Once more, a lovely rite prepared by the lovely AG, who also ended up DIC for the rite.
Today, we gathered to honor Idunna, Goddess of the Golden Apples of Immortality and Eostre, Goddess of the Spring.
We entered ritual space to the beat of drums instead of a processional song. The drumming carried on throughout the entire rite, and I was very pleased with the effect, though I admit i wasn't sure how it would play out beforehand. We had some talented Drummers and Druids doing this working of maintaining the energy and turning the Wheel of the Year with it. Very well done!
The main offerings were done in two parts. We began with praise offerings of stories told by me and AG regarding the origins of the fair Goddesses. Then, the charming uberrod and the lovely skylark913 did the main Deity invitations and tangible offerings. We also offered pictures and apples that the children had colored during preritual social hour. Of note, my son, Patrick, who is the most amazing Eldest Minion ever, sat with Timmy and drew a picture of a "Butterfinger Flower." My instructions were to make "something Spring-y" so Timmy would copy him and color a picture, as well. It was just as it sounds: a butterfinger candy bar with petals and a stem growing in a field under a huge yellow sun. ♥ Patrick also spent the entire rite trying to keep Timmy occupied and safe so I could sing and participate as best I could. He never ceases to amaze me in his capacity to love and care for Timmy. He's going to make a spectacular father someday, if he decides to have children.
I found it rather sweet that Inspiration happened to be forgotten at the forefront of the rite, and I am inclined to think that it was as it was supposed to be. Why would Bragi not want to be called at the same time his fair wife was to be honored? It definitely made me think more about the nature of their relationship and who Bragi is, in general. I feel like I will soon be compelled to write. (Imagine that!)
Our Omens were excellent! AG pulled to see if our offerings were accepted and drew Mannaz, yes.
Then, each of the folk who honored the Kindred pulled one Rune in turn.
tanrinia pulled from the Ancestors: Algiz, the Elk. Protection and Guidance.
_crow365__ pulled from the Nature Spirits: Isa, Contemplation and Rest after a hard winter.
seamus_mcnasty pulled from the Shining Ones: Sowilo, the Sun, Success!
Taken together, we are free to relax after a long winter and think on the events and lessons from the dark, wintery months. As we move forward, we will be guided and protected along the way toward our success in the seasons ruled by the sun. Very good omens for a Spring Equinox after so many of the folk had such a rough winter!
During the Blessing of the Waters and on through the remainder of the rite, we were slowly joined by a group of what appeared to be Turkey Vultures. It seems the Nature Spirits approved of our rite today. :)
seamus_mcnasty regaled us with a song during the Waters that made my heart happy. Well done, Seamus!
After the rite, I obtained a small cup of the Waters from the horn at Sumble and did some instruction at the table with Eldest Minion and Girl Minion regarding Sumble etiquette and procedure. Jessie spoke over the horn, "Hail all the Goddesses!" And then she chugged. Patrick said, "I feel bad about those people who aren't alive anymore, and I miss them, so yeah, um hail." And then he sipped. Such vastly different children. I took the final portion and hailed AG, because she is awesome and does so much for me that I cannot express my thanks to her enough.
Overall, this was a very nice ritual, despite my post-third-shift, lack-of-sleep state. I had combined this rite with the Retreat Day for the Nine Moons, and the entire day has definitely left me with a lot to ponder. Happy Spring, Everyone!
Monday, March 21, 2011
Monday, March 7, 2011
And so it begins...
I began the Nine Moons training on Saturday, and it didn't go quite as smoothly as I had hoped. I knew it wouldn;t be easy, since everyone was home, but I did my best to keep the schedule. I broke my retreat day into two days, because I worked third-shift on Saturday night.
The morning charm is lovely. I will be rewriting it for use on days when I am going to bed as the sun rises. I like the additions I have made to my shrine, and the offering incense recipe has me excited.
Right now, I need to get through the rest of this week and turn in my homework. After my final exam on Monday, I will be graduating from the University of Cincinnati with my Bachelor's Degree. Awesomeness.
The morning charm is lovely. I will be rewriting it for use on days when I am going to bed as the sun rises. I like the additions I have made to my shrine, and the offering incense recipe has me excited.
Right now, I need to get through the rest of this week and turn in my homework. After my final exam on Monday, I will be graduating from the University of Cincinnati with my Bachelor's Degree. Awesomeness.
