Celtic Cosmology is similar to other comology in other Indo-European religions. It is basically threefold like the Norse and Vedic. The Celtic Cosmos is also a multiverse of various worlds and realms which, joined form the Cosmos. The Celts as like many other ancient cultures did not define between the supernatural and natural worlds, but considered all of the different realms interdependant. An action performed in one realm has an influence and or counter affect on somthing in another realm. All actions are in the natural order, to try to defy this natural order is destructive. The laws of nature are often outside our control, and magik can only be accomplished through a knowledge of these laws. There are four realms in the Druidic religion.
- Findias
- Heavenly realm of light
- Gorias
- the Heavenly realm of heat
- Falias
- The realm of the earth; the plain of this world
- Murias
- The underworld of the waters of the deep
The multiverse is basically threefold, the realms of the deep or the underworld; the plain of this world; and the realm of the sky of the heavenly bodies and beyond, where the Gods arrange things in all realms.
The Underworld was believed to be located at different parts of the sea. The Fomorians dwelled in the House of Tethra; this was a sort of Celtic version of Pandemonium. The fish in the ocean were often regarded as the "cattle from the House of Tethra." Another region in the underworld was the realm of the dead which was called Tech Duinn This realm houses all evil doers. The gods were careful to not let anyone who was "evil" to go unpunished they all went to Tech Duinn The "good" people left to a different place, this place was called Tir na mBeo. In this afterlife they passed onto the realm where they may again meet their loved ones and kinsmen.
These are four regions of the Underworld.
- Tir na mBan[tyeer nah mawn]
- Land of the Woman
- Tir na mBeo[tyeer nah byo]
- Land of the Living
- Tir n' Aill[tyeer nawl]
- Land of the Outerplace
- Tir na n' Og[tyeer nahn ohgg]
- Land of the Youth
Tir na mBan is the only realm that needs to be expanded, all the others are self explainitory.
This is a warriors heaven, it is an abode where the casualties of battle are waited apon by beutiful women. The women are manifestations of the Badb Catha spirits, which you could compare with the Norse Valkyries. the slain warriors are allowed to fight every day and rise again the next day, and every night they may enjoy an evening of feasting. Those who are killed during the fight may raise again the next day.
The Celtic Druids thought the world to be disc shaped rather than a sphere the land being surrounded by waters of the oceans which filled the Underworld. Water had magikal powers in the Celtic world view.
Water was used to cleanse away malevevolent spirits among other things. Water was used to encircle and give definate bounderies to the nemeton, or sacred place. this was done via a dug ditch. They made the ditch in a circle shape because they believed the world to be round(but flat), allthough they believed the heavens to be square.
the waters of Andumnos, surround outskirts of the world. These waters were called Morimanrusa which ment "sea of the dead." This could be compared with the river Styx, because at death you are taken across these waters, whitch inturn induce forgetfullness about the life you are leaving to ready you for the Celestial plains.
- Magh Ionganaidh [moy inganny]
- Plain of Wonder
- Magh Mel [moy mail]
- Plain of Happiness
- Magh Ildathach [moy il-dah-hahkh]
- Plain of Many Colours
- Magh Imchiuin [moy im-khyoo-un]
- Very Gentle Plain
- Magh Argetnel [moy arriget-nayl]
- Silver Clouded Plain
- Magh Findargat [moy finn-arriget]
- Plain of White Silver
- Magh Aircthech [moy awrrk-hyekh]
- Bountiful Plain
- Sen Magh [shen moy]
- Old Plain
What we must understand is, there is a certain thing that links us to the Otherworld Realms. That link is the Bile or sacred tree.
It has roots in the Underworlds and has branches reaching high into the heavens. In the teachings of the esoteric Irish Druids, the tree is located over the well of Knowledge. Its hazelnuts dropped into the well where they ere eaten by salmon.This tree links the well and Underword waters to the earth and the heavens.
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