by Christine G.

Created on: March 31, 2008

NO DUMB BLONDS ALLOWED!

"One of the things I find so refreshing in the Celtic myths is that the women are honored as much for their minds as for their bodies. The dumb blond would not stand much of a chance in ancient Celtic society".
Moyra Caldicott, 'Women in Celtic Myth'

The Celts, who dominated Europe and the British Isles for about 800 years (700 B.C. until around 100 A.D.), had no unifying political structures, no common religion, and no written language. Their law, history, and mythology were transmitted orally by the Druids, who functioned as lawgivers as well as priests. This information was not written down until the 6th and 7th centuries, long after Celts had virtually disappeared. There are many variants in how the stories were told, and how the names were spelled. The unifying traditions were law, kingship, and truth, along with other basic values which held society together.

Celts had no hang-ups about the status of women. For the pagan Celt, the essence of the universe was female, and women were the spiritual and moral pivot of culture. Even after their ways were greatly altered by Christianization, women became priests and even bishops.

Celtic goddesses were in charge of the traditional female areas of love, fertility, childbirth, harvest, domestic crafts, healing and fate, but their powers ranged well beyond that One of the best-known was the crow goddess Morrigan, whose area of influence was battle frenzy and death. She was often found in a triple aspect, and chose who would live and who would die. She was also the queen of phantoms, demons, and shape-shifters.

The Gaulish dog goddess was the patron of patron deity of sea traders. The Welsh Olwen, "the golden wheel", was the goddess of sunlight. The Scottish Scathach ("she who strikes fear") was a warrior goddess and prophetess who taught martial arts. The Irish Badb was a shape-shifting warrior goddess who symbolized the cycles of life and death, wisdom and inspiration. The Welsh Ceridwen was the keeper of the cauldron of renewal, as well as goddess of the moon, magic, agriculture, science and astrology.

Celtic women were free to become warriors, druids, judges, poets, physicians or political leaders. Their female stereotypes did not include passive victims, shrinking violets, or empty-headed beauties. They could own property, and retained it when they married. They were free to choose their own partners, divorce, and claim damages if molested. They often had outstanding abilities. Boudicca,

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