The celtic people have always worshipped the Earth Mother,the goddess of creation. Although she has other names in other lands, the Caledonians call her by her true name, Anu.
Anu created the land for the celtic people to live in. Indeed she is the land, and the Caledonians understand that the world around them should be revered and never taken for granted. They are close to nature and believe that the cycle of life and death is as much a part of the spiritual world as the physical. Life can be harsh, and death itself is not evil, but a neccessary part of living. The tree cannot grow if the soil has no richness, and that richness comes from the dead and decayed bodies of other plants and animals.
Anu controls the cycle, without her it would become unbalanced and destroy itself. Good and evil, life and death, wisdom and foolishness, pain and healing are all part of Anu's balance. Man is also part of this balance, and must live according to his nature, for only Anu is capable of seeing the whole. Therefore Anu gives all things the freedom to live their own lives.
To help and guide the people of Caledonia, Anu has created three aspects of herself. These aspects are the Morrigan, the Cerridwen and the Blodwyn. They are part of Anu, as Anu is part of them. These goddesses interact with the people of Caledonia, and even directly appear on occasion, to reward, aid or punish.
The Morrigan is the goddess of battle and strength. She gives the clansmen the courage and determination to prevail over their foes. She celebrates death, for without it there is no joy in living. She loves the hero, the warrior, and those who fight honourably whatever the odds. She can also represent the mother, fighting to protect her children, punishing and rewarding them as they grow in the hope that they will be strong and true. Many clansmen call upon her before combat, in the hope that she will allow them victory, or applaud their courage in defeat and intercede on their behalf when they are judged.
The Cerridwen is the goddess of wisdom. She controls the mysteries of the unseen. Magic and truth are her domain, as is darkness and death. The fallen must come before her to be judged before they can proceed into the afterlife. She also represents the crone, the holder of knowledge and experience, the keeper of ancient truths and laws. It is believed by many that if she intervenes directly with a clansman's life then they may face difficult times and great hardships, but in the end, they will be rewarded with a stronger understanding of their place in this world and with the next. The Caledonians place great emphasis on her judgement, and will often call upon her in times of need.
The Blodwyn is the maiden, the goddess of birth and life, compassion and healing. She gives the people love and joy for the land around them, and protects the innocent and helpless. The land is bountiful when she blesses those who cherish it, but greed and exploitation can cause her to withdraw, and without her presence, the people dwindle and fade. Clansmen call upon her at times of planting, birth and celebration. They also call her when peace or healing is needed.
Priests and druids devote their lives to Anu. They often follow one Aspect above the others. This can give them great power and authority when speaking on behalf of the goddess, though many times, the goddesses prefer to speak for themselves. Their power is limited though, by the fact that many normal clansmen also have the power to call upon the goddesses in times of need, and this prevents a religious hierarchy developing that could change the traditional governing of the country. In recent times, the Caledonians have performed a mighty ritual resulting in the creation of living avatars of these three goddesses. The hosts of Anu's Aspects are mortal women, and a blending of the spirits occurs when they are chosen. The result is a powerful presence on the mortal plain, a combination of the goddess and the woman, who becomes a Queen. These Queens govern the land, sometimes alone and sometimes in conjuction with the Lairds. Chief amongst these Lairds is the Laird General, and he and the Queens protect Caledonia from all threats to it's security.
Each clan also follows a chieftain or laird, who provides for and protects his people and their interests. Each chieftain rules his clan differently, depending on the nature and attitudes of his people. Some guide from the fore, and others guide with a lighter hand. But all have the strength and safety of their people as their highest consideration. This can sometimes cause conflict between the clans or the governing body, but it is this conflict that keeps the Caledonians strong and prevents their culture degenerating.
There are many levels of belief and many forms of worship amongst the clansmen
and the townsfolk. Some dedicate themselves to the Queens, and follow their
guidance. Some prefer to worship the Morrigan, Cerridwen and Blodwyn. Others
worship Anu directly. Prayers can be in the form of words or deeds, sacrifice
or song, each having it's own supporters. All work equally well, for Anu encompasses
all.