CELTIC GODS AND GODDESSES
celtic culture
At the present time, every aspect of Celtic culture is a very visible part of a multicultural world. Everyone whose family roots lie in central, western and northwestern Europe has a Celtic connection of some sort. Celtic culture is very ancient. It goes back over 2,700 years, yet it is still a living force in the modern world, through Celtic art, Celtic music, Celtic writing, and Celtic spirituality. This is because the civilization of the Celts has continued without break over the centuries. This unbroken tradition can be experienced in the oldest literature from Northern Europe, that is in the Welsh and Irish languages. The earliest Welsh and Irish writings preserve the ancient Celtic world-view that is nature venerating and poetic,where the spiritual and the material worlds come together to enrich one another.
Throughout history, the Celtic tradition and belief has not remained static, but has continuously developed and progressed in keeping with the times. In ancient days, the early beliefs of the Celts were taken over and reformed by the Druids, who in turn were influenced by Roman religion. In time, this was transformed by Crhistianity in the form of the Celtic Church, that was not a break with tradition, but a continuation of the Celtic essence in a new form.
Because what we call Celtic culture has existed for more than 2,700 years, and has ranged across much of central and northwestern Europe, it is not easy to define in simple terms. People who need clear definitions of everything find that the Celts are a difficult case. Read on for more history of their origins, society life, and spirituality.
celtic deities
A
Achtland Addanc Adsullata Aerten Agrona Aife Aimend Albion Amaethaon Ambisagrus Andarta Andraste Arawen Ard Greimme Ardwinna Ariadne Arianrhod Arnamentia Avagdu Aveta
B
Badb Barinthus Belatucadros Beli Belisama Bellona Bendigeid Vran Bladud Blodeuwedd Borvo Bran Branwen Brid Brigantia Britannia
C
Caileach, The Camulos Carlin Cathubodua Cernunnos Cerridwen Cliodna Clota Cocidius Condwiramur Condatis Corchen Corra Coventina Cred Creddylad Crone,The Cauth Bodva Cunedda Cyhiraeth Cymidei Cymeinfoll Cythrawl
D-F
Dahud-Ahes Damara Damona Deae Matres Dia Greine Dispater Divona Don Druantia Dwyvach Dwyvan Dylan
Elphame, Queen of Eostre Epona Epos Olloatir Erce Esus
Fisher King, The
G-I
Goewin Goibniu/Govannan Goleuddyeld Govannon Grannos Green Man, The Guinevere, Queen Gwyddion Gwyddno Gwyn Ap Nuad Gwythur Ap Gwreudawl
Habetrot Habondia Harimella Havgan Henwen Herne Holly King and Oak King Horned God,The Hu the Mighty
L-M
Lady of the Lake Latis LeFay Leucetios" Litavis Llevelys Llew Llud Llyr Lugh
Mabon Magog MacKay Mala Liath Manannan Mandred Maponos Marcia Proba Margause Math Ap Mathonwy Mathonwy Melusine Melwas Moccus Modron Morgan LeFay Morgay Morrigan, The Muireartach Murigen Mullo Myrddin Wyllt
N-P
Nantosuelta Nechtan Nehalennia Nemetona Nicevenn Nimue Nudons Nwyvre
Oanuava Oghma Olwen Ostara
Pryderi Pwyll
R-S
Ratis Rhiannon Robin Goodfellow Rosmerta Rudiobus
Scathach Scota Segomo Sequana Shoney Sirona Smertrios Somhlth Soucana Stine Bheag O'Tarbat Sucellos Sulis
T-W
Taliesin Tamara Tamesis Tannus Taranis Tarvis Trigaraunos Teutates Teyrnon Triduana Triple Goddess, The
Uathach Urien Uroica
Vivenne
Wachilt Wayland the Smith
Tony's Celtic Music Page
sorry but i so had to put this on the page it's so funny! 1. Do not walk behind me, for I may not lead. Do not walk ahead of me, for I may not follow. Do not walk beside me for the path is narrow. In fact, just fuck off and leave me alone.
