Ancient Celtic witchcraft refers to the magical practices and beliefs of the Celtic people who lived during the Iron Age in what is now modern-day Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and parts of England and France. The Celts had a deep connection to nature and believed in the existence of spirits and deities who resided in the natural world. They practiced a form of witchcraft that was closely intertwined with their religious beliefs and rituals. Celtic witches, also known as druids or wise women, held significant roles within their communities. They were highly respected for their knowledge of herbal medicine, divination, and the ability to communicate with the spiritual realm. One of the key elements of Celtic witchcraft was the use of natural elements and symbols in their rituals.
Bede's writings led modern day pagans to associate Ostara with the Spring Equinox and the arrival of spring. Because of this, Osara is depicted with symbols of new life and growth. Some of the symbols Wiccans incorporate into their celebrations are:
The members of The Circle of the Rising Phoenix, some wearing capes and flowers garlands, gathered to include us in a pagan Ostara ritual welcoming Spring. It is believed that he changed the name of the spring equinox to Ostara, citing Jacob Grimm s work referenced above and the Germanic goddess of Spring, which is now used by Wiccans today.
One of the key elements of Celtic witchcraft was the use of natural elements and symbols in their rituals. For example, the Celtic wheel of the year, known as the Wheel of the Sun, marked the important agricultural and astronomical events throughout the year. Each event was associated with specific rituals and celebrations that honored the cycles of nature.
Ostara 2023: The Beautiful Pagan Festival of the Spring Equinox
In 2023 Ostara and the Spring Equinox occur in March in the Northern Hemisphere. It’s a time of harmony because the day and night are now equal. Warmer days are coming, and new life is everywhere you look!
Many people around the world celebrate the beginning of the Spring season. It’s such a happy time as the birds sing and flowers bloom. This Pagan holiday is all about new beginnings, fertility, growth, and balance.
I wasn’t quite sure how to write this article because, typically, Wiccans celebrate the holiday Ostara, while other spiritual practitioners (myself included) celebrate the Spring Equinox (I’ll go more into detail on this below). Due to this, I’ll be using the names Ostara and The Spring Equinox interchangeably to ensure everyone feels included.
Many Pagans, Witches, and those interested in Nature Spirituality celebrate the seasonal cycles. Sometimes referred to as the Wheel of the Year, and consisting of eight celebrations. Four of these festivals (Imbolc, Beltane, Lughnasadh, and Samhain) are rooted in Celtic history and origins.
The other four (Spring Equinox, Summer Solstice, Autumn Equinox, and Winter Solstice) represent the sun’s location. I created a complete guide to each season, including history, traditions, symbols, correspondences, ritual ideas, and how you can celebrate.
Please note that I make every effort to ensure this information is correct and accurate through my own experiences and referencing sources throughout AND at the bottom of this article.
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Table of Contents
Celtic witches also believed in the power of sacred sites, such as stone circles, burial mounds, and wells. These locations were believed to be gateways to the otherworld and were often used for ceremonies and divination practices. Divination was an integral part of Celtic witchcraft, and various methods were used to gain insight into the future or communicate with spirits. This included the casting of runes or ogham sticks, scrying with water or mirrors, and interpreting dreams and omens. Herbalism played a significant role in Celtic witchcraft, as plants were believed to possess magical properties and could be used for healing, protection, and divination. Witches would gather and prepare herbs, creating potions and charms for various purposes. Celtic witchcraft also involved the belief in the power of words and chants. Incantations and charms were used to invoke spirits, heal the sick, and protect against harm. The spoken word was considered sacred and held great power. Despite the rich tradition of Celtic witchcraft, much of their knowledge and practices were lost with the rise of Christianity. As Christianity spread throughout Celtic regions, the old ways were suppressed and labeled as pagan and evil. Today, there is a revival of interest in Celtic witchcraft as modern practitioners seek to reconnect with their ancient roots. Books and resources are available to learn about the practices and beliefs of ancient Celtic witches, allowing individuals to incorporate these traditions into their modern spiritual practices..
Reviews for "Ancient Celtic Witchcraft: Embracing the Dark and the Light"
1. John - 2 stars - I had high hopes for this book as I am very interested in ancient Celtic witchcraft. However, I found the information in this book to be very surface level and lacking depth. It felt like a quick overview rather than a comprehensive guide. I was also disappointed with the lack of practical exercises and rituals. Overall, I don't feel like I gained much knowledge or insight from reading this book.
2. Sarah - 1 star - I was really excited to learn about ancient Celtic witchcraft, but this book left me incredibly disappointed. The information provided was vague and often contradictory. It felt like the author was just regurgitating information from other sources without adding any personal insights or experiences. Additionally, the writing style was dry and tedious, making it difficult to stay engaged. I would not recommend this book to anyone looking for a serious exploration of ancient Celtic witchcraft.
3. Lisa - 2 stars - As a beginner witch, I was hoping this book would provide a solid foundation in ancient Celtic witchcraft. Unfortunately, it fell short of my expectations. The language was overly complex and difficult to understand, making it hard for someone new to the topic to grasp the concepts. Furthermore, the author seemed to make a lot of assumptions about the reader's prior knowledge, leaving me feeling confused and frustrated. This book is definitely not beginner-friendly and I would not recommend it to those starting their witchcraft journey.
4. Michael - 3 stars - While I didn't hate this book, I can't say I enjoyed it either. The information presented felt outdated and lacked credibility. It seemed like the author relied heavily on folklore and myths rather than historical and archaeological evidence. I was hoping for more scholarly research and analysis. Additionally, I found the organization of the book confusing and disjointed, making it difficult to follow the author's train of thought. Overall, I was left feeling underwhelmed and unsatisfied with "Ancient Celtic Witchcraft".
5. Emily - 2 stars - "Ancient Celtic Witchcraft" left me feeling uninspired and disinterested. The writing style was dry and lacked emotion, making it hard to connect with the material. I was also disappointed with the lack of practical tips and guidance. The book felt more like a history lesson rather than a guide for practicing witchcraft. I was hoping for more insight into the Celtic traditions and practices, but instead, I found myself bored and unengaged throughout the entire read. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a practical exploration of Celtic witchcraft.