The Celts and Nature: An ancient spiritual bond

Alessia Masciocchi
Aug 29
3 min read

Hello beauties!

Today, we'll delve into the ancient world of the Celts to explore the connection between humans and nature. This connection remains of great importance today (as discussed in the article on Shinrin-Yoku).

Celtic spirituality represents one of the most fascinating examples of the connection between humans and nature in ancient history. The Celts, known as "Keltoi" (Κελτοί, /kelˈtoi/) by the Greeks, were a complex people: combative yet spiritual, fierce yet deeply connected to the natural world. Their vision of the divine permeated every aspect of existence, creating a perspective radically different from modern anthropocentrism.

Origins and Celtic Society

The first proto-Celtic communities emerged in the 2nd millennium BC with the Hallstatt culture, but it was with the La Tène culture (5th century BC) that Celtic civilisation reached its peak. Society was organised in "tuath" (/tuːəθ/), extended family groups, where social bonds were regulated by oaths of loyalty.

The Druids: Masters of Natural Wisdom

At the centre of this society were the druids, whose name probably derives from the fusion of terms related to oak (in Irish "dur" /duːr/, "duir" /duːr/, "daur" /daur/, in Gaulish "dervo" /derwo/, in Welsh "derw" /derw/) and knowledge.

These "very wise ones" followed an incredibly complex educational path that included:

Astronomy and natural sciences
Medicine and physiology
History and theology
Jurisprudence and philosophy
Geography and etymology

The Sacred Elements of Nature

For the Celts, every natural element possessed deep spiritual significance:

Water
- Seen as an element of purification and healing, water was considered both compliant and relentless, a mysterious voice from the depths of Mother Earth.
Mountains
- Considered places of particular reverence, especially those inaccessible and snow-covered, they were seen as manifestations of the divine force of the earth.
The Forest and Sacred Trees
- The Oak: the sacred tree par excellence, whose mistletoe was considered to have magical powers
- The Hazel: tree of wisdom, whose fruits represented knowledge
- The Willow: associated with prophecy
- The Apple Tree: symbol of immortality and the Sun

The Nemeton: The Natural Sanctuary

The "nemeton" (/'nemeton/) was much more than a simple place of worship. These sacred spaces, always immersed in nature, were carefully chosen based on telluric currents and often near previous prehistoric sacred sites. Each nemeton was considered a centre of the world, a meeting point between the divine and human.

The Ogham: The Alphabet of Trees

The Ogham (/ˈoɡəm/) represents one of the most fascinating writing systems of antiquity. Based on lines and signs primarily inscribed on stone and wood, this alphabet began with "beth-luis-nion" (/beθ luɪs niːon/), where each letter was associated with a specific tree..

The Deities of Nature

The Celtic pantheon was rich with deities connected to nature:

The Goddesses
- Brigid (/ˈbriːdʒ/): goddess of knowledge, inspiration, and healing
- Morrigan (/ˈmɒrɪɡən/): goddess of war, death, and fertility
- Cerridwen (/ˈkɛrɪdwɛn/): goddess of wisdom and transformation
- Epona (/eˈpoːna/): protector of horses and riders
- Arianrhod (/æriˈænrɒd/): lunar deity and goddess of destiny
The Gods
- Cernunnos (/kerˈnunːos/): the horned god, lord of animals
- Lugh (/luː/): god of the sun and arts
- Dagda (/ˈdæɡdə/): god of abundance and knowledge
- Ogma (/ˈoɡmə/): god of eloquence and inventor of Ogham

The Celtic Legacy in the Modern World

The spiritual legacy of the Celts reminds us of the importance of maintaining a deep connection with the natural world. In an era of environmental crisis and disconnection from nature, their vision offers valuable insights for: