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moonvoiceUndu'urta
- a world mountain -
Many traditions have a world tree, but in my belief system, the Axis Mundi in the otherworlds is the Undu'urta, a mountain whose roots are in the underworld, and whose peak stretches up into the upperworlds, poking through a sea of clouds.
Upperworld
In the upperworld, the Undu'urta can be seen surrounded by a sea of white or grey clouds. Its peak is covered in snow and ice, and is very jagged. It is the home of the first birds, ancestors of all birds, and all bird maidens. All ancient or great birds, like the slavae and incarnations of the firebird may visit, or nest here. The peak of Undu'urta is treacherous, and Oraite (shamans) prefer to fly off the Undu'urta in the middleworld, rather than climb the mountain into the upperworld.
The skeletons of failed shamans line the nests of the great bird ancestors. The spirits of Ilkara'te (sky shamans) ancestors live in small caves along the peak. They are small and shrunken from the thin air. Ilkara'te trainees make initiatory pilgrimages here for wisdom and learning.
The tip of Undu'urta isn't affected by weather changes and has never seen L'yuvotn'r (rain) except in his incarnation as the Arctic Fox. The skies are always blue above the clouds, and even the night sky - while showing stars - is still lit by the sun.
The peak of Undu'urta is a place where dismemberment occurs, and a site where fragments and dismembered parts are hidden. It is particularly a site for dismembered or fragmented shaman spirits, as malicious or more harmful shamans know that it can be particularly difficult to retrieve anything from the peak of Undu'urta.
All water-related animals may not travel to Undu'urta (including my own spirit helper Ovatne). The exceptions to this are water-birds like the geese and swan, and water-related serpents, or those serpents that are thought to bring rains and fresh waters in other mythologies. All storks and herons are able to access the tip of Undu'urta safely, which may be one reason why Ilkara'te almost always had a stork or heron type spirit helper.
Tips:
- Bring a solid (trustworthy) spirit helper. If you have more than one, bring more than one.
- Do not touch Ilkara'te bones. The wisdom that they contain is so overwhelming that it can cause the splitting of souls and fragmentation.
- Treat Ilkara'te ancestors with respect and with silence. Do not speak first. Ever. Bow deeply and do not turn your back on them at any time, including when leaving their cave.
- Bird ancestors talk and can impart wisdom, but are ravenous and consume people given a chance. Smoked meats can placate them. Make offerings to them both in the mundane world (at the base of hills, granite outcrops and mountains) and in the otherworlds.
- Remember to take deep, slow breaths.
- Remember that the tip of Undu'urta can - by its very nature - be an exhausting place. Plan time to rest beforehand. Never visit this place if you are tired or not alert. This is not a resting place.
Middleworld
In the middleworld, you can see the underside of the sea of clouds and also a 'base' (though not the true base of the mountain, which is found in the underworld. All animals can access the middleworld part of Undu'urta. It is riddled with caves, caverns, hollows etc. It is connected to significant middleworld crossroads, such as the path that leads to the houses of the gods in Vilturj.
The Undu'urta is home to some 'storehouses' of Urt pieces. Two notable ones are:
1. Chiaji Ana's cave. Chiaji Ana is a wizened old Oraite woman, and ancestor of unknown origin. She lives in her cave and sustains herself off the offerings left to her by people. Like many Urt storehouses, the Urt pieces find their way to these safehavens and are kept here safely. Chiaji Ana's cave is well-hidden and enchanted to shift. Pine-tree spirits can usually help you find it. If you have a good relationship with a old juniper spirit, you will never have problems finding this place. Chiaji may test you with a task (or several) in order to gage your worthiness. She is exceptionally powerful, and will trade Urt pieces with you for retrievals, and also store pieces safely if you need to keep them somewhere temporarily.
2. Dja Murak. Dja Murak is a storehouse maintained by the djajajyk (or malicious, mischievous, imp-like energies, basically). Djajajyk will attempt to steal Urt fragments before shamans, gods, or anyone else can gain access to them. Due to the djajajyk ability to also exist and harass people in the mundane world, this can be very problematic as they sometimes have first access to soul fragments. Some Oraite regularly 'clear out' this place and give these Urt back to more healthy storehouses, or their original souls. Sometimes tasks given to the Oraite by spirits or gods involve helping to continually shift the spirit pieces left in such places.
