Portals into Deep Imagination
Celtic Mythology, Nature's Year, and the Quest for Soul
Published on 29. April 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
384 pages
978-1-80152-170-3 (ISBN)
Description
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.
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.
Reviews / Votes
"This is a fascinating and important book which offered us an approach to living based upon the mythology and beliefs of the Celtic peoples. Flowing around the Sacred Year, it offers a much-needed approach to the rediscovery of spirituality - not religion as such, but a system of acknowledging the deeply empowering presence of spirit in all things. Michael Wilson offers us a voyage of discovery which includes meditation, journeying and the consideration of some important questions. Recommended for all those seeking a deeper and more profound understanding of life."John Matthews, Author of Taliesin, the Last Celtic Shaman
"Recognising Spirituality is not the same as a Religion, this book in a warm invitation to listen to the original Celtic myths and tales about Spirituality as they speak for themselves; to playfully engage with them week-to-week and bring their insights into our inner and outer lives. This guidebook to practical involvement with deep tradition uses active imagination, attention to dreams and new ways to be with the natural world, to bring this about."
Dr. Dale Mathers, Jungian analyst, author of Dreams: The Basics
"An astonishing project which effortlessly interweaves mythology, psychology and spiritual practice. Transformational, thoughtful and accessible."
Andrew Anderson, author of The Ritual of Writing.
"It's hard to imagine that you won't start to experience a deeper sense of purpose through this work. This is an important and significant book in relation to a lived spirituality."
Roselle Angwin, author of A Spell in the Forest.
"Michael Wilson gifts us with a vision that is both magical and soulful."
Eimear Burke, Chosen Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Unsewn / adhesive bound
Dimensions
Height: 229 mm
Width: 152 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
513 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80152-170-3 (9781801521703)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
E-Book
04/2025
Aeon Books Ltd
€14.49
Available for download
Person
Michael Wilson's lifelong connection with nature is the ground of his spirituality and path in life generally. For the past twenty years he has developed and facilitated nature-based programmes in the UK, especially in Northumberland and Scotland. His work draws upon his experience as a psychotherapist and depth psychologist. He is also author of Resource Focused Counselling & Psychotherapy (Routledge, 2017) and co-author of Creative Ethical Practice in Counselling & Psychotherapy (Sage, 2012).
Content
Table of Contents
Introduction
Beginning the Journey
Week 1: Deepening into Darkness at Samhain
Week 2: The Way of the Birch
Week 3: On Becoming an Otter
Week 4: Forest as Guide to Stillness and Solitude
Week 5: The Way of Deep Imagination
Week 6: Gifts of the Rowan
Week 7: The Otherworld, Courage, and the Joy of Being Lost
Travelling on the Path
Week 8: Winter Solstice and the Rebirth of the Sun
Week 9: Gifts of Humility and Awe
Week 10: Patience, Adventure, and the Journey
Week 11: Gifts from the Tale of Branwen, Daughter of Llyr
Week 12: The Recollection of Being
Week 13: Wisdom of the Alder
Walking in the Edgelands
Week 14: Venerating the Goddess at Imbolc
Week 15: Wisdom from the Tale of Esus
Week 16: Edgelands and the Gift of Connection
Week 17: Cultivating Wise Innocence
Week 18: Inspiration on the Path
Week 19: Into the Wildwood
Week 20: The Blackbird, the Ash, and Innate Wisdom
Ritualising Spirituality
