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
Grotesque Ghosts - British Goblins CT016 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:39
Grotesque Ghosts British Goblins: Welsh Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (1881) Book 2 Chapter 4 by Wirt Sikes We hear about the grotesque ghosts of Welsh folklore, the story of the minister and the pha…
Spectral Animals - British Goblins CT015 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:49
Spectral Animals British Goblins: Welsh Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (1881) Book 2 Chapter 3 by Wirt Sikes We hear abut ghostly hounds, as well as the Gwyllgi or the Dog of Darkness with the gleamin…
Household Ghosts and Hidden Treasure - British Goblins CT014 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:08
Household Ghosts and Hidden Treasure British Goblins: Welsh Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (1881) Book 2 Chapter 2 by Wirt Sikes In this superb chapter, we learn about how Welsh ghosts are involved wi…
The Spirit World - British Goblins CT013 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 28:26
The Spirit World British Goblins: Welsh Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (1881) Book 2 Chapter 1 by Wirt Sikes In this episode, we look at the similarities between Welsh Ghosts and American Spiritualism…
Origins of Welsh Fairies - British Goblins CT012 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:35
Origins of Welsh Fairies British Goblins: Welsh Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (1881) Book 1 Chapter 11 by Wirt Sikes Mr. Sikes discusses the different theories about the origins of the Welsh Fairies.…
Fairy Money - British Goblins CT011 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 16:19
Fairy Money and Fairy Gifts British Goblins: Welsh Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (1881) Book 1 Chapter 10 by Wirt Sikes Sikes tells us the story of Gitto Bach, or little Griffith, the penalty of blab…
Piety as a Protection - British Goblins CT010 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:40
Piety as a Protection from the Seductions of the Tylwyth Teg British Goblins: Welsh Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (1881) Book 1 Chapter 9 by Wirt Sikes Piety as a Protection from the Seductions of th…
Fairy Rings - British Goblins CT009 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 18:28
Fairy Rings British Goblins: Welsh Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (1881) Book 1 Chapter 8 by Wirt Sikes Fairy Rings and other fascinating things about Welsh Fairies, including the language of the Tylw…
Fairy Music - British Goblins CT008 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 22:47
Fairy Music British Goblins: Welsh Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (1881) Book 1 Chapter 7 by Wirt Sikes Sikes talks about the magical Birds of Rhiannon, tells us the legend of Shon ap Shenkin, the sto…
Living with the Tylwyth Teg - British Goblins CT007 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:57
Living with the Tylwyth Teg British Goblins: Welsh Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (1881) Book 1 Chapter 6 by Wirt Sikes All about the wondrous music and dancing of the Welsh fairies, and the dangers o…