Henge Happenings #99 Public Edition Lughnasadh 2013

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Druidism for the 21st Century™

Henge Happenings

Lugnasadh 2013 - Issue 99

ContentsFrom the Officers

............................From the President 2

............................From the Secretary 3The Bard’s Path

Unverified Personal Gnosis, Truth, and Imbas ...................................... 4

The Seer’s PathDUIR - URA ................... - Druid Cord 6

.......................................From the Henge 7........................................rom the Groves 7

..............................From the Community 8 ......................................................Books 9

The Henge of Keltria

Public

Edition

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Wren and I have been busy with our many projects. Certainly the 2013 Gathering of the Kel-trian Tribe and Annual Meeting of the Henge of Keltria was at the top of our list. Every gather is great, but this year was among the best. I hope we will have have the gathering hosted there again sometime.

I enjoyed the field trip to the Rocky Mountain National Park, as well as workshops by Topaz Owl, Eibhlean Owl, and Steward of the Wood. It was really nice to meet our OBOD guests and a newer member from California who drove over 1000 miles to the gathering. She easily earned bragging rights for driving the longest distance to attend. There were many opportunities to con-nect with the nature spirits. Marmots, pikas, elk, magpies, and humming birds visited us through-out the field trip.

The big project Wren, Karl, and I are working on is the new Book of Keltria, which is our corre-spondence course in book form. There are new theology and ritual chapters replacing the previous versions of the correspondence course material. Also the Gods chapter has undergone substantial rewrite. A big change in the theology chapter is that the “beliefs” have been replaced with “hallmarks” of Keltrian Druidism. The fundamental difference between the beliefs and the hallmarks is that within Keltrian Druidism, what you believe is not as important as what you do. Hallmarks are based upon actions rather than words.

Another big project underway is a substantial rewrite of the Book of Ritual. There are many things that were not covered adequately in pre-

vious versions of the Book of Ritual. I hope to get this in-formation incorpo-rated and a new edi-tion released soon after the Book of Keltria. This ex-panded edition will provide details on the how, what, and why of Keltrian rit-ual.

-TT President Tony

From the PresidentBy Tony Taylor

Lughnasadh 2013

Keltria: Journal of Druidism and Celtic Magick

Issue #40 Fall/Samhain 2012

Print and Digital - $7.95Digital Only - $2.86Read Free Sample

MagCloud.Com

CreditsCover: Mary’s Lake, Estes Park, Colorado,

photo by Wren TaylorPg 2: Elk, Rocky Mountain National Park,

Colorado, photo by Tony TaylorPg 8: Airway Heights Correction Center

photo via Washington Department of Correc-tions (www.doc.wa.gov).

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E m p l o y i n g MailChimp as our Henge Membership Database and Media Campaign manage-ment system is a success. We continue to document and re-fine our processes en-suring consistency and solid follow up on all membership re-lated tasks. 

The Gathering of the Keltrian Tribe and Annual Meeting was a wonderful event! Much gratitude to Stewart of the Woods and Firefly for all the imagination and work they put into making this gathering in Colo-rado Rockies a reality.

Please let us hear from you!  The beauty of our spirituality lies in our amazing diversity of talents.  Don’t hesitate to offer stories, ideas, music, rituals and research to share.  We all grow and are en-riched by everyone’s unique expression of Life.

Walk with Wisdom, Strength and GratitudeEibhlean/Owl

Secretary, Henge of Keltria

Lughnasadh 2013by Eibhlean

Eíbhlean

Henge HappeningsTony Taylor, Editor

E-mail: http://www.keltria.org/E-Mail.htm

All material published in Henge Happenings is © Copyright by the Henge of Keltria, Inc.

All Rights Reserved.

