Let Me Go

Bubbling inside me

I feel it there

Wanting trying to get out

Afraid to be seen

To be heard could change

All could change around me

As I move run sleep

It is there always telling me

Let me go! I will carry you

All will be fine better

Then before you ever knew

When I fly free

You will understand the missed

And all will understand you

Awen

By Mystical Journey
1/8/2013

My Studies in Druidry

Celts and Druids... Druids and Celts..Not one and the same? I have had people look at me stunned when I tell them no. It's like when people automatically think all pagans are witches... Ummm, no... Witches are pagan but pagans are not generally witches... and there are definitely Celt's that are Druid, but not all Celt's are not Druid... and today all Druids are not Celts either, depending on your definition of Celt! 

Now that I am not sure what even I'm talking about. Do not advise blogging at 5:10am because you woke up early and you are hoping for a job today. :-) 

Anyway, Chapter 9 talks about what these authors and what their research tells them a Celt is. It talks about the history of the people in middle and western Europe. I liked the fact that it mentions that these people did not call themselves Celts, that was the name given to them by the Graeco-Roman people who wrote about them. They probably called themselves by whatever their tribal or clan names were at the time. Sorry, of the subject a little. It makes me think, in how a people comes and in decides what to call "indigenous" people of an area regardless of who they are. Here in the US there is a tribe of Native American people who were generally from the area around middle Idaho, eastern Washington etc that are now called the Nez Perce. The original name for this group was the Nimi'puu (pronounced Nimipu) and they were renamed by the French settlers who came to the area. Where am I going with this? Well, Nez Perce refers to Pierced Noses... That was actually a tribe further east of the Nimi'puu tribe... This tribe did not have pierced noses or anything else for that matter. Kinda funny, right? Anyway, moving on. 

The activities at the end was kinda neat... I did not really do it though as I am a solitary and practice here on my own so I thought I would add them here to see what responses come up as I have no one here to do this with myself. :-)  

For Chapter 9, What is a Celt, it says:

Sit with a friend. Alternately finish these sentences. Repeat abot ten times.

• A Celt is ...
• A Celt is not ...

Try to avoid reversing what you said one time when you give an answer for the alternative. Instead originate something new each time and you will go much deeper into your current undemanding. Take you time. 

 Yes, I know you have not read the chapter but i would love to see what comes up with what we here already know. :-) 



Chapter 10 is much the same format except it talks about What Is A Druid. Does that mean I will get pointy ears and carry a magic staff? Will I have a long white beard and wear robes and tell people what will happen in their lives?

It discussed what their research turned up about the ancient Druids and and their roles in society and how it changed. It talked about Druids as healers, counselors, Power-brokers, and magicians. It also talked about how the roles changed when they started to move into society to work with the leaders and governments. It points out how woman probably stayed back working with the common people as mystics and healers while the men worked with the government as advisers and such. 

This chapter also talks about what being a Druid might look like today. Culture is so different in so many ways. Druidry has gone back to being equally women and men oriented as it probably was originally. There is a great reverence in caring for the earth and generally speaking a pantheistic belief system (I am sure how true that is, taken from the book). However, with so many people from so many different cultures around our world practicing, it is really difficult to note any further similarities in Druidry across the globe. 
Now there were several activities at the end of this chapter but one was similar to the last. Would love to see if anyone has input. It looks like this. 

Personal Myth: Joseph Campbell suggests that we each find the song of life, which tells us how to find our own way. Nobody can give you this personal mythology, but in it, you'll find the key to putting your talents into the world. You'll find guidelines for living the best way you can. You'll find your code of ethics, which all Druids live by. Mediate for a while and then complete these mythic lines:

• I come from a people who ...
• My gifts are ... and I pass them on by ...
• I carry the bloodlines of he Aes Dana because ...

I suppose I should probably mention what the books says about Aes Dana:

The Challenge facing Druids today is to emulate the Aes Dana, the gifted people. At the time of the Celts, the Aes Dana were a learned class that included Druids - poets, healers, judges and law keepers- as well as blacksmiths, and other craft workers. Their gifts and  unusual skills were given in the service of the Celtic Society. Druids who associate themselves with the Aes Dana are blessed by Danu, the most ancient Celtic Goddess from whom the magical Tuatha De Danann descended.

