Seasoning the Soul: Images and Reflections with a Celtic Flavor to Bless Your Year
Eileen Knoff, D.Min., the editor of this work, is also one of the two dozen contributors to Seasoning the Soul from around the United States. They combine their work here to share thoughtful blessings, reflections, poetry, prayers and what has been called by one reviewer "stunning photography," all with a Celtic-Christian perspective on the year.    Eileen has been exploring her interest in Celtic-Christian spirituality since a pilgrimage to Ireland in 2008. After that event, she began doctoral studies in ministry and founded the Celtic-Christian community of Brigid's Circle, with an online and local presence. Most of the authors and photographers contributing to this book have participated over the last four years in this online circle. Eileen has served as a spiritual director for groups and individuals since 2001, when she graduated from Seattle University's pastoral theology program with a focus on transforming spirituality.  She was born near Detroit, Michigan (Mary Eileen Loeher) the youngest of three children of Charles and Grace McLaughlin Loeher. She graduated from the University of Michigan with a B.A. in English, married and traveled with her spouse across the country, earning an M.A. in literature from UC San Diego, then working as a teacher, freelance writer, and editor. She spent several years in the 1980s as managing editor for the Journal of Biocommunications at the University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio and afterward wrote freelance spiritual reflections for the publication Catholic Parent in the 1990s.  In Seasoning the Soul, Eileen combines her long-time interests in poetry, spirituality, and her appreciation of the earth's beauty with her growing attraction to the Celtic story, which is her heritage through her mother. She integrates this with her years of life as a Catholic in relationship with people of diverse religious backgrounds from diverse locations.  Eileen resides in Redmond, Washington. She enjoys keeping mind, body, and spirit fit with daily contemplative practice and physical exercise, including yoga, walking and swimming. She likes to travel and enjoys appreciating the beauty of the natural world with pen and camera in hand. Eileen hopes to continue writing poetry and serving as a support to encourage others in their own creative self-expression and soul journey.