Caol Áit (pronounced keel awtch) is a phrase from Gaeilge which means a thin place, but…

What is a Caol áit, a thin place?

Caol Áit refers to a place where the walls between worlds are thin.

A space where connection to the spiritual realms, and the guides and non-human beings that dwell there, are much easier to connect with.

Maybe even a space where the otherworldly beings seek out connection with their human visitors, and make themselves known.

What are the signs of a caol áit, and how do you know when you’ve found one?

There are a few different types of caol áit that you may find, some very obvious to find, some that you may come across purely by accident.

🍃 There are many famous sites on the Irish landscape where you will find yourself in a space where the connection with the spirit world becomes very evident, and easy to access.

Places like The Hill of Tara, Loughcrew, Uisneach sacred site, Knocknarea, Croagh Patrick and many, many more, are areas that have been set aside for tourists as well as local visitors to come and experience a connection with the divine, alongside the land.

🍃 Less well-known, but sacred spiritual spaces, can be found all across Ireland.

Faery forts, passage tombs, cairns, disused tigh n’allais, standing stones and sacred wells exist all across the landscape.  Each holding a magickal energy that enables otherworldy experiences and communications for those ready to lean in and listen.

🍃 Spaces on the land not yet known.

As you walk the land in Ireland you may come across a place where background noise seems to fade away.  On a windy day things may stand still, and on a still day the wind may suddenly whip up as you enter.

Tricksy things may happen, you may misplace things, or become confused about where you are, or what you’re doing.  You may even feel as though you’ve stepped out of time into a displaced place, that doesn’t exist in the physical world, or where other people can see you.

You have probably stepped into a caol áit you didn’t even know was there.

An Caol áit at the Wild Soul Retreat Centre

I stumbled upon a space like this at the retreat centre while I was out walking the land one time.  I’d probably walked past it 100 times before, but had never seen that it was there.

A wee circular area, surrounded by nettles and dock seeds growing, but when I stepped through the circle of plants I realised the world stopped still within.  The spirits of the land were present and waiting for me.

I’ve returned many times with gifts for the land, and plan to create a small labyrinth there next spring, to encourage others to visit the spirits of the land there, and create fun-filled relationship with them.

Things To Be Careful of at a Caol Áit and How To Stay Safe

These spaces of spiritual connection are inhabited by the faer folk of Ireland.  Whether you know them as the sidhe (pronounced shee), faeries, or wee folk, the tuatha of the land are there and are ready to be met with.  Inhabiting the land and the plant life in Ireland they are eager to meet with us. This is often playful connection full of fun and laughter, but also something you need to be careful of.

There are stories of people heading into Faery Forts and returning decades later thinking themselves that they have only been gone for a night, so as you step into a Caol Áit and ready yourself for the connection, there are a few things it’s wise to do to stay safe.

🌀 Enter with good intentions – deep respect for the land, those that dwell there, and the ancestors that first discovered the space are of great importance.

Only enter if the way is clear, asking permission of the spirits there, and making your intentions clear.

🌀 Take gifts for the spirits of the land – these might look like herbs, sugar or salt, locks of your hair, your saliva, produce of the land like fruit, or a small something you’ve personally made.

🌀 Never remove anything without explicit permission of the spirits there – if you’re unsure if they are giving you permission, stear clear of removing even the tiniest of berries.

🌀 A clockwise turn, or a turn inside out – There is often a clear entranceway to these spaces, between hawthorn bushes, large stones, or space between plants.  Always enter through this portal if you can.

Turn your coat, or other garment such as your hat, inside out when you enter, and back in the right way when you leave.

As you enter the caol áit make a full clockwise turn as you enter the portal, and anti-clockwise turn as you leave.

These are all believed to confuse the faeries for just long enough that any spell they have on you will be broken, and they will not hold you there for longer than it seems to you.

Connecting With The Wisdom At Caol Áit

It is believed that the land and the beings with caol áit hold great wisdom, and a deep desire for connecting with the human forms that visit.

If you wish to connect with that wisdom, the best advice I can give you is to take your time.

We often enter these spaces with an idea of what we want to take place, how this should go, and what we will get from it – it’s important to park these ideas, and instead go with an open mind, as well as an open heart.

It can often take many visits to a site before the spirits will lean into relationship with us. Though they can also come as a complete surprise! In much quicker and more obvious ways than we could ever imagine.

Stay open to what may find you, or come the way of the people you’re with.