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The Celtic Devotional: Daily Prayers and Blessings
Celtic spirituality emphasizes the appreciation of nature and all forms of life--a popular and universally appealing philosophy that, along with other related pagan traditions, is having a renaissance. Beautifully illustrated and designed, this book will appeal to readers searching for ways to practice spirituality, offering blessings, prayers and devotions.
128 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1996
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About the author
Caitlín Matthews
176 books185 followersCaitlín Matthews is a writer, singer and teacher whose ground-breaking work has introduced many to the riches of our western spiritual heritage.
She is acknowledged as a world authority on Celtic Wisdom, the Western Mysteries and the ancestral traditions of Britain and Europe. She is the author of over 50 books including Sophia: Goddess of Wisdom, a study of Divine Feminine in Gnostic, Jewish and Christian thought and King Arthur’s Raid on the Underworld, a new translation and study of the Welsh poet Taliesin’s extraordinary poem, itself a major cross-roads of British mythology.
Caitlín was trained in the esoteric mystery traditions through the schools founded by Dion Fortune, Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki and Gareth Knight. Her shamanic vocation emerged early in her ability to sing between the worlds and to embody spirits. She has worked in many of the western traditions with companions upon the path including R.J.Stewart. Like him, she teaches the many strands of the ancestral European traditions. She specializes in teaching traditional European spirit-consultation oracles where the diviner draws directly upon the spirits of nature for answers and in the use of the voice to sound the unseen. Caitlín has been instrumental in revealing the ancestral heritage of the Western traditions through practical exploration of the mysteries as well as through scholarly research. Her teachings are couched in a firm historical and linguistic framework, with respect to the original context of the teachings, but never loses sight of the living traditions of these teachings which can be explored through direct application to their spiritual sources.
Trained as an actress, Caitlín is in demand as a storyteller and singer. She appears frequently on international radio and television, and was the song-writer and Pictish language originator for the Jerry Bruckheimer film King Arthur. With John Matthews, her partner, who was historical consultant on the film, she shared in the 2004 BAFTA award given to Film Education for the best educational CD Rom: this project introduced school-children to the life and times of King Arthur. She and John are both concerned with the oral nature of storytelling and its ability to communicate the myth at a much deeper level than of the commercial booktrade. This is apparent in their forthcoming project, The Story Box. For Caitlín, her books are merely the tip of a much bigger oral iceberg which is her teaching.
With her partner, John Matthews, and with Felicity Wombwell , she is co-founder of The Foundation for Inspirational and Oracular Studies, which is dedicated to the sacred arts that are not written down. Their FíOS shamanic training programme teaches students the healing arts as well as hosting masterclasses with exemplars of living sacred traditions. Caitlín has a shamanic practice in Oxford dedicated to addressing soul sickness and ancestral fragmentation, as well as helping clients find vocational and spiritual direction. Her soul-singing and embodiment uniquely bring the ancient healing traditions to everyday life.
Caitlín’s other books include Singing the Soul Back Home, Mabon and the Guardians of Celtic Britain, The Psychic Protection Handbook, and Celtic Devotional. She is co-author, with John Matthews, of the Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom and Encyclopaedia of Celtic Myth and Legend. Her books have been translated into more than nineteen languages from Brazil to Japan.
The author lives in Oxford with her husband and son in a kind of book-cave or library, whichever you will. They share their home with a white cat and a black cat.
She is acknowledged as a world authority on Celtic Wisdom, the Western Mysteries and the ancestral traditions of Britain and Europe. She is the author of over 50 books including Sophia: Goddess of Wisdom, a study of Divine Feminine in Gnostic, Jewish and Christian thought and King Arthur’s Raid on the Underworld, a new translation and study of the Welsh poet Taliesin’s extraordinary poem, itself a major cross-roads of British mythology.
Caitlín was trained in the esoteric mystery traditions through the schools founded by Dion Fortune, Dolores Ashcroft-Nowicki and Gareth Knight. Her shamanic vocation emerged early in her ability to sing between the worlds and to embody spirits. She has worked in many of the western traditions with companions upon the path including R.J.Stewart. Like him, she teaches the many strands of the ancestral European traditions. She specializes in teaching traditional European spirit-consultation oracles where the diviner draws directly upon the spirits of nature for answers and in the use of the voice to sound the unseen. Caitlín has been instrumental in revealing the ancestral heritage of the Western traditions through practical exploration of the mysteries as well as through scholarly research. Her teachings are couched in a firm historical and linguistic framework, with respect to the original context of the teachings, but never loses sight of the living traditions of these teachings which can be explored through direct application to their spiritual sources.
