mog beltaine 2013
Post on 12-Mar-2016
222 Views
Preview:
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
Messenger of the Gods
Calan Mai : Beltaine 2013
Contents
S Welcome / Directory
S About the Cover Artist
S About ADO
S About the Founders
S Power of Names
S Lore
S ADO and Family
S Avalon in the World
S Announcements
S Member Submissions
S Special Features
S Learning Circles
2
Welcome!
The information in this journal is provided free
for your personal use as a window into our spiritu‐
al community. The ADO website and publications
such as “Messenger of the Gods” provide more
solid information on Avalonian Faery Druidry than
any resource except direct experience. Feel free
to post relevant questions to the guest area of
our website Forum, where you may read first‐
hand accounts of life within the Order and share
your dreams of Avalon with other like‐minded
Seekers. You are welcome to our hearth fire!
Director
ELDER COUNCIL: Morgaine, Hen!Cuk, Ebby, Meliaska,
Caroline, Sarah
BAND OF GUARDIANS (BoG): Caroline, Sarah, Meg
COUNCIL LIAISON TO BoG: Morgaine
CHIEFTAIN: Meliaska
MIDWIFE: Ebby
MEMBERS LIAISON: Morgaine
MERLINS (OUTSIDE LIAISONS): Morgaine & Hen!Cuk
ADO EMAIL: ado_admin@avalondruidorder.org
About ADO
The Avalon Druid Order (ADO) is a small
international community following Avalon’s
root wisdoms as remembered, observed,
and taught by one of Avalon’s Faery Druid
Motherlines. It was the first Order of mod‐
ern Avalonian Faery Druids to be founded in
the New World.
Members are lifelong learners who have
answered a Spiritual Call to service. As a
working community, we strive to bring eve‐
ry aspect of daily life into harmony with our
spiritual beliefs and practices. The commu‐
nity works on a ‘quid pro quo’ basis, with
access to community resources correspond‐
ing to demonstrable service, regular partici‐
Featured Cover Artist: Amanda Clark
“Isle of Avalon” by Amanda Clark. Amanda is
a UK‐based artist. To view, purchase or com‐
mission Amanda’s work, please visit her web‐
site: www.earthangelsart.com and/or blog:
www.earthangelsart.blogspot.com .
_________
Feat red original works are used by per ission, ee of charge, without compensation to the ar ist. Use is rest icted to MoG and a download link image at our website. Editor(s) may replace or republish submissions at a later date with or without prior notice. To submit work for consideration, send optimized JPEG or GIF images (res. 200‐300 pixels), along with a brief description of yourself as an ar ist. Please keep your originals, as we cannot ret r them. Your submission constit tes your legal consent to these ter s and conditions.
The Centre of the Glastonbury Zodiac:—Park Wood (Draco): Future site of “Solar Park” © 2011 by Philip Tonkin. Used by permission.
3
pation and conformance
with member require‐
ments.
The Holy Isle existed long
before the Celtic Sisterhoods. It was old
when the Celts arrived and has existed in
many cultures and lands. It draws on the
magical power that imbues everyday reality
with meaning and significance. Our Myster‐
ies centre on healing the Wasteland by re‐
storing and maintaining Harmony and the
generative powers of Mother Earth. From
these simple practices, everything else pro‐
ceeds.
Our Vision is to preserve, perpetuate, and
grow Avalon’s native ancestral spirituality,
applying its wisdoms and practices to the
needs of modern times. These root wisdoms
are simple, easy to learn, and almost per‐
fectly suited to modern needs, but they are
also hard‐won, because they demand that
we resist mainstream pressures to conform.
Understanding and adopting an authentical‐
ly ‘native’ Avalonian worldview is prerequi‐
site to applying Tradition practices to the
dilemmas of modern life. The Way is sim‐
ple, but it is hard‐won, since it requires us to
constantly resist mainstream pressures to
conform. We each make this journey at our
own pace and arrive in our own time.
It is not difficult to see that the world is
quickly becoming a less tolerant place. The
restrictions imposed upon ‘minority faiths’
by mainstream societies makes acquiring
our own lands necessary in order to have
the freedom to follow our own beliefs. But
there are other priorities as well. At present
these include:
(1) Establishing a fund to help disadvan‐
taged members attend gatherings;
(2) Supporting / establishing foundations
to protect and maintain sacred sites;
(3) Collaborating with other Avalonians
and non‐Avalonians on efforts intended to
serve the highest common good (e.g.
