Celtic Blood and Traditions

Callanish in Scotland

Callanish On the Island of Lewis, in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland, there is a circle of very large stones, not topped with capstones as is Stonehenge, but impressive in its own right. The stones form an irregular Celtic Cross, with a large ring of 13 stones surrounding a large central stone. Four lines of stones extending in a cross shape from the center; the east and west lines have four stones each, the north line forms an avenue of two parallel lines of eight and ten stones, the south line is formed by six smaller stones. The main axis is aligned to the midsummer solstice; other astronomical alignments include the annual rising places of bright stars Altair and Capella.

Morris Code of Arms

Nine Elements

"I was made from the ninefold elements -
From fruit trees,
From paradisiacal fruit,
From primroses and hill flowers
From the blossoms of trees and bushes,
From the roots of the earth was I made,
From the broom and the nettle,
From the water of the ninth wave.
Math enchanted me before I was made immortal,
Gwydion created me with his magic wand.
From Emrys and Euryon,
From Mabon and Modron,
From five fifties of magicians like Math was I made -
Made by the master in his highest ecstasy -
By the wisest druids was I made before the world began,
And I know the star-knowledge from the beginning of Time."

Taliesin, Chief Bard of the Britons (circa 600 CE)
as found in the Cad Goddeu and translated by Caitlin Matthews

Lucky Carrot Charms

On the Sunday before Mabon go into your garden and find your favorite carrot plant and cast a quick circle around the area. With your Bolline dig a triangular hole around the carrot until you can safely pull it out.

Tie your carrot with triple red thread (ribbons) so you can hang it to dry in a safe place.

As you dig up your carrot say these words:

"Cleft, fruitful, fruitful, fruitful
Joy of carrots surpassing upon me
Michael the brave endowing me
Bride the fair be aiding me"

Hang in a safe place in your home Through-out Mabon season.

This charm is still a custom today in the Scottish Highlands and islands such as the Hebrides.

Rosmerta and Mercury

Rosmerta is a very widespread Celtic Goddess, her name means Great Provider. Her male equivalent would be Smertious. After conquest she is often paired with the Roman Mercury. She has similar attributes and Mercury was probably subsumed into her cult when introduced. She is also conflated with Fortuna, but they also appear together or with Maia (Mercury's mother). Rosmerta is shown associated with a cornucopia, purse, patera, caduceus, scepter, wheel, rudder, globe and, in Britain, a wooden barrel or bucket, The high status of her cult is indicated by the rank of some of her worshipers and the fact that her name is linked epigraphically with the Emperor. Presumably she was invoked for good fortune in commerce, in life and in death (the caduceus is a symbol of guidance through the Otherworld). Mercury is usually represented very classically, he carries his caduceus, wears his winged cap, holds or wears a purse. He is accompanied by a cock, goat and/or turtle.

Hail Brighid

Hail Brighid

Brighid is the Daughter of the Dagda, one of the more universal deities of the pagan Gaelic world. She is known as the Goddess of Healers, Poets, Smiths, Childbirth and Inspiration; Goddess of Fire and Hearth and a patron of warfare or Briga. Her soldiers were called Brigands. Her name means "Exalted One." She is also known as Brigantia, Brid, Bride, Briginda, Brigdu, and Brigit. She is said to lean over every cradle. The lore and customs have continued to this day regarding Brighid, more vividly than all the other Gaelic deities combined.Brigit is a goddess of fire, smith craft, childbirth, poetry, water, and healing. She is sometimes seen as a warrior, spear in hand. She was known as "Bright Arrow," "The Bright One," "the High One," "the Powerful One," "Lady of the Shores," and, because of her associations with spring, "Brigid of the Green Mantle." It was Brigid who was credited with originating Ogham, whistling, and after the death of her son, the custom of keening for the dead. The Irish Banshees that wail for the deaths of men are said to embody part of Brigid's soul.

"Brighid of the Mantle, encompass us,
Lady of the Lambs, protect us,
Keeper of the Hearth, kindle us,
Beneath your mantle gather us,
And restore us to memory."

On St. Brigid's Eve a ribbon is place on the window sill outside during the night. The ribbon is said to lengthen during the night and is ever after preserved as a cure for headache.

~ Source: Costley and Kightley, A Celtic book of Days

PATRONESS OF THE SMITHS

As patroness of Smiths, there is the mention of a forge in a Old Irish poem in praise of Brighid. The poem contrasts Brighid's lasting strength to the passing glory of the Fortress of Alenn, where once were witnessed:

Gles a hindeon cotad cuar,
cluas a dúan do thengthaib bard,
bruth a fer fri comlann nglan,
cruth a ban fri oenach n-ard.

The ringing of its busy bent anvils,
the sound of songs from poets' tongues
the heat of its men at clean contest,
the beauty of its women at high assembly.

Hail Cerunnos

Hail Cerunnos

Pnnciation
Cernunnos KER-noo-nohss

Celtic god of fertility, life, animals, wealth, and the underworld. The Horned God is born at the winter solstice, marries the Goddess at Beltane, and dies at the summer solstice. He alternates with the Goddess of the moon in ruling over life and death, continuing the cycle of death, rebirth and reincarnation. Symbolizes element of earth, love, fertility, and luck.

