Celebrating the Summer
- Keep vigil from dusk to dawn (don’t worry, it’s not a long vigil the further north you are!). Watch the sun rise and welcome it
- Celebrate the height of the sun’s strength.
- Spend as much time out in the sun as you can (use sunscreen, of course)
- Participate in a river side clean up or community gardening project
- Learn about the properties of native growing plants in your area
I. The Tale of Mogh Ruith
Failte ort fhein, a ghrian nan rath
Ag suibhal ard nan speur;
‘S do cheumaibh treun air sgeith nan ard,
‘S tu mathair aigh nan reul.
‘S to laigheadh sios an cuan na dith
Gun diobhail is gun scaith,
‘S tu ‘g eirigh suas air stuagh na sith
Mar rioghain og fo bhlath
Greetings, sun of the season’s turning,
As you walk in the high heavens;
With your strong steps upon the high void,
You are the joyous mother of the stars.
You lie down in the abyss of destruction
Without suffering harm or scathe
You rise up on the peaceful wave
Like a young queen in flower.
From the Carmina Gadelica
Since the Winter Solstice, the sun has been building its strength as it moves further north in the Northern Hemisphere (or South at the Southern Hemisphere). At that time, we were celebrating the return of the light at the darkest point of the year. When Summer Solstice hits the Northern Hemisphere, Artic dwellers can look forward to seeing the sun that does not set for a few days, which is why the Arctic is also known as the “Land of the Midnight Sun”.
At the Summer Solstice, the sun is at its peak we celebrate its strength. In agricultural societies, this is the high point of the growing season. For warriors, this was also the height of the battle season since the days were longer and the weather was fine for being camped outside.
Julius Caesar and other writers commented on the fact that Druids were exempt from participating in battle (and paying taxes), which made Druidic training very popular. There was never a shortage of volunteers for training and families would often send their children for training whether they wanted to go or not! Apparently, a Druid was so powerful to the people that he could walk right through the middle of a battle and emerge unscathed. Since most societal laws set honour prices on a person, and a Druid was of a high rank, it is no wonder that the average warrior did not want to be the idiot who drew a weapon on a Druid, thus leaving him liable to pay the very high honour price!
In legend, however, the Druids were quite involved with battles in a magical sense.
One of the most interesting Druids from Irish myth is Mogh Ruith (also spelled Mug Roith, Mog Roith, MacRoth), a blind Druid who lived on the Isle of Valentia in Munster. His name roughly means “Servant of the Wheel” (The only definite being that Roth or Ruith means “wheel”). It is said that Mogh Ruith was trained in the magical arts by Simon Magus and that, together, they built a flying machine that resembled a wheel. His only mentioned family is a daughter named Tlachtga, who was also similarly skilled. It is said that he carried a wheel with inscriptions on the spokes, which he use for divination by spinning it to see what it had to say about a situation. 1
There are a number of interesting tales surrounding Mogh Ruith, including the one that states that he was the one who cut off John the Baptist’s head 2, which we know was then given as a reward to Salome, step-daughter of King Herod, at the urging of her mother who was angry with John for criticising her marriage. This was the payment she accepted for dancing at a banquet he was hosting 3.
The most detailed story of Mogh Ruith, however, was about his participation in Forbhais Droma Damhghaire or The Siege of Knocklong.
The story starts with King Cormac Mac Art, leading his army, as well as some of his Druids into Munster to exact double the tribute owed to him by King Fiacha of Munster. Cormac’s druids dried up the wells with their magic, thus leaving the people of Munster without water. The people urged surrender and King Fiacha did not want to back down.
King Fiacha met with his advisors and asked if there was anyone who could assist. Dil Mac Dacreca suggested that he call upon the services of his own teacher, Mogh Ruith, who had actually foreseen this battle when Fiacha was born. Mogh Ruith had prophesied that this battle would not be won unless he was called. Apparently, he was the only one in Ireland who had learned his skill from the Sidhe and he had gained his wisdom over 700 years, making him very old indeed!
Fiacha hired the services of Mogh Ruith, the famed Druid of the Isle of Valentia. For those Modern Druids who do not believe in charging for their services, Mogh Ruith was not adverse to charging for his services and he came at a very high price to King Fiacha! The cost, according to the messengers who sought out Mogh Ruith, was: 4a hundred bright white cows in milk, a hundred well-fattened pigs; a hundred strong working oxen; a hundred racehorses; fifty soft white cloaks; after the project is over, the daughter of the first lord of the East or the most prominent after him, to bear [him] children the first place in the files of Munster’s army for [his] successor who shall have in perpetuity the rank of a provincial king…; that the King of Munster should choose his counsellor from among [his] descendants;… that [he was] given the territory of [his] choice in Munster.
