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Let us first compare the basic moral / ethical code of each religion. Wiccans use as an ethical basis "Wiccan" or "witch's Creed" ("Wiccan Rede"). The whole ethic of Wicca is based on the following principles: "does not cause harm to anyone," "perfect love and perfect trust" and "Threefold Law". Although these principles are not bad, they are generally not translated into actual practice in the context of Celtic Paganism, and ignore the basic principles of Nature. The first rule (do not harm anyone) should be violated only in order to survive (eat or be eaten). It is usually given in a free interpretation of each individual practice, instead of being a unifying ethical standard to which it actually should be. And the "perfect love and perfect trust" is a good idea, but unattainable in real life, and thus this principle becomes meaningless promise instead of inspiring personal truth and justice. "Threefold Law" is the Wiccan belief, which involves the belief in a kind of destiny that is not a major part of Celtic religion. Modern Celtic Pagans follow the moral / ethical code based on the principles of modern society and those that can be found in the ancient legal texts and other records. They include:
· Respect for Nature and all living beings
· Honour (a community)
· Truth
· Service to the Community
· Loyalty to friends, family and local community
· Hospitality
· Justice
· Courage
Respect for other living beings - is a key element of the modern Celtic Paganism, and needs no explanation. The honor means that behavior inside and outside of your community, which determines the attitude to other people to you. Other items you are after Gods and Heroes of the Celts, as described in Celtic mythology. In contrast to the individualistic tendencies of Wicca, the community was probably the most important thing for the ancient Celts. Therefore, as a modern Celtic Pagans, how do you help your community and how the community relates to you, it is very important for your self-perception, and should determine your behavior.
In addition to these fundamental differences in morals and ethics of Wicca and Celtic Paganism, their cosmology, and how each system describes the world / universe, is also quite different. Wiccans use the Greco-Roman theory of the "Four Elements" (Earth, Air, Fire, Water). Celtic Pagans see their universe consisting of the Three Kingdoms: earth, sky and sea. There are also three planes of existence: This World, Other World and the Underworld. In addition, there are other subsystems (known as duile), which are closely intertwined and connected in a Celtic pattern. As you can see from these examples, then, as a description of Celtic Pagans of his universe, is much more complex system than the "Earth, Air, Fire and Water," and these "four elements" will never be able to cover the Celtic point of view regarding the structure of the world, so Celtic Pagans do not use them. In addition, unlike the Wiccan, Celtic Pagans did not split their universe and its components on the components related to Greco-Roman "elements", creating consistency and correlation, color tables and rules as to what God is to ask about finding love . On the other hand, can be manifested in the sacredness of all things. Thus, if the Greek elements is what determines the Wiccan universe, the Three Kingdoms, "duile" and so are the ways for a man of understanding of the universe and his place in it.
Wiccan ideal of the space is primarily based on duality (two: God and Goddess, male and female, light and darkness) and kvadralnosti (quaternary: Four Elements, Four Seasons), the Celtic cosmos and most aspects of Celtic religion is based on the trinity of nature or the odd numbers as a model of balance. Even the Celtic Pantheon is divided into three parts: the Upper Gods kingdom (heaven), the Gods of the Middle Kingdom (earth) and the gods of the Lower Kingdom, or the Underworld (related to the sea).
Another obvious difference between Wiccans and Celtic Pagans that's how they describe the gods and the divine. Wiccans believe in God and the archetypal goddess, when all the gods / goddesses in the world are only aspects of these images: "All the Gods - One God and all of the Goddess - A Goddess." Thus, Wiccans do not do much difference between, say, Osiris, and Odin, except when they "use" of certain deities for specific purposes, such as initiation ritual or spell, directed to the incarnation of God Cernunnos Woods and animals, to ask him about successful season for deer hunting. For a Wiccan (and many other neo-pagans), all the gods and goddesses (as well as their space) categorized certain functions, such as Brigid is their "Goddess of creativity," Venus - "Goddess of Love," and Isis - "Goddess of Death and the Renaissance. " Gods and Goddesses of many cultures and pantheons of Wiccan practice can be mixed together, a phenomenon known as "eclectic."
Celtic Pagans believe that divinity is different from every other, has its own personality and should be honored with this point of view. They are not related to specific functions such as "love", "healing" and "creativity", but some of the deities are known by their more well-known aspects. Many of the Celtic gods have many functions, making it difficult if not impossible, to "classify" similar to the Wiccan system. Most Celtic Pagans revere the three types of deities in their practices: personal deity (which provide personal inspiration and guidance), the deity of the tribe (when working in a group) and the deities and spirits of the land on which they live. The ancestors and the spirits of earth are regarded as separate beings, and are an integral part of Celtic Paganism, whereas they may not be included in the Wiccan beliefs and / or practice.
