The modern Celtic traditionalists follow the old religion of the Celts. Much of what is known was transmitted through oral cultural traditions. Druids, the keepers of tradition, preferred the oral to the written word for passing on religious matters. Among the Celts, the Druids were the judges and intermediaries with the Gods. Except for the Chiefs of the Celts, everyone else was considered to be near slaves.
At first glance, the Celtic religion seems to be a nature religion. The Celts followed the Wheel of Seasons in their rituals. The most important days were Beltane (May 1), the beginning of the light half of the year, and Samhain, (November 1), the beginning of the dark half of the year. Their alphabet was derived from the leafing of trees during the seasons. Meanwhile, animals tied to wisdom, such as Salmon who ate from the Hazel nut tree, were sacred.
However, upon further investigation, the Celtic religion has a deeper theology. Druids taught that the soul is immortal and passes from one body to another. Since humans and peoples of the Otherworlds (Fae, Sidh) can intermingle easily, the soul could pass between worlds. The Druids called this passing of the soul: tuirigini,“the circuit of births”.
The Soul’s Journey is represented by the Triple Spiral. The First Spiral is the first exposure to wisdom. The Soul is guided by the Keepers of the Traditions. The Second Spiral concerns the implementation of wisdom. The Empowers of the Laws of Life guide the Soul. The Third Spiral is the maturing of wisdom, where the Otherworldly Guardians guide the Soul. The Soul would learn the Seven Candles of Life: Will, Truth, Growth, Harmony, Lore, Devotion, and Energy.
Also important to the Celts are the Four Treasures, which illuminate the Celtic worldview. The Stone of Lin Fail uttered a shriek at the inauguration of the rightful king. The Spear of Lugh represented the power of the sun and truth. The Sword of Nuadu, the leader of the Tuatha de Danann, promoted vision and prophesy. The Cauldron of the Dagda, the Good God, stressed generosity and healing.
The Celtics stories of how they came to Ireland represents their view of the world. The first inhabitants were the Fomorians, a race of beast men. Sailing from Greece were the Children of Nemed. After years of battling the Fomorians, the Children of Nemed gave up and wandered the world. Some of them went back to Greece, where they became enslaved. They escaped and sailed to Ireland as the Fir Bolg. After defeating the Formorians, the Fir Bolg established social and political order. Then the direct descendents of Nemed, the Tuatha de Danann (Children of Danu) came to Ireland. They defeated the Fir Bolg with magic. The Tuatha de Danann brought the Four Treasures. Then from Spain, came the Sons of Mil who outwitted the magic of Tuatha de Danann. After a truce was made, the world was split up with the Sons of Mil ruling the Middle World and the other peoples ruling the Otherworlds. The Celts lived in a world of battle between forces of magic and knowledge, and sought to merge the two.
Celtic religion seemed to embrace most other peoples and their beliefs. Christianity in the Celtic regions absorbed various gods and turned them into saints. However, the worldview of humans as a part of nature still remains.
The Celts offer their Wisdom in Tarot (Celtic Wisdom Tarot).
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Va. Carper
March 16, 2008