Today I am delighted to have my dear Blog Sis, Colleen Chesebro over to tell us about her newest book, Fairies, Myths & Magic, part two!
Many thanks to you, Ritu, for the opportunity to share the news of my new
book, just in time for the winter solstice and Yule.
I often write about spirituality and faith in my poetry. In Fairies, Myths, & Magic II, I concentrated on some of the more mystical aspects of faith.
It’s not unusual for me to use the symbolism of a tree to represent a connection between the different cosmic zones. There is always an upper, middle, and lower level the mystic travels to arrive at a mystical revelation.
In the story poem “A Prayer to the Rowan Tree,” I share the legend of the Rowan tree as it connects to Paganism. It’s interesting how these myths and legends endure. The Rowan tree is still recognized as protection against witchcraft and enchantment.
The physical characteristics of the tree contribute to its protective reputation. If you examine a berry from the tree, you will see a small five- pointed star or pentagram on the bottom of the fruit. The pentagram is an ancient protective symbol.
(Image by H. Hach from Pixabay)
Another attribute of protection was the colour of the berries—red! Ancient people believed the vibrant red protected them against magic!
I’ll share the poem portion of the story “A Prayer to the Rowan Tree” here:
sacred rowan tree—
life-giver to all women
motherhood, birth, blood,
the fragility of life,
represents to us
protection and survival
under your abundant boughs
fleeting white blossoms
five-pointed starred red berries
start anew each spring
frail trees of the bleak highlands,
grows next to heaven
protects the living from the dead
no evil can enter here…
© Colleen M. Chesebro
Thanks so much, Ritu. I enjoyed spending time with you.
How lovely, Colleen! I had a chance to read an ARC of the book, and I will share my review, below.
My Review:
Fairies, Myths, & Magic II: Book 2: A Winter Celebration by Colleen M. Chesebro
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I thoroughly enjoyed reading Fairies, Myths & Magic book 2, as it brought a sprinkling of mysticism to the darkening nights.
Colleen Chesebro has woven her poetic verse and stories within recounts of various myths and legends, all things fae, and it won my heart!
The first story, about the changeling, was my favourite read. These things fascinate me, and if you are looking for something to add a little magic to your life, then you should really pick up a copy of this!
About the Book:
In this second book in the Fairies, Myths, & Magic series, step into a world
where dark fairies, and other magical beings converge in a collection of
poetry and short stories inspired by winter and the celebration of the winter
solstice.
From Autumn’s scary fairies to the forgotten female characters of Yule,
prepare to embrace the magical winter solstice myths from around the
world. Meet Frau Holle in the Wild Hunt, Befana—the Christmas Witch of
Italy, and the Japanese goddess Ameratasu who controls the springtime.
Prepare to embrace the Scottish trows, The Irish Goddess of Winter—the
Cailleach Béara, and Snegurochka—the Snow Girl.
Learn how to make Yuletide rituals part of your celebration by embracing the
symbols of Yule by decorating with evergreens and crystals.
Fairies, Myths, & Magic II Links:
Colleen’s Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Colleen-M-
Chesebro/e/B01N9MV2RX
Amazon Universal Link: https://mybook.to/FairiesMythsMagicII
About the Author:
An avid reader, Colleen M. Chesebro rekindled her love of writing poetry
after years spent working in the accounting industry. These days, she loves
crafting syllabic poetry, flash fiction, and creative fiction and nonfiction.
In addition to poetry books, Chesebro’s publishing career includes
participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and
poetry. She’s an avid supporter of her writing community on Word Craft
Poetry.com by organizing and sponsoring a weekly syllabic poetry challenge,
called #TankaTuesday, where participants experiment with traditional and
current forms of Japanese and American syllabic poetry.
Chesebro is an assistant editor of The Congress of the Rough Writers Flash
Fiction Anthology & Gitty Up Press, a micro-press founded by Charli Mills and
Carrot Ranch.
In January 2022, Colleen founded Unicorn Cats Publishing Services to assist
poets and authors in creating eBooks and print books for publication. In
addition, she creates affordable book covers for Kindle and print books.
Chesebro lives in the house of her dreams in mid-Michigan surrounded by
the Great Lakes with her husband and two (unicorn) cats, Chloe & Sophie.
Find Colleen here:
Word Craft Poetry: https://wordcraftpoetry.com
Colleen M. Chesebro, Author, Poet & Unicorn Cats Publishing Services:
https://colleenmchesebro.com
Facebook Page: Colleen M. Chesebro, Poet & Author:
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100085941528913
LinkedIn: https://linkedin.com/in/colleen-m-chesebro-6b856b237
But I Smile Anyway... 
