Many of these I have found over the years researching and are inspiration for my novel. There are also pictures that Neil Basconcillo created for me that demonstrate the 5 different races within the novel. I hope you find these interesting and peak your curiosity!
Check out my Media links and the Gallery I have listed…I’ll try that. I may have to another post or edit this one and add each picture here, but I I’m trying to avoid that 🙂
I am so excited about the direction my novel has taken! Who knew it would be a character-driven novel about the journey of self-discovery and acceptance of one’s “fate”? I look forward to sitting down with Rian everyday and see how she has changed since the last time. I hope my readers enjoy it just as much 🙂
Blessed Writings Everyone!
This is a really nice blog entry about Celtic Divination. I have researched the Ogham quite extensively for my novel, but I have never heard mention of Shoulder Blade Divination. Fascinating.
They didn’t have tarot cards (which came along in the 1400s), runes (those came later from the Anglo Saxons) or crystal balls (although those may have been in use as early as the year 500), but the Celts, and specifically the Druids, were big into divination – the art of seeing the future. Here are a few of the most common methods they used:
The Sight
Also called Second Sight, this is basic psychic ability. It was usually a trait of women and was thought to be passed in the female bloodline from mother to daughter. It was also developed among the prophetic class (Ovates) of Druids. The visions seen and prophecy uttered by those with the sight, though often cryptic and filled with symbolism, were taken very seriously.
Forms of premonition, some of which we still joke about today, were also thought to tell the future in the body. Hence, if you…
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I love Irish and pre-, early-Roman British histories. I stumbled upon this blog that has some outstanding information. If you are looking for information on the Fomorians, Tuatha de Dannan, and others, this might just be the blog you are looking for!
In honour of the 25th entry in this series, I figured I’d give it its own index page. Enjoy.
Beginnings
1. The Mythic Conflicts Of The Fomorians, Tuatha De Danann And Milesians
The earliest recorded wars on the island were probably myths, but even myths can have a kernal of truth.
2. The Return Of Tuathal Techtmar
Ireland’s “Return of the King”, but more interesting for the implication of Roman involvement.
3. The High Point of Dal Riata
The Gaelic Kingdom set up in Scotland, one of the only times such a foreign adventure occured.
The initial Norse incursions in Ireland, from 795 to 902 AD.
The period of settled Norse lands in Ireland, from 914 to 980 AD.
6. Brian Boru And The Road To Clontarf
The life and times of one of Ireland’s most legendary figures.
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I haven’t been posting much because my time for research has been taken up by writing. That is good for me, but not so good for the blog. Thank you for your patience.
But after months and months of writers block, I’m taking full advantage now! My novel re-write is taking shape and evolving in wonderful ways! I’m not really sure that I can call it a re-write anymore. The setting has changed. The characters are all different. There are hints of druidry, but no druids. There are hints of Romans, but no Romans. There is a nod to ancient Britain, but it is not set in ancient Britain. But there are dragons…sort of.
I know that is vague, but perhaps it will intrigue you enough to keep coming back!
In ancient Britain, the culture revolved around the religious leaders, the Druids, a priest-caste that at the turn of the century held enormous power. There were three levels of druids: the bards, the ovates, and the druids. The ones with the most power were the druids. At least one druid was assigned to each tribal king, they paid no taxes, and were not required to submit to military service. Kings would consult the druids before battles to determine the outcome, and therefore, were in many ways more powerful than the king (Sutton, 1-10).
Once the Romans invaded in 43 AD, however, the role of druids changed and they became the leaders and instigators of rebellion across the island. Their center of power was Anglessey Island, where it is believed their university and training center was located. In 61 AD, Paulinus, the governor and leader of Roman forces at the time, decided it was time to put an end to the revolts and attacked the Druids on their sacred island. It was an unequivocal defeat. “It is said that they spared none they met on that bloody field of battle. Men, women, and children were slaughtered…Many of the druids and their followers were thrown into their sacred groves of oaks and then burned alive” (Military History, 7).
Before Paulinus could ensure that every last druid had been decimated, however, he was pulled away to quell an uprising by the Ordovicians led by Queen Boudicca. He would later be recalled to Rome, where he was honored. Later, he would be followed by one of his seconds in command during the battle at Anglesey, Agricola. Agricola took over at the end of summer; the campaign season had passed and the soldiers were looking forward to holing up for the winter for a much-needed rest. As usual, the druids caused a ruckus, not expecting Agricola to meet their challenge. But he did, with a vengeance. The druids were taken by surprise and were not able to pull together. Remembering what happened the last time the Romans attacked Anglesey, the druid leaders surrendered the island (Tacitus, 6).
For all accounts, that was the end of the druids. Without to-do, they just allowed themselves to disappear; or did they? Since the Celts or the druids did not document their history or their beliefs, we only have the historians of the day to refer to, and since they were the enemies of the druids, their accounts are less than reputable. But if the leaders surrendered, then they were not killed. They more than likely went underground. As Christianity spread across the island, it gave them the perfect place to continue in their positions of power.
“Christianity and learning went hand in hand. Almost every one of the multitude of holy men became scholars, and every holy scholar became a teacher” (MacManus, 197). Fame would travel, crowds would flock to learn and emulate him. Each would undoubtedly form a school and educate the people who would set up homes around them.
I would argue that not only did the religion of the ancient Celts survive, it thrived, passed on in the homes of the every-day people, passed on from mother to children as it had for centuries before. The politicians may have converted, but it would take far more to ensure that the hearts and minds of the people followed suit. Only through torture and abuse did the people finally outwardly accept Christianity, but inwardly they could continue to believe and to pray however they felt appropriate.
Cornelius, Tacitus. “Agricola.” Retrieved on March 23, 2011 from
http://www.ourcivilisationcom/smartboard/shop/tacitusc/agricola/chap1.htm
MacManus, Seumas. “The Story of the Irish Race,” Konecky: Greenwich, CT; 1921.
“Military History Online,” Retrieved on April 5, 2009 from
http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/conquestbritain/articles/anglesey.aspx
Sutton, Maya Magee. “The Practice of Celtic Wisdom: Druid Magic,” Llewellyn: Woodbury, MN; 2007.
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