Religion of the Ancient Celts

Religion of the Ancient Celts

Author: Gary & Ruth Colcombe January 4, 2019 Duration: 0:00

Druid

The votes are in and have been counted and by an overwhelming majority, our next book will be Religion of the Ancient Celts by J. A. MacCulloch. 

This book is one of the best scholarly treatments of the ancient Celtic religion. Written early in the 20th Century, Religion of the Ancient Celts includes extensive treatment of that perennially fascinating subject, the Druids.

There is very little documentary evidence to go on. In particular, we have no actual sacred texts of the ancient Celts, as their texts were transmitted orally only to initiates, and disappeared forever when the last Druid died. Christianity became the dominant religion in the Celtic area before the oral traditions could become written down, unlike the Vedas in India. Ancient Celtic religious beliefs must therefore be inferred from second-hand classical accounts, hints from Celtic mythology, legend and folklore, as well as archaeological and comparative anthropological evidence. MacCulloch marshals this body of evidence, extensively footnoted, so that an authoritative and clear view of ancient Celtic religion emerges.

MacCullough details the Celtic belief in reincarnation and a spectral otherworld; documents the enormous pantheon of now-obscure gods and goddesses, including many local deities; and describes totemistic and animistic beliefs. In addition, MacCulloch does not flinch (nor sensationalize) when describing the darker side of Celtic practices, including the famous 'Burning Man' human sacrifices, cannibalism and exogamous incest.

With so much spurious, flawed and poorly cited information floating around on the Internet about Celtic beliefs, it is important to review what is actually known about this subject.

 


Imagine a shelf of old, beautifully bound volumes filled with tales of ancient heroes, elusive fairy folk, and age-old wisdom from the misty hills and shores of Celtic lands. Celtic Tomes is an invitation to open those books with Gary and Ruth Colcombe, who serve as your guides through this rich literary landscape. Each episode is a curated reading from classic texts, bringing to life the myths, legends, and folklore of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and beyond. This isn't just a recitation; it's a shared experience for anyone who has ever admired those collections in a shop or library but found the time to delve into them elusive. You'll hear the stories of the Celts themselves, the deep lore of the Otherworld, and accounts of magical encounters that have shaped cultural imagination for centuries. Tuning into this podcast feels like joining a conversation in a cozy study, where the weight of history meets the warmth of storytelling. Whether your interest lies in bardic poetry, ancient battles, or the mysterious customs surrounding fairy forts, Gary and Ruth provide a direct, engaging pathway into these narratives. They handle the reading so you can simply listen and be transported, making the vast world of Celtic literature accessible and vividly alive one episode at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 59

Celtic Tomes
Podcast Episodes
Gods and Men CT044 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:36
The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911) Chapter 9: Gods and Men by J. A. MacCulloch In this chapter, he examines the Gods of the Celts and their relationships to man. How kings adopted divine names and characteristics.…
The Fionn Cycle CT043 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:19
The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911) Chapter 8: The Fionn Cycle by J. A. MacCulloch The story of the mighty hero, Fionn and his warband, the Fianna. McCulloch examines the origins of the Fionn myth and asks how much…
The Cuchulainn Cycle CT042 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:11
The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911) Chapter 7: The Cúchulainn Cycle by J. A. MacCulloch The story of the mighty hero, Cuchulainn, Queen Medb and the Cattle-Raid of Cooley. Names Used in this Section Conchobar Book o…
Gods of the Brythons CT041 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:00:23
The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911) Chapter 6: The Gods of the Brythons by J. A. MacCulloch In this chapter, J A McCulloch looks at the nature and origin of the Welsh, Brythonic Gods as seen mainly in the Mabinogion…
Tuatha De Danaan CT040 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:55
The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911) Chapter 5: The Tuatha Dé Danann by J. A. MacCulloch In this chapter, J A McCulloch looks at the nature and origin of the Gods of the Tuatha De Danaan, the tribes or folk of the Go…
Irish Mythological Cycle CT039 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:39
The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911) Chapter 4: The Irish Mythological Cycle by J. A. MacCulloch A broad overview of all fields of Celtic mythology which aims to identify the core beliefs of the ancient Celtic religi…
The Gods of Gaul CT038 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:56
The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911) Chapter 3: The Gods of Gaul and the Continental Celts by J. A. MacCulloch A discussion of the innumerable Gods of Gaul and the influence of the Roman gods on the continental deiti…
The Celtic People CT037 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:31
The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911) Chapter 2: The Celtic People by J. A. MacCulloch A broad overview of all fields of Celtic mythology which aims to identify the core beliefs of the ancient Celtic religion. Names U…
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Duration: 0:00
John Arnott MacCulloch, a Scotsman, was born in 1868 and died in 1950. He was one of Scotland's most famous Celtic Scholars and folklore researchers and he published The Religion of the Ancient Celts in 1911 and his leng…
Introductory CT036 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:28
The Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911) Ch. 1: Introductory by J. A. MacCulloch A broad overview of all fields of Celtic mythology which aims to identify the core beliefs of the ancient Celtic religion. Names Used in th…