After some heavy negotiating with King Fiacha, Mogh Ruith’s set to work on restoring the water for the people, which he did by having one of his students cast his spears into the ground. The second task was to bring down the hill which Cormac’s druids had created to give Cormac’s army the advantage of a high camp where they could see everything. Mogh Ruith had one of his people turn his face toward the hill and he summoned forth his power to grow quite large. So large and fearsome was he by the time he was done, he merely blew on the hill and it came down. Many in Cormac’s army retreated in defeat and despair, leaving the rest of the battle up to the Druids.
Mogh Ruith then used the power of the earth and the creatures upon it to turn upon Cormac’s Druids and army. Cormac’s Druid Colphtha came to attack Mogh Ruith, but Mogh Ruith turned his hand into an eel, while his student Cenmar turned himself into a great stone. The eel wrapped itself around Colphtha and broke many of the bones in his body over the stone. The stone, Cenmar, then transformed himself into a spear and killed Colphtha.
Cormac had three Druidesses, Ergo, Egan and Engrain, in his employ and they turned themselves into sheep and charged into the fray, causing many warriors to fall to their fury. Mogh Ruith took his tinder-box and lit them on fire, causing them to run in the other direction.
Mogh Ruith put three stalks of tinder into the folds of his cloak, uttered a spell and out came three vicious dogs that set themselves upon the sheep, killing them.
Cormac, knowing he was up against a powerful adversary, sought to strike a deal with Mogh Ruith, but Mogh Ruith refused and went to the Sidhe to consult with his teacher, a Druidess named Ban Buanann. She told him to go forth in the evening and the next day he would be victorious. One of Mogh Ruith’s students received a vision, but we do not know what it was.
The last of the battle involved the Druids on either side lighting great fires against each other. With the power to control land, sea and sky, Mogh Ruith set out to make his fire rise so high. He instructed Foacha’s men to charge when the fire went North since Cormac’s army would be in disarray over the fire. Conversely, if the fire should then come from the North, they were to defend themselves accordingly.
Mogh Ruith then rose into the air with his feathered headdress and his brown hornless bull’s hide and used the feathers to beat the flames northward. With the fire and the charge of Fiacha’s army, Cormac finally admitted defeat and the battle was over. Munster had won the day with the help of Mogh Ruith.
At this point, King Fiacha was obligated to pay Mogh Ruith’s fee as agreed upon.
With Mogh Ruith’s command of the elements, and his ability to fly in a shining “wheel” across the sky, it has been speculated that he may have been a solar deity who was later euphemised in stories as a Druid.
Questions to Ponder:
1. Have you ever felt that someone was trying to take more from you than was deserved?
2. How did you handle the situation? What battle of wits did you have to fight?
3. Who are you able to call upon to assist you in such situations?
4. At what cost has this help been provided?
5. Some Modern Druids and Pagans feel that it is not right to charge for one’s services in teaching or otherwise. Others believe this is acceptable since Druids in ancient times likely had a cost for their service. What is your stance on this issue?
1.From “The Lore of Ireland: An Encyclopaedia of Myth, Legend and Romance” by Dr. Daithi O’Hogain. Boydell Press, Ireland. April 20, 2006.
2.Read the translated story of Mogh Roith and John the Baptist’s beheading on Mary Jones’ site: http://www.ancienttexts.org/library/celtic/ctexts/mog1.html
3.New Testament, Gospel of Mark 6:15-29 and Gospel of Matthew 14:1-12 – Found here http://womenshistory.about.com/library/bio/blbio_salome.htm
4.From the Shee-Ire website http://www.shee-eire.com/magic&mythology/myths/Heroes&Heroines/Siege-Kno…
II. Diversions on the Path to Accomplishment
As we progress in our journey to enlightenment, we tend to look at the things we wish to accomplish in our own lives. We may want to lose weight, quit smoking, work out more or get a better job.
Our ideas are conceived and the planning begins…often to excess as we buy the very expensive and soon-to-be-unused gym membership! Small ideas may become grandiose plans, which will change our lives forever, while large ideas may not come to pass at all and we end up going in a completely different direction with a completely unexpected outcome.