2. The journey of a thousand miles begins with a broken fan belt and a flat tire.
3. The darkest hour is just before dawn. So if you're going to steal your neighbour's milk, that's the time to do it.
4. Sex is like air. It's not important unless you aren't getting any.
5. Don't be irreplaceable. If you can't be replaced, you can't be promoted.
6. No one is listening until you fart.
7. Always remember you're unique. Just like everyone else.
8. Never test the depth of the water with both feet.
9. If you think nobody cares whether you're alive or dead, try missing a couple of mortgage payments.
10. Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes. That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.
11. If at first you don't succeed, skydiving is not for you.
12. Give a man a fish and he will eat for a day. Teach him how to fish, and he will sit in a boat and drink beer all day.
13. If you lend someone £20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
14. If you tell the truth, you don't have to remember anything.
15. Some days you are the bug; some days you are the windshield.
16. Don't worry; it only seems kinky the first time.
17. Good judgment comes from bad experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.
18. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it in half and put it back in your pocket.
19. A closed mouth gathers no foot.
20. Duct tape is like the Force. It has a light side and a dark side, and it holds the universe together.
21. There are two theories to arguing with women. Neither one works.
22. Generally speaking, you aren't learning much when your lips are moving.
23. Experience is something you don't get until just after you need it.
rune magick
tarot lessons
Learning the Tarot - An On-line Course
Welcome to Learning the Tarot - my course on how to read the tarot cards. The tarot is a deck of 78 picture cards that has been used for centuries to reveal hidden truths. In the past few years, interest in the tarot has grown tremendously. More and more people are seeking ways to blend inner and outer realities so they can live their lives more creatively. They have discovered in the tarot a powerful tool for personal growth and insight.
How Does This Course Work?
My main purpose in this course is to show you how to use the cards for yourself. The tarot can help you understand yourself better and teach you how to tap your inner resources more confidently. You do not have to have "psychic powers" to use the tarot successfully. All you need is the willingness to honor and develop your natural intuition.
Learning the Tarot is a self-paced series of 19 lessons that begin with the basics and then move gradually into more detailed aspects of the tarot. These lessons are geared toward beginners, but experienced tarot users will find some useful ideas and techniques as well. For each lesson there are some exercises that reinforce the ideas presented. The Cards section contains information about each of the tarot cards. You can refer to this section as you go through the lessons and later as you continue your practice. These are the main features of the course, but there are many other pages to explore here as well.
What is the History of this Course?
I began writing this course in 1989. I had been studying the tarot for some years, and I found that I was developing some ideas about the cards and how they could be used as a tool for inner guidance. In October 1995, I created this website. In October 1998, Learning the Tarot was published as a paperback.
My experience with the cards is in doing readings for myself, friends, relatives and acquaintances...probably the kind of tarot you are interested in. The tarot cards are not difficult to learn, but there is always more to them that can be learned. They are deceptively simple, but surprisingly rich.
What Is Needed For the Course?
The only real requirement for this course is a tarot deck. If you don't have a deck, read through my comments on buying your first deck and then browse through my Tarot Deck Section. There are many choices. The on-line version of Learning the Tarot is illustrated with the popular Rider-Waite deck. This is a good deck to start with because there are pictures on every card which helps when you are learning. If you already have a different 78 card deck, you may use it with the course. The principles of tarot work are much the same no matter what deck you use. You can buy tarot decks in many places now. Bookstores often carry them, and many internet sites offer a variety of tarot decks for sale. If you have trouble finding a deck in your area, you can order one from me.
How Can I Take This Course?
Internet: You can use this course while connected to the Internet, just as you are now. The course is free, but please read the copyright message first. When you're ready, go to the contents page and begin exploring!
At Home: You can download the course to your own computer for personal use at home (while not connected to the Internet). You can also order Learning the Tarot from me in paperback or purchase the book from a local or on-line bookstore.
