Something seems "not quite right".... different but you can't quite put your finger on the problem. All you know is ... your dog is a bit on the worried side, your cat is a starin' right on out there into the night, and the hair on the back of your neck is just a standing out as taunt as a banjo string. Just when you think that you've gotten everything all battened down, all of a sudden....the dog barks and bares his teeth! ... the cat lets out with a screetch and runs out of the room!! ... the light itself starts to turnin' to sparkles of gold and silver (kind of a shimmerin', don't you know?) ... and a strange musical laughter fills the air! Welcome to the Otherworld! Enter within but watch what you eat or drink and guard that heart of yours, me buchaill, because it's what keeps you mortal! Don't forget the way home and hopefully you have someone that loves you back here to throw a knife at a shadow (or at the least... light a candle for your poor soul!)
The Subject of tonight's Celtic Workshop is The Celtic Otherworld. The topics I plan to cover tonight are: The Otherworld, The Gods and Goddesses, The Objects of Power, The Hallows of Ritual. The number three was sacred to the Celts and the Druids. It should come as no surprise that the Celtic Cosmos is threefold: The Sky World, The Earth World and the Underworld. Each of these realms is associated with particular deities and Magickal acts or techniques.
In the tale, the "Settling of the Manor of Tara", Fintan, the oldest living Seanchai, divided the Land of Ireland into five parts (East, West, North, South and Center). The navel of Ireland was placed at Uisneach as marked by the Stone of Divisions. This marked the center of the plane of the surface. Trefuilingidh Tre-eochair (the Magical being who came from out of the West, seeking the Sun's rising) further defined these divisions into a series of qualities associated with each province and direction. The Great Plane of the Sky, Magh Mor and the Islands of the Otherworldly Sea, Tir Andomain, can also have their surfaces defined in a corresponding manner. These divisions allow us to define their centers so that we can understand their interconnection with the Bile or World/Sacred Tree. The Celts and Neolithic peoples defined a circle (as well as a world) by using an equal armed cross. This symbol evolved into the "Celtic Cross". The Sunwheel is a symbol of Lugh as well as the cross (being a symbol of Brighid as well). This act of crossing is exactly what a Celt does to determine his "center" at sunrise of each day as he/she welcomes the first rays of the morning Sun.
The basic qualities and attributes of the Three Worlds are described here so that we may have a better "feel" for the form, shape and color of the Celtic Cosmological canvas. The information that is specific to each Realm, Deity, Hallow, Direction or Quarter are given elsewhere on the homepage. If you look closely, the patterns and weaves that exist between the Three Worlds and their distinguishing qualities may appear to you and guide your own steps. The Three Worlds of Sky, Land and Sea (Upper, Middle, Under) / (Past, Present, Future) are divided as follows:
Magh Findargat (Plain of White Silver) - Light and Hope Magh Imchiunn (Plain of Gentleness) Magh Argetnel (Plain of Silver Clouds) Magh Mel (Plain of Delight) - Inspiration and Creativity Magh Airthech (Plain of Bounty) Magh Ildathach (Plain of Many Colors) Magh Ionganaidh (Plain of Wonders) - Miracles and Wonders Sen Magh (Old Plain) - Origins and Wisdom
Oithear (East) / Sword of Nuada - Prosperity and Change Dess (South) / Spear of Lugh - Music and Poetry Siar (West) / Cauldron of The Dagda - Knowledge and Druidry Thuaidh (North) / Lia Fail - Battle and Determination
Tir na mBeo (Land of Eternal Life) - Eternity and Ancient Lore Tir na mBan (Land of Women) - Beauty and Pleasure Tir fo Thuinn (Land Under the Waves) - Fear and Perspective Tech Duinn (House of Donn) Tir na n'Og (Land of Youth) - Needs and Renewal
The Sky World was associated with the heavenly bodies: the Sun, the Moon, the stars. This is the realm of the Gods and Goddesses and is associated with the cycles and patterns of the Sky (and perhaps also associated with The Megalithic Stone Circles). These visible objects were used as a basis for performing Higher Magicks such as: Prophecy and Astral travel. The cycles of the Sun and Moon also were used to determine the appropriate times for doing particular types of Magick. Festivals were held during Full Moons, Dark Moons, the 6th nite of the New Moon, Sunrise, Sunset and the 4 days of the Solar extremes; Mid Winter, Mid Summer and the Equinoxes. The heavenly bodies were not themselves considered to be Deities, but were thought to reflect or contain the types of Power associated with particular entities. The Fires of the Sun were associated with the forge and with inspiration, possibly making Brigid (An aspect of the Irish Celtic Triple Goddess) also a Sun Goddess. Bel or Belenus was usually associated with the powers of the Sun as well.
