Happy New Year!

A special post today.. I’d wanted to share this two weeks ago. Fate had other plans for me.

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Hallowe’en, All Souls Day, Day of the Dead, Hallowtide, Lá Samhna, Old Hallowmas…

Credit: Navanna

In Celtic tradition, each day begins at sundown just as each year begins with the onset of winter. The eve of October 30th through the eve of November 1st marks the end of one year, and the beginning of another. The Celts celebrate this ending and beginning with one of their most important ancient festivals, or Sabbats ~ Samhain [SOW-en].

Samhain is Irish, meaning “summer’s end.” It represents the third and final harvest of the year. It is a time of celebrating hard work, of deep reflection, and of releasing that which no longer holds value.

In the season of Samhain, roughly October 31st through December 20th, the Horned God passes from one world to the next and awaits his rebirth through The Mother Goddess. In Crone form, The Goddess prepares for her birthing of the Horned God during the Winter Solstice. In some traditions, the god Dagda and goddess Morrígan come together, and through their intercourse, provide well-being for that particular tribe and fertility for the surrounding lands.

The night of Samhain is also the time of the wild hunt, when the veil between the worlds is thinnest and the faeries, the dead, and otherworldly spirits roam the land. This is the time when the faeries plot to steal away humans, and the dead visit their loved ones still living. Those who were murdered, wronged or awaiting justice that had not been given them in life can exact their revenge on Samhain night.

It is said that one of the reasons for such a sense of mysticism and fear on Samhain was the difficulty in predicting the weather during this time of year. Regardless how well they planned, the Celts could never be sure they had enough food and other provisions to see them through the winter. In the years that had early snows, it was believed the spirits had expressed their anger toward the mortals by ruining the surrounding flora.

Many of you know that it is from this ancient Sabbat that our Halloween came from. Other cultures had similar festivals, such as Calan Gaeaf in Wales, Ancestor Night or Feast of the Dead in Britain, Oidhche Shamna in Scotland, and Hollantide Day in Isle of Man.

Samhain night, or even during the season, was not only a time of reflection and reverence, it was also a time to ask the gods and goddesses for guidance and protection. Some of the fun rituals practiced were:

• Bobbling for Apples ~ This symbolizes the apples of eternal life found on Manannán mac Lir‘s sacred isle
• Burning Nuts in the Hearth ~ Your future husband or occupation could be determined based upon which nuts explode and which do not
• Interpretations ~ Pour molten lead into cool water – the different shapes swirling around will tell you different things about your future
• Soddag Valloo, or dumb cakes ~ Baking and eating these on Samhain night will bring prophetic dreams

Some other superstitions prevalent on Samhain night include turning your clothes inside out to prevent faerie mischief, and wearing a stone found near water with a natural hole in it to ward off evil spirits. For those that experienced various mishaps, remember this for next year.

Fun fact ~ Babies born on Samhain night are thought to possess prophetic powers

So talk to me. Were you born on Samhain night? Do you have stories of Samhain traditions, folklore or rituals? What did you do on Halloween? Did anything interesting happen that night?

Celts were Fair, Sophisticated, and Civilized

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

Below is the final part of Terry Jones’ series on the Ancient Celts. If you’re just  jumpin’ in, check out Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3.

Ok, kiddies, I’ve got to go finish packing…watch this and then tell me what you think!

So talk to me. Pretty interesting stuff, eh? Boadicea is the perfect example of a Celtic woman! I think the Druids are one of the most fascinating aspects of Celtic culture.

Now, don’t be shy ~ I didn’t get many comments last time. Speak up! Where are my history buffs? Where are my Celtic fans?  Did you enjoy this series? Are there other things you would like to see here? What about Celtic history interests you?

Celts were…RICH!!

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

We’re continuing with Terry Jones’ series on Ancient Celts. Below is part 3. In case you missed them, here’s Part 1 and Part 2.

Terry picks up where he left off in Part 2 talking about the great Celtic roadways. Apparently, there were Celtic roads all across Europe! He goes on to explain the reasons behind Caesar’s justifications for “protecting” the Celts…interesting, that.

And wait until you find out about the mines, and the burial chamber!

Ok, I’m gonna go pack for the move while you guys watch.

Stay tuned…we’ll finish up with Part 4 next week

So talk to me.  What did you think about the Helvetii, and Caesar’s massacre? Did you know the Celts were so rich ~ both in culture, and in gold? 400 mines in Gaul alone, whew!!  How ’bout that wine vessel? Had you seen anything like it before?

Celts were…Master Craftsmen and Engineers?!

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

As promised, below is Part 2 of Terry Jones’ series on Ancient Celts.

