Anyone know what happened to the tairis website? I can find the old blog site but all links to tairis.co.uk just say that the site cannot be reached.

Sad to see it gone. It had a lot of useful information and was the site I sent to people new to Scottish based paganism.

The Silver Bough — F. Marian MacNeil, vol i

I can only find one but thats for kindle from amazon and I typically try to avoid supporting that site as much as I can. Ive been able to find the other three volumes but this first one has been a nightmare to track down.

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Am wondering if there is evidence of the Morrigan being worshipped in Scotland? I'm aware there's the bean nigheachain and also previously mentioned a ritual at Bealtainn which could be connected to her. Thanks.

I've read that celtic pagans dont usually meet in congregations like christians and im wondering what is an ideal way to worship the gods?

Hi, just wondering if Brigid has a place w/in Scottish paganachd. All I can find is that she’s an Irish goddess. Thanks! :~)

Im new to Celtic paganism and im curious on how others celebrate yule and other holidays

Is there any known creation story in celtic paganism?

I try to use the Scottish names for these kinds of things (it just kind of makes me feel more connected I guess) and I can't find one or any info that isn't about the modern gatherings at stonehenge. I was wondering if there's a different word that might be a bit more accurate. I was also wondering if anyone had any useful info about Litha in general.

Thanks!!

I have been trying to connect with my Scottish roots recently and have even started to learn Gaelic. I actually have a lesson today, and on my walk home from school a bird randomly landed on my arm and sat there for a few minutes. I was wondering if this was maybe a sign from a Celtic deity? Let me know your thoughts!

Does anybody have any book suggestions that are good for an absolute beginner? Or any sources in general? Also, when I’ve looked into sources, it seems that a lot of them cover Celtic paganism as a whole and do not distinguish between Scottish and Irish. Is there much of a difference between the two or is it more nuanced?

Do Scottish pagans have dietys and do they have a oral tradition of some kind?

* If this link is not allowed, I apologize. Please feel free to delete it*

Hi all, my name is Lindsey. I have been practicing Paganism for about five years now. I am also a psychology doctoral student. My doctoral research is on our community and our experiences as Pagans. Below is a link to my survey. It takes about 20 minutes and is completely anonymous. If you could please take it, I would greatly appreciate it. You are welcome to participate if outside the US, but will need to put your country instead of state.

https://marshall.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1CaWYyRUIbgGLWu

Long before Christianity came to the British Isles, Celtic people celebrated a festival called Samhain to mark the end of the harvest season, which roughly translates to “summer’s end.”

Samhain is Celtic in origins and it is first mentioned in the earliest Irish literature, from the 9th century, and is associated with many important events in Irish mythology. The early literature says Samhain was marked by great gatherings and feasts and was when the ancient burial mounds were open, which were seen as portals to the Otherworld. Some of the literature also associates Samhain with bonfires and sacrifices.

Samhain was one of the four main festivals of the Gaelic calendar, marking the end of the harvest and beginning of winter. Samhain customs are mentioned in several medieval texts. In Serglige Con Culainn ('Cúchulainn's Sickbed'), it is said that the festival of the Ulaid at Samhain lasted a week: Samhain itself, and the three days before and after. It involved great gatherings at which they held meetings, feasted, drank alcohol, and held contests, divination and honour the dead. [Ed note: The lore also recounts a sexual tryst between An Dagda and The Morrigan at Samhain.]

The Togail Bruidne Dá Derga notes that bonfires were lit at Samhain and stones cast into the fires. It is mentioned in Geoffrey Keating's Foras Feasa ar Éirinn, which was written in the early 1600s but draws on earlier medieval sources, some of which are unknown. He claims that the feis of Tara was held for a week every third Samhain, when the nobles and ollams of Ireland met to lay down and renew the laws, and to feast. He also claims that the druids lit a sacred bonfire at Tlachtga and made sacrifices to the gods, sometimes by burning their sacrifices. He adds that all other fires were doused and then re-lit from this bonfire.

Samhain was seen as a liminal time, when the boundary between this world and the Otherworld could more easily be crossed. This meant the aos sí, the 'spirits' or 'fairies' could more easily come into our world. Many scholars see the aos sí as remnants of pagan gods and nature spirits. At Samhain, it was believed that the aos sí needed to be propitiated to ensure that the people and their livestock survived the winter. Offerings of food and drink would be left outside for the aos sí, and portions of the crops might be left in the ground for them.

In some areas, mumming and guising was a part of Samhain. It was first recorded in 16th century Scotland and later in parts of Ireland, Mann and Wales. It involved people going from house to house in costume (or in disguise), usually reciting songs or verses in exchange for food. It may have evolved from a tradition whereby people impersonated the aos sí, or the souls of the dead, and received offerings on their behalf. Impersonating these spirits or souls was also believed to protect oneself from them.

Ways to celebrate?

A huge Bonfire!

Offerings to ancestors and land spirits.

Build a shrine to the Cailleach, and place her inside with a staff and a blue cord of 3 knots for the winter.

Spend time and leave offerings in an old cemetery.

Sit in a wild place and listen.

Visit liminal spots.

Make a meal that reminds you of your grandma's favorite dishes, and set a place for her at the table.

Build an ancestor's altar with hand-me down heirlooms and knick-knacks.