Colliding Beliefs
A short story about being open to different religions and traditions
Johnathan Sledge was considered a very reserved man amongst his peers attending college. His beliefs were open-minded, but at times, the biased side of him would show through his daily talks with friends and the occasional discussions in class. His life would ultimately change with an encounter with a fellow classmate in religion class. Aine Fitzpatrick was considered to be a weird woman with differing views on the world and what it truly meant to have a place among nature. She has been raised in a Celtic household that differed from most in the modern world living and she knew she was different from her peers. Coming to college, she was open-minded, but also spiritually open to the new surroundings and people of different backgrounds. Rather than going to parties or study sessions in the library, she would spend most of her time taking walks on trails, or sitting in view of nature’s majesty, taking in views and practicing her connection to the world.
A chance encounter would send both Johnathan and Aine into differing views. A realist, and one who was spiritual, wanting to share the world around her with others. When the topic of Celtic practices reached the daily discussion in the class, a hand that shot up was Johnathan’s. The teacher asked for a simple opinion on the views of Celtic beliefs and traditions. Johnathan responded to the question, stating,
“The Celtic religion is one of deep history, but is filled with many tellings of mysticism that I don’t believe in, nor should anyone else. History has taught me that the Celts were a savage band of tribes who would behead their victims. Not only do they have traditions that are not part of daily life now, but the modern aspects are becoming blurred and incoherent.”
“You’re wrong,” Aine said, looking up from her notes. Her eyes stared daggers towards Johnathan.
The professor was looking at both Aine and Johnathan staring each other down. Without a second thought, the Professor asked Aine, “What are your views on the matter since you are showing a defensive nature to what is considered an observer’s perspective of the Celtic religion?”
“I know a thing or two, because my family comes from a. Long lineage of Celtic spiritualists who have practiced the traditions for decades, even centuries, for that matter. One instance of his statement that is inaccurate is the thought that Celtic is nothing but mysticism. This is not untrue, but we use mysticism as a way of telling stories and being grounded and connected to the natural world. It is a way of teaching lessons and for sustainability. Secondly, the whole idea of the Celts being a tribe of savages is found in documentation of events by the aggressors. These Celtic warriors are misunderstood in history, and the Celts were not just bloodthirsty headhunters. They would defeat the enemy forces, and the heads of the deceased were used to protect sacred areas and give wisdom and strength after the person had passed. Third, the modern era is still a place of learning and experience; we still have traditions older than most, and we preserve their meanings.”
After this heated debate had aired out in the class, Johnathan looked across the way at Aine with disdain, but at times, quizzical curiosity. He knew what classical history had taught him about the Celtic tribes and how they were warriors with a belief system that was polytheistic in nature and was based on the teachings of multiple different tribes. He wanted to understand more about Celtic spiritualism was and he wanted to see if he could connect with Aine to get answers to his questions.
“Hey, wait up,” said Johnathan in the halls after class let out.
“What do you want? Are you going to try to diminish my beliefs further?” asked Aine with a cool demeanor, almost a chill setting in the hall.
“I want to talk about how you practice Celtic spiritualism, and how you use it as a teaching for everyday life.” Johnathan’s desperation, cutting through his words.
“Okay, meet me tomorrow at the trailhead on the Southside of campus and we’ll go from there.” Aine replied with confidence.
The very next day, Johnathan arrived at the trailhead ready, while Aine was waiting with a bag. They both set off into the trail quiet at first, but Aine was distracted by the trees and the natural world around her.
“What are we doing here?” Johnathan asked with contempt.
“Look around you and. Take in the world around you and feel the presence of the world to you, and reveal to you the feeling of otherworldly mysticism.” Aine politely said while taking a seat on the rock worn with moss and eroded slightly.
“I see what you mean, the beauties of the world are presenting themselves to me, and I feel connected. Is this a way of practicing Celtic traditions?” Johnathan asked, eyes filled with wonder and amazement.
“You see that this is a time of practicing the modern approach to Celtic spiritualism, taking time to feel the bond and connect with nature, and all the while using the sensations around us to form bonds to the spiritual world too. The trees are guarded by spirits, and the teachings are the same; the landscape is what changes the most. Look out at the world and feel grounded by practicing the techniques I was taught by my family.” Aine now unzipped the bag, revealing the contents, which were a book and Tarot cards.
After they had sat down, Aine told her life story, her family's story, and taught the meanings behind the Tarot cards. After they were done enjoying the natural world, and discussed the traditions of Celtic beliefs. They both returned to campus and with it returned to the religion class. Instead of the remarks or towards the Celtic religion, Johnathan and Aine started having a great discussion that opened the class to the teachings and led to many describing their own feelings on the subject, and having the openness to try and practice a small portion of what the Celtic traditions had to offer. With guidance, many classmates were able to go beyond their own beliefs and experience something completely different.
Bibliography
Wood, Juliette. “The Celtic Tarot and the Secret Tradition: A Study in Modern Legend Making.” Folklore 109 (1998): 15–24. http://www.jstor.org/stable/1260566.
Dietler, Michael. “‘Our Ancestors the Gauls’: Archaeology, Ethnic Nationalism, and the Manipulation of Celtic Identity in Modern Europe.” American Anthropologist 96, no. 3 (1994): 584–605. http://www.jstor.org/stable/682302.
Forest, Danu. “Celtic Tree Magic Ogham Lore and Druid Mysteries”. Llewellyn Worldwide, 2014.