A Celtic witch is a practitioner of witchcraft who draws inspiration and spirituality from Celtic traditions and beliefs. The term "Celtic" refers to the cultural and linguistic group of people known as the Celts, who lived in various parts of Europe, including Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and Brittany. The history and beliefs of the Celts are rich and diverse, and their spiritual practices have influenced many modern-day witches. Celtic witches often incorporate elements such as Celtic mythology, deities, symbols, and folklore into their magical practices. One of the central aspects of Celtic witchcraft is a close connection to nature. Celtic witches value and respect the natural world, viewing it as sacred and deeply interconnected with spiritual energy.
When people only join to spam the group or for self promotion … wanting to advertise their products or services but not positively contributing to the group in any other way. The members are what make the group a success or not.
It is the same in ritual, if your attention is focused on following what it says in a book, you are missing out on noticing the subtle energy shifts and feeling the ritual. It was at this point that I started to research the Celtic myth and lore and delve deeper into my ancestry, which is Celtic with a few percent of Scandinavian in there.
Celtic witches value and respect the natural world, viewing it as sacred and deeply interconnected with spiritual energy. They often seek to live in harmony with the cycles of nature and draw inspiration from the changing seasons, the moon, and the elements. Celtic witches may also honor specific Celtic deities or spirits in their practice.
Celtic Witches, Druids, and Pagans
The second part in our Community Spirituality Series, where I interviewed Elsa Marie Edmond of the Facebook Group ‘Celtic Witches Druids and Pagans’, about her personal spiritual practice, and her online work for the Pagan Community. (Note – the resource links throughout have been added by me, to facilitate further study on specific topics.)
Q. 1 – When and where did your interest in Pagan/Earth based Spirituality begin?
From as early as I can remember. As a young child my favourite places were the woods and the garden. I remember talking to what now I would term as nature spirits or elementals. I knew they were there and would make them houses in the garden. I was always making potions out of mud, water, leaves and petals. I also always ‘knew’ that there was ‘more’ to life than I was taught. An inner knowing.
Q. 2 – How did you practically go about getting started, and what resources did you have available to you – eg. books, teaching courses, events, people you met?
During my mid-late teenage years I disconnected somewhat from the spiritual side of things, I developed a despondency with the cruelty of society and ‘life’, which seemed for a time to overcast the magic. It was in my mid-late twenties after the birth of my first child that I again connected with magic and spirituality. Most of my learning came from books. Reading felt like I was ‘remembering’ as opposed to learning. It was in my mid thirties that my connection with deity deepened, specifically with the Morrigan, though I was to discover this was not a new connection, but one that had been with me throughout life. It was at this point that I started to research the Celtic myth and lore and delve deeper into my ancestry, which is Celtic with a few percent of Scandinavian in there. The internet as well as books have been my main source of research in recent years. I also began to study with the OBOD (Order of Bards Ovates and Druids) and I am now at the Druid grade of study.
Q. 3 – What does being Pagan mean to you? (or your term of choice, please explain!)
To me, ‘Pagan’ is a very broad term, with the common theme of honouring the natural world and seeing the gods in the world around you. Rather than just a title it is a way of life. I refer to myself as a Celtic Witch and Druid. Not all Pagans are witches, and I feel the title narrows down my path, as does Celtic which defines the pantheon I honour and work with. It is my ancestral path.
Q. 4 – What sort of things do you do on a daily/weekly, monthly or seasonal basis to explore or express your Spirituality?
On a daily basis I read, be it books or on the internet. There is always more to learn. My other daily rituals include spending some time at my altar acknowledging my path and honouring the Morrigan, taking time to notice the sunrise and sunset, drawing an oracle / tarot card for the day and self Reiki to allow the Universal Energies to flow through me (I am a Reiki Master). On a clear night I always spend time looking at the Moon and stars. On a weekly basis I cleanse my home. I always honour the New Moon and Full Moon with some kind of ritual, sometimes very simple, otherwise more formal with spell work. On a seasonal basis I also redecorate my altar to coincide with the Sabbat and perform a ritual to honour it. Other than that my magic and rituals are as needed, I do quite a lot of healing work.
Q. 5 – What advice do you wish someone had given you, that you would like to give people starting out on this path?
Keep it simple, intention is key, and follow your intuition not what it says in a book. Hungry to delve deeper, it is easy to get hung up with following instructions from a book to a T. Much like taking photos of anything and everything, which is easy to do when you first have children, you eventually realise that you are that busy taking photos you end up missing out on the full experience. It is the same in ritual, if your attention is focused on following what it says in a book, you are missing out on noticing the subtle energy shifts and ‘feeling’ the ritual. Spiritual experiences are very individual … follow your natural instinct, you will be surprised just how much you instinctively know.
Q. 6 – What is the name of the Facebook Group you admin, and how did you get involved there?
‘Celtic Witches Druids and Pagans’. There are currently around 6.5k members. I set it up a couple of years ago as I found many of the generic pagan groups had become flooded with the Norse pantheon, which surged in popularity due to the tv show ‘Vikings’, and many seemed to consist largely of memes. I wanted to create a group where people could learn and share knowledge. I have organised the group into topics so that each post is assigned a topic, with the aim of it making it easier for members to find information.
