The CR FAQ: An Introduction to Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism

by Kathryn Price NicDhàna, Erynn Rowan Laurie, Kathryn Price Nicdhna

Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism (CR) is a polytheistic, animistic, religious and cultural movement. It is an effort to reconstruct, through both scholarly research and experiential practice, a spiritual tradition that is true to ancient Celtic religion and relevant to our lives in the modern world. This print edition of "The CR FAQ - An Introduction to Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism" includes a detailed pronunciation guide and an extensive glossary of terms and deities. "The CR FAQ" was written by a diverse collective of Celtic Reconstructionist (CR) elders and long-term practitioners. It is the very first book to be published that is wholly about Celtic Reconstructionism. All profits from the sale of this book are being donated to Gaelic language and cultural preservation charities in the Celtic Nations and worldwide.

Genres: Spirituality, Nonfiction, Paganism, Religion

201 pages, Paperback

First published August 22, 2007

About the author

I'm a Gaelic Polytheist in the diaspora, which has informed and guided most of my life. I also have some Indigenous heritage and relatives from Turtle Island (Yę Iswąre tatene utkéware hęwu) and Sápmi, which plays a large part in my family and political life. Currently living in the Territory of the Wabanaki Confederacy - Wabanahkik Iar, Co-còrdadh: Kaswhenta), I carry a commitment to preserving traditional languages and cultures, protecting sacred sites, and a deep involvement in the surviving ancestral customs as part of a modern spiritual practice.

One of the founders of the modern Gaelic Polytheism / Celtic Reconstructionist movements - a collective effort to preserve the living Gaelic cultures and to preserve, revive and restore the earth-honoring spiritual traditions of my ancestors - I'm an author, editor and artist, ban-sagart Brìghde, researcher, and practical mystic.

I publish primarily in the fields of spirituality, politics, humour and music criticism, and enjoy collaborating with other inspired artists.

I also publish under the shorter form of my name, Kathryn NicDhàna; when Goodreads updates to allow multiple name variations on our profiles, the data on that page should be merged into this one. Slàn,

~ Kathryn Price NicDhana

Dòigh-Beatha Ioma-Dhiadhach Ghàidhealach / Dóigh Bheatha Ildiach is Gaelach

Reviews

[Steve Wiggins · Rating 4 out of 5]

While it’s entirely my problem, I don’t care for FAQ style books. They are good for “frequent” questions, but my queries tend to be idiosyncratic. This book began as a website and has been made available for those of us who prefer (and always will) print. It is a good introduction to a fairly recent New Religious Movement that seeks to be true to ancient roots. The proponents of Celtic Reconstructionism (CR) are clearly intelligent, educated, and critical of their sources. Their movement is an attempt to bring back authentic Celtic worship, while taking the evolution of religion into account.

It may seem that the simplest way to reestablish a religion is to go “whole hog” on it and try to rip it from antiquity and transplant it to the present. That doesn’t work for many reasons, most of which are outlined in this useful guide. Times have changed, including laws about ritual killings and such. That doesn’t mean that if Celtic gods do exist they haven’t modified what is appropriate in a more modern setting.

As I mention in my blog post on this book (Sects and Violence in the Ancient World) revival religions are growing. People feel that Christianization, followed by the equally monotheistic Islamic conquests, led to the loss of being in touch with nature spirits. These entities were (are) recognized by indigenous peoples worldwide. Indeed, it feels as if much has been lost when we look at the way Christianity and capitalism bonded to make “modern life.” For those curious about CR this is a good place to start.

[Samsalaqueen · Rating 1 out of 5]

A collection of 'yes and no' and 'that depends on' answers. There are concrete questions that are answered vaguely.
It's not my cup of tea.
I did learn, however, that the book is based on a free web page, and I could have saved some money...

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first and only book I've read on any flavor of Reconstructionism, and it was really informative. I picked it up from a CR group that attended my local PPD, and I'm so glad I did. It was co-authored by a community of CRs online using a Wiki format, which allows everyone to write and co-edit together, until a consensus is found, or if there isn't a consensus, the opposing views are well documented. I find this an intriguing way for a creed less community to create a informative, factual, document. I now have a much better understanding of what it means to be a Reconstructionist. They are trying to reconstruct a modern polytheistic Celtic Spirituality, not a historical reenactment. "We approach this in part by trying to envision what different Celtic Paganisms might look like today if they had been uninterrupted by Christianity, musch as Hinduism has changed over the centuries, remaining the same religion but changing in form with the changing times." I also like the Celtic take on "Nature Spirits"....Fairies, however you spell it, are very popular, thanks to Disney. But the CRs have down to earth view, some land spirits are friendly and some are not, it's taken on an individual basis. The ones who are not friendly, and given an altar with offerings on the edge of one's property to appease them, but not to invite them. Friendly land spirits are given an altar and offerings closer to the home to show gratitude for their help and service. This makes more sense than the "Fairies are all cool, lets invite them all in for milk and cookies!" attitude that often prevails in the non-recon world. If you didn't know this, Wicca is not a reconstruction of ancient practices, it has many practices based on Masonic and Golden Dawn traditions which are based on the Western Magickal Tradition and Ceremonial Magic. Not that these practices aren't useful to some, but that they aren't pre-Christian Celtic.

[Doreen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent beginners look at Celtic Reconstructionism in a Frequently Asked Questions format.

[Lucile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cette FAQ a répondu à beaucoup de mes questions et m'a permis de poser beaucoup de concepts autour de ma spiritualité. Il n'est pas fait mention de rituels ou de recettes toutes faites, simplement des réflexions et des lignes de conduite très simple pour qui veut se lancer sur cette voie. De par son médium initial, il y a pas mal de redite, car la FAQ sur le site ne se parcourt par forcément dans l'ordre d'édition du livre. Une très bonne référence d'entrée en la matière, parfaite également pour remettre de l'ordre dans les sources qui nourrissent nos pratiques. (Si seulement il était traduit 🤔 )

[Jacob Lang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unmatched in how it consolidates so much work and research. In the course of researching Celtic reconstructionism, I've put hours of work, reading countless sources, into confirming things that I read in this simple FAQ years ago.

[Maya · Rating 5 out of 5]

Please see my review at Celtic Scholar