Pic: www.celtsand vikings.com

Many people of Celtic origin are intrigued by the history and meaning of the symbols found on Celtic jewelry designs. If you share this very natural curiosity about your ancestry, you may be interested in starting a Celtic jewelry collection of your own. It can be difficult to choose from the many stunning choices currently available in the marketplace. I’ve compiled a comprehensive guide to the common symbols found on today’s special pieces. With this useful outline, you can begin to decide on what means the most to you.

 The Insular Art Period -

The Insular Art Period was a rich period in Celtic art. During the post-Roman era in Great Britain, starting around 600 AD, Celtic artisans crafted unforgettable designs out of precious metals. Each piece was rife with intricate knot work, zoomorphic (animal) symbols, and delicate spirals.

As well as metal work, artisans also carved stone crosses and drew rich, illuminated texts, such as the Irish Book of Kells. The Insular Art Period lives on today in the spirit and quality of modern-day Celtic jewelry designs. For a truly authentic piece, look for jewelry that is handcrafted by the master artisans of Ireland itself.

Today’s designers take their cue from the Insular Art Period, referencing the High Crosses and Celtic crosses that stand in the churchyards of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. They use the influences of the past to create timeless symbols of spiritual faith and dimensional beauty.

Some Irish craftsmen spend years in apprenticeships before they are ever permitted to finish traditional jewelry designs. Their skill and passion add an heirloom quality to today’s collectible rings, pendants, and earrings.

Knot Work In Past And Present -

Knot work is a common feature on today’s Celtic and Irish jewelry – but what does it mean? The hidden symbolism inherent in the curving, never ending lines of traditional knot work has a mysterious quality that leaves us curious.

Celtic knot work is used to symbolize the interconnectness of all things, and the eternal nature of God’s own love. It is a feature on many art treasures, such as the Book of Kells, which features rich, gilded borders. The Book of Kells now rests at Trinity College in Dublin, where onlookers can enjoy its pictorial depictions of the four Gospels of the New Testament.

Celtic knot work is also known as interlace, and it is used to great effect in the Book of Kells. Rich, bold colors make the beauty of the interlace come to life.

On today’s rings, pendants and earrings, knot work is a common feature. It can flank engagement stones, or be found in the careful engraving on Celtic Cross pendants. Its beauty and versatility give great individuality to modern Celtic jewelry.

All over the world, the delicate, interwoven lines of interlace are recognized as uniquely Celtic. By choosing a starter piece of Celtic jewelry that features knot work, you will be choosing an ancient symbol that may have also been worn by your ancestors, thousands of years ago.

Zoomorphic (Animal) Symbols –

On ancient Celtic instruments, such as the Irish bodhran, there are often painted animal symbols that pique the imagination. But what do they symbolize? You may also have wondered at the zoomorphic symbols that appear on today’s Celtic jewelry designs.

Zoomorphic symbols have been used for centuries to illustrate the sacred animal symbols of Great Britain’s most illustrious families. The Clans of Ireland, Scotland, and Wales used animals because of the traits they were thought to possess. For example, the Book of Kells features both a winged lion and a winged bull.

Giving spiritual, magical qualities to animals is a tradition in Celtic art and mythology. Serpents are also a common zoomorphic symbol. The serpent was thought to be a facet of Pagan worship in the ancient times before Christ, when Druid beliefs were commonplace.

Animal symbols are often carved in interlace fashion, combining two time-honored symbols of Celtic history. Jewelry may feature interlace birds, reptiles, or other animals that underscore the Pagan belief in uniting with nature itself.

Shamrocks -

The Shamrock is found throughout Ireland, on objects as diverse as beer bottles, national flags, and gold and diamond pendants. The Shamrock is a symbol of the Patron Saint of Ireland, Saint Patrick. Saint Patrick grew up in the Pagan faith, but in his teen years he converted to Christianity. His life was spent in the service of Christ, and he spent thirty years building schools, monasteries, and churches that celebrated the power of the Gospel.

Saint Patrick used the trefoil, or three-leaf, design of the Shamrock to convert Pagans to Christ in Ireland. He felt that the three leaves were a natural symbol of the Holy Trinity (The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit). The dedication of Saint Patrick is celebrated each year on March 17th, as Saint Patrick’s Day parades and festivals are held.