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
On the Hinge of Change...
So much is in flux right now that I am not sure what, if anything, will remain unchanged by the end of this current phase of my life. I am finishing up school in three weeks, hence, the absence from posting to this blog. What, with research projects, homework totalling ten pages a piece and a presentation, I've barely had time to fit everything in!
I recently accepted a dayshift position with the hospital, so my entire homelife schedule is about to change. I will be working five days a week now, eight hour shifts, but I will be home every evening with my family. I will be spending significantly less time alone, which has its advantages and its disadvantages.
Finally, I feel almost as though my spiritual life is taking a deep breath in preparation of the work to come beginning this weekend. Everything that I practice now will soon be exchanged for a much different set of devotional, trance and magical acts unlike most anything I have ever done before. I am both nervous and excited by this, and I have great expectations for what my life will look like on the other end.
This is the calm before the storm, and the winds are already moving through the trees. Bring the rain. I am ready.
I recently accepted a dayshift position with the hospital, so my entire homelife schedule is about to change. I will be working five days a week now, eight hour shifts, but I will be home every evening with my family. I will be spending significantly less time alone, which has its advantages and its disadvantages.
Finally, I feel almost as though my spiritual life is taking a deep breath in preparation of the work to come beginning this weekend. Everything that I practice now will soon be exchanged for a much different set of devotional, trance and magical acts unlike most anything I have ever done before. I am both nervous and excited by this, and I have great expectations for what my life will look like on the other end.
This is the calm before the storm, and the winds are already moving through the trees. Bring the rain. I am ready.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Book Review: The Bardic Handbook
The Bardic Handbook: the Complete Handbook for the Twenty-First Century Bard
by: Kevan Manwaring
I had the joy of receiving Kevan Manwaring’s book, The Bardic Handbook: the Complete Handbook for the Twenty-First Century Bard as a gift, and I must say that it is one of the best gifts I’ve been given in a long time. For those of us following a Bardic Path through the forest of Our Druidry, a book such as this is like a Field Guide!
This book is set up as a practicum spanning one year’s time and is full of stories, poems, exercises and scholarly references that stand up to our high standards for research in ADF. It begins with a guided reflection on the reader/student’s “Bardic Beginnings” and quite a bit of historical information regarding the Bards of Old. There are twelve chapters, one for each month, spanning five sections, one for each, element, including Spirit. Each chapter and section begins with descriptions of the goals and principles laid forth by the author, walks the student through a series of exercises and ends with a review. The objective purpose is to declare oneself a Bard with an ultimate goal to “declare your chair,” or get yourself out there, performing and experiencing the bardic arts in more than just pen-and-paper form. But, even those of us content to remain out of the spotlight may gain mountains of experience by following the course of the book.
Manwaring, hailing from Bath, Somerset, England has spent quite a bit of time steeping British Druidry. The differences between British Druidry and American Druidry are sometimes jarring if you aren’t particularly familiar with the British version of the path, but learning about the differences and similarities between the two forms is just as rewarding to the American reader as the bardic training itself. For those of you familiar with the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD), you will recognize quite a bit of material from the Bardic Grade of their training program.
Looking at the content in more detail, I would go so far as to say that this book has done for bardic training what Diana Paxson’s Taking up the Runes did for those studying Runelore—Manwaring’s work scours many paths of paganism for the exercises, writing tools, and magical workings regarding Bardic Arts relevant to a functional Bard in our modern society and put them all into one cohesive whole. Manwaring is first and foremost an Actor, and he is a man who writes about what he knows. This book is heavily based on written word, such as theatre, poetry and storytelling with little emphasis on singing—a welcome addition to the myriad volumes on nothing but the use of vocal skill alone!
Overall, this is an excellent book for the beginning Bard, and his second book, The Way of Awen, is on its way to my bookshelf soon! If nothing else, check out the glossary. That alone is worth the cost of the book.
