celtic spirituality

Contrary to popular belief, DNA did not determine long-term Celtic lineage and it never will. Celts were a mixed bag of European mutts. What made them Irish, Scottish, Welsh, etc. were their respective language groups which were distinctive yet connected enough that you can call the whole Western European group of them, "Celtic" with the division of Gaelic speaking and Brythonic speaking Celts. After language, you can distinguish regional customs, religious beliefs, laws, and so forth; language, however, was usually the determining factor.

There are hundreds of historical examples of religious beliefs among the Celts. Despite what is written in books on contemporary Celtic spirituality, the religions and beliefs of the Celts were varied. There was no "One Celtic Religion". Most beliefs were animistic and polytheistic with no written source of dogma to explain the Déithe. The relationships with the Déithe were also different from monotheistic societies in that there was an agreement of offerings and acceptance in exchange for blessings, healing, and good fortune. The land itself was sacred, and the Gaelic people had a deep reverence for it.

Consequently, this means that anyone of any type of ethnic or social background is open to explore Celtic Reconstructionism as their chosen lifestyle. This is one of the most important virtues of CR that cannot be ignored.

the déithe

Over the course of several years, I became acquainted with the Déithe listed here. The definitions are of my own research, but there is much more to their existence in history and mythology:

Brighid : Her name means, "Exalted". She is the daughter of the Dagda. She is the Goddess of poetry, smith crafting, and healing. In the Gaelic traditions, She is the flame of inspiration to all artists; especially poets, musicians, and blacksmiths. She is renowned as a great healer, but also possesses the wisdom of warriors. She is the Goddess of Hearth and Home; blessing the household, mothers, and expectant mothers.

The Dagda: (Eochaid Ollathair): The name meaning, "The Good-God" or All-Powerful God; a great Father God. He is oafish looking with a pot belly and a tunic that barely covers Him. He carries a club that can kill nine men with one blow while the handle brings the dead back to life. He owns a bottomless cauldron that can feed an army. He also owns Daurdabla, an oak harp that controls the seasons and the sequences of battles. As a harper, the Dagda can play the three strains of music - laughter, sadness, and sleep.

Manannán mac Lir : The God of the Sea and psychopomp (guide) through the mists to the islands of the dead (the Otherworlds). He is helpful in trance-work and in rituals where communication with the Otherworlds is desired.

Ogma (Oghma): The God of Scholars, writing, and education; called Grianainech (sun-face) and Milbél ("honey-mouth"); the creator of the Ogam feda.

Brighid and Eochaid Ollathair are especially close to me because of their presence in my work with therapeutic and ritual harp. Brighid is probably the most recognizable religious figure in Ireland - not just among Pagans, but Christians as well. She's Ma, in all senses of the word.

Manannán mac Lir represents my link to the mystical world; to Druidism and Filidecht, especially. Although Arizona doesn't have a sea close by, he is well represented at other sources of water or at home within the content of a bowl of water sitting atop my shrine.

Oghma represents my interest in poetry and the study of the Ogam feda in divination, but sometimes I just need him to help me learn the right thing to say to someone - I highly recommend working with him in matters of speech making or communicating with people who are significant to you.

Many people will ask if I believe in the figurative or literal interpretation of the Déithe - my answer is simply, I do not know. In my mind's eye, they are very real. In the world around me, they are represented within nature whether trees, hilltops, or lakeshores - we also see them in city parks, pubs, and within our apartments and condos.