"An enormously engaging and informative book. The authors have
included aspects of science, history, mythology, and literature in
their explanation of Celtic festivals. . . . will provide the
answers for all the children and adults who ever wondered about the
mysterious rituals of some of our most well-known holidays. A
valuable resource for homes, schools, and libraries." --Sasha
Lauterbach, Librarian, Cambridge Friends School "Clare Walker
Leslie and Frank Gerace have put together a wonderful and much
needed introduction to the magical year. I warmly recommend it to
all in need of a good, accurate, and clearly presented guide."
--John Matthews, author (with Caitlin Matthews) of The Winter
Solstice "This is a charming and delightful book for adults and
children alike. In a simple manner, the authors trace many of our
festivals to their Celtic and European roots." --Father Timothy
Joyce, Order of Saint Benedict, author of Celtic Christianity: A
Sacred Tradition, A Vision of Hope People love holiday celebrations
but most of us don't know why we wear masks on Halloween or watch
for the groundhog on February 2. The Ancient Celtic Festivals shows
us that many of our modern traditions started in northern Europe
with the festivals of the ancient Celts. The Celts were farming
people, so their festivals marked the important events of the
agricultural year. Imbolc, in very early spring, celebrated the
birth of new lambs; Lughnasa, in late summer, the first harvest of
grain; Samhain, in late fall, the end of the growing season and the
beginning of winter. If we look at our modern calendar, we'll find
Groundhog Day falling where Imbolc did, Halloween where the Celts
celebrated Samhain, and lots ofother holiday correspondences.
That's because descendants of the Celts were among the first
Europeans to settle in the New World, bringing their holiday
traditions with them.
Although we still celebrate remnants of the old festivals, most
of us don't have the close relationship to nature that the Celts
had. The Ancient Celtic Festivals will help us reconnect with the
natural wheel of the year by getting us outdoors to gaze at the
stars, notice where the sun comes up, and look for signs of spring.
And special hands-on activity pages will invite us to weave a
harvest wreath, stage a spring festival, or warm up the cold depths
of winter with hot spiced cider to make celebrating the seasonal
holidays more fun than ever.
CLARE WALKER LESLIE is a nationally known naturalist, wildlife
artist, and educator. She is the author of the popular children's
book Nature All Year Long, as well as six books for adults on
observing nature and nature drawing. She divides her time between
Cambridge, Massachusetts and Granville, Vermont. Frank E. Gerace
has studied the Celts in myth and legend for twenty years. He lives
in Allston, Massachusetts.
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