The Best Resources on Celtic Spirituality
You Asked, I Listened!
I recently published an article on Celtic spirituality, and several of you requested additional resources on the topic. Ask, and you shall receive!
Celtic spirituality has ancient roots, dating back to pre-Christian societies existing in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Cornwall, and parts of Brittany. In 43 C.E., just ten years after the death of Jesus, these “pagan” people first encountered the invading Roman legions. A few hundred years later, institutional Christianity attempted to colonize the Celtic people, but with great difficulty. The Roman church was bewildered by these tribes because they were relational rather than rational, inspirational rather than institutional, and indigenous instead of imperial.
The Celtic vision of the world is essentially sacramental, perceiving God’s presence in ordinary things like rocks, forests, springs, hills, and meadows. “The Celtic approach to God opens up a world in which nothing is too common to be exalted and nothing is so exalted that it cannot be made common,” writes Esther De Waal. For them, the natural world is the container of the sacred and a gateway to the luminous—the holy intersection between mortals and the supernatural. It reminds me of Jacob’s exclamation after he awoke from his stairway to heaven dream. “Surely the Lord is in this place, and I was not aware of it…How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” The Celts agree.
In this modern age, when we find ourselves divorced from the natural world, addicted to technology, controlled by institutional religion, and victims of an empire of our own making, there is a great deal to learn from these ancient people. We need nothing less than a reclamation of our humanity, a rekindling of the Bealtaine Fire burning in every human heart.
May these resources fuel your spiritual journey in your quest to become fully human, fully divine, and fully in touch with our hallowed home.
Walking in Wonder: Eternal Wisdom For a Modern World by John O’Donohue
John O'Donohue, beloved author of To Bless the Space Between Us, is widely recognized as one of the most charismatic and inspirational enduring voices on the subjects of spirituality and Celtic mysticism.
The Book of Creation: An Introduction to Celtic Spirituality by John Philip Newell
J. Philip Newell is a minister in the Church of Scotland, poet, scholar, and teacher. In this slim but rich volume Newell introduces the reader to Celtic spirituality by guiding her on a journey through the seven days of creation.
The Celtic Way by Ian Bradley
This book is the most insightful and up-to-date introduction to Celtic spirituality. It also offers practical guidance on how to follow the Celtic Way in the contemporary world.
The Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom by John and Caitlin Matthews
For readers who are fascinated by Celtic traditions, and spiritual heritage, this unique reference introduces several new translations of powerful Celtic literature, including stories, poems, and visionary writing—many dating from the 7th century.
The Mist-Filled Path: Celtic Wisdom for Exiles, Wanderers, and Seekers by Frank MacEowen
The book tells how to draw on ancestral roots to find a personal spirituality that also works for the greater good. It’s a deep-dive into Celtic shamanic experience.
Gary Alan Taylor