It is said that home is where the heart is.
And that is exactly what the Order of the Céile Dé believe; though the paradox is that it takes a fairly intense journey to get there.
The Order of the Céile Dé, also known as the Culdee — the servants or spouses of God — carries the oldest continuous spiritual tradition of the Celtic countries.
The current main teacher of the Céile Dé, Fionn Tulach, comes to Whidbey Island for a series of workshops from Friday, Sept. 14 through Sunday, Sept. 23.
Tulach is the head of the order and that Celtic spiritual tradition has been her life for almost 30 years.
The spiritual life of the Céile Dé is largely contemplative and nurtures a deep and devotional relationship with God and whom, to the Céile Dé, is also known as “the Invisible Beloved Whose Face is Everywhere.”
It also involves a development of the faculties of the imagination through an intense creative study of Celtic mythology and the gods and goddesses of the Gaelic pantheon.
From 1985 until 2002, Tulach worked under the name Fiona Davidson as a bard or a Celtic storyteller, a singer, poet and harpist.
During that time, she toured the world performing and has recorded several albums. In the early 1990s, in response to questions from some about the tradition underlying her work, she also began to offer occasional workshops.
Now, as Anam Chara — the main teacher of the order — Tulach’s life is divided between leading a contemplative life and traveling the world teaching the tradition.
“We talk a lot in our
tradition about the oak door of Mannanan — a mythic entrance between this world and the other world,” Tulach said.
“In some people, that door is locked, in others it is opening, in a few it is wide open. For me, a Druid — connected as we know to the Celtic word for oak — is someone who is familiar with crossing the threshold of that oak door in both directions.”
The Céile Dé encourages an integration of the spiritual life with everyday life. Through this work they believe people can awaken a passionate desire from the unconsciousness and powerlessness that causes a gnawing discontent with general life and which they see as contributing to the gradual destruction of the world.
Through talks and workshops Tulach will cover a particular area of the many teachings of the tradition. During the retreat there is additional time for silence and contemplation.
At present there are several regular groups of the order in Scotland. As interest is growing worldwide, the order is beginning to initiate regular groups further afield.
“I continue to hope that I can help open up the feelings in people’s hearts, with the beauty of Celtic Spirituality, from which the tradition of harp, song and story-telling was born thousands of years ago,” Tulach said.
The workshops and retreat will be held at various locations on the South End.
Llynya’s is a sanctuary, a shop for sacred gifts and a wellness center in Freeland, which is offering an introduction to the path of the Céile Dé order entitled “Uniting Heaven and Earth” by Tulach from 7 to 10 p.m. Friday, Sept. 14.
Tulach will also be on hand at Llyana’s Monday, Sept. 24 and Tuesday, Sept. 25 for private Anam Chara conversations.
The Anam Chara or “soul friend talks” are one to one consultations that focus on spiritual growth in the Céile Dé tradition. They can be booked with Fionn Tulach at 579-1933 or through e-mail at sioban@whidbey.com.
Llynya’s is located at 1679 East Main St., Suite C in Freeland. Call 331-3696 for more info.
Tulach will also offer the introduction from 7 to 10 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 19 at the Whidbey Institute Sanctuary in Clinton.
In addition to the introduction sessions Tulach will offer an intensive three-day retreat exploring the Céile Dé tradition from Friday, Sept. 21 through Sunday, Sept. 23 at Salmonberry Hall,(still working on address).
The three-day workshop is entitled “The Ancient and Living Celtic Spiritual Tradition of the Céile Dé.” As well as exploring the legends and cosmology of this Gaelic tradition, there will be time to learn some of its major spiritual practices such as contemplation, breathing exercises and chants which aim to lovingly restore the heart toward the highest spiritual aspiration.
“For the Céile Dé, there comes a time when we feel that, if we want to continue to grow spiritually, we have to begin to dissolve,” Tulach said.
For more information and to register contact Dierdre Sherman at 331-1105 or e-mail Sioban@whidbey.com.
You can visit the Céile Dé Website at www.ceilede.co.uk.
Patricia Duff can be reached at 221-5300 or pduff@southwhidbeyrecord.com.
