A Delight for Students of Celtic Folklore and Spirituality
YEARNING FOR THE WIND
By Tom Cowan
Publisher: New World Library
ISBN: 1-57731-411-5
By JESSICA HEATLEY
"In Celtic folklore, there are tales of healing winds coming to cure an illness or revive the dead, or faery winds coming to calm and soothe a person or an animal." This is the central premise of Cowan's book, with the wind being used as a metaphor for all of nature, which he suggests we reconnect with for our spiritual enlightenment and fulfillment.
In Yearning for the Wind, Cowan draws on the teachings of medieval mystics, legends of fairies, Celtic songs, present_day poets and seekers, Native American stories, and his own personal stories.
An internationally respected teacher of shamanism, Celtic spirituality, and European mystery traditions, Cowan taught history and humanities in Memphis during the 1970s and moved to New York City in 1980 to pursue a career as a freelance writer.
Cowan’s very simple, matter of fact way of distilling information to the reader, makes the book very easy to read, the core philosophy of which is imbued with Cowan’s primary spiritual practice of shamanism. He espouses the goal of being present at all times in our lives just as the Irish warrior, Fionn MacCumhail once pointed out to his followers: “the finest music in all the world is the music of what is happening.”
From semi_irreverent tales about the Queen Maedbh seeking a husband to the backroads of Bantry where Cowan found himself trapped amongst a herd of cows to the lost roads in Ohio where faeries tried to fool him, Tom charismatically brings his teachings to life on the page. There is practical advice for the reader too, Cowan shares his secrets on healing a loved one who is experiencing pain or loss by illustrating his visualization therapy.
This book will be a delight to those interested in learning the basics of Celtic folklore and spirituality. Solid fact based theories are not to be found, and if this is something that is necessary for you when reading about spirituality, this is not the book for you. Cowan’s very unassuming writing is like listening to an old Celt discussing his life and how he got to be in the place he presently finds himself.
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