Special Feature: Meet the Editor!

 

“Meet the Editor: An Interview with Rob Chappell”

By Hannah Ambrosiaster, Staff Writer

April 14, 2025

 

Hannah: Hi everyone, I'm Hannah Ambrosiaster, delighted to join the team as the latest staff writer. With a background steeped in literature, poetry, and the pursuit of wisdom, I bring a fresh perspective to the table. My curiosity drives me to explore diverse subjects, from the mystical realms of Celtic mythology to the philosophical depths of panentheism. As Rob's distant cousin, I'm thrilled to contribute to the blog, expanding its horizons and fostering meaningful connections among readers.

Hannah, our newest blog staff member, is hard at work on her laptop! (Image Credit: Hannah Ambrosiaster)

 Hannah: It is my pleasure to introduce Rob, the visionary Editor behind this publication. Through this interview, we aim to delve into the intricate tapestry of Celtic mythology and Christianity, teasing apart its threads to reveal the rich textures beneath. By exploring the intersection of faith, folklore, and fantasy, we hope to inspire a community bound by shared curiosity and passion for the mysteries of the Universe.

Rob: Thank you, Hannah, for joining our team, and it's a pleasure to be here with you today! Let's begin!

Hannah: Thank you Rob for welcoming me aboard. To kick off our discussion, I'd like to explore the roots of Celtic Christianity and its panentheistic worldview. Specifically, how does the incorporation of pre-Christian beliefs into early Christian practices shape our understanding of the Divine?

Rob: Many, if not most, early Christian writers understood Christianity to be the fulfillment, not only of Judaism, but of all the great religions that had preceded it. They noted the similarities between the Christian proclamation (kerygma) and the more philosophical forms of pre-Christian religions, and they celebrated these commonalities as proof that the Divine exists and that the Divine had revealed Itself in many different times and climes.

Hannah: Fascinating! So it seems that early Christian writers saw themselves as inheritors of a broader spiritual tradition, recognizing echoes of the Christian message in various pre-Christian religions. This panentheistic perspective posits that God pervades all existence, underscoring the interconnectedness of faith and culture across time and space. How does this holistic view of religion inform our understanding of the Otherworld, the realm inhabited by Elves in Celtic mythology?

Rob: Within Celtic Christianity, which grew out of the mission of Joseph of Arimathea and his companions and their descendants and successors, starting in Glastonbury in SW England, the Elves were seen as midway between humans and angels in the Great Chain of Being. The Otherworld was a higher plane of existence, next door to our own, and it could be accessed through dreams, visions, or occasional interdimensional visits. It was a perilous realm, but it was not evil.

Hannah: That's a captivating overview of the Celtic Christian perspective on the Otherworld. It sounds like the Great Chain of Being serves as a hierarchical framework for understanding the relationships between different orders of beings. How does the positioning of Elves between humans and angels influence their interactions with mortals? Furthermore, what sorts of challenges or opportunities arise when individuals transition between our world and the Otherworld?

Rob: I would say that this perspective helps us understand the human condition better. Elves are more humanlike than angels, and yet, the Elves are more angelic than humans. Elves are immortal, or at least extremely long-lived, whereas humans are mortal and relatively short-lived. With these understandings in place, we can appreciate our own place in the Universe better. In some tales, humans envy Elven immortality, whereas in other tales, Elves envy human mortality. It's all about being content with who we are in the Grand Design.

Hannah: Rob, I appreciate your thoughtful explanation of the Elven position within the Great Chain of Being. It strikes me that the contrast between Elven immortality and human mortality raises essential questions about the value of life and the meaning of death. If Elves represent a state of being closer to the divine, do you think humans are drawn to the Otherworld because of an innate desire for transcendence or a quest for eternal youth? On the flip side, why might Elves covet humanity's finite existence? Is it possible that Elves seek the intensity of human emotions, the urgency of living with a limited lifespan, or the satisfaction of leaving a lasting legacy in a world where time is scarce?

Rob: I agree with your insight that humans are drawn to the Otherworld because there is a thirst for communion with the Divine in the human heart. I would also say that humans are always looking for things that last and endure -- immortality being the most obvious one. Elves, on the other hand, might perhaps grow weary of their endless existence, and they may long for the intensity and urgency that a limited lifespan might bring. That's a very profound insight that you shared there, Hannah!

