My guest for this episode is psychologist and psychotherapist Michael Wilson, who joined me to discuss his recent book, Portals into Deep Imagination: Celtic Mythology, Nature’s Year, and the Quest for Soul.

The book is an anthology of weekly contemplations and practices for spirituality through the lens of psychology, inspired by the culture and mythology of the Celts in Britain and Ireland and their connection with nature.

Following the course of the Celtic year (beginning at Samhain), each weekly chapter offers tales and folklore from Celtic mythology, followed by a suggested practice of meditation and contemplation.

It explores the metaphor and symbolism contained in these myths and legends and shows how those themes can be used to examine the nature of the human mind and imagination and the relationship between them.

In the interview I begin by talking with Mike about his background and how the idea for the book came about. We discuss the structuring of the book around a yearly cycle and then our conversation broadens a little, exploring the importance of connecting with nature and the relationship between folklore, myth, the imagination, dreams and altered states.

You can find out more about Mike and his writing at https://www.michaelwilson.uk.com/. Portals into Deep Imagination: Celtic Mythology, Nature’s Year, and the Quest for Soul can be purchased from Aeon Books.

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The podcast theme music is by The Night Monitor, from his album, ‘Close Encounters of the Pennine Kind’. You can find out more about The Night Monitor's music at https://thenightmonitor.bandcamp.com/.