This publication is also:“Protected by the Berne Convention”

From the Secretary

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As Amergin White Knee has taught us in the Cauldron of Poesy materials:

"When the Cauldron of Knowledge is turned by divine ecstasy, rather than by human joy alone, its special grace is a gift that transforms a person, who be-comes both sacred and knowledgeable, so that their works include miracles, prophecies, judgments and precedents. It is these people who establish the wisdom that guides our knowledge and regulates the forms of our speech. Though this knowledge comes from within a person, its truth and its power is from the gods and originates from outside of a person."

This is one of the main abilities of the Draoithe (Irish Druids) and the Filidh (Irish Vision-Poets) that distinguishes them from all others. It is the knowledge that illuminates and is known as imbas in Irish and is called awen in Welsh/British writ-ings and traditions. Some modern folks term such inspirations as UPG (Unverified Personal Gnosis). This seems to be an attempt to negate prophetic knowledge and inspiration as being only imagined (until it is verified by currently accepted science or through academic logic alone). To apply this term as a blanket to divinely inspired knowledge is to overlook a few truths from that heritage:

In ancient Irish society and tradition, that which was true was considered to have its own power to stand alone in the world or anywhere, to the point that those who heard truth could see its meaning and importance even when it seemed to contradict those things that were supposed to be the “accepted wisdom.”

To this point, it was the Druids and Poets who were seen to be the sources of imbas and the judges of truth in that society. This attitude and basis in that society had an accompanying para-digm saying that no person could be a Druid, Poet or Judge who had ever been demonstrated to have

broken the truth and to have presented a falsehood.

Generally, the im-bas or awen that was received by a Celtic Seer was seen to be verified in Nature or in the actions/results of the people pre-sented in the tradi-tional tales. If not al-ready a tradition, then the results of a divine prophecy or a discov-ered wisdom had to be eventually demonstrated in society by examples or outcomes (remembering that a given for a wise person in Irish Celtic society was that they re-tained their status and position only so long as they were shown to be true and correct).

As Katheryn Simms observed and stated in her article, the “Poetic Brehon Lawyers,” this idea of truth from imbas bringing real results to the peo-ple was not just an Irish or a Welsh notion, but was a pan-Celtic concept:

“The pagan belief that the moment when a judge issued his verdict was an encoun-ter between the human and the divine, and that the will of the gods was out-raged by an unjust decision, while just judgements drew down divine blessings, is already testified among the Celts of Gaul in the first century B.C. where Strabo remarks that the druids were chiefly trusted to try cases of homicide, and that when there is an abundance of these they consider that there is also abundance of the land, presumably be-cause their many just judgements drew down the gods blessing on the crops. “

The Seer’s PathUnverified Personal Gnosis, Truth and Imbas

by Searles O’Dubhain

Searles O’Dubhain

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Imbas is not a free ride. It has to be demon-strated to be true wisdom from the gods. Such in-spiration and universal truth is not unlike Ein-stein’s brilliant understanding about the ways in which matter and energy are related. The truth of it came to him in a flash and he spent years (if not the rest of his lifetime) proving and expanding upon this insight. I expect that ancient and mod-ern druids also do the same with their own knowl-edge that is received from the minds of the divine. It is not enough to receive the revelation; one must also do the work of bringing the new truths back to the people in a useful and relevant way.

Being true a n d w i s e i s wonderful but one must also be useful and p r o d u c t i v e . That is why the demonstration of imbas is to be found in the re-sults that grow from its seeds rather than in claims or even discussion. The tales are filled with how prophecy and the uncovering of hidden things is accomplished or demonstrated to be true. These tales formed the basis of society’s codes of living and morals to the point that prophecy and divine truth were considered to be usual rather than ex-ceptional (or to be challenged as untrue out of

hand, as is often the case in our more disillusioned and skeptical modern society). The use of the term UPG, a classification and claim that something is merely made up or an illusion, as a club nowadays to quash inspirations and unusual wisdom to the point that thinking remains within the confines of accepted wisdom, is also a great wrong. Society must continue to advance in its life or it risks the death of stagnation and rot that accompanies the imprisonment of any idea or material thing. Inno-vation and inspiration deserve open fields upon which to exercise their creative truths to the bene-fit of all. To keep these in a box only makes for hummus and decay, to the point that only nature in her long term laboratory can transform them into anything new or renewed.