If you thought the Coligny Calendar was interesting, wait ‘til you find out about the Celtic town of Bibracte, which clearly demonstrates the Celts’ sophistication and wealth, and the Celtic roadway, Corlea Trackway, which predates Roman road building!

Hm…guess Caesar and his buddies weren’t the first road builders after all…

Stay tuned…we’ll check out Part 3 is next week

So talk to me. What did you think of the second installment of The Ancient Celts? How ‘bout that Colony Calendar, eh? I had no idea that the Roman calendar had been so inaccurate!

Did you know that the Celts had such sophisticated towns, with two-storey buildings and even a ‘Main Street’ running right through the heart of them?

I am blown away by the discovery of the road in Kenagh, County Longford in Ireland! Did you know that the Celts in Germany had constructed the exact same thing and had been using it at the exact same time? The Celts engineering and technology really was on an international scale!

Celts were…Barbarians??

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

Below is part one of a four-part series on The Ancient Celts, hosted by Terry Jones. In this first installment, Terry talks about how the Romans vilified the Celts, and scorned them, saying they were nothing more than unwashed, illiterate savages.

Yet…they humiliated the Romans during the Siege of 389 b.c.e...

Not to mention they created a solar/lunar calculator. Not bad for a bunch of illiterate heathens, eh?

The video cuts off during the explanation of the Coligny Calendar, but I’ve included a handy little link here so you can read more about. Stay tuned, next week we’ll explore part 2 and see the rest of the explanation of the Coligny Calendar

So talk to me. What did you think of this first installation of The Ancient Celts? Did you know that the Celts created the Colony Calendar? “History is written by the victor” is never more true than when talking about ancient Romans versus ancient Celts…did you know just how much Caesar influenced the rest of the world in belittling of the proud, progressive culture of the Celts?

Dagda, Morrigan, and Lir…Oh my!

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

I am hoping the trials (literally) happening at the DJ will wrap up or otherwise go away soon so I can get back to researching really interesting posts for you all…ok, I really dig it too

For now, though, how ’bout this little gem from Celticlight1 I found on youtube:

The music is lovely, and there are fantastic artworks and descriptions of the gods and goddesses highlighted.

So talk to me. What did you think? Did you see any new gods or goddesses? I’d never heard of Tailtiu before, her story is very interesting. I’ve now got her up next on my list to research

Book of Kells

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

The Book of Kells, one of Ireland’s national treasures and considered one of the finest of all Celtic Christian creations, is an illuminated manuscript containing the four Gospels of the New Testament.

courtesy of globalgallery.com

It is thought the Book of Kells was originally begun by Irish monks on Iona sometime in the eighth or ninth centuries, and then taken to Ireland during the Viking raids for safekeeping.

courtesy of castpaper.com

Consisting of 680 calfskin pages, the text of which is written in Latin, it necessitated a veritable army of artists and calligraphers to complete. Most scholars and historians believe it took roughly thirty years to finalize this monumental manuscript!

Dr. Timothy Graham, Associate Professor at the University of New Mexico’s Institute of Medieval Studies, gives a wonderful lecture on the Book of Kells and its history. I’ve included an excerpt for you to enjoy.

So talk to me. What did you think? Do you know about the Book of Kells? What do you think of the artistry and imagery? What are your thoughts on how Christianity influenced Celtic traditions?

Do You Know Your Celtic History?

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

Today, we’re going to take a look back at the history of the Celts. This may be a refresher for some, or something new for others.

Ok, really, I’m sick. I’m surrounded by germ infested children, and my house has turned into a contagion zone – they’re going to have to put up the white tents soon…

That said, we’re taking a bit of a break on our Gods & Goddesses comparisons, but fear not! A brand-spanking new post will be up next Tuesday…even if it kills me

And now, here you are, a brief history of the Celts…

Who Were The Celts?

A better question would be “Who IS a Celt?” because the Celts are alive and well today my friends, just as they were thousands of years ago.

Some say a Celt is a mystic or witch who dances around stone circles in the moonlight. Some say a Celt is a nature loving person who is kind to animals and people. Some say a Celt is someone who lives in either Scotland or Ireland. Still others say that a Celt is one who speaks the Celtic language, produces Celtic art, or proclaims himself or herself a Celt.

My opinion? Sure, any of those could be correct, but there is much, much more to a Celt than that. Celts are not an ethnic group, and there are many varied religious beliefs associated with them.

The fact is, Celts embrace a certain way of life, a certain way of being.

I believe, however, in order to understand the modern Celt, you must first know their history. Don’t worry, I’ll keep this brief.

First, let’s talk about the “text book” stuff.