Depending on one’s belief, we are masters of our destinies…but sometimes things will go in a direction all their own. Is it fate? Is it irony? Is it just the way the Universe works?
What is the best course of action in these cases? Do we struggle to get back in the direction we were going or do we just blithely wander down the road we are being led down?
Are the outcomes always beneficial? What happens when we “let go and let the Gods”?
One thing I have learned and heard from others is that the best way to handle diversions of this sort is to simply let go and see where it takes us. It is often when we resist that we find the path becomes difficult and the outcome less than favourable.
Epictetus, a Roman philosopher, is said to be the originator of the Serenity Prayer in his philosophy that we should only try to control the things that we can control and let go of those things that we cannot. If life leads us in a different direction, why not follow it? There may be good reason for it!
Of course, one should employ common sense to ensure that the path is not leading. Remember to always challenge, but learn when to know the difference between deceit and beneficial diversion. Like the prayer says: “Grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can and the wisdom to know the difference.”
Today’s story from Ireland tells of how a series of events involving a wandering cow, a sword, a stolen halter and the Formorians led to the conception of Lugh (who, of course, turned out to be of great benefit to the Tuatha De Dannann)!
It all started during the time when the Tuatha De Dannann lived under the oppressive shadow of the Fomorians.
Gobhniu the Smith had in his possession a Cow of Plenty, who wore a halter which contained the luck of the world. If the halter was removed from her back, she would be compelled to follow it and one would be hard pressed to keep her in place!
Balor of the Evil Eye, leader of the Fomor, wanted the cow since his lands were so barren. A cow of plenty would definitely help matters for him!
A man was dispatched to steal the cow, but Gobhniu heard him approach. Gobhniu let out a battle roar that shook the earth and scared the man out of his wits. The man did not get the cow, but he did get the halter and ran back to Balor.
After this, the cow became an immense burden, because she wanted to follow the halter! Gobhniu now had to watch the cow all day and all night, lest she escape and wander off to Balor’s lands. How was he to get any work done?
A few days after this mishap, Cian, the young champion son of Dian Cecht, the healer approached the house of Gobhniu asking for a sword… a fine sword called a death biter that would be fit for a champion.
Of course, no other smith could make this type of sword.
“The sword is no problem.” Said Gobhniu. “However, if I take my eyes off of the cow, she will wander off into Balor’s lands!”
“Worry not.” Said the young man. “If you make me the sword, I shall watch the cow, day and night, and not take my eyes off of her.”
“Consider it done.” Said Gobhniu and he set to work on Cian’s sword.
For a whole day, Cian followed that cow around, ensuring she remained on Gobhniu’s land. That night, when he brought the cow to the smith, he found that the sword was just about finished.
Some men were standing at Gobhniu’s door and said “The sword is just about ready to be tempered but the smith needs you to hold its handle first.” Overjoyed, the young man ran into the house and found the smith tempering the sword.
“Where is the cow?” Said the smith.
“Outside.” Replied Cian. “My head be yours if she is not.”
Gobhniu looked outside and found the cow missing.
“She is not outside…she has gone to Balor!” The smith cried.
“I have only my head to give…” replied Cian in shame.
“No, I’ll not take your head, but I will ask you to go and retrieve the halter from Balor! The cow will follow suit. Do not come back without it.”
Cian set out in search of Balor’s lands and finally came to the edge of the dark water that he had to cross to get to Balor’s land. He waited three days before an elderly boatman appeared in a rickety boat. What he did not know was that the boat was actually the Wave Sweeper, Mannann Mac Lir’s famed boat that could go wherever the sailor thought about…and the boatman was none other than Mannann himself!
“Good Sir, will you ferry me across the waters of darkness to Balor’s lands?”
“I will, if you promise to give me half of what you gain there.”
“I will share everything I gain there with the exception of the Halter…that belongs to Gobhniu’s cow.”
“No problem. I will not ask for the Halter.” The boatman said and they set off for Balor’s land.
Upon arrival, which was swift (only a moment), Cian produced his red cloak and gold ring.
“Thank you for bringing me here. Please accept my cloak and ring as my token of thanks.”
“I will change cloaks with you, but I will not take your ring.” Said the old boatman. “However, I do have a gift for you. Whatever lock you touch with your hand will unlock for you. Also, my cloak will ensure your invisibility.”
