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The Three Cauldrons: Celtic Myth and Spiritual Wisdom

Academic and historically based study and exploration of authentic Celtic religion, mythology, druidism, folklore, literature, languages, wisdom texts, archaeology, ethnography, ritual, poetry and visionary practices, as well as the anthropologically supported identification of shamanic elements in Celtic contexts.

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Old Irish 3: Mythic and Religious Language

Posted by on in Paths Blogs

Welcome to the third free tutorial in Old Irish!

In this posting we will learn how to pronounce some mythic and religious terminology that you may have encountered in your reading and exploration (including place-names and animals), as well as some information about grammar, and the use of Old Irish in ritual. 

 Note: This will be the last free tutorial on this topic for some time, as I need to get back to my book manuscript. However, if you have a serious interest in ongoing study in Old Irish, do let me know. 
 
Now, in terms of useful ritual or religious terminology, you can hear the following in the sound-file (once it’s uploaded):
 

* Religious / Mythic Terminology

 
Druí - Druid
 
Bard - Bard or poet
 
Fáith - Seer
 
Fili - Medieval poet-seer; plural form is Filid

Imbas Forosnai - A type of visionary skill highly sought after by poets, and perhaps earlier, by Druids 
 
Echtra - A type of early Irish tale,  often translated as ‘adventure,’ plural form Echtrai
 
Immram - A type of tale, literally a ‘rowing about’ - often translated as ‘journey’ - plural form Immrama
 
Cath Maige Tuired - The Battle of Moytura, an important early Irish mythological tale
 
Táin Bó Cuailgne - The Cattle Raid of Cooley, an important early Irish saga
 
Lebor Gabála Érenn - A Medieval pseudo-History put together by clerics to give the inhabitants of early Christian Ireland a Biblical ancestry. Comprised of Christian, Classical, Medieval and some Native materials. Not a true Myth as it stands, nor actual history. 
 
Temair - Early Irish form of Tara
 
Cruachu - important royal site in Connacht 
 
Emain Macha - important royal and ritual site in Ulster 

 

* Animals, Birds and Sea Creatures

 
Cú - Dog or hound
 
Bó - Cow
 
Tarb - Bull
 
Ech - Horse
 
Os - Deer, stag

Dam - Ox

Dam Allaid - Stag
 
Ag - Cow or Ox
 
Ag Allaid - Deer or Stag
 
Faél-chú, Cú Allaid, Mac Tíre - Wolf
 
Sinnach - Fox
 
Math-gamain - Bear
 
Torc - Boar
 
Reithe - Ram

Cáera - Sheep

Úan - Lamb
 
Bláthnait - Weasel 
 
Es - Weasel or stoat
 
Tógan - Pine Marten or squirrel
 
Íaru - Stoat or squirrel
 
Togmal - Squirrel
 
Dobrán - Otter or beaver
 
Doburchú - Otter
 
Luch - Mouse
 
Én - Bird

Bran or Fiach -  Raven
 
Fiach Dub - Raven
 
Badb - Hooded Crow
 
Lon - Blackbird
 
Eala - Swan
 
Dreollán - Wren
 
Géd - Goose
 
Lacha - Duck
 
Fiach-Mara - Cormorant
 
Fiach-Garb - Vulture
 
Íasc - Fish
 
Bratán - Salmon
 
Brecc - Trout
 
Escong - Eel

Rón - Seal
 
 Mucc-Mara - Porpoise
 
 Míl Mór or Bled - Whale 
 
 
* Basic Ritual Phrases - that could be used with deities, animals or ancestors 
 
 
I pray to you (singular): Guidim duit
 
I pray to you (plural): Guidim dúib
 
 
We pray to you (singular): Guidmi duit
 
We pray to you (plural): Guidmi dúib
 
 
I call on you / call to you / invoke you (singular) - Gairim airiut 
 
I call on you / to you / invoke you (plural) - Gairim airib
 
 
We call on you / to you / invoke you (singular) - Gairmi airiut
 
We call you / to you / invoke you (plural) - Gairmi airib
 
 
Important Note: If you want to add the name or names of deities after these phrases, remember to use the Vocative case (see Lesson Two). 
 
 
I hope that you have enjoyed these three tutorials, offered in service to the Celtic pagan and Druidic communities!
 
