Liber ab Mortuus (Book of the Dead)^265
lowest, most horrific, level is Mitnal. It is the place from which none ever return, the
Mayan Winterland.Aztec Winterland
Like the Mayan, the Aztec Winterland is the lowest level of the Underworld. It is
ruled by Lord Mictlantecuhtli. After great challenges and dangers, the souls of all who
travel here find rest in oblivion.Traditional Pagan Summerlands
The ancient Pagans also saw a Summerland, a place where life was easy. I pre-
sented some of the many Winterlands first to illustrate the point that there are indeed
places that are not too pleasant. Those things should be just as part of our lore as the
following eventualities.Aztec Summerland
In Aztec lore, everyone who dies goes to Winterland unless they died bravely or in
the act of giving birth. For these souls is reserved a splendor which is not possible to
imagine or describe.Celtic Summerland
Called the Mag Mell (‘plain of joy’) or the Tir na n-Og (‘land of youth’), this is what
you have heard of the Wiccan Summerland. It is a perfect island or sometimes a realm
hidden deep beneath the ocean.Greek Summerland
This is the Elysian Fields, no doubt one of the sources for the neo-Pagan
Summerland. What the neo-Pagan movement left out is that although this is a place of
Nature’s splendor where Summer never sets, only those chosen by the gods are al-
lowed to reside here. Also called Elysium and Elysion.The Judgement of Souls
So we see a Summerland and a Winterland, a nice place and a not so nice place.
How is it that souls are sent to one or the other? The answer is that although we have a
knee jerk reaction to the idea of a judgement day, this principle can be found in many
ancient Pagan religions. You see, it is this judgement that sets Wicca apart from most
mainstream religions. But it is not in denying the principle of judgement; it is in em-
bracing it. It is in the idea that we are responsible for the things that we do and our sin
(for lack of a better word) cannot be washed away by speaking a few words, changing
our religious choice, or saying a few Hail Marys. Yes, we do decide what our afterlife
will be. But we make that decision in the actions of our lifetime and our lifetimes.Egyptian Judgement
Anubis takes the deceased to the house of Osiris and into the Hall of Two Truths.
There, a court is held to determine what one’s final disposition will be. Unlike they WB Chap 16.p65 265 7/11/2003, 6:04 PM