Cian donned the old man’s cloak and sensed strong magic in it. When he turned to find the man, he had disappeared.
The land of Balor was full of death and as barren as a cold desert. Fierce warriors were everywhere to be found. However, with the invisibility cloak, Cian was able to go right up to Balor’s hall unseen and unchallenged.
Upon showing up at the courts, Balor asked what his business was there.
“I would like to work for you.” Cian replied.
“What do you have to offer us?” Balor asked.
“All of the skills possessed by the Dannann. I can make can make plants grow here that would not otherwise.”
“Can you make apple trees grow? I love apple trees!” Balor said.
“No problem.” Cian said.
“Make the apple trees grow in a grove like Mannanann’s and I’ll pay you whatever reward you seek when they bear fruit.”
“I will do just that.” Replied Cian. “The reward I ask of the Halter of Gobhniu’s cow.”
“I can give you that and will without fail if you do ask I ask.” Balor promised.
Cian set to work on his side of the bargain. The grass proved a difficult task since Balor’s breath would kill it every night. However, the apple trees grew without fail.
One night while minding his trees, Cian noticed a beautiful white dun (household) that was constantly under guard.
“Who lives there?” Cian asked a person in the field.
“The most beautiful woman in all the world. Eithlinn, the daughter of Balor.”
“Why is it so heavily guarded?” Asked Cian.
“She has been locked away and may look upon no man, for a prophecy was said that the child born of her will one day slay Balor.”
Seeing an interesting adventure and opportunity to end Balor’s tyranny over the Tuatha De Dannann, Cian decided to investigate the place and its occupant.
He donned his cloak and went into the dun unseen, for he had the gift to unlock any lock with the touch of his hand. He found Eithlinn all alone in a room, and she was beautiful.
He stood and watched her unseen until she became conscious of someone in the room.
“Who is here? I cannot see you!” She said.
Cian removed the cloak and showed himself. Eithlinn was instantly taken by him and the two arranged to have many more secret meetings while he was growing his trees! Eventually, a child was born. A beautiful lad with golden hair and a shining countenance, whom Eithlinn named Lugh and kept hidden.
Meanwhile, Balor was watching the progress of his apple trees with ire. They were just about to bear fruit and he knew that he would have to honour his promise to Cian.
He went to his daughter’s house with the halter and said “Hide this, so that when Cian asks for it, I shall not have it.”
She took the halter and Balor left.
When the fruit did appear, Cian took a few apples to Eithinn so that she could have the first apples.
“You must leave quickly!” Eithlinn said. “For my father means to deceive you. Take the halter and the child and go back to your lands!”
“I cannot just leave you!” He said.
“It is for the best. You must go and ensure our child is safely away from here!”
Cian stole away with the child and halter until he came to the dark waters. The old boatman was there and he took him back to his lands.
“Do you remember your side of our bargain?” The old man asked.
“I do, but all I have is the halter and the child and I cannot cut the boy in half!” Said Cian.
“You gave me your word.” Said the old man.
“I did, and I shall give you the child.” Said Cian.
“You’ll not regret your choice.” Said the boatman. “I will bring him up as my own son.”
“My thanks again.” Said Cian, handing the old man’s cloak and the boy over.
“You’re most welcome.” Said the man. As he donned his cloak, it turned into a beautiful cloak that had the colours of the sea and roared like the sea. The boat was then visible as the Wave Sweeper.
“I recognize you as Mannann Mac Lir!” Said Cian. “How fortunate for me that you should take my son to Tir Nan Og where he will know neither pain nor death as he grows!”
“When you see the boy again, he shall be a man, riding on my own white horse!” Mannann said as he and the boy took their leave.
Cian had one last errand to run, which was to return the halter to Gobhniu. Gobhniu met him with open arms and took the halter. Sure enough, the cow was soon to follow!
“Many thanks to you for restoring my property!” Gobhniu said. “In return is your fine sword which I have finished for you!”
The two men remained friends ever more from that day and Lugh eventually found his way back to Ireland, where he did indeed slay his grandfather with a slingshot and became the ruler of the Tuatha De Dannann!
Questions to Ponder:
1. Cian started off seeking a sword and ended up having quite the adventure that took him to the lands of death and back, gave him love and a child who would eventually save their race from the tyranny of the Fomor. What events have occurred in your life that started out simple but ended up complex and beneficial?
