By Land, Sky & Sea (20 page)

Conclusion

The highest heavens can lead to the depths of the underworld, and the center of the underworld can lead to the realm of stars. As above, so below. Everything is connected.

—Christopher Penczak,
The Temple of Shamanic Witchcraft

In the course of writing this book, I underwent quite a few massive changes in my life. My books
Spirited: Taking Paganism Beyond the Circle
and
Crafting the Community
were published. I began a health degree in Western herbal medicine at college. I entered the intimacy of a loving relationship, and I forged plans to move to another city and to branch a new coven of the WildWood Tradition. These examples are the most overt surface changes that have occurred in this time, and yet my inner landscape has transformed so drastically that on many levels, I have come to embrace an entirely new identity. This is the way of the Wild Witch—with change and transformation comes new life, and it is only pure and good that we go with the flow and embrace it!

The concept for this guidebook on deepening Pagan magick and spirituality through the Celtic ancient trinity arose amidst the striking natural beauty of Ireland. I was blessed enough to spend two weeks in September 2008 travelling the Emerald Isle with two amazing close friends. I recall the exact place in which I was moved to journal in my Book of Shadows that I had officially decided my next writing project would be this book. I remember the raw passion and excitement, and I couldn’t wait to return home to the familiarity and security of my own computer and begin to really create something practical and inspiring for those Pagans and magickal folk desiring deeper insights into our spirituality in this modern world. I entered into this project imbued with the bright fire of Celtic romanticism and have concluded, in my opinion, with a highly eclectic guidebook on how to develop shamanic skills to infuse one’s Craft with blazing purpose and a keen desire to serve.

The Celtic culture and spirituality was one of refinement, but at the deepest core, the Celts held highest the virtue of
imbas
or
awen
—the fire in the head, the divine inspiration—the poetic life force that animates consciousness and calls it to thrive. It has been my endeavour throughout my life and my writing to be a vessel, a conduit, and a channel for this force, and to allow it clearer passage into this world so that it may manifest its beauty, wisdom, and truth for all to behold. I can only hope and pray that the
awen
will continue to flow through and touch as many people as it already does.

Modern Paganism is coming of age. We are finding our feet in this unsure world. Many of us are consciously working towards greater acceptance of our people and ways in broader society, and others, through their shining example, display to the world that “we are an old people, we are a new people, we are the same people, stronger than before.” Nowadays, “Pagan” isn’t such a dirty word, and it is rare that it causes offence. If we continue to claim with pride and zest the ancestral heritage that is buried deep within, then we continue to create a place at the table of the global citizens of the world. The wisdom that flows within the veins glows with the light of spirit.

For those of you who have discovered within these pages a format or context for delving deeper into Pagan spirituality, then please do not hesitate to take what you have learnt from here and create new and meaningful ways to interact with the forces/archetypes that stir within the mythos of what has inspired me to bring forth these words. Remember that to stand on the land, surrounded by the sea (which is also within), and to have the sky watching down on you is to be both between the realms and whole within them. The world tree, the great centre of the world, is in all places, at all times, and wherever you wander, you are there—this is the centre, you only have to awaken to the reality.

If, when you kneel under the world tree and look up through the spiralling branches, you feel a merging of oneness with the tree, then relax, surrender, and go with it. Everything is okay, all is well, and the gods are with you.

Sláinte,
my friends! Journey well!

May the land ever open new vistas before you; may the sky always keep your ideals pure; and may the sea gift you the power of dreams. By the land, by the sky, and by the sea—by the ancient trinity, blessed be.

Gede Parma

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