Otherworld
One of the most common features of ancient Celtic
literature and legends is intercourse between humans and supernatural
beings from the Otherworld. Characters with shapeshifting powers and
other magical abilities were accepted without surprise. Quests to the
Otherworld were often taken by brave individuals. This realm went by
many different names and spawned many different legends.
In Irish legend, the
Otherworld represented the afterlife, in it's most idealisic state it
was "Tir na Nog," the land of the ever youthful. The emphasis there
was on feasting, revelry, music, and lovemaking. The animals that
were eaten one day would come back to life the next. Trouble could
arise however, as is evident in Irish lore.
Access to the
Otherworld was attempted by several routes, one of which was at the
feast of Samhain, the day that came to be Halloween. At this time of
the year, and other times as well, spirits and humans moved freely
between the supernatural and earthly dimensions. Many Celtic heroes
undertook shapeshifting in order to enter the Otherworld.
Animal spirit guides
traveled freely between the worlds. Some animals, such as the raven,
owl, horse, and pegasus were highly respected for helping humans
commune with the Otherworld. Gods and Goddesses were often portrayed
in animal form or had a specific animal familiar, or spiritual
companion. During journeys to the Otherworld, the human is usually
depicted with some sort of animal or mystical creature.
Another aspect of
the Otherworld was the Sidhe, the fairy mounds or underground
dwelling places of divine beings, called Fairies. Each God and
Goddess has their own Sidhe, usually inside a small hill. The
supernatural qualities of these mounds was not confined to their
interior.
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