Any info on ancient pre-christian celtic religions?

Question

I'm doing a paper on celtic paganism before christianity took over. Can anyone point me towards some good links or reccomend some books that would help?
thanks

Answer 1

First, I have to say that anything that the publisher "Llewellyn" has printed on the subject is probably fiction. For your report you will want to stay to information that is academic and as historically accurate as possible--preferrably with references and written by someone recognized in the academic world as a scholar in Celtic studies.

You may be able to find something helpful in the links found here:
http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index;_ylt=Ag9QxQwCMDrM6U5mwIO3DU7sy6IX?qid=20061103204100AAuYbwM

Remember that the Celts ranged all over Europe at different times, but I am guessing that you are looking for info about the insular Celts (those living on the isles). Probably the oldest written myths are Irish, so you could look into the recommended books for Irish mythology. I recommend "Ancient Irish Tales" by Cross and Slover. My personal favorite authors are Barry Cunliffe and Miranda Green. These are the books I enjoyed the most (and you should be able to find them in the European history section of your library):
The Gods of the Celts by Miranda Green
The Druids by Stuart Piggott ( dated but still good)
The Celts by Nora Chadwick
The World of the Druids by Miranda Green
The Ancient Celts by Barry Cunliffe
Pagan Celtic Britain by Anne Ross
Atlas of the Celtic World by John Haywood (I really found this reference book useful to understand where the Celts came from and when they migrated. Geography [especially ancient geography] wasn't one of my best subjects).

If you have a specific Celtic area that you're interested in (like Ireland, Britian or Wales) e-mail me and I may be able to recommend more.

Answer 2

Llewellyn has a book called "Celtic Magick" that I've read and it's very informative.

As for some good links, honestly, just google "Celtic Pagan Traditions" and you'll get a ton of them.

http://www.goddessmystic.com/PathActivities/MatricentricCultures/celtic-traditions.shtml

http://www.celticcallings.com/resources/celtic_traditions/celt_holidays.htm

http://www.celticcatcreationsgiftstore.com/celtichistory.html

Answer 3

One thing that will help you immensely is the understanding that modern "paganism" is most definitely not descended from pre-christian religions, celtic or otherwise but is rather a direct offshoot of modern satanism.

Wicca for example, takes all of its rituals from satanism because its creator, Gerald Gardner specifically associated with satanists and basically stole all their rituals in order to make up his phony movement. He clearly was an active satanist and the rituals in wicca are EXACT copies of those from satanism:

http://www.churchofsatan.org/vera.html

Gardner was only the first satanist to gain followers by duping the weak minded. Since then, a number of different movements have branched off. The general term these people use for themselves is "pagan". However, this is a general term for various pre-christian religions, NONE OF WHICH has been incorporated into any "pagan" movement in the slightest. Instead, they are all like wicca....made up history and mythology with rituals copied from satanism. The movements were all created and are run today by practicing satanists.

Answer 4

Jeremiah 10. The "tree" is an ancient fertility symbol.

Answer 5

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Celtic_pagan

Answer 6

Sure, just look in our "Awake! Magazines. We specialize in religions (Explaining them)