“Living Goddess traditions in Land Salzburg and the Salzkammergut”

with Krista Rodin

Thursday,  July 30, 2026 at 12 NOON Eastern Time  

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Land Salzburg and the Salzkammergut are examples of places where ancient myths and cultures are embedded in local traditions.  From the names of natural features, such as mountains, rivers, and streams, to annual celebrations, pre-Christian traditions continue to live in the minds and hearts of the people of the region. These earlier traditions morphed over time to include or adapt to the reigning Catholic Christian culture, but this transition in itself is evidence of how strong the earlier Celtic culture remains.

We begin with the pre-Celtic Pfahlbau (Pile) culture (ca.3,500 -1,000 BCE) around the Attersee and Mondsee lakes and the artifacts that we have from this time, before getting to the more dominant Hallstatt Celtic Culture. Their influence spread across Europe and later to the British Isles. The Celts remained in the region even after the Romans came and went and the Bavarians arrived.

The native religion changed somewhat during the Roman period, but contemporary culture was formed when the political world shifted and Catholic Christianity was mandated. This transition is most clearly seen in the change from the Three Bethen of the Celts to the Holy Three Maidens of Alpine Catholicism.

This magnificent alpine region is blessed with ancient goddess traditions that have remained even in a patriarchally dominated world.

Dr. Krista Rodin is Professor Emerita of Humanities at Northern Arizona University where she taught interdisciplinary courses relating to ancient cultures and sacred traditions. Her research centers on ancient goddess traditions. She received her Ph.D. in Comparative Literature from the University of Salzburg, Austria.  Dr. Rodin’s extensive travel blog can be accessed here.

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Upcoming Salon

Scholar Salon 101:

Thursday, September 10 at 12 NOON Eastern Time

“The Goddess of Burning Hair“

with Mary Mackey

This Salon recording will also be available to members when processed after the event.