Oak, Ash, and Hawthorn: The Path of the Druids (3/6)

The Three Realms
Besides just revering the physical world around them, Druids also draw strength and spirituality from two other realms. Altogether, the three realms are Sky, Land, and Sea. These three realms are both physical areas as well as spiritual grounds. The idea of these three realms is drawn from an old Irish tradition of reverence for the the sky, the land, and the sea.


First, I want to explain a little bit about each Realm.

The Celtic or solar cross
is seen as a summary of the
Tree of Life and represents
not only the Sun and the
four seasons, but also the
connection between the
Realms.

Sky is seen as the land of the "Shining Ones" or the Gods. It's similar to the idea of the Judeo-Christian God who resides in Heaven. The sky also represents the spirit and truth. Sky is also where the Sun is, and the Sun was a major deity for the Celts, just like in many other cultures, and is today for the Druids.

The Tree of Life, although more
commonly associated with
Jewish mysticism (kabbalah) or the
Norse yggdrasil, is viewed as
connecting all three Realms.

Land is seen as the place of mortal life. This is where humans and all living things dwell. It's the bridge between the two other Realms, but is also seen as sort of the body of the divine, as many Druids work with a number of powerful Earth deities, especially Goddesses. It is also seen as the body in general, as well as encompassing the idea of "love."

A triskelion is seen as a representation
of all three Realms, and a triskelion
with feet rather than swirls is the
symbol of the Isle of Man (the name of
which does not derive from a human)

Last is Sea, which is connected with the afterlife and the Otherworld. The sea is thought of as the mind, and the essence of wisdom. Many Druids believe that when a person dies, their body goes back to the Earth, and their souls goes to a land under the sea, or an island somewhere in the mists. Besides souls, some Gods are believed to live here, as well as many other mystical and magical spirits. Wells have a very special connotation in much of the UK and Ireland, both with ancient inhabitants and modern, Druid or non-Druid, because they are thought to be a direct connection to the Otherworld. The Otherworld, as mentioned before, is the land of the dead, and has many names, such as "Tír na nÓg", "The Summerlands", "The Land of Eternal Youth", or "The Land Beneath the Mists". The afterlife is important to mention because many Druids believe in some sort of reincarnation process, as well as the possibility of connection to the Otherworld through certain techniques or on certain days of the year.


Now, I want to look as some music by a Druid musician who goes by the name Damh ("Dav" or "Dave") the Bard.

You are the rock, and you are the stone,
Rivers your blood, mountains your bone.
You are the Source, of all I’ll ever know,
Forever my Mother, forever my home.


(Chorus)
Oh this town is so cold,
Neon magicians they offer the fools their gold.
For there is a place I’d rather be,
In your wild places with the Land and the Sky and the Sea


Every step, follows those gone before,
Mystics and Saints, down to the shore,
Echoing waves, and the curlew’s cry,
A call out your name, and hear your reply.


Cynical thoughts, and lies that distort,
All that is true, all that is true,
They disappear, when I feel that you’re near,
When I’m with you, when I’m with you.

Not only does this song show a spiritual connection to nature ("Your are the rock" "Rivers your blood" "You are the Source" "Forever my Mother") it also explicitly relates to the Three Realms in expressing a longing to be in a place where he can feel connected to all three places at once. It also clearly displays the author's displeasure with some aspects of modernity ("Neon magicians they offer the fools their gold" seems to directly be calling out advertisers, big businesses, and perhaps large, flashing cities).

Next, we'll move to the Awen (and I'll try to be quick).