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| Celtic Spirituality |
| The Celtic traditions encompass a wide variety of subjects, both Pagan and Christian. Among them are the Druids, Arthurian lore, and the Grail legends. Another tradition, although not called by the same name was Shamanism. Like the Native Americans, and the Australian Aboriginal cultures, the ancient Celts lived in a world where the physical and the spiritual overlapped. Gifted seers or Shamans (ars dana) could walk between these two worlds. The Earth was sacred to the Celts, desecrating the land as is done today through stripmining, dumping of toxic wastes, clear cutting of the forests, would have been the ultimate profanity to the Celts. Trees were sacred and considered repositories of memory, spirit beings and deities inhabited them. In pre-Christian legend there were five great trees, each one guarded by a Shaman-Poet |
| Like the Native Americans, animals played an important role in the life of the Celts. They felt that by attuning themselves to the animals energy they could learn the wisdom of nature inherrent within. Celtic Shamans sought the aid of spirit animal helpers who served as guides, teachers, and guardians. Celtic Shamans often assumed the forms of animals through shapeshifting. The Shaman used the power of the animal to move between worlds in order to gain knowledge, for protection, to guide others, or for healing purposes. The greatest single contribution of Celtic spirituality today is that it fosters a love of the Earth, of the natural world, of the animals, fish, birds and all living things,. It can teach us how to get back in touch with ourselves and the workings of the Universe. The ancient Celts and Druids had a profound respect for the Earth, and for those of us concerned with the future of the planet, we could do well to learn from their ways.If the ancient Celts were to live today, they would be at the forefront of the ecological movement. |
| And the Dragons connection ? In Celtic spirituality Serpents and Dragons were both symbols of wisdom. The Snake represented the life force as well as hidden (or occult) knowledge. |
| The Dragons were seen as Keepers of Secrets, as well as Gatekeepers to the other worlds |
| There are many great books on this subject, as well as numerous websites, I will tell you of a few of the Dragons favorites. The Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom,by Caitlin and John Matthews Celtic Myths, Celtic Legends by R.J. Stewart The Celtic Book of Days by Caitlin Matthews Elements of the Druid Traditions Celtic Bards, Celtic Druids by Caitlin Matthews |
| Like many great truths and great spiritual traditions, Celtic Wisdom opens doors between the past and the future, between the physical and the mystical worlds, while giving us the tools we need to understand our lives today. |
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| Ysbryd Tragwyddoly Keltiad |
| "The Spirit of the Celts is eternail" |
| Earth Dragon's Isle |