The Three Candles of Little Veronica: The Story of a Child's Soul in This World and the Other

by Manfred Kyber

Who with the eye of reverence may discern
How crystals form within the soul of the Earth,
Watch in the quickening seed the clear flame burn,
In life see death, and in decay new birth ...
He who has found his kin in man and beast
And in that kinship God’s own Brotherhood,
At the High Table of the Grail shall feast,
Sup with the Lord of Love, taste holy food ...
He, seeking, finds (God’s promise shall suffice)
The pathway to forgotten Paradise. ― Manfred Kyber For generations, readers have loved this story and discovered its ability to guide us to the magic of nature and to a deeper understanding of human relationships and karma, reminding us of our responsibility to protect innocent creatures. The excellent translation and exquisite illustrations combine to produce a first-class edition that you will want to read, reread, and pass on to friends. More than any treatise on the environment, this book speaks to the reader’s heart and awakes a sense of caring and responsibility for the world around us. This is a remarkable and enduring story in the Grail tradition. The author begins with Veronica’s early youth, when she can see beyond the physical appearance of things and can converse with a hedgehog, a blackbird, and other residents in The Garden of Spirits. Accompanied by her cat Mutzeputz and guided by her wise Uncle Johannes, Veronica grows beyond innocence and into the life of the House of Shadows, the Baltic town of Halmar, the cursed Castle Irreloh, and the people whose destiny intersects hers. As the story unfolds, Veronica learns―through a playful elemental and with the help of Uncle Johannes Wanderer―that only a veil separates us from the spiritual world, “and it lifts more often than people today believe.” The events of joy and terror in her life lead her to a beautiful reconciliation with this duality and to true understanding of the meaning and mystery of the three candles that mark the turning points in her life. The writing style of The Three Candles of Little Veronica is unique and idiosyncratic. Kyber’s earnestness and deeply held spiritual values, as well as his profound concern for the wellbeing of animals, are evident throughout. His greatest wish was to open the hearts of readers drawn to his work. ∞ ∞ ∞ “A fortunate few carry with them through life the vision of the innocent years. The rest of us must work hard to retrieve the light that is so freely given to us at birth. But if, in reverence for all life, in patient observation, in sorrow, and in compassion, the veil of darkness falls from our eyes, then it is we who are the lucky ones. For in full consciousness we have reached back into Paradise before the Fall. We have earned that which every child inherits unearned.” ― Rosamond Reinhardt,  from the introduction

Genres: Religion, Fantasy

195 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1929

About the author

Manfred Kyber, born in Riga (then under Russian rule), grew up on his father's estate. He studied philosophy in Leipzig and later moved to Berlin, where he lived for ten years and published his first works. He lived in Löwenstein, Württemberg (southern Germany) since 1923. In addition to poems, a novel, plays, theater criticism and an introduction to occultism, he primarily wrote fairy tales and animal stories – partially humorous, partially serious – which, reminiscent of La Fontaine, humanize animals to a certain degree to convey their feelings and elaborate on philosophical questions. He became famous for his stories Unter Tieren (Among Animals). He was a pacifist and advocate of animals' rights. He died on March 10, 1933 in Löwenstein.

(Compiled by J. Beilharz, December 2001)

Reviews

[Loona · Rating 4 out of 5]

Midagi sellist ma küll oma baltisaksa kirjanduse kursusel lugeda ei oodanud, aga see oli väga positiivne üllatus. Ilmselt väga palju polüfooniat tekitav raamat, kuid minu maailmavaade ühtib suuresti autori omaga. Oli huvitav näha kirjapanduna seda, milles olen veendunud, kuid mida enda jaoks sõnastanud ei ole.

[KJP JACKSON-PETERSEN · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this novel sometime in High school. I have been searching for a copy so I can reread it with no luck.

[Ruben Mes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Prachtig boekje met grote hoeveelheid menging van pagan en christelijke denkbeelden.

Kyber schrijft nogal dwingend en stellig, terwijl hij over hele subtiele en tedere thema's spreekt. Ik kon echter zijn wereldbeeld daardoor slechts enkele keren echt waarderen. De sprookjes-achtige vertelling an sich waren wel 'mooi', met een simpele en mystieke ontknoping.

Dat het een boek over mystiek is vind ik mooi, maar de vormgeving en filosofie zelf zijn incongruent met mijn eigen spirituele zienswijze.

[Natasha 4E · Rating 5 out of 5]

I do not agree with all the ideas depicted in this story, but the nature based spirituality appealed to me very much. The book is like a faerie tale, but is never childish, and it touches some heavy subjects without ever becoming dark.

[Veronica · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book that one has to read multiple times. The life lessons are many but they are not portrayed as such. It is both simple and profound.

[Devin]

owenbroadcast rec

[Gregory Mcdonald · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my college English lit professor's all time favorite book. I wouldn't go that far,but it did have an affect on me. If you're a person of a religious/mystical nature then you really should give this one a go.

[Ruth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when I was little. I don't remember too much about it but I loved the illustrations.

[Fabian · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ein wunderschönes Buch, das mir, während ich es gelesen habe, das unbeschreiblich lebendige Gefühl der Kindheit zurückgebracht hat.

[Bianca Gubalke · Rating 5 out of 5]

An esotheric master piece of its time, The Three Candles of Little Veronica appears to be forgotten, but for everyone who ever read this beautiful multi-layered story the magic will always remain.

[Thorivee Iveenia · Rating 5 out of 5]

the book which changed my life entirely - met many who see all - with open eyes even - so - it is amazing and recommendable - and i reread it many times