a template for transformation
So what do we have here? There is no doubt that the tale we have explored presents a powerful mystery, one that is an allegorical tale of initiation and transformation. The sequences it describes are vital processes by which we gain the insight that is required to experientially understand the mysteries, whereby they are incorporated by the mind, body, and spirit into lucidity.
You have read the tale and discovered its origin and history; you have met the characters, archetypes, and spirits contained therein and have, by proxy, initiated a relationship with them. As you read each account, you connected to powerful figures totemic of the magic of Celtica. These figures are very much alive and, as you have discovered, aspects of yourself swim within them. To have accessed this information is one thing; what to do with the information is a whole other matter. This book is not intended as a source of information alone; after all, the mysteries must be utilised and experienced in order for them to be assimilated. We must be in possession of a template that allows us to practically access the mysteries in a manner that instigates the ingestion of the drops, the subsequent chase, and the process of transformation.
The key elements of the tale must be incorporated into your life in order for it to cross the barrier that separates fantasy from reality. Without the practical application of the mysteries, the material remains a relic of linguistics and the written word, but it is infinitely more than this. The magic within the Celtic material is applicable, but no amount of studying will bring about that realisation unless the mind is engaged in a visionary sense. We must balance our relationship with it so that we swing harmoniously between the skills of the intellect and the skills of magic. The various exercises at each section’s conclusion have already served to move you closer to the realisation of the journey into the cauldron. How you progress from here can take on various forms.
For a template to become experiential, you need a format that is applicable to you, which must include and consider your own unique personality and set of circumstances. One must also consider the reasons for wanting to seek the cauldron in the first place. So, logically, your template must commence by asking yourself a set of questions that pertains to your intentions. It may be that you are naturally drawn to the Celtic mysteries and its gods and you seek to deepen your connection, explore these concepts, and note them in your journal. Your template will differ in accordance to the form of study you have partaken; it be that your descent into mystery is a solitary task, but you may well be studying as part of a group. Either way, your template must be applicable and appropriate.
The mysteries can be entirely experienced as a mental exercise, or you can incorporate aspects of physical ritual into your template. Your entry into the cauldron may well be in the form of a deep meditation spanning a period of weeks or a pathworking course that you share with a group. It may take the form of contemplation and physical interaction—do what feels right, find the templates that suit you and your lifestyle, and employ the most effective manner by which you access your subtle senses. There is no right or wrong way of accessing the subtle realms; what is imperative are your actions and intentions. Another vital aspect of transformation must also be considered: that of service. Whatever your intentions, they must be balanced by a sense of service. This material should not be kept and neither is it a secret; we serve the mysteries and our gods through serving them and our communities. Therefore, contemplate on your contribution to the material—what do you give it in return? How does your service perpetuate the myths of the Celts and disseminate that wisdom? This tale forms a template for your personal transformation, but you are also able to impart that magic onto the world at large. Go forth and inspire.
The following section contains rites that incorporate contemplation and interaction with the physical plane in a ritualised format.