Post by Shade on Sept 25, 2009 23:20:23 GMT -6
Minor Essay on Celtic Folklore
What we know of the Celtic people today is due to the descriptions of Roman writers, who named them "Keltoi." To the Roman Empire the Celts seemed very primitive; however archeology is beginning to reveal that the Celts had a powerful and complex culture, rich in lore and myth, which would have an impact on human civilizations for centuries to come. The ancient Celts were an enchanting and mysterious pre-Christian people with a romantic and legendary history; people of heroes, wizards, and faeries. Julius Caesar stated that the Celts (Gauls) were "brave, but headstrong and impetuous." These Celtic clans, which were identified by their language and culture, migrated from Central Europe and populated much of western Europe, Britain, and Ireland until they were displaced by the Romans, and later on, Christianity. With the advent of Christianity, Druidism did not vanish, but merely transformed. Even when Saint Brighid converted to Christianity, she and her followers kept the sacred fire at Killdare.
The Celtic social structure was a mixture of religious cosmology, animism, and democratic idealism. Each Celtic tribe held it's own territory which consisted of lands devoted to agriculture, forest, and wilderness. The Celtics were fearless people as both men and women were trained as warriors. Celtic beliefs were polytheistic and their pantheon consisted of as many as four hundred deities. They also believed that upon death the soul left the body and transferred to other humans and even other life forms. The various Celtic clans and tribes were unified by their common priesthood, the Druids. The word “Druid” is derived from “dru” meaning “truth” or “someone immersed in knowledge.” The Greeks were the first to record the word “Druidae” dating back to the second century BC. The various clans had their own sacred tree, crann bethadh, or “Tree of Life” standing as a totem in the middle of their territory. The ancient Druids were also Shamans, the females being Shamankas, as well as clergy. Their attire often included long white robes, headdresses, and feathered capes. They often carried wooden scepters as a sign of their power and rank which could be used as a wand to perform magick. Druid magick was dependent on an awareness of nature and the spirits and gods who lived in nature. Their magick was rooted strongly in the four natural elements: earth, air, fire, and water. Many spells corresponded to one or more of these elements. Druid rituals intertwined the use of the four elements, direction, colors, magick stones, incense, and the lunar calendar. The Druids were the educated elite; the authority on just about everything including medicine. Their medical proficiency included the use of medicated baths of herbs and milk, sweat houses, sutures, stethoscopes made of a horn, healing oils, healing stones, and the use of rituals, spells, visions, and invocations. The Druids believed that in order to have and sustain good health one must have three things: cheerfulness, temperance, and exercise. Healing magick also involved invoking deities associated with health and well being. Some such deities were Airmid, Diancecht, Laeg, Miach, Ariadne, or Clota. Airmid was the daughter of the god of medicine, Diancecht. Astronomy and astrology were also used to aid in medical diagnosis. They worshiped the sun and the moon and had a rudimentary concept and veneration of the closest planets in the solar system. Every celestial event was an omen. Herbs were used for aromatic, savory or medicinal purposes and often had associations with specific Celtic deities. Druids were skilled in botany and the uses of herbs and potions. Dosage forms included teas, tinctures, syrups, and salves. Commonly used herbs were: Anise, Blackthorn, Caraway, Chamomile, Dandelion, Dill, Elder, Eyebright, Foxglove, Wild Basil, Wild Garlic, Ginger, Hawthorn, Horse Radish, Ivy, Juniper, Lavender, Mint, Mistletoe (favored by the Druids and oaks sporting mistletoe were most sacred; this herb was also seen as a sign from the Otherworld), Plantain, Rosemary, Rowan (believed to avert the evil eye and very protective.), Skullcap, Sorrel, Saint John’s Wort, Valerian, and Yarrow (a sacred herb used as a love charm and one of the famous herbs of the “Lancashire Witches”). Other "cures" of a superstitious nature included ingesting a roasted mouse for smallpox or whooping cough, placing gold rings in the ears for sore eyes, pig's blood to remove warts, preserved serpent heads for snake bites, the healing power of baptized water, and the use of amulets and talismans. The numerous sacred wells and lochs also offered healing powers for both mind and body.
The Celtic society in Britain perpetuated many of the feast days of the earlier times with the most important Celtic feast days being the four annual "Fire Festivals." Prior to the availability of western alphabets, Celtic stories were largely passed on as oral tradition. The ancient Celtic storytellers preserved the beauty and romantic myths of Celtic culture. Ironically, many of the mythical stories were not recorded onto paper for the first time until much later by predominately Christian monks. Some of the most famous Celtic legends are those of King Arthur and the wizard Merlin, the poet of Tweedsdale. Of course the true identity and origin of King Arthur is obscure; even though the Arthurian Tales were recorded in Welsh, many historians believe that that some of the romantic and heroic adventures of King Arthur took place in Scotland. The original location of Camelot also remains obscure with several areas in England and Wales laying claim. Merlin, who was the famous advisor and mentor of Arthur, was a druid wizard, prophet, bard, tutor, and keeper of arcane secrets. He was rumored to be the son of an incubus and a mortal woman.
