Portals into Deep Imagination: Celtic Mythology, Nature’s Year, and the Quest for Soul

An anthology of weekly contemplations and practices for spirituality through the lens of psychology, inspired by the culture and mythology of the Celts in Britain and Ireland and their connection with nature. This functional and thought provoking book illustrates how Celtic tales of the Otherworld offer exciting openings for understanding, including dreams, non-ordinary states of consciousness, content of the deep imagination, and a bigger Mystery of life. Celtic myths and legends are alive with metaphor and symbolism, which is often thought to be the language of the deep imagination and is so vital to a soulful path. The dreamlike quality of myth and legend, where the boundary between fact and poetic imagination is misty, allows us to engage with them symbolically to promote insights for daily living. Bringing psychology alongside the Celts in this way allows for a conversation on spirituality where psychology sometimes leads and, at other times, where Celtic voices illustrate poignant truths for a path travelled in depth. Following the Celtic year, the book consists of eight parts, with six or seven weeks per part, throughout the year, providing a balance of reflection on core themes and practices, beginning with a festival. Each week offers tales and folklore from Celtic mythology, followed by a suggested practice of meditation and contemplation, allowing readers to reflect on their corresponding themes in their own lives. Ultimately, Portals into Deep Imagination is a companion for contemporary spirituality in an age of transition, a resource for path-walkers to live more from soul via the ancients, nature connection, and life’s Mystery.