About the Author: Kevan Manwaring holds a Master’s of Arts in the Teaching and Practice in Creative Writing from Cardiff University. He currently teaches creative writing for the Open Univeristy and Skyros Writer’s Lab as well as runs freelance courses in storytelling and various aspects of the writing process. Manwaring has appeared in numerous television shows throughout the world, including USA, Italy and Malta in addition to the BBC. Finally, Kevan co-runs the Bath Writer’s Workshop and is the founder of Awen Publications. He also does correspondence work. For more information about Kevan, please visit http://www.wayofawen.com/
Manwaring, Kevan. The Bardic Handbook: the Complete Handbook for the Twenty-First Century Bard. Gothic Image Publications, Somerset, England: 2006.
by: Kevan Manwaring
I had the joy of receiving Kevan Manwaring’s book, The Bardic Handbook: the Complete Handbook for the Twenty-First Century Bard as a gift, and I must say that it is one of the best gifts I’ve been given in a long time. For those of us following a Bardic Path through the forest of Our Druidry, a book such as this is like a Field Guide!
This book is set up as a practicum spanning one year’s time and is full of stories, poems, exercises and scholarly references that stand up to our high standards for research in ADF. It begins with a guided reflection on the reader/student’s “Bardic Beginnings” and quite a bit of historical information regarding the Bards of Old. There are twelve chapters, one for each month, spanning five sections, one for each, element, including Spirit. Each chapter and section begins with descriptions of the goals and principles laid forth by the author, walks the student through a series of exercises and ends with a review. The objective purpose is to declare oneself a Bard with an ultimate goal to “declare your chair,” or get yourself out there, performing and experiencing the bardic arts in more than just pen-and-paper form. But, even those of us content to remain out of the spotlight may gain mountains of experience by following the course of the book.
Manwaring, hailing from Bath, Somerset, England has spent quite a bit of time steeping British Druidry. The differences between British Druidry and American Druidry are sometimes jarring if you aren’t particularly familiar with the British version of the path, but learning about the differences and similarities between the two forms is just as rewarding to the American reader as the bardic training itself. For those of you familiar with the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD), you will recognize quite a bit of material from the Bardic Grade of their training program.
Looking at the content in more detail, I would go so far as to say that this book has done for bardic training what Diana Paxson’s Taking up the Runes did for those studying Runelore—Manwaring’s work scours many paths of paganism for the exercises, writing tools, and magical workings regarding Bardic Arts relevant to a functional Bard in our modern society and put them all into one cohesive whole. Manwaring is first and foremost an Actor, and he is a man who writes about what he knows. This book is heavily based on written word, such as theatre, poetry and storytelling with little emphasis on singing—a welcome addition to the myriad volumes on nothing but the use of vocal skill alone!
Overall, this is an excellent book for the beginning Bard, and his second book, The Way of Awen, is on its way to my bookshelf soon! If nothing else, check out the glossary. That alone is worth the cost of the book.
About the Author: Kevan Manwaring holds a Master’s of Arts in the Teaching and Practice in Creative Writing from Cardiff University. He currently teaches creative writing for the Open Univeristy and Skyros Writer’s Lab as well as runs freelance courses in storytelling and various aspects of the writing process. Manwaring has appeared in numerous television shows throughout the world, including USA, Italy and Malta in addition to the BBC. Finally, Kevan co-runs the Bath Writer’s Workshop and is the founder of Awen Publications. He also does correspondence work. For more information about Kevan, please visit http://www.wayofawen.com/
Manwaring, Kevan. The Bardic Handbook: the Complete Handbook for the Twenty-First Century Bard. Gothic Image Publications, Somerset, England: 2006.
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Imbolc with the Cranekin
Sunday evening, the Cranes celebrated Imbolc with our customary ritual to Brigando. This rite is very special to many of us, and I definitely felt much deeper connections to both Brighid and my core grovemates. I am seeing more and more faces that I don't recognize, which is good, but the contrast between the unknown folk and the grovemates with whom I am close makes those close connections seem all the more personal and real. I left with a very full heart, even though I had to leave early. In addition, I think the fact that we do almost the same rite every year for Imbolc has a lot to do with the focus on interconnectedness. New and exciting rituals are new and exciting, but the focus of such things is always on the rite itself. When one can actually do a ritual in the dictionary sense of the word, something repeated until it becomes second-nature, the mind is free to travel into the otherworld and work the magic that lies beyond the mechanics of the rite.
I allowed Brighid to guide my song choices. I had no idea what I was going to be sharing with the folk until it was time to play, and it went very well. This is rather new for me, opening up and doing the work "off the cuff." It's not something that I am a) comfortable with or b) good at, which tells me that I need to do it more often. Funny how that works.