In Celtic culture birds including the raven, swan, goose, owl, eagle, ouzel, and crane were considered sacred. Other divine animals included the dog, cat, wolf, bull, boar, stag, horse, bear, salmon, ram, serpent, and butterfly. These animals were often depicted in intricate knotted patterns. The number three was also sacred to the Druids and had magical powers. Many examples of this are present in the Celtic triquerta, nonegram, trefoil, and the Triangle of manifestation. Many trees were also revered including the rowan, hazel, oak, and yew. The veneration of the oak tree or oak-god was a common practice in Celtic and non-Celtic Europe; it could be used as food and to build shelter. Gatherings and festivals were often held in oak groves.
Another fascinating aspect of Celtic culture were the Dwarfs, Brownies, Elves, and Faeries. These life forms were deemed to be spiritual beings to whom the credulity of humankind has given an imaginary existence. The faeries were beautiful miniatures of the human divine form, in contrast to other less fortunate creatures. Faeries were mischievous and prankish residing in the underground or in little green, rode upon white steeds and had clothing that was brilliant. Leprechauns, a lucky type of male faerie, had become the guardians of ancient treasure burying it in crocks or pots. The Gruagach is a type of Brownie that is believed to have traveled across the Atlantic with the Ulster as they made new homes in the colonies in the mid sixteen hundreds. They are still believed to exist to this day. All of these fascinating creatures are more readily seen by those gifted with "second sight", or the ability to see invisible objects, supernatural visions, and premonitions.
The Druids have remained one of the most interesting cultures over the many centuries. The Ancient Order of the Druids was revived in 1781 in London; Sir Winston Churchill was initiated into the Albion Lodge in 1908. Druidism also still exists in America with the two largest Druid orders, one of them being the Keltria.
Is is a fortunate thing that that the Celtic culture has been preserved in customs, legends, art, music, literature and antiquities. It is only by the record of this mysterious culture that we are free to explore it and learn of it. The simple eloquence of Celtic Knotwork expresses the interconnectivity between the mind, body and nature. We can appreciate that it is not so simple as we might think, but it is beautiful, intriguing and intricate.
What we know of the Celtic people today is due to the descriptions of Roman writers, who named them "Keltoi." To the Roman Empire the Celts seemed very primitive; however archeology is beginning to reveal that the Celts had a powerful and complex culture, rich in lore and myth, which would have an impact on human civilizations for centuries to come. The ancient Celts were an enchanting and mysterious pre-Christian people with a romantic and legendary history; people of heroes, wizards, and faeries. Julius Caesar stated that the Celts (Gauls) were "brave, but headstrong and impetuous." These Celtic clans, which were identified by their language and culture, migrated from Central Europe and populated much of western Europe, Britain, and Ireland until they were displaced by the Romans, and later on, Christianity. With the advent of Christianity, Druidism did not vanish, but merely transformed. Even when Saint Brighid converted to Christianity, she and her followers kept the sacred fire at Killdare.
The Celtic social structure was a mixture of religious cosmology, animism, and democratic idealism. Each Celtic tribe held it's own territory which consisted of lands devoted to agriculture, forest, and wilderness. The Celtics were fearless people as both men and women were trained as warriors. Celtic beliefs were polytheistic and their pantheon consisted of as many as four hundred deities. They also believed that upon death the soul left the body and transferred to other humans and even other life forms. The various Celtic clans and tribes were unified by their common priesthood, the Druids. The word “Druid” is derived from “dru” meaning “truth” or “someone immersed in knowledge.” The Greeks were the first to record the word “Druidae” dating back to the second century BC. The various clans had their own sacred tree, crann bethadh, or “Tree of Life” standing as a totem in the middle of their territory. The ancient Druids were also Shamans, the females being Shamankas, as well as clergy. Their attire often included long white robes, headdresses, and feathered capes. They often carried wooden scepters as a sign of their power and rank which could be used as a wand to perform magick. Druid magick was dependent on an awareness of nature and the spirits and gods who lived in nature. Their magick was rooted strongly in the four natural elements: earth, air, fire, and water. Many spells corresponded to one or more of these elements. Druid rituals intertwined the use of the four elements, direction, colors, magick stones, incense, and the lunar calendar. The Druids were the educated elite; the authority on just about everything including medicine. Their medical proficiency included the use of medicated baths of herbs and milk, sweat houses, sutures, stethoscopes made of a horn, healing oils, healing stones, and the use of rituals, spells, visions, and invocations. The Druids