World healing, peace, etc.).
Naturally some of these goals require more
members than reside now within our com‐
munity, but if we forge a path from the
work‐a‐day world to Avalon, overcoming
mainstream habits and illusions, then the
rest will certainly follow.
The way ahead is challenging. Growth
must be balanced with effective guardian‐
ship of the Tradition, outreach, and services
to members. Those who come to us must
be driven, but not ruthless; enthusiastic, but
focused; determined, but not inflexible.
They must be people of integrity, strength,
and courage, whose behaviour exemplifies
what it means to be a member of an Avalo‐
nian spiritual community, and who are dedi‐
cated to the good stewardship of this plan‐
et. In an age of ease, only the few seek a
life of self‐discipline, wisdom, and service.
It is these rare individuals who will take Ava‐
lon and ADO into the Coming Age.
We invite you to explore the unfolding of
this Vision with us… mo‐
ment by moment, day by
day.
4
About the Founders Morgaine is the Founder and Elder
Dreamer of Avalon Druid Order
(ADO). Over the past decade, her
work has restored to the Druid
branch of the Greater Tradition Ava‐
lonian wisdom teachings that are
routinely omitted by Celtic‐inspired
Sisterhoods, and reintegrated them into the ADO’s
wisdom teachings and practices. In addition to devel‐
oping the Order’s current coursework, she has written
five books documenting these root wisdoms for the
ADO archives. She is currently writing two books for
general publication, while continuing to serve as ADO’s
primary mentor, ex‐officio Council Elder, and
“Merlin” (outside liaison); in which capacity she is pres‐
ently engaged in collaborating with a network of other
Druids around the world.
In her ‘past life’ Morgaine was a member of the
Sisterhood of Avalon (SOA), where she was appointed
to its first Council of Nine, original Bylaws committee,
and served as one of its first Seminary (ATS) mentors.
She studied Celtic herbalism and spirituality under
Archdruidess Gina McGarry (October 2001‐Brighid’s
Academy of Healing Arts) and spent the last decade
studying, practicing, and teaching Avalon’s native
(pre / proto‐Celtic) ‘Faery’ spirituality under mentors in
the Isles and Western Europe. Morgaine continues to
serve on the Council of Nine for the Sisterhood of the
Hearth / Three Stones Abbey, and represents ADO on
the Druidic Dawn's International Council on Druid Uni‐
ty.
As a professional thespian, Morgaine trained under
master teachers including: Kristin Linklater, Tina Pack‐
er, Jane Gibson, Trish Arnold, and Susan Dibble (June
1988‐Shakespeare & Company, Lenox, MA), Jacques
Lecoq, David Gaines, and Norman Taylor, among oth‐
ers (1990/91‐Ecole Intérnationale du Théâtre du Mouve‐
ment Jacques Lecoq, Paris, France). She is a Tibetan
and Usui Reiki Master, a perpetu‐
al author, amateur musician and
poet, and (by necessity) home
renovator.
Hen!Cuk is Co‐Founder of the
Order and Founder of the Druid
Brotherhood of Iona (DBOI), coun‐
terpart to the Avalonian Order of
Ninefold Sisterhoods (AONS)
founded by Morgaine. He is also
an Elder, Dreamer, and member of the ADO Elder
Council. He has served on the Band of Guardians,
serves as a “Merlin” or Myrddin(outside liaison) be‐
tween ADO and other Druids and spiritual organisa‐
tions and, with Morgaine, leads workshops for ADO
Novices and Elders through Rhosyn Ddraig Grove.
Hen!Cuk is a practicing Celtic herbalist and Tibetan
and Usui Reiki Master Teacher. His past ‘incarnations’
include serving as a Master Mason (Scottish Rite),
Welsh Wiccan High Priest, ordained minister of the
Spiritual Science Church, and ‘psychic operative’ and
reader trained in the original Silva Mind Institute pro‐
gramme. He is also a gifted photographer, amateur
musician, poet, gardener, and (by necessity) home ren‐
ovator.
