Celtic Sacred Landscapes
Nigel Pennick
Thames & Hudson
<p>The Celtic tradition is one of the most ancient in Europe, with roots going back nearly 3,000 years. Today there is much to be learned from the Celtic world-view, with its emphasis on the recognition of the unseen world and the vital part it plays in our relationship with the physical landscape. In this exciting new study, Nigel Pennick shows us the holy sites of Britain, Ireland and mainland Europe through Celtic eyes, reinvesting each feature of the landscape with its ancient spiritual, symbolic and mythological importance. From the original Celtic site of the castle at Tintagel, passing through the sacred forest of Broceliande in Brittany and on to the monastery of Scelig Mhichil off the coast of Ireland, Nigel Pennick takes us on an exhilarating spiritual and historical tour of the Celtic holy places of Europe. He delves into the mystery and lore behind the power of sacred trees and stones; springs and wells as places of healing; Holy mountains as centres of geomythic energies; sacred caves; holy islands; sanctified earthworks and cities; paths and trackways; places for demons and supernatural beings; the visible instances of the divine in hidden temples; and the holy places of the Celtic saints. Through these themes, supported by a wide-ranging gazetteer of sites, he reveals the continuing importance of the Celtic tradition to us today.</p>