Q. 7 – What is the most frustrating thing for you about being involved with that group?
When people only join to spam the group or for self promotion … wanting to advertise their products or services but not positively contributing to the group in any other way. The members are what make the group a success or not.
Q. 8 – What is the most satisfying thing for you about being involved with that group?
Helping those who are new to the path and seeing it become a great resource of knowledge for members.
Q. 9 – If you could guarantee that each group member had read AT LEAST one book before joining, what book would that be?
Oooh … for a group member that was a newcomer to Paganism and the craft I would say ‘Wicca – A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner’ by Scott Cunningham as it give a good all round basic starting point. For someone who already has a basic level of knowledge joining the group, I would be torn between ‘The Book of Celtic Magic’ by Kristoffer Hughes and ‘Celtic Myth and Magick’ by Edain McCoy.
A huge thank you to Elsa Marie Edmond for the interview, it’s always fascinating to see how others are practicing Paganism, and serving the community of Celtic Witches, Druids, and Pagans!
Please do remember these book recommendations are based on Elsa’s view and experiences, which are valid and respected, but they do not appear on my particular recommended resources lists 😉
With this in mind, what separates the Celtic Witch from other forms of paganism and witchcraft? The most obvious answer here is a fascination with, and respect for, all things Celtic. Be it heroes or bards, folk traditions or history, something calls to your heart to follow. Some people also have Celtic roots that enrich their magic. Beyond this, the modern Celtic custom stresses honing one’s skills. Any Celtic Elder will tell you that this is the reason that magic is a “practice” rather than an accomplished exploit. Such people will also advise you on matters of social structures and good manners. Believe it or not, etiquette has a significant place in spiritual practices.
These may include well-known figures such as Brigid, the goddess of hearth and poetry, or the Morrigan, a goddess of war and sovereignty. Celtic mythology is full of rich tales and characters that provide a source of inspiration and guidance for many Celtic witches. Additionally, Celtic witches often incorporate magical practices such as herbalism, divination, and spellwork into their craft. They may work with herbs, plants, and stones that have specific associations with Celtic traditions. Divination methods such as tarot reading or scrying may also be used to gain insight and guidance. It is important to note that not all practitioners who identify as Celtic witches have a direct ancestral connection to the Celtic peoples. Many people are drawn to the spiritual traditions of the Celts based on their interests or spiritual beliefs. The term "Celtic witch" is often used as a way to describe a particular magical practice and spiritual path, rather than an indication of genetic heritage. In summary, a Celtic witch is a practitioner of witchcraft who draws inspiration and spirituality from the traditions and beliefs of the Celtic peoples. They have a strong connection to nature and may incorporate elements of Celtic mythology, deities, symbols, and folklore into their magical practices. The term "Celtic witch" is used to describe a particular spiritual path, rather than an indication of genetic background..
Reviews for "The Healing Power of Celtic Witchcraft: Balancing Body, Mind, and Spirit"
1. Sarah - 1 star - I was really disappointed with this book. The author claims to clarify what is meant by a Celtic witch, but instead, it felt like a jumbled mess of information. The book lacked organization and coherence, making it difficult to follow along. I was hoping to gain a better understanding of Celtic witchcraft traditions, but this book failed to deliver. I would not recommend it.
2. Michael - 2 stars - As someone who is interested in Celtic witchcraft, I had high hopes for this book. However, I found it to be quite shallow and lacking in depth. Instead of delving into the rich history and practices of Celtic witchcraft, the author briefly touched upon a few aspects without providing enough context or explanation. It felt like a superficial overview rather than a comprehensive guide. While it may be useful for absolute beginners, I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a deeper understanding of Celtic witchcraft.
3. Jennifer - 1 star - I found this book to be extremely misleading. The title suggested that it would clarify what is meant by a Celtic witch, but it failed to do so. Instead of providing clear definitions or explanations, the author rambled on without much direction. It felt like a collection of random thoughts rather than a focused exploration of the topic. I would not recommend this book to anyone who is serious about understanding Celtic witchcraft.
4. David - 2 stars - "Clarify what is meant by a Celtic witch" left much to be desired. The book lacked depth and failed to provide substantial information on the subject. The author jumped from one topic to another without establishing a strong foundation. It felt like a missed opportunity to explore the intricacies of Celtic witchcraft. While it may serve as a brief introduction for beginners, those seeking a more comprehensive understanding will be disappointed. I would not recommend this book for anyone looking to gain a deeper insight into Celtic witchcraft.
5. Emily - 1 star - This book did not live up to my expectations at all. It failed to deliver on its promise to clarify what is meant by a Celtic witch. Instead of providing clear definitions or explanations, the author seemed to wander off on irrelevant tangents. The book lacked focus and felt disorganized. I found it to be frustrating and confusing to read. I would not recommend it to anyone looking for a coherent understanding of Celtic witchcraft.