Celts believed that there was life after death, and they worshiped nature spirits. They also worshiped springs and sacrificed weapons. The Celtic calendar contained thirteen months with an additional day. During this period, day began at sunset and night came with darkness. During the winter, the decreasing strength of the sun was a source of worry. This prompted early man to light winter fires to aid the sun's journey.
Celts believed in a life beyond death
Celtic belief in life after death was based on belief that the soul is still alive in the next universe. Some believe that the soul returns back to the figure associated with the ancestral ancestor. This is similar to the belief of the Romans in the underworld. Lucan used orbis to indicate an alternate reality. But it isn't clear if these ideas were based on fiction or facts.
The early Celts believed that there was a life after death. They believed very little about ethics. They also had little idea of punishment by the gods. Romans discovered that at least 69 gods were responsible in war, which was a significant number. This suggests that people wanted a life after death.
They worshipped nature spirits
Celtic people venerated nature spirits, especially those related to fertility. They were proud of the production of crops and the health and well-being of their sheep and cattle. Their faith in nature spirits was expressed in their religion. Many Celtic gods, goddesses, and deities were shaped like animals. Their gods embodied the elements and brought good luck and protection to the Celts.
Celtic religion was also influenced by trees. Celtics considered sacred groves, and evidences show that trees were worshipped in Ireland. Some places are even named after trees: Derry (meaning oak-tree) and Kildare/Cill Dara, which derives their names from an Irish word for oak tree.
They gave up their weapons
One of the most striking and unusual features of the Celtic religion is the fact that they sacrificed their weapons. Nearly 150 examples are found in archeological sites across the globe. They were often made from bronze and offered as sacrifice to a god. These temples were destroyed during the Roman occupation in 124 BCE. They are still not extinct.
The Celts were multitheistic and worshiped many gods. Some were specific to a particular region while others were universally recognized. The gods favored those who would risk their lives for the good of others. Some were stronger than others. Lugus, for instance, was the sun's representative. Other goddesses were associated with rivers and healing springs. Some were associated with animals such as horses.
They believed in springs
The Celts believed in a complex system of beliefs. They believed all living things had sentience or spirit. They viewed the world as a multilayered, wonderful, and sometimes dangerous theatre where humans and creatures alike lived and died. Scholars frequently contradicted their beliefs and practices. It's important that you decide what they meant.
Celts were close to nature and could often see omens in animal behavior. They admired animal attributes, such as beauty and virility, and associated the spirits with them. Horses and stags were their favorite animals for their endurance, speed and beauty. They also admired dogs for their keen senses of smell.
They worshipped effigies
Celts worshipped their gods through effigies. Some people created enormous figures from sticks and then filled them with live humans. To pay respect to the gods, other Celts set the effigies alight. These practices were however banned by the Romans.
Celts believed in supernatural beings including fairies. The belief was that the souls of the dead could be reincarnated and transferred from one body into another. This belief is reflected in the Celtic mythology about fairies.