Vision & Legacy
Morgaine and Hen!Cuk are dedicated to the belief
that the future of any spirituality lies in the strength of
its roots in family and community life. ADO’s emphasis
on Tribes and community is a testament to their dedi‐
cation. The Founders share a vision of all Avalonians as
serving not only their own memberships but Avalon’s
Greater Ancestral Tradition, which encompasses all
Avalonian spiritualities. They perceive a need for Ava‐
lon to be a visible, unified force for healing, peace, and
harmony in the world within our own circles and com‐
munities, and across organisational, denominational,
and national boundaries.
As ‘Merlins’ (outside liaisons), they also advocate
for greater cooperation between members of spiritual
paths, and believe that this may be achieved without
risk to our unique identities, teachings, and practices,
and without subordinating ourselves to other mentors,
groups or spiritualities.
5
The Power of Names
We are gifted names by the
Deities and our Guides as
we walk our Path; Tribe
name, Craft name, Druid
name. The name shows our place in the Tribe,
where we are on our Path, or who is Guiding
our way. The name may be known to the en‐
tire Tribe, used only among Druids, or shared
only with the Deities. When we embrace our
Name, we embrace our Path.
Member Name Changes
If one has read a previous article in MoG,
one may have notice a different name gracing
the face of the C0‐Founder of the Order and
Founder of the Druid Brotherhood of Iona.
Hen!Cuk has chosen to use his Tribe name
instead of Myrddin, which is a title. One may
have noticed another name change. After
work done with her Tribes of Horse and
Swan, ADO Chieftain is now using the Tribe
name bestowed upon her.
Lore
Avalon’s lore derives from her sacred story
cycle and the feast days that are celebrated in
it. Each Tide of the Sacred Year has its own
focus, which we shall explore here.
Lore in Daily Life
Lore, myths, and fables are some of the words used to describe the traditions and knowledge of a spiritual practice or order. In Avalon Druid Order lore is the flesh on the bones of our spir‐itual foundation. Encoded in our lore is infor‐mation on how to live a healing, self‐
empowering life.
Lore is not a stagnant tapestry of events or myths. It is filled with vibrate stories, cautionary tales, and pathways to reach personal great‐ness. Our lore has survived for centuries, having a new varnish or wrapping with each telling, but keeping the essential kernels of truth within in. The stories and myths in the lore need retelling. They need the breath of life to rebirth the wis‐dom and teachings in each new age.
I offer this challenge to each of you. I offer the challenge to take up a copy of the Mabinogion by Gwyn and Thomas Jones and read the lore of the present Tide. As you read, ask yourself the following questions: What do you learn that is relevant to your present life struggles? What wisdom do you find for your concerns? What do you discover about yourself that will empower you to have a brighter future? As you read and explore possibilities, remember to enjoy the journey. Frequently, the journey is more im‐portant than the destination.
[Meliaska, Novice Singer]
A Brother’s Perspective on the Beltane‐Tide
Imbolc marked the shift into a new Tide. As we shared our Imbolc meal of Lamb, Mint Jelly, Po‐tatoes smothered in gravy made of the drip‐pings from the leg of lamb, etc. we considered the myths of the Samhain Tide that was just ending, and the myths of the incoming Beltane Tide. How had Cerridwen and Celi manifested in our lives over the past few months? How had our relationships with them grown? What do we hope to share with Don and Beli as the Beltane Tide advances? What can we do to strengthen our rela‐tionships with them? These and many other questions were pondered along with discussions of Grove and
6
ADO practices.
As with Astrology, the cycle of the seasons and the other cycles we observe, the out‐going energy of Samhain Tide does not stop suddenly because it is a certain day (Imbolc), rather there is a gradual lessening of the out‐going energy or influence and a gradual in‐crease of the incoming Beltane energy. In As‐trology the influence of any given planet or aspect starts slowly and accelerates, peaks and gradually fades away as the next planet or aspect approaches. Even as winter fades and spring advances, despite our sometimes thinking that “Spring has Sprung” or arrived over night, the shifts in temperature and lengthening of daylight hours actually is a gradual process.
The changes that happen within each of us as we tackle our Shadow Work gradually weaken the shadow which we are working to heal. Gradually as our intention takes root, we ex‐perience the strengthening of the incoming energy with which we wish to replace the old shadow. I often have to remind myself that we each are following our own spiral path. I think back to when we climb the Tor in Glas‐tonbury, and feel the currents of energy there, some of which push us along and oth‐ers which seem to pull or resist our progress. Those currents work in ways similar to the events of our lives which are accelerated or retarded by the decisions we made and ac‐tions we took as we traversed earlier spirals of our lives. In the same way that we can see the potentials and challenges of each stage in our lives through astrology, we can also see and predict the outcome of decisions and ac‐tions we are now contemplating, if we re‐member what decisions we made and what
we did at earlier stages of our lives.
