Celtic Spirituality: A Beginners Guide To Celtic Spirituality

Feasting is also traditional after the Great Day rituals. A special meal is prepared and eaten after the ritual by all those who partake.

After the rituals on the Great Days and High Moons, it is the Celtic custom to toast the Goddesses and Gods.

After the Four Wards are called into the circle, the man cuts a "Little Gate," an energetic gate, just below the East point. The woman removes the four elements (the tools) from the circle. If you are working with a group, the others now enter the circle through this gate. The man then closes the gate with his athame, handing it back to t

7. Move to the circle centre and begin to chant the names of your favourite Goddesses and Gods. For example; "Kerridwen, Kerridwen, Kerridwen! Kernunnos, Kernunnos, Kernunnos! Ayea, Ayea, Ayea!" Build the power up and then direct the energy toward the work or healing of your choice. Swaying or dancing enhances the final power build-up.

The Goddess, or left, side of the altar holds the feminine nurturing elements of water and earth, symbolized by the bowl of salt and chalice of water. The wand, preferably one you have made yourself, rests on the Goddess side of the altar as well. The wine (or juice) cup, a symbol of divine love, sits at the centre of the altar.

The traditional Druid placement of altar tools on the altar follows. Looking at your altar and facing the North point, first place the Goddess symbols on the left and the God symbol on the right, toward the centre back portion of the surface. Goddess and God symbols can be statues, rocks, plants, or anything you choose. Place a green candle in a ca

To set up an altar, first carefully select your altar tools, which include: Goddess and God symbols, wand, chalice or cup, bowl, athame (with dulled edges), incense holder, robe with ten-foot cord (optional), altar cloth, wine cup, three candle holders and three candles (white, green, and red).

Setting up the Altar

Each element is represented on the altar by sacred tools, which are traditionally consecrated by the Goddess and God during the initiation rituals on the High Moons or Great Days.