Trained as an actress, Caitlín is in demand as a storyteller and singer. She appears frequently on international radio and television, and was the song-writer and Pictish language originator for the Jerry Bruckheimer film King Arthur. With John Matthews, her partner, who was historical consultant on the film, she shared in the 2004 BAFTA award given to Film Education for the best educational CD Rom: this project introduced school-children to the life and times of King Arthur. She and John are both concerned with the oral nature of storytelling and its ability to communicate the myth at a much deeper level than of the commercial booktrade. This is apparent in their forthcoming project, The Story Box. For Caitlín, her books are merely the tip of a much bigger oral iceberg which is her teaching.
With her partner, John Matthews, and with Felicity Wombwell , she is co-founder of The Foundation for Inspirational and Oracular Studies, which is dedicated to the sacred arts that are not written down. Their FíOS shamanic training programme teaches students the healing arts as well as hosting masterclasses with exemplars of living sacred traditions. Caitlín has a shamanic practice in Oxford dedicated to addressing soul sickness and ancestral fragmentation, as well as helping clients find vocational and spiritual direction. Her soul-singing and embodiment uniquely bring the ancient healing traditions to everyday life.
Caitlín’s other books include Singing the Soul Back Home, Mabon and the Guardians of Celtic Britain, The Psychic Protection Handbook, and Celtic Devotional. She is co-author, with John Matthews, of the Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom and Encyclopaedia of Celtic Myth and Legend. Her books have been translated into more than nineteen languages from Brazil to Japan.
The author lives in Oxford with her husband and son in a kind of book-cave or library, whichever you will. They share their home with a white cat and a black cat.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
September 10, 2010
This book is a part of my daily spiritual ritual. It's not that I am so unimaginative that I can't write them on my own as much as that Ms. Matthews has done it so eloquently, for the most part.
If you are an eclectic, solitary, Celtic-oriented Pagan that doesn't feel comfortable with the politics and ritualistic constraints
Of either Wicca or Druidry or you are simply a spiritual person looking for a ritual system that is adaptable, this is a good book to start with or use until you can develop your own daily set of rituals or prayers.
It's not the ONLY tool or book to use, but it is a good, "non-denominational" earth-based, back-to-the-basics prayer book.
If you are an eclectic, solitary, Celtic-oriented Pagan that doesn't feel comfortable with the politics and ritualistic constraints
Of either Wicca or Druidry or you are simply a spiritual person looking for a ritual system that is adaptable, this is a good book to start with or use until you can develop your own daily set of rituals or prayers.
It's not the ONLY tool or book to use, but it is a good, "non-denominational" earth-based, back-to-the-basics prayer book.
February 2, 2017
A wonderful devotional by the always scholarly Caitlin Matthews. This devotional is particularly good if you live where there are "British-like" seasons. I live in the coastal North West & it works very well here. I have to say that I have been using this book since it came out in 1996, (I am on my second copy) and I first started using it as a pagan person & it was delightful. I converted to Christianity in 2008 & it is still delightful & still works for me. If you are interested in Celtic spirituality of either sort you will find this little treasure a help & a comfort to your practice.
January 18, 2018
This has been so helpful for me to bring spirituality into my daily life. :D
September 4, 2015
One of my all-time favorites. Although this is a Celtic Pagan devotional, it can be used by anyone wishing to deepen a nature-based meditative practice. The devotions do not name any specific Gods and I find the readings flexible enough to work even for an agnostic like myself. The language is poetic and deeply evocative of the seasons. I find that reading it when I wake up and go to bed adds structure and intention to my day.
November 22, 2008
One of my favorite books of all time. Friendly to pagan, Christian, & agnostic alike. Gorgeous language, with the ancient form of the bards bridging to modern concerns.
September 24, 2013
I love this little book. It has helped me a lot getting back on track with daily work!
October 1, 2019
This is another example of why Caitlin Matthews is so brilliant. This book is beautifully illustrated with Celtic imagery, like you have the Book of Kells or another illuminated manuscript in your hands. In addition, the daily readings and meditations tie into the season very well. This is the perfect companion to her other book, The Celtic Spirit. I definitely recommend pickup up a copy of this.
February 15, 2017
Beautifully written. Love the daily devotionals (morning and evening) that coincide with Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane and Lughnasadh. It also has some cool meditations. It's a cool little book for a more spiritual life.
March 21, 2024
This book is super helpful for someone like me who struggles with prayer. It is very well organized and thought it. Has multiple prayers for everyday and within specific season, as well as ritual/activity ideas for each season as well. Super helpful and an awesome addition to my collection.
October 1, 2017
I have used this book for nearly a year and thoroughly enjoy it! I use it morning and evening. There are plenty of activities to chose from.
January 24, 2023
I'm not sure where the author got her information on ancient Celtic religion or if this is something completely created by her.
September 20, 2020
Not completed because it is a perpetual calendar. Absolutely priceless -- a treasure of wisdom and daily practice that I can't even imagine my life without.
October 7, 2012
Inspiring prayers and meditations.
Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews