The Song, the Sword, and the Star is a celebration of the magic, power, and poetry of the Celtic spirit. Featuring classic and never-before-published works from Ireland, Scotland, Cornwall, and Wales, this magnificent volume threads together the finest poetry, fables, fairy stories, and folk lore and lyrics from pre-Christian sources to contemporary bards such as Dylan Thomas and Van Morrison. Each work resonates with the ideas that we attribute to the Celts and tradition of the Druids -- the priesthood that formed the core of their beliefs. These texts are accompanied by more than 120 stunning illustrations including paintings, drawings, and photographs.Three sections form this journey through the key elements of Celtic thought. The Song reveals the Celts, deep and visceral connection with the earth. Spring, sacred places, and the rebirth of the land as well as the heart are the focus of this section. The sword chronicles Celtic heroes from Cuchulainn and Fionn to Gawain and Arthur. This section brings forth tales of adventure and personal transformation that come with maturity in mid-summer. The Star references the Celtic beliefs in reincarnation, shape-shifting, and shamanism. The Celts lived out their lives working with the rhythms of the earth as well as the stars and planets, recognizing that the apparent separateness of these bodies was illusory. The prophetic poetry of Yeats and Blake, the mysticism of George MacDonald, and the great Irish, stories of James Stephens all communicate the wisdom born of reflection found in the last season of the year.