Celtic Reconstructionism (CR) is a growing movement in the Pagan community. The term Celtic refers to a group of languages that spanned from Northern Italy to the British Isles. Like other reconstruction religions, practitioners attempt to forge links between the pre-Christian past and modern religious practice.
Sources for Celtic Reconstructionism
There is a multitude of sources for Celtic mythology of varying scholarly quality. Reconstructionists look to the biases and educational background of authors and translators of this lore before deciding which are the most reliable.
Records of mythology of Celtic peoples such as the Welsh Mabinogion and the Irish heroic tales of the Tain are common resources.
Archeological evidence of how the Celts lived and worshiped has also helped form a basis of practice for this growing religion. For example, it has been documented that worshippers would make devotional and petition offerings in lakes and streams. This is a custom that modern CRs are incorporating into their practice.
Celtic Deities
CR is a polytheistic religion, that is the belief in many gods and goddesses. These deities are believed to be entities unto themselves worthy of reverence, not archetypal aspects of one godhead.
Practitioners aren't restricted to one set of deities to honor as the Celts across many lands had hundreds that were part of their spiritual lives. However, there is a tendency to stay within one Celtic cultural milieu such as Welsh, Irish, or Scottish. Examples from Irish lore are Brighid, Lugh, Danu, Bile, and the Morrigan. Ancestors and home and land spirits are also highly revered in CR.
Celtic Reconstructionist Practice, Ritual, and Magic
This movement is still in its early stages, and there is no one set of dogma or rituals that is followed by every practitioner. However, there are some common denominators that individual CRs use while developing their practice.
Unlike other Neo-Pagan religions such as Wicca, CR rituals do not involve casting circles or the use of ceremonial magic. Instead of the four element system, the cosmos is seen by some CRs in terms of a triad system of Land, Sky, and Sea. Devotional offerings are made, and shrines for ancestors and specific deities are set up in homes and outdoors. CRs will generally celebrate the four ancient Celtic fire festivals of Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine, and Lunasa. Other rituals may be added based on individual belief and practice.
Magic isn't the focus of CR. Living in right relationship with the gods and land is encouraged. However, some CRs study ogham, an early Irish alphabet, for divination and meditation and develop their own personal relationships with deities and other spirits. The idea of Celtic shamanism is generally offensive as shamanic practice is not evidenced in Celtic culture. Practices such as meditation and journeying are done within cultural context as much as possible.
Ethics in Celtic Reconstructionism
A virtue model similar to that of the Nine Noble Virtues of Asatru is part of the CR ethics system. Hospitality to the gods and humanity is seen as paramount. Other virtues include justice, loyalty, honor, honesty, and courage. Good and evil are not generally accepted concepts in CR as the gods and aspects of the world are seen as inclusive of light and dark.
The Celtic Reconstructionist movement continues to grow. Its focus on scholarship may be daunting to newcomers but rewarding to those devoted to bringing ancient tradition into the 21st century.
Sources:
NicDhàna, Laurie, Vermeers and ní Dhoireann. The CR FAQ — An Introduction to Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism. (2006). (December 2008).
Imbas. (2000-2004). (December 2008).
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