The Underworld is the realm of the Ancestors, as well as former humans and a number of Gods and Goddesses associated with the mystery of life springing forth from death. This process could be as simple and mysterious as the life cycle of a seed. From old life, new life appears in a series of changes from planting and germination to growth and harvesting. The passage graves and burial customs of the Celts also reflect this expectation of rebirth and afterlife. Many tombs and burial sites show that Celts were buried with objects that they could take with them into the Underworld to be used in battle, in hunting and/or for nourishment. This practice appears to be similar to what was practiced by many ancient peoples, including the Egyptians. Celts did not fear death, they expected to live on and eventually be reborn in another life. The Underworld and the Sky world were linked in this Mystery, sharing many of the same Gods and Goddesses. The daily rebirth of the Sun and the phases of the Moon are a good instance of this link between the World above and the one below.
The Earth World, occupied by we the living, also contains reflections and influences of the Sky World and the Underworld. These influences can be pictured as three zones (remember three is a sacred number): the upper zone is associated with the weather, the flight of birds, sky augeries and the elements and powers of Air, the middle zone is further divided into the Four Directions or Quarters (each with it's own Powers/Guardians of the Sacred Land), and the lower zone containing the depths of the sea, caves, cairns, burial mounds, "hollow hills" and sacred springs. This zone is the home of the Sidhe and the spirits associated with the Portals to the Underworld itself. The Celts in their life upon the Sacred Land expected to experience the influences of the Sky and Underworld in their life upon the Land. This attitude is demonstrated in the many dindsenchahs (stories of place names) that are told in Ireland to this day. Many of these stories are associated with a deity, an elemental, an Underworld portal or a combat of the God/desses and/or Epic heroes and heroines.
For more information about the Three Worlds, please click on the following locations:
The following is a listing of the major Irish Gods and Goddesses: Danu, Dagdha, Nuada, Lugh, Angus Og, Len, Midir, Lir, Manannan, Ogma, Anu, Brigid, Morrighan, Aine, Sinend, Macha, Diancecht, Gobnui, Medb, Scatach, the Cailleach. The following is a listing of the major Welsh Gods and Goddesses: The House of Don: Manogan, Beli, Don, Math, Mathonwy, Gwydion, Arianrhod, Llew, Dylan, Nwyvre, Amaethon, Govannan(the smith), Nudd, Gwynn, Penardun, Nynniaw. The House of Llyr: Iweriadd, Llyr, Penardun, Euroswydd, Bran, Branwen, Matholwch, Gwern, Mananwyddan, Rhiannon, Nissyen, Evinissyen, Pwyll, Pryderi, Kicva.
These two groups seem to relate to one another but sometimes the correspondences can get very confusing. I include the deities that most closely resonate with my own Inner Being when working with the Sky World and the Underworld. My pantheon of Gods and Goddesses is both Welsh and Irish (as am I). I include a more detailed description of them elsewhere in this document:
Here are a few Gods and Goddesses not included at the other location:
The Master of the Wild Hunt, The Welsh Guardian of the Dark Portals of the Underworld. He rode the Night in a flowing grey cloak upon a pale horse following his Hounds called Cwn Annwn. (very large, white with red tipped ears). They would seek out and collect souls.
Arianrhod "of the Silver Wheel", A star goddess of Wales, Her palace was called Caer Arianrhod (Corona Borealis), Goddess of time and karma. Mother aspect of the Triple Goddess in Wales. Goddess of beauty, the Moon, fertility and reincarnation. Also associated with the sea.
Ceridwen, Welsh Goddess of Nature, associated with the Sacred Cauldron of Wisdom that allowed Taliesin to become enlightened. When she discovered that Gwion had tasted of her cauldron, she chased him through a variety of mutual shape changes until at last she caught and consummed him as a grain of wheat. This caused her to give birth to Taliesin.