All sorts of forests can be found in the middleworld around Undu'urta, including cloud jungles. It is influenced by all types of weather. Snow does not last long, here.
The side of the middleworld Undu'urta in the shadow of the sun is dangerous, and is patrolled by more malicious spirits. However, travelling here is sometimes the only way to visit certain night-preferring entities, animals and gods. Besides, Lesavny is sometimes found on the sunny side of the Undu'urta, in the forests, so it's best to always keep your wits about you.
Tips:
- The sunny side of the Undu'urta is safer than the shadow side.
- Gods can be found around here, and it is a good place to leave offerings.
- One of the 'safer' places in the otherworlds. Can be an excellent place to make a home or a journeying starting point.
- A lot of wild animals are found here, this is an excellent site for totem and guide work.
- Some well-work paths here to the Undu'urta peak.
- Never visit the middleworld Undu'urta during solar eclipses (even partials).
- A good place to search for caves or guides to the underworld. The ground here is thinnest and the journeys down don't tend to take as long.
- This is a good place to end journeys.
Underworld
The 'roots' of the Undu'urta are the home of T'klit'zi, the god of justice and strength, among other things. It is the home of Wyrms, giant insects, all ground digging wights, most mining spirits, as well as underworld demons, black hounds and other typically underworld creatures. Different levels of the underworld Undu'urta feature different types of living spaces, including one entirely underwater realm which is home to giant squids, ancient sharks and strange underwater kingdoms.
This place is rarely affected by weather changes, much like the peak of the Undu'urta. It is almost always night-time, or shadowy here. Even during the day, when the sun is shining, it often appears dimmed or turned down in strength. As a consequence, many night loving fungi and flowers, like the jasmine, can be found here. This is an excellent place to acquaint the self with spirits of fungi.
Many of the entities here have no love of humans, and may even go out of their way to attack those who are alone or don't have the help of spirit helpers. Make sure that you travel here well-prepared. It is worth having a good negotiating spirit in case you encounter demons or those gods who do not serve humanity. Make sure you have an escape route, if necessary.
It is difficult for some types of bird to visit the underworld, and bird guides or spirit helpers must be consulted with before visiting. Most four-legged animals can visit the base of the Undu'urta, and many human guides, including ancestors, have no problems visiting here.
The roots of the Undu'urta are also riddled with caves, many forming labyrinthine passages into the centre of the mountain itself. Within these, you may find / visit the spirits of precious gems and stones, entities that mine or work with rock, and the deities of stones, like the Lady of Malachite. These places can be confusing, and there are entities that exist love to confuse visitors, so make sure before going in, that you trust you can get out again.
Not too many Urt fragments are found here, and the roots of the Undu'urta tend to be a lot quieter than the middleworld or even the upperworld manifestations of the central mountain. Offerings to T'klit'zi, Zirczekaja, Ucza and the ancestors can be left here. Initiatory dismemberments can occur here, but the fragmentary results of that are often scattered elsewhere.
If you journey through the underworld around Undu'urta with a light source (like a candle or lantern) be prepared to attract light-loving entities. Some will simply want to be around a warm source of light, but others may know that you are not used to the 'dark' or travelling in the underworld, and attract trouble. Once more, a good team of spirit helpers will be invaluable here.
Tips:
- Never travel here alone.
- Avoid visiting the underworld manifestation of Undu'urta during lunar eclipses.
- Be aware that you are far more likely to meet deliberately misleading entities here, including those that will attempt to masquerade as your spirit helpers, ancestors or even gods.
- Leave rocks as you found them, wherever possible.
- Don't make much noise here. Chanting, drumming, loud singing is pretty much out of the question. The attitude here from many of the entities is much the same as you'd find in a large, self-important library. *grin*
Conclusion
So there you have it, a short description of the manifestation of the Undu'urta. I believe in other Axis Mundi and believe I have encountered Yggdrasil before (from a distance, safely, one 'centre of the world' is plenty for me to deal with currently). This is just the one that I work with the most, and am the most comfortable with.