In jewelry designs, Shamrocks are a potent reminder of Saint Patrick, and of Ireland. The Shamrock remains the most recognizable of all Irish jewelry motifs.

About the Author

L Maher is a content writer who writes and researches about gorgeous and extraordinary Celtic jewelry, as well as Irish culture and history. Get more information regarding Celtic jewelry.

Pic: Eco-Fairies

The Eco Faerie festival is a community celebration bringing music, art and environmental wellbeing together. We are turning environmental sustainability into positive action, bridging the community through celebration and taking faeries back to nature. This will be the 3rd annual faerie event at City Farm and it is set to be bigger, greener and more magical than ever.t

This years theme is ‘Trash to Treasure Recycle.’

What to expect:

All day music and dance entertainment by The Davs, Sambanistas, AKWAABA, The free spirit bellydance community and the Eco Faeries green faerie stage show for children.

And:-

free children’s activites
local artisan, fair trade and growers market
free workshops on composting, mulching, worm farming, raw food, sound healing and renewable resources
hulahooping and circus play
roving entertainment

entry is $5 with profits going to City Farm Project

Located at City Farm, East Perth off Lime Street, behind Claisbrook train station. City farm is a community garden oasis, education and training centre and farmers market. They are opening their doors to all magical creatures to come celebrate everything community and green. Dress your faerie best.

The Naked Club

We will be having a clothing exchange fiesta at the event. Bring 3 of your old favourites and exchange for 3 new loves. Men’s, Women’s and childrens clothing accepted. Left over clothing will be donated to an op shop.

Art Exhibition

Featuring local artists inspired by nature, community, spirit or the wild heart. If you would like to exhibit some of your work please contact me for details.

www.faeriecara.com

We are currently accepting applications for the artisans and farmer market holders, if you would like to be involved with the upcome event please contact Faerie Cara directly through mail@faeriecara.com

If you would like to be an Eco Faerie volunteer on the day please contact me as we’d love to play with you.

This is a City farm event by Faerie Cara proudly sponsored by the Department of Environment and Conservation Waste Authority Landfill Levy Fund.

Pic: Newgrange saga in lap of the gods

The Irish Government is proposing to build a dual-carriageway, within 500 metres of the Bru Na Boinne World Heritage Site in Ireland. The EIS claims it will impact a number of the 44 archaeological sites discovered within 500 metres of the 3.5km bypass, and  there is a high likelihood of more being discovered. Many of these sites are no doubt part and parcel of the Archaeological Ensemble of the Bend of the Boyne. http://whc.unesco.orwhc.unesco.org/en/list/659g/en/list/659

The bypass will be visible and audible from the Knowth passage tomb, and although just outside the buffer zone the road still passes through an area protected under the County Development Plan and the European Landscape Convention and the Valletta Convention.
http://www.meath.ie/LocalAuthorities/Publications/PlanningandDevelopmentPublications/CountyMeathPlanningPublications/CountyMeathDevelopmentPlan2007-2013/File,6743,en.pdf

It also appears to be in breach of the 2002 management Plan for the Site. The seven volumes of the Plan can be downloaded from the right hand toolbar
http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/savenewgrange/

While the closing date for written submissions was in February, it is expected that the Irish Planning Board, An Bord  Pleanala, will hold an oral hearing into the matter in the coming weeks.

Save Newgrange was set up in January, to help ensure that the Bru na Boinne receives the legal protection it is guaranteed, under Irish, EU and international law. We have made the Environmental Impact Statement available for download at http://www.savenewgrange.org

We hope to avoid another Tara scenario, where objections by international experts and expert bodies, like the Archaeological  Institute of America, the World Monuments Fund, and the Landmarks Foundation were received too late to be considered by the planning board. So, we are hoping to receive objections from such experts and present them at the oral hearing. Their Tara statements and others can be found at http://www.hilloftara.info

The WHS site is already adversely affected by the M1 motorway, completed in 2003, which straddles the western boundary of the site. A report made by UNESC/ICOMOS after a reactive monitoring mission shows that the continued listing of the site is in question, as a result of various inappropriate developments since incription in 1993. The report can be found here:
http://whc.unesco.org/archive/2004/mis-659-2004.pdf

Ironically, there is another public consultation under way, called Brú na Bóinne Research Framework by the Heritage Council.
http://www.heritagecouncil.ie/archaeology/heritage-council-initiatives/bru-na-boinne-research-framework

Thank you for your kind consideration.

