Soul Star Travelers of Elven World

Soul Star Travelers of Elven World, Magick of Tuatha de Danann

A mysterious and magical island. Source: Marina Varnava / Adobe Stock

Avalon: Island of Apples

The Celtic Otherworld has always been a mystery; a strange, mysterious, and elusive place. What is not always appreciated is the extent to which the Celtic Otherworld, especially the magic Island of Apples, agrees with its Greek counterpart.

Since ancient times it had in fact been believed that the Celts got their concept of the Blessed Isles from the Greeks. The Greek historian, Plutarch, in his Life of Sertorius (8.2-3), maintains that the belief in the Elysian Fields passed into the Celtic world and modern scholars hold the same opinion.

In order to delve somewhat deeper and explore these possible origins, a closer look needs to be taken at a Celtic god and goddess closely associated with the Celtic Otherworld, namely Manannán/Manawydan and his consort, Rhiannon.

Manannán/Manawydan

An intriguing figure among the Tuatha Dé Danann was Manannán mac Lir, remembered in Welsh tradition as Manawydan fab Llŷr, “Son of the Sea.”

Manannán was a shapeshifter and had a crane bag in which he kept the earliest form of the Hallows, the treasures of the Tuatha Dé Danann. He often appeared to sailors on the outset of their voyages. Manawydan was also a cunning and master craftsman. His first consort was Fand, “Pearl of Beauty.” He later married Rhiannon. After the Milesians gained control of the land, Manannán became the overlord of the remnant of the Tuatha Dé Danann as we read in the story, Altram Tige Dá Medar or The Nourishment of the Houses of Two Milk-Vessels.

Manannán was lord and guardian of the Blessed Islands, especially the Isle of Man, which bears his name, and the Isle of Arran, off the west coast of Scotland. Any one of these islands (other possibilities have also been put forward) could have been Emhain Abhlach, from which the well-known name, Avalon, was derived. Abhlach means “of the apple trees.” This refers to the apple trees that grew on the island, trees which bore golden apples, the source of eternal life and inspiration. The island, also called the “Plain of Honey,” was a place where “the young do not grow old at all.”

Wild Apple Blossoms 8 X 10 Floral Print, Pink and White Blossoms, Fine Art Photography - Etsy New Zealand

A branch from a blossoming tree on the Island of Apples, called the Silver Branch, had poetic and prophetic properties and was carried by an otherworldly woman in a story about Manawydan’s brother, Bran, called The Voyage of Bran. It became the symbol of the poet’s craft, a symbol of entry into the Otherworld.

Manannán was lord and guardian of the Blessed Islands, especially the Isle of Man, which bears his name, and the Isle of Arran, off the west coast of Scotland. Any one of these islands (other possibilities have also been put forward) could have been Emhain Abhlach, from which the well-known name, Avalon, was derived. Abhlach means “of the apple trees.” This refers to the apple trees that grew on the island, trees which bore golden apples, the source of eternal life and inspiration. The island, also called the “Plain of Honey,” was a place where “the young do not grow old at all.”

A branch from a blossoming tree on the Island of Apples, called the Silver Branch, had poetic and prophetic properties and was carried by an otherworldly woman in a story about Manawydan’s brother, Bran, called The Voyage of Bran. It became the symbol of the poet’s craft, a symbol of entry into the Otherworld.

apple trees" - Playground

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Replies to This Discussion

You will one day, and if not I'm sure there will be another adventure awaiting, good spending time here 

Oh for sure,when the time is right once again..till then still they are nice to hold on to just as memory keepsakes even..

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Multi Dimensional Reality

The world as you know it - all that you see, taste, feel and touch, comprises only about 5% of all of the stuff of the universe. The other 95% is what we have considered "nothing" or the "firmament"  or dark matter or the heavens or mystic Other Worlds. This 95% is multi-dimensional and consists of potential realities that may be perceived.

A single thought...a mere whisper, ...... barely upon a breeze that catches a spark... all is tinder before the firestorm... and yet.
ONLY that whisper
ONLY that thought
 the world is forever changed beyond the fears and dreams of cardboard men.
Freedom and change starts within:
It is encouraged by truth and courage of people who love
Built by the respect of true beings standing as one before each other.
Lets us cross every man made borders
without fear stare into eyes and hearts of all our brothers and sisters: within our words without shouting,or force to hold each to our truths; and let us without fear freely share what works...

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