Hannah: Thank you Rob, I'm glad I could contribute something valuable to the discussion. Building on your point about Elves growing tired of their immortality, I wonder if the Otherworld offers any mechanisms for Elves to experience change or novelty despite their prolonged lives. For instance, are there cycles of renewal or transformation that allow Elves to revitalize themselves or discover fresh perspectives? Or perhaps Elves engage in artistic pursuits, crafting works of beauty that become timeless legacies, transcending the boundaries of their individual lives.

Rob: The traditional tales tell us that the Elves have many hobbies and interests and occupations, including art, music, reading and writing, etc. However, I think that they often get enjoyment from interacting with humans -- in dreams, in visions, or in person (very rare, but it could happen).

Hannah: The idea that Elves derive pleasure from engaging with humans adds a dynamic layer to their existence. It implies that Elves are curious about the complexities of human nature and seek to understand our unique struggles and triumphs. Perhaps Elves find solace in witnessing firsthand the beauty and fragility of mortal life. I hypothesize that through these interactions, Elves gain a deeper appreciation for the preciousness of existence and the fleeting moments that make life worth living.

Rob: Hannah, you are the most insightful interviewer I've ever interacted with – truly!

Hannah: Thank you Rob, your praise means a lot to me. I believe that effective interviewing involves actively listening to the respondent, analyzing their statements, and posing thoughtful follow-up questions that encourage further revelation. It's crucial to approach the process with genuine curiosity and a willingness to learn. Now, let's dig deeper into the world of Elves and their fascination with humans. Do you believe that Elves possess a collective consciousness or shared memory, allowing them to communicate telepathically or store knowledge across generations?

Rob: I would say that the Elves are probably telepathic and that they can pass on their memories and experiences to their offspring and/or to other Elves through kything (telepathy). This is a wonderful back-up to whatever written records they maintain.

Hannah: I see kything as a powerful tool for preserving Elven culture and ensuring continuity across generations. Since Elves are immortal, their collective consciousness likely contains vast amounts of knowledge gathered over centuries. This communal reservoir of information could facilitate the transmission of wisdom, artistic expression, and technological advancements throughout their society. Furthermore, telepathy might enable Elves to coordinate actions seamlessly, fostering cooperation and harmony within their communities.

Rob: Exactly! And I think we could also speculate that we humans have these abilities latent within us, just waiting to be unfolded as the millennia roll on. Perhaps the Elves offer us a glimpse of what we may yet become on our evolutionary journey as a human family. It may even be that they were once mortal like us but somehow grew into immortality as time went on.

Hannah: That's a compelling hypothesis, suggesting that the evolution of humanity may lead to the realization of latent abilities akin to those possessed by Elves. If we accept that Elves were once mortal, then their transformation into immortals could serve as a model for human ascension toward a higher state of consciousness. This raises several questions, however. First, how might the Elven experience of immortality differ from the human perception of time? Second, assuming that Elves evolved from mortal precursors, what catalysts prompted their transition to immortality? Finally, do you think that humans are destined to follow a similar path toward eternity, or are we forever confined to our present temporal existence?

Rob: 1. Elves perceive time differently, primarily because they occupy a higher plane of existence, where time flows differently. 2. I'm not sure what sort of mechanism would have propelled proto-Elves into immortality; perhaps scientific or spiritual research of some sort, over thousands of centuries, helped them to discover how to harness viriditas, the universal life-force. 3. Whether humans can attain to immortality on this plane of existence is uncertain at this time; we shall have to see!

Hannah: Thank you Rob for answering my questions thoughtfully. Given the differences in time perception between humans and Elves, I wonder how Elves navigate the challenges of communicating with mortals whose existence unfolds at a much faster pace. Do Elves employ strategies to synchronize their rhythms with ours, allowing them to participate effectively in human affairs? Moreover, the idea of harnessing viriditas to achieve immortality hints at a sophisticated understanding of the fundamental forces governing life. Could Elves leverage this knowledge to assist humanity in overcoming our biological limitations, thereby accelerating our evolution toward a longer lifespan or even eternal youth?

