The Spiral of Memory and Belonging: A Celtic Path of Soul and Kinship

Rating:
Summary: Exploring the realms of spirit...
Review: Having read Frank MacEowen's previous book 'The Mist Filled Path' I looked forward to this book with much enthusiam and wasn't dissapointed. His writing style is refreshing and has an openness, a flow and honesty to it that has you feel as if you are sharing his personal journey with him. Another aspect I like about his approach is that he is a practioner of shamanism exploring his Celtic heritage, rather than another person trying to produce yet another book on "Celtic Shamanism". Therefore this book would be appealing to anyone with an interest in shamanism, or Celtic spirituality, and the way he has approached this book you could easily apply it as a metaphor or "frame" with which to explore your own natural landscape and spirituality even without sharing an exact experience or realisation as the author comes to. I really connect with what he has written, and this is the first book I have read that gives an outline anywhere near to my own journey and experience. I thank him for that and for sharing this book. This book might not appeal to those who re-invent a spirituality based on the study of academic history texts, but if you have an open mind and heart and are willing to ask questains and explore within the realms of spirit then you may also may find a connection within the journey of this book.

Rating:
Summary: Marvelous passage, Very Healing, Haunting Message
Review: I am a fan of this kind of writing; where the author weaves different elements into a cohesive whole; where the book in your hands is a clear window into other realms. This book sings. It feels like what we've been missing in the Pagan community. It feels prophetic. The guidance and techniques offered by the author are something that can be lived, and the words feel like they fly off the page from some kind of "other" power. A page turner.

Rating:
Summary: Riveting...Absolutely Riveting!!!
Review: I first became aware of Frank MacEowen from his reviews of Patricia Monaghan's wonderful book The Red-Haired Girl From The Bog. I followed up by reading MacEowen's The Mist-Filled Path, which was an interesting, informative, and emotionally satisfying book to read. But, The Spiral of Memory and Belonging is an ABSOLUTELY RIVETING work! It is sure to appeal to anyone involved with Celtic spirituality, faery lore, Irish mysticism, or shamanic studies. From the very start I feel like I was suddenly whisked off on an adventure, one that will touch my life for years to come. Patricia Monaghan's foreword cast a spell on me. Then the real treat begins. Frank MacEowen writes with such a rich and penetrating visionary style, both mystical yet also practical. This book is a true blend that spoke to my more spiritual side as well as the skeptical and scientific part of me that needs to have things explained sometimes. At times I felt like he was addressing certain passages directly to me and to things going on in my life.

Rating:
Summary: Coming together; coming home.
Review: I'm the sort of person who intimidates easily in the face of dozens of books all purporting to instruct, empower, attune, or rescue my Celtic soul. I have shied away from titles bearing such words as "craft" or "pagan" or "druid" or "shaman," fearing that each new sortie into a particular author's proprietary revelation would leave me adrift, impotent, and confused.

Mine is a votive soul, a lyric soul, and my art is the smithing of words. So for several years now, the anchor to my Gaelic mooring has been Caitlin Matthews' CELTIC DEVOTIONAL, a book I cannot recommend highly enough. It has accompanied my days and nights, seasons and solstices, and given my singing voice a faerie lilt.

THE SPIRAL OF MEMORY AND BELONGING has added three essential ingredients to my spirituality of devotion. First, it presents a compelling understanding of Dana: the trifold reality of goddess, animating power, and empowered spirits. MacEowen's personal appropriation of the mythology makes a lot of sense to me and helps me put a face to Matthews' religious imagery. Second, MacEowen's engaging and disarming candor provides an assuring place from which I may begin integrating shamanistic practice into my otherwise mundane spirituality. If for nothing else than coming into contact with my spirit helpers and experiencing their wisdom, shamanistic practice is a valuable tool. Third, shamanistic practice is more than lying on the ground wearing a blindfold and listening to drumming. It is also a healing working for the larger community. One learns these practices in order to apply them. Once again, MacEowen gives me a direction for my energies.

This is a beautifully written book, a joy to read, a safe space in which to learn and from which to venture out. Frank Henderson MacEowen may be just one more fancy dancer in the seemingly endless parade of mystic moneymakers, but somehow, even for this cynic, I would have to say "No. This feels like the real thing."


Rating:
Summary: Growing Green Again
Review: The Spiral of Memory and Belonging was a wonderful experience. It is a genuine, personal look into modern (and ancient) Celtic shamanism and includes practical exercises anyone can do to deepen their awareness of the world(s) we live in. Frank MacEowen writes to everyone regardless of their spiritual path, and within the pages are nestled kernels of wisdom that will make you say "a-ha". I felt as if there was a gentle voice speaking to me thoughout the book encouraging me to go beyond what I already thought I knew. From discovering your ancestoral story to finding peace in nature, this book has much to offer and teach.

Rating:
Summary: Growing Green Again
Review: The Spiral of Memory and Belonging was a wonderful experience. It is a genuine, personal look into modern (and ancient) Celtic shamanism and includes practical exercises anyone can do to deepen their awareness of the world(s) we live in. Frank MacEowen writes to everyone regardless of their spiritual path, and within the pages are nestled kernels of wisdom that will make you say "a-ha". I felt as if there was a gentle voice speaking to me thoughout the book encouraging me to go beyond what I already thought I knew. From discovering your ancestoral story to finding peace in nature, this book has much to offer and teach.

Rating:
Summary: living wisdom from the irish otherworld
Review: This is one of the more fresh and exciting Celtic books I have read in a while, and I've read most of them. MacEowen is a talented writer who breathes life into the ancient, making Irish mysticism something alive and relevant for today. I dare say that if you are a person who travels to Ireland you will never see it quite the same way after reading The Spiral of Memory and Belonging.