2. What seemingly bad events in your life have actually turned out to be for the better?
3. What direction do you see yourself going right now?
4. What is your philosophy to our destiny and the obstacles that can get in the way? Do you control or do you roll with them?
III. Anam-Cara ~ “The Soul Friend”
From the time we’re children, we see many people come and go in our lives: friends, acquaintances, enemies, etc. If we look back on those people, we find that we have learned something from each of them. The lessons may be positive or negative, but we have gained something from each person that passes through our lives.
A friend of mine used to have a little hand-painted picture on her wall that had the inscription “Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some people come into our lives and leave footprints on our hearts and we never are the same”. This inscription comes from a poem by Flavia Weedn, which I have posted here in its entirety.
SOME PEOPLE
Some people come into our lives
and leave footprints on our hearts
and we are never ever the same.
Some people come into our lives
and quickly go… Some stay for awhile
and embrace our silent dreams.
They help us become aware
of the delicate winds of hope…
and we discover within every human spirit
there are wings yearning to fly.
They help our hearts to see that
the only stairway to the stars
is woven with dreams…
and we find ourselves
unafraid to reach high.
They celebrate the true essence
of who we are…
and have faith in all
that we may become.
Some people awaken us
to new and deeper realizations…
for we gain insight
from the passing whisper of their wisdom
Throughout our lives we are sent
precious souls…
meant to share our journey
however brief or lasting their stay
they remind us why we are here.
To learn… to teach… to nurture… to love
Some people come into our lives
to cast a steady light
upon our path and guide our every step
their shining belief in us
helps us to believe in ourselves.
Some people come into our
lives to teach us about love…
The love that rests within ourselves.
Let us reach out to others
and feel the bliss of giving
for love is far richer in action
that it ever is in words.
Some people come into our lives
and they move our souls to sing
and make our spirits dance.
They help us to see that everything on earth
is part of the incredibility of life…
and that it is always there
for us to take of its joy.
Some people come into our lives
and leave footprints on our hearts
and we are never ever the same.
~by Flavia Weedn~
Looking at our friends, all seem to have a certain talent or function in our lives. It seems strange to say this, but have you noticed this with your friends?
Some friends are supportive and others challenge you.
The Morrighan’s Challenge
The boy Setanta met the Goddess Morrighan on the road to Emain Macha, where he was seeking to be fostered by his uncle, King Conchobhar. She offered him a challenge, saying there were two choices for him: the first was to be well respected, happy, live a long time, have a wife and many children, etc. The second was to live a fast moving life of adventure, danger and glory…but it would be short lived. He would be famous, however.
The boy chose the short adventurous life and became whom we know now as Cu Chulain!
My belief is that we all have a soul friend…someone who acts as our confessor, challenger, support system and clarifier.
Who do you consider to be a soul friend?
Is there anyone for whom you serve in this function?
“Keep me from anguish, keep me from danger,
Encircle my voyage over the seas.
A light will you lend me, to keep and defend me,
O Beautiful Being, O Guardian this day/night.
Be a guiding star above me,
Illuminate each rock and tide,
Guide my ship across the waters,
To the waveless harbour-side.”
~ Caitlin Matthews, The Celtic Book of the Dead.
When I was about eight years old and going to Catholic school, my interest in the soul began to flourish. I had many questions and ideas about the soul, none of which were too popular among my teachers and classmates.
“What is the soul? What really happens when we die? If we either go to Heaven or Hell, wouldn’t they get awfully crowded with souls? Why, if the soul is immortal, do we only get about 80 years (on average) to prove our soul’s worth…wouldn’t that be small change to something that lives forever? That’s hardly enough time to develop a soul! Why would Deity create something immortal but only give it a man’s finite lifetime to prove itself?”
Ah, the questions of youth!
One particularly cold and snowy December evening, after dropping my brother off at an indoor soccer practice, my father and I decided to go out for supper, as we usually did when it was “Soccer Night in Calgary”. While my dad was driving us to our destination, I suddenly asked “Dad, what is the soul?”
My dad looked a little on the spot and blurted out something to the effect of “Don’t they teach you that stuff in religion class?” I said that they did, but it wasn’t satisfactory enough for me. They explained where it went and all that stuff, but as you see from my above questions, those answers didn’t satisfy me either.
