Cult Accessories CT054
Celtic Tomes
This chapter covers Temples, Altars, Images, Symbols, and the Cult of Weapons of the Ancient Celts.
info_outline
Festivals CT053
Celtic Tomes
The Celtic year was not at first regulated by the solstices and equinoxes, but by some method connected with agriculture or with the seasons.
info_outline
Tabu CT052
Celtic Tomes
The Irish geis, pl. geasa, which may be rendered by Tabu, had two senses. It meant something which must not be done for fear of disastrous consequences, and also an obligation to do something commanded by another.
info_outline
Sacrifice and Prayer CT051
Celtic Tomes
The Celts offered human victims on the principle of a life for a life, or to propitiate the gods, or in order to divine the future from the entrails of the victim. We shall examine the Celtic custom of human sacrifice from these points of view first.
info_outline
Cosmogony CT050
Celtic Tomes
The Celts may have possessed the Heaven and Earth myth, but all trace of it has perished. There are, however, remnants of myths showing how the sky is supported by trees, a mountain, or by pillars.
info_outline
Animal Worship CT049
Celtic Tomes
Animal worship pure and simple had declined among the Celts of historic times, and animals were now regarded mainly as symbols or attributes of divinities.
info_outline
Tree and Plant Worship CT048
Celtic Tomes
The Celts had their own cult of trees, but they adopted local cults. This chapter also details how the Celts made their sacred places in dark groves, the trees being hung with offerings or with the heads of victims.
info_outline
River and Well Worship CT047
Celtic Tomes
Among the Celts the testimony of contemporary witnesses, inscriptions, votive offerings, and survivals, shows the importance of the cult of waters and of water divinities. This chapter also details the many fairies and folklore creatures associated with water.
info_outline
Primitive Nature Worship CT046
Celtic Tomes
McCulloch talks about animism, where everything was a person and the greater objects of nature were worshiped for themselves alone.
info_outline
The Cult of the Dead CT045
Celtic Tomes
The custom of burying grave-goods with the dead and other grave customs is the subject of this chapter. McCulloch also talks about the role of fairies and the festival of Samhain.
info_outlineThe Religion of the Ancient Celts (1911)
Chapter 12: River and Well Worship
by
J. A. MacCulloch
Among the Celts the testimony of contemporary witnesses, inscriptions, votive offerings, and survivals, shows the importance of the cult of waters and of water divinities. This chapter also details the many fairies and folklore creatures associated with water.
Names Used in this Section
Mr. Gomme
aurum Tolosanum
Lake Gévaudan
Bormanus, Bormo or Borvo,
Danuvius (the Danube)
Luxovius
Acionna, Aventia, Bormana, Brixia, Carpundia, Clutoida, Divona, Sirona, Ura
Icauna (the Yonne), Matrona, and Sequana (the Seine)
Dubrogenos
Enigenus
Virdumarus
Conchobar
Nessa
Deuona
Deus Nemausus
Nimes
Nemausus
Nemesa
Moselle
Nemh
Tara
Nimis
Appian
Matrona (Marne), the Moder, the Madder, the Maronne and Maronna
Sirona
Grannos
Apollo, Æsculapius, and the Nymphs
Dea Sequana
Niskas
Lerano, Dibona, Dea
Peisgi
Connla
Sinend
Banffshire
Loch na piast
Dracs
Each Uisge
Manannan
Epona
Goborchinn
Eochaid Echchenn
Tarbh Uisge
Tarroo Ushtey
Uruisg
Boand
Nechtain
Slán
Vicarello
Clitumnus
St. Thenew
Saône
Fynnon Elian in Denbigh
Religion of the Ancient Celts can be found on Sacred Texts.
You can find out more about J. A. McCulloch on Wikipedia.
Try the Celtic Myth Podshow for a dramatic re-telling of the Tales and Stories of the Ancient Celts at http://celticmythpodshow.com or in Apple Podcasts.
Our theme music is "Gander at the Pratie Hole" by Sláinte. You can find their music on the Free Music Archive.