|
Books > Humanities > Religion & beliefs > Non-Christian religions > Pre-Christian European & Mediterranean religions > Ancient Celtic religion
In a land like ours, the old beliefs bring pleasure and wisdom...
Exploring the legends, special places and treasured practices of
old, Jo Kerrigan reveals a rich world beneath Ireland's modern
layers. So many of today's Irish traditions reach back to our
ancient past, to the natural world: climbing to the summit of a
mountain at harvest time; circling a revered site three, seven or
nine times in a sun-wise direction; hanging offerings on a thorn
tree; bringing the ailing and infirm to a sacred well. Old Ways,
Old Secrets shows us how to uncover the wisdom of the past, as
fresh as it is ancient. 'Inviting, lyrical text and beautiful,
atmospheric photographs ... A fascinating read.' Evening Echo on
West Cork: A Place Apart
A sweeping history of Ireland's native gods, from Iron Age cult and
medieval saga to the Celtic Revival and contemporary fiction
Ireland's Immortals tells the story of one of the world's great
mythologies. The first account of the gods of Irish myth to take in
the whole sweep of Irish literature in both the nation's languages,
the book describes how Ireland's pagan divinities were transformed
into literary characters in the medieval Christian era-and how they
were recast again during the Celtic Revival of the late nineteenth
and early twentieth centuries. A lively narrative of supernatural
beings and their fascinating and sometimes bizarre stories, Mark
Williams's comprehensive history traces how these gods-known as the
Tuatha De Danann-have shifted shape across the centuries. We meet
the Morrigan, crow goddess of battle; the fire goddess Brigit, who
moonlights as a Christian saint; the fairies who inspired J.R.R.
Tolkien's elves; and many others. Ireland's Immortals illuminates
why these mythical beings have loomed so large in the world's
imagination for so long.
Scottish Witchcraft is an introduction and guide to the magickal
folk traditions of the Highlands of Scotland. Author Barbara
Meiklejohn-Free, a Scottish hereditary witch, takes you on a
journey through her own spiritual awakening into the craft and
shares the ins and outs of incorporating these ancient magical
traditions into your own life. Discover the secrets to divination,
scrying, faerie magic, and communicating with ancestors. Explore
herb and plant lore, Scottish folk traditions, and magic rituals
for your specific needs. Filled with inspiring anecdotes, craft
history, and step-by-step instructions, this book will help you
begin a new chapter of spiritual discovery.
In this beautiful treasury of sacred wisdom, Mara Freeman shares the rich legacy of the Celts -- the festivals, gods and goddesses, saints, faeries, music, poetry, and storytelling that anchor this magical tradition. Discover myths, rituals, recipes, and crafts for every month of theyear. Honor Saint Brigit with a prayer in February, or ensure a merry start to May with a bowl of frothy syllabub. Come together with friends and neighbors to celebrate community in the high days of August, then learn to weave a solstice wreath in snowy December. Traditional blessings, ancient lore, and guided meditations inspire you to reconnect with the rhythms of the natural world, and view the sacred as an integral part of every day. Rediscover the wisdom and healing power of nature, and cultivate and honor your soul as you would the earth. Let the spirit of the ancient Celts enchant you in every season, year after year.
Twiceborn: My Early Thoughts that Revealed My True Mission
chronicles Ryuho Okawa's formative years up to the founding of
Happy Science and rise to religious prominence. Comprised of two
parts, Part One offers a glimpse into Okawa's early thoughts on
profound philosophical themes. Part Two depicts Okawa's first
mainstream lecture in Tokyo Dome, where he addressed a grand
audience of 50,000 people in July, 1991. Okawa's milestone moments
will be featured in the theatrical film, Twiceborn, a dramatized
account of Okawa's ascent to greatness, scheduled for international
release in the Fall of 2020. Since childhood, Okawa was conscious
of an important mission steering his future, and dedicated his
youth to assiduous study and training. Part One is comprised of six
chapters, where Okawa shares vital lessons and discoveries from his
youth that would later stand him in good stead when assuming his
mission as a world teacher. Chapter One introduces Okawa's humble
beginnings and his awareness of being ordinary. Okawa frames this
perception as the impetus governing his aspirations and commitment
to diligence. Drawing from experience, Okawa shares key points to
consider for those who aspire for greatness. Chapter Two seeds the
importance of cultivating a spirit of independence. In this
context, independence is the spirit to take responsibility over
your life, both mentally and financially, and to live a truly
fruitful and meaningful existence. Chapter Three explores the
notion of diverse values - why different values, such as people's
way of thinking and religious ideas exist, and how we should
perceive this diversity. Okawa also shares thoughts on the
existence of good and evil and God's purpose behind this duality.
