The Religion of the Ancient Celts

"The Religion of the Ancient Celts" by J. A. MacCulloch is a historical exploration from the 1910s era that is focused on unraveling the mysterious religious customs of the ancient Celts. MacCulloch pieces together fragmented historical accounts, anthropological studies, and folklore to reconstruct the spiritual world of the Celts, who have significantly steered modern religious ideas, despite not leaving extensive written records. The book begins by addressing difficulties in understanding the Celtic's unwritten and now largely lost religious views, using classical writings, archaeological finds, and later Irish and Welsh texts. MacCulloch portrays the Celts as intensely spiritual people deeply connected to nature and highlights the Druids' crucial role in defining their religious practices. The book illuminates the Celtic gods, the progress of their religious rituals, and the continuous influence of their spirituality throughout history.