Dad hemmed and hawed for a few minutes, probably thanking God that I wasn’t asking where babies came from, and then took a deep breath.
“Well…uh…well, you see, I see it like this: the body is like a car and the soul is its driver. It gets into the car and starts it up and drives it around to all the places it needs to go…”
I nodded in understanding. This made sense to me! The soul animates the body… “drives” it per se. It uses the body to take it to where it needs to go in its growth and development.
“Now, the car sometimes breaks down or gets into an accident and needs to be fixed. That’s when we get sick or injured. Eventually, however, the car will break down or get “injured” beyond repair and the driver is left without its vehicle.”
“So, what happens to the soul after that?” I asked, knowing that he was referring to death of the body.
“Well, I guess the driver has to take the bus, walk or get a new car.”
It has to take the bus, walk or get a new car. Interesting, yet essentially what I needed to hear.
My father, a baptized Catholic, but not a practicing one, explained transmigration of the soul, a concept held sacred by Druids of yesterday and today, to me at the tender age of eight. That little dissertation has stayed with me until today.
The Celts believed strongly in the immortality of the soul/reincarnation and it is documented by many of the classical writers who observed their culture. Many of these writers compared the beliefs of the Druids in this regard to those of Pythagoras.
One Classical writer, Valery Maximus wrote “They are convinced that souls of men are immortal: I would say that they were foolish if the ideas of these barbarians clad in breeches weren’t the same as those of Pythagoras clad in pallium.”5
Lucan wrote in Pharsalia I, 441ff that “They [the Druids] hold that the soul of a dead man does not descend to the silent, sunless world of Hades, but becomes reincarnate elsewhere; if they are right, death is merely a point of change in perpetual existence…”
Caesar also made reference to this belief as being the reason why the Celts did not fear death and were extremely brave in battle. Diodorus mentions that at funerals, some people cast letters into the pyre with the belief that the dead can read them. Flaccus wrote that the Gauls would lend money to each other knowing that the debt would be repaid in the next world.6
The Christians who wrote down their beliefs and legends later on also noted this very strong belief.
But what of the soul friend? Did the Celts believe in the concept of the Anam Cara, or soul friend? Was such a practice ever written down by the Classical writers or the observers of Celtic Culture thereafter?
Looking at many of the scholarly books on Druids and their practices, Anam Cara is not mentioned to the extent that transmigration or reincarnation of the soul is. However, looking at the definition of the soul-friend, even the fact that the term Anam Cara exists in the Gaelic language, gives light to the possibility that such a practice was observed, but that it might have been such an ingrained fact of life that it was not deemed as special or unusual by the Celts or their observers.
A soul friend can loosely be defined as someone who acts as spiritual advisor and companion. This person bears witness to the soul’s journey through life. He or she does not sit and judge or condemn, but may offer suggestions or challenges to assist the individual through their growth and development as a spiritual person.7
If the soul is immortal and can transmigrate along a path of growth and development as the ancient Druids believed, would it not be logical that people would have such friends to help them in their spiritual journey?
Many of the myths and Legends in Celtic Mythology illustrate the friend that goes beyond mere friendship. These people, by definition of soul friend, could easily be considered as such. They were not just friends, but seen as brothers or sisters.
Cu Roi, the best friend of Cu Chulain is a great example of Anam Cara in Celtic Legend. He and Cu Chulain trained together as boys in the arts of warfare and were the best of friends from that time. When King Conchobhar ordered the death of Naoise and his brothers over their “abduction” of Dierdre, the warriors of Ulster were divided in loyalty and many left for Connacht, including Cu Roi.
During the Tain bo Culaigne (Cattle Raid of Cooley), Cu Chulain and Cu Roi found themselves on opposite ends of the battle field. The two had to fight one on one. After a long, drawn out battle, Cu Chulain defeated Cu Roi and killed him. He deeply regretted having to do this to preserve Ulster’s honour as its champion and keened for many long hours thereafter.
We first see mention of Anam Cara as a practice in the early Celtic Christian monasteries. Each monk or nun had a person who acted as Anam Cara: a spiritual advisor to whom the nun or monk could confess to, share ideas with and receive advice from. These people developed a bond like no other and this helped to nurture the soul.8
Caitlin Matthews, in her book, The Celtic Book of the Dead9, suggests that the Anam Cara can go even further in his or her role than just advisor, confidante or confessor. She suggests that these people might even take on the role as guide on the Otherworldy Voyage or Immram upon the event of imminent death; as well as serving as soul leader or “Midwife of the Soul” at the hour of death.
