Publication Date
10-24-2012
Keywords
Cétnad nAíse, Celtic Religion, Celtic Invocation, Middle Irish, Celtic Magic, Senach, New Testament Apocrypha
Document Type
Article
Disciplines
Celtic Studies | English Language and Literature | Folklore | History | History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology | Linguistics | Theatre History
Abstract
Very little has been written about the baffling text of the Celtic invocation, the Cétnad nAíse, for the reason that it is abstruse, and the allusions in it resist sure explication. Despite the obstacles to interpreting the Cétnad nAíse, however, a close examination of the poem can yield some clues as to its sources, purpose, and, perhaps, authorship. To do this, the lines of the prayer will be treated in three groups: the four "invocations," the "petitions," and the "I am" sayings. It can be concluded that, contrary to some analysts, the content of the poem is derived mostly from pagan, Irish sources and that the Christian elements in it are sparse.
Recommended Citation
Tonsing, Ernst F.
(2012)
"A Celtic Invocation: Cétnad nAíse,"
e-Keltoi: Journal of Interdisciplinary Celtic Studies: Vol. 8, Article 1.
Available at:
https://dc.uwm.edu/ekeltoi/vol8/iss1/1
Included in
Celtic Studies Commons, English Language and Literature Commons, Folklore Commons, History Commons, History of Art, Architecture, and Archaeology Commons, Linguistics Commons, Theatre History Commons