Religion

- What We Know -

An overview of what we do and don't know about the pre-Christian
religion of the Gaels is forthcoming.

- Sinnsreachd -

Sinnsreached is a modern Gaidhlig (Scots Gaelic) term that translates literally to 'Customs of the Ancestors'. It is the term that Clann na Fhaoil-Choin, as well as some other Albanach based tribes use to define our path, and it can be compared (directly or indirectly) with Senistrognata or Aurrad. It is a modern movement of modern Gaels who wish to reclaim the ways of their ancestors in a modern time.

Evidence points to the fact that the spiritual and religious beliefs of the Gaels, and indeed the Celts as a whole, was intrinsically intertwined with their culture and day to day lives. Culture therefore is a cornerstone of what we are about. We believe that language is the ultimate expression of culture, and we put great emphasis on the learning and using of Gaelic language, not only in our day to day affairs, but in ceremony and ritual as well. Folk customs, superstitions and taboos, story and verse, music, food, and indeed all aspects that make up culture are important to us, and we strive to incorporate these into our path and daily life.

The way of Sinnsreachd is Polytheistic and Animistic, as opposed to the Dualistic or Pantheistic natures of most neo-Pagan and Wiccan paths. The Gods of our peoples, our Ancestors, and the Spirits of the Land that we live with play a huge part in our lives. They are honored both at traditional Gaelic festivals and feasts and in daily life.

All peoples have a set of morals and values which they embrace and which reflect the cultural and spiritual aspects that they as a people hold as important. We are no different. The virtues which we as a people embrace come from antiquity, and are found in a writing called the 'Audacht Morainn', that is the 'Testament of Morann'. These virtues are; Trocár (Mercy), FIrión (Justice), Chosmuil (Impartiality), Chuibsech (Conscience), Fosath (Firmness), Eslabar (Generosity), Garte (Hospitality), Fiálainech (Honor), Sessach (Stability), Lessach (Beneficence), Étir (Capability), Inric (Honesty), Suthnge (Eloquence), Foruste (Steadiness), and Fírbrethach (Truth in Judging). For a more detailed explanation of these terms and how they apply in a modern sense click here .

In general the focus is on using well known, documented, and acknowledged traditional practices in daily life. In the instances where there are gaps in the knowledge of well researched traditional practices, reliable secondary sources of other Indo-European cultures are used. When information can not be found in either of these sources educated guesswork founded in a Gaelic mindset and worldview must be used to reconstruct practices. In doing so, a more complete culturally spiritual practice is created.

- Fire Festivals, Feasts, Rites, and Rituals -

Fire Festivals

Unlike modern neo-pagan movements, and regardless of what they might attest, the Gaels celebrated four major festivals during the wheel of the year, not eight. There exists NO body of evidence in primary source material that would suggest that the equinoxes and solstices were celebrated. This is not to say that these times of the year were not known, it is apparent that they were, especially by the intelligencia of Gaelic society. But we have no evidence that they were celebrated as feats or festivals of any great import. The major festivals that were celebrated are known today as Fire Festivals. This is a purely modern term for the grouping of festivals that have their origins in antiquity. The Fire Festivals are Samhuinn (SOW-in), Imbolg (IM-volg), Bealtainne (BAYL-shun), and Lughnassadh (LEW-na-saw).

The beginning, and first half, of the Gaelic year was heralded at the celebration of Samhuinn (circa Nov. 1st), and ran through Bealtainne (circa May 1st). Imbolg (circa Feb 1st) was celebrated during this half of the year also, midway between Samhuinn and Bealtainne. The second half of the year began at Bealtainne and ran to Samhuinn, with the festival of Lughnassadh (circa Aug. 1st) falling midway between them.

These links will provide more information, both ancient and modern, about the Fire Festivals. How they were celebrated, and how we of Clann na Fhaoil-Choin celebrate them now.

Feasts

Rites

Rituals

The Moon Months of Clann na Fhaoil-Choin

Through a study of the Scottish moons, we find that their beliefs about moon months were based upon the climate and the conditions of the land and animals. The names of these moon months might change from region to region, but the evidence supporting moon months is in abundance.

Clann an Fhaoil-Choin has forged their own moon months based upon the conditions of the land we walk upon here in Texas as well as the American and Gaelic customs we have been surrounded by since our birth. These moons signify the relationship of our own inner-worlds with the land that surrounds us.

It should be noted that these are directed at neither new moons, or full moons. Instead, this is the month as a whole as governed by each moon. There are many customs and traditions relating to the individual cycles of the moon. The Carmina Gadelica is filled with prayers and chants relating to the moon and her cycles, as well as customs including the turning of the lucky silver coin and bowing. There are also various surviving customs relating to "moon month" rituals. It is important to remember that rituals relating to these months reflect the energy of the entire month and - most importantly - the relationship of our inner-world with our outer-world.