Made by Greywolf
Copyright
British Druid Order 2011
Copyright
British Druid Order 2011
BDO News (Updated February 1st)
A Coruscating Candlemas
to all BDO members, friends and supporters as we welcome the early signs of Spring whilst shivering in Winter winds.
Mabon, son of Modron (Child, son of Mother), snatched from his mother's bed at Midwinter, is now returned to her emrace from Winter's wilderness. In Scotland, this joyous event was celebrated by a wicker crib called Bride's Bed being brought into each house bearing a figure woven from straw. This was laid before the hearth and toasts were drunk to mother and child. In recognition of the earth's power beginning to be reborn from its Winter sleep, it is also the time when the white serpent of Bride (Brigit) emerges from beneath the ground, welcomed with the words: "This is the day of Bride, the serpent shall come from its hole. I shall not harm the serpent and the serpent shall not harm me."
Robin Williamson Weekends, 2012
Robin Williamson is Britain's foremost exponent of the bardic arts, a marvellously skilled harper, storyteller and singer-songwriter. His first workshop weekend in our Shropshire roundhouse was such a magical experience for all concerned that we have booked two more for this year, one in early June and the other in late August, both co-hosted by me, i.e. Greywolf. Both take the rich bardic heritage of Britain and Ireland as their starting point, exploring the old stories and songs of our land as sources of inspiration and transformation. The first is entitled 'The Deeds of the Tuatha de Danaan and the Battles of Moytura,' the second is 'Reality: the Magical World.' They are designed to follow on from each other, though we'll make sure they also work as stsnd-alone events if you con't make both. More details are on the BDO Workshops page where you'll be able to sign up for them shortly once I've put together the booking form. Working with Robin is a rare privilege for me, having delighted in his music since the 1960s, so, as you can guess, I'm really looking forward to these events and to seeing you there to share the magic.
BDO OVATE COURSE News
Against all expectations, working on our Ovate Course is keeping me sane!!! Current topic under review is seership, including augury, second sight, divination, trance mediumship and a variety of other methods. One find I am particularly delighted by is this chanted invocation used by seers in medieval Wales:
“To the king of Spirits, and to his queen!
Gwyn ap Nudd,
you who are yonder in the forest,
for love of your mate,
permit us to enter your dwelling.”
This is translated from a 14th century Latin text against soothsayers. In British tradition, Gwyn ap Nudd is king of the Faery Folk, leader of the Wild Hunt and guide to the souls of the dead. Wonderful to find him still called upon in 14th century Wales.
We're still looking to have the ovate course online around the end of July this year. Our Ovate Course page has a short outline of some of what we expect to be in it.
Apologies
To those of you who've been waiting awhile for responses on our course tutor e-mail address - we're endeavouring to do better; to those who've been waiting awhile for a response having clicked the free membership button on our Membership page - that's part of the system I'm afraid - rather than have an automated reply sent out, we just wait until the next (highly irregular) newsletter goes out and include all new online members in that mailing; to those who've noticed my postings on the forum slowing to a trickle - this is inevitable as I devote more time to the ovate course, but I do stop by as often as time allows and the Great Zardoz prompts me if there's anything I've missed that's yelling out for attention
Looking forward to a great 2012 (and beyond),
Greywolf /|\
A Coruscating Candlemas
to all BDO members, friends and supporters as we welcome the early signs of Spring whilst shivering in Winter winds.
Mabon, son of Modron (Child, son of Mother), snatched from his mother's bed at Midwinter, is now returned to her emrace from Winter's wilderness. In Scotland, this joyous event was celebrated by a wicker crib called Bride's Bed being brought into each house bearing a figure woven from straw. This was laid before the hearth and toasts were drunk to mother and child. In recognition of the earth's power beginning to be reborn from its Winter sleep, it is also the time when the white serpent of Bride (Brigit) emerges from beneath the ground, welcomed with the words: "This is the day of Bride, the serpent shall come from its hole. I shall not harm the serpent and the serpent shall not harm me."
Robin Williamson Weekends, 2012
Robin Williamson is Britain's foremost exponent of the bardic arts, a marvellously skilled harper, storyteller and singer-songwriter. His first workshop weekend in our Shropshire roundhouse was such a magical experience for all concerned that we have booked two more for this year, one in early June and the other in late August, both co-hosted by me, i.e. Greywolf. Both take the rich bardic heritage of Britain and Ireland as their starting point, exploring the old stories and songs of our land as sources of inspiration and transformation. The first is entitled 'The Deeds of the Tuatha de Danaan and the Battles of Moytura,' the second is 'Reality: the Magical World.' They are designed to follow on from each other, though we'll make sure they also work as stsnd-alone events if you con't make both. More details are on the BDO Workshops page where you'll be able to sign up for them shortly once I've put together the booking form. Working with Robin is a rare privilege for me, having delighted in his music since the 1960s, so, as you can guess, I'm really looking forward to these events and to seeing you there to share the magic.
BDO OVATE COURSE News
Against all expectations, working on our Ovate Course is keeping me sane!!! Current topic under review is seership, including augury, second sight, divination, trance mediumship and a variety of other methods. One find I am particularly delighted by is this chanted invocation used by seers in medieval Wales:
“To the king of Spirits, and to his queen!
Gwyn ap Nudd,
you who are yonder in the forest,
for love of your mate,
permit us to enter your dwelling.”
This is translated from a 14th century Latin text against soothsayers. In British tradition, Gwyn ap Nudd is king of the Faery Folk, leader of the Wild Hunt and guide to the souls of the dead. Wonderful to find him still called upon in 14th century Wales.
We're still looking to have the ovate course online around the end of July this year. Our Ovate Course page has a short outline of some of what we expect to be in it.
Apologies
To those of you who've been waiting awhile for responses on our course tutor e-mail address - we're endeavouring to do better; to those who've been waiting awhile for a response having clicked the free membership button on our Membership page - that's part of the system I'm afraid - rather than have an automated reply sent out, we just wait until the next (highly irregular) newsletter goes out and include all new online members in that mailing; to those who've noticed my postings on the forum slowing to a trickle - this is inevitable as I devote more time to the ovate course, but I do stop by as often as time allows and the Great Zardoz prompts me if there's anything I've missed that's yelling out for attention
Looking forward to a great 2012 (and beyond),
Greywolf /|\
