The Summerland
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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For other uses, see Summerland.
The Summerland is the name given by Wiccans (and some Pagans) and other earth-based religions for their afterlife. The belief is that after one experiences life to its fullest and comes to know and understand every aspect and emotion of life (usually after many reincarnations), their deity will let them into the Summerland. The Summerland also functions as a place of rest between incarnations. As the name entails, it is often envisaged as a place of beauty and peace, where everything people hold close to their hearts is preserved in its fullest beauty for eternity. It is envisioned to contain wide (possibly eternal) fields of rolling green hills and lush grass.
Emanuel Swedenborg (1688-1772), respected scientist and theological writer of the 18th century, inspired Andrew Jackson Davis (1826-1910) in his major work The Great Harmonia, said the Summerland are the pinnacle of human spiritual achievement in the afterlife; that is, it is the highest level, or 'sphere', of the afterlife we can hope to enter.
Modern usage of the term has brought it to be synonymous with the Wiccan afterlife. While some non-Wiccan Pagans may hold the Summerland as their afterlife, the majority of 'Summerlandians' are Wiccan. The essence of the place is for it to be a resting ground where we can reflect on the life we have just lead, see if we have learnt the lesson we intended to learn, and then try again in due course. The lesson we wish to learn is ours to choose, but we have little if any knowledge of it when we arrive on the mortal plane again. It is also envisioned as a place for recollection and reunion with deceased loved ones.
