Some thoughts of Reconstructing Celtic Polytheism

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[Drgong]

First off hello all, first posting here at the Cauldron.

These are some thoughts that I have on Reconstructing a Celtic Polytheism in the modern time.   I am not "wedded" to any of these ideas, and I don't mind if people agree, or disagree, as this is just to pass on some ideas, some might be good, some might be bad.   

First off, the Celts where not a unified tribe with the same beliefs throughout, It was more of a collection of Clans and smaller tribes who shares common cultural aspects with each other.   Also there is the Celtic tribes and then the "Celtic" language groups, which are not the same.   

each of these tribes/clans had there own range of gods and goddesses, with a fair amount of overlap.   Perhaps Celtic gods did not want to overlook too large of group of humans, or perhaps it was a natural outgrowth as Celts might of adsorbed faiths from those who they met.

Also, the actual knowledge of what there beliefs is not actually well known, as not much of it was written down, as it was passed though a oral tradition, and this has been lost.  However, even if we where to develop a time machine and learn what that knowledge is, it may very well be unique to that clan or group.

so what does that leave us if we wish to reconstruct the celtic faith? 

*a large collection of deities, both general, and local (local streams, mountains, and rivers and such)
*Celts where not pacifists, in fact, they where many noted warriors among them, and when invaded, gave the roman legions a difficult time.
*there is much that we do NOT know, and in some cases, we will have to recreate reasonable (to us) facsimiles that fit into the framework while at the same time work in the sense of pleasing the deity(s) and offering a spiritual path for the practitioners. 

I am not going to pretend that I have concepts pass down from my grandmother in a secret initiation (however poetic that may be) and only one of my family branches come from Celtic areas (the rest are Nordic/Germanic).  I happen to be inspired more by the Golden Bough then Wicca or other "Magical" systems, and I feel that most of those magical systems, as they are based strongly on the Golden Dawn, and thus the Abrahamic god, is unsuited to reconstruct Celtic Polytheism.  Thus it will be more Prayers, devotionals, and offerings then some Pagan setups. 

Thus the entire concept of Celtic Polytheism allows for one person or family to have somewhat different rituals then the next, as even in Celtic times, this was the case.   Also, not all of us live in areas that where traditionally Celtic, thus we may have to look for and discover what local deities are about us where we live.   If we find that the local mountain that towers over our community is the "Old man of the mountain" it would not be improper to include this in your worship as a local deity, however, not to disparage genosis, adding deities from other systems would need to be looked and thought over carefully.  (there was some overlap in later years, and if your reconstructing later era Celtic faith, then it would make sense to added Celtic/Roman Deities as a example)

So what does that leave us?

you have a large assortment of Celtic deities, and find which ones you have a connection to, discover the local deities, that is the easy part.

Now you faced with the daunting tasks of recreating the rituals needed, and that is a tough road, but there is personal rites, and community rites, and once established, once you have discovered and maintained a holy place, celbrate, then teach your children, and in a generation or two you might have your own clan of Celtic faith existing, of course, if you find fellow followers, it might be sooner!

Just my .02 cents as I wake up in the morning...

[Seren]

*a large collection of deities, both general, and local (local streams, mountains, and rivers and such)
*Celts where not pacifists, in fact, they where many noted warriors among them, and when invaded, gave the roman legions a difficult time.
*there is much that we do NOT know, and in some cases, we will have to recreate reasonable (to us) facsimiles that fit into the framework while at the same time work in the sense of pleasing the deity(s) and offering a spiritual path for the practitioners. 

In terms of reconstructionism (to which I would like to answer - although I realise the bounds of this group is a little wider than that), recons tend to focus on a Celtic culture specifically. This usually means Irish, Scottish, Gaulish or Brythonic - it depends on the flavour. CR is an umbrella term, therefore, and in many respects, so is the more specific cultural identifier - I would say I'm a Scottish Recon, but I focus specifically on the area I now live in. I always have - where I live now is an added bonus in that respect. In practice, this means I recognise and mostly focus on the Gaelic heritage of the area but also the Brythonic heritage that leaves its mark on the area (I live on the Clyde, so I include *Clota, probably a Brythonic deity. It's complicated...).

I'm not sure I've ever met any CR nor any Celtic Polytheist, of any flavour, who truly believed the Celts - any Celts - were pacifists. The myths and archaeologists are pretty much conclusive on this. Nor do recons claim to be doing things *exactly* as things were done in pre-Christian times. Yes, we look to the sources, to history, to archaeology, to more recent folklore in order to inform our ritual practice...We don't claim it's exact or authentic. Nor do most other Celtic Pagans I've encountered, except those who want to make a fast buck, to be honest. Luckily those are few and far between.

[Gonner]

Jaze well this could be my first kind of dodgy ruleswise post. I dunno how its goin to be recieved.

Also, the actual knowledge of what there beliefs is not actually well known, as not much of it was written down, as it was passed though a oral tradition, and this has been lost.  However, even if we where to develop a time machine and learn what that knowledge is, it may very well be unique to that clan or group.

Id disagree there, my view is there is no need to reconstruct polytheism because its always been a part of the traditional cultures. Certainly in Ireland anyway and Id assume cos we are geographically close and not VASTLY different in our history that Wales and Scotland would be the same. The way of viewing deities is cultural and culture stretches back to time imemmorial. Whether youre christian or aknowledge that its polytheism it doesnt matter cos its the same practice.

A Pagan religion from the Iron age though, I agree that needs reconstructing to build foundations. It doesnt exist today but it will take some imagination because the religion was never codified and a reconstructionist has to do unprecidented work to codify it. Ideally they would be guided by the framework of traditional culture of one form or another be it their own countries or the country of origins.

So what does that leave us?

you have a large assortment of Celtic deities, and find which ones you have a connection to, discover the local deities, that is the easy part.

Now you faced with the daunting tasks of recreating the rituals needed, and that is a tough road, but there is personal rites, and community rites, and once established, once you have discovered and maintained a holy place, celbrate, then teach your children, and in a generation or two you might have your own clan of Celtic faith existing, of course, if you find fellow followers, it might be sooner!

All those things already exist in the same place they did in the Iron Age. The Traditional Cultures. With the possible exception of rituals for energy work cos thats atleast only 18th century and completely British. If you want those things embrace your local culture and add its shared knowledge and values to the religion, it would certainly help the religion function in a realistic way. Or move to Ireland or somewhere and live in a traditional community. So long as you dont walk around telling people that what they do is pagan cos its related to pre christian idea's and you'll just be someone really really interested in Irish Culture to them.

James

[Star]

Jaze well this could be my first kind of dodgy ruleswise post. I dunno how its goin to be recieved.

I don't see anything there that's remotely dodgy rules-wise...  But in the future, if you're not sure, please contact a member of staff to check first rather than just posting and hoping for the best.  After all, you'll get in no trouble at all for asking--but we're likely to be a little harder on you if what you post does break the rules and you obviously knew it would but posted it anyway. 

[Gonner]

I don't see anything there that's remotely dodgy rules-wise...  But in the future, if you're not sure, please contact a member of staff to check first rather than just posting and hoping for the best.  After all, you'll get in no trouble at all for asking--but we're likely to be a little harder on you if what you post does break the rules and you obviously knew it would but posted it anyway. 

Ah good advice Star. I'll give that a go next time I feel a little dodgy about the post Ive composed. Thanks!

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