{"id":24958,"date":"2021-10-01T01:10:28","date_gmt":"2021-10-01T05:10:28","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/?p=24958"},"modified":"2021-09-28T12:04:05","modified_gmt":"2021-09-28T16:04:05","slug":"book-review-the-last-ecstasy-of-life-by-phyllida-anam-aire","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/2021\/10\/01\/book-review-the-last-ecstasy-of-life-by-phyllida-anam-aire\/","title":{"rendered":"Book Review – The Last Ecstasy of Life: Celtic Mysteries of Death and Dying by Phyllida Anam-Aire"},"content":{"rendered":"

Book <\/span>R<\/span>eview<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

The Last Ecstasy of Life<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Celtic Mysteries of Death and Dying<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

b<\/span>y <\/span>Phyllida Anam-Aire<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Publisher: Findhorn Press<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Pages: 176<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

Publication: July <\/span>20, <\/span>2021<\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/h1>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\u201cTime and space are gifts of birth<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Timelessness and spacelessness are gifts of death<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

We move and dance between the two<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

Like children playing in fields of corn\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

These lines from a poem by Phyllida Anam-\u00c1ire preceding the table of contents opens the door to a deep dive into the mysteries of death and dying. Knowledge from her early near-death experience, Phyllida Anam-\u00c1ire, a former nun, becomes a spiritual midwife, using her Celtic heritage to explain the sacred stages of transitioning. In the Celtic tradition, dying is considered an act of birthing. Phyllida follows the soul\u2019s journey, as consciousness passes from this life to the next. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

The compassion and sensitivity in her writing \u2013 as she shares her own experiences, and understanding of living, dying, and the continuum of life in and out of physical form \u2013 is capable of overcoming a fear of death so that it might be life\u2019s last ecstasy. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Chapters are organized by topic, from the long journey to embodiment to dying as preparation for future living. Information ranges from the cellular to the auric levels. After explaining what happens as each element leaves the body are several paragraphs on how to help the dying person through that experience. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe Last Ecstasy of Life\u201d emphasizes how shadow work, integrating past wounds and emotions, and healing our ancestry allows us to facilitate the ecstatic transition into the next life, meeting death fully conscious, at peace, and ready. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Phyllida\u2019s poems, blessings, and visualizations are throughout the book. In the back is a series of questions she\u2019s been asked about death and helping the dying, along with several pages of Celtic blessings and poems. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I found this book informative, comforting, and supportive. While I knew in theory that dying was as natural as birthing, this book reaffirmed that and went on to explain why and how. I learned how to be a better witness and honor this sacred passage. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

I\u2019d recommend \u201cThe Last Ecstasy of Life\u201d to anyone in the process of dying, along with family, friends, caregivers, and supporters. <\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Phyllida Anam-\u00c1ire, a former Irish nun and therapist, who trained with Elisabeth K\u00fcbler-Ross, has worked extensively with the sick and dying. She offers talks and \u201cConscious Living, Conscious Dying\u201d retreats, and teaches Irish mourning songs. Phyllida lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. With more than six books to her name, her next one \u2013 \u201cA Celtic Book of Dying: The Path of Love in the Time of Transition\u201d \u2013 is due out February 2022.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

The Last Ecstasy of Life: Celtic Mysteries of Death and Dying on Amazon<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

About the Author:<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Lynn Woike<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

