Staff of Laurel Book Reviews

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“A fascinating, compelling, informative, thought-provoking, truly memorable study that will be
of immense interest to studies of Gaia representing a sentient planet Earth, Staff of Laurel, Staff
of Ash: Sacred Landscapes in Ancient Nature Myth by mythologist Dianna Rhyan is a welcome
and unreservedly recommended addition to personal, professional, community, and academic
library Metaphysical & New Age study collections and supplemental curriculum studies lists.” -
Julie Summers, Midwest Book Review

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“An inspirational collection of interwoven contemplations on landscape and myth; on
enchantment, disenchantment, and reenchantment. I strongly recommend it to anyone with an
interest in these themes. Rhyan draws strength from marginal and wild spaces; I see her as
making a great contribution to making "intensely alive myth"; visible once more.” -James Nichol,
contemplativeinquiry

“The writing is stunningly beautiful. There were many lines that caused me to make audible
gasping noises. The text is rich with ideas and inspiration – so rich that you need to read it
slowly, dipping in for a taste before surfacing to draw breath and contemplate it all….This is
very much a book for bards, with sacred inspiration infusing every page. It’s both inspiring, and
suggestive of ways in which we might want to explore our own craft and inspiration. For the
Druid, there is a great deal to think about philosophically around relationships with the land –
human and godly relationships alike. For anyone interested in the myths that come from the
lands around the Mediterranean, it’s a fascinating read. This is the sort of book that reads like a
spell. It may slip inside you, acting on you in ways that you cannot quite name. It is a spell of
falling in love with the land, and seeing the sacred in the world around us. This is a beautiful
book and like nothing else I have ever read.” -Nimue Brown and David Bridger, Druid Life

“An inspirational collection of interwoven contemplations on landscape and myth; on
enchantment, disenchantment and re-enchantment. I strongly recommend it to anyone with an
interest in these themes.” Nimue Brown, The Pagan and the Pen

“The writing is beautiful, evocative and peaceful. The knowledge that we as humans can never
be separated from our natural world is clear and these pages tell of the timelessness of that
bond.” -Christine B., Amazon

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“An absolutely beautiful, poignant, heart breaking and liberating piece of work. I do not haveadequate words to describe this, other than read it for yourself.” -Steven Davis, goodreads