Celtic witchcraft is a practice rooted in the ancient Celtic peoples, who lived in Ireland, Scotland, and parts of Europe. Despite the lack of written records from this period, Celtic witchcraft has been passed down through generations through oral tradition and folklore. The religion of the ancient Celts was animistic, meaning they believed that all things, including nature and animals, had spiritual energy and consciousness. This belief is reflected in the practice of Celtic witchcraft, which emphasizes a deep connection and reverence for nature. The ancient Celts celebrated the cycles of the seasons, and their witchcraft rituals often aligned with these natural rhythms. They believed in the power of the elements - earth, air, fire, and water - and worked in harmony with them during their rituals.
Where the Wiccan ideal of the cosmos is based primarily on duality (twos: The God and Goddess, Male and Female, Light and Dark) and quadrality (fours: The Four Elements, The Four Seasons), the Celtic cosmos and most aspects of the religion are triune in nature ( based on threes) or rely on odd numbers as models of balance. Even the Celtic Pantheon is divided into three: the Gods of the Upper Realm (sky), the Gods of the Middle Realm (land) and the Gods of the Lower Realm or Underworld (related to the sea).
They are not associacted with specific functions like love and healing and creativity but some dieties will be better known for some aspects over others. Yet in Celtic religion, the requirement can be clearly and concisely stated, that being to fulfill one s duty, to always be honorable and to stand for the truth come what may, and while understanding why what is honorable is considered so.
They believed in the power of the elements - earth, air, fire, and water - and worked in harmony with them during their rituals. The Celtic witches would also seek guidance and protection from various deities and spirits, whom they believed had the ability to influence the world. One notable aspect of Celtic witchcraft is the use of herbalism and healing.
Samhain: The Celtic Origins of Halloween
Samhain is a pagan religious festival originating from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition. In modern times, Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “SAH-win”) is usually celebrated from October 31 to November 1 to welcome in the harvest and usher in “the dark half of the year.” Celebrants believe that the barriers between the physical world and the spirit world break down during Samhain, allowing more interaction between humans and denizens of the Otherworld.
Ancient Celts marked Samhain as the most significant of the four quarterly fire festivals, taking place at the midpoint between the fall equinox and the winter solstice. During this time of year, hearth fires in family homes were left to burn out while the harvest was gathered.
After the harvest work was complete, celebrants joined with Druid priests to light a community fire using a wheel that would cause friction and spark flames. The wheel was considered a representation of the sun and used along with prayers. Cattle were sacrificed, and participants took a flame from the communal bonfire back to their home to relight the hearth.
Early texts present Samhain as a mandatory celebration lasting three days and three nights where the community was required to show themselves to local kings or chieftains. Failure to participate was believed to result in punishment from the gods, usually illness or death. There was also a military aspect to Samhain in Ireland, with holiday thrones prepared for commanders of soldiers. Anyone who committed a crime or used their weapons during the celebration faced a death sentence. Some documents mention six days of drinking alcohol to excess, typically mead or beer, along with gluttonous feasts. Continue reading from History
Within Celtic mythology, Cernunnos embodies the energy of the hunter, fertility and masculine energy.
The Celts had an extensive knowledge of plants and their medicinal properties and incorporated this knowledge into their witchcraft practice. They believed in the power of herbs to heal physical ailments, as well as to connect with the spiritual realm. Another important aspect of Celtic witchcraft is the practice of divination. The ancient Celts believed in the ability to see into the future, communicate with spirits, and understand hidden meanings. They used various methods of divination, such as scrying, reading omens, and interpreting dreams, to gain insight and guidance. In modern times, Celtic witchcraft has evolved and adapted to contemporary practices. Many people today incorporate elements of Celtic witchcraft into their spiritual practices, honoring the Celtic deities and connecting with the natural world. Some practitioners also combine Celtic witchcraft with other traditions to create a unique and personal spiritual path. Overall, Celtic witchcraft roots are deeply intertwined with the ancient Celtic culture and their connection to nature, the elements, and the spiritual realm. It is a practice that continues to be embraced and celebrated by many today, as they seek to honor and preserve the ancient wisdom of the Celtic peoples..
Reviews for "Celtic Shamanism and Witchcraft: Exploring the Connection"
1. Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to learn more about Celtic witchcraft roots, but I was really disappointed with this book. The information was very basic and didn't provide any real depth or insights. It felt like the author just skimmed the surface without going into any real detail. Additionally, I found the writing style to be quite dry and lacking in enthusiasm. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a comprehensive guide on Celtic witchcraft.
2. John - 1 star - I couldn't finish this book. It was filled with inaccurate information and seemed to be poorly researched. As someone who has studied Celtic mythology and witchcraft for years, I found many of the claims made in this book to be false and misleading. The author also didn't provide enough historical context or references to back up their statements. I would advise readers to look elsewhere for a reliable and well-researched book on Celtic witchcraft roots.
3. Emily - 3 stars - While I didn't hate this book, I found it to be quite underwhelming. The content felt very surface-level and didn't provide any new or unique insights into Celtic witchcraft roots. It felt like a rehash of information that can be easily found online. The author also didn't delve into any practical applications of the knowledge, making it difficult for readers to really engage with the material. Overall, I was expecting more from this book and was disappointed by its lack of depth and originality.
4. Alex - 2 stars - I found this book to be poorly organized and confusing. The author jumped from topic to topic without any clear structure or flow. It made it difficult for me to follow the information and left me feeling overwhelmed. Additionally, I didn't appreciate the constant emphasis on subjective personal experiences and beliefs rather than providing concrete historical and factual information. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a well-organized and structured guide on Celtic witchcraft roots.
5. Mark - 2 stars - The title of this book is misleading. It barely touches on Celtic witchcraft roots and instead focuses more on general witchcraft practices that can be found in any other book. The author didn't provide any new or unique insights into Celtic witchcraft specifically, which was disappointing. I was hoping for a deeper exploration of Celtic traditions and rituals, but this book fell short of my expectations. I would advise readers to look for a more specialized and thorough resource on Celtic witchcraft.