Celtic Meditation

Post Reply New Topic

I am very into mythology particularly Celtic Myth which is mainly a form of ancestoral, spiritual, and celestial worship. So I was adventuring across the internet and I came upon a Celtic meditation ritual that I think is a very personal and self-reflective meditation:

This inner journey will take you to meet one of your ancestors. The ancestor may be of your bloodline, from a past incarnation or simply a spiritual ancestor. He or she will be someone who has influenced your spiritual life or shaped you in a positive way. Do not choose who will appear: Let the choice be made for you.


Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths. See before you a long avenue of ancient yew trees. Their branches have spread over the centuries so that they now entwine to form an arching tunnel, so densely interwoven it appears completely black, except that at the end you can see a small circle of pale yellow light... As you take your first steps into the tunnel, become aware of stepping beyond present time into the deep ageless realm of the yew-trees that stretches before the dawn of time. Feel the power of the Underworld embodied in these dark tree-beings, as they brood upon the wisdom of the deep.


And after what may be a short time, or a long time, or no time at all, the pale circle of light at the end of the tunnel is growing bigger and shedding a glow...and the interwoven branches are beginning to thin, so that you begin to see patches of a violet-blue evening sky above you...


And now at last you step out of the tunnel and see before you a figure tending a small fire of fragrant wood that crackles now and then, sending out sparks of green and gold. On the eastern horizon to your left, a group of seven stars is rising. You approach the fire-tender. This is your ancestor.... He or she has been expecting you.


Approach the fire and greet this person...notice what he or she looks like: clothes, hair, face.... Is your ancestor old or young? Tall or short? Listen carefully while your ancestor tells you who he or she is and the role played in your spiritual development...(long pause) Your ancestor has a gift of wisdom for you today. Sit by the fire with this person and receive the gift, which may come in the form of words, or an object that is placed into your hands. Thank your ancestor for this gift, and if you have any questions, ask now.... When it becomes clear the conversation is drawing to a close, take leave of your ancestor in the way that feels most appropriate, then walk back through the yew tree tunnel bearing your gift into the world of time...into your present life.

Source: http://www.beliefnet.com/Faiths/Pagan-a ... tion.aspx#

"... In the Celtic Tradition ..." is a dead giveaway that this ritual is a recent development (10-20 years), and not one going back thousands of years.

It was copy-righted by Harper of San Francisco in 2000 A.D., and written by Mara Freeman, M.A., British author, lecturer, storyteller, and an ArchDruidess in the Druid Clan of Dana.

Religion: Anything for a buck.

Last edited by Fnord on 27 Jun 2013, 12:15 pm, edited 1 time in total.

That's very beautiful, even for just picturing the scenery. In practice, it would almost have to be a guided step by step meditation.

So is satanism. They're not what was actually practiced thousands of years ago, becuase anyone? ANYONE!? We don't know what they did thousands of years ago, but I still find neopaganistic meditations such as this one to be the closest we can get to understanding the beliefs of these ancient peoples. If i could I would go to Ireland and find some group of people who still practice tribal rituals and I would join them.

Well, it is a pretty little bit of literary work, and I'm sure that it has made both author and publisher a pretty little bit of change, as well, but it is not "Celtic" in the strictest sense.

I'm not too interested in the historical accuracy or any religious aspects. It does seem to be a common theme to try to connect with ancestors/guides/elder figures to seek guidance.

Then this thread belongs in the PP&R forum, not HF&S.

You are right, it is disappointing to learn just how modern this article was, I thought the book was at least written in the sixties, but it is very recent. It would be awesome to find an actually druid from an actually group of Celtic peoples who isolate themselves as much as possible. Then to just have that druid teach you what is like to have star knowledge from the beginning of time.

Perhaps the OP is focusing on the beneficial health aspects for a positive visualization technique? If there's going to be a debate about the content itself, then I agree.

Yeah, good point. If there is any health benefit to be had, then git yer Celtic on and have at it!

Wait ... didn't the Celts do almost everything in the nude?

That's very beautiful poetry and poetry can be healthful meditation, like a mantra. Thanks for sharing.

Heh heh, Fnord, you crack me up There was footage from the local Beltane festival (1 May) and those Pagans were living it up!

At least their fighting, among other things. I guess it would be more of a personal practice then.

Everyone was nude back then! The Greeks did Olympics nude, the Celts would charge into battle nude, the Indians were just always nude. It was time where the peak perfection of the human body was something to be appreciated and revered.

I found that guided imagery exercise to be quite inspiring, and I don't really care where it came from. One can learn from just about anything, if the mind is open.