"The Settling of the Manor of Tara"celtbar.gif (2262 bytes)

The Division of the World

In the tale, the "Settling of the Manor of Tara", Fintan, the oldest living Seanchai, divided the Land of Ireland into five parts (East, West, North, South and Center). The navel of Ireland was placed at Uisneach as marked by the Stone of Divisions. This marked the center of the plane of the surface. Trefuilingidh Tre-eochair (the Magical being who came from out of the West, seeking the Sun's rising) further defined these divisions into a series of qualities associated with each province and direction. The Great Plane of the Sky, Magh Mor and the Islands of the Otherworldly Sea, Tir Andomain, can also have their surfaces defined in a corresponding manner. These divisions allow us to define their centers so that we can understand their interconnection with the Bíle or World/Sacred Tree. The Celts and Neolithic peoples defined a circle (as well as a world) by using an equal armed cross. This symbol evolved into the "Celtic Cross". The Sunwheel is a symbol of Lugh as well as the cross (being a symbol of Brighid as well). This act of crossing is exactly what a Celt does to determine his "center" at sunrise of each day as he/she welcomes the first rays of the morning Sun.

I have compiled a table of the divisions into which I think the Three Worlds should be divided to assist us in developing a "casting cloth" for our Ogham Divination system. These divisions are based upon the wisdom of Fintan and Trefuilingidh Tre-eochair and many other ancient and modern sources (please accept these assignments as a guide only.... they seem to work for me, but you may have others that work better for you). These divisions are the sharp edges that I use to test the "truth" of my Ogham divinations. Please use these general assignments of characteristics to further guide your own divination efforts when casting upon a "cloth" or a "circle" (more specific meanings will be given in Part II of this series for each of the Ogham, as well as the Realms of the Otherworld/Subconsciousness/Superconsciousness). The basic qualities and attributes of the Three Worlds are described here so that we may have a better "feel" for the form, shape and color of the Celtic Cosmological canvas. The information that is specific to each Realm, Deity, Hallow, Direction or Quarter are given elsewhere in this work. If you look closely, the patterns and weaves that exist between the Three Worlds and their distinguishing qualities may appear to you and guide your own steps. The Three Worlds of Sky, Land and Sea (Upper, Middle, Under)/(Past, Present, Future) are divided as follows:

 Magh Mor (Great Plain or Skyworld:)
Spirit of Creation (Future)


Sen Magh (Old Plain) Origins and Wisdom

Magh Findargat (Plain of White Silver) Light and Hope
Magh Imchiunn (Plain of Gentleness)
Magh Argetnel (Plain of Silver Clouds)

Magh Mel (Plain of Delight) Inspiration and Creativity
Magh Airthech (Plain of Bounty)
Magh Ildathach (Plain of Many Colors)

Magh Ionganaidh (Plain of Wonders) Miracles and Wonders

Bith or Mide (Middleworld)
Spirit of Being (Present)

Oithear (East)/Sword of Nuada Prosperity and Change

Dess (South)/Spear of Lugh Music and Poetry

Siar (West)/Cauldron of The Dagda Knowledge and Druidry

Thuaidh (North)/Lia Fail Battle and Determination

Tir Andomain (Underworld)
Spirit of the Ancestors (Past)

Tir na mBeo (Land of Eternal Life) Eternity and Ancient Lore

Tir na mBan (Land of Women) Beauty and Pleasure

Tir fo Thuinn (Land Under the Waves) Fear and Perspective
Tech Duinn (House of Donn)

Tir na n'Og (Land of Youth) Needs and Renewal

 (Picture of the Three Worlds as plains goes here, THREEWD.PCX)

These are the plains that we must travel in our quest for foreknowledge and divination. These are the worlds of our consciousness. Within each Land, the Hallows and the hazards have been defined as well as the rewards and the opportunities. In our next segment, we will describe the warriors that will assist us in our quest. Hopefully, they will guard our thoughts and insure our victories while we attempt our Ogham divinations. Following that, we will describe the attributes and the qualities of the Ogham Fidh themselves. Perhaps we will soon be able to answer the remaining questions:

"Who calleth the cattle from the House of Tethra?
On whom do the cattle of Tethra smile?"