The ancient Celts were the first European people north of the Alps to emerge into recorded history. They distinguished themselves from their fellow Europeans by virtue of the languages which they spoke, now known as the Celtic languages (i.e. p-Celtic, q-Celtic, Gaelic, etc.).

Now, the exact geographic location from whence the Celts came is unknown, but you better believe everyone has a theory.

There are historians who say they branched off from other tribes in the lands between the Baltic and Black Seas. Some scholars argue that they originated in the areas now known as Switzerland and South-West Germany.

Regardless of exactly where they began, it is well-known the Celts migrated north, expanding their settlements in various lands throughout Europe. Due to the rise of the Roman Empire, and then the expansions of both the Slavs and the Germanic Peoples, the Celts eventually settled in the lands of Ireland, the Isle of Man, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall and Brittany. These six are now known as the Celtic Nations.

However, I would like to point out that there are Celts living in almost every country on the planet, from Argentina to Australia, and from Russia to Canada and the U.S.

Now, let’s chat about the fun stuff.

The Celts were and are a very resilient people, known for their fiery passion, strength, courage, imagination, creativity and easy eloquence.

The mystic and otherworldly aspects of the Celts are certainly real, but only a part of who they are as a people. Not every Celt is a witch, and not every witch is a Celt!

*Fun Fact: Many of the traditional Christian beliefs have roots in ancient Celtic culture.

The Celtic people believe in the power of Nature; they see the land as the embodiment of the Great Mother – nurturing, loving, and elemental. They lived then, and now, in tune with the rhythms of nature and their yearly cycle of festivals reflect this. They are a harmonious and peace-loving people, unless threatened…then, watch out! Their passion, courage, and unwavering devotion to their cause are the hallmarks of a Celt.

So talk to me. Do the characteristics of the Celtic People ring true in you? Do you notice any similarities between yourself and the Celts? I am passionate about these people and love learning about them! What knowledge do you have about the history of the Celts?

Warrior Gods

Welcome to Tursan Tuesdays, where I take you on a journey through the Celtic world.

Last week kicked off my series on comparisons of the Celtic Gods & Goddesses to those of other traditions. We began with The Mórrígan, and it was a lot of fun. You can check it out here.

We’re going to mix it up today. Rather than start with the Celtic warrior god, we’re going to get to know Ares, the Greek warrior god, a little better. While researching Athena, I got to know her brother and found him fascinating. You may have noticed I gave you a hint of him in my last post.

Ares

 Ares is one of the Twelve Olympians, and the son of Zeus and Hera. Unlike his sister, Athena, Ares can be brutal, violent, and destructive. He is a Greek god of war and battle. His particular level of violence seems similar to that of The Mórrígan or Sekhmet.

Ares is fascinating because in one aspect he is regarded with contempt. Due to his affair with Aphrodite, and her husband, Hephaestus’s, clever way of dealing with the incident, Ares is pitied, and often in mythology he faces humiliation and disgrace.

Yet, in another aspect he is compared to the Roman warrior god, Mars. Often they are regarded as one and the same. Mars is said to be just as savage as Ares, yet he is shown with more dignity and grace than his Greek counterpart. Why is this so, if they are the same god?

In further contradiction to the afore-mentioned disdainful view, in some lands, namely Sparta and Macedonia, Ares is revered. He is described as victorious, with superior military skills and physical strength. Indeed, his physical strength, military genius, and resilience are said to be unmatched.

Ares had temples erected in his image, rituals and hymns performed in his honor, and companions with names like “Fear,” and “Dread.”

One bad love affair ruined everything it would seem. A lesson can be learned from this…

Camulus

Camulus, or Camulos, is the British and Gaulish Celtic warrior god. Like Ares, he has been equated to the Roman warrior god, Mars – only, Camulus is considered to be even more dangerous, if that is possible. Interestingly enough, his godly traits are the antithesis to the meaning of his name, Heaven.

Not a lot is known about this illusive god. His symbol is the wild boar, and he is known to wield an invincible sword.

Some say that the Roman town of Camulodunum, now Colchester, England, was named in his honor. Others say it was Camelot that was named after him. Who is to say which is right?

You may think that not knowing much about this particular god makes him less interesting, however I would argue it is this mystery that makes him fascinating. There is so much potential here, so much is open to interpretation and imagination. Just think what stories could be told about him, what journeys he may have, what battles he may wage. Perhaps he is destined for a great love…imagine the type of goddess that would capture this warrior god’s heart. Very interesting..

So talk to me. What do you think of Ares? Is he a pitiful, immature boy – or a magnificent warrior whose reputation has been smeared by jealous adversaries? What do you know about the Roman warrior god, Mars? Have you ever heard of Camulus? What do you know of him?

Please share – I love learning more about these traditions!