Vincent Salafia

These wonderful places are the spiritual and historical heritage of the Irish people and we support the Save Newgrange and Save Tara Causes in preserving them for future generations.  If you feel you or your organisation can help support this important  cause in anyway please contact :

Vincent Salafia  Email : salafia@gmail.com

http://www.savenewgrange.org

Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&ref=search&gid=438725795435

Yahoo Group

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/savenewgrange/

Situated on the shores of Ramsey Lake, the Grace Hartman Amphitheater at Bell Park, Sudbury, Canada will host Greater Sudbury Celtic Festival and Highland Games on Saturday 24th. Census data from 2006 shows there are 60,000 people with ties to the British Isles living in Sudbury, so there should be a strong audience for the festival, Derek Young, festival director said.

Continue Reading »

Originally posted 2008-05-22 13:18:35. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

If you were lucky enough to be in Wales on March the first, you would find the country in a festive mood. Every self-respecting man, woman and child would be celebrating St. David’s Day in one way or another. But who was St. David, and why is he so important to the Welsh? And just how is St. David’s Day celebrated in Wales today? Well, Saint David, or Dewi Sant, as he is known in the Welsh language, is the patron saint of Wales. He was a Celtic monk, abbot and bishop, who lived in the sixth century. During his life, he was the archbishop of Wales, and he was one of many early saints who helped to spread Christianity among the pagan Celtic tribes of western Britain.

For details of the life of Dewi, we depend mainly on his biographer, Rhigyfarch. He wrote Buchedd Dewi (the life of David) in the 11th century. Gerallt Gymro (Giraldus Cambrensis), who wrote a book about his travels through Wales in the 12th century, also gives some information about Dewi’s early life. Dewi died in the sixth century, so nearly five hundred years elapsed between his death and the first manuscripts recording his life. As a result, it isn’t clear how much of the history of Dewi’s life is legend rather than fact. Continue Reading »

Pic: archaeoastronomy.com

Have you ever been confused about why some people talk about the exact time of an Equinox, or why the Midsummer Solstice is on the 21st in one year and the 22nd in another? I know I used to be quite perplexed. Popping over to Wikipedia explains why this is the case and thanks to a very dear Twitter friend, @pagan_hare, we can let you know about an amazing site that keeps its information about the Equinoxes, the Solstices and the cross-quarter days (such as Lughnasadh) in one place – on one diagram! That site is archaeoastronomy.com (pictured left).

The Equinox

An equinox occurs twice a year, when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is inclined neither away from nor towards the Sun, the Sun being vertically above a point on the Equator. The term equinox can also be used in a broader sense, meaning the date when such a passage happens. The name “equinox” is derived from the Latin aequus (equal) and nox (night), because around the equinox, the night and day are approximately equally long. It may be better understood to mean that latitudes +L and -L north and south of the equator experience nights of equal length.

At an equinox, the Sun is at one of two opposite points on the celestial sphere where the celestial equator (i.e. declination 0) and ecliptic intersect. These points of intersection are called equinoctial points: the vernal point and the autumnal point. By extension, the term equinox may denote an equinoctial point.

An equinox happens each year at two specific moments in time (rather than two whole days), when there is a location on the Earth’s Equator where the centre of the Sun can be observed to be vertically overhead, occurring around March 20/21 and September 22/23 each year. [Wiki]

The Solstice

A solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice each year, when the tilt of the Earth’s axis is most inclined toward or away from the Sun, causing the Sun’s apparent position in the sky to reach its northernmost or southernmost extreme. The name is derived from the Latin sol (sun) and sistere (to stand still), because at the solstices, the Sun stands still in declination; that is, the apparent movement of the Sun’s path north or south comes to a stop before reversing direction.

The term solstice can also be used in a broader sense, as the date (day) when this occurs. The solstices, together with the equinoxes, are connected with the seasons. In some cultures they are considered to start or separate the seasons while in others they fall in the middle. [Wiki]

Cross-Quarter Days

Pic: Wiki

To the Ancient Celts, these were known as Beltane, Lughnasadh, Samhain and Imbolg – the Fire Festivals; times at which enormous fires were lit. A cross-quarter day is a day falling approximately halfway between a solstice and an equinox. These days originated as pagan holidays in Sweden, Norway, Finland, United Kingdom and Ireland, and survive in modern times as neopagan holidays. The cross-quarter days were also independently developed in East Asia as four of the 24 Solar Terms.

