Our Wild Gaelic Heathen Path

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Our Gaelic Heathen Path

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What is our Path?

We practice a syncretic Polytheistic path, primarily Gaelic but with Norse influences and, yes, some Pictish affectations as well. This is historic syncretism as the cultures actually had blended, rather than what is called "modern syncretism" which is really "eclecticism" where people who are not of either culture just mix things of two cultures which did not meet.

Scotland was once primarily P-Celtic speaking until the coming of the Scots from Ireland. We really know very little of the pre-Celtic people, often referred to as a group as "Pictish" although there were, of course, many varied tribes. I discuss the Picts in here. Their culture and pre-Christian religion we know only about through archeology and through Roman and later writings, rather than from them. They were absorbed by the Gaelic speaking Scots by the mid 9th century CE. They left us with a great deal of art, however. There may be "Pictish" influences in the culture that makes Scottish culture unique, but it's difficult to sort these out. Some things not found in either Irish or Scandinavian cultures may be late developments, of course.

The Norse were also an influence on Scottish culture. While often seen as only raiders, there was also trade and, as many Clan origin stories attest, much intermarriage. This is true for my mother's Clan, certainly. The culture of the Highlands is strongly Gaelic, as was the language prior to English taking over (although there are those working to bring the Gaelic back to the forefront), but with obvious Norse influences. What we know of their coming together is during the Christian era, especially for the Gaels. We do not know anything of their interrelations in pre-Christian times, but then much of the material we have, literature and laws, of both cultures are themselves all from Christian era sources; nor do we pretend to be pre-Christian.

While we are influenced by Scottish culture, we do not pretend that we are fully involved in it, as we live in the US and there is no way to be fully immersed here. Even if we were, our form of Polytheism is not truly a part of the modern culture. This, of course, works out for us as we identify with the "Outlaw" elements; the subculture that was part of the cultural ways of both Gaelic and Northern cultures. The war bands such as the Fianna. We are of the wilderness and our practices reflect this, probably, ecstatic and connected to the specific land we live on. We explore "the way of the Fianna," although we do not call ourselves that (unless our tongue is firmly planted in cheek), rather we are students of the path striving to become such (perhaps in another lifetime though).

We are "Reconstructionist" meaning that we follow a scholarly-based interpretation of ancient ways that have not had continuous practice or teaching. We use various sources such as the literature, critique of said literature, anthropology/archeology, first-hand histories (yup, those "nasty Romans") and later folk practices (including those continuing into modern times and including involvement with living Celtic culture, art, music....), understanding that we are not reconstructing the exact practices of pre-Christianity or the Outlaw Bands but are hoping we are as close as possible. We are not reenactors, we are living in the modern world and are working towards creating a religion that is viable for the future. However, some of us also strive to find more natural and simple ways of living, having turned to homesteading as a way of life. Again, those of us who have are not rejecting all modern technology; in fact some of the alternatives we are looking into are even more modern than the average homeowner might consider.

But what do we believe and do?

We are fairly hard Polytheistic. We honor particular Goddesses and Gods from Gaelic culture and Gods of the Norse. We're not sure why neither of us have felt any connection, although I have certainly tried, with any of the Northern Goddesses, but it may have to do with the concept of Tribal Gods. This is something we're exploring. We also honor our Ancestors/Beloved Dead whether they are blood Ancestors, loved ones, or those who have gone on who have touched out lives in anyway. Likewise the Nature Spirits who share this world, we honor ritually as well as trying to live a life that is peaceful among them and healing the damage humans (who are Nature Spirits too, but so many have forgotten this) have done; we consider living "low impact" and "Green" to be part of our religion. And we honor the Sîth (note the accent mark, this is the Scottish Gaelic form of Sídhe and nothing to do with Star Wars, really *snerk*), although we are clear this is not the same as worship. Those Folk who we may have personal bonds we may invite to worship with us at our rites. We view the cosmos as Three Worlds, this one, the Otherworld and the Underworld, all comprised of the Three Realms, Land, Sea and Sky.

We do feel it's more about what we do than what we believe, although with it just being two of us it's a bit easier to share belief as well. We honestly are constantly exploring and not always sure Who we are dealing with. The important thing is that we make offering, we make sacrifice, we make treaty and contract. We do work that we feel They wish us to do, this is part of our contract and our offerings. This includes ritual, of course, but also our warrior training, caring for the land and the animals, growing our food or for me my ecstatic and magical work. This, of course, belies the common accusation that those of us who practice Reconstructionist paths just read and debate, the reality is that many of us actually also live our paths in pretty much everything we do. Sometimes how some things might connect to our faith may not be as obvious as other things.

Line from Celtic Web Art