Each Tide gives us an oppor‐tunity to review our pro‐
gress in a new context and at a new station in the un‐ending Spiral that is our lives. May we each see and honour the growth we have experienced and the challenges that made us strong enough to make better choices as we gain in knowledge and wisdom through our ADO studies, and apply that wisdom to our life experiences.
Bendithion,
Hen !’ Cuk
ADO and Family
Raising an ADO Child
ADO trains people in the
worldview of Avalon in a time
that has long past but is ever
present in memory. It is a
worldview of balance, harmo‐
ny and self‐empowerment. It
is a worldview in which one is a living, breath‐
ing part of literally everything in this world. It
is a rich tradition for living a fulfilling life.
The training is offered to those of legal adult
age in the States which is 18 years old. There
is no official training offered to youngsters.
So, how does one raise an ADO child? I believe
that the answer is not hard. One raises a child
by the worldview one believes. This simple
statement has vast implications and varia‐
tions.
One can teach the stories in the Mabinogion
at any age. The different layers and meanings
of the Lore can be discussed depending on
the age and development of the youngster.
7
Such was done in the Tribes
in the time of Samhain Tide
around the hearth fire.
One can teach respect and
the laws, how to treat each other and all living
things. One can teach a youngster to tread
quietly near a nest of young chicks, or be still
when a doe brings her fawn to drink at a
stream. One can teach how to track, how to
build a bender, or how to start a fire. One can
teach survival skills to youngsters of all ages.
One can teach youngsters skills to make cloth
and dye it. One can teach how to make a loaf
of bread or care for a hive. One can teach
youngsters how to build and play a harp. One
can teach youngsters how to live in harmony
and balance in the world.
I hope that I have given food for thought. I
would like to invite others to share stories of
how members are raising ADO children or
how they bring ADO into their everyday living.
Meliaska
Avalon in the World
It is part of the Order’s founding vision
that ADO members collaborate on workings
on mutually beneficial endeavours with our
spiritual kindred worldwide. Since the last
issue our members have supported and or
collaborated with other spiritual PR action‐
ers and or groups in the following way:
A Spiritual Pilgrimage
I’d read the news articles both for and
against the cause; asked the advice of
friends both pro and con; and finally I had to
make up my own mind of
where I stood. But making up
your mind isn’t enough. My con‐
science and my spirit guides
were insistent, once you are
aware, the next step is action
and imperfect action is better than none at
all.
So that’s how I found myself in full druid rega‐lia standing outside the Victoria Island enclave of Chief Spence’s hunger strike, shaking in my boots.
My understanding is that the protest is to stop the federal government from passing laws which erode treaty and indigenous rights and the rights of all Canadians; protect land and water; and reset the relationship be‐tween the Crown and indigenous peoples. To begin this process the Chief has been subsist‐ing on tea and broth until she can meet with the Prime Minister and ideally the Governor General. I am no expert and better minds than I have explained her points. I acknowledge there is controversy about the protest and I would recommend an article by Dr. Brendan Myers for more information:http://www.brendanmyers.net/blog/2013/01....theresa‐spence/ (last accessed 2013 Jan 9). At the end of his post he asks, “What are you going to do?”
I am going to talk about action and fear.
Putting together an offering of tea and a note was easy: For Chief Spence or her people, In support of your noble fast and in friendship to you and your people, a strengthening tea: • Nettle – nutritive, protec‐tive • Borage – nutritive,
8
strength and courage • Fennel – nutritive, soothes digestion, pro‐tective
In Thanks for your work. Sarah, on behalf of The Avalon Druid Order, 2013 Jan 9.
Going was less easy. I started to feel nervous as soon as I contemplated going. While I was scraping the ice off the car I was convinced
the neighbors were judg‐ing my black robes, even though subsequent mes‐sages were positive ones (when I bought the herbs, the clerk com‐mented on how nice and witchy I looked). The borrowed CD of a fellow novice sustained me
(The Mass by Era) as I drove and I tried to figure out how to get to Victoria Is‐land. Would there be parking? Media? Would I remember the names Attawapiskat First Na‐tion, Chief Spence’s tribe, and Anishnabe terri‐tory, where the island resides? Would it mat‐ter if I couldn’t? What business did I have to intrude?
