General Introduction
The ancient people of the Celtic religion, the Celts, were the most powerful people in Europe from around 750 BC to AD43. The Celts lived across most of Europe during the Iron Age with Northwest Europe being dominated by three main Celtic groups, the Gauls, the Britons and the Gaels. The Celtic people lived in many separate tribes, all speaking different forms of Celtic language.
The Iron Age Celtic religion had many gods and goddesses that were worshipped through sacrifice of material treasures, the sacrifice of animals, humans and weapons. The Celts paid great respect to the human head and worshipped skulls of their enemies and ancestors.
The Celtic religion was closely tied to the natural world and the Celtic people were very superstitious. Many of the Celtic Gods and Goddesses were said to live in springs, woods, rivers, lakes and wells. These places were sacred to the Celts and this is where they worshipped and made offertory to their Gods. The moon, the sun and the stars were also incredibly important to the Celts. They believed that there were supernatural forces in every aspect of the natural world.
The Celts believed in the afterlife of the human soul and Celtic festivals were held throughout the year to honor their gods and provide a place for the young to meet and marry.
The Celtic search for meaning through religion gave the Celtic people connection and a basis of creation. The Gods were to be pleased in return for wellbeing and good luck. The Celtic belief was that survival was based upon how the deities controlled their fates.
Celtic Commandments
Give thou thine heart to the wild magic,
To the Lord and the Lady of Nature,
Beyond any consideration of this world.
Do not covet large or small, Do not despise weakling or poor, Semblance of evil allow not near thee, Never give nor earn thou shame.
The Ancient Harmonies are given thee, Understand them early and prove, Be one with the power of the elements, Put behind thee dishonour and lies.
Be loyal to the Lord of the Wild Wood, Be true to the Lady of the Stars, Be true to thine own self besides, True to the magic of Nature above all else.
Do not thou curse anyone, Lest thou threefold cursed shouldst be, And shouldst thou travel ocean and earth, Follow the very step of the ancient trackways
--From the carmina gadelica, ancient celtic oral tradition Pagan Carmina Gadelica by Mike Nichols Original Carmina Gadelica in full
The Iron Age Celtic religion had many gods and goddesses that were worshipped through sacrifice of material treasures, the sacrifice of animals, humans and weapons. The Celts paid great respect to the human head and worshipped skulls of their enemies and ancestors.
The Celtic religion was closely tied to the natural world and the Celtic people were very superstitious. Many of the Celtic Gods and Goddesses were said to live in springs, woods, rivers, lakes and wells. These places were sacred to the Celts and this is where they worshipped and made offertory to their Gods. The moon, the sun and the stars were also incredibly important to the Celts. They believed that there were supernatural forces in every aspect of the natural world.
The Celts believed in the afterlife of the human soul and Celtic festivals were held throughout the year to honor their gods and provide a place for the young to meet and marry.
The Celtic search for meaning through religion gave the Celtic people connection and a basis of creation. The Gods were to be pleased in return for wellbeing and good luck. The Celtic belief was that survival was based upon how the deities controlled their fates.
Celtic Commandments
Give thou thine heart to the wild magic,
To the Lord and the Lady of Nature,
Beyond any consideration of this world.
Do not covet large or small, Do not despise weakling or poor, Semblance of evil allow not near thee, Never give nor earn thou shame.
The Ancient Harmonies are given thee, Understand them early and prove, Be one with the power of the elements, Put behind thee dishonour and lies.
Be loyal to the Lord of the Wild Wood, Be true to the Lady of the Stars, Be true to thine own self besides, True to the magic of Nature above all else.
Do not thou curse anyone, Lest thou threefold cursed shouldst be, And shouldst thou travel ocean and earth, Follow the very step of the ancient trackways
--From the carmina gadelica, ancient celtic oral tradition Pagan Carmina Gadelica by Mike Nichols Original Carmina Gadelica in full