The Celtic Diet – Part 3 – Mead and Cyser

In recent years, there has been an increasing demand for Mead and Cyser (apple mead from South West England), ancient drinks enjoyed by the Celts. You might want to try making your own Mead and/or Cyser. Mead Instructions for Making Mead Ingredients: – Demijohn1 kg honey (different honey will make different mead) 2 litres spring

The Celtic Diet – Part 2 – Beverages

The rich Mediterranean imports found in early Celtic sites between the seventh and fifth century BC in Southwestern Germany, Switzerland and Eastern France provide evidence of the role of consumption practices in feasting. Imported ceramic vessels have been interpreted as an attempt by the Celtic elite to imitate Mediterranean wine feasting. In the Mediterranean imported

Draíocht na Síoga na Samhna

Faerie Magick at Samhain Lá agus Oíche Leanaí ag súgradh Amuigh sa ghairdín- Déan deifir abhaile! Tá an ghrian dula luí. Sióga ag damhsa Amuigh sa ghairdín- Déan deifir abhaile! Tá an ghrian ag éirí. (“Oíche Mhaith” , Céim 1 Leabhar B, Duilleoga, An Comhlacht Oideachais Éireann.) I circle the ancient stones clockwise from the

A Tale for Samhain – Aillén the Burner

The 12th century text Macgnímartha Finn (Boyhood Deeds of Fionn) recounts the boyhood exploits of Fionn mac Cumhaill. The story begins with the death of Cumhal, leader of the Fianna, at the hands of Goll mac Morna. Cumhal’s wife Muirne was pregnant at the time and eventually gave birth to their son, Demne. Fearing for his safety, she sends him to be

The Celts – Part 3 – The Vinča Connection

The Celts are not as ancient as many civilisations, but their cultural roots can possibly be traced all the way back to the Vinča culture in Serbia, who were sited along the river Danube (Belgrade modern day). The Danube basin was the site of some of the earliest human cultures and the Vinča culture goes

The Celts – Part 2 – Alesia, the Mother City of Celtica

[4.19.1] Heracles, then, delivered over the kingdom of the Iberians to the noblest men among the natives and, on his part, took his army and passing into Celtica and traversing the length and breadth of it he put an end to the lawlessness and murdering of strangers to which the people had become addicted; and

Living in Harmony with Nature

For many centuries, humankind has, for the large part, put themselves above nature. But consider the impact we have had on nature by considering our cultural habits and how we can change and learn for the future. Population Increase We are the ultimate predator, top of the food chain. Unfortunately, when predators become too numerous

Ancient Celebrations – Part 1 – Autumnal Equinox

The next Equinox is on Friday 23 September at 2:03 (GMT+1) [22 September in the Americas] and marks the exact moment the Sun is directly over the Equator and begins its journey to the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere (approximately 23°27′ S of the Equator for the academics among us). In fact the

Celtic Legends – The Real Merlin – Myrddin Wyllt/ Merlin the Wild

Unlike the figure known today, Geoffrey of Monmouth actually combined two characters to create the more famous Merlin. His writings combined existing stories of Myrddin Wyllt (Merlin the Wild) and historical Romano-British war leader Ambrosius Aurelianus. He created Merlin Ambrosius (Myrddin Emrys in Welsh) who became extremely popular, especially in Wales. So what is recorded

Cartimandua – Traitor or Survivor

Whilst a lot of people know about the revolt of the Southern Iceni tribes during the time of Roman occupation of ancient Britain, less people know about an equally influential queen, Cartimandua and a revolution that took place in the vast Northern Kingdom of Brigantia. Cartimandua was the original strong Northern woman. Although many view