Where to Start

[Sage]

I have been feeling this pull toward Celtic (Irish, mainly) practices/traditions for some time, and I now I am looking into it. I have read through the CoT class titled, Celtic Witchcraft, and I have done searches on MW that lead to great websites.

My question is where do I start with the websites? Do I read mythology first? Or do I start with history? Any other thougths, advice, or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Blessings
Sage

[Hærfest Leah]

I'm not sure that's an easy question to answer. Many people start in different places. I find a good starting page is with FAQ about the path in general.

Try here...

http://www.paganachd.com/faq/

Some basic history and mythology...

http://www.timelessmyths.com/celtic/aboutceltic.html#Celts

If you have any intrest in Druidry go here....

http://druidry.org/

[Sage]

Yeah, I know its not an easy question to answer....... I have been trying to answer it for some days :hahugh: I just wanted to get a clue of where other people have started from in their studies. I am not Celtic by birthright and I have never known anyone with Celtic roots, so I am trying to figure out why I am having this amazingly strong Celtic intrest all of a sudden. But from what I have read, a lot of the traditions and practices go surprisingly well (some are even helping me to understand why I feel certain feelings when I am doing certain things and when I visit certain places, did that make sense?) with my spirituality.

Um, may be my question should be where did you start and why. And now looking back, was it a great place to start.

Thanks for the reply and websites.
Sage

[skilly-nilly]

Just speaking about myself (ymmv) I think that getting really familiar with where you live is just as important as reading mythology, and that those are the 2 most important things.

I'm a member of the other Druidry org (than OBOD in the post above):
http://www.adf.org/core/
and some of the Dedicants' tasks are keeping a weather diary, familiarizing oneself with one's surroundings, knowing the native trees/birds/animals/formations......these are all important things (imo) but don't actually cause you to know more about Ancient Ireland at all. What this understanding does (still imo) is to mirror the intimate knowledge that the Ancient Irish had of Where-They-Were. When you're very familiar with what's around you, you are ready to notice what's slightly different or out of the ordinary. I believe (and I believe that the Ancient Irish believed) that the Shining World lies directly behind the 'real' world and that any scrap of mundane can, at any time, slip into Meaningfulness.

Here's an example:
There are many many crows in my city and, because I have become more alert through training, I notice them. When a crow flies down to sit in front of me in the parking lot as I walk from my car to work and makes the 'bowing' motion that (in crow-speak) says 'I acknowledge you' then I assume that that crow has been asked by a Goddess and has agreed to be a significator. I say 'Thanks, and also to you'. The people smoking by the back door (some 8' away) don't even notice.

Then, you can also read lots of mythology. There are those sites on the web, and you can also go to a library and take out folk-lore compilations. Even children's 'fairy-stories' are useful although they are prettied up quite a bit.

All of this helps develop a world-view, and then you can take that world-view and read history. Personally (having been raised with a definite Fenian slant) I think history is important but you can certainly follow an Irish Path without knowing anything about the Troubles. I do think it enhances, but I would be a Fenian even without the religion.

It is very useful (going back further in history) to understand the difference between Brehon Law and Norman Law and (going even further back) how Ireland was converted to Catholicism and what effect it had. I believe that the Culdee Church was more like Druidry than the Roman Church and that Pelagius (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pelagius) was more like a Druid than StAugustine. Since the Druids didn't write about themselves I think these are important mirrors of what they may have been like.

There **dusts hands** that's a start, neh?

[Sage]

Great advice about becoming familiar with my surrounding evironment. This would be very interesting since I am far from home or anything familiar to me.

I would love to learn more about Ancient Ireland! So its know your evironment, mythology, and history. Very thought provoking.

For sure a starting place, many thanks.
Blessings
Sage

[Nitefalle]

I think the mythology is important in terms of getting to know the Celtic mind set, what they thought was important, as well as for getting to know the gods and the capricious nature of the Others. I have a passing / working knowledge of the histories, as it is a VERY large subject to really get into, and that's fine for me. I'm not a Reconstructionist, so the dates / place names aren't as important to me as knowing the bottom line of what happened and why and being able to fit that into a time frame. Having said that, I started learning more through the culture, specifically the music. I am a former competitive Irish dancer and still adore the music, and this was long before I started wandering down the Celtic path. For me, that was a great way to start as music is very important to me, personally, as a means of expression. It helps to give me an insight into the character of the people. After that, I started reading some more histories and am still flirting with the myths and stories. I also meditate directly with the gods and sort of let that lead me, as well. I suggest going slowly, because the subject is so large.

[Sage]

It is a very big subject, I keep reminding myself of that. I am not really into the reconstruction area, either so know exact dates are not needed. I am more interested in their day to day living, how they interacted with the world around them, how they treated and thought of that world..... I guess the spirituality of them.

I am very much interested in the music and dancing. Music can say a lot about a people/person, so fascinating!

Sage

[Nitefalle]

If I had to think of the ways in which I try and be most "Celt-like" in my life, it would be these:

I truly believe in an immanent Otherworld. I try and pay attention to the signs it gives people every day. I always offer salt to the house fae when cooking and give bad food to the Earth for decomposition / composting. I welcome the Fae into my garden (but with conditions - if Celtic stories teach anything, it's about the capricious nature of the Others. Mama didn't raise no fool!).

I am an avid gardener, I enjoy hiking and participate in woodland cleanups. I honor the Earth because without it, I wouldn't exist! I try and be green as much as possible, as practically as possible.

I honor the gods and their role in my life. I pray to them for anything and everything.

I perform ritual in a "Celtic" manner, meaning I draw upon the energy of the Three Realms, rather than drawing a circle to separate and enclose. The earth is already sacred, no need for me to improve upon that. I honor the Fae and my ancestors for the roles they play in my life and the world around me.

I share these because these are all places that you can start. Just doing one of these can help start your feet in the right direction.

[Sage]

That was great and now my minding is running with ideas! Love that Texan Twang, a fellow transplanted Texan..... for the moment.

Sage

[odubhain]

It is a very big subject, I keep reminding myself of that. I am not really into the reconstruction area, either so know exact dates are not needed. I am more interested in their day to day living, how they interacted with the world around them, how they treated and thought of that world..... I guess the spirituality of them.

I am very much interested in the music and dancing. Music can say a lot about a people/person, so fascinating!

SageWhen one is interested in swimming, one approaches the water, inspects it for any hidden dangerous and then takes the plunge (after getting a few lessons or ideas about how to swim). One also does not swim alone, so your approach to starting in this area is a time-honored and proven one. Just jump in and read, research. experiment, experience and dream along with the rest of us.

This is a great pool for Druid swimming:

http://www.keltria.org

Searles

[Sage]

Thanks for the reply. I do agree with what you said, I think that part of my brain is showing...... I want it, I want it now now now NOW! Patience, consistency, and getting my feet wet ;) is what I must keep reminding myself. I have gotten better with remembering this, in the past couple of days.

Sage

[Butterfly_Scars]

Sage, what a great thread. I must say it has answered some beginning questions of my own. I love the wealth of information that is shared so easily.

Now, to go dip my toes....

[Sage]

I am glad you enjoyed it. Have fun with your journey!
Sage

[Sea-Witch]

I am a member of the Ancient Order of Druids in America. They have an excellent first-year candidate curriculum for people who are exploring the Druid path.

The AODA (http://www.aoda.org/)

[Sage]

Thanks for the link, Sea-Witch. The site is very interesting!
Sage