Dec 14, 2022 @ 09:26:06
A lovely share and review for Colleen’s new book. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 14, 2022 @ 10:45:32
A great book 💛
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 14, 2022 @ 11:23:40
Thank you so much Ritu. Yes, it definitely is. 🙂 x
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Dec 16, 2022 @ 19:11:11
Thanks so much, Marje. 🥰
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 14, 2022 @ 06:46:41
Yeah, immediately I knew it was Colleen and that there’d be magic in it, I was sold.💖💖
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 14, 2022 @ 07:47:46
Absolutely!!!
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Dec 16, 2022 @ 19:12:50
Aww, thanks, Jude. You know I love magic. We need more magic every day in our lives. 🪄 🎄
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 13, 2022 @ 17:37:38
I enjoyed this poem very much. A great review and post, Ritu.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 13, 2022 @ 18:36:29
Thanks, Robbie. It’s a beautiful book 💛
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Dec 16, 2022 @ 19:14:18
I love the Rowan berries, Robbie. I was surprised to learn the lore behind them. xxoo
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Dec 13, 2022 @ 01:35:09
A great review, and congratulations, Colleen.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 13, 2022 @ 06:15:58
It’s a magical book, Jennie 💛
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 13, 2022 @ 22:29:49
Thanks, Ritu!
LikeLike
Dec 16, 2022 @ 19:15:07
Thank you, Jennie. Happy Solstice Blessings.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 17, 2022 @ 14:27:01
You’re welcome, Colleen. And, thank you.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 12, 2022 @ 04:24:16
A great book for the dark winter days, to get more light. Thanks for the great review on it, Sis! Best wishes, Michael
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 16, 2022 @ 19:15:52
Thanks for your support, Michael. Much appreciated.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 10, 2022 @ 13:57:43
Thank you for the review of Colleen’s book, Ritu. I’ve read the book and it’s one I’ll read again because it lends pure magic to the winter season.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 10, 2022 @ 13:59:58
It’s beautifully written 🥰
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 11, 2022 @ 00:54:14
Yes, it is, Ritu.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 10, 2022 @ 16:58:26
What a lovely thing to say, Franci. Thanks so much. xxoo
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Dec 11, 2022 @ 00:52:53
My pleasure, Colleen. 💫
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 23:01:02
Another lovely review!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 23:32:39
Its a lovely book 💛
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 11, 2022 @ 12:10:50
💙
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 10, 2022 @ 16:59:20
Thanks, Merril. ☺️
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 11, 2022 @ 12:04:26
You’re welcome.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 18:49:19
I also found “The Changeling” a fascinating story. I found the book very thought-provoking.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 18:53:18
It was a brilliantly written tale 🤗
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 18:59:33
Thanks, Sis. This was my first attempt at writing a scary fairy tale. I’m thrilled you enjoyed it.
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 18:58:40
Liz, I’m interested in Irish fairy lore so I drew from those mythologies. The stories are quite interesting. There is always the dark and the light in the fairy queen courts. The changeling stories are often disturbing. Here’s an interesting link: https://www.irishpost.com/life-style/exploring-the-irish-mythology-changelings-170347
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 19:44:46
I just read the article about the disturbing origins of changeling lore.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 20:25:28
Look up Bridget Cleary. It’s a true story! This is how ingrained fairy lore was in Ireland.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 23:06:13
I just read an article about her. How utterly dreadful!
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Dec 10, 2022 @ 16:24:24
Absolutely… People were much more cruel in those days.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 17:41:14
I didn’t know that red was thought to be a protection from magic. Interesting. The rowan looks like my pyracantha, and I see they are both in the same family.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 17:44:06
It’s so good to learn things like that!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 19:06:37
The Rowan tree in North America is called the Mountain Ash. We had one when I was a child in our front yard. In the Autumn, the berries turned a brilliant reddish orange. Yes, holly sports red berries, and the ancient people believed the plant protected them from evil spirits.
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 15:10:56
It certainly sounds interesting, Colleen…Happy Yule xx
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 19:08:33
Thanks, Carol. ❤️
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 14:57:23
Ritu, thank you again for the opportunity to share Fairies, Myths, & Magic II with you and your readers. Happy Yuletide blessings all! 🎄
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 17:34:59
Bless ing sto you, my dear Sis ❤
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 19:16:37
🙏🏻❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 14:46:32
I like this. Splendid for the gift giving of any season. Xoxo thanks for sharing.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 15:00:57
Thanks Selma. I worked hard to get the book ready for a December 1st release. The first book is dedicated to the summer solstice, and this second book to the winter solstice. I think I’ve found plenty of magic to share. Happy Yule, my dear friend. 🎄
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 17:34:21
It really would be!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 14:37:52
Congratulations on the new book, dear Colleen 💖
Thank you, sis, for hosting our Colleen and leaving a review of the book.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 15:01:43
Thanks so much, Erika. Happy Yule to you. 🎄
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 15:14:45
💖To you too, dear 💖
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 17:34:05
Always a pleasure to be there for my fellow Blogily!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 20:03:07
💖💖
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 14:06:32
Congratulations, Colleen! I really want to read this. Great review, Ritu.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 14:33:25
Thanks, Kymber. You love poetry so this might be a good read for you.
