You Are Welcomed --Tá fáilte romhat--   The Celtic Tree of Life The Tree of Life is one of the oldest spiritual signs in the world. From all over the world, we find tales of a special, magical tree. It stands in the center of the world. It is the first source of life. It's fruit bestows immortality. It grows in paradise, the first and most beautiful garden of the earth. It's roots reach into the underworld and it's top pierces the heavens. It is old since time out of mind.   There is a Magical Realm told of by the great bards of ancient times. It is called "Twatha de Danann" (the people of the Goddess Dana) or more widely known as the Land of the "Faie. " Within this place all manner of things are possible. It is a realm of Youth and Promise, a land where "a fountain flows with sweet wine, where age and sickness are unknown". In this place "The innermost circle from which all life springs" can be found. Many ancient people believed in "Otherworld" creatures such as Fairies. Pick a culture and you'll find a story. To the people of Ireland, Annwn is as real as this world, and exists in parallel to "here. " Druids, Bards, and Banshees traveled back and forth between the two worlds, their gates of passage being found in springs, caves, trees, and even in castle ruins. But no matter what path taken, the journey always leads to the "Great Tree. " This tree lives in the center of Annwn and is the first Tree of Creation. The ancient Bards called it "Trefuilngid" (Treecohair), the tree of the "three keys" or three saplings. This tree is alive with Song, Dance, and Merry Making. And on its limbs the birds of Rhiannon sing so beautifully that "whoever hears them remains in a timeless state". From this first "Great Tree, " the Mother Goddess, Dana brought to Tara (Ireland) a branch with three fruits: nuts, apples, and acorns. From this branch all trees of the earth took root. As a symbol of this belief the Bards of ancient Ireland wore a "musical silver branch" as an insignia. Each silver branch was said to be a casting of the original branch of Dana. This tale comes to us from the celtiod of Ireland. They were a culture of warriors who knew no fear, men and women fighting side-by-side, often going into battle naked and savoring the excitement of the fight. Yet the highest station was that of the Bard, the "walking books, " keepers of the story, song, laws, and music. Even the Kings bowed before the Bards who wore the silver branch of the Great Tree, alive and singing in the center of Annwn, the Realm of the Fairies. The Three Paths By -Daniel- Many lifetimes ago, there lived three friends who vowed to climb the snow-capped mountain that they might sit at the feet of the Master who lived there and learn of His Wisdom.   And as they traveled along together, they came upon three separate paths, all leading to the mountain's crest and to the Teacher of Wisdom. The first path led straight up the mountain. It was the shortest way, but it perilously steep and fraught with danger. The second path twisted and turned up through a narrow rocky canyon; and the third path encircled the mountain, ever gently spiraling its climb to the summit. And after much debate among the three friends as to the proper path to walk, it was decided that they would each go their own way, for they could not agree.   And after seven days, the one who climbed the straight, steep path arrived exhausted and bleeding from wounds suffered along the way and he sat at the feet of the Master and waited in silence for the arrival of this friends. And after seven weeks, the second friend, who had traveled the winding canyon path, arrived distraught from the confusing, stressful journey and he too sat at the Master's feet and waited for the one who had chosen to walk the spiral path around the mountain. And after seven months the final wayfarer arrived, filled with the light of an inner peace. And as he took his place at the Master's feet, the two thathad come before him became angry that they should wait so long and suffer so much, while his journey had been a blessing of ease and joy. And again they argued as to which path was the correct way to the Master of Wisdom and each turned to the Teacher that they might learn the Truth.   And the Master asked of the first traveler what he had learned on his chosen journey. And he who had suffered the most answered: "I learned that Life can be very short and its way hard to endure. I stumbled and fell along the pathway and suffered the wounds caused by my own fall; and for every step forward, I paid the price of two. Master, did I choose the correct path to come to You?" And the Master answered through the tears of Compassion: "Yes beloved one, yours was the right path to walk."   And then the Master asked of the second traveler what he had learned on his journey. And he who had been distraught with confusion answered: "I learned that the path through Life cannot always be foreseen, nor will it always lead you in the direction of your own desires. There were times when I thought that I knew the way, only to find the path had changed its course and it continued to lead me to and fro and from experience to experience, until I found myself standing in Your Presence. Master, did I choose the correct path to come to You?" And the Master answered with the voice of Understanding: "Yes beloved one, yours was the right path to walk."     And the Master asked of the third traveler what he had learned on his journey. And he who was joyous and calm answered: "I learned that if you walk through Life with Patience as your traveling companion, the journey becomes not a burden to bear but rather a wonder to behold. The path is straight and the climb is gentle when Love is used to light your way. Master, did I choose the correct path to come to You?" And the Master answered with the joyous smile of Love: "Yes beloved one, yours was the right path to walk." And so it was, that the three friends bowed their heads in humble reverence, for at last they knew the Eternal Truth.