Rituals, Worship and Festivals
Rituals, Worship and FestivalsThe Ancient Celts practiced very questionable rituals (by 21st century standards) which included acts of human and animal sacrifices made to the gods in return for agriculture and hunting. Sacrifices were generally made by Druids (priests) practicing and to celebrate the beginning of new season for feasts.
The Celts were Polytheistic (meaning worshiping more than one god) ,worshiped animals and nature as they believed in a living earth. So special events of feasts were held for specific gods, animals, nature (Mother of Earth) and Deities. Druids were the priests and poets known as fili, were said to been associated with priesthood. Although the Celts had a full calendar of festivals to celebrate events such the New Year, Summer and Winter solstice, it is said that the Celtics people had four major festivals they celebrated which are Imbolc, Betaine, Lughnasa and Samhain. The rest were mainly celebrated by particular Celtic tribes. Modern day versions of traditional Celtic Festivals held globally, proving that although the religion is thousands of years old it has a cultural influence on modern day society. |
ImbolcThe first day of Spring. It is celebrated on 1 February. This later became Christianised as St. Brigid's Day.
|
Beltaine It was celebrated on 1 May (Bealtaine is the Gaelic word for the month of May). Representative of new life and fertility.
|
Lughnasa Was celebrated on the 1 August. (The word for August in Gaelic is Lúnasa). Associated with the Celtic god Lugh, with large feasts and sizeable community festivals are held.
|
Samhain Traditionally has been a very important date in the Irish calendar. It's held on 1 November (the Gaelic word for November is Samhain) and it marks the end of one year and the beginning of another.
|