Belief in the magical potency of language was an underpinning of Celtic pagan belief and remained pervasive well into the Christianization of Celtic territories. Celtic magic was overwhelmingly language-driven. Celtic spells and prayers are exclusively written to be spoken aloud. They are seldom supplicating; almost invariably, they are commanding invocations. Curiously, even the most pious of prayers take the commanding, authoritative tone of the poet. Also notable is that almost always, be it a prayer or curse, a magical invocation calls upon the powers of nature for effectiveness.