Book excerpt: Epona: Hidden Goddess of the Celts reflects the importance of gender in ancient religion, and the author explores the primacy of the Feminine through Epona's sovereignty as Horse Goddess among the Celts; her identity as "Mistress of Animals" in her love affairs and working relationships, and the surprising role she apparently played in the ancient Greek and Roman Mysteries. P.D. Mackenzie Cook's unique study of Epona positions her in a broad cross-cultural context. The story he presents is at the same time historical, speculative, and deeply personal - at once a scholarly survey, intriguing detective story, and spiritual message to be taken to heart. The author offers fresh and original perspectives on Epona's historical origins and her "birth" in human form. He explores her early presence in southern Italy; investigates her probable identity as "Macha" in Ireland and "Rhiannon" in Wales as well as her indirect influences on the ideals of chivalry and courtly love in the Middle Ages. We are then introduced to Epona's possible presence in a set of mysterious caves in the New World, and finally to her rediscovery by present-day equestrians, and in the personal lives and accounts of modern priestesses and men devoted to her. Written by someone whose "Celtic bones" resonate deeply with Epona, his talents as scholar, story-teller and poet-seer all contribute to this, the first full-length book in English devoted entirely to this fascinating Goddess. Epona: Hidden Goddess of the Celts is dedicated to the hidden goddess in every woman, and to men who genuinely love them in all their depth, complexity and nuance.