Celtic Wicca
Celtic Wicca | |
---|---|
Abbreviation | CW |
Type | Syncretic Wicca |
Orientation | Celtic neopaganism |
Governance | Priesthood |
Founder | Gerald Gardner |
Origin | 1950s England |
Members | Unknown |
Celtic Wicca is a modern form of
Origins
Wicca, as established by Englishman Gerald Gardner in the 1950s,[3][5][6] was not Celtic in nature but contained some influences and borrowings from Celtic sources.[1] "Celtic" Wicca can be seen as emphasizing and elaborating on the facets of Gardnerian Wicca that practitioners believe to be Celtic, while de-emphasizing some of the more obviously non-Celtic facets (such as the worship of deities from other cultures).[1][2] Author Jane Raeburn believes that while there is "a firm distinction between historical Celtic inspiration and modern Wiccan practice", that the two can be blended to form "a living path of ethical and spiritual growth".[2] As Carl McColman has observed, many people find beauty and meaning in this spirituality that blends "religious witchcraft with Celtic wisdom".[1]
Several different variations of the tradition have existed. For instance, Lady Sheba (Jessie Bell) called her tradition "American Celtic Wicca".
Comparisons to other traditions
Celtic Wicca can be seen as both a form of Wicca and a branch of
Criticisms
Celtic Wicca is criticized for a number of reasons. Critics point to the very recent development of the "tradition", its modernly syncretic nature, its
See also
- Modern Celts
References
- ^ ISBN 0-02-864417-4.
- ^ ISBN 0-8065-2229-1
- ^ ISBN 0-19-285449-6
- ISBN 978-1-56718-257-6.
- ^ a b c d e f g Greer, John Michael, and Gordon Cooper (Summer 1998) "The Red God: Woodcraft and the Origins of Wicca". Gnosis Magazine, Issn. #48: Witchcraft & Paganism
- ^ ISBN 0-87542-370-1
- ISBN 1-930997-95-7.
- ^ Sheba, Lady (1971). Book of Shadows. Llewellyn.
- ^ Sheba, Lady (1972). The Grimoire of Lady Sheba. Llewellyn.
- ^ Wiccan Paths Archived January 23, 2009, at the Wayback Machine, "Celtic Wicca (Church of Wicca)" at pagans.org. accessed 13 Nov 2009
- ISBN 978-0-8402-1304-4
- ISBN 0-87542-136-9
- ^ ISBN 0-631-18946-7
- ISBN 0-275-98713-2.
- ^ Hautin-Mayer, Joanna. "When is a Celt not a Celt?". Archived from the original on 2006-10-06. Retrieved 2006-11-18.
External links
- The Wicca That Never Was: The real story of the world's newest "ancient" religion (part 1), by Andy Steiner, Utne Reader
- When is a Celt Not a Celt? by Joanna Hautin-Mayer