Due to the sinusoidal nature of the Sun’s celestial latitude over the course of the year, the Sun is at (23.3° sin 45°) = 16.5° north or south at each cross-quarter, or just over 70 percent of the distance from the equator to the same hemisphere’s tropic. [Wiki]

The dates for these traditional festivities can occur as shown below

Beltane, anywhere between 4-10 May

Lughnasadh, anywhere between 3-10 August

Samhain, anywhere between 5-10 November (Now that one’s a shock!)

Imbolg, anywhere between 2-7 February

Archaeoastronomy

Earth’s annual orbit is The Master Clock because the common yardstick of our lives is the year. Years are divided by the seasons just as calendars are segmented by months. Mechanical and digital timepieces measure intervals that split into hours, minutes and seconds each spin of our planet on its axis. Yet, it is the earth’s regular, rhythmic loop around the sun that standardizes our timeframe of reference, regardless of geographic distances separating us from our acquaintances or generational distances separating us from our ancestors.

Our planet moves around the sun in an elliptical circuit deviating less than a second from one year to the next. Together we proceed through 8 significant, yet invisible, thresholds within each orbit. These spatial milestones mark the beginning, midpoint and end of each of our seasons. Equinoxes, Solstices and Cross Quarters are moments shared planet-wide, defined by the earth’s tilt and the sun’s position on The Ecliptic along 45° arcs.

To ancient civilizations fascinated and entertained by the cyclical motion of the heavens, the ability to fix these cusps just to the nearest day was highly-prized, even sacred knowledge. With modern measurements and calculators much better accuracy is possible for determining these moments.

Equinox and Solstice data from the U.S. Naval Observatory, Washington DC. Cross-Quarter moments are interpolated as the midway points between the Solstices and Equinoxes measured in degrees along the ecliptic. Former NASA scientist Rollin Gillespie uses this spatial method rather than simply splitting in half the time interval between a Solstice and an Equinox.

Bookmark this page is my advice, guys! archaeoastronomy.com

The wonderful thing about a mythology like that of the Celts is that it is still so vibrant and alive. Over the centuries it has matured, evolved and developed like a fine wine. The fruit from which it is made is a rare and beautiful specimen, but with the passage of time it has become a full-bodied vintage. You can’t look at the Mythology in isolation. Take for example, the phenomenon of the Celtic festival that we find in modern times. The celebration of heritage, culture and the stories of myth has travelled all over the world following the path of the Celts as they explored and settled in far-off countries. Now it is no longer strange to find the Highland Games being celebrated in Tallahassee, at  the North Florida Fairgrounds – and celebrated with just as much joy as the Eisteddfod in Wales.

I find it wonderful that the Celtic Spirit can thrive and grow in this fashion and welcome each and every celebration.

We loved the previous location (Sunny Hill Farm on Roberts Road), said organizer Amy Ray. It was so picturesque. But we hope (moving to the fairgrounds) will be better for logistics.

We hope it’ll also allow us to go forward and grow and establish a more active Scottish presence in Tallahassee.

The local collective Celtic community is growing under the influence of such groups as the Tallahassee St. Andrew Society, Tallahassee Irish Society, various pipe bands and fiddle orchestras, and other organizations devoted to Celtic culture and heritage.

The presence of those groups will be felt at this year’s festival, along with visiting entertainers, vendors, genealogists and performers.

We’ll have the Wild Highlanders, a group that recreates the traditional fighting styles of Scottish Highlanders in mock battles and fights,” Ray said. “It’s quite a lively crowd, to say the least.

The festival proper starts at 9 a.m. Saturday and concludes with a ceilidh (pronounced “kay-lee”), a rip-roaring hoedown headlined by Celtic rock group Seven Nations.

Source

Originally posted 2008-04-18 09:49:25. Republished by Blog Post Promoter

Pic: Acoustic

Unlike other Irish Festivals around the world which just stage festivals on the 17 March which is St Patrick’s Day. Manchester festival stage a two week extravaganza. The festival which is now in its fifteenth year features two hundred events, staged at thirty two different venues throughout Greater Manchester.