Matthews uses the Voyage of Maelduin, a tale similar to the Voyage of St. Brendan, to illustrate the Immram, the sacred voyage into the unknown realms of the Otherworld and the people and places that are encountered during that voyage.
Other such tales include the Irish tale of Voyage of Bran Mac Febal and the Welsh tale of Preiddeu Annwn when King Arthur himself, along with a few of his men, takes the boat Prydwen into the underworld realm of Annwn to retrieve the cauldron of rebirth from Caer Siddi. (This is the original Pagan version of the well-known search for the Holy Grail)
The function of the Immram at the hour of death is similar to that of the Egyptian Book of the Dead, except the Celtic version does not depict a definite final judgment.
The tale of the Immram is read to the dying person, preferably by the person’s Anam Cara, and as each isle is visited, certain aspects of the person’s life are examined and discussed. The person then comes to his or her own conclusions of what lessons have been learned and what have yet to be learned in the next life being as the soul is immortal and is going to a new plane of existence to carry on the schooling of the soul. It is believed that these conclusions will carry forth into the next life and be used in the next step towards spiritual development. I see it as being like a report card at the end of the school term, rather than a final judgment.
Soul leading upon death is observed in almost every religious path, including the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick in the Catholic faith and the reading of the Tibetan Book of the Dead among Buddhists. No one wants to die alone and when it is favourable, family and friends, along with spiritual leaders, try to be at the side of the dying one and attend to his or her needs at this most critical hour of life.
The Filidh or Ovate class of Druids, as observed by the Romans and other Classical writers, were usually responsible for all matters regarding the mysteries, life and death. They were the healers, spiritual advisors, soul-leaders and diviners. They performed duties similar to Anam Cara with regards to life and death. Today, Ovates in many Druid Traditions still uphold these roles by assisting the dying, performing rites like the Departing the Soul Shrine Ceremony18, counseling the dying as well as their family and friends, and conducting the funeral ceremony.
Is it possible that the ancient Celts and Druids practiced this? I would say they did, although it may not have been as conscious as the Celtic Church incorporating it as an actual practice. It might have just been an everyday and expected function for anyone who was a close friend.
Modern Celtic Christian churches are utilizing this practice again and finding great benefit to their members by doing so. John O’Donohue sums up this practice with regards to Anam Cara as spiritual friend, advisor, confidante, confessor and even lover in his wonderful book, Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom.
Many people today, if given the definition of soul friend and then asked if they had one, could probably name at least one or two people in their lives who play the roles of confidante, challenger and advisor all at once or separately.
In the modern Druid Grove that I have founded, I have adopted the full practice of Anam Cara and do have my students ponder the concept and consider those people in their lives who seem to serve in this manner.
I also have students take stock of their spiritual situations, development and growth at the beginning of their studies and again at the end of each level. In essence, they are taking their own Immram into their spiritual development on a regular basis. They do take an official “journey” through the Otherworld using the Celtic Book of the Dead as part of their studies in Celtic Spirituality and the lore of the soul.
We act in this manner with each other in order for the sake of spiritual development, friendship and belonging. Part of Awen Grove’s Statement of Ethics says that “we believe in striving to reach our own personal goals and seek to positively assist others in reaching theirs”.10
I strongly believe that utilizing the practice of Anam Cara assists members of our Grove in achieving this goal and provides a beautiful source of spiritual support for each member.
5.“The Druids: Celtic Priests of Nature” Jean Markale. Inner Traditions International. 1999 (Originally published in 1985 in French by Editions Payot)
6.“The World of the Druids” by Miranda Green. Thames and Hudson Ltd. London. 1997 (P. 51)
7.“The Celtic Spirit: Daily Meditations for the Turning Year” Caitlin Matthews. HarperCollins Publishers Inc. 1999. (p. 359)
8.“Anam Cara: A Book of Celtic Wisdom” John O’Donohue.HarperCollins Publishers Inc. 1997. (p. 13)
9.“The Celtic Book of the Dead: A Guide for your Voyage to the Celtic Otherworld” Caitlin Matthews. Stewart House. 1992.
10.See p. 133 of “The Celtic Book of the Dead” (Caitlin Matthews. Stewart House. 1992.) for this ritual in detail.