The Celts originated in the 1st century from much of western, central, Eastern Europe, and Asia Minor. The Celts were a group of tribes speaking Indo-European dialects. Armed with iron weapons and mounted on horses, they spread rapidly over Europe, crossing into the British Isles, moving S over France, Italy, and Spain, fighting the Macedonians, and penetrating into Asia Minor, where they raided Hellenistic centers,( Columbia encyclopedia Online). Many of the Celts lived in the Western Europe, which was also the Normandy region. The Normandy is a small region in the north of France. In 1500 BC they spread to France, Portugal, Spain, and the British Isles. The Celtic tribe that dominated central Europe during the Iron Age was bound together by common speech, customs, religion, and culture. When looking at the Celtic religion, one must consider their different aspects and ceremonies of their religion.The Celts took part in many religious festivals that included Imbolc, Beltaine, Lugansa, and Samhain. The Imbolc festival celebrated fertility and growth. . This celebration was held in February. The Beltaine, held in May, was associated with the fertility of cattle and crops, which honored the Druids. During the Beltaine, the Celtic tribes drove herds between bonfires to purify and protect themselves against the evil spirits. The third festival that the Celts took part in is known as the Lugansa. Lugansa honored the gods and the harvest. The Lugansa also known as the harvest festival, celebrated from mid July to mid August. (Pierce Online) Lastly, the Samhain is the start of the New Year. The Samhain in the present day is known as Halloween. During this celebration the division between this world and the other world dissolved and the spirits roamed the earth (Pierce Online). According to Druidism, the spirits of the deceased roamed the earth on Samhain evening (Encarta Online). The four festivals were similar to the seasons and the impor...