Chapter Four focuses objectively on God - from how Okawa came to
ponder the existence of God, to his actual experience with the
divine - by contemplating his upbringing, environment and the
struggles that he encountered throughout adolescence. Okawa accents
the importance of controlling and refining one's own mind to
encounter God. Chapter Five pertains to time and being. Okawa
probes philosophical themes, including why we exist in this world
and how we can universally validate the existence of God through
love. Chapter Six describes, in detail, the crucial moment when
Okawa overcame the Devils' temptation and vowed dedication to a
life of religious prominence. Okawa's sincerity conveys his earnest
mission to champion peace and deliver salvation to us all. Part Two
depicts Okawa's 1991 milestone lecture in Tokyo Dome, "The Victory
of Faith," where he made a stunning revelation that forever changed
the lives of millions. In this powerful and inspiring lecture,
Okawa reveals the spiritual truths governing this world and the
reason for our existence. Twiceborn imbues readers with timeless
wisdom to further spiritual enrichment and inspire meaningful
societal contributions. Find God in your given circumstances and
endeavor the mission that you are destined for!
"All myths and sagas and legends are like a shimmering veil of many
colours, stirred now and then by the wind of our desires, but still
hiding from most of us that Council of the Wise seated at the Round
Table of the Stars... But between us and them lies the gulf of our
arrogance and the mists of our unbelief." The Flaming Door is
perhaps Eleanor Merry's most famous work and made an important
contribution to the renewal of Celtic mythology. Slumbering in the
ancient sagas and legends are the secrets of initiation: when men
and women found their way through the 'flaming door', the threshold
between the physical and spiritual worlds. The book falls into two
parts: before Christ, which includes studies of The Bards, The
Cauldron of Ceridwen and Hu the Mighty; and after Christ, which
includes the Legends of Odrum, St Columba and the Legends of the
Rose and the Lily.
Druidism evolved out of the tribal cultures of Britain, Ireland and
western France over two thousand years ago. In the seventeenth
century it experienced a revival, which has continued to this day.
Contemporary Druids can now be found all over the world, and
Druidry's appeal lies in its focus on a reverence for the natural
world, a belief in the value of personal creativity and of
developing a sense of communion with the powers of nature and the
spirit. Druidry's startling recent growth lies in its broad appeal:
some treat it as a philosophy, others as a religion, still others
as a path of self-development. Druids can be Pagan, or can be
followers of other faiths, and a Druid ceremony might include
Christian and Buddhist Druids alongside Pagan and Wiccan Druids.
Philip Carr-Gomm explains the practical value of following Druidism
today, and examines its core beliefs and relevance to the
contemporary issues that face us all.
Noted French scholar and linguist discusses the gods of the continental Celts, the beginnings of mythology in Ireland, heroes, and the two main categories of Irish deities: mother-goddesses-local, rural spirits of fertility or of war-and chieftain-gods: national deities who are magicians, nurturers, craftsmen, and protectors of the people.
Harness the mythic power of the Celtic goddesses, gods, heroes and
heroines to aid your spiritual quests and magical goals. This book
explains how to use creative ritual and pathworking to align
yourself with the energy of these archetypes, whose potent images
live deep within your psyche. The book begins with an overview of
49 different types of Celtic Paganism followed today, then gives
specific instructions for evoking and invoking the energy of the
Celtic patheon to channel it toward magickal and spiritual goals
and into esbat, sabbat and life transition rituals. Three detailed
pathworking texts will take the reader on an inner journey where
they will join forces with the archetypal images of Cuchulain,
Queen Maeve and Merlin the Magician to bring their energies
directly into the reader's life. The last half of the book clearly
details the energies of over 300 Celtic deities and mythic figures
to evoke or invoke the appropriate deity to attain a specific goal.
The book should help solitary pagans who seek to expand the
boundaries of their practice to form working partnerships with the
divine.
