TARA: WISDOM'S CAVE ©
by Carolanne Kennedy, FS, TGB
Teamhair or Tara is located in County Meath in the east of Ireland. There are several archaeological features situated on the Hill of Tara. These structures are mainly grass covered mounds today but they date from the Neolithic era and are over 5000 years old. The limestone ridge runs north to south and rises approximately 500 meters above sea level. From the top of the hill one can see into thirteen counties of Ireland. At one time five major roads went out from the site.
At the center of the ridge is a passage tomb called “The Mound of the Hostages”. To the north is a rectangular depression in the earth called “The Great Banquet Hall”. This area may at one time have been a processional avenue. Converging onto it are five major roadways that criss-cross the island. Tradition has it that the roads or sliges were named: Midluachra, Asail, Chualann, Dala and Mor. Tradition also tells us the hill was used for economic, cultural, political and spiritual purposes. Tara was the seat of power for the Royal Kings or High Kings of Ireland for centuries.
The top of Tara is surrounded by an embankment and a ditch called “The Royal Enclosure”. Within the Enclosure are “The Mound of the Hostages” and two linked ringed forts called “The Royal Seat” and “The House of Cormac”.
There is much surviving in the historic writings regarding Tara; it is here we find mention of the five roads that converge at the hill. Also, we find mention of the well of Temhair. Both the Stone of Destiny and the Well of Temhair were originally situated near the Mound of the Hostages.
Tara is less well known for archaeoastronomical alignments then other ancient sites in County Meath. However, the narrow, thirteen-foot long, passage tomb chamber has afforded a few notable observations. The full moon at Lughnasda has been observed in perfect alignment, casting its light into the chamber. This is not surprising given that Tara was known as the site of the Lughdnasda festival for many years. The festival lasted three days before and three days after the full moon.
What is surprising is that the rising sun of Samhain and Imbolc illuminate the inside of the chamber. Therefore the chamber within the Hill of Tara is perfectly aligned to the rising sun at Samhain and Imbloc. What was the purpose of these alignments? So very much has been lost to time, it is doubtful we shall even know.
Tara's Mystery
Tara sleeps, yet her heart beats and her blood flows through the soil that is Erie.
When is a hill not just a hill? When this hill is Tara of Meath.
What is buried beneath the hill of Tara? Her secrets are well kept.
Were we to dig deep into the hill we would neither understand nor fully appreciate what we would find.
The treasure we now seek is not physical.
The gold of Tara is not to be sought or found by digging with our hands.
Her riches are as intangible as the mist that hides her beauty from view.
Tara is a seat of great power.
She is the seat of the greatest power on earth.
She is the heart of the Goddess that is the life of the land of Ireland herself.
It is to her that we may journey.
This is an Inworld journey for those that are skilled at traveling in such a way.
If you have never journeyed Inworld do not attempt this journey.
There are a few things you must know before attempting this journey. This journey will change you. It will change your outlook on life. It will change your view of yourself. If you seek change proceed.
Tara: An Imbolc Journey to Wisdom’s Cave
For those who are prepared:
Let us journey to the land that is called Tara.
Before you begin you will need to gather a journal, a pen and any materials you usually use to create a scared space.
Most importantly you will need to formulate a question or intention that is of importance to you in your life at this time. Your question or intention needs to be something serious not frivolous. This journey involves your entire being; it involves the entire scope of your life, so give some thought to your question.
Prepare your space by creating a sacred circle and having a comfortable place to sit.
Sit with your feet on the floor. Ask your Guide to be with you.
You will need a quiet place where you will not be disturbed for half an hour.
Have a call back timer or set an alarm for half an hour.
Come back when the timer goes off.
So we begin:
Sit in a comfortable position with your feet on the floor.
Breathe naturally.
You feel your body relax.
You feel at ease and your shoulders relax.
With each breath your body feels more and more relaxed.
You know your Guide is standing beside you.
You feel yourself put your hand in theirs.
The portals are before you.
You turn and face the Eastern Gate.
You move through the Eastern Gate.
You are standing below a wind swept hill in the east of Ireland.
You are aware that it is the time before the Dawn.
You are dressed in comfortable flowing robes.
The air on your face is crisp and cool but you feel warm and soft all over.
You step from a paved road onto a brilliant white broad Avenue.
You and your Guide are quietly, slowly walking along the Avenue.
Others are walking behind and in front of you.
No one speaks.
It is silent except for the wind whistling through the trees and
the sound of soft slow drumming on both sides of the Avenue.
You have waited many years for this day.
You feel the slow incline of the land beneath your feet.
You are climbing the Hill of Tara.
Torches are lit along the processional walkway.
The drums beat faster.
You move along a little quicker.
Eventually you and your Guide come to a stop.
A priestess standing beside the Well of Tara is before you.
She hands you a cup of water from the well.
You gratefully drink it and give thanks to the Goddess.
You know the entrance to the Cave of Tara is near.
You reach into the pocket of your cloak and take out a small gift.