thewitchonwheels.com<\/b><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

All my life I have known magic was real. As a child, I played with the fae, established relationships with trees and \u201cjust knew things.\u201d In my maiden years I discovered witchcraft and dabbled in the black-candles-and-cemeteries-at-midnight-on-a-fullmoon magick just enough to realize I did not understand its power. I went on to explore many practices including Zen, astrology, color therapy, native traditions, tarot, herbs, candle magic, gems, and, as I moved into my mother years, Buddhism, the Kabbalah and Reiki. The first man I dated after my divorce was a witch who reintroduced me to the Craft, this time by way of the Goddess. For 11 years I was in a coven, but with retirement, I have returned to an eclectic solitary practice. When accepting the mantle of crone, I pledged to serve and teach. This is what I do from my skoolie \u2013 a 30-year-old school bus converted into a tiny house on wheels that I am driving around the country, following 72-degree weather, emerging myself into nature, and sharing magic with those I meet. Find me at <\/span><\/span><\/span>thewitchonwheels.com<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a>, Facebook and Instagram.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Book Review The Last Ecstasy of Life Celtic Mysteries of Death and Dying by Phyllida Anam-Aire Publisher: Findhorn Press Pages: 176 Publication: July 20, 2021     \u201cTime and space are gifts of birth Timelessness and spacelessness are gifts of death We move and dance between the two Like children playing in fields of corn\u201d These lines from a poem by Phyllida Anam-\u00c1ire preceding the table of contents opens the door to a deep dive into the mysteries of death and dying. Knowledge from her early near-death experience, Phyllida Anam-\u00c1ire, a former nun, becomes a spiritual midwife, using her Celtic heritage to explain the sacred stages of transitioning. In the Celtic tradition, dying is considered an act of birthing. Phyllida follows the soul\u2019s journey, as consciousness passes from this life to the next. The compassion and sensitivity in her writing \u2013 as she shares her own experiences, and understanding of living, dying, and the continuum of life in and out of physical form \u2013 is capable of overcoming a fear of death so that it might be life\u2019s last ecstasy. Chapters are organized by topic, from the long journey to embodiment to dying as preparation for future living. Information ranges from the cellular to the auric levels. After explaining what happens as each element leaves the body are several paragraphs on how to help the dying person through that experience. \u201cThe Last Ecstasy of Life\u201d emphasizes how shadow work, integrating past wounds and emotions, and healing our ancestry allows us to facilitate the ecstatic transition into the next life, meeting death fully conscious, at peace, and ready. Phyllida\u2019s poems, blessings, and visualizations are throughout the book. In the back is a series of questions she\u2019s been asked about death and helping the dying, along with several pages of Celtic blessings and poems. I found this book informative, comforting, and supportive. While I knew in theory that dying was as natural as birthing, this book reaffirmed that and went on to explain why and how. I learned how to be a better witness and honor this sacred passage. I\u2019d recommend \u201cThe Last Ecstasy of Life\u201d to anyone in the process of dying, along with family, friends, caregivers, and supporters. Phyllida Anam-\u00c1ire, a former Irish nun and therapist, who trained with Elisabeth K\u00fcbler-Ross, has worked extensively with the sick and dying. She offers talks and \u201cConscious Living, Conscious Dying\u201d retreats, and teaches Irish mourning songs. Phyllida lives in Edinburgh, Scotland. With more than six books to her name, her next one \u2013 \u201cA Celtic Book of Dying: The Path of Love in the Time of Transition\u201d \u2013 is due out February 2022.   The Last Ecstasy of Life: Celtic Mysteries of Death and Dying on Amazon   *** About the Author: Lynn Woike thewitchonwheels.com All my life I have known magic was real. As a child, I played with the fae, established relationships with trees and \u201cjust knew things.\u201d In my maiden years I discovered witchcraft and dabbled in the black-candles-and-cemeteries-at-midnight-on-a-fullmoon magick just enough to realize I did not understand its power. I went on to explore many practices including Zen, astrology, color therapy, native traditions, tarot, herbs, candle magic, gems, and, as I moved into my mother years, Buddhism, the Kabbalah and Reiki. The first man I dated after my divorce was a witch who reintroduced me to the Craft, this time by way of the Goddess. For 11 years I was in a coven, but with retirement, I have returned to an eclectic solitary practice. When accepting the mantle of crone, I pledged to serve and teach. This is what I do from my skoolie \u2013 a 30-year-old school bus converted into a tiny house on wheels that I am driving around the country, following 72-degree weather, emerging myself into nature, and sharing magic with those I meet. Find me at thewitchonwheels.com, Facebook and Instagram.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":210,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"iawp_total_views":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[10005],"tags":[10346,10095,13442,13443,10075,13441],"class_list":["post-24958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews","tag-author","tag-book","tag-celtic-mysteries-of-death-and-dying","tag-phyllida-anam-aire","tag-review","tag-the-last-ecstasy-of-life"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24958","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/210"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=24958"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24958\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":24962,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/24958\/revisions\/24962"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=24958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=24958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/paganpages.org\/emagazine\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=24958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}