So, let’s rejoice in imbas and rather than calling it UPG, let’s get up and go out into the great labo-ratories of existence, science, and Nature, to ascer-tain what the power of truth has uncovered for us via inspiration and knowledge provided to us by the gods. It is only through the verifiable and proven results that we should be known as druids and not by our own or anyone’s claims, or even the acclamations of others, for there really is a truth against the world. Sometimes, one must journey far to find it and bring it back to the people and the lands where life is lived.

-SO

Sometimes one must journey far to find

the Truth.

From the Henge

Keltria Journal Available on iPadThe Henge is pleased to announce with the

launch of the MagCloud iPad App 4.0 we now have support for purchasing Keltria: Journal of Druidism and Celtic Magick through iTunes via the MagCloud iPad app. Instantly download it with a single tap. You will also be able to purchase new publications as a guest or sign-in with your MagCloud account for access to your existing on-line digital library.

The new version of the the MagCloud iPad app also boasts faster performance

when browsing, reading, downloading and switching orientations; on-device account man-agement and sign-up; and various user interface improvements to make the app more intuitive. Get your Keltria: Journal of Druidism and Celtic Magick through the MagCloud iPad App. The app is free, then search for “Keltria.”

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Cord work is widely adaptable. One very basic use is for protection. A cord can be made with the intent to protect the wearer from harm. Then, when worn, the cord protects from specific types of harm as the need arises. One caution: these pro-tective cords should only be used when needed, not casually worn day in and day out. They work well when sleeping in an unfamiliar place, or visit-ing somewhere the wearer is uncertain about.

The truly wonderful thing about the Druid’s Cords is that they are completely passive until you choose whether to activate them or not and utilize what they project as you see fit. The activation process is simply repeating the three word chant, given at the end of this article, three times while focusing on the cord (you don’t have to hold it – you could simply hang it somewhere in eyesight – in a sunlit window would be perfect). If you later feel you no longer need nor want what it brings into your life you can either bury or burn it. This releases its energy in an open and harmless man-ner.

You will braid three cords – try to pick as natu-ral a material as possible but thin ribbon works just as well. Oak’s color is black for the face of the oak during a lightening storm and the faces of those who jump the midsummer flame. It is the Doorway of understanding and the 7th moon in the Lunar Tree year. The other two cords are Blue and Purple to bring in associations of Sky and Fo-cused Spirituality.

Create two talismans to braid into the cord that represent Oak and Heath. Both Oak and Heath are considered Sky trees with Heath’s focus on in-tuition and inspiration and Oak’s focus on change, understanding and coming into being.

Oak/Duir and

Heath/Ura , its supporting solar tree.

The seeds of hope and desire are planted towards the end of the winter months. They will sprout in the spring and be ready for evalua-tion in the summer. Your goals will be victo-r i o u s l y r e a c h e d b y firmly establishing and maintaining your foun-dations.

You have already yielded to the trial by fire and with the help of Oak, you dance in the euphoria of success. You hear the Goddess of the Hinges speak in the wind.

Your Druid’s Cord has the following additional associations tied to it to enhance this focus:

Small pine cones – for vigor/healing and con-tinual joy in your home

Oil – blend and place in a small (1/4 or 1/8 dram)bottle – tie to the braided cord

• An almond base oil with:• Frankincense – spirituality• Orange – Love• Cinnamon – Success• And a small bit of Oak MossWrite out a Tree Charm on a small piece of

parchment in Gaelic Irish Script - <roll it up tightly and secure it to the braided cord with a short red ribbon>:• GREAT OAK MIDSUMMER TREE• FULFILLMENT OF SPRING• SACRED DOOR AND HINGE AM I• SOLSTICE FIRES I BRING

The Seer’s PathDUIR – URA – Druid Cord

by Eibhlean/Owl GryphonSong Clan

Eíbhlean/Owl

Continued on page 7....

