NT11 Spirit Of Conla's Well
The Celts were conscious of the magic and enchantment of the natural world and edges of forests, sacred groves and flowing rivers held great fascination and were seen as interfaces between the material and supernatural worlds, Doors to an unseen world that was very close and blessed with healing powers. popular shrines were deemed to be under the care of a local guardian spirit whose worshippers would perform daily rituals. The Celts and Druids, held trees very sacred especially the Oak and was an important symbol in their religion. They believed that the Oak represented the World Tree, which ties all three worlds together. Its highest branches reach into the Upper world, their trunks lived in the Earth world and below its roots were a passageway into the Underworld. In Co. Kildare, the Well of Knowledge is said to be a place of shining knowledge full of sacred Salmon and surrounded by nine Hazelnut trees. Only Nechtan and his cupbearers were allowed to draw from this well and to know the great knowledge to be had there. The salmon were considered magical has they lived in two worlds, the world of salt water and the one of fresh.