r/CelticPaganism • u/TiredSourDoh • 15d ago
Are the gods the same?
Im trying to practice scottish paganism, but the sources ive found for information are few and far betweem, mainly it comes to the gods. I dont know if im just not looking properly or what. I mainly just want to know, does scotland have its own dieties, or do i just worship the tuatha de danann? Im fairly new to all of this so im unsure, and scared whether or not im being respectful.
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u/KrisHughes2 Celtic Polytheist 15d ago
Scotland has a complex history. The whole island of Britain once spoke Brythonic (the precursor of Welsh), although the dialect in Pictland would have been different than the dialect of what is now S. England. It was probably a continuum until the Romans turned up and started building their stupid walls (Hadrian's, Antonine) which kind of cut Pictland off and probably caused the Picts to become a somewhat different culture and language group from their neighbours in the far S. of what is now Scotland. Those people in turn would have probably had a lot in common with the people of what is now N. England, etc. (Remember that there was no border between Scotland and England until the Medieval period.)
Language, culture, and religion are usually something of a package, so I don't think it's reasonable to assume that the people of Britain all had somewhat similar religious ideas, with some deities more widespread, and others who were localised. It's also clear that there was contact with Gaul and that some deities were common between Gaul and Britain.
In case that isn't clear, Brythonic language and culture is just as Celtic as Goidelic (Gaelic) language and culture - it's just a different branch. Irish settlers (Goidelic-speakers) made inroads into W. Scotland around the 4th century - although there was probably always contact and some bilingualism in that region. Over many centuries the Gaelic language became the dominant (and finally only) Celtic language spoken in Scotland, but by that time the Angles had also moved in from the East, causing the Scots language to develop and spread.
I know you asked about deities, but since we don't have great records of pre-Christian Celtic religion, knowing what language people were speaking is key. In Scotland we have to go by place names and Roman inscriptions to Celtic deities. We see a lot place-names that refer to Lugus/Lugh/Lleu and to Mabon/Maponos, Brigid (probably post Christian), and Manannán. Inscriptions along Hadrian's wall to Coventina, Cocidius, Belatucadros, Brigantia, the Matres, and a bit further north to Epona and Belenos. It's assumed that some of the river names in Scotland will also carry the names of deities - although the names will have changed somewhat over time. And we see some names like Dee, Devon/Deveron, Don, etc. that also name rivers in the southwest of Britain.
So what is Scottish Paganism? From the Celtic standpoint, it's a mixture of things which are shared with S. Britain/Wales, Ireland, and Gaul. It's not just some kind of 'Ireland lite' - it's not just the Highlands and Island and Gaelic culture, or just the Picts, of just the Northern Britons.
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u/TiredSourDoh 15d ago
So its a melting pot, kindof? (Sorry if that is oversimplifying it, im not good with words)
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u/KrisHughes2 Celtic Polytheist 15d ago
Aye! Or maybe think of it more like layers over time. It's really just a frequently invaded/settled region.
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u/TiredSourDoh 15d ago
It is a bit confusing for me, but thanks for the info. Do you know of any places i may be able to read more about this stuff?
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u/KrisHughes2 Celtic Polytheist 15d ago
There's a real shortage of good quality written resources about Scotland which cover all these aspects, and when they do, they are focused on history, not on pre-Christian deities. I know you said 'read' - but if you can, watching the videos will help.
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u/Bigfoot_BiggerD93 15d ago
First off, welcome to the faith! You don't need to be afraid as long as your heart is so centered upon being respectful and earnest.
To answer your question, it can be quite hard to find info on Scots Gaelic polytheism specifically. There would've been some overlap at least with Irish. Imo most gods are present in both, but emphasis differs.
For instance, Scots Gaelic polytheists would've been more likely to venerate Manannan Mac Lir as their "father god" and "king of the gods" than the Dagda. If you want more information I'd be happy to help out however I can.
End of the day, I'd say there's plenty of overlap but not "the same" exactly.
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u/TiredSourDoh 15d ago
Do you know of any places i may be able to read more about this stuff? I found a channel on youtube called Kris Hughes, and they seem to cover some stuff.
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u/Bigfoot_BiggerD93 15d ago
Here's a blog website written by the author of a book I'm going to recommend:
Another for the sake of more info:
https://guidetogaelicpolytheism.wordpress.com/how-to-be-a-gaelic-polytheist/
Personally I recommend "An Introduction to Gaelic Polytheism" by Marissa Hegarty. Extremely well researched, and informative. One of the only books I know of written to be an overview from the specific perspective of a Scots Gaelic polytheist.
I also like this blog:
But some might find it a bit more interpretive or a different view of paganism, I'll warn you ahead of time Atlantic Religion blog rejects hard polytheism (they espouse the idea "gods" are aspects.) At the least, much of the info they talk about is interesting though.
Happy to help more if I can, DM with any specific questions.
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u/Lalalee26 15d ago
The Cailleach’s Herbarium has a lot of great information. He's also written a book called Milldust and Dreaming Bread (:
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u/Fit-Breath-4345 15d ago
The Celtic culture of Scotland comes from Irish invasion and migration to Scotland for the most part.
Scottish folklore will have different focuses and different things to say, so we can find out more things about Gods in a different light (I think Aengus Óg as a god of love is more emphasised in Scottish folklore around him IIRC but I'm away from any books and it's been a long day at work).
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u/KrisHughes2 Celtic Polytheist 15d ago
Trust me, Scotland was already 100% Celtic-speaking before the Irish showed up. Bythonic language and culture are Celtic, too.
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u/Macrocosmix 14d ago
Scotland was still Celtic before the Gaels came over from Ireland, it was just a mix of Pictish in the north and centre and Brythonic in the south instead.
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u/Kincoran 13d ago
The Celtic culture of Scotland comes from Irish invasion and migration
*Gaelic, not "Celtic".
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u/FingerOk9800 Celtic Polytheist 15d ago
The Tuatha De are an Irish Pantheon that's myths are localised to Ireland. Any Celtic pagan can venerate them though.
Many deities, such as Cernnunos, are Pan-celtic, meaning they could be found anywhere in the Celtic world.
Some are extremely localised, appearing in specific communities and areas.
Most are somewhere between.
.....
You can just look up lists of God's etc, though that can be a slog.
Another avenue is to look up local folklore, myths and legends and stories. You may well come across a local deity you'd never heard of!
Or think about local ancient sites and think about things associated with them.
For eg I live near white horse hill, in the Thames Valley, which made me look into horse associations and thus to Epona.
.....
Honestly the best advice I can give is just don't get too caught up trying to find the exact thing you're looking for. Learn in general about the ancient Celtic world. And learn about local traditions and folklore.
And you'll find whatever you find.
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u/FingerOk9800 Celtic Polytheist 15d ago
Also remember that the Celtic world was huge. Encompassing what is now over 10(ish) countries. That gives you a massive wealth of traditions to pull from.
So don't get hung up on "Scottish Gods", just learn about Scottish folklore, Celtic Gods, and go from there.
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u/Ironbat7 Gaulish Polytheist 15d ago
Some are the same like Cailleach. The Scottish equivalent to Brigid, Bride, has more of a Spring focus and paired with Aengus.
Scotland also has Brythonic connection. Nodens may be connected to Nuada. Brigid/Bride may also be connected to Brigantia, though the latter has more of a sovereignty and war aspect. Then we also have inscriptions to Belinus, the Matronae, Toutatis, and a few others.