Extract from Sacred Celebrations:

To celebrate the Earth’s yearly solar cycle is to take part in an ancient tradition which has been handed down to us since before Celtic times. These festivals fall at eight points during the solar year, and include the fixed points of Winter and Summer Solstices (the longest night and the longest day); the Spring and Autumn Equinoxes (day and night are of equal length); and the four seasonal peaks of Spring, Summer, Autumn and Winter. Celebrating these points is a means by which we can connect to the Earth’s passing seasons and acknowledge the way this resonates within ourselves, as part of the natural world.

Interwoven in the Sun’s cycles are the monthly cycles of the Moon whose influence affects all of life on Earth from the tides of the world’s oceans, to the fluids within our bodies, our emotions, our unconscious, the fertility of women and their menstrual cycles.
Throughout the book I use the word ‘Celtic’ as a term which recognises this as a cultural lineage in the lands of England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, as well as all over Northern and Western Europe. Many of their traditions have been lost, destroyed by the Christian religion which sought to establish a new patriarchal God, and destroy the worship of Pagan Gods and Goddesses. Much can be rediscovered through folk customs, legends and folktales. Much has been kept alive through Pagan tradition, Druidic and Bardic lore and Pictish and Celtic art. The Christian calendar, on close examination, has overlaid its own festivals to fall at the same time as the Celtic ones, but with a subtle difference of perspective. This was necessary, as part of the conversion process, which changed the whole spiritual experience of the people of these lands. The Church taught us to view Spirit and Matter as separate realms, and to fear the inner worlds. This is so deeply entrenched, that even those without any religious belief are deeply influenced by it. We also feel ourselves to be separate from and superior to the rest of nature, and that men are superior to women. This fragmented state has brought great damage to the Earth’s environment and to ourselves.

In order to change this perspective, there is a need to see ourselves and our relationship to the Earth, the Moon and the Sun with new eyes. We need to re-learn what we have forgotten and re-connect to the inner realms, which are a continuous presence around and within us. We have all been conditioned for so long to only use our logical intellectual minds, it is important that we begin to become aware of, and listen to our intuitive side. It is our conferred power and inherited right.

There is no need for a hierarchy of spiritual authority. We are each able to follow our own path, to break free of outworn attitudes, damaging dogma and concepts, and to transform and change. We have to learn to be part of the natural world again. We can do this by working with the energies which are both within ourselves and all around us. Then we can feel ourselves to be part of creation and not somehow fragmented and separated. Everyone and everything is sacred. Every action has a reaction in both the inner and outer realms.

Celebrating the solar cycle of the year and the monthly Moon cycles is a way of re-connecting to the native traditions of this land. When we are freed from superstition, fear and suppression, we are once again potent and alive, and moving forward to embrace a new spiritual understanding emerging now as we enter the Aquarian Age.

This is a reference book for each of the Celtic festivals, and the Sun and Lunar cycles, as well as a source book for related activities. It is an exploration of the many aspects manifest at each festival, from the underlying energy of the Earth, and its place in the year’s cycle, to the integration of the patterns and clues which have been handed down to us from traditions which have survived from the pre-christian past. By combining these different aspects, and intuitively reforming them into something new and yet connected, we can integrate what we know to create new patterns to enhance change and transformation. Thus, these festivals remain part of a living tradition which can be used as an aid to our spiritual process at this time.

May 2000

REVIEWS OF SACRED CELEBRATIONS

“The amount of extremely useful and inspirational information presented here is vast, breathtaking in fact. This is the book I have waited to see for a long time, it is, in short, invaluable. My recommendation is never to think about seasonal festival again without at least looking at the book and seeing what advice is has to offer.” - Robin Whitlock - Awen magazine

“Here is a chance to reconnect with the rhythm of the seasons following the cycle of the eight Celtic festivals. Celtic is taken as a broad term referring to the UK and Western European roots and traditions and the aim of the book is not to recreate the past, but to celebrate in ways that are creative and relevant to our lives today.
The many suggestions for celebration present opportunities for individuals, families and groups to find sacred expression to connect with the great cycle of the year. The abundant – but always tempting – information covers a wide range of activities, from inner journeying to creating sacred circles and shrines, from making masks and corn dollies to suggestion for song and dance. There is no ‘theory for the sake of it’ and the book is a treasure chest of goodies that will have something to appeal to everyone. The book feels yummy in the hands – like all the best recipe books.” - Jan Morgan Wood – Sacred Hoop magazine

Reviews from Druidnetwork:

"Well worth it.

For years now I have been looking for an interesting and factual book on the Celtic year, that isn't published in America by Lewellyn. I've found it here. Gorgeous cover and attractive illustrations throughout, it is THE sourcebook for Sacred Celabrations (as the title suggests). As it is written and published in Britain by a British woman, I feel more of a connection to her words.

This book contains all the information you will ever need on each of the eight Celtic festivals, and loads more besides. There are recipes, craft activities and many, many suggestions to help you celebrate the turning of the wheel of the year.

This is a book for beginners and experienced practicioners and celebrants alike, and really is a joy to hold in your hands and read. I have not once regretted buying this book, I only regret that I didn't find it sooner"

"This is useful book full of ideas on how to celebrate the Druidic wheel of the year.It is especially good for people new to Druidry but I found it very useful too especially as a parent. Worth buying."

 

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