Hail Cerridwen

Hail Cerridwen

Prounciation
KARE-id-oo`in or KARE-id-win

Cerridwen is the goddess of prophetic powers. She is the keeper of the cauldron, in which inspiration and divine knowledge are brewed. In Magic an ritual, Cerridwen is at home during harvest rites, in all spells for wisdom and knowledge, and at waning moon festivals. She can also help teach us about past lives and aid in divination.

Neud amug ynghadeir o beir Cerridwen!
Handid rydd fy nhafawd
Yn adddawd gwawd Ogyrwen.

Is not my chair protected by the cauldron of Cerridwen?
Therefore, let my tongue be free
In the sanctuary of the praise of the Goddess.

~~ The Bard Taliesin

Invocation to the Goddess Cerridwen

"Oh Celtic Spell Making

I am including two versions of this Celtic verse.. The first is a phonetic example the second will be the actual celtic verse. I do know it's a "Spell making" for use with the "Pelen Tan". Which is a colbalt blue globe to see the underworld spirits. Also known as the "Fire Globe". It was actaully the forefather of the hippies "black light". The Druids would dress in "white robes" for this occasion, because they wished to "radiate light". If this were a female "trad", the color light & globe would be red.

= Phonetic verse =
"AH Elf-IN TODD DEER SIN-DIN DEW,
CARE-IG OO-UR FAIR-LOO-RIG NOON,
OH'S SEAR-EE-ETH EHK SAH-FAIR TOO,
FAIR ECK-LEHN MORE,
NE-KROM-BORE LOON".

= Actual verse =
"A ELFYNTODD DWYR SINDDYN DUW
CERRIG YR FFERLLURIG NWYN;
OS SYRIAETH ECH SAFFAER TU
FEWR ECHLYN MOR, NECROMBOR LLUN"

Celtic Blood

Celtic Fairy Caller

You will need the following items for this spell:

  • 1 Large Jar
  • Mixed Hard Candy
  • Cup of Sugar
  • Lavender Oil
  • Rose Petals
  • Your Voice

Casting Instructions for 'Celtic Fairy Caller Spell'

On a full moon go deep into the forest or woods, don't forget to take your ingredients along. Go to a spot where the moon shines the brightest.

To your jar add your mixed candy and say,
"Sweets, sweets, that's what you are,"
then add your sugar and say,
"Sugar, sugar, that's what you are,"
Add your oil and rose petals and say,
"With the moon light above, I call upon the Fairy Queen and King, bring forth your tides, I am here to harm none, only to greet and love."
Dig a hole big enough to fit your jar in, allowing the top to be open, but do not let any dirt get inside.
Leave the jar for one week, do not go back until the week is up.
Then sit close by the jar, do a little meditation, and you will start seeing the fairies.

