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Questions and Answers Gaol Naofa and its Practices

Gaelic Polytheism
What is Gaelic Reconstructionist Polytheism (GRP)?

Gaelic Polytheism is a modern revival of the polytheistic traditions and world-view of

the Gaelic peoples, firmly rooted in Gaelic cultures, values and traditions, and employs

a reconstructionist methodology.

What is Reconstructionism?

Reconstructionism is a methodology that attempts to reconstruct the world-view of a

historical polytheistic people to accommodate modern culture. It utilizes sources such

archaeological and historical records, primary texts (if they exist), surviving folk-

traditions, mythology, and comparative cultural analysis in its attempt to revive ancient

polytheisms.

How does one become a Gaelic polytheist?

By simply having a sincere desire to honor the gods and spirits and one's ancestors,

and to

actively participate in

traditional Gaelic cultures.

There is no

initiation, baptism, or

special oath required.

Does one need to be of Gaelic descent to be a Gaelic polytheist?

Not necessarily, but it should be understood that Gaelic polytheism is an ethno-

religious

tradition much like Native American tribal religions or Judaism

--it is a tradition

founded in the Gaels' collective experience of the world; t

o be a Gaelic Polytheist

requires one to adopt Gaelic culture, values,

beliefs, ethics, and polytheistic world-view.

While one does

not necessarily need to

of Gaelic descent to participate in

Gaelic

olytheism

, we do

suggest that you explore

your

own ancestral traditions before

proceeding to adopt ours.

What deities do you honor?

As polytheists we honor numerous

gods and goddesses,

and view each as separate

and distinct deities. The déithe

(gods) we honor are those

traditionally

honored

by the

Gaelic peoples before the

arrival of Christianity. They include

divinities from the Tuatha

Dé Danann, Fír

Bolg, Mílesians, and Fomóiri

--divine tribes who once inhabited Ireland.

Also

revered are ancestors (

sinsir

) and the spirits that

pervade the natural world (a

os sí

Gaol Naofa

refers to this triune of reverence as

Na Trí

Naomh

, "the Sacred Three", or

may also be referred

to as the d

éithe agus andéithe

, "the

Gods and Un-Gods."

How do you give them honor?

It is through hospitality (defined as mutual respect and sharing) that we express our

honor to

the déithe agus andéithe

We extend hospitality through the giving of votive

offerings such as

food, drink, crafts or art, upholding

our

"contractual" agreements, and

giving thanks where due.

Rituals are performed for various occasions such

seasonal celebrations, rites of

passage,

sacrifice, and more. It is through ritual that we honor and are in comm

ion

with

the déithe agus

andéithe, and celebrate our

heritage

and community. Rituals and

general

rites of honor tend to be

very family or group oriented. They are often performed

outdoors or at the family shrine, and are

facilitated by a community elder or the head of

the household. In our rites and rituals, we invite

the déithe agus andéithe to attend and

offer

them our hospitality. Singing, dancing, the

playing of music, the reciting of the

poetry, storytelling, prayer, and feasting are often frequent

components.

In or outside our homes we establish and maintain altars or shrines dedicated to the

déithe

agus andéithe, and it is there that me make our devotions. Prayers are usually

said at the

household shrine in the morning and in the evening as a rite of consecration.

Devotions are

also given at the individual shrines of deities and spirits or beneath trees,

in or near rivers and

lakes, by wells, or large rocks. Families may also have a patron

deity or ancestral spirit of their

household in which they specifically honor.

What holidays do you celebrate?

Fire Festivals, Quarter Days, holy days, or high days are a few of the names given to our

four

major seasonal celebrations. These festivals include:

Oíche Shamhna/ Samhuinn (Nov. 1)

is the celebration of the last day of summer,

and is

traditionally a time to prepare for the coming of winter or the 'dark half' of

the year.

Ancestors

and the dead are especially honored at this time as it is

when the Otherworld

is said to be most

active.

Lá Fhéile Bríde/ Latha Feill Bhride (Feb. 1)

celebrates the declining of winter and

the

return of

the sun's warmth. Brighid is often associated as matron of the

holiday and is

honored at this

time.

Lá Bealtaine/ Bealtuinn (May 1)

signifies the beginning of summer or the ‘light

half’ of

the year.

It is a time of lustration, warmth, and prosperity.

Lá Lúnasa/ Lúnasdal (Aug. 1)

is a celebration of the harvest and the sovereignty

of the

land.

Lugh and Tailtiu are especiallu honored as lore holds that Lugh

instituted this

holiday in

remembrance of his foster-mother, Tailtiu, who died

digging the land for

agriculture.

Do you have clergy?

Neither

Gaelic

olytheism

as a whole nor Gaol Naofa

has

a professionally ordained

clergy. Our “priests” are

typically

community elders or household heads that facilitate

large and important rites

and rituals, who

preserve and pass on our traditions, and

provide spiritual and secular

guidance. Other than

that, we as individuals are capable of

and responsible for

performing and observing

rites, communing with the

deities

, and

our own

spiritual welfare.

What are your ethics?

Gaelic polytheists do not have a

codified

set of ethics or creeds, but rather we

common set of cultural values, principles, and standards based heavily in the

ancient

heroic

values. Among these include hospitality,

personal

responsibility, courage,

loyalty,

honesty, strength,

duty, and justice. We believe in a strong bond between the

family and

the community, and hold

a deep concern for each. We believe in supporting

and

contributing to our communities,

whether spiritual or mundane, to our best ability so

that

we may prosper and live in health and

harmony. Equal rights, living as free people

without tyranny, and fair treatment off all individuals

without regard to their race, gender,

sexual orientation, religion, or social standing are among

our deeply cherished

principles.

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