Celtic witchcraft texts are ancient documents that provide insights into the magical practices and spiritual beliefs of the Celts. These texts offer a glimpse into the rich culture and mystical traditions of the Celts, who inhabited parts of Europe from around 1200 BCE to the 1st century CE. One of the most well-known Celtic witchcraft texts is called "The Witchery of the Highlands" or "Fianchetto's Book". This manuscript, compiled in the late 19th century, contains a collection of charms, spells, and incantations that were handed down through generations of Irish witches. The book describes various rituals and practices such as divination, healing, and protection. Another significant text is the "Lebor Gabála Érenn" or "Book of Invasions".
We don’t have to remain under this curse, for “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a pole’” (Gal. 3:13). This allusion to Deuteronomy 21:23 makes sense of this otherwise strange verse in the law of Moses, for it was as Jesus hung on the cross that he took our curse upon himself.
This list of curses, given on Mount Ebal, was to serve as a one side of the coin, with a list of blessings, given on Mount Gerizim, describing what would come to those who followed God s law. At any rate, after a great deal of coaxing and a fair amount of instructing, my mother and the doctor together decided the only viable solution was to remove the door from its hinges.
Another significant text is the "Lebor Gabála Érenn" or "Book of Invasions". Though not solely focused on witchcraft, it offers valuable insights into the mythological origins of the Celtic people. It tells the story of several waves of invaders and settlers in Ireland, each bringing their own magical traditions and beliefs.
The Family Curse
Some families are afflicted with flat feet, male pattern baldness, or an inability to dance. Our family curse, apparently, involves getting stuck in public restrooms. It all began when I was three years old, according to a story my mom liked to tell, so that I might recall a time in my life when I was very small yet capable of causing a great deal of inconvenience — much to her amusement, at least in this instance.
Evidently, I wasn’t fond of visiting the doctor’s office, and upon my arrival I let it be known that I didn’t want to be there by promptly locking myself inside a tiny bathroom and refusing to come out. The office was actually an old house, so the bathroom in question had a wooden door with a metal lock that even a three-year-old could easily turn. Looking back, I suppose my situation could have wavered somewhat between being a deliberate act and an unintended circumstance — at once a defiant child, and a prisoner of my own making.
At any rate, after a great deal of coaxing and a fair amount of instructing, my mother and the doctor together decided the only viable solution was to remove the door from its hinges. While I have no idea how much of an annoyance this must have been for all parties concerned, I can certainly imagine.
Although I can’t possibly quantify the number of times my twin daughters have been stuck inside a bathroom stall (and happily crawled beneath the door to escape), it’s clear they have continued the tradition of being jinxed. One of the pair, who was quite young at the time, managed to trap herself in yet another public restroom, this time at a hotel swimming pool where the heavy, metal door had become jammed. With all the commotion and noise that emanated from the pool (i.e., dozens of kids screaming and splashing), no one heard her shouting for help or banging on the door in an attempt to get someone’s attention. Eventually, my husband and I noticed a dull thud coming from across the room, one that had become louder and more frantic as time went on. So we got up to investigate, and upon discovering that she had been stuck inside for God-knows-how-long, we were ashamed to have been so oblivious. I think she has since forgiven us, but probably still harbors a degree of resentment regarding the bathroom issues that have plagued our family forever.
True to form and later in life, I once again demonstrated my ineptitude as it relates to using public facilities. This time, however, I managed not to imprison myself within the confines of a lavatory stall, but rather I somehow dropped my cell phone in the toilet. Almost immediately I thought of how stupid I had to be in order for my phone to wind up there, immersed in all manner of filth. To make matters worse, I have a tendency to freak out about germs, so this particular faux pas was considerably more than I could handle. Of course, I dashed to the sink and doused it with soap and water, hoping against hope that the blasted thing would work again. Amazingly enough, it did.
Public restrooms have apparently been the bane of my husband’s existence as well. Just recently while we were touring a university, he called me from the men’s room to inform me that he was stuck inside a stall and needed me to fetch someone from maintenance to get him out. I wish I were kidding.
