As in all Celtic knots there is no beginning or end. The Celtic
shield knot idea comes from civilizations more ancient than the
Celts. Anciently, it was a universally known symbol for protection
from danger and warding off evil spirits. The symbol is always
fourfold based, but within a greater unity.
The original Celtic shield knot symbol is indicative of the four
seasons or earth water, fire and sky (which help us, but have power
over us). It can also mean the four gods, intertwined with the
seasons, or archangels, who protect the people of earth as well as
bring us the elements or seasons.
The Mesopotamians used a similar four cornered symbol in casting
protective spells and for invoking the gods of the four corners of
the Earth. The 4 cornered symbols stood for the four creator gods.
The sky god An was the greatest of these gods. Anki was the
Sumerian word for universe. An meant heaven. Enlil was the next
greatest god and could produce raging storms in a fit or help man
when calm. He was known as the shepherd to the people and also as
the god of air. “lil” stood for wind in the Sumerian
language. The earth goddess was Nin-khursag (or Nintu). The fourth
god was Enki, the god of water and patron of wisdom. Sumerians
believed Heaven and Earth were united as a single mountain. Nammu,
goddess of the primeval sea, gave birth to An (Heaven) and Ki
(Earth). An and Ki gave birth to their son Enlil (god of the Air).
Enlil then carried away his mother, the Earth, from Heaven. In
essence these four gods represented sky, fire, earth and water. It
is possible that Celtic shield knots represent these same
substances.
Disclaimer:
Do not approach this series lightly. If this were only a 500'
bushwhack, I would call it hellish. The roots will trip you, the
branches will shred you and poke your eyes, and the insects will
consume you. But it's not 500'. It's over 12 bloody miles! I highly
recommend you bring snake boots, lots of water, long pants, long
sleeve shirt, lots of water, good hat, pokey stick, lots of water,
spare everything, bug spray, lots of water, writing utensils, cell
phone, lots of water.
Did I mention bring lots of water?
You may find a laminated clue slip in this cache. If you do, you
might want to solve the riddle. This will help you locate the Gaia
puzzle cache nearby. Please leave clue slips in the caches you find
them in.