believed that in order to have and sustain good health one must have three things: cheerfulness, temperance, and exercise. Healing magick also involved invoking deities associated with health and well being. Some such deities were Airmid, Diancecht, Laeg, Miach, Ariadne, or Clota. Airmid was the daughter of the god of medicine, Diancecht. Astronomy and astrology were also used to aid in medical diagnosis. They worshiped the sun and the moon and had a rudimentary concept and veneration of the closest planets in the solar system. Every celestial event was an omen. Herbs were used for aromatic, savory or medicinal purposes and often had associations with specific Celtic deities. Druids were skilled in botany and the uses of herbs and potions. Dosage forms included teas, tinctures, syrups, and salves. Commonly used herbs were: Anise, Blackthorn, Caraway, Chamomile, Dandelion, Dill, Elder, Eyebright, Foxglove, Wild Basil, Wild Garlic, Ginger, Hawthorn, Horse Radish, Ivy, Juniper, Lavender, Mint, Mistletoe (favored by the Druids and oaks sporting mistletoe were most sacred; this herb was also seen as a sign from the Otherworld), Plantain, Rosemary, Rowan (believed to avert the evil eye and very protective.), Skullcap, Sorrel, Saint John’s Wort, Valerian, and Yarrow (a sacred herb used as a love charm and one of the famous herbs of the “Lancashire Witches”). Other "cures" of a superstitious nature included ingesting a roasted mouse for smallpox or whooping cough, placing gold rings in the ears for sore eyes, pig's blood to remove warts, preserved serpent heads for snake bites, the healing power of baptized water, and the use of amulets and talismans. The numerous sacred wells and lochs also offered healing powers for both mind and body.
The Celtic society in Britain perpetuated many of the feast days of the earlier times with the most important Celtic feast days being the four annual "Fire Festivals." Prior to the availability of western alphabets, Celtic stories were largely passed on as oral tradition. The ancient Celtic storytellers preserved the beauty and romantic myths of Celtic culture. Ironically, many of the mythical stories were not recorded onto paper for the first time until much later by predominately Christian monks. Some of the most famous Celtic legends are those of King Arthur and the wizard Merlin, the poet of Tweedsdale. Of course the true identity and origin of King Arthur is obscure; even though the Arthurian Tales were recorded in Welsh, many historians believe that that some of the romantic and heroic adventures of King Arthur took place in Scotland. The original location of Camelot also remains obscure with several areas in England and Wales laying claim. Merlin, who was the famous advisor and mentor of Arthur, was a druid wizard, prophet, bard, tutor, and keeper of arcane secrets. He was rumored to be the son of an incubus and a mortal woman.
In Celtic culture birds including the raven, swan, goose, owl, eagle, ouzel, and crane were considered sacred. Other divine animals included the dog, cat, wolf, bull, boar, stag, horse, bear, salmon, ram, serpent, and butterfly. These animals were often depicted in intricate knotted patterns. The number three was also sacred to the Druids and had magical powers. Many examples of this are present in the Celtic triquerta, nonegram, trefoil, and the Triangle of manifestation. Many trees were also revered including the rowan, hazel, oak, and yew. The veneration of the oak tree or oak-god was a common practice in Celtic and non-Celtic Europe; it could be used as food and to build shelter. Gatherings and festivals were often held in oak groves.
Another fascinating aspect of Celtic culture were the Dwarfs, Brownies, Elves, and Faeries. These life forms were deemed to be spiritual beings to whom the credulity of humankind has given an imaginary existence. The faeries were beautiful miniatures of the human divine form, in contrast to other less fortunate creatures. Faeries were mischievous and prankish residing in the underground or in little green, rode upon white steeds and had clothing that was brilliant. Leprechauns, a lucky type of male faerie, had become the guardians of ancient treasure burying it in crocks or pots. The Gruagach is a type of Brownie that is believed to have traveled across the Atlantic with the Ulster as they made new homes in the colonies in the mid sixteen hundreds. They are still believed to exist to this day. All of these fascinating creatures are more readily seen by those gifted with "second sight", or the ability to see invisible objects, supernatural visions, and premonitions.
The Druids have remained one of the most interesting cultures over the many centuries. The Ancient Order of the Druids was revived in 1781 in London; Sir Winston Churchill was initiated into the Albion Lodge in 1908. Druidism also still exists in America with the two largest Druid orders, one of them being the Keltria.
Is is a fortunate thing that that the Celtic culture has been preserved in customs, legends, art, music, literature and antiquities. It is only by the record of this mysterious culture that we are free to explore it and learn of it. The simple eloquence of Celtic Knotwork expresses the interconnectivity between the mind, body and nature. We can appreciate that it is not so simple as we might think, but it is beautiful, intriguing and intricate.