Dove in the Stone: Finding the Sacred in the Commonplace

by Alice O. Howell

A Jungian lecturer and astrologer searches for the sacred in the commonplace on a Celtic pilgrimage to the Isle of Iona, in Scotland. "Iona," the Hebrew word for dove, became home to St. Columba, whose name in Latin means dove, in the year 563 on the Eve of the Pentecost -- the day of the ascent of the Holy Spirit in the Christian calendar, also symbolized by a dove. And so the narrative goes on, finding synchronicities of understanding at every turn.

216 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1988

Reviews

[Teresa]

The Dove in the Stone; Finding the Sacred in the Commonplace, is a sweet, contemplative book that centers around the author's spiritual musings while visiting Iona's historic religious sites. Alice O. Howell, who passed away in 2014, was, as noted on the back cover, "a pioneer in linking psychology with the traditional wisdom of the ages." The back cover also invites the reader to "Come Along on a Celtic Pilgrimage" which I did and very much enjoyed doing, having visited Iona myself one afternoon several years ago. In reading this delightful book, I was able to stay a while longer.

[Lisa Lucas]

The book is written in a way that Alice is able to add in interesting bits of information that might otherwise feel out of context. Yet, everything and every idea is connected and makes sense from the viewpoint of her life adventures and the spiritualty embraced during her experiences. For women interested in what can only be considered the third, and hopefully final, wave of "feminism", many of the ideas presented will provide for excellent conversation about the reason to return the feminine to our daily life and global experience.