I hope you're intrigued enough to try this course. If you're still not sure, read Lesson 1. I think you will find Learning the Tarot interesting at least, and perhaps the tool you have been looking for to develop your unrealized potential.
Have fun and good luck!
more on the celtic ways
celtic tree calendar
The Moon is humanity's oldest calendar. Evidence of ancient peoples keeping time by the phases of the moon have been found carved into rocks and cave walls the world over. The famous tree calendar of the Celts was such a time-keeping device, and, like other tribal cultures, the Celts found names and associations for their moon which were developed and codified over many years of ritual and experimentation. Each moon phase was assigned a corresponding tree, each tree being sacred to either feminine energy and to the Goddess, or to masculine energy and to the God. The lunar tree calendar of the Celts has long been a source of controversy amont Celtic scholars. Some even claim it was never a part of the old Celtic world, but was an invention of author/researcher Robert Graves. The Druids are generally given credit by other researchers for creating this system. There seems to be no scholarly evidence to prove otherwise, yet many Celtic Pagans feel that the system pre-dates the time of Druidic influence over Celtic religious matters. It is probably reasonable to believe that the truth lies somewhere in between these three extremes. It is most likely that the tree system was in place, with minor regional variations before the time of the Druids who experimented with it, discovered the magickal properties of each tree, and codified all the information into the system we have today. The trees the Druids selected for the thirteen months were already trees which were sources of magick and myth in Celtic folklore. Several of the trees are said to be attractive to faery folk, and others were sources of magick herbs or medicines. Today the counting of the Celtic tree calendar begins with the full moon nearest Yule. Perhaps it once began with the full moon nearest Samhain since, until the influence of the Norse, Samhain marked the beginning of the Celtic New Year. When you have pinpointed the full moon closest to Yule, count off the thirteen moons of the lunar year and mark them with their Tree Calendar names.*
|
|
|
|
|
|
MOON NAME |
POLARITY |
NICKNAMES |
MAGICKAL PROPERTIES |
|
Birch Moon |
Feminine |
Moon of Inception; Moon of Beginning |
Protection of children; purification; creativity |
Rowan Moon |
Masculine |
Moon of Vision; Spirit Moon; Astral Travel Moon |
Healing; Personal Empowerment; Divination |
Ash Moon |
Feminine |
Moon of Waters |
Prosperity; Protection; Healing |
Alder Moon |
Masculine |
Moon of Utility; Moon of Efficacy; Moonof Self-Guidance |
Spirituality; Teaching; Weather magick; Duty; Mental Prowess; |
Willow Moon |
Feminine |
The Witches' Moon; Moon of Balance |
Romantic Love; Healing; Protection; Fertility; Magick for Women |
Hawthorn Moon |
Masculine |
Moon of Restraint; Moonof Hindrance; Summer Moon |
Fertility; Peace; Prosperity; Binding |
Oak Moon |
Masculine |
Moon of Strength; Moon of Security; Bear Moon |
All positive purposes; Magick for Men; Fidelity |
Holly Moon |
Feminine |
Moon of Encirclement; Moon of Polarity |
Protection; Prophecy; Magick for Animals; Sex Magick |
Hazel Moon |
Feminine |
Moon of the Wise; Crone Moon |
Manifestiation; Spirit Contact; Protection; Fertility |
Vine Moon |
Androgynous |
Moon of Celebration |
(Property dependent on the type of vine) Blackberry - Prosperity; Protection; Sacred to Brid Blueberry - Spirituality; Dream Magick Grape - Fertility; Inspiration; Prosperity; Binding Thistle - Courage; Protection; Strength |
Ivy Moon |
Masculine |
Moon of Buoyancy; Moon of Resilience |
Healing; Protection; Cooperation; Exorcism |
Reed Moon |
Feminine |
Moon of the Home; Hearth Moon; Winter Moon; Moon which Manifests Truth |
Fertility; Protection; Love; Family Concerns |
Elder Moon |
Masculine |
Moon of Completeness |
Exorcism; Prosperity; Banishing; Healing |
Celtic Paganism has many different expressions and each of these expressions constitute a tradition in itself. It is misleading to simply call oneself Celtic without a further study into what that means. The term "Celtic" spans at least 8 countries. Although no one can pinpoint where the Celts actually came from, there are many historical findings and artifacts to prove where they eventually ended up. The first distinctly "Celtic" culture is believed to have been born circa 800 B.C.E. By the sixth century they had expanded into what are now the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Austria, as well as Belgium, the Netherlands and all of northeastern France from Normandy to the Alps. Three centuries later they occupied the rest of France, crossed the English Channel to Britain and Ireland, and occupied the western half of the Iberian Peninsula. In 387 B.C.E. the Celts invaded Rome and held it for 7 months, leaving only after being debilitated by an epidemic, although not so debilitated that they didn't exact a huge payment from the Romans for the privelege of seeing them go! Almost a century later, the Celts invaded Greece and sacked Delphi, removing a large hoard of gold. Even Alexander the Great found it prudent to form an alliance with the people whom the Greeks called the "Keltoi" or "Galatai". As with all conquering societies, even when they withdrew from a region part of their heritage and personality was inevitably left behind.
