Wednesday, November 23, 2011

The Progressive Cultures of the Early Celts

By Davina Messer


Many people find themselves attracted to the traditions of the Celts. These traditions go back 2,900 years. Pilgrimages to sacred sites are becoming more and more popular. More and more people are becoming interested in living a lifestyle that is in harmony with nature and with our environment.

The name Celt originated with the ancient Greeks, who called the barbarian peoples of central Europe Keltoi. Rather that being a broad cultural genetic 'race,' the Celts were a broad cultural-linguistic group. The area where they lived became a constantly changing collection of tribal 'nations.' The Celts were never an 'empire' ruled by one government.

They had a preference for rural life. They were close to nature and God's creatures. They loved poetry, music, and art. They were passionate about peace and justice. They included animals, crops, seasons, elements, and the stars in their understanding of God's providence and plan. They were content in simplicity. They valued family loyalty.

Pagan Celtic Spirituality understood that all of existence has a cyclic nature, and that there is a direct continuity between the material world and the otherworld. Druidic teachings, that have come down to us through Welsh tradition, recognized that there is an unseen world that interpenetrates and affects the visible world. Things are just not what they seem.

These principles, practices, and ideas inspire and inform many ideologies today, and the nature of interpersonal matters described above-such as equality and mutual respect among women and men, a commitment to peace and justice, enduring loyalty to family and friends, and spiritual openness-are fine principles to apply in this day and age as well, especially when forming the foundation of a loving, lasting relationship.




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