Celtic ethical values are based upon reverence for and connection with the powers of nature. Welcome to our page which teaches the creation of deep and sacred relationships.
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Looking at the sacred spiritual traditions of the Celts we learn to honor life, release ignorance and to be respectful to creation
The classical author Strabo wrote about how the Druids faithfully studied ethical 'moral philosophy'. Another author 'Brendan Myers teaches that the foremost principle of ancient Druids was complete devotion to truth.
The famous St. Patrick is rumored to have asked Oisin (the son of Fionn MacCumhall, what kept his people sustained after the advent of Christianity. Oisin's reply was said to be "the truth that was in our hearts, and the strength in our arms, and the fulfillment in our tongues." It is interesting that Oisin sites truth first... as if it had and overwhelming place in Celtic culture. Personally, between Myers and this evidence, it leads me to believe that the first moral principle of a Celt is that when a moral decision must be made, one should choose truth.
Old Brehon Laws
Coming soon...
Ethics to Consider
1. Uphold high moral standards.
2. Think of all life as sacred.
3. Be prepared to compensate for your actions.
4. Honor all life as sacred.
5. Serve your community.
6. Make your living honestly.
7. Maintain a healthy spiritual and mundane balance.
8. Care for your body and maintain good health. (In ancient times a person could be fined for being grossly overweight due to lack of care.)
9. Maintain truth in your speech.
10. Do not make false accusations, or accusations you are not totally certain of.
11. Be a good host and a good guest.
Conclusion
Modern Celts are keen to avoid the problems caused by dictating morality to others. A ton of suffering has resulted because groups of people have decided that one thing is good and another is bad. We also tend to refrain from telling others which type of theology someone should adopt... or how to behave. We prefer not to be prejudice against other cultures and beliefs... which may be right and work correctly for them, but just aren't correct for us.
Regardless, many modern Celts have a highly developed sense of ethical behavior, which is usually implicit in their actions, rather than being explicitly stated by the individual. Keep in mind that a person who acts ethically usually holds to those ethical values. By paying attention to these values and practicing them rather than dictating them (should you feel they are right for you) one can easily avoid the pitfalls of turning ethical values into a dogma... and condemn those who do not follow them.
The Celtic way of life asks us above all to open oneself to inspiration and to the beauty of Art and Nature. By nourishing ourselves with a respectful way of life and with contact with the natural world...and art... qualities emerge naturally that form the basis of good ethical decisions and behavior.
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