The Nine Limbs of the Sacred Tree Searles Mon Jul 17 08:50:00 2000 The Nine Limbs of the Sacred Tree*p*I'd like to suggest a course of study, references and reading materials for an aspiring Druid's education that is based upon an analogy with the art and science of Yoga and a correlation with the Nine Dúile from Celtic lore. Quoting from _Ayurveda and the Mind_ by Dr. David Frawley (Vamadeva): *p*"Classical Yoga provides an eightfold approach (Ashtanga) to achieve its aim of reintegration. These eight "limbs" are not simply steps or stages, though they do follow a certain sequence. They are like the limbs of the body or parts of a house. Each has its proper role, though not all are equally important. " *p*The Eight Limbs of Yoga *p*1.) Yama - Rules of Social Conduct *br*2.) Niyama - Rules of Personal Conduct *br*3.) Asana - Physical Postures: Right Orientation of the Physical Body *br*4.) Pranayama - Breath Control: Right Use of the Vital Force *br*5.) Pratyahara - Control of the Mind and Senses *br*6.) Dharana - Concentration: Control of Attention *br*7.) Dhyana - Meditation; Right Reflection *br*8.) Samadhi - Absorption: Right Union *p*Now, among the Celts and Druids there was a nine-fold division of the self and the Cosmos known as the Dúile. These are detailed next with their corresponding body parts, principles and cosmic correspondences. *p*Correspondences of the Duíle *p*1.) Cnaimh (Bones) - Cloch (Stone) - Foundation *br*2.) Colaind (Flesh) - Talamh (Earth) - Form *br*3.) Gruaigh (Hair) - Uaine (Plant Life) - Growth *br*4.) Fuil (Blood) - Muir (Sea) - Emotion *br*5.) Anal (Breath) - Gaeth (Wind) - Life Force *br*6.) Imradud (Mind) - Gealach (Moon) - Intuiton *br*7.) Drech (Face) - Grian ( Sun) - Perception *br*8.) Menma (Brain) - Nel (Cloud) - Wonder *br*9.) Ceann (Head) - Neamh (Heaven) - Mastery *p*If we look into the lore of the Celts and the wisdom of the Druids, we can see a pattern that allows us to develop a series of nine steps or limbs to the Sacred Tree or Bile. *p*The Nine Limbs of the Sacred Tree (Bile) *p*1.) The Foundations of Society (The Triads and The Brehon Laws) *br*2.) The Wisdom Texts (Audacht Morainn, The Advice of Cormac, the Rules of*br*the Fianna) *br*3.) The Lore of Places and Nature (The Dindshenchas, Ogham, Herbal and Tree*br*Lore, Animal Lore)*br*4.) The Skills of Battle (Martial Arts and Emotional Disciplines, the Tests*br*of the Fianna, Games of Skill, Postures) *br*5.) Calling the Winds (Poetry, Teinm Laegda, Music, Chanting, Balance work) *br*6.) The Well of Segais (The Bed of the Poets, Meditation, Imbas Forosnai) *br*7.) The Champion's Portion (The Single Attention, the Divided Attention,*br*Dichetal Do Chennaibh) *br*8.) The Cattle of Tethra (Geasa, Divination, Cloud and Star Lore) *br*9.) The Great Song (Death, Rebirth, Becoming and Making) *p*These nine groupings are not to be pursued in a linear fashion but holistically. We do not grow naturally in this manner and should not expect our wisdom to grow in any different way. My own pursuit of excellence in knowledge and wisdom of self is guiding me into these areas. I would be interested in discussing each of them further, as well as being favored with your own perceptions and practices along the Druid Way.*p*In conjunction with the Nine Limbs of the Sacred Tree, I would like to present a list of a few of the skills of Druids as provided by Sea/n O'Tuathail. We should perhaps discuss these and decide what they concern and also consider how we could implement them into our disciplines. *p*Many of us have had strange events occur within our lives. Such occurrences and episodes are unsettling, to say the least, and require a tremendous amount of balance work for one's psyche. It also helps to know that the mind has many more potentials than what the mundane world ascribes to it. If the mind has more