The History of Initiation - The Masonic Trowel

THE CELTIC MYSTERIES. 129
of buildings erected for the purpose, immediately &d|j pining
their most sacred temples 52 in the centre of an impenetrable
grove of oaks, consecrated with solemn rites
to the service of the deity, and hallowed with the blood
of human victims. In some parts of England the initiations
were performed in the secret recesses of holy caverns
formed by Nature with every convenience to give effect to
their celebration ; for a cavern was understood by the
Epoptas to represent the central cavity of the vast abyss,
or the great receptacle of the diluvian waters; 53
or, in
other words, Hades. The peculiar degree of sanctity
attached to these awful inclosures, was calculated to pro-
duce a lasting impression on the aspirant, as well as to
prevent the idle approach of the uninitiated. Considerable
space was necessary for the machinery of initiation
on its largest and most comprehensive scale. Apartments
of all sizes, cells, vaults, baths, and long and artfully contrived
passages, with all the apparatus of terror which
was used on these important occasions could not have been
contained within a small compass; although it is tolerably
clear that initiation on a minor scale was performed in
many parts of the island within the inclosure of caverns
of moderate dimensions.
(Glamorganshire.) The Choir of Emrys (Ambres) in Caer Caradac,
(Old Sarum, says Meyrick; I should rather think Stonehenge;) and
Bangov Wydrin in the apple island, (Arallon or Glastonbury. )
63 The three great labours of the Britons are represented in a fa-
mous triad to be, raising the stone of Cetti, or constructing the mystical
Cromlech or adytum ; Erecting the Emrys, or building the circular
Temple with petrae ambrosiae or consecrated stones and ; Heaping tho
mount of G-yvrangon, or raising the mound or cairn in honour of the
dead. In all these solemn duties gray stones were preferred. The
adytum or ark of the mysteries was called a Cromlech, (Signs and
Symbols, Lect. 6,) and was used as a sacred pastes or place of regeneration.
It consisted of two or more upright stones as supporters
of a broad flat stone which was laid across them, so as to form a small
cell, within the area of which the aspirant was immured. The Carnedd
was a heap of stones rudely piled together over the summit of
a mountain or high hill for sepulchral or commemorative purposes.
When used as a place of sepulture, the cairn was more commonly
and in this case it was termed a tumulus or bar-
composed of earth ;
row : derived from the Celtic tumba, a tomb, and byrig, a mound of
earth, or byringenn, sepultra.
53 1 once visited Poole's Hole, near Buxton, and found the noise of
the waters to be absolutely stunning. It is, indeed, a cavern of
horror.
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