Myths and Legends of the Celts

This is an introduction to the myths and legends of the peoples who inhabited the north-western fringes of Europe - from Britain and the Isle of Man of Gaul and Brittany. It looks at the nature of Celtic religion, with its rituals of sun and moon worship, and at the druids who served society as judges, diviners and philosophers. It examines the many Celtic deities who were linked with animals and such natural phenomena as rivers and caves, or who late became associated with local Christian saints. And it explores in detail the rich variety of Celtic myths: from early legends of King Arthur to the stories of the Welsh Mabinogi.Drawing on recent historical and archaeological research, as well as literary and oral sources, this book explores and explains a fertile tradition of myth-making that has captured the imagination of countless generations.
Presents an introduction to the mythology of the peoples, who inhabited the northwestern fringes of Europe from Britain and the Isle of Man to Gaul and Brittany. This guide looks at the gods and goddesses of Celtic myth; at the nature of Celtic religion, with its rituals of sun and moon worship; and at the druids who served society as judges.

This new guide looks at the gods and goddesses of Celtic myth: at the nature of Celtic religion, with its rituals of sun and moon worship; and at the druids who served society as judges, diviners and philosophers. It also examines the many Celtic deities who were linked with animals and such natural phenomena as rivers and caves, or who later became assocaiated with local Christain saints. And it explores in detail the rich variety of Celtic myths; from early legends of King Arthur to the stories of the Welsh Mabinogi, and from tales of heroes including Cuchulainn, Bran mac Febail and the warrior queen Medb to tales of shadowy otherworlds.
This new guide looks at the gods and goddesses of Celtic myth: at the nature of Celtic religion, with its rituals of sun and moon worship; and at the druids who served society as judges, diviners and philosophers. It also examines the many Celtic deities who were linked with animals and such natural phenomena as rivers and caves, or who later became assocaiated with local Christain saints. And it explores in detail the rich variety of Celtic myths; from early legends of King Arthur to the stories of the Welsh Mabinogi, and from tales of heroes including Cuchulainn, Bran mac Febail and the warrior queen Medb to tales of shadowy otherworlds.