Drinking from the Sacred Well: Personal Voyages of Discovery with the Celtic Saints

by John Matthews

Since ancient times the Celts have followed a path of total involvement with the natural world-a love of the earth, the pattern of seasons, and the magical presence of animals. Their quest for truth and sense of wonder in the beauty and power of the landscape, expressed today in immensely popular Celtic music and poetry, is deeply rooted in their early spiritual practices.In Drinking From the Sacred Well, renowned Celtic scholar John Matthews recreates the mystical journeys of twelve Celtic saints, capturing the wisdom and insight of these extraordinary men and women who lived from the third to the seventh centuries A.D. In carrying the faith of Christianity to the people of Britain and Ireland, they adapted the earthly wisdom of the Druids and other Celtic mystics. The result was a rare combination of Christianity and Paganism that left a powerful legacy that lasts to this day.

Step with St. Brendan onto the deck of a ship headed for a strange and wondrous country, experience the hospitality of the spirit with St. Senan, discover the feminine voice in your creative life with St. Bridget, or learn from St. Kentigern that a love of nature can heal the deepest wounds. You will recognize in these lyric stories your own journey and the questions that both challenge and fuel your ongoing spiritual quest.

Like Joseph Campbell's Myths to Live By, these tales, along with Matthews' incisive commentary and suggested meditation points, will inspire us all to live more courageous and spirited lives.

Genres: Nonfiction

304 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1998

About the author

John Matthews is an historian, folklorist and author. He has been a full time writer since 1980 and has produced over ninety books on the Arthurian Legends and Grail Studies, as well as short stories and a volume of poetry. He has devoted much of the past thirty years to the study of Arthurian Traditions and myth in general. His best known and most widely read works are ‘Pirates’ (Carlton/Atheneum), No 1 children’s book on the New York Times Review best-seller list for 22 weeks in 2006, ‘The Grail, Quest for Eternal Life’ (Thames & Hudson, 1981) ‘The Encyclopaedia of Celtic Wisdom’ (Element, 1994) and ‘The Winter Solstice’ (Quest Books, 1999) which won the Benjamin Franklin Award for that year. His book ‘Celtic Warrior Chiefs’ was a New York Public Library recommended title for young people.

Reviews

[Spider Goddess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Such vivid images presented in the telling of the lives of Saints, regardless of the culture from which they came. However, with the Celtic saints, there is not the gruesomeness that comes along with most Christian saints. I loved reading about them, and the way that the author related their lives to present day and bringing a bit of their magick into our own lives. I will definitely reread this book. The images conjured up are beautiful and inspire me to art!

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed re-reading this after 20+ years. The stories of the Celtic saints show a blending of Druidism and Christianity. This is the third book about Celtic spirituality and folklore I've read this year and I've enjoyed all three books. But, I am biased because some of my great grandparents immigrated from Ireland and my Irish heart is drawn to these ancient stories. Some of the stories are pretty far fetched, but still point to some common truths that unite people across time and place.

[Dáithí's · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great introduction to the Celtic Saints. Author is very easy to get comfortable with, and eases the reader into the subject matter with a tender touch. This book will spark an interest into further research.

[Amy Paget · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is an interesting book of short vignettes. It's fun to read the folktales of these Celtic Saints and see how the pagan and the Christian intertwine.