Beltane

Beltane

"Unite, unite, let us all unite,
For Summer is a-come unto day
And whither we are going we will all unite.
Oh the merry morning of May."
   ____ "Padstow Night Song", taditional Cornish song


   At twilight this evening, May Eve, the great festival of Beltane begins, a great communal celebration that excluded no one from its embrace. Ancient Celtic celebrations involved the kindling of bonfires at this time - indeed, the name of the festival derives from 'bright fire'. The Beltane fire itself was kindled in a special way; evidence from nineteeth-century Scotland reveals that the wood had to be of nine different kinds, that it had to be gathered by men with no metal about their persons (metal being inimacl to the faerykind), and that it had to be kindled without metal. The ancient method of fire-raising involved a fire spindle and a small piece of wood to create friction or by the rubbing together of two oak poles. This arduous task was traditionally performed by nine teams of nine married men - eighty-one firstborn sons.

   Once the fire had been kindled, people danced sunwise round it and jumped through the flames. As the fire was dying down, the animals that had wintered over in barns and local pastures were driven on their way up to summer grazing, between the parted fire to ensure their fertility. Before the coals died out, people took fire from the ceremonial blaze to rekindle their hearths (which had been extinguished in every household prior to the festival).

"Welcome in May by making your own fire or lighting a candle and singing May-time songs. Honor the coming of summer in your own way. Rise before dawn and wash your face in the dew tomorrow morning, to receive the blessing of Beltane. If you have a partner, this is the best time for sexual fun and frolic."
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]

Faeries

Faeries

"We are from the beginning of creation
Without old age, without consummation of earth."
   ___ 'The Voyage of Bran,' early Irish
text, (trans CM)


   The faeries are the race of being who live between the worlds, making their home upon the earth but usually apprehensible only to other-worldly vision. Every country in the world has stories about the faeries as the 'people between' who inhabit quiet country places but occasionally interrelate with human beings, exchanging favors for small gifts and courtesies, such as gifts of milk or food.

   Within the Celtic countries there is still a great respect for the faerykind. People and faeries are considered to be neighbors who must live in mutual respect. People are careful to build their houses away from routes frequented by the faeries, and refer to them only as 'the good folk.'

    Many stories relate how musicians have learned tunes from the faeries, or how humans have wandered into faery domains and lived with them there. Such tales may seem fabulous to those who have cliched images of tiny, gossamer-winged faeries who flit about from flower to flower, but faeries within the Celtic tradition are considerably more robust, some being even taller than humans.

   As Beltaine (BEL'tenn-a) approaches, faeries become more active. It is believed that now and at Samhain, the doors to the faery hills are open, and that the faeries make their progress through the land. It is a time to be sensitive about our movements and intentions so that we do not disturb the fair folk about their business.

"Discover the faery traditions of your own part of the land. What spots are associated with faeries? What courtesies are customary? Respect their ways; leave them to their own affairs."
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]

Aisling

Aisling

"O'er mountain, moor and march, by greenwood, lough and hollow,
I tracked her distant footsteps with a throbbing heart;
Through many an hour and day I follow on and follow,
Till I reach the magic palace reared of old by Druid art."
   ___ Aodhagan O Rathaille, "Gile na Gile"
       [trans by J. C. Mangan]


    This poem is an aisling (ASH'ling), a vision experienced by a person in a lonely place who becomes aware of an otherworldly or beautiful woman who comes for a purpose, usually to invite him to visit her, find her, or perform some service for her.

   The ancient aisling poems show the Goddess of the Land appealing for a champion to right her wrongs. One of the last poets to write a genuine Irish aisling was W. B. Yeats, whose poetic and dramatic writings depict Ireland as Kathleen ni Houlihan, an old woman wandering the road in rags, prophetically uttering words of transformation.

   These later poems are expressions of the poet's vision of the land; he is able to envision the appearance of its spirit and the condition of the group-soul of the land. Within our own lives, we can also become aware of the problems that beset our country by seeking out an aisling vision of our own.

"Envision your country laid out before you; in soul-flight visit whatever part of it seems to you to represent its sacred heart. Stand there and ask for an aisling vision of your land's condition. How does the spirit of your land appear, and what things does it show you? Remember that your land may be either a mother - or fatherland - that is, its indwelling spirit may be either female or male. Do not get hung up on gender, but attend with all your attention to the vision that you have. What needs to change? What attention can you help throw upon the problem you have been shown?"
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Cailin Matthews]

The Vehicle of the Circle

The Vehicle of the Circle

"The entire space of the circle becomes our
sphere of inner working - it becomes a sacred
area in which, the magic carpet, we can travel
to other states of being."
     ___ Philip Carr-Gomm, "The Druid Tradition"

   Whenever we sit in meditation or do any sacred work, it is good to hallow or bless the area in which we are working. That blessing signals to the spirit of the place and to ourselves that what happens within the circle is special and holy. The demarcation of our sacred space is easily accomplished: we can walk around it and describe the circle with our body; we can point at the ground while walking; we can sain (bless) our circle with emblems of air, fire, water and earth; we can welcome our soul-protectors and spiritual allies to make our place of working safe and protected.

