Transmigration of Souls
"The same spirit has a body again elsewhere, and death
is but the mid-point of a long life."
____ Lucan, "Pharsalia"
The druid belief in the transmiugration of souls is evidenced in Celtic literature, as a simultaneious belief in metamorphosis (a changing of one's shate), metempsychosis (a passing of the soul into another form), and reincarnation (a rebirth into a different human life). All three of these beliefs are evidenced in the story of Gwion (GWEE'on), who when chased by the goddess Ceridwen (Ker-RID'wen) assumes the shape of hare, fish, bird, and corn before being reborn as Taliesin (Tal-ee-ESS'in). In the story of the Irish heroine Etain (e-TAWN), we learn of her enchantment into a pool of water, a worm, and a fly - metamorphosis in action; but when the fly is consumed in a cup of wine by Queen Etar (e-TAR), a new Etain is reborn in a human shape (reincarnation).
Today many people are preoccupied with their past incarnations, more anxious to know the details of former lives than to get on and live the life they now inhabit. Such details rarely come to memory, however, and those that do are often very private and significant pointers to aspects of the current life that need attention. The Celtic belief in transmigration does not involve the past-dependency or life-sapping introversion that most modern reincarnational belief does.
The Celtic attitude toward transmigration rather draws upon the bodily and genetic knowledge of former lives that inform this life in active and positive ways. It does not linger in the past but lives attuned ato the present, with a fearlessness toward death that reflects a healthy soul-spiral lived to the full.
"What wisdom do you carry from the former habitations of your soul?"
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" Cailin Matthews]
The chambered tomb of Gavrinis (entrance opposite) stands on a lonely 'isle of the dead' off the coast of Brittany. Its walls are engraved with patterns that have puzzled archeologists for centuries.
One theory is that, as part of an initiationa ceremony,
candidates were shut up in the tomb. In their terror, 
they would have traced the spirals on the walls with
their fingers, and would eventually have been
'reborn' with a new understanding of reality, having
lost their fear of death. Often we have to stop clinging
onto our old ways before we can reach for the new.
Reaching for the new vision:
You probably don't want to be shut in a tomb for days, but a 'retreat' from your everyday routine is essential if you need to make changes in your life.
Go somewhere new for at least 24 hours - ideally longer. Leave behind your mobile phone (cellphone) and stay away from the radio and TV. Seek silence. Consider what you need to let go of and visualize the future you desire. Draw pictures and write poems based on this vision.
When you go home the world will seem different and you will feel inspired and energized to make the necessary changes.
Isle of the Dead
Beautiful as always. Thank you.
ReplyDeleteMary