- a world mountain -
Many traditions have a world tree, but in my belief system, the Axis Mundi in the otherworlds is the Undu'urta, a mountain whose roots are in the underworld, and whose peak stretches up into the upperworlds, poking through a sea of clouds.
Upperworld
In the upperworld, the Undu'urta can be seen surrounded by a sea of white or grey clouds. Its peak is covered in snow and ice, and is very jagged. It is the home of the first birds, ancestors of all birds, and all bird maidens. All ancient or great birds, like the slavae and incarnations of the firebird may visit, or nest here. The peak of Undu'urta is treacherous, and Oraite (shamans) prefer to fly off the Undu'urta in the middleworld, rather than climb the mountain into the upperworld.
The skeletons of failed shamans line the nests of the great bird ancestors. The spirits of Ilkara'te (sky shamans) ancestors live in small caves along the peak. They are small and shrunken from the thin air. Ilkara'te trainees make initiatory pilgrimages here for wisdom and learning.
The tip of Undu'urta isn't affected by weather changes and has never seen L'yuvotn'r (rain) except in his incarnation as the Arctic Fox. The skies are always blue above the clouds, and even the night sky - while showing stars - is still lit by the sun.
The peak of Undu'urta is a place where dismemberment occurs, and a site where fragments and dismembered parts are hidden. It is particularly a site for dismembered or fragmented shaman spirits, as malicious or more harmful shamans know that it can be particularly difficult to retrieve anything from the peak of Undu'urta.
All water-related animals may not travel to Undu'urta (including my own spirit helper Ovatne). The exceptions to this are water-birds like the geese and swan, and water-related serpents, or those serpents that are thought to bring rains and fresh waters in other mythologies. All storks and herons are able to access the tip of Undu'urta safely, which may be one reason why Ilkara'te almost always had a stork or heron type spirit helper.
Tips:
- Bring a solid (trustworthy) spirit helper. If you have more than one, bring more than one.
- Do not touch Ilkara'te bones. The wisdom that they contain is so overwhelming that it can cause the splitting of souls and fragmentation.
- Treat Ilkara'te ancestors with respect and with silence. Do not speak first. Ever. Bow deeply and do not turn your back on them at any time, including when leaving their cave.
- Bird ancestors talk and can impart wisdom, but are ravenous and consume people given a chance. Smoked meats can placate them. Make offerings to them both in the mundane world (at the base of hills, granite outcrops and mountains) and in the otherworlds.
- Remember to take deep, slow breaths.
- Remember that the tip of Undu'urta can - by its very nature - be an exhausting place. Plan time to rest beforehand. Never visit this place if you are tired or not alert. This is not a resting place.
Middleworld
In the middleworld, you can see the underside of the sea of clouds and also a 'base' (though not the true base of the mountain, which is found in the underworld. All animals can access the middleworld part of Undu'urta. It is riddled with caves, caverns, hollows etc. It is connected to significant middleworld crossroads, such as the path that leads to the houses of the gods in Vilturj.
The Undu'urta is home to some 'storehouses' of Urt pieces. Two notable ones are:
1. Chiaji Ana's cave. Chiaji Ana is a wizened old Oraite woman, and ancestor of unknown origin. She lives in her cave and sustains herself off the offerings left to her by people. Like many Urt storehouses, the Urt pieces find their way to these safehavens and are kept here safely. Chiaji Ana's cave is well-hidden and enchanted to shift. Pine-tree spirits can usually help you find it. If you have a good relationship with a old juniper spirit, you will never have problems finding this place. Chiaji may test you with a task (or several) in order to gage your worthiness. She is exceptionally powerful, and will trade Urt pieces with you for retrievals, and also store pieces safely if you need to keep them somewhere temporarily.
2. Dja Murak. Dja Murak is a storehouse maintained by the djajajyk (or malicious, mischievous, imp-like energies, basically). Djajajyk will attempt to steal Urt fragments before shamans, gods, or anyone else can gain access to them. Due to the djajajyk ability to also exist and harass people in the mundane world, this can be very problematic as they sometimes have first access to soul fragments. Some Oraite regularly 'clear out' this place and give these Urt back to more healthy storehouses, or their original souls. Sometimes tasks given to the Oraite by spirits or gods involve helping to continually shift the spirit pieces left in such places.