Celtic Pagans and Wiccans also differ in their approach to the ritual. Wiccans "set range" to "create" sacred space, using the established formula chants, attributes, character and "magic." Wiccan rituals are based mainly on the Western Ceremonial Magic tradition (some of which comes from the Celtic knowledge), where the formulas of ideas and objects together in a certain way for a certain result. This reflects their basic understanding of the universe in accordance with their religion.
Celtic Pagans say that sacred places can be found, not created. Therefore, most Celtic Pagans holds its rituals in nature and does not require establishment of a "circle" to pray, meditate, or perform other religious practices. Because hidden in every holy thing, there is really no need to search for "sacred" place for the ritual, though it is best to choose the environment that will meet your spiritual activities. Celtic Pagans also know and respect the fact that some places that are sacred, are not intended to perform the rituals there, great or small. Space for rituals to be found and prepared in advance and every spirit that lives in this place, should pay tribute honors. For many groups of Celtic Pagans search and selection of appropriate places of ritual is paramount that they as a group are to perform. Celtic pagan ritual will use many of the elements that can be found in Wiccan rituals, such as meditation, visualization, chanting and dancing, you want to tune in to each other, and a special time to honor the deities of the group. Ritual is focused not on the result of a specific material, but rather focus on changing personal priorities and the priorities of the community on the nature of the gods and to better understand them and continue life as part of our universe.
Most Wiccan rituals are based on the work of magic and spells. Description of Magic as a force that can be targeted according to the will of the magician's spell and practices are an integral part of the Wiccan faith, but they are an important part of Celtic Paganism, here they are present only as an auxiliary element. There are Celtic Pagans who share this belief and add spells to their religious practices, but it is a matter of personal choice. The belief in "magic" spells and practice is not part of Celtic Paganism in its canonical form. Most Celtic Pagans does not say spells and they are not a prerequisite for the formation of Celtic Pagans.
Wicca is an individualistic religion, which is easier to follow on its own than in a large group. Most rituals are based around the well-being of a person or coven, but not all of society. The Celts really appreciated the individuality, but is very closely linked their identity and their duty towards their families and tribe. Their individualism could flourish because of security and peace in their close-knit community, so the question of survival of the community was more important than the question of survival of the individual. Today most of us it is difficult to understand because many of us growing up in small families in a house with a weak bond with the rest of the family or society.
Wicca - a dedicatory secret religion. You must meet certain requirements before you will be given access to all of its capabilities. In Celtic religion, the only requirement is that you have to do is link to Celtic culture through family or study and dedication of his life improving your "tribe", plus a few other items. In Wicca (and many forms of modern Druidism) there are different degrees and levels, each has its own mystery, each mystery is opened by someone possessing a special power. We can not learn how to function the ancient Celtic priesthood, but we do know that anyone could come close to communicating with the Gods. People are not needed in the mantle, or the rank of a priest to gain access to the great mysteries of life. Secrets of the Universe can be found in the lessons of the Gods, the device of Nature and within ourselves. We learn about ourselves and our place in the universe directly through private study. This study involves an understanding of our place in the community and how we interact with them.
In the Celtic religion life lessons taught through mythological stories, which are the central feature of the oral traditional culture. In Wicca, it is given little importance. Myths and stories form the core of the cycles of Celtic magical practice, teaching followers and describing existing rituals. In Wicca there is no clear explanation of how to break the cycle of rebirth. In the Celtic religion is explained clearly and concisely - in order to fulfill its duty should always be generous and support the truth, well knowing that it is the truth and honor.
Wicca is a relatively recent addition to the religious paths of humanity. With respect to it there is a lot of misinformation. It is sad that so many of her followers have a religion a disservice by talking about the ancient tradition neprelomlennoy line, which does not actually exist. There are many well-known Wiccan writers and teachers who continue to assert the antiquity of Wicca or her roots. Yet mythological Druids (who usually are the product of the British Renaissance, 18th century, and contain in their way as much, if not more misinformation, about the roots of Celtic than Wicca) do not have anything to do with modern Wicca. Saxon Wicca more or less relevant to the historical Drao (Draoi - Druids). Perhaps this is the only myth, agreed with Wicca. Loretta Orion (self-dedication Gardnerian witch) in his book "Do not Allow Time Kostrov," clearly states that there is no firm evidence of ancient origin and that Vicki Vick is essentially a modern creation.
it is written on the basis of the books:
1.The Druids, Peter Berresford Ellis
Two. The Druids, Stuart Piggot
3.Pagan Celtic Britain, Anne Ross
4.Drawing Down The Moon, Margot Adler
5.The Celtic Tradition, Caitlin Matthews
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