- Silver Rain

Celtic Blood

Celtic Terminology

Aes sidhe = The Supernatural Folk, i.e. the Faerie Folk.
Aicme = group of five Oghams.
Airbe druad = "Hedge," a magickal barrier no one could pass through.
Aisling = dream. Vision.
Alban Arthuan = Winter Solstice.
Alban Eiler = Spring Equinox.
Alban Elved = Autumnal Equinox.
Alban Heruin = Summer Solstice.
An-da-shealladh = "two sights," the ability to see spirits.
Anam = soul, indestructable self. One does not have but rather one is anam. It is seated in the head.
Annwyn = the Under World.
Ategenos = rebirth after death into the Other World.
Awen = inspiration.
Awenyddion = inspired ones.
Beltane = Irish festival of May 1.
Beo = living thing, life, livelihood, quick, alive, active, lively. One's physical body or true form. This can be shape-shifted into other true forms or be transformed by external magicks by others.
Bith = this world: the manifest multi-verse.
Blath = prosperity. The eastern realm among the Fifths.
Breaca sith = "faerie marks," the livid spots that appear on the faces of the dying.
Bricht = magick, the spoken spell.
Buabhaill = drinking horn.
Bua = victory, triumph, success, skill, talent, destiny. the earned power that can be shared. It is what develops from ritual, blessing, sanctification. One has an unlimited amount of Bua. See Bri.
Bwa'r Crach = "hag's bow," the rainbow leading to the Other World.
Caer = castle or fortress.
Cath = conflict. The northern realm among the Fifths.
Coelbreni = divination sticks.
Coiced = a fifth, one of five provinces of the land or cosmos.
Coirc= magick cauldron.
Corp creidh = "clay body," used as a magick poppet or spelling doll.
Craebh Ciuil = "the silver branch," or faerie shaman's magick wand.
Crannchur = "casting the woods," or divining by oghams.
Cwn Annwn = the hunting dogs of the faeries. Also called the hell hounds.
Da/n = poem, art, hymn, skill, gift, destiny, fate, talent, vocation, calling, treasure. A gift or talent intrinsic to a person, given by the Gods, unchangeable, which may either be expressed or not.
Deiseal = clockwise.
Dicetla = spells.
Dichetal do Chennaib = flash of inspiration.
Dli = binding principle, law. That which connects and binds everything, and is found in everything.
Dryw = wren, or druid.
Duile = elements. Sometimes there are seven or nine duile in a Faerie Pagan's worldview. This list may include earth, water, stone, salt, sun, rain, cloud, stars and wind.
Emania = "Land of the Moon," where the dead went.
Eocra esci = "keys of knowledge," ogham sticks.
Feth Fiada = spell of invisibility.
Fey = faerie folk.
Fid-nemith, or fid-neimid = sacred grove.
Fidh, or Fiodh = "wood," or "tree." Used to denote the Oghamic characters and the Trees they represent.
Fili (Filid pl.) = poet bards. This Irish term most closely fits the term "Druid."
Fith-fath, or Fath-fith = a rhymed incantation to change ones shape. Fis = learning. the western realm among the Fifths. Glainnaider, or Glain-nan-Druidhe = "Druids glass," a magickal amulet.
Imbas = fire in the head. source of poetic/magickal/divine inspiration.
Imbas Forosnai = word of mouth wisdom.
Immrama = voyage or journey of the spirit.
Ingheaw Andagha = "Daughters of Fire," or the priestesses of the Goddess Brigit.
Les = bag holding herbs carried by healers.
Lion na mna sithe= "Lint of the Faerie Woman," a healing herb.
Lorg = staff.
Lughnassadh = festival of August 1.
Miaran na mna sithe = "thimble of the faerie woman," or the foxglove.
Midhe = the middle of the Fifths. Muince = a collar or torc.
Muir = the sea.
Nemetos = holy or sacred.
Nenadmim = apple cider.
Obaidh = incantation.
Ogham = the magickal Celtic alphabet.
On-lay = a spell placed on a home, or other area.
Orth = spell.
Rige = soverignty. The middle realm of the Fifths.
Samhain = festival of October 31.
Sean-sgeal = folk tale.
Seis = harmony, or musical art. The southern realm among the Fifths.
Si/dhe = the Realm of the Dead, or the "Faerie Realm," or the Under World in Faerie Lore.
Sidhe = faeries or other world beings.
Slat an draoichta "rod of druidism," or a magick wand.
Taghairm = "spiritual echo," or calling up the dead.
Tais, or Taidhbhse = ghosts, or spirits of the dead.
Teinm Laida = understanding gained through the writing of poems.
Tiene sith = "faerie fire."
Tir-nan-og = "Land of the Young," or Faerie Land.
Tuatha De Dannan = "Children of the Goddess Dana," or the ancient Faerie Gods and Goddesses.
Tuathal = counter-clockwise.
Uath = poetic art.
Fifth = coiced. a province of the land or cosmos.
Middle = midhe. The middle realm of the Fifths.
Notch = the short lines or dots used to indicate the vowels of the Oghamic system.
Score = the lines which cross the stemline to form the Oghamic Fews.
Stemline = the straight line on which the notches and scores are cut to make Oghamic Fews.
Under World = the "lower" realm(s).

Celtic BloodCeltic BloodCeltic Blood

Gaelic Dictionaries Online

Celtic Ogham

Celtic Ogham

The word ogham (pronounced OH-yam) It is the ancient Celtic alphabet.
This alphabet corrasponds to sacred trees.

Every Ogham thing on the Web

Celtic Blood

Duir (DOO-r), oak

Duir (Oak) Celtic tree month of June 10 = July 7 My tree month, when I "Ground & Center" in meditation, it's the great Oak I call.

The oak of myth and legend is the common oak (Quercus robur L.). It is sometimes called the great oak, which is a translation of its Latin name ('robur' is the root of the English word "robust"). It grows in the lowland forests, and can reach a height of 150 feet and age of 800 years. Common oaks are deciduous, losing their leaves before Samhain and growing new leaves in the spring so that the trees are fully clothed by Beltane. Common oaks are occasionally cultivated in North America. Oaks are members of the Beech family (Fagaceae).

Great Oak Roots

SOURCES

1. Carmina Gadelica, by Alexander Carmichael
2. Celtic Women by Peter Berresford Ellis ISBN 0-8028-3808-1
3. Dal Riada Celtic Heritage Trust, Registered Scottish Charity, Isle of Arran, Lorraine Macdonald.
4. Dánta Ban: Poems of Irish Women Early and Modern - A Collection
5. Fire Worship in Britain by T. F. G. Dexter
6 The Folklore of the Scottish Highlands by Anne Ross, ISBN 0-87471-836-8
7. Irish Druids and Old Irish Religions by James Bonwick
8. Winged Destiny by Fiona MacLeod
9. The 21 Lessons of Merlyn by Douglas Monroe * please note, this book is "fiction"

The truth FINALLY revealed !

The truth FINALLY revealed

* Background is the "Tartan" that belongs to the "Logan clan".
Their motto is : "This is the Valor of my Ancestors"

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