The Qualities of the Five Parts of Eireann
(as given by Fintan and Trefuilngid Tre-eochair
in the 'Settling of the Manor of Tara')

North (Ulster)
Cath (Battle)

ATÚAID - NORTH

contentions (arse, casmirt): conflicts, arguments, claims, thesis, discussion, challenge.
hardihood
(dúiri, crógacht, dánacht): boldness, daring, impudence, insolence.
rough places
(drobela, gairbhe): coarseness, ruggedness, wildness.
strifes (drenna, cogadh): conflict, fighting, disagreement, disharmony, competition, struggle.
haughtiness (díumasa, uaibhreas): arrogance, pride.
unprofitableness
(dimáine, neamhthairbheach): leanness, unbeneficial, losses, disservice.
pride
(húaill, uabhar; brod): ego, self-esteem, egotism, arrogance.
captures
(hallud, tógáil): gains, takings, winnings, victories.
assaults
(hindsaighthi, tosái, fogha): attacks, compelling, rapes.
hardness
(crúas; cruas): resistance, toughness, sternness, harshness, difficulty.
wars
(congala; cogadh): conflicts, competitions, struggles.
conflicts
(coicthi; comhrac): hostilities, clashes, strife, war, contentions, difficulties.

East (Leinster)
Bláth (Prosperity)

ANOIR - EAST

prosperity (bláth) - prosperity
supplies (dino; sólathar): collection, procurement; supply, provision.
bee-hives (neathamnass; coirceog): hives.
contests (ceasa; comórtas): comparisons; competitions.
feats of arms (cosnuma; beart; gniomh): cast, move; shift, plan; action, proceeding, doing, performing, working, exercising.
householders (cleas n-airm; ceannas): headship, sovereignty; authority; command.
nobles (noethaighi; uasal): noble, high-born; gentle; precious, fine.
wonders (halle; ionadh): wonder, surprise.
good custom (hinganati; béas): habits; customary tax; dues
good manners (sobés; muineadh): teaching, training; good behavior, manners; chastening; moral, lesson.
splendor (sochostud; niamhracht): bright, lustrous, shining, resplendence.
abundance (haínis; fairsingeacht): width, extent; breadth; expanse; plenty, abundance; lavishness, liberality.
dignity (himid; maorgacht): stateliness, dignity.
strength (horddan; neart; daingne): strength; force; power; plenty; power to prevent, to remedy; ability. Also: fortified, strong, solid, secure.
wealth (tráchta; saibhreas; maoin): riches, wealth; richness. also: gift, benefit; property, wealth; treasure.
householding (turcharthi; teaghlachas; ceannacht): domestic economy, housekeeping; establishment; household troops; retinue. Also: chieftain, management;
many arts (hilldána; dán): gift, offering; craft, calling; art, faculty; poem; lot, fate.
accoutrements (teglochus; úim): harness; weaving harness, gear, tackle. Also: D'aon úim = Ogham.
many treasures (hil máine; stór; maoin): stores, stock, provisions, abundance, treasure, riches, value, esteem. also: gift, benefit; property, wealth; treasure.
satin (sróll; sról): satin; smooth.
serge (síric; saraiste): serge, a twilled cloth of worsted wool.
silks (sítai; sioda): silks.
cloths (britgraighi; eadach, brat): cloth,; sail; clothing; mantle, cloak; covering; curtain.
hospitality (brugamnos; féile): generosity, hospitality; festival, feast.

South (Munster)
Séis (Music):

