Shaman Pathways: The Celtic Chakras Posted on October 21, 2013 by DM_London jhp503c7d2deb0b2Shaman Pathways: The Celtic Chakras Elen Sentier Moon Books ISBN: 978-1-78099-506-9 This book intrigued me by title alone. I’m familiar with the chakra system, having trained in Reiki, but at no point in my training were Celtic myths or images referenced. Equally, I’m Irish, but at no point did I encounter chakras in Irish culture. So what, I wondered, would come of Sentier’s combining two such disparate-seeming concepts? She begins by offering us symbols to explore, proffering a new perspective on the Celtic triquetra symbol, which corresponds neatly with the traditional seven chakras of the body. While Reiki practitioners are familiar with treating chakras in pairs, Sentier goes further, uniting the system into a spiral, another profound symbol of Celtic culture. An underpinning theme of the book is female sovereignty, with male energy guarding that sovereignty. The Mabinogion tale, The Dream of Macsen Wledig, with the goddess Elen at its heart, weaves throughout the work and introduces us to the concept of strongholds, both inner and outer, located among the chakras as cauldrons of potentiality. Practical exercises allow the reader to experience the actuality of the concepts presented, with an icily beautiful Arctic journey to greet the goddess Arianrhod. Brighid also shares her wisdom along our journey, generously ladling rich juices in to our inner cauldrons of smith, poet and healer. Chakra workers and Celtic enthusiasts will find much to enrich their paths in this book, but I would recommend it to anyone looking to explore and nourish the inner self. Turning the final page, it seemed incredible that the book runs to only 72 pages. It’s a proverbial ‘quart in a pint pot’: dense with information gleaned from a range of sources, confidently citing Arthurian tales, then concepts of the space-time continuum. Working through it is indeed a journey, at times challenging and at others, wonderfully healing, humming with that comforting sense of ‘rightness’ that comes when we relocate the longed-for wisdom that our bones learned long ago, before our brains began to forget. Review by Kate Large http://london.paganfed.org/?p=886 ~ Kate Large, Pagan Federation London

In her latest book, Elen Sentier takes us on a journey of (re)discovery, to meet the Celtic chakras. Introducing us to the concept of the Celtic chakras as a spiral and not the traditional eastern 'straight line', she uses her skill as a talespinner to unravel the riddles and hidden aspects of surviving writings to show us what they are and how to work with them. Piecing together evidence from tales and poems such as those of Arianrhod, Ceridwen, Elen of the Ways and the obscure Preiddeu Annwfn, Elen skilfully weaves her own magic as she incorporates the Three Cauldrons of Poesy and the symbolism of ancient labyrinth designs to create something that, whilst perhaps controversial, is wholly usable, practical, and very relevant to those who practice a spirituality based on the Celtic way of seeing and knowing. Through gentle exercises at each stage, the reader is guided to work with the chakras as well as being given the background and sources of them. The book is written in a friendly way, free of masses of jargon, and leads the reader towards a deeper and stronger relationship with the chakras. One small, and personal point: I do confess that I dislike the term chakra used in this context, and would prefer something more 'Celtic', though I suppose the term does convey a more universally understood meaning than the use of some obscure term that may or may not exist in ancient manuscripts. The alternative, of using something like 'energy centres' over and over again is somewhat unwieldly, and so, just as we use the term 'shaman' for all cultures, perhaps I need to accept the term 'chakra' in the same way! If I had one criticism it is that the book is too short, and would have welcomed more depth as to the sources for the concept, and perhaps some more practical exercises - which were excellent and really did work for the reviewer. The Celtic Chakras is well worth reading, and a great addition to our understanding of the hidden meanings and symbolism hidden within the old stories. I would highly recommending this book for all students of Celtic spirituality and those who follow a Celtic shamanic and healing path. ~ Christine Cleere , Book reviewer for Druid Network

What an inspiring and interesting book! Opening us to the knowledge and wisdom found in the chakras within Celtic history, using such wonderful Goddesses as Elen of the Ways, Arianrhod and Ceridwen to discover your own energy centres. I love the way that the Celtic chakra system uses a spiral rather than the usual straight line of chakra centres - makes perfect sense. If you have ever worked with your chakras or thought about doing so - I encourage you to purchase this book, you will have your eyes, heart, soul and energy centres opened and you won't look back. http://kitchenwitchuk.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/shaman-pathways-celtic-chakras.html ~ Rachel Patterson, kitchenwitchuk.blogspot.co.uk

I have been asked a great deal about how I understand the title "Shaman". Im no expert at all! How I see it is: The Spirits call the "Shaman". I do not feel we label ourselves such after a workshop or a trip to foreign land. That is why most who practice Shamanic Healings call themselves Shamanic Practitioners. They are practising Shamanic practices. The word Shaman comes from the Tungus language. To take this name is often seen as an appropriation of an indigenous word and sometimes customs also. The "Shamans" of this land were often called Spirit Keepers- Awennyd. So we have no need to take the terms of other lands if we wish to give ourselves a title. We have enough terms here in this land. And a strong tradition of working Shamanically also. Worth checking out Elen Sentier's work on this. She explains a great deal in "Elen of the Ways" about the practices of this ancient land. For me- authenticity is the key here- always. What the Spirits ask one does. Should the Spirits demand we label ourselves, give ourselves a title- so be it. Should they leave it to us- then authenticity is the key for me. from Aneya Awen: at sacredspacehealing.org Owner at Sacred Healing London ~ Aneya Awen, Owner at Sacred Healing London

I've just done the meditation following my chakras and it makes so much more sense, thank you it's a really interesting read ~ Val Stanton , Celtic chakras FB page

The way that you present the Chakras makes so much more sense to me than the way I was taught. That everything connects in that "swirl" pattern - it just clicked in my brain AND in my chakras!!! Thank you so much for this book and information. Yesterday at 21:12 ~ Judi Charlton, Celtic Chakras FB page

Elen Sentier takes us on a well-considered journey, weaving Celtic lore and sacred geometry with experiential practices that move us into heart-full embodiment of ancient wisdom. The Celtic Chakras is a multi-dimensional and dynamic exploration of the body's energy system, illuminating a sacred pathway to evolved human consciousness. ~ Llyn Roberts, prominent teacher of healing & shamanism; award-winning author of Shapeshifting into Higher Consciousness. Llyn also wrote The Good Remembering and Shamanic Reiki. LlynRoberts.com & EarthWisdomCircle.

Rich with personal vision, the book is an interesting exploration of wholeness. Drawing on stories and traditions that are central to modern Pagan and New Age thinking, Sentier finds a deep and valuable root within the spiritual heritage of Britain. ~ Emma Restall Orr, author of Living With Honour and The Wakeful World etc

A concise and elegant introduction to a Celtic way of understanding reality. Elen Sentier appreciates the depth of meaning present in the myths and riddles of the British Isles and makes an erudite and entertaining guide for the curious seeker. ~ Lyn Webster Wilde, Author of Becoming the Enchanter & several other books; OU tutor