Sacred Wells is an in depth study of springs, wells and waters that have been venerated from California to Cornwall, Russia to Australia.
Tales of faeries, black hounds, hauntings and miraculous cures are explored. Many of these sites are still locations for religious festivals and ritual, unchanging for hundreds of years.
This book is a welcome addition to the scant literature concerning holy wells, springs, and rivers around the world, one of just a few serious works outside of regional studies which discusses, in depth, the folklore, mythology, and archaeology of holy wells and springs, as well as rituals that still exist today at many of the sacred water sites around the world. Sacred Wells is a fascinating look at the continuation of ancient pagan traditions into modern culture. Many of these water sources, from California to Cornwall and from Estonia to Australia, are still frequented for their miraculous healing powers. Mysterious beasts, ghosts, fairies, and gods are still believed to reside in and near these holy areas. This study examines the universal appeal of these sites and provides an excellent reference for anyone interested in folklore, history, and the development of religion.

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