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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! |
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Celtic Reconstructionalists Celtic Shamanism Celtic Traditionalism Celtic Witan Church Druidry Faery Faith Pecti-Wita Welsh Cymry Faith Witta Y Tylwyth Teg |
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 Here are some of the best sites out there providing Basic Celtic Information either on a Pagan level or purely historical. The Celtic Wellspring (gorgeous site, with lots of useful info) - http://members.aol.com/CelticBlud/index.htm The Sacred Fire; A Celebration of Ancient Celtic History and Lore - http://www.geocities.com/~huathe/frameweb.html Irish Celtic Beliefs: http://www.geocities.com/RainForest/Canopy/2178/celtic.html Back to the Top |
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Celtic Reconstructionalism: "Celtic reconstructionist paganism, a more culturally specific and historically based path which seeks to recreate, to the best extent possible in the modern world, the religion of the ancient Celtic peoples of Western Europe and the British Isles. Like Wicca, and like the Celtic culture upon which it is based, modern Celtic paganism embodies a strong reverence for nature." Official Inis Glas website - http://www.thunderpaw.com/neocelt/ Moonstone Circle - http://bandia.net/moonstone/ The Pictish Cauldron - http://pictishcauldron.cjb.net/ Back to the Top |
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Celtic Shamanism: "Celtic Shamanism is a shamanic path that is based on the Faery Faith of the Celtic peoples of Western Europe and especially of Britain, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Cornwall, Isle of Man and Brittany." (Quote used with permission of author, Tira Brandon-Evans, Moderator, Society of Celtic Shamans http://www.faeryshaman.org)." Shamanism General-Overview FAQ's - http://www.deoxy.org/shaover.htm Cougarshaman's Celtic Shamanism Page - http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/5062/index.html Society of Celtic Shamans - http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Oracle/6097/ Realm of the Druid Princess (Scottish info) - http://www.geocities.com/~druidprincess/ Earth Shaman - http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Troy/7922/index.html Back to the Top |
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Celtic Traditionalism: This may not be a familiar term to many people, it consists of trying to reconstruct the beliefs and practices of the original Celtic people, as opposed to Druidic learnings, this tradition focuses more on the beliefs of the average Celtic man or woman. Also see Celtic Reconstructionalism. Celtic Religion; what information do we really have? - http://www.unet.univie.ac.at/~a8700035/celtreli.html The Roebuck: http://members.aol.com/akcroebuck/index.html - The Ancient Keltic Church is a religious organization dedicated to the rediscovery and revival of the pagan mystery faith of the ancient Celtic peoples, and the incorporation of this ancient faith into modern 20th century America. It was founded in 1976 by Ann and David Finnin as an experimental group called The Roebuck. The Clan of Tubal Cain - http://members.aol.com/CTubalCain/ - "The Root Tradition of the Ancient Keltic Church" Back to the Top |
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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 |
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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 Ár nDraíocht 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 Ár nDraíocht 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) Back to the Top |
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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 Back to the Top |
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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 Back to the Top |
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 See Y Tylwyth Teg for detailsBack to the Top |
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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 Back to the Top |
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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/ |
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