So you see, claiming to be Celtic can mean any number of traditions. Following is a listing of some -certainly not all- of the many traditions that are in some way Celtic. On this page I've listed some of the more prominent Celtic Traditions in the Pagan Community. Most of the listings are followed by web sites where you may go to learn more if you so desire. Obviously it would be impossible to list all the Traditions that are in some way Celtic, what I've done here is include the ones that seem to have the most impact on the most people. If I've overlooked any please let me know!
|
|
|
|
Celtic Reconstructionalists Celtic Shamanism Celtic Traditionalism Celtic Witan Church Druidry Faery Faith Pecti-Wita Welsh Cymry Faith Witta Y Tylwyth Teg
|
|
|
Celtic Witan Church: "A legally incorporated church and religious organization formed for the study and practice of the goddess-oriented nature-based religion of the ancient Celtic peoples. This is a fertility religion concerned with all aspects of prosperity, growth, abundance, creativity, and healing. The Church honors the Celtic deities with full moon rituals and sabbat festivals. There are many open rituals and training programs. An associated congregation is MoonDance Coven with a monthly newsletter,MoonDance News." (Source of quote unknown, it appears on several sites with no credit given, please email me if you know the author.)
Address: The Celtic Witan Church 21000 Lull St. Canoga Park, CA 91304.
Back to the Top
|
|
Druidry: The pathways based on the practices, rituals, and magick of the early Celtic priestly class known as the Druids. Many expressions of the tradition exist, and their differences have often been cause for dissension in the Pagan community.
Druidry from the "Rampant Lion" (articles and quotes) http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/1669/
The Druid Grove: The Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids - http://www.druidry.com/
The British Druid Order: http://www.druidorder.demon.co.uk/
Celtic Druidism: http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/2178/celtic.html
ÃÂr nDraÃÂocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship (ADF) - http://www.adf.org/
Isaac Bonewits' Homepage: http://www.neopagan.net/ "Isaac Bonewits is North America's leading expert on Druidism, Witchcraft and the rapidly growing Earth Religions movement. A practicing Neopagan priest, scholar, teacher, bard and polytheologian for over twenty-five years, he has coined much of the vocabulary and articulated many of the issues that have shaped the quarter-million strong Neopagan community in the United States and Canada." - "He is the founder and Archdruid Emeritus of ÃÂr nDraÃÂocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship, the best known Neopagan Druid organization in North America, a practicing High Priest in the Gardnerian ("British Orthodox") tradition of Wicca, and a non practicing initiate of Santeria, the N.R.O.O.G.D. ("California Heterodox") tradition of Wicca, and the "Caliphate Line" of the Ordo Templi Orientis (Crowleyean ceremonial magic lodge), as well as a member of other Neopagan and Mesopagan Druid orders." (Quote taken directly from site)
Henge of Keltria - http://www.keltria.org/ "The Henge of Keltria is a nonprofit religious organization dedicated to the positive, life affirming spiritual path of Neopagan Druidism. We call it Keltrian Druidism. The Henge of Keltria exists to provide information and training to those interested in Keltrian Druidism and to promote Celtic Earth-based religions. " (Quote taken directly from site FAQ's)
|
Faery Faith: "The Faery Faith is based upon the belief that everything in this and otherworlds is alive. That each thing is possessed of its own soul or spirit. This belief is called animism and was prevalent in the Western world before the advent of the Christian religion, which insists that only man has souls or spirits and everything else in the world has been placed here for the use of mankind. This attitude, that humankind is superior to all of the rest of creation, does not prevail in those parts of the world were animistic beliefs are still held." (Quote used with permission of author, Tira Brandon-Evans, Moderator, Society of Celtic Shamans http://www.faeryshaman.org.)
