“To the Druidic mind, trees are sentient beings. Far from being unique to the Celts, this idea was shared by many of the ancient civilizations that lived in the vast virgin wildwoods of the past. The Celts believed a tree’s presence could be felt more keenly at night or after a heavy rain, and that certain people were more attuned to trees and better able to perceive them. There is a special word for this recognition of sentience, mothaitheacht. It was described as a feeling in the upper chest of some kind of energy or sound passing through you.”

Diana Beresford-Kroeger

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Senbecc was a member of the Tuatha Dé Danann who had sought and gained imbas at the Well of Segais on the Boyne. While he was returning from the well, Cú Chulainn captured him. He eventually escaped by playing the three strains of the harp.

First, he played the wailing stream so that he was wailing and lamenting, and then he played the laughing stream so that he laughed beyond control. He last played the sleeping strain upon his harp and escaped as Cú Chulainn slumbered. While he was at the Well of Segais, Senbecc the Poet encountered the five streams of wisdom that flow from its nine hazels. It was in this way that he received Imbas and he was inspired to chant:

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