The following commentary is not intended to be the last word or definitive presentation on a rather recent, controversial and evolving subject. Rather, as the title implies, it is intended to provide a basis for some further debate, reflections and synthesis, towards an attempt for re-nourishing or re-awakening the Celtic archetypes with the present energy and practices of the Himalayan Shamanic Roots or Tibetan Tradition, in Keltic Powerplaces, as Tibetans today do ...

The contemporary and somehow successful migration of several low profile Tibetan Gompas and their Shamanic Rituals in some historical Celtic, Cathares and Knights Templars archaeological sites in the UK and South of France, such as the lands bought early 1970s in the Haute Provence (Verdon) and in Septimania (Aude/Ariège), South of France, or the better known Holy Island in Scotland UK, bear testimony that such sacred abodes of earlier Celtic Lore, Saints and Fairies have proven to be useful resources also for the Tibetans' own agenda. 

There may be, inded, many reasons for that...

Valcros Abbalach (Cameloat)

While, the biography of these Tibetan settlements have not been without their share of controversy, it has become undeniable ( after more than 25 years monitoring these sites ) that in some of them spiritual awareness had been reached, while in some others the hidden political , magical and alchemic impacts are still to be assessed. 

All in all, while quite different results had been reached by the Tibetan theocracy in using Celtic and Templar powerplaces, the question is nowadays if it could not also serve the purpose of preservation and reawakening of the Celtic and Grail Heritage itself, after it had used for the Tibetan agenda. In short, if it worked one way, it could also probably work as well the other way round  ... 

And if not, why not ?

Guardians of the Arch of Alliance 

Myths, as they have settled in history and popular tales are the purveyors of a wisdom that was born with the race of Man. The content is metaphysics . The equation between the Celtic Grail Lore  (Healing and Divination practices), the Tibetan Tantric and the  Indo-European Rig-Vedas mythology may as much be approached from a comparative experiential study of the archetypes and rituals, than being discussed from the available references existing in both the holy scriptures of early Christendom and those of the Tibetan Vajrayana and Dharma.

The literature references include the narration of  the first century (AD) exile of  several apostles closed to Jesus the Christ, namely: St. Philip, Simon Zelotes, Mary Magdalene, Joseph of Arimathea (James) and others first  to Septimania (South of France), then to Brittany and Wales. They are sacred Keys in the Grail Lore to pursue...

Testimony  itself  shows the birth of the Arthurian Grail Quest and Celtic legends of Saints and Warriors coming from the historical recollections of  the successive migrations from Central Asia of the Arianist Scythes, Wisigoths, Huns, Germans, Franks shamanic faith tribes, which led to the end of the Roman Empire (West) and  consolidation of the (Long Hair Sorcerers) Merovingian kings in the previous Septimania , then named the Razes around Rennes le Chateau and Limoux (Aude) .  Originating  from the Black See (Central Europe) and Asian steppes, the Shaman practices of  early Christendom was blended in an intricate mythological  background, where Runes , Animal Spirits , War Protectors , Fairies, Angels or Saints were part of a practical Gnostic Gospel . It is enlightening to find today how much  these early Shamanic concepts and practices have remained comparable, at the symbolic archetypes and rituals level,  to the current Hindu and Buddhist Tantras (ie: protectors, Dakinis,  skulls,  vases, Samsara or maya , reincarnation or karma, etc) . The early Christendom literature shows that these were beliefs being alive in the practices of Cathars and Knights Templars .

We could consider the references in the Rig Veda of  human interactions (or relations) with the Gandhavaras (Spirits of the Air and of the Waters) and  Apsaras (water nymphs) ,  in charge of the magic Soma and who were skilled in medicine and music. These entities  bear resemblance with the roles played by Celtic Fairies (spirits) or the Grail Lore Ladies of the Lake (Waters, or del Acqs), who as Vivianne del Acqs and Morgane Le Fay , are the Guardians of the Isle of Avallon (Avallach), the invisible Gates to Caer Siddi (Annwn) and to the Grail's vase divination and healing powers.

Morgane - le- Fay 

As in the Rig- Vedas and the Vajrayana, the earlier version of the  Arthurian Quest and the later Troubadours Lore promote a sophisticated mythology , with archetypal roles perceived in distinct classes of inspirations, being those of Morgane, Perceval, Arthur, Morded,  Merlin,  Fairies , Maids or Celtic Nymphs, conduced in tales known as  Elopments , Wooings  or Arthurian Quest.

The discovery of  hidden truths, embedded in mythology is as much part of an initiation process,  belonging  to the realm of personal catharsis or drama ,  than to  rationality.

Caer Sidi (Annwn) , the Celtic and Grail Lore Abode, which entry gives access to Healing and Divination Powers, requests that one be motivated , as Arthur, Galahad and  Perceval , by a drive for relevant services and compassion for  the community.

The Cathars lived in Septimania (Languedoc, Aude, Ariege regions in South of  France) , between the 10th and 14th century, and were  the holders of the  Tradition of the Holy Grail brought to France by Joseph of Arimathea and Mary Magdalena during the first century AD. 
 

The Aude region also was the recipients of  Gnostic Dualism (Manicheens) inherited from the Wisigoths, who had settled their kingdom in Toulouse and Rennes le Chateau (4th century AD),  and from the Celto-Iberes and Arianiste Huns, who both had long migrated from Central Asia to Europe.

The long-haired Merovingian kings had ruled the same region of early "France" from 500 AD to 752 AD. Their dynasty suggested links with the lost Tribe of Benjamin, as traced via the Gaul-Celtic migrations from Syria to Acadia, thence to the Pyrenees, after going through the Rhine region.
 

In 1200 AD, the Cathars "Parfaits" (Bonhommes) had been perceived by the powers in Rome as a direct  threat.  They lived , as Saddhus and Nagpas, in poverty and chastity, and had only one sacrament, the Consolament(um). This was an initiatic rite (Bapteme of  Light), provided only to adults, whether as the ordination prior to becoming a Parfait (Bonhommes), or before going to battle (Feudis) or while in the process of dying.  The Holy Grail reflected the spiritual Quest of both the Cathares and the Celtic people. 

The Arthurian Quest led to a Mystical Communion.  As Arthur, the Holy Grail belong to the Land : " He IS the Land ... "

Montsegur Pog (Grail)  

It is the path of the Spiritual Warrior (Shambala) and Shaman. In its hermeneutic (hidden knowledge), the symbol of the Holy Grail Chalice support the ideal of Service, whereas the Blood of Christ therein corresponds  to active Compassion (Boddhicitta), ie: giving and receiving service in the community.

The Holy Grail Lore and Legends are parables on the potential attainment of magical powers described in the Celtic Tradition, being:  Healing, Divination and contacts with Fairies.

As such, both the Holy Grail Lore and the Himalayan Shamans traditions are based on the traditional beliefs on yogas and spiritual practices to contact with the spirits of the Outer World (Annwn or Shambala) and for seeking remedials or powers.
 

Alike Tibetan Vajrayana , the Holy Grail Quest is a enlightened path to awareness, harmony and applied compassion, which  acknowledges the needs and structures of the community and which as such , is in its very  roots, deeply democratic and linked with "real life" ...