Merry meet!
Thank you once again to all those who joined in for last week’s Weekly Witchy Challenge - Interpreting Magickal Signs
After finding meanings in the messages and exploring the symbolism of signs, we’re taking a step back to see a bigger picture.
This week kicks off a brand new challenge series, and the first theme is…
Exploring Traditions: Celtic Magick
This is the first stop on our spiritual tour of Pagan Paths & Traditions - this series of challenges hopes to shine a spotlight on some of the widely-practiced magickal traditions we often hear about in the witchy world.
For the sake of this challenge, “Celtic” is being used as an umbrella term to reference the traditions, practices, and folklore of Celtic and Gaelic cultures. While Celtic practices and traditions are based primarily in the British Isles, they are not exclusive to that region.
A note that you do not have to identify as a practitioner or follower of this tradition/area of magick to partake in this educational challenge. Additionally, you do not need to have cultural or ancestral ties in order to study this area of the practice. However, it is important to note that Celtic traditions are tied to modern-day cultures that still exist, and whom deserve respect and mindfulness (for more on the topic, visit the Can we talk about “Cultural Appropriation”? and Spiritual Practices and Cultural Appropriation discussions)
The power of Celtic folklore, history, and traditions echo around the world and hold great value for everyone to learn from and find inspiration in - so let’s jump in!
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This week’s challenge is all about exploring Celtic magick and traditions - but as always, how you do so is up to you!
So are you ready? Because it’s…
CHALLENGE TIME!
Handmade Brigid’s Cross, shared in Corn husk dolls
Learn More
Are you new to Celtic magick? While “Celtic” is being used as an umbrella term, the truth is that the British Isles (as well as other parts of the world influenced by Celtic culture) have many interesting traditions, both unique and intertwined.
Whether it’s Celtic deities, folklore, old sayings, traditional spells, history, or more - if there is something about a specific Celtic tradition, consider learning more! You are welcome to share what you learned as your entry this week.
Related discussions and resources:
- Irish Tree Language - The Ogham
- The Moon in Irish Folklore
- Sacred Irish Trees
- Tactical Magick in the Tain - Irish Mythology
- Transmigration of the Soul in Irish Folklore
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The Celtic Pantheon
Brigid: Goddess Offerings, Signs, Symbols & Myths
The Morrígan: Goddess Offerings, Signs, Symbols & Myths
Cerridwen: Goddess Symbols, Correspondences, Offerings and Myths
Additional discussions and resources:
- Celtic, British, & Welsh Deities Masterpost
- Celtic Fairies Outside of Celtic Countries
- Tending Brigid’s Flame
- St. Brigid - Things You (Probably) Didn’t Know
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Celtic-inspired Spellwork
Additional discussions and resources:
- Ancient Irish Blessing
- Cailleach - We all come from the goddess chant
- Imbolg Blessing Powder Recipe
- Can I use a cross in my practice?
- Witch, Hekate, Morrigan - Three Anointing Oils
- The Morrigan Transformation Meditation
- The Morrigan Incense
For your entry this week, consider exploring any ties you have to Celtic traditions or culture. This may be your blood ancestry, adoptive ancestry, past travel experiences, memories from past lives, your work with a Celtic deity, etc.
There are no “right” or “wrong” answers here - this is simply an invitation for you to learn more about yourself and any influences that may or may not influence your spiritual practice
Related discussions and resources:
- Ancestry and Modern Collide: My Magickal Roots
- Does your ancestry affect your Craft?
- Your Magickal Roots - Weekly Witchy Challenge
The suggestions above are just a few ideas to help kickstart your creativity- if you feel called to explore Celtic magick and traditions in another way, you are welcome to do so!
As always, all witches are encouraged to embrace their own unique practice with how they explore the challenge theme
STEP 2 : Share Your Experience
Click here for a note about challenge inclusivity
Everyone is welcome to join the challenge by practicing magick in line with the current theme. For lurkers and those who don’t feel comfortable sharing, it is absolutely okay to follow along with the challenge but keep your entry personal. Feel free to join in spirit and do what feels most comfortable for you!
That being said, please know that if you would like to receive a prize and a public shout-out, it is required that you share your experience.
Getting Your Credit
In order for your entry to be counted, all you have to do is write/share about your experience and label it as your challenge entry. There is a lot of chatting here (which is awesome- chatting and discussion are very welcome!) so please clearly write that it is your entry so I know to count it!
Where Should I Share My Entry?
Click here to learn where to share your challenge entry
You are welcome to post it right here- just click “reply” to this post and write your experience in the text box that pops up!
Alternatively, you could create a new post in the forum (this is good for when you have a lot to share and/or would like to discuss aspects of your entry not related to the current theme)
Note : If you do choose to create a new thread, please add the “challenge-entry” tag and/or add a hyperlink back to this post so that it can be easily found- thank you!
Deadline
This challenge will close in 6 DAYS
To join in, please share your experience by:
Tuesday, May 21 at 7:00 AM EDT (Eastern US Time)
2024-05-21T11:00:00Z
(Note that the time zone is ET- if you don’t see your time displayed above, you can use this time zone calculator to check for your time zone!)
Prizes
For their efforts, all participants will receive a special shout-out and a small prize!
Acknowledgments will be given in a Props and Presents Post that will appear in the forums on Tuesday.
After the challenge closes, you are still very welcome to post but please be aware that no additional prizes will be given. This discussion will remain open for about a week after the challenge finishes.
From Spells8: The Welsh Horse Goddess Rhiannon
A warm reminder that the challenges are designed to be very open- everyone is encouraged to participate in a way that honors and reflects their unique practice
If you have any doubts about if something is acceptable to post or say, please double-check with the Forum FAQ and/or reach out to your friendly Moderator Team.
And for those new to challenges- welcome! Know that the goal of these activities is to help you further diversify and strengthen your abilities and to bring together the Spells8 forum family to inspire and support one another in creative ways