Reconstructionism requires a lot of research and it can be hard to know where to start. Trying to figure it all out can be very overwhelming, so here are a few suggestions for how I think it’s best to get started:

1. Explore the history of the various Celtic cultures, the various sources that we have to hand about them and what ‘Celtic’ actually means. Getting a good understanding of who they were and where they came from will help give you a solid foundation of knowledge which will help you in your studies. Good books to start with are:

The Ancient Celts - Barry Cunliffe
Exploring the World of the Celts - Simon James
The Celts: A History From Earliest Times to the Present - Bernhard Maier

 And try starting with some of the articles on here.

2. Read up on the myths and legends to get an understanding of the gods and the culture they come from. The Celtic Literature Collective is a good place to start for the myths themselves, and the most important tales are:

Lebor Gabála Érenn - The Book of Invasions
Táin Bó Cuailgne - The Cattle Raid of Cooley
Cath Maige Tuired - The Second Battle of Mag Tuired
The Coming of Angus and Bride

Reading the myths on their own is all well and good, but there are lots of books that discuss the myths and give a lot of food for thought, and help explain what’s going on in the tales themselves. These are useful for bringing it all together and building a solid foundation for your beliefs and how you perceive the gods to be. Some good books to get hold of are:

Celtic Mythology - Proinsias Mac Cana
Celtic Heritage - Alwyn and Brinley Rees
Gods and Heroes of the Celts - Marie-Louise Sjoestedt (trans Myles Dillon)

Getting an idea of how the myths have been recorded and transmitted is also important, in order to give you a good understanding of the issues affecting them and why they can be so contradictory in places.

3. Read up on what Celtic Reconstructionism is about and learn about its basic principles. Joining groups and message boards can be invaluable if you have any questions and help you find your feet. The Links section can give you some pointers here, along with the CR FAQ.

4. Read as much as you can. The Big Book List has a lot of suggestions, but try starting with the Quick and Dirty list to get an idea of where to start first.

5. Start practising. I’ve put this one last, not because I think everything else should be done first, but because it can be done as you work your way through everything else. Trying to do too much at once can be overwhelming, so start small and work your way up. The Daily Practices section outlines a few simple things you can do to start off with, and the articles on the Festivals also have a few suggestions for things you can do for then.