world and the reading material to find their own meanings and reach their own conclusions. These exercises should encourage a much better appreciation of the moon itself and its role in these traditions than if simplistic, prescribed rituals were provided.

    Any research on pre-Christian Celtic religion must remain speculative, and NicMhacha does not pretend to have all the answers. What she has done, however, is provide the reader with many valuable texts, tools and suggestions for their journey for sacredness and meaning. She says, near the close of her book that 'The Moon shines forth as a sacred guide to those below, lighting our way and welcoming us back from the void.' Thanks to Sharyanne for providing us with illumination!"

***********************


Dr. Kathryne Chadbourne, Harvard University:

     'We are lucky to have Sharynne NicMhacha as our learned guide [through the realms of Celtic Moon lore], Like the ancient Irish poets whose task it was to harmonize all the stories, Sharynne has the ability to see it in its fullest context. It is her gift to seek and to find meaning in material which other scholars have dismissed as impenetrable.
    She offers this wonderful store of tradition to us in the hopes that we will make use of it and reshape what is ancient according to our contemporary and changing needs.'

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Christopher Penczak, Author of Spirit Allies and City Magick:

     In Sharynne NicMhacha we have the all-too-rare mix of a well-educated scholar and an experienced magical practitioner. It's because of this combination that I've been a fan of Sharynne's workshops for years. I'm delighted to see her thought-provoking take on the Celtic Moon Goddess in print and available to everyone.'

***********************


C. M. Shipman, Harvard University

Sharynne MacLeod NicMhacha, Queen of the Night: Rediscovering the Celtic Moon Goddess. Boston: Weiser Books, 2005. Paper. Pp. xii, 267; 7 tables.

     In her Foreword to Queen of the Night, Dr. Kate Chadbourne states that "So often we find books that are either rigorously academic (and dry as bone) or intuitive and popular (and wildly inattentive to fact). Sharynne's work combines the best of each approach, delivering meticulous research from the best sources and remembering all the while that her intelligent, non-specialist reader wishes not only to know but to understand" (pp. xi-xii). And indeed, NicMhacha has done just that. She has produced a book that is both informative and highly readable for a wide audience.

    The author starts with an astronomical introduction to the moon itself, then proceeds to discuss moon goddesses in both Indo-European and non-Indo-European cultures. This is necessary background for those not familiar with the various traditions under discussion. NicMhacha next examines the archaeological record and the evidence from the Classical authors before finally turning to the topic of the Celtic moon goddess. Each chapter ends with a set of meditation exercises and further thoughts on the material.

     Particularly strong is her handling of the material from the Classical authors on the Celts. All too often one finds popular authors taking the information provided by the Classical authors at face value without understanding the context within which each source was written. Sharynne proves just how much accurate information we can get from them while being mindful of each author's particular bias and/or agenda.

     For the most part NicMhacha cites secondary sources, which are generally more readily available to readers than most of the primary sources. This can be problematic, however, in instances where the secondary source doesn't give a full account of the material under discussion. For example, when discussing Scottish healing stones (p. 186), she mentions an incident recounted by Adomnán where Broichan, a Pictish druid, is healed by drinking water in which a stone from Loch Ness had been dipped. She cites McNeill's The Silver Bough as the source of her information and moves on to other examples. The full account given in the primary source would have added greater fullness to this part of her book without changing her argument in any way.

    The author frequently quotes material in translation, either her own or one previously published. Because she demonstrates continuously throughout the book that she is more than capable of navigating her way through a linguistic labyrinth of Celtic languages, it would have been nice to see the original quoted in the Endnotes. This comment having been made, the original might not be given due to the publisher's preference and not the author's.

     NicMhacha has written a book that neatly starts to fill the gap between popular and academic material on the Celts. She is consistently careful to signal to the reader when she is discussing published theories and interpretations and when she is expounding her own interpretations of the material. NicMhacha should be congratulated for writing a book on such a difficult and highly subjective topic.

***********************


Magazine: SageWoman

Queen of the Night:
Rediscovering the Celtic Moon Goddess
by Sharynne MacLeod NicMhacha, Red Wheel/Weiser, 2005

The effectiveness of properly conducted research stands out in Harvard University scholar Sharynne Macleod Nic Mhacha's book, Queen of the Night. This book contains an extensive investigation of the Celtic Moon Goddess and a treasure trove of information gleaned from ancient manuscripts and documents and from contemporary studies by scientists, archeologists, and anthropologists.

     Nic Mhacha goes beyond Celtic lunar mythology to weave a rich tapestry of Celtic, Norse, Greek, and Hindu literature, science, art, history, and culture. She divides this book into thirteen chapters, or lunations, which address the human experience with the Divine through lunar tradition. The first lunation introduces the reader to a brief scientific analysis of the Moon, its phases, rotation period, effects on the Earth, and tides.