Our omens were very good. Shawneen pulled Oghams for us:
I allowed Brighid to guide my song choices. I had no idea what I was going to be sharing with the folk until it was time to play, and it went very well. This is rather new for me, opening up and doing the work "off the cuff." It's not something that I am a) comfortable with or b) good at, which tells me that I need to do it more often. Funny how that works.
Our omens were very good. Shawneen pulled Oghams for us:
Have our offerings been accepted? Elder, Guidance and ShieldingOverall, it was a very good ritual, and I am fully recharged and ready for the work ahead of me. But, that's another post!
What gifts do the Kindred offer us in return? Ash, The World Tree, interconnectedness between the worlds. (Yep. I felt that!)
What further needs do They have of us? Oak, Strength.
Taken together: with the guidance of our Sky Fathers and the Mothers of us all, we are shielded and protected from harm. Let none be diminished through ignorance. Connected to our community, our families and our Kindred, we are called upon to wisely weave together our strengths for the betterment of the folk.
Friday, January 21, 2011
Another beginning.
I've recently had the pleasure of joining a study group for the ADF Initiate Program based on the new book by Ian Corrigan entitled The Book of the Nine Moons. It is a nine-month intensive program that will walk you through the practicum portions of the IP with a strong root in pagan sorcery and the celtic hearth. Although not my chosen hearth, I am greatly looking forward to this work, particularly in a small group, if online setting. I've gotten quite skilled at adapting things to fit my personal needs. Anyone interested in the study group should read Ian's blog post.
The one thing about the ADF study programs that is the most difficult to overcome is the simple fact that we don't have any teachers. Perhaps as more of us get through this program, we can at least have a mentoring program in place to help those who walk these paths after us to walk with ease.
I'm sure there will be more as we begin with the new moon in March!
The one thing about the ADF study programs that is the most difficult to overcome is the simple fact that we don't have any teachers. Perhaps as more of us get through this program, we can at least have a mentoring program in place to help those who walk these paths after us to walk with ease.
I'm sure there will be more as we begin with the new moon in March!
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
A poem in one sitting.
The following is an exercise found in The Bardic Handbook by Kevan Manwaring (full book review forthcoming after I work through more of it):
[Paraphrased] Intone Awen three times and wait for the Muse as you see him or her to arrive. Some may visualize the Goddess Brighid, who is the patroness of Bards. Some may see the wiccan Horned Consort. Some may see any of the various Greek Muses. Wait for your Muse to arrive and write a poem in one sitting.
Beautiful Lady, let me love you with the pen in my hand,
Crafting for you, capturing the very power of written word
And holding it as an offering for you.
I offer these words, written with such beauty and care,
And yet these words need a voice to fill them with magic.
Inspiring Woman, let me love you with the words in my mouth,
Giving them depth and breadth, giving them energy for motion
And propelling them forth as an offering for you.
I offer these words, spoken with such eloquence and beauty,
And yet these words must be infused with love to give them flight.
Gracious Goddess, let me love you with the song in my heart.
Let my voice rise to the loftiest heights of the heavens with your name upon my lips
And resound deep within the Earth as I sing your praises.
I offer these words, filled with love and wrapped in song
That they may be worthy to be held in the palm of your hand.
Now I think I must ponder this work and see what it says about my relationship with Brighid...
[Paraphrased] Intone Awen three times and wait for the Muse as you see him or her to arrive. Some may visualize the Goddess Brighid, who is the patroness of Bards. Some may see the wiccan Horned Consort. Some may see any of the various Greek Muses. Wait for your Muse to arrive and write a poem in one sitting.
Beautiful Lady, let me love you with the pen in my hand,
Crafting for you, capturing the very power of written word
And holding it as an offering for you.
I offer these words, written with such beauty and care,
And yet these words need a voice to fill them with magic.
Inspiring Woman, let me love you with the words in my mouth,
Giving them depth and breadth, giving them energy for motion
And propelling them forth as an offering for you.
I offer these words, spoken with such eloquence and beauty,
And yet these words must be infused with love to give them flight.
Gracious Goddess, let me love you with the song in my heart.
Let my voice rise to the loftiest heights of the heavens with your name upon my lips
And resound deep within the Earth as I sing your praises.
I offer these words, filled with love and wrapped in song
That they may be worthy to be held in the palm of your hand.
Now I think I must ponder this work and see what it says about my relationship with Brighid...
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)