I - The Thuatha Dé Danann were in the northern isles of the world, learning lore and magic and druidism and wizardry and cunning, until they surpassed the sages of the arts of heathendom. II -There were four cities in which they were learning lore and science and druidics arts, to wit FALIAS and GORIAS, MURIAS and FINDIAS. III - Out of FALIAS was brought the Stone of Fàl, which was in Tara. It used to roar under every king that would take (the realm of) Ireland. IV - Out of GORIAS was brought the Spear that Lugh had. No battle was ever won against it or him who held it in his hand. V - Out of FINDIAS was brought the Sword of Nuada. When it was drawn from its deadly sheath, no one ever escaped from it, and it was irresistible. VI - Out of MURIAS was brought the Dagdae's Caldron. No company ever went from it unthankful. VII - Four druids (there were) in those four cities. Mor-fesae was in Falias; Esras was in Gorias; Uiscias was in Findias; Semias was in Murias. Those are the four Druids of whom the Thuatha Dé Danann learnt lore and science. (From « the Battle of Moytura », as translated by Whitley Stokes) For us Celts as for most of ancient european traditional civilizations, the four constitutive elements of our world system are taken as the basis and matter of all living things. In chronological order as given by ancient pagan documents, Ground: Falias < *UALIASSOS , heads all, followed by Fire and warmth: Gorias < *GORIASSOS ; by Air: Findias < *UINDIASSOS ; then by Water: Murias < *MORIASSOS . Within the shelter of these « Four Fortified Cities » Cetri Cathrachai, is the home of the Lords of the Elements. They have at hand all Sciences and sacred Knowledge of the druidic Crafts. Only they own and master the four main energies of our Universe: fearful powers which can wreek and compel humans to obey their will but are still the vital servants of man's existence. These four mythical Druids, « Cetri druid » as texts call them, stand in fact as humanized figures of elementary forces running our World. They keep in their hands attributes of their real powers which appear to their followers to be « Divine Powers » of which Quest and Possession will lead Celts through history in adventurous cycles as fabulous as they are legendary. Two of these treasures - the Stone of fàl and the Cauldron - offer a passive, female and mystic character. These will become, through time, famous items of the Grail Quest. Two others, Lugh's Spear and Nuada's Sword despite their active and male significance will not benefit from the same romantic appeal, but will develop, in a spirit of search and adventure to discover profane techniques. Each of these treasures, pursued avidly by men will bloom in the Sacred or profane world:
These one the spiritual and material techniques more on less realised through the centuries by the AES DANA = « Men of Art and Techniques » of whom we are the inheritors, and whose paradigm, the world of the Tuatha Dé Danann (the people of the Goddess Ana), remains vital for the Celts. [ Our Shops ] [ Mailing List ] [ Order ] |