Cernunnos, Known to all Celts as the "Horned God ". God of nature, virility, fertility, animals, sex, reincarnation and shamanism. Known to the Druids as Hu Gadarn. God of the Underworld and Astral Planes. The Consort of the Great Goddess. Also called Hearn, the Green Knight, the Green Man, Robin, Uathbhas.
The Tuatha de Danann are the Children of the Mother Goddess Danu. They are the Gods and Goddesses of Ireland. Some say they come from the sky, others say the North. They were masters of Occult knowledge learned in the four great Magickal cities of Findias, Gorias, Murias and Falias. They were given a great treasure by the Chief Mages of each city (Uiscias from Findias, Esras from Gorias, Semias from Murias and Morfessa from Falias). These gifts are the four treasures of Ireland: The Sword of Nuada, the Spear of Lugh, the Cauldron of Rebirth and the Stone of Fal. We can use the Power of such gifts in our own Magick by invoking the four Masters of the North. Once invoked, the Power of their gifts can once again be manifested in our very own Magical Talismans.
The first object of Power comes from Findias. It is the invincible sword of Nuada "of the silver hand". It represents the forces of insight and illumination. It is a representation of the terrible Powers of creative energy. The drawing of such a sword is what gives us new and terrible abilities (Atomic Power is an example of what such inspiration can create). The wisdom to not use or to maintain control such powers is what the use of this Sword is all about. Many times the wisest course of action is to keep the Sword sheathed and to resolve our conflicts peacefully.
The second object of Power comes from Findias. It is the iresistible Spear of Lugh "of the Long Arm". This gift represents the ability to act across a distance. It is represented ây the Powers of fire that can also act across a distance, leaping between burning buildings yet also warming us from within the hearth fires. This flaming spear always finds its target once thrown. It is no surprise that Lugh must defeat Balor "of the Evil Eye" allowing the Tuatha de Dannans to conquer the Fomor. Today the ability to act across a distance might be better characterised by the telephone/communications networks. The free exchange of information has fanned the flames of creativity in the modern world.
The third object of Power comes from Murias. It is the "Cauldron of Rebirth". This gift has the Power to regenerate life and is usually associated with the Dagdha or Bran the Blessed. It can also be linked with portals to the Otherworld through which all life passes during the death/life cycle. Mannanan mac Lir who rules the sea and who is the possessor of the "Crane Bag" (another symbol for the Cauldron) is another deity associated with this Magickal device. The Welsh Goddess Cerridwen is also a keeoer of the Sacred Cauldron.The Spring of Life and wisdom flows forth from the depths of the sea (another use for this cauldron).
This is the Kingship stone of Ireland. It was brought from the Northern city of Fal by the Tuatha de Dannan. This stone represents the Land and it's Sovereignty. It also represents the Power of the Earth to Judge all men. The other portals to the Underworld (caves and raths) are represented by this Magickal object. The dark reaches of the Underworld hide the secret knowledge of Death and Life. It is into the earth that Celts are buried to begin their journeys after death. Small wonder it is that the Goddess guarding this object should be the dread Morrighan. She represents the Wisdom that is gained via the Dark Pathways, yet she is also the bringer of victory in battle as well as new life, where none was expected. She represents the stark reality of Life and Death.
Was the Stone of Fal... the same as the Stone of Scone? That was what the Scots and the Sassanach would have us believe. But the Irish tradition is that it is still inside of Tara. Why would we ever give away one of the treasures of the Land? Besides! If it really was stolen then it sits in Westminister Abbey! And hasn't cried out in over 400 years!<G> Meaning.....that the Sassanach are not the rightful kings of Ireland!!!! The stone of Scone was the kingship stone of the Scots Scotland had a similar legend to that of the stone of Fal, it was taken to westminister abbey when the english took scotland. And they niver give it back! The Four Cities were in the North but in the Spirtual Plane.Sky or earth or underworld? Sky types always associated with the Spirit and Big Magick. But of course two of the gifts were associated with the Underworld. The Stone and the Cauldron. Goes back to that dual nature of the Deities again. John Matthews has a great picture in his book, "Celtic Shamanism" of a World Tree that has roots in the Underworld and branches into the Sky World. The two are connected by a Rainbow of colors , stars and Totem animals! The Rainbow "bridge" exists outside of the Physical World entirely. Yes it does sound like Yggdrisll! I have a GIF of this Cosmology below.