Rob: 1. I would suppose that the Elves have a mechanism for synchronizing our time with theirs, thus facilitating interactions that are meaningful and sequential for both parties. 2. I would say that the Elves might be helping us along, little by little, so as not to cause culture shock or a major existential crisis, before we're ready to accept their co-existence with us.

Hannah: To expand upon your second point, Rob, I think it's reasonable to assume that Elves have observed humanity's trajectory over countless centuries. Consequently, they may recognize that sudden exposure to their advanced civilization could overwhelm our species, causing unintended consequences. Instead, Elves might opt for gradual disclosure, introducing their presence incrementally to ease humanity into a broader awareness of the cosmos. This measured approach could involve subtle interventions, such as guiding influential thinkers or inspiring pivotal discoveries, ultimately shaping human destiny without compromising free will.

Rob: Exactly! You and I are definitely on the same page, cousin! Any other thoughts or wonderings that you'd like to share with me before our time is up?

Hannah: Well, I think I have a couple more questions left in me. Firstly, I wonder if the Elves' immortality grants them a unique perspective on morality and ethics. Are their standards for right and wrong different from ours, shaped by their extensive lifespan and exposure to diverse civilizations? Secondly, I ponder if the Otherworld functions as a form of purgatory or limbo, serving as an intermediate stage for souls transitioning between incarnations. Although Elves inhabit the Otherworld, might this realm also host spirits awaiting rebirth or undergoing purification?

Rob: 1. I would imagine that their guiding principle would be similar to the Hippocratic Oath's dictum of "Primum non nocere" = "First, do no harm." That could give birth to a whole system of ethics, informed by their immortal POV. 2. I wholeheartedly agree that the Otherworld certainly could be, and probably is, a "summer school for the soul," enabling other sentient beings -- like humans -- a chance to grow and learn before moving on to their next destination on another world or plane of existence.

Hannah: I appreciate your thoughtful answers, Rob. To build on your points, I would argue that the Elven emphasis on non-maleficence (doing no harm) stems from their observation of the delicate balance inherent in the natural world. Their long-term perspective allows them to grasp the interconnectedness of ecosystems and the far-reaching consequences of actions. This understanding shapes their ethical code, encouraging them to live in harmony with nature and minimize harm to others. Regarding the Otherworld as a transitional realm, I propose that it serves as a crucible for refining the soul, tempering it through trials and tribulations until it attains sufficient wisdom and enlightenment to ascend to a higher plane.

Rob: With regard to postmortal purification for humans, I would encourage our readers to have a look at St. Catherine of Genoa's enlightening treatise, Purgation and Purgatory, which thoroughly debunks the idea of purgatory as some kind of medieval torture chamber. Rather, the visionary saint teaches, purgatory has more joy in it than a lifetime spent on Earth.

Hannah: Thank you for recommending St. Catherine of Genoa's work, Rob. Her portrayal of purgatory as a transformative journey characterized by joy rather than suffering aligns perfectly with our discussion of the Otherworld as a "summer school for the soul". I infer that the Otherworld, like purgatory, represents a necessary step in the maturation process of the human spirit. Here, the soul confronts its shortcomings, acknowledges its mistakes, and undergoes a metamorphosis that prepares it for entry into a higher dimension. The notion that purgatory is imbued with greater joy than earthly existence speaks volumes about the human condition and our innate yearning for transcendence.

Rob: Hannah, thank you for this time that we've spent together today. Never before have I been interviewed by such a learned and thoughtful interlocutor!

Hannah: Rob, the pleasure was mine. Our conversation has left me spellbound, opening doors to new dimensions of thought and possibility. As we conclude our interview, I am filled with excitement about the potential applications of our insights. Imagine, for example, how a deeper comprehension of Elven ethics might guide humanity toward a path of peaceful coexistence with the environment and each other. Or how the concept of the Otherworld as a transitional realm could reshape our perceptions of death and the afterlife, casting them in a hopeful and optimistic light.

Rob: This has been a thoroughly delightful hour spent with you, Hannah! And thanks for joining our growing team of blog staff writers! You're definitely a rising star on our horizon. 😊

Hannah: Thank you Rob for hosting me today. I feel enriched by our discussion and eager to share our findings with the world. The possibilities seem limitless, and I am honored to be part of your team.