Celtic ancient magic refers to the mystical practices and beliefs of the ancient Celtic people, who lived in various regions of Europe, including Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany in France. These practices and beliefs were an integral part of their culture and spanned a wide range of areas, including healing, divination, and protection. One of the key elements of Celtic ancient magic was the belief in the interconnectedness of all things in the natural world. The Celts believed in the presence of various supernatural beings, such as fairies and spirits, which they believed could influence their lives. They also believed in sacred sites, such as stone circles and burial mounds, which they considered to be portals to the Otherworld. Healing was an important aspect of Celtic ancient magic.
Classical writers speak of the Celts as the most devoted to, and the most experienced in, the science of divination.
In orgiastic rites it caused varying emotions until the singer and dancer fell into a deep slumber, and the tales of those who joined in a fairy dance and fell asleep, awaking to find that many years had passed, are mythic extensions of the power of music in such orgiastic cults. In these rites the spirit in stone or tree was supposed to assist the process of healing, or the disease was transferred to them, or, again, there was the idea of a new birth with consequent renewed life, the act imitating the process of birth.
Healing was an important aspect of Celtic ancient magic. The Celts believed in the power of herbs and plants to cure ailments and maintain health. They also practiced ritualistic healing ceremonies, where they believed they could tap into the energies of nature and channel them for healing purposes.
Beliefs, practices, and institutions
Little is known about the religious beliefs of the Celts of Gaul. They believed in a life after death, for they buried food, weapons, and ornaments with the dead. The druids, the early Celtic priesthood, taught the doctrine of transmigration of souls and discussed the nature and power of the gods. The Irish believed in an otherworld, imagined sometimes as underground and sometimes as islands in the sea. The otherworld was variously called “the Land of the Living,” “Delightful Plain,” and “Land of the Young” and was believed to be a country where there was no sickness, old age, or death, where happiness lasted forever, and a hundred years was as one day. It was similar to the Elysium of the Greeks and may have belonged to ancient Indo-European tradition. In Celtic eschatology, as noted in Irish vision or voyage tales, a beautiful girl approaches the hero and sings to him of this happy land. He follows her, and they sail away in a boat of glass and are seen no more; or else he returns after a short time to find that all his companions are dead, for he has really been away for hundreds of years. Sometimes the hero sets out on a quest, and a magic mist descends upon him. He finds himself before a palace and enters to find a warrior and a beautiful girl who make him welcome. The warrior may be Manannán, or Lugh himself may be the one who receives him, and after strange adventures the hero returns successfully. These Irish tales, some of which date from the 8th century, are infused with the magic quality that is found 400 years later in the Arthurian romances. Something of this quality is preserved, too, in the Welsh story of Branwen, daughter of Llŷr, which ends with the survivors of the great battle feasting in the presence of the severed head of Bran the Blessed, having forgotten all their suffering and sorrow. But this “delightful plain” was not accessible to all. Donn, god of the dead and ancestor of all the Irish, reigned over Tech Duinn, which was imagined as on or under Bull Island off the Beare Peninsula, and to him all men returned except the happy few.
Druids, the priests and spiritual leaders of the Celts, played a significant role in these healing practices. Divination was another important aspect of Celtic ancient magic. The Celts used various methods, such as scrying (using a crystal or mirror to see visions) or interpreting the flights of birds, to gain insights into the future or to seek guidance from the spiritual realm. These divination practices were often performed by skilled priests or wise women within the Celtic communities. Protection was also a central focus of Celtic ancient magic. The Celts believed in the power of amulets, talismans, and charms to ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. Certain symbols, such as the triquetra (a three-cornered knot), were considered to be particularly potent and were commonly used for protection. The traditions of Celtic ancient magic were passed down orally through generations and were an integral part of daily life for the ancient Celts. However, with the arrival of Christianity and the suppression of pagan practices, much of the ancient magic was lost or absorbed into Christian rituals. Nonetheless, in modern times, there has been a renewed interest in Celtic ancient magic, with many people seeking to reconnect with the wisdom and traditions of their Celtic ancestors..
Reviews for "The Influence of Celtic Ancient Magic on Modern Witchcraft"
1. James - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Celtic Ancient Magic" as I've always been interested in Celtic mythology and folklore. However, I was greatly disappointed with this book. The information provided was very basic and lacked depth. It felt like I was reading a Wikipedia page rather than a comprehensive guide on Celtic magic. Additionally, the writing style was dry and uninspiring, making it difficult to stay engaged. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a thorough exploration of Celtic ancient magic.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I found "Celtic Ancient Magic" to be completely uninformative and poorly researched. The author seems to rely heavily on outdated and inaccurate sources, making the information presented questionable at best. The writing style is also convoluted, with excessive use of jargon that isn't adequately explained. I was hoping to gain a deeper understanding of Celtic magic, but unfortunately, this book didn't deliver. I would advise anyone interested in this topic to look for more reputable and reliable sources of information.
3. John - 2 stars - As someone who has studied Celtic mythology and magic for years, I was excited to see a new book on the topic. However, "Celtic Ancient Magic" fell short of my expectations. The content felt repetitive and lacked originality. It seemed like the author was just rehashing well-known information without adding any new insights or perspectives. Additionally, there were numerous grammatical errors throughout the book, which detracted from the reading experience. I would recommend skipping this book and exploring other works on Celtic ancient magic that offer more comprehensive and engaging content.
4. Emily - 2 stars - I was hoping to learn about the different spells and rituals used in Celtic magic, but "Celtic Ancient Magic" failed to provide any practical or in-depth information. The book mostly focuses on the historical context of Celtic mythology, with little attention given to actual magical practices. I was left feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled after reading this book, as it didn't fulfill its promise of being a guide to Celtic ancient magic. I would advise those looking for practical information on this topic to seek other resources that offer a more comprehensive understanding of Celtic magical practices.