Order of Paladins Lesson : 17 The Nine Mysteries copyright 2013 Kerr Cuhulain

Order of PaladinsOrder of Paladins

Lesson : 17

The Nine Mysteriescopyright 2013 Kerr Cuhulaincopyright 2013 Kerr Cuhulain

Warrior’s AdmonitionWarrior’s Admonition

Your body is your temple: Care for it!Your body is your temple: Care for it!Do not engage in useless activity.Do not engage in useless activity.Listen to the Goddess.Listen to the Goddess.Help thyself.Help thyself.You create your own reality.You create your own reality.The Warrior’s path is creativity.The Warrior’s path is creativity.A serene path to enlightenment.A serene path to enlightenment.Know thyself.Know thyself.Master thyself.Master thyself.Create your own reality.Create your own reality.Nurture the ability to perceive the truth in all matters.Nurture the ability to perceive the truth in all matters.Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.Learn from your mistakes.Learn from your mistakes.Teach thyself.Teach thyself.Create your own reality.Create your own reality.Do not be negligent, even in trifling mattersDo not be negligent, even in trifling mattersGrace and guilt do not exist: Grace and guilt do not exist: Strive for responsibility.Strive for responsibility.Honor thyself.Honor thyself.Create your own reality.Create your own reality.

copyright 2013 Kerr Cuhulaincopyright 2013 Kerr Cuhulain

13 Precepts:13 Precepts:

1.1. Know thyself.Know thyself.2.2. Nurture the ability to perceive the truth in all matters.Nurture the ability to perceive the truth in all matters.3.3. You create your own reality.You create your own reality.4.4. Develop a sense of Right Action.Develop a sense of Right Action.5.5. Do not be negligent, even in trifling matters.Do not be negligent, even in trifling matters.6.6. Your body is your temple: Care for it!Your body is your temple: Care for it!7.7. Minimal appearance, maximum content.Minimal appearance, maximum content.8.8. Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.Perceive that which cannot be seen with the eye.9.9. Power with.Power with.10.10. Who dares wins.Who dares wins.11.11. The Gods cannot help those who will not help themselves.The Gods cannot help those who will not help themselves.12.12. Be creative!Be creative!13.13. Do not engage in useless activity.Do not engage in useless activity.


Code of Chivalry:Code of Chivalry:

All members of the Order of Paladins must live according to the principles of chivalry, All members of the Order of Paladins must live according to the principles of chivalry, which include: which include:

SinceritySincerity.. CourtesyCourtesy.. CompassionCompassion.. PerseverancePerseverance.. IndustriousnessIndustriousness.. JusticeJustice.. LoyaltyLoyalty. . Courage.Courage. Self-Discipline.Self-Discipline. Humility.Humility. LargesseLargesse. . Truth.Truth. HonorHonor


Hint:Hint: Refer to the notes pages in this Power Refer to the notes pages in this Power

Point presentation for more in-depth Point presentation for more in-depth information on the subject of each slide.information on the subject of each slide.


The Nine MysteriesThe Nine Mysteries

A Triad of Ireland:

3 candles which illuminate every darkness: •Truth,• Nature, • Knowledge.


Order of Paladins Order of Paladins Circle Circle CastingCasting

You will recall from Lesson 8 that there is a You will recall from Lesson 8 that there is a line in the Order of Paladins line in the Order of Paladins Circle Circle casting ritual:casting ritual:

““Three from me of five alive by nine Three from me of five alive by nine makes Mine. makes Mine.


““Three from Me of five alive by Three from Me of five alive by nine makes Mine”nine makes Mine”

The numbers refer to several other The numbers refer to several other mystical principles. I also mentioned in mystical principles. I also mentioned in earlier lessons that the 3, 5 and 9 in this earlier lessons that the 3, 5 and 9 in this statement have all sorts of statement have all sorts of correspondences. This lesson will focus correspondences. This lesson will focus on other correspondence relating to the 9 on other correspondence relating to the 9 Mysteries.Mysteries.


CorrespondencesCorrespondences

There are 9 members in a Commandery, There are 9 members in a Commandery, a number which reflects the number of a number which reflects the number of original founding members (which is the original founding members (which is the same number of founding members as same number of founding members as the Knights Templar).the Knights Templar).



In Druidic practices, there are nine In Druidic practices, there are nine mysteries…mysteries…



1.1. The Mist of ManannanThe Mist of Manannan2.2. Earth and SkyEarth and Sky3.3. The 3 RealmsThe 3 Realms4.4. The 4 quartersThe 4 quarters5.5. The CenterThe Center6.6. The Adventure of the HeroThe Adventure of the Hero7.7. MagickMagick8.8. The OtherworldThe Otherworld9.9. ImmortalityImmortality


1: Mist of Manannan1: Mist of Manannan

In Celtic mythology, In Celtic mythology, mists over the ocean mists over the ocean or over the land were or over the land were magick that the Gods magick that the Gods conjured to conceal conjured to conceal themselves and an themselves and an opening into the opening into the Otherworld where Otherworld where they resided. they resided.


