Dúile: The (Gaelic) Celtic Elements

The Classical elements of earth, water, fire, and air are deeply embedded in today's society. For most, thinking of these as the elements is just natural. It's one of those concepts that are so widespread that nobody really questions it. Even pagans, of any path, don't tend to question why we think of these things as the elements, they simply are.

But did you know that other cultures didn't (or don't) all view the world this way? Celtic cultures did not view the world in this four-directional split. In Celtic cosmology, the world is split into the realms of land, sea, and sky. The dúile - the elements (in modern Irish "dúile" specifically means the elements of creation), make up the world and everything in it. The dúile can be thought of as making up the realms of land, sea, and sky or as originating from the realms (1). In Gaelic tradition there are no set number of dúile, but sometimes it's described as somewhere between 7 and 14 (1). Usually in modern pagan spaces they'll be called "The Nine Elements". The dúile are things like rocks, thunder, lighting, stars, storms, the sun, the moon, clouds, soil, rain, etc. Keep in mind that Celtic cultures were animist, so the dúile have their own spirits and personhood (sidenote, this is why there are no Celtic Gods that are the literal embodiment of the sun or moon, they are their own beings!). In fact, the dúile can be powerful agents of order, and people would traditionally swear oaths on them and/or the three realms. It was thought that the dúile would respond to oath-breaking in a very powerful and direct way (1).

Important to note though that yes, the dúile can be intimidating, they are not at all inherently bad. In fact, they are sacred and seem to be the source of much awe. In regard to the sun, it is frequently used to give the highest of compliments to deities. Macha is "the sun of womankind", Ogma is "sun-faced", Lugh is the "shining one", and Áine is closely associated with the sun and is "The best hearted woman who ever lived" (O hOgain 2006). Note that while these deities (particularly Áine) may have associations with the sun, that does not mean that they are the sun. It's more that they have admirable qualities associated with the sun, and the sun is held in such high regard that likening them to it is one of the highest compliments one is able to give.

The sun is not the only dúile that is so revered, the moon is also very loved. In fact, Alexander Carmichael named some of the headings in volume three of the Carmina Gadelica (a compendium of old Scottish prayers) "moon worship". It should be noted, though, that "worship" here does not imply that the moon is seen as a deity (1). The moon is a powerful elemental power or spirit in its own right, like the sun, and thus is deserving of reverence.

In spiritual practice, some of the dúile can also correspond to the physical form (1)(2). Stone being bones, grass being hair, the sea being blood, the sun being the face, etc. (1)(2). These types of interpretations can be more personal of course, but it introduces a new way of perceiving ourselves and the world around us in a uniquely Gaelic context.

This is honestly about all I could find on the dúile. I personally find the concept very interesting, I always enjoy finding new (to me) information on Celtic or Gaelic cosmology. I feel it helps me expand my thinking and pushes me to question views I may hold unconsciously, like seeing the Classical four elements as a universal "default". I also find it helps some things "click" into place, for example, to me the dúile genuinely make more sense than the Classical four elements. It strengthens my belief to have moments like this, where I learn new information and it just "clicks" and helps the bigger picture make more sense.

Sources

1.  An Introduction to Gaelic Polytheism (2022) by Marrisa Hegarty
2.  The Elements of the Dúile (1997) by Searles O'Dubhain