(Faery Tradition from COG): http://www.cog.org/wicca/trads/faery.html
Church of the Spiral Tree: http://www.spiraltree.org/ (Mirror Site: http://www.pagan.drak.net/spiraltree/)
Faerie Shamanism: (the 3rd Road) - http://www.well.com/user/zthirdrd/francescadbrchr.html
Pecti-Wita: This is the solitary path of the pre-Celtic people known as the Picts. They inhabited northern Scotland and warred frequently with the Celts before being absorbed by them. The beliefs and practices of this path are recorded by Raymond Buckland in his 1991 book Scottish Witchcraft
I've been unable to locate any sites that contain solid information on this path. If you know of any please, please forward them to me! Thanks, Joelle
Witta: An eclectic Irish path which keeps very old Irish traditions and combines them with the influences of the Norse. Witta values Irish Pagan history and recognizes that at each stage in its development, over many centuries, each generation has been able to add something of value. Until recent times Wittan covens were characterized by strict stratification and one-on-one teaching for its apprentices. Today most Wittan covens operate on a consensus basis and will accept self-initiation and the solitary life as valid. The precepts of the Wittan tradition are outlined in Witta: An Irish Pagan Tradition, by Edain McCoy.
The Standing Stones Coven (Tuatha Claig Hoit) - http://www.geocities.com/Athens/1962/index.htm
Y Tylwyth Teg: A Welsh-based tradition named for the faery folk of that land, a people who roughly correspond to the Tuatha De Danann of Ireland. Though the tradition was officially founded in the United States, it maintains deeply Celtic roots and very humanistic philosophy. Students of this path are asked to place heavy emphasis on the study of Welsh myth, folklore, and faery lore. (taken from "Celtic Myth and Magick" by Edain McCoy)
Y Tylwyth Teg: http://www.tylwythteg.com/tylwyth.html
(Welsh Faerie witchcraft beliefs:) http://www.tylwythteg.com/wfwfaq.html "We believe that Y Tylwyth Teg (Welsh Witchcraft) is one of the oldest traditions of Witchcraft. In Welsh, Y Tylwyth Teg means "The Beautiful People" or "The Faerie Folk" and is part of Dewianeth Cymry, the "Welsh Craft of the Wise" or "Wise Ones." Y Tylwyth Teg is also the "Welsh Traditionalist Church" in America, with members nationwide, and is one of the fastest growing Witchcraft traditions".(taken from site)
Welsh Witchcraft/Church of Y Tylwyth Teg:http://www.tylwythteg.com/ (Homepage of Cymry Witchcraft and Celtic Wiccae)
Grove of the Faery Dragon: http://www.ytt.org/
click on a banner below to learn more
[Wiccan Beliefs] [Wiccan Tools] [Wiccan Texts] [Wiccan Traditions] [Solitary/Coven] [Sabbats] [Esbats] [Pagan Traditions] [Candle Magick] [Circle of Fairies] [Herb Garden]
|