Celtic Women

I am into Celtic Times. I have a Celtic necklace that I wear that my cousin bought for me in England at a gift shop in an old castle. I love the CD Celtic Woman and it spiked my interest. I went to Google and read up on Celtic people. I hope that you will enjoy reading about the fabulous Celtic women. I will add my own comments as I write as I write this.

The Celts were an ancient, elusive people who were around Europe for 800 years. They stayed in the Roman Empire until 100AD. They were living in British Isles which was the central stage of Europe. I have read a lot of romance books which were set in Ireland, England and Scotland. The Celts were frequently mentioned. The Celts didn't have their own empires, cities and no written language. Their culture was wide spread never the less. Their name derives from the Greek 'Keltoi" which means hidden people{like elf people, trolls and brownies}. The Druids committed Celtic customs and ways to memories. In the 6th and 7th centuries AD, Irish monks started to transcribe Celtic history and laws and legends which became known as the Ulser Cycle which is a thousand years old. This is where we learned of old traditions of law, concepts of kingship and the elements that held the fascinating race of Celtics together.

Gods and Godddesses of Celtic times were beautiful, passionate and resourceful people. We thought that Gods and Godddesses were only in Greek Mythology! The mother Goddess gave love, healing, fertility and this was the role of the women in the world. Think again! Females were spiritual and dominated the society of the Pagan Celts. Women and Goddesses occupied positions and were free to bear arms, became Druids and were involved in politics and did everything men could do. That is where we are today! On a personal note, women were considered of no value but they were Princesses and Queens years ago and some like the Celtic women that I am writing above, were Xena type warriors. In the Bible times and 1900's, women seemed to have no function except to marry and raise children but in 1960 and up to now, we have prominent jobs{ Womenrun companies. We have Martha Stewart!} and some are invloved in politics and do everything that men do. I am not a Woman's Lib but this got me to thinking. I will get back to the Celtic women. I admire them and their spirit.

Celtic women. What do yiu think of? Fearsome warriors? Beautiful Princesses and Queens? Goddesses? These women are like female saints and are a reflection of the historical women of early Celtic Society. They are powerful, vengeful and ambitious and aren't afraid of Satan himself. Dumdbblondes wouldn't be able to be a Celtic woman. {How about a red head like me?}

Some Celtic women were doctors, politicians, warriors, judges, poets and writers{I could do that! I already do.}They owned property and still owned it even when they were married. Men wanted to marry Celtic women because they felt safe and thought they would be young forever and live forever. Celtic women had sexual freedom and were allowed to divorce. They even lead men into battle and commanded troops. Women warriors even appeared on Celtic coins. The training to be a Celtic Woman Warrior was long and required a lot of courage. BOUDICCA was a great Warrior Queen{like Xena, Warrior Princess?}. She was a War leader against the Romans and was joined by other tribes.

A Skye legend claims that a castle was built over night by a fairy or a witch. The witch sang all night as the castle grew by each rock. The floor of the bridge is missing and it is safer to view it from the main-land rock. It was also surrounded by a pit of snakes and the seven ramparts were crowned by iron palisades.

NIAMH OF THE GOLDEN HAIR, was a maiden Goddess, daughter of Mannanan, the Celtic God of the Sea who roamed over the west coast waters and gave his name to the Isle of Man. Leod, grandson of Godred the Black King of Man established Dunvegan Castle as the seat of Clan MacLeod. Niamh is said to have long golden hair that hung in tresses and each end of the tresses was a bead. She chose a mortal man QISIN, son of FINN chief for her lover. He loved the Celtic woman but he became homesick. He wanted to return to his home but she warned him that if he did, he would no longer be young and stay young looking. 300 years later after he had returned to his home, he was returning to Niamh when he fell off his horse when the harness broke and the man crumbled to dust.

Birds were important to the Celts. They were bearers of divine information.

EILER-The light of the Earth. The Celts welcomed the sun with a glad heart.Eiler was a dawn goddess and she connected with the the ideas of rising and new life. She was worshipped in the Spring.

The Celts favorite animal was the Hare. It represented fertilty, love and growth. It was associated with Easter, the moon and dawn. The Goddess EOSTRL could change into a hare when the moon was full. She was sacred to the White Goddess-the Earth Mother. The warrior Queen Boudicca tok the hare into battle with her to ensure victory. The hare was hunted by Oisin, another lover of Niamh and wounded the hare in the leg. The hare ran to the bushes and emerged into a beautiful woman.

At Easter, we all know the Hare as the Easter Bunny. The Celts Society died out as new religious customs came along.

The Romans had been horrified by the social status of Celtic women. The Celtic women did anything and everything that they wanted.This all changed and it is sad for the women of the Celtics. The Celtic customs still existed in Ireland, Scotland and Europe even though it was no longer practiced in the Roman Empire. I won't give my views about the Romans. I love the British ways and cultures.

After listening to the Celtic Women CD, I could only assume that Celtic music was Irish? Their music was limited because of lack of instruments. I love wearing my Celtic necklace and I am part English so maybe I have Celtic roots. I have enjoyed writing this. I hope that you will enjoy reading this.

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