NMR ISSUE 51

Astrological Forecast 51
Energy and Its Uses
Essential Celtic Mythology
Gerald Gardner
Gleanings 51
Guest Editorial
Herbal Wines: A Truly Magical Brew
Highlighting Dreams
Letters 51
Manifesting Your Dreams
May You Find Peace Here
Meditation in Magickal Practice
Millennium and the Rebirth of Traditionalism
Mr. Jefferson and the Infidels
The Compassion in Anger
The Healing Fire
The Magic Arts in Celtic Britain

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Essential Celtic Mythology

Clarke, Lindsay, ed. San Francisco, CA: Thorsons, 1997. pp. 185.ISBN# 1-85538-477-9

The term world derives from Anglo-Saxon roots, wer meaning man and eld indicating age. Taken together, they can be loosely translated into age of man. The existence of the world is explained by a culture's myths and stories, as are its values, standards of behavior, qualities or objects that are defined as precious and those that are declared repugnant. According to Lindsay Clarke, a civilization will thrive as long as the people believe in their stories. When myths no longer correspond with life and experience there is a time of transition and upheaval while new stories are discovered developed and incorporated. Western culture is currently undergoing just such a transition period, with many people casting about for tales that will establish what is "good" and "right." In keeping with the spirit of rediscovery Lindsay Clarke offers new English versions of some classic Irish and Welsh myths, stories that can boast of a timeless applicability. Essential Celtic Mythology puts a contemporary spin on myths that deal with recurrent issues: loyalty, revenge, devotion - issues that lie at the heart of humanity.

The Celts burst into recorded history around the sixth century BCE. Within three hundred years they had conquered and settled most of central Europe, moving south into Spain and Italy, eastward into Greece and Turkey and westward into the British Isles. Eventually their decentralized realm faced increasing pressure from Germanic tribes and the expansion of the Roman empire, with the Celts ultimately withdrawing primarily into what is now England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The Celts relied on oral tradition, preserving myths, poems, history, laws and religious/spiritual beliefs through a living memory bank of druids, bards and ovates. Celtic language achieved a written form about 500 CE, but by this time Christianity was taking firm hold in Britain and the writings of that time reflect this bias. Much of the traditional lore was contaminated in translation and it is likely that a large portion was completely lost. As the power of the Catholic Church grew the old stories were suppressed, defined as evil or changed to mirror and support Christian values. Even so, Celtic myths have survived, albeit in bits and pieces, some of which have been recognizably altered.

The stories in Essential Celtic Mythology are taken from the Irish Book of Invasions and the Welsh Mabinogion. Clarke has simplified the original archaic form and language in an attempt to make these tales and their marvelous characters accessible - in this he has certainly attained his goal. The reader is able to focus less on translating obscure terms and more on sensing the deeper underlying motifs.

Within the arena of the Irish and Welsh myths common themes occur. The blending of the everyday world with that which is considered to be supernatural and divine is almost universal, as displayed in "The Coming of Lugh." In this story the mythical Tuatha de Danaan (People of the Goddess Danu) conquer Ireland, intermarrying with the people they find there. Secondly, loyalty as the necessity of honoring a vow is showcased in the tragedies of "The Sorrows of Dierdre" and "The Pursuit of Diarmaid and Grainne." Thirdly, respect for the power and advice of women is obvious in all nine of the recorded stories; in fact, though most are centered around patriarchal qualities (physical combat, property ownership, etc.), they evince a very positive valuation of the feminine. Lastly, the sacrosanct bonds between family and friends, in all of their strength and endurance, are movingly illustrated in "The Children of Lyr."

Though all of the myths are image-rich, with larger-than-life heroes, beautiful women, magical weapons and a wild, ever-changing landscape, there is a darker side. Treachery, betrayal and butchery are also well represented, generally serving as examples of what can happen if accepted codes and standards of behavior are violated. Shamanic story elements are rife and center mostly around the concept of divine kingship (unusual birth circumstances, physical connection with the land and dependence of fertility on that connection, a seriously wounded, dying hero, prohibitive life taboos, etc.) though the World Tree and shape-shifting also make prominent appearances. Truly these are magical stories, premiere entertainment with strong, repetitive messages about how to live in harmony with self, community and the larger world.

Essential Celtic Mythology contains a vital re-telling of classic Celtic myths. The language is simple, fluid and vivid, painting these gods and heroes in three-dimensional style. Despite the ancient settings and overt magical content, the common threads of human emotions and conflicts are easily discernible. Clear-cut values are presented, as are the terrible consequences of disregarding these tenets for living. In a world where values has become a loaded word that tends to be overused and wide open to interpretation, the Celtic myths plainly define acceptable behavior while allowing for human frailty. Those who yield to temptation, however, are expected to gracefully pay the price; personal responsibility is an overwhelming merit.

Essential Celtic Mythology is an excellent primer on myth, a blueprint for spiritual development and, on a lighter note, a lot of fun. In a world of constant change and insecurities these stories propose an integrated worldview based on respect and responsibility. Highly recommended.

Janet Dugan