The celtic path

[Loukhos]

I would like to follow the celtic path but unfortunately learning has been a difficult thing for me. I don't really know where to start. There are many websites and books out there but a lot fo them have information that differ greatly from one source to the next.

I am very lost, and any help would be appreciated!

[LadyTrinity]

Cletic Wicca is very beautiful. So are all other paths. Mainly dealing with nature. It's so serene. :sunny:
To help you out here are some listings:

Celtic Magic ~ D.J. Conway, 1990

Celtic Traditions : Shamans, Druids, Faeries, and Wiccan Rituals ~ Sirona Knight, 1999

Druid Magic : The Practice of Celtic Wisdom ~ Maya Magee, Sutton, Nicholas R. Mann, 2000

Celtic Myth & Magic : Harness the Power of the Gods and Goddesses ~ Edain McCoy, 1995

Celtic Women's Spirituality: Accessing the Cauldron of Life ~ Edain McCoy, 1998

And

Elemental Power : Celtic Faerie Craft & Druidic Magic ~ Amber Wolfe, 1996

Hope that helps!:welcome:

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

What kind of Celtic path?

Celtic Christianity?
Celtic Wicca?
Celtic Reconstructionist? (and this will then break down further into Irish, Welsh, Scottish, Cornish, Breton, Manx, and Gualish)
Druidry?
Celtic "shamanism"? (in quotes because shamanism is a misappropriated word, but one most people seem to understand.)
Celtic Fairy Faith?
Arthurian/Grail Quest?

Anyhow, I can suggest a book that will give you a great basic overview of the various Celtic traditions and paths you can walk; The Idiot's Guide to Celtic Wisdom by Carl McColman.

Edit: Also, check out the History forum there are lots of good celtic links there and also visit the druid forum, very good discussion to be had there. Additionally in the paths forum there are several discussions about various Celtic paths you might be interested in, and in the Circle of Learning forum there is a class currently taking place on Celtic Witchcraft.

[Loukhos]

I am interested in Celtic Recontructionism (Scottish Gaelic)

Thanks :)

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Oh well in that case, I'm your girl as I am a Scottish Reconstructionist. :bigredgri

To start with, I'll tell you a few authors to avoid at all costs (I personally think everyone should avoid them, but as a recon you should not trust them). Stay away from Edain McCoy, Douglas Monroe, and DJ Conway. All exhibit very shoddy research and history, and in some cases are guilty of out and out lieing.

Next the most important thing you can do is learn how to speak Gàidhlig (Scots Gaelic). There are several sites online that will give you the basics, and in my list of links I'll list those as well. You loose so much in translation, and the language is such an important part of the culture that I can't stress this enough.

Anyhow, give me a few minutes ( :lol: ) and I'll go ahead and post a nice long list of books and links for ya.

Welcome to MW! :wave:

[Loukhos]

That's wonderful, thanks!

I'm lucky in one regard, the Universities up here offer courses in Gaelic, and I think one of these years I might just have to take a course.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

I am so jealous you can take courses. Are they in Gaelige (Irish Gaelic) or Gàidhlig (Scottish Gaelic)?

[Loukhos]

I *think* it is Scottish Gaelic. At least I hope so, Nova Scotia does mean "New Scotland" after all. I haven't looked into the courses though. I only know that they are available.

[Lunamoth]

I've enjoyed Mara Freeman's "Kindling the Celtic Spirit" which takes you through a year of marking celebrations. Also, I only recently came across this site on reconstructionism (http://www.ecauldron.com/reconindex.php). You might also be interested in Why Wicca Isn't Celtic (http://www.tangledmoon.org/wiccanotceltic.htm).