I AM A CELTIC WOMAN

"QUEEN MEDB (MAEVE)" by J. Leyendecker

I learned last evening that I have been given (in my mind at least) a great honor. My blog has been listed as one of "100 Fascinating Celtic Culture, Language & Lit Blogs" by Best University. The blogs are organized by subjects, which include Celtic music, genealogy and heritage, literature and writing, art, spirituality, crafts and culture. For a list of all 100 blogs, click on this link:



http://www.bestuniversity.com/blog/2009/100-fascinating-celtic-culture-language-lit-blogs/).


In my two years of blogging, I have always felt that even though I gave my blog a Celtic slant, I did not address the subject of the Celts as often as I would have liked. In fact, it was my goal this year to increase the number of posts touching on what I call the magical and mysterious world of the Celts. Now, after being added to this list, I feel even more of an obligation to do so.


I installed Feedjit just before Christmas. This gadget not only tells me what countries Internet searchers are arriving from, but also the subject they are Googling. I feel that I must be such a disappointment for people looking up subjects in the Celtic realm, such as Celtic music, Celtic poems and phrases, Celtic spirituality and Celtic art. In particular, I get a great many hits on the subject of Celtic pixies, faeries, brownies and elves!


I especially felt that way when my blog was called Celtic Woman. Then, I'm sure, hundreds if not thousands of people reached my blog only to read about me blathering on yet again about the cold, snowy winter, when all they really wanted was the Irish women's singing group.

In the list of 100 Fascinating Celtic Blogs, mine is placed under the category of genealogy and heritage. I feel that is a good spot for it, and I have written some posts about my heritage.

However, to achieve my original goal for my blog, I have decided to feature a series of posts written by Aine, a Celtic maiden who lived in Ancient Britain.

"BOADICEA AND DAUGHTERS" by J. Leyendecker

I'll let Aine introduce herself.


"Hello, my name is Aine (pronounced awn-ye). I am tall, and I have golden brown (reddish brown) hair and green eyes. I am told that I am comely and that I have a willowy figure. I am 23 years old. I am a healer, having learned from my mother's great store of knowledge the medicinal and healing powers of a vast array of plants. I am also learning to be a wise woman, though I have a long way to go. Someday I hope to be a Druid priestess.


I live in a round hut with a heavy thatched dome at the edge of our village. Except for my pet owl, I live alone here. I also often have two wild visitors - a hare and a deer. I would never consider them to be my pets but I do have a mystical connection with them. I also love to ride among the wild horses, who let me tame them.


I have not taken a husband, nor do I plan to. I have chosen a solitary life. I will live here with my dried herbs, powders and potions, my amulets and talismans. However, do not think me a witch. This is a common misconception about wise women, but I do not cast spells or dabble in the dark arts.


We Celts are pagan, and worship female goddesses. We are a matriarchal - or matrifocused -society. Women are highly respected and we have equal rights with men.


However, this is a transitional time for my people. The winds of change are blowing our way, and they are not kind. The Romans are here now, and the Christians. The priests are trying to force us to accept their religion, but we are resisting. They denounce our goddesses because our worship of the female deities stands in direct contrast to and conflict with their patriarchal system of beliefs, in which men hold all the power.


Since I am able to divine the future, I can foretell great changes ahead for our way of life. But one thing I know - our Celtic women are, in many ways, better off than women will be, even all the way to the 20th Century.


Across the centuries - through Julie - I will be telling you about these changes, as well as about the clothing I wear, my jewelry and tattoos, the food we eat and the way we live, our art and our poetry. I will also tell you about the times I have had to fight like a warrior, although I am a peaceful and gentle soul at heart.


I have so much to tell you about our strong, intelligent and proud race, about our wonderful inventions, our remarkable artistic legacy. our deep relationship with nature and Mother Earth, and the role of women in Celtic society. I hope you are as excited as Julie is about hearing from me from time to time."


Aine

"CELTIC LADY" by Hastings

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Researching the Celts will not be as easy as researching the 1920s for Bess Stanhope's Autumn Sketch Book, so when I make errors - and I am sure to - please correct me.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway for my Second Blogiversary. Just leave a comment on the post below.