Elder New Moon - Inversion & Reversal
We are in a time of great chaos - What can we learn from the inversion and reversal realm of the Celtic Otherworld and why we must grasp it during this elder moon phase.
This new moon cycle belongs to the elder moon and begins at 11.32pm (GMT) Tuesday 12th December.
It’s the 13th and last moon cycle of 2023.
The Elder is revered as the crone and mother of the woodland, embodying the profound wisdom and ancient energy connected to the Cailleach. Within her gnarled branches and delicate blossoms, she holds the stories of generations past and teaches them to those who seek her guidance. This tree stands as a testament to the resilience and timeless knowledge that resides within nature, whispering secrets of the cosmos that transcend the boundaries of time and space. As the embodiment of the Cailleach's wisdom, the Elder imparts her teachings to those who approach her with reverence, providing solace, clarity, and a deeper connection to the natural world.
The Cailleach, reigns supreme during this phase, her energy reaching its peak in perfect alignment with the winter solstice.
In the Celtic Tree calendar, this lunar phase symbolises the sacred and introspective period during the darkest time of the year. It marks the pinnacle of the feminine energy portal, where the power of creation and transformation converge, holding great significance encompassing both beginnings and endings, birth and death.
The energy of this cycle is: Transformation, transition, death, regeneration and rebirth.
Elder prompts us to ask the personal and difficult questions of ourselves, offering herself to us like a mirror, a place where we can see ourselves reflected in our truest sense. She does this so that we banish the old and embrace the creativity and restorative energy of the new.
We know from extensive archaeological discoveries that the concept of inversion and reversal held a significant place in Celtic cosmology. Inversion and reversal unravel the intricacies of the opposite of the ordinary. Within this belief system, it was precisely this pull towards the unconventional that summoned the realm of enigmatic mystery and myth. The essence of chaos and mayhem permeated the air, leaving a palpable sense of unease that unsettled even the most grounded, It could be argued that this is precisely what we are experiencing now on a global level.
Archeology has shown us how important the notion of reversal and inversion was to our ancestors, the widespread practice of inverting burial urns comes to light, revealing captivating rituals, such as shoes deliberately placed on the wrong feet of the dead and weapons being inverted, defying the conventional order of things. These finds offer a glimpse into the belief that these burials symbolised the transition of an individual from our familiar reality to a mirror image one, that is the Otherworld itself.
The Celtic Otherworld is a fascinating and enigmatic realm of myth and mystery, where the thin veil between the mortal world and the supernatural is barely discernible. Within this magical realm, the natural order of things is upended, as if reality itself is caught in a whimsical dance. Here, the laws of nature are twisted and contorted, turning the familiar into something altogether foreign and captivating. It is a place where the very fabric of reality undergoes a profound transformation, as inversion and reversal become the norm, painting a mesmerising picture of a world where anything is possible.
In this intricate realm, individuals find themselves faced with a tapestry of unforeseen challenges and are compelled to navigate through uncharted territories, where the boundaries of familiarity become blurred and the enigmatic essence of their existence takes centre stage. In this realm, the very fabric of reality is reshaped, inviting wanderers to question the foundations of their own perceptions and propelling them towards a journey of personal growth and self-discovery.
The very concept of reality is deeply questioned here. As one traverses this mystical plane, the mind is continuously beguiled by the intriguing paradoxes that govern it, beckoning us to challenge our preconceived notions and embrace the unknown.
This realm challenges conventional perceptions and invites individuals to explore their own sense of self and reality by experiencing the inversion and reversal that characterises the Celtic Otherworld. Where time seems to twist and bend.
It is a place where the boundaries between dreams and waking life blur, beckoning the curious to dive deeper into the depths of their own consciousness. Here, the ordinary becomes extraordinary, and what once seemed impossible becomes the fabric of everyday existence.
It is a realm of endless possibilities, where the constraints of society and expectations dissolve, freeing individuals to embrace their truest selves. In this realm of wonder and exploration, one is encouraged to question everything, to challenge the established norms, and to open their mind to new perspectives and experiences.
It is a realm that demands introspection and self-discovery, as the fundamental nature of reality is unraveled and reshaped. It’s a realm that invites individuals to delve into the depths of their own imagination, to question the limits of their perception, and to recognise the boundless potential that resides within.
It is a realm that rewards courage and curiosity, as it reveals the interconnectedness of all things and unveils the hidden realities that lie beneath the surface of our ordinary lives. In this realm, a new sense of self is forged, formed by the experiences and revelations that unfold. It is a realm that challenges, inspires, and transforms, leaving a lasting imprint.
Embrace the ambiguity of your existence this elder moon phase.
“ It is far easier to be sensible in cities than in many country places I could tell you of. When one walks on those grey roads at evening by the scented elder-bushes of the white cottages, watching the faint mountains gathering the clouds upon their heads, one all too readily discovers, beyond the thin cobweb veil of the senses, those creatures, the goblins, hurrying from the white square stone door to the north, or from the Heart Lake in the south.”
— The Celtic Twilight by W. B. Yeats (1902),
Echtra Nerai - The Adventure of Nera
In the mythological Irish tale of Nera, who is the brave warrior who enters the Otherworld, we see a fine example of inversion and reversal -