The Celtic Art of Approaching the Unknown and Nature

The Celtic tradition was powerfully aware of the numinous power of the unknown. It had refined rituals for approaching it. The Celts had no arrogance in relation to mystery. The people who mediated the unknown were called Druids. They helped the people to understand that the elemental divinities were not anonymous or impersonal. The earth was a Goddess and all the elemental forces took on personality. The Druids offered gifts to the Gods and the Goddesses. They interceded for the people and initiated them into the rhythm of belonging that the Celtic deities required. The Druids often worshipped in sacred groves. They are associated with sacred trees, especially the oak. They were also skilled in the art of interpreting the dreams of the people. They frequently undertook shamanic feats. They were able to change into different shapes, and they could enter smoothly into the air element and escape from all force of gravity. They lit the sacred fires and watched to see how the flames would turn. In this way, they were able to divine the future of the people. The Celtic world had a deep sense of the appropriateness of approach to the unknown. The lyricism and sacredness of the approach drew from the unknown the blessings that the people needed.