the Otherworld, but an ideal state thatcould result from mutual respect andreciprocity between the worlds. This is thekey to understanding many of the Celticmythic tales.There are amazing descriptions of thesesacred realms preserved in early Irishmanuscripts. Many of the translationseasily available in old book reprints or onlineare quite inaccurate or out-of-date, orreflect Victorian perceptions (and theinfancy of Celtic Studies at that time). Iwork in a spiritual pathway that seeks todeeply study, analyze, interpret,understand, recreate and transmitindigenous Celtic religion as it waspracticed in the Iron Age and as some of itcontinued after the introduction ofChristianity. In addition to meditation,prayer, chant and ritual, this includes thestudy of Old Irish and Middle Welsh inorder to access the many layers of meaninginherent in the Celtic mystic texts, ratherthan relying on inaccurate translations toform the basis for deeply felt and held beliefs.The reason for this is simple: I seek tounderstand the beliefs of the Ancestors andto walk in their footsteps, as best as I amable in this modern time. I wish to showgreatest respect to the Ancestors, and the, by setting aside personalpreconceptions, and opening my heart, mindand spirit to this remarkable indigenoustradition. I do not wish to project upon itmodern ideas, concepts, fantasies anddesires, which can only serve to furtherobscure this ancient knowledge. Enoughhas been lost already.More than fifteen years ago, during a timeof my life in which there was much loss anddisintegration of previous structures andpathways, the Gods saw fit to open a door(quite magically!) for me to undertakeCeltic Studies through HarvardUniversity. This doorway has enabled meto study, re-evaluate completely, and sharewith those who are similarly interested, aremarkable amount of informationconcerning the ancient Celts and theirreligious beliefs. This is counter to manymodern claims that ‘we don’t really knowmuch’ and so must utilize other-than-Celtic ritual elements and prayers andpractices in order to walk a Celtic path.In Harvard’s Widener Library alone thereis a room dedicated to Celtic culture,history, language, literature and folklore,containing thousands of books. Theproblem is not that we don’t have anyinformation, the challenge is that thatthere has not yet been enough time to fullyevaluate, collate, interpret and translatethis information for the use of those whoare spiritually inclined!For those who also deeply wish to see thispathway clearly and walk with respect inthis very specific tradition, I would like tooffer to readers of – in the spiritof service and unity – some new<strong>Aontacht</strong> • 20
translations of descriptions of the CelticOtherworld.These are not only beautiful and sacred intheir own right, but can serve as powerfulportals into viewing, entering andexperiencing those sacred realms. [Pleasenote: these translations also appear in mybook,(McFarland), and assuch are under copyright. Please do notrepost or reprint without permission andproper attribution. However, all areA herd of horses with speckled manes,And another chestnut herd.In the doorway to the eastare three sacred trees of bright purple,From which a gentle, everlasting flock ofbirdscalls to the offspring of the royalfortress.There is a tree in the doorway of thecourtnot unseemly the nuts from itA tree of silver that shines as the sunwith a brightness like that of gold.There is a vat of intoxicating meadthat pours out for the folk thereIt exists yet, enduring is the custom,so that it continues, ever-full.(English translation from Old Irish,copyright 2012, S.P. MacLeod)welcome to use these in personal or grouppractice!]Here is my translation of an Old Irishdescription of the Otherworld, as it exists‘under the earth’ (i.e. in the spiritual LowerWorld, accessed through portals leadingbelow our world). This can be usedeffectively in meditation or ritual.There are, in the doorway to the west,In the place in which the sun sets,Here is a description of the Otherworldwhich exists below the waters, spoken bya woman of the :A branch of the place of sacred appletrees I bring, like those one knows.Twigs of white-silver on it, brightlyfringed with blossoms.There is an island in the distance,radiant around the path of sea-horses, aradiant course towards bright-sidedwaves; four feet maintain them.<strong>Aontacht</strong> • 21
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