The History of Initiation - The Masonic Trowel

144 HISTORY OF INITIATION
and to remain a whole year in the deep, in the character
of Arawn, the arkite. 57 The pursuit of his terrible persecutors
did not end here. The same appalling noises
still assailed his ears ;
and his pursuer, transformed into an
otter, threatens him with destruction. Emerging at
length from the stream, the darkness was removed, and
he found himself surrounded with the most brilliant
coruscations of light. 58
This change produced in the
attendants a corresponding emotion of joy and pleasure,
which was expressed by shouts and loud paeans, to testify
their supreme felicity at the resuscitation of their god, or
in other words, his egress from the purifying wave. The
aspirant was here presented to the Archdruid, seated on
his throne of state, who expatiated on the design of the
mysteries ; imparted some portion
knowledge of Druidism ;
of the cabalistical
and earnestly recommended the
practice of fortitude to the exhausted aspirant
exercise of this virtue constituted, in the opinion of the
; for the
Druids, one leading trait of perfection. 59
After his lustration and subsequent enlightening, the
novice was said to become a bird who penetrates the
regions of the air towards the lofty arch of heaven, to
figure out the high and supernal privileges he had just
attained ; the favour of heaven and the protection of the
gods. He was now instructed in the morality of the
order; incited by precept to act bravely in war; taught
that souls are immortal, and must live in a future state; 60
solemnly enjoined to the duties of divine worship, to
When, like the rushing of hostile spears.
The floods came forth
Prom heaven to the great deep.
As Dylan was Noah, so Stonehenge was denominate cl the mundane
ark, which was feigned to have been conveyed across the Irish channel
by Hu, another name for Dylan, who, as the legend is recorded by
Christian writers, is represented as the prince of darkness, the devil.
(Drayton. Poly-Olbion, Song 4.)
57 "It was proposed that Pywll should assume the form of Arawn,
and preside in the deep in his character and person for one complete
year." (Tale of Pywll.)
58 " At the completion of the year, Pywll returns from the palace of
the deep, into his own dominions, and providing a solemn sacrifice,
beheld the sign of the Rainbow glittering in all its brilliancy of colour-
ing under the character of a lady mounted upon a horse of a pale,
bright colour, great and very high." (Tale of Pywll.)
59
Diog. Laert. Procem. ^Mela., 1. iii., c. 2.