Celtic Magic

Helen Scott Taylor

I’m a great lover of all things Celtic. As I live in England, I’m surrounded by ancient ruins and other Celtic memorabilia, so I’m in the ideal place to indulge my interest. I based the fantasy world of my Magic Knot Fairies’ series on Celtic mythology and have used areas rich in Celtic myth and legend to set my stories. I’ve had the pleasure of visiting Dublin and the Wicklow Mountains of Ireland where part of The Magic Knot is set, and Wales where part of The Phoenix Charm is set. This summer I spent two weeks visiting castles and other historic sites in Scotland to do research for my third book, The Ruby Kiss that will be out at the end of 2010.Two of the most beautiful aspects of Celtic heritage are the intricate symbols and designs. When I visited Ireland, I took a tour around an ancient monastery and graveyard. The place was magical, full of beautifully decorated Celtic crosses. We also have Celtic crosses on Dartmoor in South West England a few miles from where I live.

The shape of the Celtic Knot gave me the fundamental idea on which my Magic Knot Fairies’ fantasy world is based. In my series, The Magic Knot is a magical pendant similar to a Celtic Knot possessed by every person with fairy blood. The three linked rings symbolise mind, body, and spirit. Lovers give their Magic Knot into the safekeeping of their soul mate—the ultimate demonstration of trust and commitment that binds them together in mind, body, and spirit for life.

Celtic symbols also gave me story ideas in the second book, The Phoenix Charm. My heroine is a water nymph. She has a sensual allure that her family were ashamed of, so they made her hide her natural gift by binding it with Celtic symbols painted on her skin. My heroine Cordelia has six Celtic symbols drawn on her back and mirrored on her front. These cover the energy centers of her body (also known as chakras in traditional Indian medicine).

The Celtic symbol of the maze traditionally marks the entrance to the Underworld, so this appears in the book marking the entrance to the Welsh Fairy King’s domain, as in Welsh Celtic mythology, he is also King of the Underworld.

My favorite piece of jewelry is a Celtic cross set with abalone shell that I bought when I visited Ireland to research my first book, before it was published. I’m convinced the cross brings me luck. Do you have any jewelry or keepsake that you think brings you luck?

To find out more about my contemporary fantasy series and to read excerpts, please visit my website.

The Phoenix Charm Cover

He’s Pure Temptation.

Cordelia has sworn she’ll abstain from looking into Michael’s future—particularly when the image in the gilded smoke of her divination mirror shows him half naked. Yet she can’t resist watching the sexy rascal slowly running his hand down his ribs, over his abdomen, flicking open the button on his jeans with a little flourish like a magician performing a trick.

She’s Trying To Resist.

Respectable wise woman Cordelia restrains her secret water nymph sensuality with the Celtic symbols painted on her skin. But Michael’s powerful fairy glamour leaves her breathless, off balance, struggling for control. When Gwyn ap Nudd, the Welsh King of the Underworld, steals away Michael’s infant nephew, Cordelia must work with him to save the child. But how can she trust her instincts with Michael tempting her to explore the hidden elemental depths of her nature and insisting that she believe in the power of…The Phoenix Charm.

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceI have a novella linked to my Magic Knot Fairy world called The Feast of Beauty in The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance coming out in late January. This story is about the people of Lir the Irish Sea god.

The Feast of Beauty

Kate’s grandmother’s dying wish is that she should return her pearl pendant to the tiny fishing village in Ireland where she was born. At the village’s Midsummer Feast of Beauty, the unearthly silver hair and emerald eyes of Esras, the wealthy local landowner, mesmerize Kate. But how can she trust her heart to a man who claims to be a sea fairy king?

To read my free fantasy-romance short story, Jack’s Garden, visit the Dorchester website.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C8JvYC2ljzE[/youtube]

16 Responses to Celtic Magic

  1. Guestauthor

    Hi Carol,

    I do love being surrounded by all the history in the UK. I had a wonderful time in Scotland last summer. Well worth the visit if you get a chance.

    Helen

  2. Guestauthor

    Hi Stacey,

    Thanks for stopping by to read my blog!

    Helen

  3. Guestauthor

    Hi Linda,

    I’m looking forward to reading The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance as well. I haven’t seen any of the other stories yet. Should be fun.

    Helen

  4. Carol L.

    Hi Helen,
    I enjoyed this post very much. I love all things Celtic and I only wish I could get to Ireland and Scotland. I have your books on my TRL now. And waiting for “Mammoth Book Of Irish Romance’
    Carol L.
    Lucky4750@aol.com

  5. stacey smith

    I loved your post and can’t wait to get around to reading your books.I’m realy intrested in the Mammoth Book of Irish Romance thats coming out looks great.
    sasluvbooks(at)yahoo(dot)com

  6. Linda Henderson

    I’m not really big on jewelery but I have a mother/daughter ring that I cherish. I can’t wear it anymore, but I keep it in a special box. I have a preorder of the Mammoth Book Of Irish Romance that’s supposed to ship next week, I can’t wait to read it. I really enjoy anthologies. I discover a lot of new to me author’s that way.

  7. Guestauthor

    Hi Tracey,

    Thanks for stopping by to read my blog today.

    Helen

  8. Guestauthor

    Hi Diana,

    The Celtic knot ring sounds interesting. I have Celtic knot earrings that I wear when I do a book signing–or sometimes I wear fairies. Always gets a comment.

    Helen

  9. Tracey D

    I look forward in reading The Magic Knot and The Phoenix Charm.

  10. Diana Smith

    Interesting blog. I have a love for Celtic music and jewelry as well. I used to have this great Celtic cross necklace but I gave it to a friend that loved it as well for her 70th birthday. She was overwhelmed. I also have a Celtic knot ring with a malachite stone that a lot of people comment on. Thanks for the encite on your books. I have never read your book but will have to look for them because I love reading about Ireland. I am part Irish so always celebrate on that day with costumes and all. I have some great pics I could show you. HA! Thanks again. D

  11. Guestauthor

    Hi Mona,

    Lovely to see you here. I think Jade has the reputation for being lucky. My mom has a jade pendant from New Zeland.

    Helen

  12. Mona Risk

    Hi Helen,

    I love both the Magic Knot and Phoenic Charm. You taught me to enjoy paranormal romance. My favorite piece of jewelry is a jade pendant. I wore it everytime I had an editor appointment.

  13. Guestauthor

    Hi Pam S,

    I’m glad you enjoyed the post. I hope you enjoy The Phoenix Charm. I had a lot of fun writing Michael’s story.

    Helen

  14. Pam S

    Hi Helen,

    What a wonderful post! Thank you for sharing how your premise came about. I really enjoyed the Magic Knot and am looking forward to the Phoenix Charm!

  15. Guestauthor

    Hi Gayle,
    Tahitian black pearls sound unusual and lovely. What a wonderful gift. Pearls do have a soothing feel to them.

    Helen

  16. Gayle O

    I have a Tahitian Black Pearl necklace I wear all the time. My mother bought it for me 14 years ago and I believe it brings me good luck also. I am always rubbing it or touching it. It helps relieve my stress and seems to bring good when I hold it.

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