Celtic

The Picts of Ancient Scotland

/ mrbaxteria2008 / 1 Comment

41S4FJC8NML._SL500_AA240_  It was Anne Rice (who can trace her roots in Scotland) who introduced me to the Picts and the Pictish culture in her novel Lasher.It’s part of the series about the lives of the Mayfair witches. You can say that Pictish is related to Celtic or they look the same. But there is a difference. The are the ‘painted people’ of ancient Scotland inhabiting most of the North Eastern part. A beautiful example of their art can be found here: http://www.penandprint.com/images/scotland/2007_dec/pictish_stone_lrg.jpg

For more resources, visit the following links:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picts

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pictish_language

http://members.tripod.com/~Halfmoon/

Enya-related artists

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http://www.faqs.org/faqs/music/enya-like/ has a list of artists you might want to check out.

Long time favorite artists on the list include:

Aoife Ni Fhearraigh
Aine Minogue
Mary Jane Lamond
and Connie Dover. Check it out! You might get some on your next shopping list.enya0102onlytime04ix3

Iona’s Treasure

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Iona-Treasure

Iona-Treasure

It’s my headache that made me listen to Iona’s Revelation which is a Best of compilation. This band from the UK has been around for quite sometime. What made me drawn to them was the song “Here I Stand “.You can look them up at Youtube.The band’s music is a combination of progressive Rock, Jazz and Celtic elements. Joanne Hogg has the voice that makes it into the front row of the Celtic stalwarts. I would warn you though. This is only recommended for chosen ears. The whole rock n’ roll can get in the way. For people who are into purely rock, the traditional air might make you sleepy. For people into secular stuff, the Christian themes might get in the way. But for me, they are just lovely.

 

 

Tracks off the album:

 

1. Treasure 2. Island 3. Flight Of The Wild Goose 4. Chi Rho 5. Burning Like Fire 6. Iona 7. Revelation 8. Columcille 9. Dancing On The Wall 10. Kells 11. Today 12. Here I Stand 13. Edge Of The World 14. Matthew The Man 15. Beyond These Shores

 

Check out the band’s website: http://www.iona.uk.com

Druids

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Celtic languages are fascinating and really beautiful. The problem is trying to learn all of them ,.I should know that because I am still struggling with learning Gealige.Based on articles I’ve read, trying to be a Druid is a high order. It demands a lot and in ancient times,students have to study up to 20 years just to become one.druids

I also found this  wonderful artwork about St.Patrick and Cromm Cruach: http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3304360222_78cb55deda.jpg?v=0. For those of you who don’t know,Cromm was actually a feared Deity because he demanded solely human sacrifices. It was St.Patrick who introduced Christianity to Ireland and thus ending the old Celtic beliefs.That’s why now we have the so-called Celtic Christianity.

Druids have always been the source of fascination among scholars but very little is known of them.This is due to the fact that ancient Celts rely on oral traditions.If you want to read more on the subject matter(not only covering Irish lore ) then you might want to check out this link: http://www.geocities.com/rainforest/1669/druid1.html and also http://www.innerlight.org.uk/journals/Vol24No3/druidrel.htm

In modern literature the pure embodiment of a Druid is nothing more, nothing less represented by Gandalf in Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien.He’s a wizard and he embodies the trait that is surely Druidic.I don’t know why Howard Shore is taking for granted the Celtic elements of the story but oh well that’s his own opinion.

Here’s a little bit of Celtic music for you

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Celtic1Happy Sunday.Your music Druid has been busy sorting his life but what can I say? Life is blessed and life is beautiful.I have enjoyed some Hayley Westenra music and of course this one from Clannad. Check it out.Clannad – Coinleach Glas an Fhómhair

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  The first time I heard that song I fell inlove with it right away. It has a poignant simplicity with only Moya Brennan’s voice gliding through accompanied by acoustic guitar and bass.I have played that song almost everywhere in my travels but the best venue I got was on a mountain, early morning after the rain.

  What I  love about Celtic music is the atmosphere.You can’t help but be transported somewhere, to a better place than this.It carries you like a bird on wings.