The Keltiad Stories of Patricia Kennealy

Patricia Kennealy is the author of a beloved sci-fi book series centered on The Keltiad - Celtic star voyagers led by St. Brendan, who left earth when the christian St. Patrick cast out the "snakes" from Ireland.  These pagan people resettled in the Keltia star system, building a technologically advanced culture whose stories echo the Celtic mythology of old.  Three of the series are about Queen Aeron and are far and above my most cherished favorites:  The Copper Crown, The Throne of Scone and The Silver Branch.  Three others reframe the King Arthur myths while the final two Celtic tales stand alone.

Who knows why a particular story arouses such pleasure when read?  Is it the strong central female character of Aeron that draws me so close?  Published in the 1980's, I've read and re-read Aeron's story through the passing years.  She draws me into a tale that tells of an entire universe's transition through war and magic.  Aeron begins as a young Queen scarred by the personal use of magic to avenge the deaths of her family and ends the series as Empress of more than just the Keltiads.  She is a well developed soul surrounded by other richly drawn characters that both derive and surpass Celtic lore. 

There is one passage that resonates within my life`s journey.  In The Throne of Scone, Aeron visits the planet Kholco, home to the Salamandri lizard like folk.  To achieve an inheritance of lost gifts from the long dead Celtic King Arthur, she must walk upon a molten stream of lava.  She does so with the blessing of the Great Mother, and is renewed of spirit when the task is complete.  I imagine her in a stately procession walking unharmed over the lava, in communion with a greater entity.  Aeron`s soul arises from the heat and flames anew and ready for the next turn in the journey. 

The streets of New York City sometimes reflect similar conditions to that of molten lava and I`ve walked my fair share of them.  Transformed by the experience, the city has provided gifts hard won, such as family, friends, career and love.  Books are often more than the paper they are printed on or the digital screen they glow from.  They grown into friends and become part of a reader`s very matrix.  Used copies of Kennealy`s series are not impossible to find.  Good journey to you, if the Keltiad series entices you to settle in for a read.