 Established in 1996 it has played host to the likes of award winning dance shows such as Riverdance and Lord of the Dance, top comedy shows by the award winning Peter Kay and Ardal O’Hanlon, along with a host of Irish plays, special art exhibitions, Irish food markets and one of the biggest St Patrick’s Day parades in Europe.

Lawrence Hennigan the marketing executive of the Manchester Irish Festival website said:

This years festival will feature two weeks of Art, Culture, Comedy, Community, Dance, Music, Sport and Theatre events, making it one of Europe’s biggest Irish Festivals. We have tried to include something for everyone to enjoy in the community and a warm Irish welcome awaits all our visitors.

The official dates for this year’s celebration are Friday 5 March to Saturday 21 March, but there are also a number of pre and post festival events from February through to April.

Festival highlights include the award winning ‘Young, Gifted & Green’ show at the Manchester Town Hall on Saturday 6 March, the annual St Patrick’s festival parade and market on Sunday 14 March in the city centre and a whole host of St Patrick’s day celebrations leading up to the feast day on the 17 March.

Levenshulme which is home to the biggest Irish community outside of London will be staging its own two week Guinness sponsored Tradfest (5-21 March) to coincide with the festival and the 250th anniversary of Ireland’s favourite black stout. Just over two hundred and fifty hours of Irish Culture, Film, Dance, Music, Theatre and fun will take over the village’s pubs clubs and parks.

Highlights include a six day St Patrick’s weekend Guinness tradfest party starting on Thursday 11 March with a Irish Comedy night and running through to St Patricks day itself on Wednesday 17 March with its own outdoor Funfair and traditional Irish Music tradfest.

Continue Reading »

Here is a ten min video of Neil showing you around Orkney Faerie Museum and Gallery. The only Faerie Museum in the UK! All paintings and drawings shown are available for sale at www.neilgeddesward.com One of a Kind Faerie Sculptures featured are from www.weefairytales.com. Email Neil at neil@geddesward.co.uk

More about Neil, the Artist

Neil Geddes-Ward draws inspiration from standing stones, dreams, witchcraft, Green Men and more, to paint beautiful images of what is now becoming known as Pagan and Visionary Art.

Other TV appearances include Carlton Country, Kilroy, Neil has been commissioned by many organisations as well as individuals, including The Children of Artermis, a witchcraft coven service.

Currently Neil is working on Faerie illustrations for a book called Faeriecraft : Treading the Path of Faerie Magic with his wife, Writer and Faerie Priestess; Alicen Geddes-Ward. This is due out on June 21st 2005 and is to be published by Hay House.

Neil has many prints and cards of his work on sale in the UK and outlets abroad, however these can also be bought direct from the artist on his site, please click here to view the catalogue.

[Source]

Pic: FAE Magazine

This truly beautiful magazine has been available for some time now but at the beginning of December in 2009, it becamer available in the US as well as its native UK. The standard of the art and articles inside the magazine is phenomenally and consistently high. In addition, if you want to know about the Fairy community – where the latest Faires and Midsummer Ball’s are taking place, you need this magazine! From their website:

A magazine for fairy lovers in the UK, Europe and beyond! FAE – Faeries and Enchantment Magazine is a REAL full colour foil embossed glossy faerie lifestyle magazine printed on FSC accredited paper, with faerie art, fashion, folklore, news, views, events, music, films, meditations and much more. Every issue has more exclusives than you can shake a faery wand at!

FAE is produced and published in Cornwall, and printed in the UK. It is published on each Samhain (31st October), Imbolc (1st February), Beltane (1st May) and Lamas (1st of August) which are the lunar festivals of the Celtic year. FAE Magazine is for all those magical and enchanted fae folk who choose to walk on the faery path…

World wide subscriptions to FAE are avaiable from our FAE shop. We also have an up to date faerie news section and all the latest fairy events from around the world. [FAE]

In addition to all the things they mention above, they have an incredibly informative website to support the magazine with up-to-daye news, fashion tips for aspiring Fey (such as how best to mount your pointy ears), workshops in Communion with the Faeries, and an online shop where you can get the magazine, fairy oracle cards, and all manner of Fae accessories!

Below is a sample of the content and its quality that you can find inside the magazine:

Source: FAE Magazine