Magical Monday: Celtic Traditions

Today’s A to Z Blogging Challenge is all about the letter “C.” For this week’s Magical Monday, I’m exploring Celtic traditions of neo-paganism. 

Artwork credit: Katherine Sunderland

There are many related belief systems (listed below) of the Celtic tradition. All maintain these basic points:

No division between the sacred and the secular.

Spiritual equality of women and men.

Preference for rural life.

Honor nature and God's creatures.

From there, you can find great variety in terms of focus on past or present, beliefs about life in the universe, and use of rituals. 

Whether any branches of Celtic tradition are “magical” is subject to opinion. I like a broad definition of magic--any extraordinary or mystical influence. What is mystical to some may not be to others. 

The Pan Celtic movement is one of the strongest in neo-paganism. Music emphasizing pipes, drums, and harps during rituals helps renew Celtic traditions. Neo-Celts traditionally decorate or “dress” sacred wells, believe in fairies, and celebrate solstice days with great fire festivals. The winter solstice is often celebrated with dancers wearing horned costumes, in reference to the Celtic Horned God Kernunnos, also known as Lord of the Animals or the Great Shaman. 

The Celtic year begins with the harvest feast of Samhain, on the last eve of October. Another feast takes place on May Eve, called Beltane. Then, all fires are extinguished and relit from Bel’s Fire, sacred to the solar-fire god Bel.

This exploration was especially interesting to me, having an Irish heritage.  

Do you have any Celtic blood? Still honor any Celtic traditions?

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Branches of Celtic Traditionalism:
Celtic Reconstructionalism-- seeks to recreate, to the best extent possible in the modern world, the religion of the ancient Celtic peoples of Western Europe and the British Isles. Modern Celtic paganism embodies a strong reverence for nature.

Druidry-- based on the practices, rituals, and magick of the early Celtic priestly class known as the Druids. Many expressions of the tradition still exist, and their differences have often been cause for dissension in the pagan community.

Faery Faith--maintains the belief that everything in this and other worlds is alive, each thing possesses its own soul or spirit. This belief is called animism and was prevalent in the Western world before the advent of Christianity, which holds that only man has souls or spirits and everything else in is solely here for the use of mankind.

Celtic Shamanism-- a shamanic path based on the Faery Faith of the Celtic peoples of Western Europe and especially of Britain, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Cornwall, Isle of Man and Brittany.

Witta-- combines old Irish traditions with influences of the Norse. Witta recognizes that at each stage in the development of Irish paganism, each generation has been able to add something of value.

Celtic Witan Church--A legally incorporated church which studies and practices the goddess-oriented nature-based religion of the ancient Celtic peoples. This is a fertility religion concerned with all aspects of prosperity, growth, abundance, creativity, and healing. 

Text References: http://www.joellessacredgrove.com/Celtic/celtictraditions.html

http://www.celtic-anabaptist-ministries.com/celtic-tradition.html

The demonic evil eye -- a reason for the creation of eye shadow?

It’s time for another magical Monday post. For this week I’ve chosen to discuss the demonic evil eye. This power is a look, which many believe is capable of causing injury or bad luck for the recipient of the dark magic.

Belief in this superstition dates in recorded history to the cuneiform texts of the Babylonians around 3,000 BC. Interestingly, the ancient Egyptians used eye shadow and lipstick to prevent the evil eye from entering their eyes and mouths. Was that the reason for the origin of these beauty practices?

In other cultures and records, the evil eye is present in Hindu folk beliefs, as well as being referenced in both the Old and New Bible Testaments. It remains a modern superstition in Italy, Central America, and Mexico, known as "Mal de ojo." It was on a cruise port day in Cozumel when I first saw the Nazars, evil eye prevention charms, hanging in markets. At the time, I had no idea of their uses/history. They looked like lovely folk art to me.

Apparently, the evil eye can be cast accidentally or deliberately. In the case of the latter, it is called “overlooking.” This form of witchcraft can cause illness; poverty; injury; loss of love; even death. Symptoms of the illness may include diarrhea and constant crying, usually affecting infants and children, however, adult females can also be affected.