Anyway, that is that. Chapters 9 and 10. Haven't read 11 yet but it's titled What is Druidry... Will tell you about that one as soon as i finish it up and ponder it a bit... Blessings to you... :-) 

the drawing above, while i could not find an illustrator or artist, was borrowed from http://carmichaelwatson.blogspot.com/2011/07/druidic-lore-in-hebrid...

My Studies in Druidry

Oh yes, there was a book I was reading... a book i was reviewing and it seems that this has been put away for a while... or has it. Actually, i have continued reading... on the kindle on my phone when I am out and about but waiting like we so often do when we are out and about... however, with this reading on my phone... the writing doesn't happen. So I am now on chapter, umm. lets see here. I'm on Chapter 10 - What is a Druid but here it seems the last chapter i wrote about was chapter 6. Hmm. Oooops, lol... 

Now lets see here... My notes... My book.

Oh! Chapter 6. Ummmm... This chapter is titled Living your Sacred Sensuality... What do I need to say here? Well, for druids, sensuality is sacred, lol... It is magic and brings life and should be treated as such as all sacred things... and I am going to leave this one there. It's a great chapter, very enlightening and I am going to allow you the treasure of finding it on your own. :-)   Shy, why yes...so moving on... Hee hee... 

Chapter 7 Holding Druid Ceremonies in your back yard. This chapter talks about celebrations today and what you can do. It discusses the Druid Cross Quarter festivals along with the seasonals such as Imbolc and Samhain. Origins are discussed along with how the authors celebrate. There are so great ideas here.

Yes, going through this rather quickly. Not very interesting I am sure but want to get caught up. I will admit, while I find the book interesting, much is repetitive and things that many of us will find not new so moving on...

Chapter 8 was actually pretty interesting. it talks about the difference between different types of self-initiation. What do I mean different kinds of self-initiation you ask? Well, it's like this. There are those that we plan like the one in the beginning of the Gwersi, can't remember which number, but it's there. We plan it, read about it, and do it when we feel ready. Then, as per this book, there are those initiations that we just find, are thrown into, are thrown at us, or that we fall into head first. What-ever-do-I-mean you ask? Well, it's like this.

Do you remember the last time something has happened that was completely out of your control, sent you reeling into a tail spin and you thought it would never stop. For me, the thought that popped into my mind was this past year. Being sent to a place to help my sister, loosing everything including my mind, not helping my sister at least not in any visible way and crawling out of that wretched place barely by the skin of our teeth, literally (had one of them pulled last week). Well, after reading this chapter and then doing the last Gwersi that I did (see my notes on that in the forums) I have decided that this was an initiation into something. No, i haven't put my figure on what it was or why yet. Compassion, helping my sister, strengthening me, taking what little was left of my sanity and giving it to the gods, I haven't figured it out yet. i do know that now it seems that I can't handle anything without crying and it seems that I struggle just to get out of bed some days but I am working on it and I will succeed because I have too. Anyway, back to the initiation. The unplanned initiation is anything that changes your life, gives you new insight, makes you change your ways and/or see things differently. What a concept, right. Anyway, interesting chapter. Highly recommend it. It will make you look back at your life a little differently. 

The end of this chapter talks about activities you can do, as do all of the chapters... Oh, did I mention that before. This book is a bit like a work book. It gives you ideas for activities at the end of each chapter to assist in understanding or just give you something fun to do.. Kinda cool. I have done the a few of them as I read, some I have already done, and there are also some that I plan to do in the future. I also keep a journal on this book as I do for my Gwersi studies. Someday someone will go through all of this and know for sure that I am crazy... Hee hee. Just kidding. :-)   

Have a fab night... And a beautiful Sunday

My Prophet for a day!

