Celtic gods, and The Tuatha De Danann

[Firelord_22]

So I've just recently begun to identify myself as pagan, and have begun with the shamanistic path. I'm assuming at this point that I don't have a "gift" of shamanism, if that's required, and am more of looking into it. The point of this post is to ask about the Celtic Pantheon. I know quite a bit about the Greek pantheon, and a little about the Norse Pantheon, and quite a bit about Wicca, Gardner Wicca specifically, But I don't know much about the Celtic Pantheon, which is where I feel drawn. I know a little about the Tuatha De Danann, and about Lugh, but that's about it. I feel strongly drawn towards the Celtic Pantheon, and I feel as if I need to go to Ireland to learn. But I would feel rather odd going in with little to no knowledge. Any help would be amazing.

[Rhyshadow]

So I've just recently begun to identify myself as pagan, and have begun with the shamanistic path. I'm assuming at this point that I don't have a "gift" of shamanism, if that's required, and am more of looking into it. The point of this post is to ask about the Celtic Pantheon. I know quite a bit about the Greek pantheon, and a little about the Norse Pantheon, and quite a bit about Wicca, Gardner Wicca specifically, But I don't know much about the Celtic Pantheon, which is where I feel drawn. I know a little about the Tuatha De Danann, and about Lugh, but that's about it. I feel strongly drawn towards the Celtic Pantheon, and I feel as if I need to go to Ireland to learn. But I would feel rather odd going in with little to no knowledge. Any help would be amazing.

 
There are some very good sites with info on the TDD

Mary Jones has a Celtic Encyclopedia that goes through quite a number of entries
Mary Jones Encyclopedia

Encyclopedia Mythica also has entries, but I'd cross reference them with Mary
Encyclopedia Mythica Celtic Section

As far as Shamanism and Celtic practice, while there are books out there that make that connection, in reality it never existed - some good info on how the Celts, specifically the Gaelic branch (Irish, Scots, Manx) practiced can be found at the following sites

The CR-FAQ
Taris
Gaol Naofa

Hope that gives you a little help

Fáilte go maith le chéile agus

[Gilbride]

As far as Shamanism and Celtic practice, while there are books out there that make that connection, in reality it never existed

Personally I think this statement is a bit too broad. To my mind, if a scholar of Miranda Green's caliber thinks the Celts had some practices that could be called "shamanistic," then the idea can't be dismissed so easily.

However, it would definitely be more useful to look at practices such as imbas forosnai, tarbhfheis and taghairm (which some have labeled shamanistic) on their own terms, since adding the word "shaman" to them doesn't really tell us anything and also adds a lot of baggage.

[Gilbride]

The point of this post is to ask about the Celtic Pantheon

 
I highly recommend this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Celtic-Gods-Heroes-Irish/dp/0486414418

The main reason this book is so important is because it is one of the only sources I know of to directly address what makes the Celtic "pantheon" so different from the Greek or Roman. If you look at the Celtic myths through the mindset we associate with the Greek myths (with an orderly, structured pantheon), they will make very little sense. This book will help you understand why.

[Firelord_22]

Thanks!

[EarthStar]

So I've just recently begun to identify myself as pagan, and have begun with the shamanistic path. I'm assuming at this point that I don't have a "gift" of shamanism, if that's required, and am more of looking into it. The point of this post is to ask about the Celtic Pantheon. I know quite a bit about the Greek pantheon, and a little about the Norse Pantheon, and quite a bit about Wicca, Gardner Wicca specifically, But I don't know much about the Celtic Pantheon, which is where I feel drawn. I know a little about the Tuatha De Danann, and about Lugh, but that's about it. I feel strongly drawn towards the Celtic Pantheon, and I feel as if I need to go to Ireland to learn. But I would feel rather odd going in with little to no knowledge. Any help would be amazing.

I would recommend this site;

http://druidnetwork.org/en/what