Yearning for the Wind: Celtic Reflections on Nature and the Soul

by Tom Cowan, Sandra Ingerman (Foreword)

Throughout the ages, shamans and mystics have recognized that all created things share some level of consciousness, and that ordinary and nonordinary realities interact at some point. This book by a well-known Celtic American shaman explores those interactions and interconnected pathways, looking at the interdependence of our material life with our inner life and that of nature. Each chapter is a small window into the mysteries of nature and soul as they infuse daily life. Cowan draws on the teachings of medieval mystics, fairy legends, Celtic songs, present-day poets and seekers, Native American stories, and other traditions. From these strands he weaves a Celtic knot of spirit that is both beautiful and strong.

Genres: Spirituality, Nature, Paganism, Philosophy, Mysticism

208 pages, Paperback

First published May 1, 2003

Reviews

[James Stone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book and not just a book to be read through once, but to be kept around for regular reference. I used it as a daily reader and it will go into my rotation of books which I use when looking for inspiration or just something upon which to meditate. I am a shaman myself, have been practicing/studying for some twenty-five years now. While I find much help from readings from various cultures, my genetic heritage is Irish/Celtic and I consider myself a Celtic shaman.
I found this book most helpful in the dedication to the history of the Celts and Druids, not just in Ireland, Scotland and Wales, but even back to when the Celtic tribes moved from Eurasia to the west, conquering much of what is now Europe. For instance, learning that the Danube river is named for a Celtic Goddess was quite interesting, given its geographical location.
However, beyond the history, Tom Cowan gives us much to ponder about the connections between us all, especially our connections with the Earth. He offers a healthy sprinkling of rituals and meditations for the reader to try, which are very helpful.
What I like best is that he shows that humans are not alone, but are connected to all of Creation around us, and that living with a sense of that connection on a daily basis is a very spiritually healthy way to live. It is my belief that a healthy spirit means a healthy body and soul. Very good book with my high recommendation.

[Jamieson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. As I read this book, I began to get the feeling that I should climb to the top of a high mountain and speak the words into the wind, allowing them to be carried off and into the hears and hearts of the whole world. Tom Cowan's insightful, enlightening and sometimes funny perspective is fulfilling to read and offers many lessons we can learn if only we'd open up a bit and let the knowledge and passion in.
Yearning for the Wind is a collection of musings on different subjects, but each chapter flows perfectly into the next. The chapters are very short, rarely more than 3-4 pages, so this book is very easy to read in snippets without losing track of what Tom is discussing.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I recently counted, and I currently have 293 unread books on my shelves. Eek. Where do I even start? Decision making isn’t my strong suit, so this book was the pick of a random number generator online. Thanks, Google.

There’s a good chunk of Irish in my genes, or so I’m told, and in 2012 I bought this book thinking it’d be cool to learn more about the myths of my people. I was also going through a major ‘nature as God’ phase around that time. Maybe if I had read it in 2012 when my interest was piqued it would have been a better experience for me. Unfortunately it’s 2019 and I mostly found it a bit boring.

Tom Cowan seems like an intelligent guy who knows what he’s talking about, though, and there were some beautiful passages in this book related to the interconnectedness and divinity of all things (i.e. non-duality). And I certainly can’t blame the guy for my own ever-shifting intrigue…

So all that said, I’m going to go ahead and call this a respectable 3 out of 5 star read for me.

[Bridgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

A nice introduction to some Celtic (specifically Irish) beliefs and approaches to "God" and life. Includes some information on the mythology and how people today in Ireland carry on their traditions. It was easy and fun to read.

[Nan · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is absolutely my favorite book on Celtic pagan spirituality. (at least, so far.)

[Adrienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting essays. I enjoyed the author's stories and the prayers that were included.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A warm, wonderful book. Tom Cowan is a gifted storyteller, able to seamlessly weave together the past, the present and the liminal.
My second re-read although I often read a chapter here and there.

[Kevin Doherty · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've come to enjoy these spiritual meanderings on nature and living, and this book slots in between Mary Oliver's Upstream and John O'Donohue's Walking in Wonder.

I feel like everything in my life comes back to the central idea of this book, in Cowan's words: "Namely, that all things are connected, and twine around one another, and weave in and out of the many strands of life. One thing leads to another; everything folds back onto itself and onto all the rest. Nothing stands alone."

Ubuntu from the '08 Celtics, the whole supply chain obsession, e pluribus unum, concrete gratitude, solidarity, my appreciation for team basketball. Cowan begins with the motif of Celtic artwork, braided, entwined, knotted.

Beyond the spiritual rooting of my favorite idea, I enjoyed this book for its introduction into Irish mythology and the Irish language. Spent a lot of time this year teaching Greek and Egyptian mythology and it made me wonder why I didn't know my own mythology as well as I knew these alien mythologies.

Also, fun writing. "Or is God immanently present in the daily dripping and oozing of life on Earth...?" The daily dripping and oozing of life, that's what it's all about right there.

[Ponatshegelo Katlholo]

Every read is a reason to reflect. It is a reason to question how things are done. The call for connection with nature and or creation. It is the beginning of living. We live in a religious world. We experience religious war. It cannot be called spiritual wars. To be spiritual is to accept and or appreciate all of nature and know that we are different and we are of different expressions spiritually and beyond spirituality.

[Alexander · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book while traveling through Ireland, Scotland and England on a family vaca. It helped me feel a deeper connection to the landscape I was traveling through. The spiritual practices offered in this book are simple, easy to understand, not particularly demanding. I gained some great insights into Celtic spirituality.

[Audrey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lovely peek into what Celtic spirituality is all about. Amongst Tom’s personal spiritual journey are several passages of Druidic wisdom and excerpts from ancient texts that address the essential reconnection of our soul to nature. Highly recommend!

[Laura Mayer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciate the historical lens of Celtic spirituality used to illuminate the author's spiritual vignettes. Further, each chaper's idea is interwoven into the next creating a verbal Celtic knot of ideas.

[Sandra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful and inspiring lessons in Celtic Shamanism through stories of real life and mythology. Lovely. Just lovely.

[Alexandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Recently I've been feeling the need to re-immerse myself in the Celtic perspective, so this book is next in line... or in the stream.