Sovereignty

Sovereignty

"And Sovereignty said to Niall, 'And as you saw me ugly at first but at last beautiful, even so is royal rule. The Land cannot be won without battles, but in the end everyone finds sovereignty is both beautiful and glorious."

__ Echtra Mac Echach Muigmedoin, early Irish text (trans, CM)

There are many Irish stories concerning the qualifications necessary for rulership - stories that reveal the true nature of sovereignty. In these similar tales, the candidates for kingship are sent out on a dangerous place to fend for themselves. In the dark of the night, they each seek for water; at the only ford or well, each encounters a fearsome hag who refuses access to water unless the seeker kisses her. When the successful man embraces her, she turns into a beautiful woman who declares that she is the Sovereign Goddess of the Land. Only the spirit of the Land can acclaim and accept the ruler who is humble enough to submit to her.

Sovereignty is not something that can be claimed with pride or with thought of self-aggrandizement or glory. Sovereignty exists only with the agreement of the land itself. Until or unless, this is sought with understanding, territorial disputes will continue.

In our own sphere of life, we each seek the sovereignty of our profession or of our soul's depths. If it is sought for self-gain, or in order to disable another, sovereignty is never truly ours. If, however, we seek out the heart of our craft, of our soul - wherever we live our lives - the spirit of sovereignty will indeed come to us and we will have a true contract of understanding based on mutual respect and exchange.

:What are the boundaries and duties of your soul's sovereignty? Consider how you serve, defend and maintain personal sovereignty in your life?"

From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews

Today's Solar Question is: "What is transforming within you?"