All sorts of forests can be found in the middleworld around Undu'urta, including cloud jungles. It is influenced by all types of weather. Snow does not last long, here.
The side of the middleworld Undu'urta in the shadow of the sun is dangerous, and is patrolled by more malicious spirits. However, travelling here is sometimes the only way to visit certain night-preferring entities, animals and gods. Besides, Lesavny is sometimes found on the sunny side of the Undu'urta, in the forests, so it's best to always keep your wits about you.
Tips:
- The sunny side of the Undu'urta is safer than the shadow side.
- Gods can be found around here, and it is a good place to leave offerings.
- One of the 'safer' places in the otherworlds. Can be an excellent place to make a home or a journeying starting point.
- A lot of wild animals are found here, this is an excellent site for totem and guide work.
- Some well-work paths here to the Undu'urta peak.
- Never visit the middleworld Undu'urta during solar eclipses (even partials).
- A good place to search for caves or guides to the underworld. The ground here is thinnest and the journeys down don't tend to take as long.
- This is a good place to end journeys.
Underworld
The 'roots' of the Undu'urta are the home of T'klit'zi, the god of justice and strength, among other things. It is the home of Wyrms, giant insects, all ground digging wights, most mining spirits, as well as underworld demons, black hounds and other typically underworld creatures. Different levels of the underworld Undu'urta feature different types of living spaces, including one entirely underwater realm which is home to giant squids, ancient sharks and strange underwater kingdoms.
This place is rarely affected by weather changes, much like the peak of the Undu'urta. It is almost always night-time, or shadowy here. Even during the day, when the sun is shining, it often appears dimmed or turned down in strength. As a consequence, many night loving fungi and flowers, like the jasmine, can be found here. This is an excellent place to acquaint the self with spirits of fungi.
Many of the entities here have no love of humans, and may even go out of their way to attack those who are alone or don't have the help of spirit helpers. Make sure that you travel here well-prepared. It is worth having a good negotiating spirit in case you encounter demons or those gods who do not serve humanity. Make sure you have an escape route, if necessary.
It is difficult for some types of bird to visit the underworld, and bird guides or spirit helpers must be consulted with before visiting. Most four-legged animals can visit the base of the Undu'urta, and many human guides, including ancestors, have no problems visiting here.
The roots of the Undu'urta are also riddled with caves, many forming labyrinthine passages into the centre of the mountain itself. Within these, you may find / visit the spirits of precious gems and stones, entities that mine or work with rock, and the deities of stones, like the Lady of Malachite. These places can be confusing, and there are entities that exist love to confuse visitors, so make sure before going in, that you trust you can get out again.
Not too many Urt fragments are found here, and the roots of the Undu'urta tend to be a lot quieter than the middleworld or even the upperworld manifestations of the central mountain. Offerings to T'klit'zi, Zirczekaja, Ucza and the ancestors can be left here. Initiatory dismemberments can occur here, but the fragmentary results of that are often scattered elsewhere.
If you journey through the underworld around Undu'urta with a light source (like a candle or lantern) be prepared to attract light-loving entities. Some will simply want to be around a warm source of light, but others may know that you are not used to the 'dark' or travelling in the underworld, and attract trouble. Once more, a good team of spirit helpers will be invaluable here.
Tips:
- Never travel here alone.
- Avoid visiting the underworld manifestation of Undu'urta during lunar eclipses.
- Be aware that you are far more likely to meet deliberately misleading entities here, including those that will attempt to masquerade as your spirit helpers, ancestors or even gods.
- Leave rocks as you found them, wherever possible.
- Don't make much noise here. Chanting, drumming, loud singing is pretty much out of the question. The attitude here from many of the entities is much the same as you'd find in a large, self-important library. *grin*
Conclusion
So there you have it, a short description of the manifestation of the Undu'urta. I believe in other Axis Mundi and believe I have encountered Yggdrasil before (from a distance, safely, one 'centre of the world' is plenty for me to deal with currently). This is just the one that I work with the most, and am the most comfortable with.
