It is thought that the introduction of the four quarters in Druidry is a modern invention, being hugely popular in Western Paganism, which in turn was influenced by many of the traditions found in ancient Greece. Though we cannot prove either way whether the ancient Druids honoured the four quarters, we know that some Druids do today and so it is presented here for you to incorporate into your own tradition, should you so wish. Many Druids find that working with the three realms satisfies their needs and gives it a more “Celtic” flavour. However, many others find it extremely beneficial to use a fourfold method, connecting it with the directions of the compass, the seasons, and more. In Celtic myths there are actually five directions: north, east, south, west, and centre. We will look at all of these in turn. In fact, Irish cosmology contains nine directions known as Dúile, which translate to be above, below, outside, inside, through, sky, sun, land, and sea. For the purposes of this work, we will work with the four quarters or directions, as well as the concept of centre.
The four quarters are north, east, south, and west. They can be viewed as four points on a circle, with north at the top of the circle, east at the furthest right-hand reach, south at the bottom, and west at the further left-hand reach. If we draw lines from north to south and from east to west, we find the symbol known as the Celtic Cross. There is some debate as to whether this ringed cross stems from the Bronze Age or is a later purport of Christianity.
Four cities are mentioned in the Yellow Book of Lecan, the ancestral home of the Tuatha Dé Danann (Irish race of gods). From these four cities, they brought with them treasures. The four cities and their corresponding treasures are: Falias and the Stone of Lia Fáil, Gorias and the Spear of Lugh, Murias and the Cauldron of Dagda, and Findias and the Sword of Nuada. We will explore these cities and treasures in relation to the direction in which they are attributed. Historically, there were five kingdoms in Ireland, which are now the four modern provinces, with the fifth historic kingdom (Mide or Meade) having been merged into another province (Leinster). The four provinces are Ulster in the north, Leinster in the east, Munster in the south, and Connacht in the west, which we’ll look at below. In the poem Ard Ruide we see a vision of each of the four provinces and what can be found in each, described below. In the work Settling the Manor of Tara, we also come across the fifth city and ancient kingdom at the sacred centre: Uisneach in Mide.
The four quarters are often used in ritual in much the same way as the three realms of land, sea, and sky. They are to help us understand our world, our place in the world, and to honour it both within and without. They can also help us to set out a boundary when honouring the sacred in ritual. I was taught by my teacher that the four quarters help us to anchor in our sacred space, acting like guy ropes to keep us centred in ritual. In other Pagan traditions such as Wicca, the four quarters are invoked; however, in Druidry we see them as present all the time and work toward a constant awareness of them in our lives, both within and without. We’re offering them our respect and seek to create a relationship with them to broaden our horizons, literally.
In much of Western Paganism, the four quarters have multiple associations. We will go over these each in turn and how they pertain to Druidry both ancient and modern. As Druidry is very much a tradition based on locality, the associations will vary depending upon where you are. For example, an Australian Druid would see south as the place of cold and north as the place of heat. A Druid living on the east coast of Canada would associate the direction of east with the Atlantic Ocean and water. Then again, some Druids prefer to use the more “ancestral” versions of the four directions, meaning as they relate to the United Kingdom. Even so, it can be difficult for a Druid like me, who lives on the east coast of England and sometimes calls to the powers of water in the west in group ritual, while the greatest body of water is, in fact, directly to the east. It is a personal choice whether you wish to honour your locality in the four directions, but be aware that in group ritual with many other Druids, you may be out of kilter with their perceptions of the four quarters! We’ll look at honouring the four quarters later in Part Two of this book.
The wonderful part about being a Hedge Druid is that you are allowed to choose what suits you in your tradition. So long as it is based in good academic research and practical experience of the land where you live, who is to say what is right and what is not? You can allow your locality to inspire and inform you in your own tradition. You don’t have to “follow the rules” set by other organisations, groups, or the collective “norm.” You have only to look at nature, at how the world works around you, and at your own ecosystem in order to find your place within it.
The North
In Modern Druidry the north is seen as the place of darkness. It is associated with the time of winter and midnight. It is a cold wind that blows from the north on these isles. It is stillness and silence. It is associated with the element of earth. It is the time of death, the quiet in the deep of the night. The north is the place of nocturnal creatures: the badger, the bat, the owl.
In ancient Celtic myth the north was the place of battle. It was also the place of fire, as opposed to the modern interpretation of fire being in the south. The north wind spoke of coming conflict. Warriors and gods were attributed to this direction. The city of Falias is connected to the north and is where the stone of Lia Fáil comes from. This stone is magical, of course; it sings with joy when the king of Ireland touches or puts his feet on it, as well as blessing him with long life. The north is connected to the element of earth and province of Ulster. In the poem Arde Ruide, Ulster in the north is known as the seat of battle, of boasting, and of valour. From here came the fiercest warriors of all Ireland, and its noble queens and goddesses are those of battle and death.
The East
Modern Druidry sees the east as the place of dawn and new beginnings. It is associated with the element of air and animals connected to it are the eagle, hawk, and the bee. It connected to the intellect and the birth of new ideas.
