I absolutely adore Loreena McKennitt. The Canadian singer-songwriter blends Celtic and Middle Eastern music themes and pulls a lot of inspiration from folklore and mythology. The Mummers’ Dance is my favourite song of hers, and even though it came out more then 20 (!) years ago, it still gets me every time I play it.
Tag Archives: Celtic
Sacred Wonders of Britain
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”
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”
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 There is only one known historical reference that mentions Cernunnos by name, the 1st century Pillar of the Boatmen.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”
Arianrhod, Silver Wheel
Arianrhod (Aranrhod, Arianrod) is the Welsh goddess of fertility, rebirth, cosmic time and fate. Her name means ‘silver wheel’, therefore she is associated with the moon, the cosmos, and the wheel of time. She is often seen as a mother goddess, similar to the Irish goddess Danu. She is the daughter of the Welsh goddess DônContinue reading “Arianrhod, Silver Wheel”
The World of Stonehenge
Neil Oliver, archaeologist and presenter of several BBC documentaries, has created a wonderful series that is highly entertaining and informative. (It doesn’t hurt that he has a cute Scottish accent!) Highly recommended for anyone interested in the history of Great Britain, particularly Celtic history. A History of Ancient Britain, Series 1, BBC 2 (2011) aka TheContinue reading “The World of Stonehenge”
Celtic Reconstructionism
Celtic Reconstructionism is a polytheistic reconstructionist approach to Celtic Neopaganism. Celtic Reconstructionism recognizes a number of sub-traditions or denominations, such as Scottish, Irish, Welsh, and even within New World colonies such as Nova Scotia and other parts of North America. Celtic Reconstructionism is a mix of Celtic Studies with pre-Christian Celtic spiritual practice. Many DruidContinue reading “Celtic Reconstructionism”
The Dagda, Father of All
The Dagda is a powerful Irish god, also known as Eochaid Ollathair (“All Father”), Ruad Rofhessa (“Lord of Great Knowledge”), or Lord of the Heavens. His name means “good”, and is known as the god of protection, warriors, knowledge, the arts, magic, music, initiation, prophecy, weather, reincarnation, death, fire, the sun, healing, regeneration, prosperity andContinue reading “The Dagda, Father of All”
Danu, Great Mother
Dana, Anu, Ana, Anann, Danand, Dôn (Wales), Danuvius (Roman), Duna (Hungarian), Donau (German) Danu is an ancient Irish triple goddess who is considered the “Great Mother” of Ireland. She is the Mother of the Irish gods and faery people, the Tuatha Dé Danann , which literally means the “People of the Goddess Danu”. Danu means knowledge, wisdom,Continue reading “Danu, Great Mother”
West Coast Pagan 