The enclave looked battened up tight. The door, part of the stockade wall was closed. It was swung open at my arrival and I was wel‐comed inside. It seemed like any early morn‐ing camp. There a couple of dozen people sit‐ting by a fire and milling about sipping coffee. There was more snow, a few more feathers and hushed conversations than I was used to,
but it was not unfamiliar. I was directed to the kitchen where I could give my offer‐ing to the cook. I realized that more mundane items
like bacon or coffee would probably have been of more value than my spiritual tea but she took my gift and e‐mail address graciously. Eve‐ryone was very nice. I managed around 15 minutes.
The voices in my head screamed at me to feel shame: shame for the way the indigenous peoples have been treated; shame, for choos‐ing unconsciously to ask the only other white person there for directions on where to put my offering; shame for not doing it right; for not knowing more.
But listening is important. Not listening to the voices of shame but listening to the earth, to our spirit guides and to what’s right is important. So I went. Fear should not prevent us from trying to learn and listen and do what’s right. Indeed I don’t know of much change that hap‐pens inside our comfort zones.
Read more: http://adoadmin.proboards.com/index.cgi? board=relatedconversaions&action=display&thread=240&page=2#ixzz2HX4wUElA
[ Sarah Webberly 2013].
Announcements
The Great Council of the Avalon Druid
Order (ADO) would like to announce the
following items of interest to our guests
and community members:
S NEW PATHWALKER:
ADO is proud to announce that Sister Meg per‐
formed her Dream of Calling and has accepted
her Path as Meg Blue Jay Pathwalker.
9
S MoG PUBLICATION:
Our founder has been in
charge of this fabulous publi‐
cation since its inception. She
is in the process of mentoring
Sister Meliaska to take over the responsibility
for the MoG.
S Annual ADO Tribes Gathering & New
Member Induction / Rebirthing Ceremony:
October 2013—in Canada! (New ADO dedi‐
cants and Lifetime Members only) Last
year’s Gathering reflected another step
away from modern ‘intensive workshop’
modes of learning to a ‘tribal life and
legend’ way of sharing and passing on
knowledge and skills. Overall it was an
amazing weekend! This year’s Gathering is
being held in Canada.
We’ve added two days for this Gathering
to permit us to hold Dreams of Calling, ritu‐
al ceremony, and focus on two areas of
training. This year we will be rebirthing
new Members into our spiritual community
(the Order), so our focus will be on learn‐
ing what it means to be an ADO Tribes
member, and on basic skills like Banishing,
Shielding, Warding, Dreaming, and Sacred
Storytelling.
As a Dreaming community within an oral
Tradition, we must all learn these skills as
well as the skills of traditional community,
which asks us to remember how to watch
and listen from the centre within us, how
to walk gently on the land with an aware‐
ness of (and appreciation for) the life
around us, and how to live a life of grati‐
tude for the many blessings that are be‐
stowed upon us.
S Pilgrimage to the Motherland, 2014. Con‐
ditions being what they are, this may be
our final trip to the Motherland in this life‐
time. The carbon footprint of air travel is
simply too great to contemplate continu‐
ing to fly when the planet is under such
tremendous stress, and travel by boat is
simply not practical for most working peo‐
ple. April 2014 looks like an auspicious time
for working with Avalon’s energies. How‐
ever, rapidly increasing costs may put a
crimp in our plans. Check the “Events”
thread at the ADO Forum for updates and
information on current overseas pilgrim‐
age plans.
If you are considering joining and would
like to make this trip with us, you will need
to enrol and complete the Aspirant course
first. Please see the website (“Join ADO”
page) for details.
S Aspirant & Member Policies:
Leave of Absence Policy. As of Fall 2011,
Leaves of Absence are no longer granted
to ADO Lifetime members. Aspirants are
limited to one Leave of Absence of up to 12
consecutive months, upon written request,
and by approval of the ADO Elder Council.
