The Divine Realm, a realm as real as it is hidden, exists in a symbiotic relationship with our own, separated by a thin veil of cosmic design and mystical forces that govern the boundaries between what is known and the unknowable. It is a place where the laws of physics intertwine with the arcane, where magic is not an aberration but a complex science awaiting deeper understanding. This realm is accessible through ancient rituals, deep meditation, or by the sheer force of will of those sensitive to the fluctuations of cosmic energies. It is inhabited by beings and entities that embody the pure essence of natural forces and concepts, some benevolent, others malevolent, all part of the cosmic balance. In this parallel existence, time may flow differently, and spaces expand beyond the limits of physical dimensions, offering a glimpse into the infinite possibilities that lie beyond our current scientific understanding, yet tantalizingly within reach of those who dare to explore the mysteries of the universe.
Within the vast expanse of the Divine Realm lies an intricate tapestry of lands, each with its own unique essence and inhabitants. Of these, only 14 remain tethered to our World, with Tir na nOg standing as the solitary gateway through which crossings are still possible. The other 13 realms have drawn their veils tight, shielding themselves from the reach of mortal colonizers, a protective measure born from a history of intrusion and exploitation. Despite this closure, those imbued with divine essence retain the ability to traverse these boundaries, stepping into worlds where gods once roamed but have since vanished. Places like Asgard, now devoid of their divine rulers, continue to pulse with the lives of their people and the beauty of their lands. This selective permeability ensures that while the divine may have departed, the splendor and spirit of these realms endure, accessible only to those who carry within them a spark of the celestial.
Asgard
In Norse mythology, Asgard is one of the Nine Worlds and home to the Aesir gods, including Odin, Thor, and Frigg. It is depicted as a fortified home, located in the sky or beyond the physical plane, accessible only via the Bifrost, the rainbow bridge. Asgard embodies the Norse understanding of the cosmos, with gods who interact closely with human affairs, and a final resting place for warriors deemed worthy.
Atlantis
The most renowned of all mythical lands, Atlantis is said to have been a technologically advanced utopian civilization that sank into the ocean in a single day and night of misfortune. First mentioned by Plato, Atlantis has captivated treasure hunters and historians alike with its promise of ancient wisdom and power. It represents the pinnacle of human achievement lost to greed and corruption, lying somewhere beneath the Atlantic waves, waiting to be discovered.
Avalon
Avalon is a legendary island featured in Arthurian legend, famous as the place where King Arthur's Excalibur was forged and to where Arthur was taken to recover from his battle wounds. Avalon is often depicted as a paradise, shrouded in mist and magic, and is synonymous with an earthly paradise where the boundaries between the physical and the spiritual world blur. It embodies the hope for healing and eternal renewal, somewhere in the ethereal mists of the British Isles.
El Dorado
El Dorado, originally meant to describe a man, the "Golden One," eventually came to represent a city, kingdom, or empire teeming with gold and treasures beyond imagination. This mythical land of wealth and opportunity in South America drove countless explorers on perilous journeys through the Amazon rainforest, only to leave them empty-handed, if they returned at all. El Dorado symbolizes the unquenchable thirst for wealth and the lengths to which humanity will go to attain it.
Hyperborea
Hyperborea, a land beyond the North Wind, is described by Greek authors as a paradise where the sun shines 24 hours a day, and its inhabitants live for a thousand years free of disease and war. This mythical northern country is often associated with perpetual sunshine and happiness, unreachable by those from the south but ever tempting as a haven of eternal bliss.
Lemuria
Lemuria, or Mu, is a supposed lost continent located either in the Indian or Pacific Ocean. The concept originated in the 19th century to explain certain geological and biological phenomena. Lemuria is often depicted as a peaceful, highly developed society that disappeared under tragic circumstances. It is a symbol of lost knowledge and humanity's deep past, evoking a sense of nostalgia for a time when humans lived in harmony with the world around them.
Lyonesse
Lyonesse is a legendary sunken kingdom said to have been located off the coast of Cornwall, England. It is often mentioned in Arthurian literature as the home of Tristan, one of the Knights of the Round Table. Lyonesse is depicted as a rich and beautiful land that tragically sank into the sea in a single day, reminiscent of Atlantis, and now exists only in legend and lore as a reminder of the impermanence of even the greatest of realms.
Mount Meru
Mount Meru is considered to be the center of all physical, metaphysical, and spiritual universes in Hindu, Jain, and Buddhist cosmology. It is a mythological sacred mountain, said to be the axis of the world, connecting the heavens, the earth, and the underworld. Mount Meru symbolizes the essence of the universe's structure, embodying spiritual significance and the journey towards enlightenment.
Shambhala
Shambhala is a mythical kingdom hidden somewhere in Inner Asia, often associated with Tibetan Buddhism. It is said to be a land of purity and enlightenment, where all inhabitants are enlightened or on the path to enlightenment. Unlike other mythical lands, Shambhala is often considered not so much a physical location but a spiritual kingdom that can be accessed through meditation and virtuous living, embodying the quest for inner peace and wisdom.
Shangri-La
Shangri-La is a fictional place described in the 1933 novel "Lost Horizon" by James Hilton. It has since entered popular imagination as a synonym for an earthly paradise, particularly a mythical Himalayan utopia—a permanently happy land, isolated from the outside world. While not ancient myth, Shangri-La has influenced modern perceptions of mythical utopias, representing peace, harmony, and longevity, hidden away from modern troubles.
Thule
Thule was described by ancient Greek explorer Pytheas as the northernmost part of the known world. Over time, it became shrouded in myth as a distant place located beyond the borders of the known world, often associated with the Arctic regions. Thule represents the unexplored and the unknown, a place of mystery that has captivated explorers and writers for centuries, symbolizing the human drive to discover and explore the unknown.
Tir na nOg
Tir na nOg, often translated as the "Land of the Young," is a prominent realm in Irish mythology, a place beyond the edges of the map where time stands still, and inhabitants never age or fall ill. It's known as a paradisiacal realm of eternal youth, beauty, health, abundance, and joy, accessible only to the heroic or the blessed. According to legend, it lies across the western sea or is hidden within the mists, a common theme for Celtic realms, where the physical and the spiritual worlds intertwine.
Ys
Ys (pronounced like "Eess") is a mythical city said to have been built below sea level off the coast of Brittany, France, and protected by a dam. According to legend, the city was submerged when the devil tricked the daughter of the city's king, causing the gates to be left open during a storm. Ys is often compared to Atlantis for its story of hubris leading to downfall, serving as a cautionary tale of the dangers of sin and the power of nature.
Heaven
Within the myriad realms, Heaven stands as a beacon of harmonious existence, a realm where the boundaries that separate individual consciousness dissolve into a symphony of unified presence. Governed by the divine will of God, or Yahweh, this sacred space transcends the limitations of mortal thought, embracing a higher state of being where all voices merge into one jubilant chorus. Here, the concept of time and the physical constraints of existence are reimagined, allowing souls to experience the infinite depth of connection and enlightenment. Heaven is not a place of idle repose but a vibrant, collective consciousness, a cosmic tapestry woven from the threads of individual identities celebrating an eternal unity. It is a realm where the essence of every soul contributes to the ongoing creation and experience of celestial harmony, guided by the omnipotent benevolence of the divine. This is not your pastor's heaven, but God's.