Mist of ManannanMist of Manannan

In Celtic myth, thresholds In Celtic myth, thresholds between the mundane and between the mundane and otherworld exist at doorways, otherworld exist at doorways, shorelines, riversides, bridges, shorelines, riversides, bridges, dawns, twilights, etc., especially dawns, twilights, etc., especially on holy days. This is where you on holy days. This is where you will find the Mist of Manannan. In will find the Mist of Manannan. In a place that is neither one place a place that is neither one place nor another: Neither day or night, nor another: Neither day or night, neither land or sea, neither one neither land or sea, neither one world or the other.world or the other.


Féth FiadhaFéth Fiadha

Féth fiadha (“art of resembling”), called Féth fiadha (“art of resembling”), called “fath fith” is an ancient Druidic practice. It “fath fith” is an ancient Druidic practice. It is a similar concept to the Indian concept is a similar concept to the Indian concept of maya (illusion). Remember my joke of maya (illusion). Remember my joke about the 10 people in the field all looking about the 10 people in the field all looking at the same thing but describing it at the same thing but describing it differently? That’s féth fiadha differently? That’s féth fiadha



Some of you have experienced Some of you have experienced difficulties in trying to get to Ddifficulties in trying to get to Dûn ûn ScScáthach or toáthach or to Eilean a' CheoEilean a' Cheo. . Others Others seem to have difficulties doing divination seem to have difficulties doing divination or psychic challenges. or psychic challenges. In order to In order to achieve access to the Otherworld, you achieve access to the Otherworld, you have to think differently. You need to look have to think differently. You need to look at the world without expectations. You at the world without expectations. You need to remember fneed to remember féth fiadha. éth fiadha.



Thus divination is basically seeing Thus divination is basically seeing through the Mist of Manannan. It is like through the Mist of Manannan. It is like dreaming without expectations, yet being dreaming without expectations, yet being able to direct what you see.able to direct what you see.


2: Earth and Sky2: Earth and Sky

This concerns flaith (‘sovereignty’). This concerns flaith (‘sovereignty’).


Earth and SkyEarth and Sky

The Greek term, The Greek term, Heiros Gamos Heiros Gamos (“great marriage”) (“great marriage”) refers to the refers to the ancient ceremonies ancient ceremonies in which the king in which the king was married to the was married to the landland



In our context, it refers to a marriage In our context, it refers to a marriage between YOU and the earth and sky. between YOU and the earth and sky. Remember that I told you: Thou Art Remember that I told you: Thou Art God/dess? This is about marrying God/dess? This is about marrying YOURSELF to the land. It is about YOURSELF to the land. It is about environmental connectivity and environmental connectivity and stewardship. You give to the earth and stewardship. You give to the earth and sky and they give back. sky and they give back.



Ancient Celtic ruler had to be Ancient Celtic ruler had to be without blemish. In our Order without blemish. In our Order we strive to be without we strive to be without blemish of character: Our blemish of character: Our code of chivalry. This helps code of chivalry. This helps us to connect with the divine. us to connect with the divine. As you embody the divine you As you embody the divine you shift out of the ordinary and shift out of the ordinary and live half in the spirit world. live half in the spirit world.



This concept of joining earth and sky is This concept of joining earth and sky is represented in Celtic myth by the sexual union represented in Celtic myth by the sexual union of various deities. For example the coupling of of various deities. For example the coupling of the Morrighan (“great queen”- goddess of war, the Morrighan (“great queen”- goddess of war, of sex/fertility, and of sovereignty) with the of sex/fertility, and of sovereignty) with the Dagda (known as the Dagda Eochaidh Dagda (known as the Dagda Eochaidh (Horseman), known as the “good god”, “father (Horseman), known as the “good god”, “father of all”, and Dagda owner of the undry cauldron of all”, and Dagda owner of the undry cauldron (Coire an Dagda) from which no one ever (Coire an Dagda) from which no one ever leaves unsatisfied). leaves unsatisfied).



In the previous example, the Morrighan In the previous example, the Morrighan represents the earth, while the Dagda represents the earth, while the Dagda represents the sky. represents the sky. What you give to What you give to them they give back. Again, this is about them they give back. Again, this is about Stewardship.Stewardship.


The MorrighanThe Morrighan


Daghda EochaidDaghda Eochaid


3: The Three Realms3: The Three Realms

The Welsh Druid who is one of the The Welsh Druid who is one of the founders of modern Druidism, Iolo founders of modern Druidism, Iolo Margawyg, listed the 3 Realms thus:Margawyg, listed the 3 Realms thus:

Annwn (AH noo in) realm of the deadAnnwn (AH noo in) realm of the dead Abred (EH breth) terrestrial realmAbred (EH breth) terrestrial realm Gwynfyd (GOO in fith) celestrial realm of Gwynfyd (GOO in fith) celestrial realm of

spirits, including Ceugant (GOY gant), spirits, including Ceugant (GOY gant), the realm of the Gods. the realm of the Gods.


The Three RealmsThe Three Realms

Here the mother/father of Earth and Sky Here the mother/father of Earth and Sky becomes mother/father/child. This trinity becomes mother/father/child. This trinity is yet another of the correspondences.is yet another of the correspondences.