potentials, then the spirit is the world of the unlimited where anything, however strange can occur, in much the same way that the physical world is the world of limit and hence also a place of form and separation (as well as limitation). Our disciplines must teach us to go beyond such self-imposed barriers to mind and spirit, through and ever-increasing use and natural awareness of them both. *p*In days gone by, there would have been a school for studying the techniques necessary for people with psychic gifts. Such schools are sadly lacking in today's world, but perhaps they will be reborn out of the needs of the seekers? *p*In the meantime, here is a beginning for our study and consideration of terms used for many of the esoteric arts associated with Draíocht in a list that is given in Foclóir Draíochta - Dictionary of Druidism, 2nd Edition, le Seán ó Tuathail, copyright 1993 John Kellnhauser / Cainteanna na Luise, (excerpted by Searles O'Dubhain):*p*Pathways*p*Slí - way, path in life, passage, journey, road, room to proceed, correct course of action, means, method, manner, appropriateness, direction, space allowed for, *p*Idircheo - area of overlapping liminality between an domhan-so and an saol eile. (lit. Between-mist) *p*Ilsaoltactaíocht - (practice of) multiplicity of realities *p*Dreams*br* *br*Taibhreamh - dream (esp. Clairoyant; cf ailsing) *p*Aisling (-í) - dream/trance vision much stronger more lucid than taibhreamh *p*Visions *p*Léaspáin - dancing coloured lights (mealladh, cf méarnáil) *p*Méarnáil - phosphorescent light of (usually lesser) sídhe *p*Iomas - poetic intuition or inspiration (cf éicse; poc, síúlacht, túras) *p*Attention and Focus *p*Iarrairdeall - lit. "solicitous attention"; blank-mind receptiveness *p*Mionaire - lit. Fine(small) attention; perception in which data are distinct, events staccato, time contracted (cf nascaire) *p*Nascaire - lit. "link-attention"; state of perception in which data are patterned, events flow, time expands (cf mionaire) *p*Leapaidh lánlaidhí - lit. "harbourage of complete attentions"; (esp. Secure or powerful) mind-set (to do bríocht or in meditation) *p*Athmhothú - (act of switching) alternative states of consciousness *p*Gabhlairdeall - "forked attention", division of consciousness, esp. During somhoill *p*Psychic Ability *p*Astaidhbhreacht - "reading" (in the clairoyant sense of an object) *p*Aigne - mind, basic dispositions, emotional outlook, basic inclinations (cf aireachtail. Ciall, cuihmne, dúil, éirim, inchinn, intinn, meabhair, meanma, meon, mothú, smaoineamh, toil) *p*Aireachtail - perception, sense (both physical and 6th), cf aigne *p*Trance *p*Támhnéal - trance in general *p*Támas - indistinct trance vision *p*Léargas - insight, non- (or very light) trance vision, psychic sight *p*Taise - 1) wraith, spirit-double; 2) relic; 3) ruins (esp. Of sacred place); 4) sudden swoon, faint *p*Toinéal - trance (esp. Immobile without outside originating visions) *p*Amhainseacht - paleo-shamanism, seizure trance *p*Dásacht - 1) fit of raging madness; 2) possession by spirit; 3) sudden panic *p*Shape-shfting *p*Díchealtair - magical disquise, esp. Concealnent *p*Mealladh (mealtaí) - glamour, magically-induced illusion *p*Aithriocht - shape-shifting, actual not mealladh (v athdholb) *p*Magical Power *p*Brí - inherent/intrensic personal power set by dán (lit essence, vigour, significance), cannot be *br*Won or gained, only developed or allowed to atrope; cf bua *p*Bua - 1) gained or attained personal power, esp. In a given area (cf brí); 2) [usually as plural *p*Buatha:] actions which win or maintain bua v tairbhe); (lit. Victory, merit, talent) *p*Buachaitheamh - to "flare power", neutral samhlchaitheamh *p*The entire dictionary can be found online at The Summerlands Public Library website (http://www.summerlands.com/publibra.htm)..*p*