Celtic pagan groups near me are a significant part of the modern pagan community. These groups are made up of individuals who follow Celtic pagan traditions, which are based on the ancient beliefs and practices of the Celtic people. The Celts were a diverse group of tribes that lived in what is now Ireland, Scotland, Wales, and parts of England and France. Celtic paganism is centered around a reverence for nature and the gods and goddesses associated with it. It combines elements of animism, polytheism, and ancestor worship. Many Celtic pagans believe in multiple deities, with each having their own specific areas of influence, such as the sun, moon, or harvest.
If you’re looking to hex someone or quickly fix something, you should look elsewhere.
Of course, it gets much more elaborate from there extending into planetary, zodiacal, sephirothic and even more complex layers of work don t even get me started on the Enochian watchtowers. Read more about Earth, Air, Fire, Water, and Spirit here and in other sources, but also seek out your own direct connection with them by interacting with them in Nature and through magic.
Many Celtic pagans believe in multiple deities, with each having their own specific areas of influence, such as the sun, moon, or harvest. One of the main purposes of Celtic pagan groups is to provide a community and support system for individuals who follow this spiritual path. These groups often meet regularly for rituals, celebrations, and discussions about Celtic mythology and traditions.
Tapping In to the Four Elements
(This is the latest in the Mastering Magick series of blog posts that I've been putting together for the Magick.Me blog. The previous entries in this series include How Far Can You Go in a Year?, The Core 3 Daily Practices, and 4 Keys to Altered States of Consciousness.)
"There are then. four elements, without the perfect knowledge whereof we can effect nothing in magic. from these, through them, proceed the bindings, loosings, and transmutations of all things, the knowing and foretelling of things to come, also the driving forth of evil, and the gaining of good spirits."
– Heinrich Cornelius Agrippa, Three Books of Occult Philosophy
One of the first things you'll come across in books on magick is a description of the four elements—fire, water, air and earth.
OK—just what are these things? I mean, OK, fire, water, air and earth are obviously things that exist in nature, but what exactly do they have to do with magick—the art and science of changing your consciousness?
The four elements are indeed critical to magick, but we need to be very clear about what they are, so that you understand how to master them!
So, first things first: The ancient Greek philosophers believed that all matter in the universe was put together out of combinations of the four basic elements. (You can read Plato on this, for instance.) For example, the ancients observed the changing states of water: when inert, water is simply the element water. When heated, it becomes like the element fire: it boils, and can burn you, or cook food. Indeed, when heated (by fire), it gives off steam: the element air. Finally, when frozen, it becomes ice, hard like the element earth. Therefore, concluded the ancients, all things in nature were simply combinations of the four basic elements.
This view of the nature was spread throughout the world, all the way up to the scientific period. You can find the theory of the elements not just in ancient Greece, but in medieval Europe, in India, in China, and in many other times and places.
Of course, the idea that the world is composed from four basic elements is not scientifically accurate. We now know that nature is made up of a lot more than four elements: We have the periodic table of the elements, which now lists a total of 118 elements, from Hydrogen to Oganesson. The periodic table, by the way, directly evolved from the old conception of the four elements. We just know a lot more about the world now.
OK. so what? Why do we need to know about an old theory of the world?
The answer is simple: In the realm of magick, the four elements aren't just a way of talking about nature. They're a way of talking about states of consciousness.
So let's break down the four elements one by one. Remember, what we're concerned with here is the elements as they manifest in consciousness—so that by bringing them into balance and harmony with our own selves, we can work towards perfecting our own lives.
1. Fire
Fire represents the igniting impulse of thought and of Will. It is the spark of inspiration, the AHA moment. It also represents your fundamental animating life force, the FIRE that causes you to do what you do. When you talk about feeling "fired up," or being creatively "on fire," you're experiencing the element fire in its psychological aspect. This is the element that people often try to overbalance in their psychological make up, and often end up overdoing it. For instance: If you've ever chugged one too many Monster energy drinks trying to get something done, you've certainly been trying to push your elemental makeup towards the fire element. And when you've crashed afterward, you've also felt the inevitable effects of too much fire! Too much psychological fire can also cause anger, aggravation and stress; not enough can cause weakness, diffidence and lack of motivation.
2. Water
Water represents the receptive impulse of thought. It is your ability to receive inspiration from the universe. It also represents your emotions, and your ability to be in tune with them. Artists and empaths are excellent at working with the element of water: Of creative inspiration, dreams and emotional intelligence. With the right amount of water element, you can receive great insights into your life, your projects and your relationships (of course, if you don't have enough balance with the fire element, you'll never have the willpower to actually make your great ideas into tangible things!)