In Celtic myth this represents heaven, In Celtic myth this represents heaven, earth and underworld, another trinity. It earth and underworld, another trinity. It represents the cycles of nature and represents the cycles of nature and maturity. maturity.


4: The Four Quarters4: The Four Quarters

From 3 we advance to 4: The Four From 3 we advance to 4: The Four Quarters represent the Quarters represent the solstices and solstices and equinoxes, cross quarter days, and the equinoxes, cross quarter days, and the quarters of the Circle quarters of the Circle


The Four QuartersThe Four Quarters

It also represents the four Seasons of the Order of It also represents the four Seasons of the Order of Paladins (lesson 9):Paladins (lesson 9):

Shield Season: This is winter, a season of earth, Shield Season: This is winter, a season of earth, starting at Samhain and including Yule, the winter starting at Samhain and including Yule, the winter solstice. solstice.

Sword Season: This is spring, a season of air, starting Sword Season: This is spring, a season of air, starting at Imbolc and including Eostre, the vernal equinox.at Imbolc and including Eostre, the vernal equinox.

Spear Season: This is summer, a season of fire, Spear Season: This is summer, a season of fire, starting at Beltaine and including Litha, the summer starting at Beltaine and including Litha, the summer solstice.solstice.

Cauldron Season: This is autumn, a season of water, Cauldron Season: This is autumn, a season of water, starting at Lughnasad and including the autumnal starting at Lughnasad and including the autumnal equinox, Mabon. equinox, Mabon.


The Four QuartersThe Four Quarters

There is also a correspondence with the There is also a correspondence with the four levels of initiation within the Order of four levels of initiation within the Order of PaladinsPaladins


5: The Center5: The Center

The Four Quarters The Four Quarters intersect at a fifth intersect at a fifth place: The Center. place: The Center. The Center is the point The Center is the point which is nowhere yet which is nowhere yet everywhere, everywhere, intersecting all of the intersecting all of the others, uniting them, others, uniting them, the axis mundi.the axis mundi.


The CenterThe Center

Here is yet another of the Here is yet another of the correspondences: 4 quarters plus the correspondences: 4 quarters plus the center makes 5.center makes 5.


6: Adventure of the Hero6: Adventure of the Hero

This is about your This is about your personal journey, personal journey, going from the going from the mundane to the mundane to the supernatural.supernatural.


Adventure of the HeroAdventure of the Hero

This represents This represents your journey to your journey to Caer Paladin to Caer Paladin to receive training receive training and become a and become a Warrior/Knight. Warrior/Knight.



This is also about This is also about stepping away from stepping away from the familiar. It the familiar. It reflects the Knight’s reflects the Knight’s journey to Eilean a' journey to Eilean a' Cheo (Lesson 11) Cheo (Lesson 11) to face their fears. to face their fears.



This is also about This is also about the Master the Master committing to a committing to a quest in order to quest in order to qualify to become a qualify to become a Paladin. Paladin.


7: Magick7: Magick

Magick in Irish is Draiocht (literally “what Magick in Irish is Draiocht (literally “what druids do”). Most commonly in Celtic druids do”). Most commonly in Celtic myths this refers to feats of precognition myths this refers to feats of precognition and prophecy (sacred truth). and prophecy (sacred truth).


MagickMagick

Magick is at the center of Magick is at the center of all of our activities and all of our activities and training in the Order of training in the Order of PaladinsPaladins. Its about . Its about mmaking the energy move aking the energy move and directing it with your and directing it with your will. Our successes in will. Our successes in magick cultivate a sense magick cultivate a sense of wonder within us.of wonder within us.


8: The Otherworld8: The Otherworld

In Celtic myth the In Celtic myth the Otherworld is Tir Otherworld is Tir Na n-Og (“land of Na n-Og (“land of youth”). youth”).


The OtherworldThe Otherworld

This is all about This is all about immersing yourself immersing yourself in divinity, in divinity, connecting with it, connecting with it, entraining with it. It entraining with it. It also is about also is about reverence for our reverence for our ancestors, the ancestors, the spirits, and the spirits, and the divine.divine.


The OtherworldThe Otherworld

It also is about It also is about reverence for our reverence for our ancestors, the ancestors, the spirits, and the spirits, and the divine.divine.


9: Immortality9: Immortality

The essence of The essence of what you are is what you are is indestructible, and indestructible, and your essence is your essence is what you express in what you express in your: Song of your: Song of Paladins (Lesson 7)Paladins (Lesson 7)


ImmortalityImmortality

It is this ninth It is this ninth mystery that brings mystery that brings us back to one of us back to one of our key precepts, our key precepts, which is the basis which is the basis for our definition of for our definition of a Warrior: Know a Warrior: Know thyself.thyself.


Lesson 17 AssignmentLesson 17 Assignment

See if you can come with other See if you can come with other correspondences that match up with correspondences that match up with 3,5,93,5,9

Go to Go to Eilean a' Cheo and practice Eilean a' Cheo and practice divination on the astral.divination on the astral.


Order of PaladinsOrder of Paladins

Be Glorious!


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Order of Paladins Lesson : 17 The Nine Mysteries copyright 2013 Kerr Cuhulain