What if the ancient stories of Celtic saints weren’t just historical accounts but living symbols, offering us guidance for the challenges we face today? In this conversation with contemplative writer and spiritual director Justin Coutts, we’ll explore how the rich symbolism of the Celtic tradition intersects with the modern practice of Internal Family Systems (IFS). Justin, abbot of the online community In Search of a New Eden, invites us to contemplate the lives of saints like St. Brigid, St. Columbanus, and St. David of Wales—not for their historicity, but for the deep spiritual meanings they hold.

Drawing on his diverse spiritual background—including Canadian indigenous traditions, Quakerism, Wiccan, and Christianity—Justin reveals how these saints’ stories can serve as archetypes, illuminating parts of our inner selves. We’ll discuss how symbols like wolves, angels, and even the wilderness itself can offer powerful tools for healing and self-discovery, and how these stories can be used to navigate inner conflicts, trauma, and moral injury. We’ll also delve into the practice of consolation, detachment, and how these ancient teachings offer both comfort and challenge in a modern, fast-paced world.