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
Changelings - British Goblins CT006 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 17:39
Changelings British Goblins: Welsh Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (1881) Book 1 Chapter 5 by Wirt Sikes Changelings among Welsh fairies. Stories of the Plentyn-newid, or Changelings, among Welsh Fairi…
Mountain Fairies - British Goblins CT005 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 15:02
Mountain Fairies British Goblins: Welsh Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (1881) Book 1 Chapter 4 by Wirt Sikes Sikes brings us details of the Gwyllion, frightful female fairies, tells us the tale of Joh…
Lake Fairies - British Goblins CT004 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:20
Lake Fairies British Goblins: Welsh Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (1881) Book 1 Chapter 3 by Wirt Sikes All about Lake Fairies. the Gwragedd Annwn or Women of the lakes, a legend of Crumlyn Lake, the…
Classification of Welsh Fairies - British Goblins CT003 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:08
Classification of Welsh Fairies British Goblins: Welsh Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (1881) Book 1 Chapter 2 by Wirt Sikes Examining the different types of Welsh Fairies, from the Pwca (and Shakespea…
Fairy Tales and Ancient Mythology - British Goblins CT002 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 20:38
Fairy Tales and Ancient Mythology British Goblins: Welsh Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (1881) Book 1 Chapter 1 by Wirt Sikes A comprehensive exposition of ghosts, fairies, dragons, superstitions and…
[not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
Who was Wirt Sikes? Wirt Sikes is best known today for his British Goblins book. His full name was William Wirt Sikes, born on November 23rd 1836 and who died on August 18th 1883. He was an American journalist and writer…
The Faerie Realms - British Goblins CT001 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:15
British Goblins: Welsh Folk Lore, Fairy Mythology, Legends and Traditions (1881) The Faerie Realms The Preface by Wirt Sikes A comprehensive exposition of ghosts, fairies, dragons, superstitions and supernatural folklore…
[not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:00
So, we've decided to launch a new podcast called Celtic Tomes. You may have seen our Libsyn page, our Facebook page or even our Blogger page, and wondered what it was all about? If like us, you have seen all those wonder…