As
I commented on previous posts, animal worship was very common amongst the
ancient Celts.
According
to their inward meaning, which may of course undergo transformations, they regarded
animals as human souls or their embodiment, and also held totemistic and
hunting cults.
This association of Spirit
Animals or "Totems" is based upon the ancient Celtic belief that all
life is related, the spirits of earth, water, air, and fire, the spirits of a
place, the trees, the flora and the animals that they lived with side by side.
Many ancient stories tell how the Druids could "shapeshift" into
animal form even present on legends like the one of Ceridwen and Taliesin.
In
the practice of their tribal religion Celts have chosen to adopt a personal
spirit animal helper, which has special meaning to them. Normally this belief
is accompanied by a totemic myth.
The
Celtic clans had banners on which were displayed the picture or symbol of their
clan animal, as with the banners of the Fianna. Individual devices were painted
on shields and sometimes tattooed on the body. This may well be the origin of
the heraldic devices that became so popular in later times.
We
may also consider certain shamanistic practice by druids for employing swan
feathers to make the ritual cloak of the Bards probably considering the
swan as “assistant spirit,” or
even“guardian spirit” , clear reference to the shamanic ability of flight.
This connection to the realm of spirits
and the gods, undoubtedly led their path in search for secrets and wisdom.
Nearly
all shamanic cultures believe in Animal Allies or helpers. These creatures have
the appearance and many of the characteristics and behaviour patterns of
ordinary animals, birds, and fish, but they can communicate with the shaman.
Sometimes these animals become protectors and guides for the shaman, both while
she/he is journeying in the Otherworlds and in the physical realm.
Other
ways to enter the other world are by charm, like the song from magical birds (Ford,
71), or by spell, like the mist descending over land (Ford,
77). Wells, springs, rivers, and earthen mounds are some of the magical places
that border with or co-exist in the other world. In these places, magic is much
more prevalent and sometimes even time passes differently there.
Specific
animals have specific associations depending on the characteristics of the type
of animal. Birds, fish, serpents, deer, cattle, swine, and so on all tend to be
used as symbols.
Animals
in Celtic mythology are tied in with fertility and vitality, because they are
living, moving, and growing. They also provide vitality and continued life for
the tribes through their meat, skins, and bones.
Celts have a particular
connection with Birds, amongst other species. Birds are usually used to
represent prophetic knowledge, bloodshed, and skill.
They play an enormous role
in Celtic mythology, figuring as divine emblems and as messengers of the gods.
Chief among the sacred birds of the Celts were the raven, the swan, and the
crane, although numerous other birds including geese, ducks, and even owls were
held sacred at various times. Many early images of Celtic deities depict them
with birds in the place of hands, emphasizing the importance of the birds as
divine servants.
In an omen, birds can be either the message or the messenger. For
example, Morrígan came in the shape of a bird to warn the Brown Bull. The
interpretation of their calls and movements can lead to knowledge of future
events. Birds, especially ravens and crows, usually presage bloodshed and
battle, when they are associated with it, sticking with the theme of prophesy.
Birds can also be used to
demonstrate a warrior's prowess by their method of capture. Lleu Llaw Gyffes
was so skilled he could hit birds with a stone without killing them outright.
Cúchulainn demonstrated even more prowess capturing birds skillfully, but his
son, Connla was still more skilled. He could not only stun them with a stone,
but also with only his voice.
Exceptionally magic or
ancient animals speak the language of humans and can pass on their wisdom
through speech. By and large birds are associated with speech. Branwen took an
ordinary starling and taught it to understand enough speech to find her
brother. Gwyrhyr & Arthur's messengers conversed with an eagle, an owl, a
stag, a blackbird, and a salmon to learn ancient knowledge from them.
A special
understanding of the speech of animals can yield a great advantage. Some heroes
have gained knowledge of the speech of birds, enabling them to be warned of
danger or told secrets by the birds. Davidson mentions a less mythical middle-Irish manuscript describing how to
determine the approach of visitors through interpretation of bird calls.
Animals appear as an omen by
their appearance and activity through a symbolic message. The type of animal and
their activity is the substance of the message. On the eve of his battle with
Sir Mordred, King Arthur dreamt of being devoured by serpents, dragons, and
other water beasts. The serpents and dragons alone mean great troubles within
the land. King Arthur was destroyed by this mass of troubles, because the next
day, he was defeated in a battle during the civil war with Sir Mordred (Baines, 497-498).
Another example of
an omen is Deirdre's dream of the three great birds. They arrived bearing honey
and left with blood, symbolizing treachery on the part of king Conchobar (Pilkington, 177). Movements of smaller
animals, such as birds and rabbits, have also been interpreted to divine the
future (Davidson, 11, MacCulloch, 219, 247).
Celtic Bird Allies
·
Blackbird (Druid-dhubh, Lon Dubh):
Legend says that the birds of Rhiannon are
three blackbirds, which sit and sing in the World Tree of the Otherworlds.
Their singing puts the listener in to a sleep or trance which enables her/him
to go to the Otherworlds. It was said to impart mystic secrets.
·
Crane (Corr):
At one time the crane
was a common animal in the British Isles. One late Celtic tradition, apparently
originated after the arrival of Christianity, is that cranes are people who are
paying a penance for wrong-doing. The crane is associated with the Cailleach
and Manannan mac Lir, who made his crane bag from its skin. The crane, with its
colors of black, white, and red, was a Moon bird, sacred to the Triple Goddess.
Magic, shamanic travel, learning and keeping secrets, reaching deeper mysteries
and truths
·
Crow (Badb, Rocas):
This animal is to treated
with care. Along with the
raven, the crow is a symbol of conflict and death, an ill-omen associated with
such Goddess as Macha, Badb, and the Morrigan. The Irish word for crow is badb,
which is also the name of a Celtic war Goddess. Although the crow was
ill-omened, it was also considered to be skillful, cunning, single-minded, and
a bringer of knowledge. It is of value when trickery is needed. It also teaches
you to learn from the past, but not hold onto it.
·
Owl (Cailleach, Oidhche, Comachag):
These birds were most often
associated with the Crone aspect of the Goddess. The word "cailleach"
in the Scottish-Gaelic means "owl". The owl is often a guide to and
through the Underworld, a creature of keen sight in darkness, and a silent and
swift hunter. It can help unmask those who would deceive you or take advantage of
you.
·
Raven (Fitheach):
Take care when dealing with this
bird. An important totem animal of the Celts. In Ireland the raven was
associated with the battlefields and such goddesses as the Morrigu or later
Welsh Morrigan, just as was the crow. The bird was connected with Bran the
Blessed; in Welsh bran means "raven". Although its reputation is
dubious, it is an oracular bird. It often represents the upsets and crises of
life that are necessary for anything new to be created.
·
Seagull (Faoilleann):
Seagulls do not figure in Celtic
legends. However, they are connected to sea deities, such as the god Manannan
mac Lir and the goddess Don. Like other birds, they are messengers from the
Otherworlds.
·
Swan (Eala):
A mystical bird who figures in
several Celtic stories. Its feathers were often used in the ritual cloak of the
Bards. Swans are connected with music and song. Swans also help with the
interpretation of dream symbols, transitions, and spiritual evolution.
·
Wren (Dreathan-Donn, Dreòlan):
A sacred bird to the Druids, its
musical notes were used for divination. As with many other birds, the wren was
considered a messenger from the deities.
Related
Sources
- Animal Symbolism in Celtic Mythology by Lars Noodén,22 November 1992
- "By Oak, Ash & Thorn : Modern Celtic Shamanism" by D.J. Conway
- http://www.joellessacredgrove.com
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