A Brief Review of the Celts and Their Influence on Wicca * Wicca is greatly influenced by the religion and culture of the Celts. Aside from the writings of the Celtic enemy, and thus biased, Julius Caesar, most of what we know of Celtic culture was delivered through oral tradition, although the Celtic priesthood, the Druids, did have an alphabet called the Ogham. The Druids believed in reincarnation and the Celts had little fear of death. There were few monsters and demons in their mythology and they were not preoccupied with the idea of evil. They had no concept of sin and punishment and believed that when they died, they went to Summerland, where they were renewed and made ready for rebirth. The four major festivals of Wicca are derived from the Celtic festivals: Samhain, Imbolc, Beltane and Lughnasadh. Two other Celtic concepts that Wicca retains are the idea of outdoor worship and Goddess worship. It was thought best to conduct worship in the natural environment beneath the sun and stars, at sacred wells and springs, and on hilltops. Many altars were erected in sacred groves. Goddesses and women were very
important in Celtic society. Goddesses presided over poetry, arts, smith
craft, war and
more. Dispute resolution was also conducted by Celtic women. *Summarised from Wicca: The Old Religion in the New Millennium by Vivienne Crowley, HarperCollins, Glasgow, 1996. See Also: Page last updated 30 Dec 2005 Website Design and Myths & Magic logo by Míchealín Ní Dhochartaigh Copyright © 2005 Ireland's OWN All Rights Reserved.
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