ANDEAS - THE SOUTH

waterfalls (hesa; eas): waterfall; cascade, cataract; swift current, rapid.
fairs
(hóenaigi; aonach): fair; horse fair; assembly. aon = "one".
nobles
(donda; uasal): noble, high-born; gentle; precious, fine.
reavers
(dínerga; foglai): plunderer, pillager; marauder, trespasser.
knowledge
(súithi; fios; eolas): knowledge; practical knowledge, understanding; familiarity; information; direction, guidance.
subtlety
(cruithnecht; mine; grinn): smoothness, softness; fineness, delicacy. also: perceptive; clear, accurate.
musicianship
(céolchaireacht; ceoltóireacht): playing of music; singing; musicianship.
melody
(bindis; séis, fonn): sense, meaning, order, arrangement; strain, melody; hum; talk.
minstrelsy
(hairfideadh; amhráin): songs, singing; a poetic chanting, meter.
wisdom
(hecna; eagnaiocht; crionnacht; gaois): Wisdom; cleverness in debate; prudence; shrewdness, sagacity; maturity, old age.
honour
(hairmitniu; onóir, urraim): honor; esteem; respect; deferential regard.
music
(séis; ceol): music; song; vigor, animation; ringing sound.
learning
(foglaim; foghlaim): learning; instruction, teaching; experience.
teaching
(foirceatul; múinteoireacht): teaching.
warriorship
(fiansa; saigdiúireacht; laochas): soldering; courage; heroism; valor.
fidchell-playing
(fidchellacht; fidlana): chess; a game of wood wisdom.
vehemence
(démne; tréine; racht; fórsa): strength, power intensity; pent-up, violence, emotion; fit; outburst; force of wind.
fierceness
(díscere; fraoch; tréine): heather; fierceness, fury.
poetical art
(filidecht; filidecht): poetry; lyricising; lampooning, satire
advocacy
(fechemnus; abhcóideacht): advocacy; counseling.
modesty
(féle; cúlantacht): modesty; shyness; backwardness.
code
(forus; córas): system.
retinue
(tascor; lucht; coimhdeachta): cargo; people; accompaniment, companionship.
fertility
(torthaigi; torthúlacht): fruitfulness, fertility, richness.

West (Connacht)
Fios (Knowledge)

ANÍAR - WEST

learning (fis, foglaim): learning, experience; teaching, instruction.
foundations (forus, bunú): foundation, establishment.
teachings (foirceatol, muineadh): teaching, training; good behavior, manners; chastening; moral, lesson.
alliance (bág, cairdeas): friendship; alliance; fosterage.
judgement (breithemnus, breithiúnas): judgement; sentence.
chronicles (comge, coimce?): chronicles; ancient knowledge.
counsels (comhairle): advice, counsel; direction, influence.
stories (sécla, sceal): stories; historical story; account; narrative; tale.
science (eolaiocht): science.
comeliness (slacht): finish; polish; good appearance, neatness, tidiness.
eloquence (solabharthacht): affability, civility; fluency, eloquence.
beauty (háine, áilleacht): beauty, loveliness; delight.
modesty (cúlánacht): modesty; shyness; backwardness.
bounty (gart, féile): generosity, hospitality; festival, feast.
abundance (fairsingeacht): width, extent; breadth; expanse; plenty, abundance; lavishness, liberality.
wealth (saibhreas; maoin): riches, wealth; richness. also: gift, benefit; property, wealth; treasure.


Center (Meath)
Riogacht (Kingship)

stewards (maor; atmháistir): steward; warden, keeper; overseer; prefect; herdsman; lesser weaver.
dignity
(maorgacht, mórgacht): stateliness; dignity; greatness; majesty.
primacy
(tosaiocht, bunaidh): precedence; preference; priority; origin; ,original; fundamental.
stability
(buanseasmhacht): perseverance;
establishments
(cruthú, firinne): creation; proof; testimony.
supports
(cuaille; iompraim, taobhaim): stakes; poles, posts; companion; supporter;
destructions
(togla): destructions; sack.
warriorship
(ánradacht): heroism; valor; warriorship
charioteership
( carbadóireacht): charioteership.
soldiery
(saighdiúireacht): soldiery; military service.
principality
(flaitheas): rule; sovereignty; heaven.
high-kingship
(ardríocht): high kingship.
Ollaveship
(ollamhnacht): master poet; learnedness; expertness; professorship.
mead
(meá): mead; a poet.
bounty
(féile, oineach):honor, good name, reputation; generosity, hospitality; bounty.
ale
(leann): ale; beer; liquid, fluid; binding; influence.
reknown
(clú): reputation; honor; reknown.
fame
(cail): reputation; quality
prosperity
(bláth): blossom, flowers; bloom; beauty, prime; prosperity, abundance.

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