A Spiritual Olio.

Well, I feel better today. Yesterday, as you all know, was Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement. You can look up what this is all about yourself. This Yom Kippur is a Jewish tradition. I like Jewish Tradition. I like all spiritual tradition. Olio, today's title, " means a mixture. I like being an olio.
I heard from one of you yesterday. It was a note written from Shangri-La otherwise known as Cape Breton Island, Nova Scotia. Cape Breton is a wonderful mixture of traditions. It is said that the Chinese explorers built a outpost there near Cape Dauphin in the 6th or 7th century. So much for the Vikings and the Portugese. Sorry Leif Ericson and John Cabot.
The lore that makes up much of Cape Breton's mystique actually comes from even earlier - the 3rd century and St Patrick's Ireland. Now I know that Scots make up the greater part of the population there. But the Scots, along with the Norse have the Irish to thank for their Christian roots (congrats Leif).
I say "Christian" with the caveat that St Pat's Christianity was like none known before.
The old story goes that St Pat brought Christianity to those heathen Irish. I think it worked both ways. Those "heathen" Irish along with their Welsh and Scot neighbors already had a well developed Celtic culture that embraced a wonderful understanding of nature and their part in natural spirituality. They were and are a wonderfully spooky bunch. I think that St. Pat got a snootful of the Druids and liked what he smelled.
At any rate Cape Bretoners have managed to preserve a tolerance and understanding of spirituality that is a glory to behold. Of course they have the same worldly problems and challenges that afflict the rest of the us but more than a few have a flowing spiritual nature that absorbs what it needs from the day and then lets the detritus of social and spiritual mania flow by. You can actually breathe the healing in the air. The Love that has been preserved there is for all to enjoy. Love meaning the prime mover, the gift that gives us eternal life. I'll will not use a name for g-d since we are an inclusive bunch here.
Ok, back to Cape Breton. Be warned that Capers, these "simple" folks, will test your understanding of traditional institutional religion. I have heard that if you but scratch a person of Celtic heritage you will find a "pagan" just beneath the skin. I'm telling you that these wounded "pagans" know more about St Pat's brand of Christianity than most societies that claim to be kosher. (Mixed them again didn't I?)
If you are drawn to exploring Celtic spirituality take a trip to Cape Breton and have a cup of tea with one who lives natural healing. They may even read the tea leaves for you if you are blessed. Oh, by the way, throw away the tea bags, just steep the leaves, tea is meant to be free of baggage as are you.
Now sadly, one of the mainstays of their economy is just now going by the boards with the closing of a major newsprint supplier on the Island. The weeping and gnashing of teeth would be justified for these folk but I know that they will take all it in stride and continue to provide the rest of us with a spark of hope. Faith and hope are Cape Breton's most valuable export. I would love to open an spiritual center in that dear land someday just to explore Love (g-d) in all our interpretations. I betcha we could do some great healing.
Rod of the Desert