Celestial Ancient

Celestial Ancient was released in 2006 as part of the Dissension set, the final expansion in the Ravnica: City of Guilds block for the Magic: The Gathering trading card game. The set focuses on the remaining three guilds of the plane—Azorius, Rakdos, and Simic—and follows the established lore of the city-plane's intricate political and magical power struggle. As a rare creature, the card was designed to support the mechanics of the Selesnya-aligned philosophy of spreading growth and communal power, rewarding players for expanding their board presence.

The artwork was commissioned from longtime Magic artist Mark Tedin, who has contributed to the game since its early Alpha printing. Tedin leaned into the ethereal, imposing aesthetic associated with the high-ranking spirits of the Ravnican setting. His design captures a sense of divine scale and weight, utilizing his signature style that emphasizes fantastical anatomy and otherworldly luminescence. Upon its release, the card was noted for its unique ability to bolster multiple players, making it a distinct choice for multiplayer formats rather than traditional competitive play.