| Celtic Spirituality (Celtic Tradition) Many individuals, especially during the last 10 years or so of the past millenium, across the world began to feel a profound lack of spirituality in their life. They were the one's who grew up following a particular religious faith, went to their church, synagogue or mosque on a routine basis and generally believed in the religious doctrines; they were also the ones who experienced a "falling out" or disagreement with their religious beliefs and sought out another faith more suitable to their liking; and they were the ones who did not follow any particular faith or religious teachings at all. What was happening is that they were discovering the need for a greater spirituality, a spirituality that could not be found in their present situation. The need to feel more connected with themselves and their environment was fast becoming a universal dilemma. There was also the growing concern over what was happening with the environment and the constant struggle and strife that was occuring between humankind. Since then, the problems have increased and the need has grown only stronger - more and more individuals are breaking away from the traditional path and doctrines of their faith because it has become too confining or does not allow for spiritual expansion and exploration. Many individuals now, including myself, believe that we have found that greater spirituality. With the increased interest in exploring one's ancestry and heritage, many people have also learned about the spiritual paths that were predominant among their ancestors. Before the advent of Christianity, many cultures and civilizations practiced and believed in, what we refer to today as a Earth Religion. There were many forms that the Earth Religion took depending on the culture or civilization that one was a part of. But the basic structure was the same worldwide. The central core or belief that all of our ancestors followed was one in which the earth was worshipped and revered. That every facet of both animate and inanimate structures found on earth were controlled by deities or spirits and that there was one Greater Goddess and God (considered to be the central source of all creation), and that there was an unbreakable spiritual bond between our innerself, the earth and all its elements, and the central source. Many names can be applied to the various forms of earth religion practiced today. Commonly, however, when earth religion is referred to today, we commonly hear the term "Pagan" When one is considered to be a pagan, it means that the individual believes in worshipping the Great Goddess and revering the earth just as the ancestors did. It does not have anything to do with evil, satanic worship or the devil. The ancient celts were but one of many "pagan" cultures. The Celts cannot really be thought of as an ancient civilization but perhaps a culture would be more applicable. They did not evolve in one particular place nor did they originate with one particular type of religious belief. The Celts were a mixture of many different different races and cultures and civilizations simply due to the fact that they traveled far and wide before finally settling down in what we now call Ireland, Scotland, Wales and portions of Britian. Because of all this, the Celtic Tradition seems to have evolved from the best of all that they were exposed to and the practices of those that were adopted or married into the tribe. Their spirituality/religious beliefs remain centered around the Great Goddess and the earth while other components structured their governing laws and way of life. They were a very moral and ethical race which seems rather out of context for these so called "barbarians" who loved to war and drink. The Celtic Spirituality or Celtic Tradition reflects both the spirituality, morals and ethics that many of us are seeking today |
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