   Some people shy away from the idea of a 'magickal circle,' but the circle that surrounds us when we meditate is not a place where wonders or manipulative things occur. Rather, it is a holy and intentioned place wherein we acknowledge the coexistence, in one spot, of our apparent world within the unseen world. Within our small circle, the whole comos is microcosmically present.

   Our circle can become a vehicle in which we travel to the otherworld. Within it, we speak to and meet our allies, we consider our concerns and ask help about them, and we have communion with the life of the universe. When it is time to return to mundane life, we thank our allies, unwind our circle by walking round it in the opposite way, announce that our circle is concluded for this time, and return to our ordinary lives, refreshed and empowered with the help, wisdom and blessing that we have experienced within the circle's protective space.

"Practice making your own circle before you meditate. Find out what procedures work best for you.
Use your own words and movements, doing everything simply and with intention rather than for effect."
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]

Soul-Protectors

Soul-Protectors

"For you took what's before me and what's behind;
You took east and west when you wouldn't mind me.
Sun and Moon, from my sky you've taken,
And God as well, or I'm much mistaken."
    ___ "Donal Og", traditional Irish folk song


   The betrayal of love and trust is not entirely avoidable in this life, but we can reorient ourselves better after such a hurt if we are aware of our soul-protectors and their help. These can be discovered by meditating upon the nature of our spiritual allies according to the directions of the compass. By identifying, meeting and working closely with these allies, we gain a better sense of our way.

   The allies who walk ahead of us are the scouts on the trail of our life - the leaders, path-clearers, and forerunners who show us the way. The allies who stand behind us are our parents, motivators, and teachers - the ones who have prepared us to go forth in life.

   The allies who on our left are the challengers, caution-givers, and questioners. It may seem strange to regard challengers as allies, but without hinderance and help of the allies on our left and right, our progress wuld strangely crooked.  If we think of allies on our left as those who question our motivations, we will steer aright. The allies on our right are the encouragers, dare-setters, and friends; they give us unfailing support.

   The allies who are beneath us are the ancestors and the ones who give us power, the allies of the natural world; without their example and sacrifice we would not even be alive. The allies who are above us are the inspirers, deities, and spiritual teachers whose wisdom keeps us on our path.

"Meditate facing each direction in turn and begin to meet your own allies. Finally, make your own protective blessing, visualizing the allies about you."
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]

Helping Others

Helping Others

"One should give only what people need or
want, and in the way they need or want it."


   It is a good and natural thing for us to want to help and support others. But it can also be a very difficult thing, as we may have already discovered. There are a number of factors we must consider before we step forward to assist someone. In the first place, help may not be wanted. In the second place, if help is wanted, we may not be the best people to bring it. This inability to ask for or receive help can be very frustrating to the would-be helper, but for the one in need, personal control over her life - even to the extent of refusing help - may be all that she has left. To persist in help in in the face of down-right refusal is a way of further disempowering that person in need.

    When we help others in order to help ourselves, we are on a slippery slope of self-delusion. Sometimes, after discovering something wonderfully efficacious to our own condition, we press that something on everyone we meed in a fit of convert fervor and excessive zeal. People find their own ways to ask for help. Our part is simply to be sensitive to the signs (whether obvious and indistinct) that they make in our direction.  Then we can look into what kind of help is needed, what kind of support and backup is desired, when to back off and let well enough alone so that nature can heal wounds. If our personal help is inappropriate or inexpert, we must leave the helping in the hands of those better capable than ourselves and not press our attentions where they are not wanted.

"Is there something you need to ask help with at this time? If so, is there someone you know whom you would like to have help you?"
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]

Equality

Equality

"The finger tops are not equal in length;
nor are all men equally strong;
there's no gaming-board without its king,
no litter born without its leader."
    ___ Muireadhach O Dalaigh, in Osborn Bergin,
       "Irish Bardic Poetry" (trans CM)


    Celtic society recognized and appreciated all individuals for their particular strengths and abilities. The many skills and professions were seen as pillars that upheld the land, at whose center was the king. Complete equality is very rare. According to the qualities, strengths, and abilities that we possess, each of us will find our way in the world. Dominant traits and abilities will come to fore, whatever anyone does, whoever tries to diminish them. The advantages of certain people will always appear better to us than our own. But from those who are richly endowed, more is required.

   We cannot accomodate everyone, nor can we bring total equality to all. Some will inevitably win high achievements and others will lack them. If, however, we appreciate every single person for him- or her-self, if we give respect regardless of age, color, education, gender, or religion, we come as close as we can to equal opportunity.  Having committed to that, we must accede to the fact that, in different places, states, and conditions, each of us will different and particular needs.

"Meditate upon the differences between equality and equality of opportuni9ty in your own life."
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]