Sidh
Sidh is an original C-W communication of the word Irish sí , which indicates L ` Another World in the Celtic Mythologie. The concept of Sinned being unknown Celtic , the concepts of “Paradise” and “Enfer” is non-existent in the Druidisme; just as there cannot be assimilation or bringing together with the beyond Christian one. If it is not explicitly described, it returns in many Irish texts; the direction of the word is “peace”.
From this medieval literature, it comes out three localizations distinct from Sidh: in the west, beyond the horizon of the sea, in splendid islands; under the sea, in the lakes and the rivers where sumptuous crystal palates are located at the mysterious entries; under the hills and the hillocks which became the residences of the Tuatha Dé Danann . Water is the means of privileged access.
The Lebor Gabála Érenn ( Livre of the Conquests of Ireland ), written by clerks at the 12th century, is a mythological account which tells the successive occupations of the Ireland, since the time of the Déluge. Tuatha Dé Danann (people of the goddess Dana) are gods who come from four islands of the north of the world: Falias, Gorias, Finias and Murias, they must eliminate the Fir Bolg at the time of the “First Battle from Mag Tuireadh”, to settle. The last newcomers are the Milesiens, the “wire of Mile”, originating in Spain, they will beat Tuatha Dé Danann which are constrained to take refuge in Sidh, each god having to it his. However, this mythical place escapes the geography, since it is everywhere, simultaneously with the world from the men.
If the gods can come and saunter to their own way in the world of the human ones, the reverse is only seldom possible. Only heroes, exceptional beings, such Cúchulainn, Conle or Bran Mac Febail have the privilege to visit and remain in Sidh, generally with the invitation of a Bansidh. Eternal essentially, any man who penetrates there cannot return in the human condition. Thus these men who believe to spend a few hours or a few days in company of the gods and remain several centuries there. When they return on their premises, they fall in dust because they died for a long time. The period of Samain (new year of the Celts, about on November 1st) is favourable with the opening of the sidh.
The Other World of the former Irishmen bears also the names of Mag Meld (Flat of the Pleasure), Mag Mor (Large Plain), Tir Na mBéo (Ground of Alive), Tir Na mBân (Ground of the Women), Tir Na nOg (Ground of the Young people), and Tir Tairngire (Ground of the Promises).
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