Week 21: The Promise of Spring Equinox
Week 22: The Moon, the Hare, Sacrifice, and the Goddess
Week 23: Spirituality of Hope
Week 24: The Way of the Hawthorn and Fairies in the Wildwood
Week 25: On Being Radically Open to Faith in the Unknown
Week 26: Imagination as a Pathway to Truth
Reflecting on Mystery
Week 27: Gifts from Beltane Fire
Week 28: The Oak, Aranrhod and the Divine Twins
Week 29: Cultivating Susceptibility to Mystery
Week 30: Joy and Celebration
Week 31: Gifts of Hospitality
Week 32: Cernunnos, Edge-Walking, and the Wildwood
Week 33: The Holly, Peredur, and Life Energy
Musing on the Wilder Nature of Being
Week 34: Summer Solstice and Transience
Week 35: The Way of the Boar
Week 36: The Practice of Inner Journeying
Week 37: Springs, Wells, Pools, and Intuition
Week 38: Merlin and the Way of the Feral Self
Week 39: The Dog, the Wolf, Projection, and the Shadow
Making Meaning on the Way
Week 40: Lughnasadh, Generosity, and Possibility
Week 41: The Practice of Gratitude
Week 42: The Way of Eloquence
Week 43: Beauty and the Isle of Apples
Week 44: Path with Meaning
Week 45: The Holy Power of Place
Week 46: The Sun, the Turning Wheel and Fate
Deepening into Being
Week 47: Autumn Equinox and the Way of the Salmon
Week 48: Sleep and the Gifts of Dreams and Visions
Week 49: The Gentle Art of Discernment
Week 50: Spirituality of Rest
Week 51: The Bronze Boat with Golden Oars
Week 52: Spirituality of Eldering
Bibliography
Introduction
Beginning the Journey
Week 1: Deepening into Darkness at Samhain
Week 2: The Way of the Birch
Week 3: On Becoming an Otter
Week 4: Forest as Guide to Stillness and Solitude
Week 5: The Way of Deep Imagination
Week 6: Gifts of the Rowan
Week 7: The Otherworld, Courage, and the Joy of Being Lost
Travelling on the Path
Week 8: Winter Solstice and the Rebirth of the Sun
Week 9: Gifts of Humility and Awe
Week 10: Patience, Adventure, and the Journey
Week 11: Gifts from the Tale of Branwen, Daughter of Llyr
Week 12: The Recollection of Being
Week 13: Wisdom of the Alder
Walking in the Edgelands
Week 14: Venerating the Goddess at Imbolc
Week 15: Wisdom from the Tale of Esus
Week 16: Edgelands and the Gift of Connection
Week 17: Cultivating Wise Innocence
Week 18: Inspiration on the Path
Week 19: Into the Wildwood
Week 20: The Blackbird, the Ash, and Innate Wisdom
Ritualising Spirituality
Week 21: The Promise of Spring Equinox
Week 22: The Moon, the Hare, Sacrifice, and the Goddess
Week 23: Spirituality of Hope
Week 24: The Way of the Hawthorn and Fairies in the Wildwood
Week 25: On Being Radically Open to Faith in the Unknown
Week 26: Imagination as a Pathway to Truth
Reflecting on Mystery
Week 27: Gifts from Beltane Fire
Week 28: The Oak, Aranrhod and the Divine Twins
Week 29: Cultivating Susceptibility to Mystery
Week 30: Joy and Celebration
Week 31: Gifts of Hospitality
Week 32: Cernunnos, Edge-Walking, and the Wildwood
Week 33: The Holly, Peredur, and Life Energy
Musing on the Wilder Nature of Being
Week 34: Summer Solstice and Transience
Week 35: The Way of the Boar
Week 36: The Practice of Inner Journeying
Week 37: Springs, Wells, Pools, and Intuition
Week 38: Merlin and the Way of the Feral Self
Week 39: The Dog, the Wolf, Projection, and the Shadow
Making Meaning on the Way
Week 40: Lughnasadh, Generosity, and Possibility
Week 41: The Practice of Gratitude
Week 42: The Way of Eloquence
Week 43: Beauty and the Isle of Apples
Week 44: Path with Meaning
Week 45: The Holy Power of Place
Week 46: The Sun, the Turning Wheel and Fate
Deepening into Being
Week 47: Autumn Equinox and the Way of the Salmon
Week 48: Sleep and the Gifts of Dreams and Visions
Week 49: The Gentle Art of Discernment
Week 50: Spirituality of Rest
Week 51: The Bronze Boat with Golden Oars
Week 52: Spirituality of Eldering
Bibliography