Sacred Wonders of Britain (BBC, 2013) Archeologist Neil Oliver sets off on a journey to reveal the sacred face of Britain, an ancient landscape of belief and ritual that lies hidden just below the surface of the modern world. From Britain’s remotest islands to the heart of its cities, Neil searches for clues that tellContinue reading “Sacred Wonders of Britain”
Category Archives: Celtic
The Underworld
The Underworld, also known as the Otherworld or Netherworld, is featured in most mythologies around the world. It is a realm of the dead, where the souls of the recently departed go in their afterlife. Many versions of the Underworld are seen as places of abundance and joy, and reward for good work during theirContinue reading “The Underworld”
Hogmanay
‘Hogmanay’ is celebrated in Scotland on the last day of the year, with festivities often extending until the first or second day of the New Year. Also known as Ne’erday (Netherday, New Year’s Day), Hogmanay is thought to be related to pagan celebrations such as the Winter Solstice and Yule. The origin of the termContinue reading “Hogmanay”
Spiral
The Spiral is known as a symbol of the goddess, a symbol of life. A Spiral represents “death and rebirth as movement into the disappearing-point of formlessness, and out of it again, to a new world of form.” (The Woman’s Encyclopedia of Myths and Secrets) Spiral symbology is also present in the Double Spiral andContinue reading “Spiral”
Gundestrup Cauldron
The Gundestrup Cauldron is a richly decorated silver vessel attributed to the late La Tène period or early Roman Iron Age (1st or 2nd century BCE). Its plates are etched with many mythological and ritual scenes from the pagan world. It was unearthed in a peat bog in 1891 near Gundestrup, in Himmerland, Denmark. TheContinue reading “Gundestrup Cauldron”
Fionn mac Cumhaill
Fionn mac Cumhaill (Finn Mac Cool) was an Irish warrior hero who features in stories from the Fenian Cycle of Irish mythology. He also features in the folklore of Scotland and the Isle of Man. Fionn was the son of Cumhaill, the leader of the Fianna, and Muirne, daughter of the druid Tadg mac Nuadat. Continue reading “Fionn mac Cumhaill”
Ériu, Goddess of Ireland
Éire / Éireann/ Éirenn / Éirinn / Erin Ériu was a Queen and patron goddess of Ireland around the time of the Milesian invasion. She was seen as the Goddess of Irish Sovereignty along with her sisters, Banba and Fódla. Ériu’s name is thought mean ‘earth, soil’ or ‘plentiful’, as well as ‘fat land’ orContinue reading “Ériu, Goddess of Ireland”
Druidry
The Druids were a class of priests, teachers, judges, seers, astronomers, doctors and philosophers who held very high standing in Iron Age Celtic society. The word “Druid” has generally come to mean a wise man or a priest, with knowledge of the oak. Very little is known about the Druids since there is no writtenContinue reading “Druidry”
Cernunnos, the Horned One
Cernunnos is a Celtic/Gaulish god of fertility, vegetation, animals, male power and energy, wealth and the underworld. He is depicted with horns of a stag, therefore also known as “the Horned One”. There is only one known historical reference that mentions Cernunnos by name, the 1st century Pillar of the Boatmen. However most horned orContinue reading “Cernunnos, the Horned One”
Cailleach, the Veiled One
Scotland – Cailleach Bheur (Gentle Old Lady, Divine Hag), Cailleach Uragaig, Cailleach Beinne Bric (Old Woman of the Speckled Mountain), Cailleach Mor (Great Old Woman), Carlin, ScotiaIreland – Cailleach Bhéirre, Cailleach Bolus, Cailleach Corca DuibheIsle of Man – Caillagh ny Groamagh (Gloomy Old Woman), Caillagh ny Gueshag (Old Woman of the Spells) The Cailleach isContinue reading “Cailleach, the Veiled One”
West Coast Pagan 