You place the gift in the Priestess’s hand.
She thanks you and motions for you to proceed.
You move along and quickly find yourself at the entrance to the chamber.
Your Guide speaks a few parting words.
She/he will not be accompanying you into the Cave.
This is your journey; Tara will be your guide.
(If for any reason you are not comfortable entering the mouth of the Cave, it is all right.
Simply take your Guide’s hand and ask to return to your present reality.
Return the way you came until you feel yourself sitting in the chair.
You may wish to journey another day to complete your visit to Tara’s Cave.
This is permissible.)
If you are comfortable entering the Cave, please step through the open doorway.
Dawn is breaking. The light of the Imbolc sun warms your back.
The light floods the chamber and illuminates the painting on the walls of the cave.
Before you are a set of stone stairs, you begin to descend.
You are surprised at how warm and well lit the entire chamber is.
The sunlight fills the space in an unusual way.
You look up and notice the ceiling is made of glistening white crystal.
You continue to walk down the stairs until you reach the bottom.
Here the hallway stretching before you is just as well lit as the chamber above.
Light seems to be bouncing off white ceiling, floor and walls.
The inside of the Cave of Tara has never been spoken off.
Each one learns of Her beauty only when entering the Cave themselves.
She who is the heart of your land deserves such respect.
You reach the bottom of the stairs and are standing in a long hallway.
As you walk down the hallway you see small rooms on either side with open doorways.
You enter the third doorway on your left.
There is a cot on the far wall.
You go to the cot and wrap your robes tightly around you.
You lie down on the cot and close your eyes.
You still feel very warm and safe.
You recall your question/intention in your mind.
You speak you question/intention out loud.
You feel yourself falling asleep.
This is a safe, peaceful place you quickly fall asleep.
You dream.
In your dream
You are on a wide white beach.
Walking towards you is a tall, regal woman.
She smiles and holds out her hand.
You take her hand and begin walking with her along the beach.
She asks why you have come to see her.
You answer by asking your question or stating your intention.
Suddenly before you both is a wall of thick mist.
She takes you through the veil of mist.
You are standing in another place.
She is beside you.
Ask your question or state your intention again.
She will answer you or show you what you need to know.
Remember what you are told or shown.
You may ask for clarification if you need to.
Thank her for her help.
When you are ready return through the mist.
Walk along the white beach.
Awaken on the cot.
Stand and walk out of the room into the hallway.
Turn back towards the stairs and ascend into the chamber above.
Walk out of the chamber into cold Imbolc evening.
The sun is beginning to set.
Your Guide and the Priestess of the Well greet you as you leave the Cave.
The Priestess places the long, wide scarf over you head and shoulders.
Remember the colour of the scarf.
You will need to write down the colour of the scarf later.
You thank the Priestess.
You walk down the incline and come to the wide avenue.
You and your Guide continue along the avenue until you come to the paved road.
As you step onto the paved road
you find yourself instantly sitting in the chair in your room.
You feel rested and relaxed.
You take up you journal and write of your journey.
When you have finished do the grounding exercises that work the best for you.
I suggest at least a drink of water and some food.
That's a Tara
Some fifteen years ago I had the pleasure of chatting with a man who had recently moved to Canada from Ireland. He told me of an older gentleman back home in Ireland who frequently used an expression that always puzzled him. The expression was, “Now that’s a Tara!”
My new friend asked the gentleman what the expression meant and was told simply,
“Now that’s a Tara!”
I asked my friend how the expression was used in the gentleman’s speech and was told in nearly every way conceivable. Mainly however it was usually used when something was true beyond doubt or if something was unbelievable in an amazing sort of way.
Well, I said it must come from something that holds great truth and amazing unbelievable things.
To which my new friend smiled and said, “Now that’s a Tara”.
Bibliography
International Institute of Astroarchaeology or http://www.astroarchaeology.org/context/index.html
Tara: The Heart and Soul of Ireland
Tara
Knowth.com - Teamhair - Hill of Tara
Tara at Mythical Ireland
Carolanne Kennedy was born eldest of seven children in a fishing village on the Avalon Peninsula off the Island of Newfoundland. From a young age she experienced a deep connection to the land and sea. She first learned of the Faery Folk from her Grandmother. When she was a teenager her family moved to Ontario.
She completed a diploma in Business in June 2000 and earns her living working in accounting. She received her certificate as a Faery Shaman from Society of Celtic Shamans in July 2000 and has walked with the Ancients ever since. She is also a Certified N.L.P. Practitioner. She is enrolled in studies with the University of Celtic Wisdom and is a Third Grade Bard.
Throughout the year she holds Celtic Shaman workshops and on occasion does individual counseling sessions. She loves all things Celtic.
Anyone wishing to contact Carolanne can do so at her email address lorracc42@yahoo.com Or visit her at: The Wisdom Tree - Celtic Learning Center
Tara: Wisdom's Cave copyright © 2007 by Carolanne Kennedy, FS, TGB, all rights reserved. Used with permission. Top of Page
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