Accuracy in Ancestral Witchcraft

The terms “Irish” and “Celtic” are related, but they are not synonymous. Though many use the terms interchangeably, it is important to distinguish them and use them appropriately.

“Irish” describes the people, language, and culture of Ireland.

“Celtic” describes the people, languages, and cultures of several European tribes and people groups, whose language shares a common root called Proto-Indo-European. They may also share similar cultural traditions, spiritual practices, and mythology & folklore.

Celtic languages include Irish (Gaeilge), Scots Gaelic, Manx, Welsh, Cornish, and Breton.

The three main branches of Celtic tribes are: •Brythonic (or Briton) who inhabited the areas of modern day Cornwall and Wales.

•Gaelic (or Gaels) who inhabited Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man.

•Gaulic (or Gauls) who inhabited modern day France, Belgium, Switzerland, and Northern Italy.

The Celtic Gaels were one people group who influenced Ireland. The Normans and the Vikings also had a strong impact on the island. Therefore all things Irish are not necessarily Celtic.

Why is this important?

Conflating cultural practices and identities was/is a tool of oppression, meant to force assimilation and promote cultural erasure or dilution of the colonized or conquered people. When we seek authentic relationships with our ancestors it is important that we put in the work to understand who they actually were, and let go of modern notions of who we imagine them to be. Using correct terminology is an excellent step toward decolonizing our spiritual practices and venerating our ancestors so that we may heal the generational trauma and begin to flourish.

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