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 17:33:49
You’ll enjoy it Kymber!
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 14:02:56
Amazing and so awesome post dear Ritu!😉👍
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 14:33:55
Thanks for reading, Yaksh.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 09, 2022 @ 16:29:20
My pleasure dear Collen! Please do visit my page also.
Have a nice day Dear💕🤗
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 17:33:36
Thank you Yaksh!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 10, 2022 @ 11:23:38
My pleasure dear friend! Please do visit my page also and share your reviews so That I can also improve myself Dear Ritu!
Have a nice day🤗💕🌹
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 19:12:10
You have a beautiful blog. It’s good to meet you. 🙏🏻❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 10, 2022 @ 11:24:17
Thank you so much Dear Colleen! This really means a lot to me.
Have a nice day🤗💕🌹
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 10, 2022 @ 16:15:32
You’re so welcome. ❤️
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 11, 2022 @ 03:17:32
🤗🙏
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 13:12:27
Great to see Colleen here, Ritu, and a wonderful review that captures the magic of the book. I remember that poem, Colleen, and enjoyed the extra bit of information about the tree. I have a rowan in my yard (of a tree from the same family). I’ll have to look for the pentagram then next time it fruits). Great read! Hugs to you both.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 14:38:12
Thanks, Diana. I grew up with a Mountain Ash tree. I loved those red-orange berries. It was years later I discovered the lore about the berries and the pentagram. At Yule, it’s not uncommon to see the pentagram decorated with holly, as both are symbols of protection. It was amazing to see these ancient myths have such an everlasting effect on our holiday traditions.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dec 10, 2022 @ 14:29:26
Maybe that’s what my tree is. I’ll have to investigate this summer. 🙂
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Dec 10, 2022 @ 15:53:20
Mountain Ash are beautifl trees.
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 17:33:15
It is a wonderfully informative and magical little book!
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 13:09:43
💜
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 10:45:08
Have downloaded it.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 14:39:55
Thanks so much! I love the Yule season and the significance of the winter solstice as a new beginning for a new year. Happy Yule, my friend. 🌲
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 10:40:49
This sounds good.I am fascinated myself by the Fae and the pre- Christian beliefs that really have permeated our psyche and persisted in the most amazing way despite all the revolutions of every type since then. It is all very deep-rooted and I think that’s because archetypal truths are embedded within this worldview. I tried to make use of the Fae and the laws surrounding them in my new novel ‘Director’s Cut’, with the appearance of a supernatural being from that other world.
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 11:53:55
You’ll love this, then 💛
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 14:48:10
You love the same things I do! My research confirms your belief that we embedded many Pagan pre-Christian archetypal truths within our worldview. As Christianity spread, the leaders of the church found the Pagan beliefs so ingrained into the beliefs of the people. So they portrayed the female goddesses as fairy godmothers, etc. Some of the forgotten women of Yule became saints. It was easier to make the myths part of the plan than to fight against it. I’m interested in your books. I’ll look you up on Amazon.com. Thanks so much. 🎄
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 09:58:55
wonderful, wonderful. this is beautiful and I love the solstice myths
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 11:53:31
It’s wonderful 💛
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 14:49:39
Beth, thanks so much. I embraced the forgotten female figures of Yule in this book. Happy Yule! 🎄
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 09:46:00
This is my Christmas present to myself…
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 11:53:13
It’s a great present x
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 19:33:59
Only the best for my reading, Ritu…
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 14:51:00
Thanks so much, Jaye and Anita. I think you will enjoy the myths. Happy Yule. Hugs to you and Anita. 🎄
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Dec 10, 2022 @ 07:35:02
Myths are our favourite things!
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Dec 10, 2022 @ 16:17:30
I agree! 🎄
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 05:29:47
A magical read, indeed!
LikeLiked by 5 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 06:05:08
It’s lovely, isn’t it, Sis? 😊
LikeLiked by 4 people
Dec 09, 2022 @ 14:51:47
Thanks so much, Annette. I’m glad you enjoyed. Happy Yule! 🎄
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 05:26:06
Congratulations, Colleen, the cover is beautiful as I’m sure are your poems and stories the solstice myths have always held a fascination for me xx
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 06:04:38
It’s a fascinating book, and beautifully written 😊
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 14:56:15
Thanks so much, Ritu. I appreciate the space to visit and your lovely review. You’re amazing! 🎄
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 09, 2022 @ 17:34:45
Always here for you my dear Blog Sis ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dec 09, 2022 @ 19:17:10
I know, and the same goes for me with you. ❤️
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Dec 09, 2022 @ 14:55:08
Thanks so much Carol. I slipped down the rabbit hole of research for a while with this book. It was so interesting! I loved the forgotten women of Yule. In our past, there were some dark myths surrounding winter. Many of those are long forgotten, but I shared a few. Happy Yule. 🎄
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