Celtic Worship (priests, rituals, tradition, elder, attend)

[Victor]

On another note (but related) is Halloween an extension of some ancient Celtic worship?

[MaddLlama]

In a strange and somewhat removed sense, yes. Samhain was considered the Celtic new year and it fell around the end of October, beginning of November (as it is now, the ancient celts certainly didn't use this calendar =)).

From the Celtic Devotional (by Caitlin Matthews)

The winter quarter of Samhain brings the gifts of restoration and renewal, as th cold weather closes in, so the soul is led to more reflective depths. It is traditionally associated with the rememberance of the ancestors, with the coming of death and the conception of new life. In human growth cycle, Samhain corresponds to the the period of old age when wisdom, freedom of spirit and clarity are experienced.

The modern practice of giving out candy on Halloween comes from a european tradition where around that time the spirits were thought to roam the streets, and food was placed by the door to your home to dissuade them from entering. I don't remember where this tradition comes from though. One of the Pagans can probably tell you. Somehow the candy corporations got wind of this and said "Hey, we could make money from this". =)

[Victor]

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

In a strange and somewhat removed sense, yes. Samhain was considered the Celtic new year and it fell around the end of October, beginning of November (as it is now, the ancient celts certainly didn't use this calendar =)).

From the Celtic Devotional (by Caitlin Matthews)


The modern practice of giving out candy on Halloween comes from a european tradition where around that time the spirits were thought to roam the streets, and food was placed by the door to your home to dissuade them from entering. I don't remember where this tradition comes from though. One of the Pagans can probably tell you. Somehow the candy corporations got wind of this and said "Hey, we could make money from this". =)

Yeah, that is similar to what my mind recollects.

[gnomon]

I would love to know where the historical evidence for the Celtic new year being Samhain originates.

edit: Because, unless I'm mistaken, there isn't any.

[Ody]

The Celts commited limited amounts of human sacrafice, much like the Incas.

As far as my memory takes me.

We know the names of the dieties etc. and we have basic understanding of what each
diety represented, prayers as far as I know are basically unknown from the religion, they existed, we just don't have them. We believe they created elaborate temples for thier higher powers, and they are quite well done and elaborate based on thier economic environment. We also know that the religion of Rome had a great deal of influence on the later gaulic religion.

[Ody]

It should be noted most if not all written accounts of Gaulic/Celtic/Briton human sacrafice come from the Romans.

[Ody]

Many of these dieties (Roman influence)where transplanted the traditional Roman way.

A celtic look and name for the same Roman one.

[MaddLlama]

Originally Posted by gnomon

I would love to know where the historical evidence for the Celtic new year being Samhain originates.

edit: Because, unless I'm mistaken, there isn't any.

There is barely any reliable evidence for anything having to do with the Celts. So, if you're looking for undeniable evidence of anything on the subject, you'd be hard pressed to find it.

[Zephyr]

Originally Posted by MaddLlama

There is barely any reliable evidence for anything having to do with the Celts. So, if you're looking for undeniable evidence of anything on the subject, you'd be hard pressed to find it.

It's really unfortunate that such a snazzy culture didn't have very good records taken.