Edain McCoy Reviews

Page One

Added November 8, 2004

Celtic Women's Spirituality

Accessing the Cauldron of Life

Author: Edain McCoy
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: June 2005 - Reprint
Genre: Nonfiction: Mythology/Spirituality/Celtic
Format: Paperback
Price: $16.95
ISBN: 1-56718-672-6
Author Email/Website: www.edainmmcoy.com
Reviewer: Cyndi Witkus

In Celtic Women's Spirituality, you find many reasons on why it's wonderful to be a woman, along with history regarding wise women. From Celtic myth and legend, to rituals that you do to reaffirm your nature as maiden, woman, and crone, this book helps guides your path. Though not a strong emphasis on any one Pagan path, the Celtic themes do resonate with a clarity that is sometimes lacking in other books.

Edain McCoy has presented the history of Celtic women and goddesses and how to use this knowledge to help better ourselves in a fantastic light. Her writing style is engaging, easy to understand, and the rituals she recommends help guide and encourage you to learn and explore more about yourself and the world around you. You learn to accept your warrior self as well as other areas where you might be weak and learn to tap into the power when it's needed. She even goes through the Wheel of the Year and how the holidays can be cherished and celebrated with a more feministic touch, celebrating both the life we live and the life we want to have.

This book is one of my hardcore favourites. I recommend it to anyone, male or female, who wants to learn more about the roles of men and women in Celtic society as well as learning how to tap their unseen places. Though written for women, I can see how this book can help men just as much. For me, this is a constant reference book in my daily life. The rituals are easy to do, as are the guided meditations, and there's a comfort now to my life by taking the time to read and reread this marvelous book. If you've never read any book by Edain McCoy and want to start, I recommend this book. If you're wanting to find your own path in life, this book is definitely the first step to your path, regardless of the beliefs you have.

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Added May 1, 2003

Ostara

Customs, Spells and Rituals for the Rites of Spring

Author: Edain McCoy
Publisher: Llewellyn Publications
Available At: Bookstores Everywhere
Publishing Date: February 2002
Genre: Non-Fiction: Spirituality/New Age/Paganism/Mythology/Holidays and Celebrations
Format: Print
Price: $14.95
ISBN: 0-7387-0082-7
Author Email/Website: www.edainmccoy.com
Reviewer: Ayden Delacroix

As a new pagan, I was very pleased to find Llewellyn's eight book series on the Wheel of the Year. Each focuses on a different Sabbat, listing background information, gods/goddesses, symbols, creatures associated with that holiday, recipes and rituals. Written by well-known authors, all of the books are entertaining, informative and helpful.

Written by author Edain McCoy, Ostara is the all about the first day of spring or the Vernal Equinox. She gives us detailed histories of many of the symbols associated with this holiday, including many wonderful stories. My favorite story would have to be the Legend of the Easter Bunny. Years of hunting for decorated eggs without knowing exactly why suddenly don't seem so pointless. For those of us who prefer to live as natural as possible, instructions for natural-dyed eggs are included. The most beautiful orange can be found by using dandelion blossoms.

Many topics are covered in this seemingly short book: myths and stories, divination, crafts, recipes, solitary and group rituals. Having been raised in a Biblical faith, I especially liked how Ms. McCoy didn't bash the church. She merely presented the facts and kept going. Her rituals are easy to understand and follow. They're written in such a way that the beginner isn't left wondering if they did something wrong; while longtime practioners don't feel they've wasted their money.

One of the greatest features of this book is how easily many of the rituals and spells can be modified to allow children to join in the celebration. My boys especially enjoyed participating in the Robin's Feather Spring Cleaning Spell, making the Green Man Cake, performing a wind dance and leaving libations and treats for the faeries.

I highly recommend Ostara to anyone wanting to increase his or her knowledge of ancient holidays. Ms. McCoy is a talented author whose dedication to research is evident. I look forward to collecting the rest of this eight book series and more of Ms. McCoy's work.

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