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Greetings to you from DOC Chaplain Joseph Luce at Airway Heights Corrections Center – The purpose of my email to-

day is to extend to you a heartfelt invitation from the inmates in the Druidry group here at Airway Heights Corrections Center to come here to minister or to teach or to share with us. We are ask-ing you to consider sponsoring our Druid group, or perhaps shar-ing in the sponsorship of the group. The Druidry group here began in July 2012

and meets twice per month. The group has pre-pared and enjoyed outdoor and indoor rituals at eight key times during the year, including fire fes-tivals. I can attest that the men here are sincere about learning and practicing Druid rituals and Druid magic. They are asking me to pass on their heartfelt invitation to you for your help. In the words of the inmate group themselves,  “We are a newly formed Druid group tudy

sessions and eight fire festivals.”here at Airway Heights Corrections Center. Our members study or adhere to various Druidic traditions or teach-ings including, but not limited to, the OBOD, AODA, and the ADF. We are in dire need of a sponsor to facilitate group functions that include

two monthly study ses-sions and eight fire festi-vals.” We are appreciative of any time or assistance you could provide. Please feel free to contact me regarding the process and qualifications for your sponsorship.The group also is need of

pamphlets or literature packets to generate inter-

est and awareness of Druidry here at AHCC among the general population, as well as study materials to gain spiritual depth. Donations would be welcomed at: AHCC – Religious Program Donations – Druidry Attn Chaplain Luce 11919 W. Sprague Ave. PO Box 1899 Airway Heights WA 99001 Blessings to you  Chaplain Joseph Luce

(509) 244-6800 jpluce@doc1.wa.gov

From the Community

Airway Heights Corrections Centeris a Minimum/Medium facility

Duir - Ura - Druid Cord - Continued from Page 6

Add feathers, small bells and stones that are you per-sonally associate with the Druid Cord’s intent. These can be tied anywhere along the length or at the end of the braided cord.

Activating Chant: “Hope, Desire, Being” -EO

Keltria: Journal of Druidism and Celtic Magick

Issue #40 “Celtic Warrior Women and Celtic Goddesses”

Print and Digital - $7.95Digital Only - $2.86Read Free Sample

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The Divine Feminine in Ancient Europe: Goddesses, Sacred Women and the Origins of Western Culture

McFarland Publishing announced the release this fall/winter of Sharon Paice MacLeod’s new book, The Divine Feminine in Ancient Europe. Sharon is a Henge member and Keltria Journal author.

According to the publisher, This book is an exploration of the spiri-tual traditions of ancient Europe, focus-ing on the numinous presence of the di-vine feminine in Russia, Central Europe, France, Britain, Ireland and the north-ern regions. Drawing upon research in archaeology, history, sociology, anthro-pology and the study of religions to con-nect the reader with the myths and sym-bols of the European traditions, the book shows how the power of European god-desses and holy women evolved through the ages, adapting to climate change and social upheaval, but always reflecting the importance of living in an harmoni-ous relationship with the environment

and the spirit world. From the cave painting of southern France to ancient Irish tombs, from shamanic rituals to Arthurian legends, the divine feminine

plays an essential r o l e i n u n d e r-standing where we have come from and where we are going. Compara-tive examples from other native cul-tures, and quotes f r o m s p i r i t u a l leaders around the world, set Euro-pean religions in context with other indigenous cul-tures.

I am definitely looking forward to reading it. It is on my wish list for Yule. To preorder, see M c F a r l a n d P u b l i s h i n g ’ s w e b s i t e , http://www.mcfarlandpub.com. (It is not listed on Amazon.Com yet.)

- TT

Books

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