Sean Ciall
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Sean Ciall (also spelled Sean Cill, or Sean Chiall) is a tradition of Neopaganism, which bears similarity to some forms of Neo-Druidism and also some forms of Wicca.
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[edit] Organization
Sean Ciall recognizes no central organizational structure or hierarchy. Regional and local bodies are autonomous and referred to either as "covens" or "groves". Regional and local bodies larger than 20 members are usually referred to as "communities" or "clans". Sean Ciall bodies are divided into three semi-autonomous Circles, which represent the Celtic realms of Body, Mind and Spirit. These are generally referred to as the Circle of Sword, Circle of Song and the Circle of Sorcery (Appalachian Sean Ciall refers to the latter as "Circle of Spell"). Most modern Sean Ciall groups consider these three Circles to be equal in status, however some older groups view the three Circles as a linear progression in training, from Sword to Sorcery. Some communities have an additional "Circle" which comprises the leadership, or priest/esshood, of the community as a whole. In other communities, the leaders of the three Circles function as a triumvirate. Attitudes regarding secrecy from the outside world vary regionally, generally proportional to the local political climate and religious tolerance. As a result of this, some Sean Ciall communities will be seen to host large events which are widely publicized and open to the general public, while other communities of similar size may be nearly invisible.
[edit] Initiation
Sean Ciall is an initiatory tradition, with rigorous standards of academic and skills proficiency requisite for initiation. Generally, the initiatory path of any candidate begins with a Dedication ceremony, after which time the candidate studies for a period of not less than a year for what is referred to as a Line initiation. Once a candidate has achieved their Line initiation, they may then select one of the three Circles in which to focus their study, and then eventually initiate into as well. Each circle has its own requirements for initiation which focus on the circle's realm. Priests and Priestesses of the Sean Ciall line must have initiated into at least one of the three (Sword, Song, or Spell) circles. In Cascadian Sean Ciall, Song Circle, the realm of mind, initiates are expected to have mastery of several forms of music, language, and performing arts. Sword Circle initiates must have mastery of weapons past and present (eg: Swords, firearms, and unarmed self defense). Spell Circle initiates are expected to have mastered techniques of divination, trance induction, pathworking, and energy manipulation. However, many circles share identical requirements. Both Sword Circle and Spell Circle require initiates to be professionally trained in first aid and fire safety. Song Circle and Sword Circle initiates both have a repertoire of war songs. Song Circle and Spell Circle initiates both have backgrounds in the use of vocal music as a trance inducing tool. An initiate of all three Circles is given the title Samildanach, in reference to the story of the Irish god Lugh.
[edit] Beliefs and Practices
Spiritual beliefs vary regionally. For example, Appalachian Sean Ciall adherents are predominantly Protestant Christian, whereas Cascadian Sean Ciall adherents are predominantly religiously NeoPagan.[citation needed] In neither case are individuals excluded from membership on account of religious preference. Sean Ciall adherents have been Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, Taoist, Hindu, and many other faiths, as well as atheist and agnostic. In predominantly Pagan groups the Celtic fire-festivals of Samhain, Brigid, Beltaine and Lughnasadh are celebrated as the major holidays, whereas predominantly Christian groups celebrate the solstices and equinoxes instead. Unlike Wicca, most Sean Ciall groups do not celebrate all eight of these holidays. Like many Wiccan traditions (and unlike most NeoDruidic traditions), Sean Ciall rituals, initiations and celebrations are universally skyclad, ie, require ritual nudity of all participants. While Sean Ciall in the British Isles tends to be somewhat rigid in their NeoCeltic practices, North American Sean Ciall is generally much more eclectic, incorporating beliefs and practices from Wicca, Hinduism, Native American spirituality and many other sources. Some (but by no means all) Sean Ciall communities insist on the exclusive use of the Irish Gaelic language in formal rituals.
[edit] Further reading on Neopaganism
- Drawing Down the Moon Margot Adler
- The Faerie Faith in Celtic Britain AE Evans Wentz
- The White Goddess Robert Graves
- The Druids: Celtic Priests of Nature Jean Markale
- The Druidry Handbook John Michael Greer
- The Path Through the Forest Julie White and Graeme Talboys
- Essential Guide to Druidism Isaac Bonewitz
- The Druid Way Philip Carr-Gomm
- The Spiral Dance Starhawk
- Shadowplay Periodical
- Widdershins Periodical
