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At the core of the Old Faith is a heartfelt belief that there is an immortal Soul that represents the True Self.
A Spirit with a Body
In our home, the matriarch of the family held sway when it came to matters of Border Tradition. Whenever it was felt that someone needed to be reminded of their greater courage and purpose, she would turn to them seriously and lock her dark eyes on them. ‘You are a spirit with a body’ she would remind them. ‘Your body is just the clothes that your spirit wears so that you can learn’. Child and adult alike, her piercing gaze would cut right through to the center of our being, and we knew exactly what she meant.
She was addressing our True Self, that immortal part of us that consistently carries on from life to life. It is known in Welsh as enaid. In Gaelic it is called the turigen which can be translated as ‘the essential incarnating soul’.
Ever Young
Culturally, our True Self is often depicted as a divine child who is in the process of learning. In each life we choose the conditions to be born into most suitable for the lessons we need to grow. Through various incarnations, it is anticipated we will undergo every experience possible to accumulate the learning that will lead to the wisdom of a god, at which time all our memories of every life will be restored. And this is just the beginning of our immortal journey... but more than we are capable of understanding in our present state.
The logic behind this is simple. Our gods are our ancestors, we are born of our ancestors and therefore we all have the potential to become gods, and whatever comes after that.
Kith and Kin
The concept of a god-born soul explains a lot about the nature of our relationship with our deities. To us they are the Auld Yins, or old ones. Those who have walked before us. We do not bow down to them in worship. We see them as the elders of our clan and as such, deserving of veneration. They respect our individuality and Will to choose, which means they allow us to make mistakes but offer guidance when needed. We can call on their aid and they expect no less in return.
This bond of fealty naturally extends to our esteemed ancestors and to our loved ones, both in this life and in lives past.
A Golden Chain
When we choose our incarnations, we desire most to be born among those whom we cherish and to share in their greater purpose. For to be born among our loved ones is the promise of our gods which we cleave to. To never be born among them is the greatest of curses.
We honour this familial bond as a seal on our hearts and as a crest on our bonnets. Yet, there may be times when we must be born estranged from our loved ones and in these lives we experience a great sense of longing. But as we come in closer proximity to them, we feel their presence tugging at our being.
This feeling, no matter how uncomfortable, is a gift which helps us find our soul-mates life after life even though they might be born on opposite sides of the world and likewise, to recognize our homeland and our gods. We describe this bond as a shining cord that joins us despite time or distance and even beyond the veil of life.
Persona
For the duration of each life, we are told that the True Soul wears a persona which integrates the Mental and Instinctual faculties specific to the lesson that need to be learned. These three aspects clothe the incarnating essence in what might be called a persona.
Because the persona is animated by our essential divine nature it may bear similarities life to life, although the differences may be equally significant.
Old Souls
Whenever a child is born into the family we look for traits that speak of their True Self before the world impresses itself upon them. Every family member will hold the newborn lovingly and look into their eyes, acknowledging that they are sharing a soul-memory, even if they do not have a conscious recognition of who they may be.
The Soul after Death
At the time of Death the immortal part of the Soul is freed of its earthly bounds and makes its journey to be born into the underworld where we will be among our loved ones who are also resting there between lives.
Meanwhile the temporary aspect or Persona returns to the ‘well of the dead’[1]. The well is a cultural concept similar to the repository of the collective unconscious which holds all the memories of lives past and present and of our ancestors.
Communication after Death
When we want to communicate with the honored dead, we approach the Well and call upon their Shade, which is the memory of their Persona. We make an offering or libation that helps lend power for the True Self to return for that moment and animate the Shade, so we can converse with them in the form that we remember them.
Soul Courage
The certainty that we are immortal and will be born again among our loved ones, gives us a fiery courage and the Will to transgress great obstacles. But belief in the reincarnating soul is not restricted to the Borders. It is at the very heart of native British tradition. As observed by the Romans when speaking about the Druids:
One of their precepts has become public, namely, that they should act bravely in war, that souls are immortal, and that there is another life after death. (POMPONIUS MELA, A.D. 45)
Hearth to Heart
With each generation in our family, the secret of the immortal True Self is passed down like a treasure, gifted to its keepers with a sense of solemnity and mystery. It is not reserved for initiates. It is part of the experience of growing up in a cultural household. Even among family members who do not pursue the Old Faith as adults, this kernel of wisdom remains.
[1] The Well of the Dead is remebered as a monument on Colloden Moor and in folk stories Well at the Worlds End https://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/eft/eft42.htm