The present form of the Celtic faith, is less than a century old, though it follows a tradition of wisdom that is as old as Druidism, if not more. Without going into great detail, modern Celts area "remade" and popularized. Those who practice it say that the Celtic faith is the worship of a the Gods, whose religion began in the late stone age, refined during classical civilizations such as Egypt, Sumer, and Babylon, (and presumably also by European civilizations like the Greeks and Proto-Celts) wrongly branded as satanism by zealous mediaeval Christians, and violently hunted to near-extinction. This prejudice continues to this day, although thankfully not with violence. Please to the Gods, DO NOT confuse true Druidism and Celtic worship with Wicca. They are very different beliefs!!

The case for the survival of European Celtic faith from antiquity to today is the same as the case made by Romantics for the survival of Druidism. It is said that during periods of persecution and inquisition, the old Celtic practitioners practiced their faith in secret, transmitting the lore from mother to daughter and from father to son, re-emerging into society only after the flames of the inquisition pyres had mostly died down. It is an unverifiable claim, but a very compelling one.

Some who practice Celtic faith make the claim that Druidism was the religion of male mysteries and the Celtic branch was of women's mysteries, in the ancient Celtic culture. Given that there are many cases of powerful female Druids in the myths, it is unlikely. I know of only one case set aside for strictly women's mysteries. There is the perpetual fire of Brigid that is kept at the monastery in Kildare, Ireland, that is tended only by women, which is certainly a women's mystery but is probably part of the worship of Brigid. As indicated elsewhere, Druidism does not specialize its skills across gender divisions.

The essentials of Celtic and Druidic worship are: Equal emphasis on the Earth, Sea, and Sky. Celtic Druidism has many gods, who are not aligned in a dualistic polarity but exist independently. Druidic triple goddesses are not linked by matrilineal line (like maiden-mother-crones) as is the Wiccan Goddess, but by generation, as sisters: Morrigu/Nemhain/Babd (war & battle goddesses), Banba/Fodla/Eiru (land and sovereignty goddesses) for example are all sisters. Celtic and Druidic faith do not make liberal use of four elements. Druids/Celtics are but two beliefs of MANY not bound by the Wiccan Rede; perhaps the closest thing to an ethical statement is Ossian's Answer.

Many modern followers of the Wiccan tradition often associate themselves (in error) to the ancient Druids and Celts.

This is not to say that versions of Celtic Wicca are inherently untruthful from a philosophical point of view. Wicca occasionally borrows Celtic deities and themes for its work, and this Celt has no problem with that. It is to say, that there is no historical Celtic Wicca. Having said that, however, Celtic Wiccans are occasionally and most wrongfully berated by modern Druids for not being culturally or historically "pure" enough. Wiccans often call upon Celtic deities as their Goddess and God, which they justify with the interesting idea that, to quote the famous British witch Doreen Valiente, "All Goddesses are one Goddess, all Gods are one God, there is but one Initiator". The problem is one of historical accuracy, and of philosophical coherence.

Back We Go

© 1997 silverphoenix@cybergal.com