If you are interested in learning more about Celtic culture, religion, and mythology, please visit the Celticae Institute Facebook page for more information about its vision, my bio, distance learning, and Túatha Imbais.
 
We are currently accepting applications for:
 
* ‘The Sacred Grove’ (The Copper Branch level of The Three Branches of Wisdom Training), a two-year distance learning program in Celtic religion, mythology and folklore 
 
* An upcoming Intensive training in historical uses and traditions pertaining to Ogam, which includes a copy of the book ‘A Guide to Ogam’ signed by Damian McManus
 
* An on-line college-level course in Celtic Civilization 
 
* The Divine Feminine in Ancient Europe - A one-year distance learning course covering the various eras and manifestation of goddesses and sacred women
 
Wishing you many bright blessings!
 

Last modified on
Born on the eve of Lugnasad, your guide and ban-fili/ban-druí is a published author, teacher, and Celtic singer and musician. She trained in Celtic Studies through Harvard University, and has taught Celtic mythology and folklore at the university level. Her research in Celtic myth and religion has been presented at the University of Edinburgh, University College Cork, the International Celtic Congress, the Harvard Graduate Study Group for Ancient Magic and Religion, and the Ford Foundation Lecture Series.

She has served as Faculty at the Celtic Institute of North America and the Omega Institute, and her books include: ‘Celtic Myth and Religion: A Study of Traditional Belief' (McFarland), ‘Celtic Cosmology and the Otherworld: Mythic Origins, Sovereignty and Liminality’ (McFarland), 'The Divine Feminine in Ancient Europe' (McFarland), ‘'Queen of the Night' (Weiser), ‘Early Celtic Poetry and Wisdom Texts: The Three Cauldrons, The Songs of Amairgen, and other Cultural Studies’ (forthcoming) and a chapter in the academic collection ‘Celtic Mythology in the 21st Century’ (University of Wales Press).

Currently she is Director of the Eolas ar Senchais research project, which received international grant funding to research and restore authentic ancient Celtic instrumental music and vocal art forms, and historically attested Celtic ritual in socio-religious context.

She sings in many of the modern and medieval Celtic languages and is a multi-instrumentalist. Her previous musical group, The Moors, has cult status in the pagan world. She leads workshops and distance training programs, with new books, CD's and research on the way.
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Comments

  • Myrna Bensen
    Myrna Bensen Sunday, 09 September 2018

    thank you for sharing your knowneds :D

  • Myrna Bensen
    Myrna Bensen Sunday, 09 September 2018

    knowledge ... :D

  • Stephanie
    Stephanie Friday, 28 September 2018

    Hi Sithearan, the Druid group I belong to incorporates several phrases of what we believe to be Old Irish into our rituals... but the research was done some years ago with unknown levels of accuracy or lack thereof... How would you recommend we check our phrases and pronunciations? Thanks very much in advance, go raibh mile maith agat!

  • Síthearan NicLeòid
    Síthearan NicLeòid Saturday, 29 September 2018

    Hi Stephanie, thanks for your message. I could take a quick peek at the phrases if you would like to send them to me through messenger (Sharon Paice MacLeod). I could at least ascertain if they are in fact old Irish. If it’s something short I could probably check it for you over the next few weeks-I will be out of town next week but perhaps after that. If it is lengthy then I do charge a fee for doing translations for people, simply because it can be a little time-consuming. So send me a note on messenger and we can take it from there… Many bright blessings!

  • Síthearan NicLeòid
    Síthearan NicLeòid Saturday, 29 September 2018

    Hi Stephanie, thanks for your message. I could take a quick peek at the phrases if you would like to send them to me through messenger (Sharon Paice MacLeod). I could at least ascertain if they are in fact old Irish. If it’s something short I could probably check it for you over the next few weeks-I will be out of town next week but perhaps after that. If it is lengthy then I do charge a fee for doing translations for people, simply because it can be a little time-consuming. So send me a note on messenger and we can take it from there… Many bright blessings!

  • Stephanie
    Stephanie Saturday, 29 September 2018

    Thanks Sharon! if by 'messenger' you mean Facebook messenger at the profile of you where there are leaves behind you, I just sent you a message there, of our main phrases and our attempts at pronunciation. Hopefully it won't take long for you to give me a 'yea' at the ones that are close and a correction of those that aren't.... thanks in advance!!

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