Ancient Celtic myth sees the east as the place of prosperity. An abundant harvest, material wealth, fine food and drink are associated with this direction. The city of Findias correlates to the east and from it came the Sword of Nuada, from which there was no escape in battle once it was drawn from its sheath and all would fall before its might. In the legend of “Nuada’s Cainnel,” it is said to glow with a bright light. The east connects to the ancient province of Leinster. The eastern kingdom of Leinster is where the most beautiful women and noble and eloquent men could be found. It is famed for its hospitality and rich finery from far-off lands.
The South
In Modern Druidry the south is the place of transformation, great heat, and the noon-day sun. It is the element of fire, passion, and action. Animals associated with it are the stag, the dragon, and the sow (ancient Druidry) or sometimes the boar (Modern Druidry).
Ancient Celtic mythology sees the south as the place of music, poetry, and the creative arts. Its city is Gorias, from which came the Spear of Lugh, famed for its ability in battle where none could last long against it and no man could hold out before it. Its associated province is Munster, the kingdom from which skilled harpers, horsemen, and ficheall players hailed (ficheall is a Celtic board game). It is said that Munster held the greatest fairs in all Ireland.
The West
The west is connected to the element of water in Modern Druidry. It is where the sun sets, the time of twilight. It is the realm of emotion and intuition. Associated animals are the salmon (Modern Druidry) and the stag (ancient Druidry). Other animals are herons, otters, and most aquatic creatures.
In ancient Celtic myth the west is the seat of ancestral knowledge, history, stories, genealogy and learning. It is the place of wisdom and mystery. It is connected to the city of Murias from which came the Cauldron of Dagda, which left no person unsatisfied. Connacht in the west is where the greatest and wisest Druids came from, as well as the most talented magicians. The men of Connacht are renowned for their good looks, speech, and ability to judge fair and true.
The Centre
As some Druids honour the centre alongside the four quarters, we will mention it here and incorporate it into ritual in the second part of this work. It is the fifth direction, the place of mastery and sovereignty. As such, it is an important place and can be viewed as the still and eternal centre from which everything revolves. The animal associated with it was the mare of sovereignty, as aspect of the Goddess of the land.7 Here, in the middle of the four directions, we find the centre, which incorporates all four aspects to create a place of centredness and balance.
Ancient Irish mythology has Uisneach as the city of the centre, from the kingdom of Meath or Mide. This is associated with spirit and kingship, sovereignty of the soul and the land. At its heart we can find a sacred tree called Craebh Uisnigh, which stands at the centre. The centre is all seasons, all times, and all things.
Here is a table that incorporates some of the Modern Druid correspondences as well ancient ones found in Celtic lore. In your tradition, you can add as many as you like from your personal experience and research. You may add the centre to your work and even think of the centre as the World Tree itself, the Craebh Uisnigh, from the centre located in Uisneach.
|
North |
East |
South |
West |
Centre |
|
|
Element |
Earth |
Air |
Fire |
Water |
All |
|
Attributes |
Stability, Fertility |
Intellect, Freedom |
Passion, Strength |
Emotion, Fluidity |
Sovereignty |
|
Animal |
Badger, Bat, Owl |
Eagle, Hawk, Bee |
Stag, Dragon, Sow |
Salmon, Stag, Heron |
All |
|
Season |
Winter |
Spring |
Summer |
Autumn |
All |
|
Time of Day |
Midnight |
Dawn |
Noon |
Dusk |
All |
|
Stage |
Birth/Early Childhood |
Young Adult |
Mature Adult |
Elder |
All |
|
Irish |
Ulster |
Leinster |
Munster |
Connacht |
Meath |
|
Irish |
Falias |
Findias |
Gorias |
Murias |
Uisneach |
|
Irish |
Stone of Lia Fáil |
Sword of Nuada |
Spear of Lugh |
Cauldron of Dagda |
Craebh Uisnigh |
On the path of the Hedge Druid, we find what sings to our soul, what resonates deeply within us. We work from a balanced place of integrity in our work, research, and practice. We don’t know what ancient Druids really did, nor do we wish to emulate them in every aspect. We seek to find out as much as we can and to learn from it, thereby creating wisdom in our being.
She stands by the ancient burial mound, the sun setting in the distance. She calls to the ancient cities of Falias, Findias, Gorias, Murias, and Uisneach. She sees in her mind the totem animals associated with each and the World Tree at the centre. She recalls the associations that she has made through her research and experience and what she feels to be true in her own heart, asking each to bless her in her work. Strong and centred, she knows who she is, what she is here to do, and what part she has to play in the wider web of life.
7. Ellen Evert Hopman, “Two Seasons, Three Worlds, Four Treasures, Five Directions: the Pillars of Celtic Cosmology and Celtic Reconstructionist Druidism,” Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, accessed November 16, 2017, https://www.druidry.org/druid-way/other-paths/druidry-dharma/two-seasons-three-worlds-four-treasures-five-directions-pillars.