The Celtic approach to life is holistic, with little distinction
made between the sacred and the secular, or between the physical
world and the spiritual one. This spiritual awareness grew from the
Celtic myths and legends: warriors that were godlike, druids that
could walk between worlds, and magical lands that lay on the
boundaries of earthly kingdoms. Celtic mysticism is an approach to
life, and this book brings the Celtic world into a modern context.
The important myths and legends are told and the thinking behind
the Celts' feeling for their world is examined and explained. There
are exercises to increase your awareness of the power of nature and
its holistic character, and how to use meditation and mind
journeying to meet Celtic archetypes. Open yourself up to the
inspiration of history and the rich culture that is the Celtic
heritage, and enter a world that has enriched and inspired us for
centuries.
Journey to a hauntingly beautiful fairyland steeped in Celtic
lore. Vivid, luminescent scenes vibrate with significant detail,
deep meaning, and sheer beauty. Not everyone is lucky enough to
experience these magical creatures firsthand, but this tarot will
draw you into a unique realm of fey wisdom and guidance.
The mystery, magic and myth of Manannan. The sea is a powerful,
driving force for many people, a source of sustenance as well as
danger. It is no surprise that Manannan, the Celtic God of the sea,
should be an important figure but one who is also as ambiguous as
the element he is associated with: a trickster, a magic worker, an
advisor and a warrior. In this book you will get to know the many
faces of Manannan, called the son of the ocean, and learn of his
important place in mythology and the pivotal role he plays in many
events. 'This highly intelligent but accessible book belongs on the
shelves and nightstands of lovers of Celtic myth.' Courtney Weber,
author of Brigid: History, Mystery, and Magic of the Celtic Goddess
Ireland is flooded, derelict. It never stops raining. The Kid in
Yellow has stolen the babba from the Earlie King. Why? Something to
do with the King's daughter, and a talking statue, something
godawful. And from every wall the King's Eye watches. And yet the
city is full of hearts-defiant-sprayed in yellow, the mark of the
Kid. It cannot end well. Can it? Follow the Kid, hear the tale.
Roll up! Roll up!
This new and completely redesigned edition offers a vivid and
evocative insight into the last tribal culture in Europe. Sharkey
explores the mysterious beliefs of these ancient people: their gods
and monuments, heroic tales and pagan rituals, and the enduring
imaginative power of their art and lore. Their epic mythmaking and
sinuous art conjure a world of strange transformations and liminal
states, moving freely between life and death, light and dark,
mortal and divine. The latter part of the book comprises eleven
richly illustrated `Themes' sections: illuminating groupings of
ancient art that complement the main text.
The Green Man is an ancient and popular icon of the natural world -
the very spirit of nature. Here, in this remarkable pack, his tree
wisdom and the Celtic Ogam tree alphabet combine to bring you an
oracle of immense power. The beautifully illustrated deck of 25
cards depicts each of the trees that make up this ancient Celtic
alphabet. The Green Man is present in every image - sometimes
obvious, sometimes hidden - inviting you to enter his world. You
will discover tree lore, myths and symbolism, and you will learn
the innermost meaning of each card, and how this age-old knowledge
can guide you in your life today.
A complete guide to the techniques of the pre-Celtic Druids for
understanding the past, present, and future In this practical
guide, Jon G. Hughes shares ancient secret Druidic techniques of
divination passed down to him across five generations in an
unbroken lineage of influential Welsh Druids. Hughes explains the
three forms of divination used by his tradition: interpretive
divination, used by readers of the Sevens (small staves with
engraved sigils); inductive divination, which includes instructions
for reading the wind, reading smoke, and divination using water;
and intuitive divination, whose tools includes cup-stones and slate
mirrors for scrying. Providing step-by-step instructions for
practices in each of the three forms, he offers a wealth of
divinatory techniques and explains how to access the altered states
of consciousness necessary to read time backward and forward. He
also explores the crafting and use of all tools and mixtures the
reader will need to perform each type of divination, including
botanical compounds, scrying wands, and a slate speculum vitae, the
"mirror of life." He reveals how the prime function of divination
in this school of Druidic lore is to gain insight into past,
present, and future events through a process of internalizing them,
akin to empathy, and then interpreting them. By providing an
understanding of pre-Celtic beliefs and clear instructions for
Druidic practices, Hughes offers each of us the opportunity to
begin our own practical experimentation and journey of discovery
into the ancient art of Druidic divination.
