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The Paths of the Wheel (spth. Mes ti Draesis) are the spiritual beliefs of the elves of Tír na nÓg , collectively known as the Path of the Wheel.

Overview[]

In this system, the Ways and Paths provide ways for chosen elven souls, the Tuatha de Danaan, to reincarnate into a new body. Throughout its incarnations, as the elven soul grows spiritually, it ascends the Wheel of Spirits toward ultimate transcendence. [1]

Worldview[]

To devotees of the Path of the Wheel, Elves are the only true spiritual race in the physical world, whereas the rest of humanity and metahumanity belong to a lower level of being and are refereed to as the Firbolg. Elves, being spiritual beings, can transcend their earthly levels and reach the Wheel of the Spirits, which allows them to travel through many lives. The Wheel of Spirits brings their souls from the Northern Islands to Tír na nÓg to allow it to develop skills by Seeking or Following the Paths of the Wheel. The Firbolg have an intimate connection to the land, and are forever bound to the roots of the world, and thus cannot reincarnate. These races are intimately tied to where they grow naturally; dwarves to the hills, orks to the underground, trolls to the mountains, and so on.[2]

Followers of the Paths of the Wheel believe that five paths, guided by five related ways, can help a person reach spiritual enlightenment. The five Paths of the Wheel include the Path of the Warrior, Path of the Bard, Path of the Steward, Path of the Druid, and Path of the Righ, or King. Each of the five paths are associated with a compass direction describing a Way: Path of the Warrior is associated with North, Path of the Bard with South, Path of the Steward to the East, Path of the Druid to the West, and path of the Righ is Center.

Magic and the Paths[]

When walking the paths (aka, attempting to emulate the paths), there are two kinds of elves: Followers and Seekers. To actually advance down a path, one must be an elf and a magic user. These elves are called Followers - they have the ability to Walk - advance down the path. Even without magic, one can learn of these ways and try to grow spiritually; these people are known as Seekers. They may Walk the path, but will not actually advance until they are reincarnated as an elf with the ability to use magic. Seekers walking the ways believe that Walking the appointed Path will allow them to return as Followers in future incarnations.[3]

Followers and Seekers refer to their use of the way differently. A Follower follows the Path of the associated symbol (e.g., a Follower of the Way of the North is following the Path of the Warrior). However, Seekers striving to understand the way can only Walk the direction (e.g., a Seeker on the Way of the North is walking the Path of the North, not the Path of the Warrior.)

Elves may walk the paths of any of the cardinal directions in any order. However, they must reserve Walking the Way of the Center for last.[3]

Relationship with Humans[]

Only elves may transcend by following the paths. Humans, are considered non-reincarnated beings who cannot Follow the Paths. This doesn't prevent them from becoming a Seeker of a Path, and some do.

Elves recognize that without humans, they could not exist. During ages with low mana, the Tuatha de Danaan were reincarnated into humans, but could not grow spiritually. Now that magic has returned, followers believe that reincarnated spirits of the Wheel take Elven form exclusively. Some scholars argue that a handful of non-elves could be spirits of the wheel, but their views are in the minority. The fact though that all modern elves came from human parents gave rise to the idea of humans as stewards of the land until the Elves could return, even if they can't understand the Ways the same way an Elf can.[4]

Relationship with Other Elves[]

The Tuatha de Danaan elves view other elves as misguided, as elves who don't follow their true calling of the Wheel. They're often considered inferior. This animosity is especially directed at the elves of Tir Tairngire, who they view as spirits that have adopted some of the ways of true Elven spirits, but have lost their way.[5]

Ways[]

The Ways offer knowledge and concerns related to each Paths, to help Followers and Seekers of that Path grow in their spiritual enlightenment.

Way of the North[]

The Way of the North is a path filled with conflict, strife, battle, pride, and ambition. This way is suited for the Path of the Warrior.[4]

It is associated with Earth, Destruction, Stone, Night, Winter, Imbolc, the province Ulster, and the ancient hero Cu Chulainn.[6]

Way of the East[]

The Way of the East includes farming, prosperity, hospitality, business, communications, transport, and wealth. [4]

It is associated with Air, Beginning, Sword, Dawn, Spring, Beltaine, the province Leinster, and the hero Etain.[6]

Way of the South[]

The Way of the South encompasses arts, music, communications, and worldly knowledge.[7]

It is associated with Fire, Increasing, the Spear, Noon, Summer, Lugnasad, the province Munster, and the hero Brigid.[6]

Way of the West[]

The Way of the West covers scholarly duties: learning, judgement, scholarship, and the druidic arts, focusing on inward knowledge.[7]

It is associated with Water, Maturing, Cauldron, Evening, Autum, Samhain, Connaught, and Ogma.[6]

Way of the Center[]

The way of the Center focuses on kingship, stability, renown, and glory.[7]

It is associated with Spirit, Ascending, Conjunction of all times, a blending of all seasons, and the hero Meath, Morrigan, Dagda.[6]

Anathamas[]

The Danaan loathe false spirits, such as toxic creatures or impure or distorted spirits. They consider it a spiritual duty to destroy toxic beings wherever they're found. For distorted or impure spirits, such as Banshees, Followers and Seekers consider their duty to destroy such creatures to help another spirit trapped in a cycle of bad karma.[5]

Spirit or Essence is considered sacred. Cyberware is shunned by Followers. They believe it may not only affect this life, but may cause him or her to return in the next life in a less advanced form that they currently occupy.[4]

Sources[]

References[]

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