Dictionary of Celtic religion and culture

By Bernhard Maier

Book Description

This comprehensive reference work opens the door to understanding one of Europe's most spiritually rich and enduring cultures. Bernhard Maier presents over 1,000 carefully researched entries that illuminate the sacred beliefs, practices, and worldview of the Celtic peoples across both time and geography.

The dictionary bridges ancient continental Celtic traditions with the medieval spiritual heritage that flourished in the British Isles after Celtic settlement. Readers will discover the pantheon of Celtic deities known through historical inscriptions and sacred imagery, gaining insight into how these ancient peoples understood the divine and their relationship to the natural world.

Beyond mythology, this work explores the profound cultural exchanges between Celtic and Roman civilizations, revealing how spiritual traditions evolved through contact and adaptation. The influence of Celtic legend on the Arthurian tradition demonstrates the lasting power of these ancient stories to inspire and guide.

The scope extends from prehistoric religious practices to the Irish Renaissance, encompassing Celtic languages both ancient and modern, sacred art forms, agricultural wisdom, and the development of Celtic studies as a field. Each entry provides context for understanding how Celtic spirituality shaped daily life and cosmic understanding.

For those drawn to earth-based spirituality, ancient wisdom traditions, or the roots of Western mysticism, this dictionary serves as an invaluable guide to a culture that viewed the sacred as intimately woven into every aspect of existence.