3. Air
Air represents the intellect, and reason. It is the logical faculty, the ability of the mind to analyze and reason through situations. This is the element of all great mathematicians, scientists, lawyers, programmers and anybody else who works with pure intellect. With enough of the air element, you can reason through complex situations that would easily overwhelm others. But too much, and you can easily find yourself in "analysis paralysis," unable to actually take any actions because you're too caught up in the rational mind. Without enough water—intuition—or fire—willpower—you can easily find yourself lost in your own indecision. But with not enough air, you can have all the willpower and intuition you want, but you could still easily find yourself taking rash and irrational actions!
4. Earth
Earth represents the aspect of mind that is manifested as our own body, and as the physical world. It also represents how we manifest into the physical world. With the right amount of fire (willpower), water (intuition and creative receptivity) and air (reason), you can manifest just about anything into earth (the material world). Therefore, earth classically represents the summation of the prior three elements.
This isn't the only way to think about the elements, but it's a good start. Once your start getting a handle on the elements as aspects of your own psyche, then you can start thinking about how to balance them. Get all four elements balanced and working in harmony, and you have everything you need to do anything you want in life (classical magical rituals like the Golden Dawn pentagram rituals, as well as meditations like Tattva scrying—both of which are covered in our Magick.Me courses—can help immensely with this).
If they're out of balance, of course, you'll find yourself getting in your own way and constantly throwing off your own plans and frustrating yourself, because you'll be all out of whack and dancing through life like you have two left feet. (I've been there!) This is why balancing the elements, which is one of the most basic of all magical exercises, is also the most important—and needs to be persisted in as a regular, hygenic activity.
Of course, it gets much more elaborate from there—extending into planetary, zodiacal, sephirothic and even more complex layers of work (don't even get me started on the Enochian watchtowers. )! But working with the elements should be one of the central cores of your entire practice—get a sense of what they are, how they manifest in your own psyche, and how they manifest in your world, and you'll be well on your way to a much greater understanding of magick and a much deeper set of tools for working with your own consciousness. (For lots more tools on working with the elements, banishing, invoking, meditation, sigils, evocation, invocation and lots, lots more, you can start learning more at Magick.Me, our online school for magick, linked below.)
Good luck with your practice, and see you in class!
Brigitte smiles and sets the bowl under her bed. She knows the spell is successful, and the nightmares will cease as the water evaporates back into the air.
They may also offer classes or workshops on topics related to Celtic paganism, such as herbalism or divination. In addition to their focus on spirituality, Celtic pagan groups near me also often engage in community service and environmental activism. They may organize events like beach cleanups or tree planting to give back to the earth and honor the Celtic belief in the interconnectedness of all living things. Finding Celtic pagan groups near me can be done through online searches, local pagan or metaphysical bookstores, or by attending events or gatherings focused on paganism or Celtic culture. These groups can provide a sense of belonging and a deeper connection to Celtic heritage and spirituality for those interested in exploring this path..
Reviews for "Exploring Celtic Paganism's Relationship with Nature: Honoring the Land and its Spirits"
1. John - ★☆☆☆☆
I had high hopes for the Celtic pagan group near me, but I was extremely disappointed with my experience. The members seemed more interested in their own personal agendas than in practicing authentic Celtic paganism. There was a lack of structure and organization, with no clear leadership or direction. The meetings often descended into arguments and debates, rather than meaningful discussions about Celtic spirituality. Overall, it was a chaotic and disheartening experience.
2. Sarah - ★★☆☆☆
I joined the Celtic pagan group hoping to connect with others who shared my love for Celtic culture and spirituality. However, I found the group to be cliquey and unwelcoming to newcomers. The established members seemed more interested in maintaining their exclusive circle than in fostering a sense of community. The meetings were often dominated by a few individuals who monopolized the conversation, leaving little room for others to contribute or ask questions. It was not the inclusive and supportive environment I had hoped for.
3. Michael - ★★☆☆☆
As someone who has been practicing Celtic paganism for many years, I was excited to find a local group to join. Unfortunately, my experience with this particular Celtic pagan group was underwhelming. The group lacked depth and sophistication in their understanding of Celtic mythology and traditions. I found myself constantly questioning the accuracy and authenticity of the information being shared. It felt more like a social club with a vague Celtic theme rather than a serious spiritual practice. I was left searching for a more knowledgeable and dedicated group to further my spiritual journey.
4. Emily - ★☆☆☆☆
My experience with the Celtic pagan group near me was disappointing, to say the least. The group gatherings were disorganized and lacked any meaningful structure. There was no clear focus or purpose, and it often felt like a gathering of individuals with no direction. The discussions were shallow and lacked depth, offering little substance for those looking to deepen their understanding of Celtic paganism. Overall, it was a waste of time and left me feeling disillusioned about finding a genuine Celtic pagan community in my area.