As with many cultures, the four directions — North, South, East, and West — have profound meanings. In the Celtic tradition, the traits associated with each of the directions make up a mandala known as the Irish Spirit Wheel.

Offering spiritual insights that are as relevant today as they were thousands of years ago, Frank McEowen’s The Celtic Way of Seeing explores how the four directions, as well as the center, of the Irish Spirit Wheel can be used to offer guidance and protection in daily modern life.

Built around one traditional Celtic story, The Settling of the Manor of Tara, that introduced the concept of the four directions and their meanings, including the center is an important part of Celtic culture today. Placing the wisdom of the tale into contemporary terms, he follows with exercises and practices designed to show readers how to incorporate these teachings into their lives. MacEowen says, “Myth, and mythic story is not just a quaint tale or merely a form of entertainment either — though many Celtic stories can be quite entertaining. Myth-as-sacred story is considered a gift from the past, and an empowered path into the future that one can use on the journey.”

In Irish tradition, the qualities associated with the directions include the following:

• East: hospitality for oneself and others, generosity

• South: music and art, sensuality, rhythms of nature, the music and power of flowing water and waterfalls

•West: knowledge and learning, longing for knowledge, counsel and vision.

•North: battle, informed warriorship, addiction, the magic of conflict for transformation

•Center: integrating these directions and finding sovereignty and wholeness

“Celtic spirituality is a living thing, and each person is not only an observer of the sacred teachings but also a participant. They add to the story and make each direction or teaching come alive in their own lives,” MacEowen adds.

About the Author
Frank MacEowen, is a writer whose personal journey has been influenced by primal Irish spirituality, cross-cultural indigenous wisdom, and Buddhist mindfulness training. An alumni of Naropa University’s graduate program in psychology, MacEowen makes his home in Mississippi where he explores Zen practice, poetry, and the artistic process. His website is www.solasdana.org.

The Celtic Way of Seeing by Frank MacEowen
March 12, 2007 • Personal Growth
Trade Paperback • Price: $14.95
288 pages • 5 1/2" x 8 1/2"
ISBN-10: 1-57731-541-3 • ISBN-13: 978-1-57731-541-4

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