Rituals

 

Human and animal sacrifices :

Human and animal sacrifices were rituals that the Ancient Celts would often partake in as a sign of worship. They would sacrifice humans and animals to offer to the gods to in return receive blessings from the gods.

Fun fact: it was often the human head that the tribes would offer to the gods. (1)

 

TO READ MORE ON SACRIFICE CLICK HERE

 

 

Festivals:

Aside from human and animal sacrifice it is also known that The Ancient Celts held various festivals from time to time, consisting off, feasts, processions and the making of offerings. These festivals included: (2)

 

 

Samain

Samain  (“assembly, reunion or coming together”) was celebrated on the 1st November, believed by some to be the beginning of the Celtic year. This was a special time when the veil between this world/realm and the next was lifted, allowing meetings and communication between the living and the dead, between men and gods. The tribes would gather presumably for a feast and ensure the fertility of the crops and herds with sacrifices

.This is now known as 'All Hallows Eve', or "Halloween'. 

 

 

Lugsnad

Lugsnad the “reunion of Lug” took place on the 1st August .

This was the feast of harvest and plenty held under the auspices of the king who was seen as chief provider and guarantor of prosperity.

 

 

Belteine

Belteine, the “fire of the god Bel” falls on May Day. This is the feast of light and the season of bright weather, the day on which the Celts lit the beacon fires to bring the good news of the new season (Summer) from hilltop to hilltop.

 

 

TO READ MORE ON THE FESTIVALS CLICK HERE