In addition to family traditions, I've done a great deal of
research into ancient Irish culture and its belief systems, as
well as a variety of other traditions, including the mystery
religions, Tibetan, Egyptian, Greek, and Norse belief systems.
When examined in broader context, all of these have similar
core beliefs and even similar rites of passage that share the
essential elements of the one described in the book. After
doing the research I have sought out and experienced several
past-life regressions, but have not, given that the awakening
ceremony has as one element a near death experience, tried
that ritual.
Reincarnation figures prominently into the plot of the
novel. How important is this concept in Irish culture and
how do you feel most readers will respond to it?
I think most of the Irish would say that reincarnation has
nothing to do with Irish culture - on the surface. But this is
the interesting dichotomy in a culture that makes constant
reference to "old souls" and "other lifetimes". The Celtic
Church, including sects such as the Culdees, were different
than the rest of the Roman Catholic Church, and until the
tenth or eleventh century preached reincarnation among
other Druidic traditions. Even after the Celtic Church was
brought in line with the Roman rite, the culture outside of the
church paid respect to ancient beliefs that would seem to be in
contrast to the accepted religion, including an abiding belief in
ghosts, little people, curses, and the power of cultural memory,
which is a significant power in the book.
So while reincarnation is not part of mainstream Irish
culture, I believe the once prevalent belief is still underground,
like a hidden stream of water flowing beneath the surface. For
this reason, I do think it will resonate with most people on
some deeper level, and it's the reason I chose to tell the story
from the point of view of two grounded cynics who do not
have a belief in reincarnation. That, I believe, will be the point
of view most readers will have as well. All in all, I'm not sure
that readers need to believe in reincarnation in order to enjoy
the story, but I do hope that at the very least the novel makes
them consider how their world might be different if they did
believe in it.
In addition to the mystery, suspense, and Irish history
plot lines, Until the Next Time is also a love story.
I made a conscious decision when I decided to write a
novel about multiple lifetimes that at its core there needed
to be a love story. It wasn’t that there needed to be one for
storytelling purposes, but there did need to be one in order to
be realistic, for I believe there is at least one love story in every
lifetime, even if it is the story of a lost love, a doomed love, or
vengeance for a love denied. <next page> |
