Once upon a time it was dark and quiet. There was no firmament, nor waters… not even light. And then suddenly, a great melody was heard. It swirled through the mists of shapelessness, across aeons of time, and breathed Creation into life. Giving substance to form, and infusing all with being and meaning. This was called the Oran Mor, which translates from the Gaelic as the Great Song. A simple, all-encompassing melody which not only created life, but continues to sustain it, onward to this very day. For the music it breathes is eternal in nature, falling upon all the world and those who live therein.
This is the creation story as told, and believed, by the ancient Celtic people. Notice how it closely mirrors the creation story as found in the Bible’s book of Genesis. Different cultures all have their own unique version of Creation. One that is distinctly their own, and therefore resonates deeply with ingrained customs and belief. Thus, allowing for more solid and unified societies.
The Oran Mor, or Great Song, is the Celtic primordial myth of Creation. Timeless in origin, it remains a concrete foundation of Celtic life today. Manifesting in outlook and traditions which have come to define this particular culture and people. And yet in many ways it is universal in nature, and therefore applicable to all of us, regardless of who or where we are in the world. This universality is what gives truth to the nature of its being.
We see it many times in current Celtic traditions; the customs of Samhuinn, the celebratory nature of Lughnasadh, the festivals of Beltainne, and so forth. This Great Song permeates all aspects of life, and is beautiful in its nature. Calling to people everywhere, well beyond Celtic society. And it is as pertinent and relevant now, as it was when that first great note breathed Creation into being, before time as we know it began.
It is a call to wholeness. Encouragement to fully use the senses with which we are endowed; taste, touch, sight, sound… and intuition. This last one especially. Intuition is a vastly underestimated part of our being. The ability to sense what we cannot touch, feel, or see, is integral to faith and belief. Connecting us as it does, to both ourselves and to our Creator… whether it be the Oran Mor – or God. For in the end, they are one and the same.
The music of the spheres, the song of the Oran Mor, God’s presence within our lives – they are all there. Within us, around us, sustaining and nurturing our being. All we have to do is listen, and follow the rhythm of our own heartbeat.
Yet this is not as easy as it seems. For we live in a fragmented and argumentative society – far more than the Ancients ever did. There is an overload of information. It is loud and shrill, far too easily drowning out our inner voice. That intuition, which was meant to guide, inform, and in some instances protect us from a danger yet unseen. This sense was gifted us for a reason, and we do not use it as often as we should… or could.
There is so much more to life that intuition can reveal, allowing us to discern things we would otherwise miss or overlook. Things which could further, and more fully, enrich our lives. Not the least of which is the presence of God among us… and the reassurance inherent therein
If as the Celts believe, we are upheld and sustained by the Oran Mor, then we can seek out and hear its life-giving melody all around us, even as it is within us. This ‘music’ is something we are born with. Unfortunately, it is a tune which gets lost in time and with age. Easily forgotten, as the obligations and responsibilities of life catch up with us; consuming our time and thought-energy.
And though we may lose the melody… the melody never loses us. It remains deep inside our hearts where we can access its wisdom, and recall it back to an active place in our lives whenever wanted or needed.
In hearing and recognizing our own music, and walking life at a pace which is in rhythm with the steps we take, there is a sense of peace… and with it a feeling of wholeness, regardless of circumstance. You remain at rest – within.
Henry David Thoreau said it best:
“Why should we be in such a desperate haste to succeed and in such desperate enterprises?
If a person does not keep pace with their companions, perhaps it is because they hear a different drummer. Let them step to the music which they hear… however measured or far away.”
Perhaps they hear the Oran Mor.
It requires discernment to hear this music, and courage to walk to that different drummer. And this is where intuition comes into play, for it hones our ability to read what is inside… over and above what is outside.
And yet it is indeed all around us, in the simplest of things. The gentle touch of a soft breeze caressing your cheek… rays of sunshine sparkling diamonds across still waters… leaves rustling in the wind, dancing among swaying tree branches… flower petals opening to fragrant colour… birds singing their songs one to another in joy and delight.
Most of all, recognize it in the eye and smile of a loved one or friend.
When we slow down, tune out the cacophony of today’s world, and listen to our hearts… we can hear our own music. And walk to a pace more in keeping with the harmony of our souls… with our true selves, and the person we were meant to be. This is a path which leads us to wholeness and serenity… even in today’s crazy mixed-up world.
Can you hear the music?
The melody your heart is singing?
The tune your steps are walking to?
If so… then go for it!