     The lunations include a historical overview, which explores the work of ancient Greek scholars such as Aristarchus of Samos, who calculated the distance from the Earth to the Moon, and Aristotle, who believed the Moon was a perfect sphere. Activities at the end of each lunation show the seeker how to incorporate this material into one's everyday spiritual activity. To connect with Celtic ancestors, for example, the author suggests a ceremony involving making spelt bread. This ancient Celtic grain is still available and does not contain the allergens of modern wheat. Other activities include constructing calendars, meditation on numbers and their effects on the seeker's daily life, astronomical observations, and spiritual journeys focusing on the sky realm and the Silver Wheel. Finally, Nic Mhacha provides the reader with a lovely new moon ritual that combines a spiritual journey into the underworld with personal transformation.
Patricia Snodgrass

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Reviews from Amazon.com:

What all Celtic Spirituality books should aspire to..., October 4, 2005
Reviewer: Phillip A. Bernhardt-House (Cork, Ireland and Anacortes, WA, USA)
     Sharynne is a wonderful person and a fantastic musician and ritualist, and this book reflects both her personality and her spirituality quite deeply. A wealth of research and consideration went into this book, and the references are both extremely helpful AND trustworthy, which is something that can't be said about many other books in the realm of Celtic spirituality and reconstructionism. Further, this book is one in which a variety of topics--shamanism, classical views of the continental Celts, insular Celtic stories and traditions--are brought to bear on the overall question.
     While one may not agree with the overall interpretation presented, what is given is also not presented dogmatically as the only possible way; no matter what, the average reader will come away with much more information than they had initially, and the specialist (both academic and those practicing Celtic spirituality) will also benefit from the point-of-view under which the evidence is presented. I commend the author greatly, and would unreservedly recommend this book to anyone who is a seeker in the Celtic traditions!
***** (five stars)

Accurate and Inspiring!, September 27, 2005
Reviewer: Laura Kidds (Florida)
     Queen of the night is one of the best books I have read so far on spirituality. So many books rehash the same information over and over....Wicca 101 and Goddess basics 101. This book is definately different! It is rare to find a book that provides historically accurate information in a spiritually inspiring setting. This book provides a solid foundation for so many aspects of moon worship and Celtic religion, and continues to take you deeper into the heart of each one. This book is a treasure trove of really authentic wisdom about Celtic spirituality...a rare thing indeed!
***** (five stars)

A perfect blend, September 27, 2005
Reviewer: Laura Eastment
     Thoroughly researched and written with love and simplicity. Brings alive a body of knowledge for scholars and is a rich source of delight for those of us who have kept our sense of wonder.
***** (five stars)

Brilliant Research That Will Appeal to All, September 19, 2005
Reviewer: D. Champigny "Bibliophile" (Central Mass.) -
     This book speaks to me on several different levels. The moon has always been a strong influence in my life and spiritual practice and Celtic/British mythology one of my favorite subjects. Sharynne's book has brought my two loves together. She has struck what in my opinion is a most difficult balance. There is much to learn here from a scholarly perspective, but it will also appeal to people who wish to incorporate Celtic spirituality and moon lore into their lives. Two thumbs up and five stars for a book that people will be able to go back to again and again over the years for juicy information and rocking spiritual material. I will eagerly anticipate her next offering.
***** (five stars)

Legends of Celtic moon mythology in thirteen chapters, February 10, 2005
By Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA)
     This review is from: Queen of the Night: Rediscovering the Celtic Moon Goddess (Paperback) Writer, musician, member of the Celtic band "The Moors" and practicing Pagan Sharynne NicMhacha presents Queen Of The Night: Rediscovering The Celtic Moon Goddess presents legends of Celtic moon mythology in thirteen chapters, structured to represent the moon's thirteen monthly and annual cycles. Meditations, ceremonies, and exercises to help one connect with the Moon and become in tune with its power in everyday life. As much a transformational book for the self as it is a discussion of how the Moon has been perceived since British and Irish prehistory, Queen Of The Night discusses both astronomical and spiritual manners in layman's terms. A readily accessible and welcome contribution to new age literature and reference.
***** (five stars)

Scholar and the Pagan, December 12, 2006
By Michele Whitaker (East Bridgewater, Ma)
     This review is from: Queen of the Night: Rediscovering the Celtic Moon Goddess (Paperback) this book is beautiful. it is rich in research of the mythos, and deep in the workings of ritual, mediation and thought. i read this book slowly and savoured every morsel. personally i followed the book with each Lunar cycle, i would read the A chapter and review the exercises and study that aspect of the chapter/topic.
***** (five stars)

Beautiful and Inspiring, May 23, 2007
By Carol A. Smolinski "just another English Major" (SE-Wisconsin)
     This review is from: Queen of the Night: Rediscovering the Celtic Moon Goddess (Paperback) Simply, this is one of the best publications on the subject. Thank you
***** (five stars)

Queen of the Night rules!, February 13, 2008
By Donna M. Swindells "Art House Diva" (Richmond,Va.)
     This review is from: Queen of the Night: Rediscovering the Celtic Moon Goddess (Paperback) I am been studying the Celtic spirituality, and wanted more information about their Moon Goddess. This book is a "must have" for those serious in finding addtional information that is found no where else. Loved this Book, highly recommend it to those wanting & searching for the eternal Mistress of the Night, the Celtic Moon Goddess.
***** (five stars)

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Check this page on Amazon.com for additional reviews.


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