Brigid of Kildare, Ireland, is uniquely venerated as both a goddess
and a saint throughout Ireland, Europe and the USA. Often referred
to as Mary of the Gael and considered the second most important
saint in Ireland after St Patrick, her widespread popularity has
led to the creation of more traditional activities than any other
saint; some of which survive to this day. As a result of original
historical and archaeological research Brian Wright provides a
fascinating insight into this unique and mysterious figure. This
book uncovers for the first time when and by whom the goddess was
'conceived' and evidence that St Brigid was a real person. It also
explains how she 'became' a saint, her historical links with the
unification of Ireland under a High King in the first century and
discusses in depth her first documented visit to England in AD 488.
Today, Brigid remains strongly connected with the fertility of
crops, animals and humans and is celebrated throughout the world
via the continuation of customs, ceremonies and relics with origins
dating back to pre-Christian times. Using a combination of early
Celtic history, archaeology, tradition and folklore from Ireland,
Britain and other countries, this comprehensive study unravels the
mystery of a goddess and saint previously complicated by the
passage of time.
For years, from her home on a hill outside Nashville, River Jordan
felt a call to travel to the mystical Isle of Iona, off the coast
of Scotland--the island that gave birth to Celtic Christianity. In
The Ancient Way she invites us to leave the sacred space of our
homes and our lives and join her on this pilgrimage. With the help
of friends and the kindness of strangers, Jordan winds her way
across green mountains to late-night ferries, across islands and
down one-way roads led by the light of Iona and a trust in God.
Along the way she explores ancient Celtic Christian practices such
as cherishing creation, trusting spiritual friendship, offering
hospitality, creative imagination, and honoring community--carrying
them home with her to infuse her daily life. This is an intimate
story of imagination, of personal transformation, of stillness and
prayer. It's also a quirky, thoughtful guide for cultivating divine
connection and creativity as we embark on our own wild adventures,
chasing after the mystery that calls us all.
A guide to the history and practices of the Druids and the Celtic
faith * Reconstructs the Druidic faith from surviving remnants,
parallels with other Indo-European traditions, and dedicated study
of scholarly sources * Details magical rites and ceremonies,
methods for consecrating an outdoor temple, and customs for
celebrating important festivals such as Beltaine and Samhain *
Discusses rules for firecraft, making offerings to deities and
spirits, and the ancient Coligny calendar, including the names of
the months in old Gaulish Druids and their magic, lore, and rituals
have fascinated all those who encounter them, from the ancient
Greeks and Romans onward. Even today, the mere mention of their
name evokes pictures of standing stones, mistletoe, golden sickles,
white-robed priests, and powerful sorcerers. But were they really
as we picture them? Drawing on comparative mythology and
linguistics, archaeological evidence, and etymology, Teresa Cross
offers readers a comprehensive course in the history and
development of the Celtic spiritual tradition and its lore,
reconstructing the Druidic faith from the remnants that have
survived and dedicated study of scholarly sources. She also reveals
parallels with other Indo-European traditions, such as the
similarities between Celtic and Vedic Hindu beliefs and practices.
She chronicles the ethics and spiritual teachings of Druidism and
the Celtic faith and examines what happened to these beliefs during
centuries of Christianization. Moving from history to practice,
Cross details magical rites and ceremonies as practiced by
modern-day followers of Druidactos. She explores the structure of
the Touta, which roughly corresponds to "tribe," methods for
consecrating a nemeton, the outdoor temple that offers the optimum
sacred space for the meeting of heaven and earth, and the rites and
customs associated with important festivals such as Beltaine and
Samhain. She also explores the rules of firecraft, the sacred art
of giving to the cosmos, making offerings to deities and spirits,
sacred food and beverages, and the ancient Coligny calendar,
including the names of the months in old Gaulish. Offering an
authentic handbook for starting your own Celtic group led by
Druids, Cross reveals the meanings and metaphysics behind the
Celtic and Druidic customs and traditions, reuniting the
fragmentary remains of long-lost Druid culture with the
still-living practices of the Celtic faith.
|
|