Cult Accessories CT054
Celtic Tomes
This chapter covers Temples, Altars, Images, Symbols, and the Cult of Weapons of the Ancient Celts.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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 5: The Tuatha Dé Danann
by
J. A. MacCulloch
In this chapter, J A McCulloch looks at the nature and origin of the Gods of the Tuatha De Danaan, the tribes or folk of the Goddess Danu.
Names Used in this Section
Tuatha Dé Danann
Danu
Fir Dea
Brian, Iuchar, and Iucharbar
fir tri ndea
Dôn
Cúchulainn
Fionn
Fomorians and Milesian
Dagda
Flann Manistrech
Gilla Coemain
Bodb Dearg
Manannan
Eochaid O'Flynn
dei terreni or síde
King Loegaire
Dr. Joyce and O'Curry
Mesca Ulad
Fand and Liban, and Labraid
Connla
Mider
Cenn Cruaich
Penn Cruc, Pennocrucium
Egyptian Neith, Semitic Ishtar
Anu
mater deorum hibernensium
Black Annis' Bower
Demeter and Persephone
Professor Rhys
Anoniredi
Vaucluse
Buanann
Brigit
Minerva Belisama and Brigindo
Dea Brigantia
Brigantes
Kildare
Cleena and Vera
Clota, the Clutoida
Dirra, Dirona
Aine
Knockainy in Limerick
Eogabal
Oilill Olomm and Ferchus
Aillén, Eogabal's son
Morrigan, Neman, and Macha
Badb
Badbcatha
Cathubodua
Haute-Savoie
Boduogenos
Fomorian Tethra
Nét
Neton
Mag-tured
Dr. Stokes
Adamnan
Boudicca
bangaisgedaig, banfeinnidi
Romano-British inscription at Benwell to the Lamiis Tribus
Keres
Matres
Arm, Danu, and Buanan
Battle of Ventry
Conncrithir
Be find
Eriu, Banba, and Fotla
tri dee Donand
M. D'Arbois
MacCuill, MacCecht, and MacGrainne
Dagda, Lug, and Ogma
Cian
The Children of Tuirenn
ogham
Babylonian Marduk
Ogmíos, Herakles
grianainech
Goibniu, Goba
Hephaistos
Soma, Haoma
Creidne
Luchtine
Diancecht
Miach, Airmed
Grannos
Cóir Anmann
Cera
Ruad-rofhessa
Eochaid Ollathair
Oengus
Elemar
Dr. MacBain
Dispater
Cromm Cruaich
Vallancey
Crom-eocha
Crom Dubh
Boand (the Boyne)
Cethlenn
Conaire
Mac Ind Oc
Tammuz and Adonis
Etain
Fuamnach
grianan
Diarmaid
Bri Léith
Isle of Falga, Isle of Man
Bláthnat
Aitherne
Medros
Nuada Argetlám, Sreng
Açvins, Vispala
Llûd Llawereint
Creidylad
Gwythur
Gwyn
Nodons
Nechtan
Nudd Hael
Ler
The Children of Lir
Llyr, Shakespeare, King Lear
Manannan mac Lir
Orbsen, son of Allot
Cóir Anmann
Agallamh na Senorach
Manawyddan
King Fiachna
Mongan
Barintus
Enbarr
Lug
Ethne
MacIneely
Gavida
Tara
samildánach
Irish Louth (Lug-magh) and in British Lugu-vallum
Lugudunum (Lyons), Lugudiacus, and Lugselva
Lugudunum Convenarum
Uxama
O'Davoren
Lugnasad
Lleu
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.