Not surprisingly, he spent an embarrassing amount of time jiggling the latch and banging on the door, to no avail. He then shook the entire metal frame that housed the door but stopped for fear of tearing it off the wall. He also tried muscling the lock itself until it spun freely (never a good sign). Not once did he consider crawling beneath the door. That was out of the question.
As luck would have it, eventually the door simply fell open, mocking his efforts to escape. At least he didn’t suffer the added humiliation of having someone show up with a toolbox to save the day.
For some people, it can feel like the deck is stacked against them generationally. Perhaps alcoholism tends to run in the family. Or maybe abuse has been repeating itself in multiple generations. Perhaps a family has a history of mental illness or even suicide. Sometimes, these tragic legacies are a matter of corrupt values or bad habits getting passed on to the next generation simply because that’s what has been modeled. Other times, there can be genetic factors, such as a predisposition to various addictions. However, when people wonder about actual generational curses, often they’re thinking of something more than bad habits caught along the way (which everybody has experienced). Perhaps they’re thinking more in terms of a hereditary streak of bad luck that they aren’t able to shake. Or maybe it’s something even more sinister, such as a spell uttered in the past which they believe still holds power over future generations. Or perhaps scariest of all, there’s the fear that the demons who oppressed and even possessed one’s ancestors still have influence over the person today.
This text helps to understand the connection between Celtic mythology, folklore, and witchcraft. The "Carmina Gadelica" is a collection of prayers, hymns, and incantations from the Scottish Highlands. It was compiled by Alexander Carmichael in the late 19th century and offers a unique perspective on the spiritual practices of the Gaelic-speaking people. Many of the prayers and rituals described in this text are related to everyday activities like farming, childbirth, and protection against evil spirits. Additionally, the "Welsh Triads" provide glimpses into the magical beliefs of the ancient Celts of Wales. These triads are short verses that describe various aspects of Welsh culture, including magical practices. Some triads mention magical characters, such as witches or wizards, and offer insights into their abilities and roles within the society. Celtic witchcraft texts are valuable resources for contemporary practitioners of witchcraft and those interested in Celtic spirituality. They allow us to explore the ancient customs, rituals, and beliefs of the Celts, shedding light on their magical practices and providing inspiration for modern witchcraft. These texts are a testament to the rich and diverse spiritual heritage of the Celtic peoples..
Reviews for "The Elements in Celtic Witchcraft: Earth, Air, Fire, and Water"
1. Emily - 1 star
I was really disappointed with this book on Celtic witchcraft texts. The information felt scattered and poorly organized, making it difficult to follow along. Additionally, the author seemed to rely heavily on personal anecdotes rather than providing concrete evidence for their claims. I was hoping for a more scholarly approach to the subject matter, but unfortunately, this book fell short.
2. John - 2 stars
As someone interested in Celtic witchcraft, I was excited to get my hands on this book. However, I found it to be lacking in depth and substance. The author touched on various topics but didn't delve into them with enough detail or provide enough historical context. The writing style was also quite dry and didn't engage me as a reader. I would recommend looking for alternative resources on the topic.
3. Sarah - 2 stars
I found the information presented in this book on Celtic witchcraft texts to be rather outdated and lacking relevance to modern practices. While it may have been useful in the past, I feel that the author could have done a better job updating the content to reflect current knowledge and understanding. Additionally, the lack of references or citations made it difficult for me to verify the accuracy of the information presented. Overall, I was not impressed with this book.
4. Michael - 1 star
This book on Celtic witchcraft texts was a complete waste of my time and money. The author seemed more interested in promoting their own beliefs and agenda rather than providing objective information. The text was filled with unsubstantiated claims and vague statements, leaving me more confused than informed. I would not recommend this book to anyone seeking a reliable and well-researched resource on Celtic witchcraft.
5. Jessica - 2 stars
I found the writing style of this book on Celtic witchcraft texts to be overly flowery and difficult to follow. The author seemed more focused on creating an enchanting atmosphere rather than providing clear explanations and practical advice. Additionally, I was disappointed by the lack of practical exercises or rituals included in the book. Overall, it felt more like a collection of loosely connected musings rather than a cohesive guide to Celtic witchcraft.