Ok, so I made the mistake of starting this new year by doing two card readings on myself for the next year. Bad idea. I did one Celtic Tree Oracle and a Rider Wait reading both asking just basically what will next year look like. Both came up more of what I have always had. Just want things to be better for us.

Today Scott mentioned something to me in the group that I am going to take heed in. Going to watch The Secret again and try to get myself back in that frame of mind. Need to be there. I know it works, that it is the truth. To manifest what we want we have to believe it, know it, live it. It's so difficult, however, when life has proceeded to tell you different no matter what you try to do. Thank you Scott for the reminder of where I need to be and what I need to do... My prophet of today... Bright Blessings to you!!!

Winter Solstice Celebration: the Return of the Sun

So I had such a wonderful time this morning. I attended my first ever Druid event... Actually my first ever pagan event of any kind. I went to a winter solstice gathering this morning to welcome back the sun, that we did not see by the way. it was cloudy and over cast and even rained on us a little but what do you expect. We are in Seattle after all. So, there was maybe 15 people there including me. We Chanted, Awen'd, and watched the sunrise. I missed the closing of the circle, was not there yet. But was there when it was reopened. It was great, nice people and lots of positive energies. 

 

The park where we met for the ceremony is called Gasworks... The sundial where we are standing above it beautiful. It was to wet and dark (it never really got light this morning) to get pics but I found a few below online. I also included a video here i took of the park. Enjoy. 

Essential Baking Co. 1604 North 34th Street  Seattle, WA 98103

Afterwards we had breakfast at a cute little place called Essential Baking Co... It was amazing. Had a Shiitake mushrooms and asiago omlette for breakfast, good conversation with some very interesting people, and just a great time. Hope to do it again soon.

The Bard

What is this
I hear deep within
my minds eye
the words of
life, a tale
a story of whom
to tell of such events
love and courage
war and peace
a hero against
the villain unheard
deep within
a stirring of emotion
excitement and drama
she has won and
he is done and
together they are
to forever be.

by me 12/08/2012

I Am

I am the earth full of wisdom
I am the sky full of peace
I am the ocean full of love
Ceridwen grant me wisdom
Brigid grant me peace and love
Morrigan grant me courage and protection
All of these things I need to be my best me.

Hidden path

A path private and personal
Through a life so unsure
Watching for answers
Searching for direction
Across a great plain
Through mountains of snow
The moon ahead
The sun above
Water beneath me
As I struggle to find
My way down a hidden
path of insight and confusion
Into a world of love and hate
Color fades into the night
And I am still lost
Walking along my personal path

by me  12/01/2012

Asking Questions, Needing Answers

I need answers to so many questions that spin and roam around in my head. I have been pondering them for such a long long time but am unsure how to get them. I see things around me that tell me that the answers are here, or that a message is here but I feel like it's just out of my reach. I can't grasp it. It seems to float just out of my reach. 


Outside my new apartment, there is a constant murder of crows in the trees, on the buildings, around always. When i send healing out to other, they see my crows. 

I move through my day, going to work, working with the kids I love, but they are not going to allow me to continue this. They had me in to clean up their mess and then let me go. At the most, a couple more weeks to go and then no more. I won't go back there again if they ask. They can't tell me no again. 

I think I am in love with a man that I don't think will ever love me. I have loved him for a long time now but it seems to be slipping on. Moving on. A few days ago, I was asked out by another and I am so excited. Attentions unsought seem so nice. I am looking forward to our date on Tuesday, whatever it might turn out to be. 

Where am I suppose to be. Why am I here. Why do I feel that there are things I am supposes to do, which I feel I am doing, but I continue to run into walls. Questions that need answered but I am not sure where to find these answers. 

So I have moved on. If I am to sub, that is ok. I can totally do that. We make enough money to live well on and sales are picking up for the holiday's. Hoping that will keep growing. Over the winter break when I have two weeks off, going to come up with some new ideas for the website site along with finding some new ways to advertise. I wonder what it would cost to get into some magazines and such. Hmm. Going to have to look into that.

Peace be with you all, find joy in the earth and the beauty she gives us every day and every night.