"People visited groves and springs at the sacred times and made the Turas, circling these holy places and wells. A sort of concentric prayer, spiralling inwards."
____ from a speech by Nuiala Ahern,
Irish Member of the European Parliament
The word turas (TU'ras). which means 'journey' or pilgrimage' and 'time' refers especially to the circular, spiraling prayer and meditation form used by people in the Celtic countries as they walked sunwise around a sacred site. Making the turas or circling around a sacred site, well, tree, or stone, is still a living part of Celtic spirituality today. \
The motion of this walking prayer is always deiseal, or sunwise- that is from left to right. The clockwise method of making the turas is considered to be the fortunate and appropriate way of moving, while tuathal, or counterclockwise is considered to be less fortunate. (Note: In the southern hemisphere, sacred motion is counterclockwise)
We need to circle, spiraling around the sacred site with our body, in tune with our intentions and wit6h the presence of the site. The process of spiraling around builds power, strengthens intention, and brings us into attunement with our soul's thread. It also attuned us in another way: as our planet spins around the circling year, we too simultaneously experience the turning of our soul toward the source of greatest spiritual light. Each season is a mystical gateway of opportunity and understanding, a sacred time of wisdom. If we live with awareness of the year's cycles, we will achieve a direct alignment with those sacred opportunities.
"Visit a tree, rock, well, or other place in nature to which you feel particularly drawn. Make your own turas about it. If you live in an urban environment, find a stone that can represent a sacred site within your own home."
[From: The Celtic Spirit by Caitlin Matthews]
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