The spell occurs when someone, usually a stranger, admires another’s children, livestock, or possessions, or merely casts a lingering look. Unless precautions are taken right away, the children fall ill, the animals die, possessions are stolen, good luck ends. If the evil eye cannot be stopped, an initiate (often an older village woman) must supply a secret cure.

To be capable of casting an evil eye, a person is usually a stranger with a different eye color than the locals. Or some individuals are born with an evil eye which lays waste to everything they behold.

How might you avoid the evil eye?

The primary defense is to carry an amulet of a frog, horn, fig, or red ribbon. The horn and fig represent a phallus, associated with the Roman phallic god Fascinus. In many Latin American countries, parents today commonly tie red ribbons around their children's wrists or ankles. Probably more socially acceptable than a frog, horn, or fig tied to a child.

The protective Nazar talismans are disks or balls, consisting of concentric blue and white circles (from inside to outside, dark blue, light blue, white, dark blue) symbolizing an evil eye. These are commonly used throughout the Middle East, often on Mediterranean boats and planes. The hamsa hand is a variation of this talisman. Folklore states the staring eyes are supposed to bend the malevolent gaze back to the sorcerer.

If you find yourself caught without an amulet or talisman and in need of protection, the hand gesture of a clenched fist with the thumb thrust between the index and middle fingers is said to work well. Another simple gesture which will protect you, is to make the sign of the cross with your hand and point the index finger and the little finger towards the supposed source of the spell or victim. This was described in the first chapter of Bram Stokers novel Dracula, published in 1897:

When we started, the crowd round the inn door, which had by this time swelled to a considerable size, all made the sign of the cross and pointed two fingers towards me. With some difficulty, I got a fellow passenger to tell me what they meant. He would not answer at first, but on learning that I was English, he explained that it was a charm or guard against the evil eye.

Beware the evil eye!

References: The Encyclopedia of Demons & Demonology, Rosemary Ellen Guiley; Wikipedia, Evil Eye

Visiting exotic Persia with my work in progress, Illusions of Intimacy

My work in progress, Illusions of Intimacy, is a time travel erotic fantasy involving eight exotic settings. This is a true delight for me because I love creating magical worlds.

The hero and heroine are lovers joined by a bond of their souls. When the pair come together, their combined magic is so intense it commands notice from all, both good and evil. Dark powers seek to possess their unique bond and cast the couple asunder through tragic injury or death. Break their love and the magic is for the taking. Yet, their souls hold fast across many reincarnations into new mortal bodies. Foiling the forces of darkness, so they may remain beside each other, becomes their quest.

In my writing progress, their present generation lives in ancient Arabia, traditionally called Persia. The inherent mystery of the sea of sand provides the perfect backdrop for entrance of the first villain.

As I create an atmosphere I enjoy researching culture – architecture, clothing, art, folklore, music, dance. I take those components and flavor a unique fantasy setting.

I’d like to share some entertaining finds I made while conducting that research. Here are two videos of Arabian music, both enticing and alluring as they illustrate romanticism of that culture. The first is entitled Arabian Waltz, by The Silk Road Ensemble with Yo-Yo Ma as their guest. The second, filled with lovely landscape images, is Sufi music performed by Omar Faruk Tekbilek.

Illusions of Intimacy, Chapter Six: Rebirth

From my novel, in progress . . .

Floating free. No poison pained my body. Floating alone. My arms could not hold you.


Pages you wrote to me turned before my eyes, revealing the ancient secrets. I penned my hopes and dreams into my notebook for you alone to read. If it could happen . . . to be pleasured daily by the touch of your soft skin, the smell of flowers in your hair, the light of love glowing within your eyes. I shut the journal, resolved to secure those tokens.


A light pulsated ahead, drawing me nearer. A dragonfly silhouetted. It spoke in a familiar old man's voice, “Heed my words, master. Across the sands of time, the first of three keys is held by your lady's lover.” His words trailed off, as the brilliance flared before me.


Was I not her lover? What riddle was meant? Illumination engulfed me, obliterating my reason. Only that question, repeating over and over, unanswered.