Access to ADO Resources & Training. Ac‐
cess to ADO resources and training is com‐
mensurate with the Member’s demonstra‐
ble participation and service within the Or‐
der, as documented by Forum posts and
tutoring feedback, chat and Grove attend‐
ance, and our assessment
of the Aspirant or Mem‐
ber’s core values and
worldview. (Note: Log‐
ging in and reading at our
10
Forum does not qualify as ‘participation’.)
Aspirant Fee. As of Fall 2011, Aspirants
may choose whether to pay the Aspirant
fee upon enrolment in the Aspirant course
or upon acceptance of a place in the Druid
Novitiate. However, Aspirants (and Mem‐
bers) who have paid the fee receive great‐
er access to ADO training and resources.
Note: The ADO Elder Council reserves the right to
determine Aspirant and Member access to training
and resources on a case‐by‐case basis, according to
the criteria described in the section on “Access”,
and based upon their own spiritual guidance. Your
choice to stay on as a member serves as your legal
consent to abide by these terms and conditions, and
signifies your acceptance of the Council’s authority
to make such determinations on behalf of our spir‐
itual community. Please address any questions or
concerns to the ADO Midwife
(ado_admin@AvalonDruidOrder.org, subject line:
‘Attn. Midwife’). We will be happy to assist you.
New Editions of ADO study books. We are
pleased to announce that at this time new
editions of all six of our spiritual study and
practice books have been released and
copyrighted with the United States Copy‐
right Office. These new editions offer
greatly expanded lessons and new and ex‐
citing approached to even difficult sub‐
jects, such as the Arcane Laws (which de‐
fine and regulate everything every aspect
of magic, mysticism, and healing), Tradi‐
tional healing and star lore, and the keys to
working with the Sacred Landscape. The
exercises are clear, concise, easy to under‐
stand, and offer exciting and magical ways
of exploring every aspect of the native Av‐
alonian worldview and spiritual practice—
both for individuals and for
circles and communities.
We hope that these new edi‐
tions will make our basic
teachings more accessi‐
ble, providing more peo‐
ple with the tools and
inspiration to follow the
basics of this path while
living in harmony with Nature and our
world, and allow Members to begin mak‐
ing lasting, meaningful, positive change a
reality in their daily lives.
S Foreign Branches of ADO. Also in 2012, the
Council defined guidelines for establishing
spiritually affiliated ADO branches abroad.
In order that these foreign ADO may enjoy
as much autonomy as possible they shall
be established with separate and independ‐
ent administration, governance and financ‐
es. However, as a condition for continuing
to use the ADO name and/or logo, they
must continue the same spiritual teachings
and practices, and Traditional community
structures, as are observed within the
ADO, as well as continue to collaborate
with us on mutually beneficial projects and
cooperate on issues that have the poten‐
tial to impact the reputation and/or well
being of the Order. Any oversight by the
ADO will be limited to ensuring that these
terms and conditions continue to be met.
S Non‐profit Status. ADO is currently a 501
(c)(3) religious non‐profit charity regis‐
tered in the United States. We continue to
maintain our good standing, and therefore
might be expected to keep our status as a
religious charity indefinitely. However, for
ethical reasons we are reconsidering the
wisdom of doing so. Our chief concern is
the danger of corporate mind‐sets and
‘values’ overwhelming and eventually sup‐
pressing Traditional Avalonian spiritual val‐
ues and community.
11
Most of us spend most of our
time immersed in mainstream
society and values. The influence of main‐
stream ‘dominator’ models already poses a
Sacred Year Observances (“Wheel of the Year‘’)
Stations Cycle Stations:
Avalonian Faery Druids
Cycle Stations:
Celtic Avalonian Sister-
hoods
Wheel of the Year:
Neopagans/druids
Mabon/Alban Elued
Tribes: Feast of Mabon & Modron
Druids: Sacred Centre Ceremonies
Community: Harvest Festival, Crone’s Feast
Weaver’s Festival / The Sacrificed God
Samhain/Calan Gaeaf
Tribes: Re‐emergence (Group Shadow)
Druids: Descent (Personal Shadow)
Community: Feast of Immortality *
Descent—(Personal Shad‐ow)
Feast of the Dead
Midwinter/Alban Artuan (Yule)
Tribes: Vigil / Mari Lywd Processionals
Druids: Star Lore / Rekindling the Light
Community: Hearthfire Ceremonies, Feast of the Returning Sun
Rebirth of the God
Imbolc/Calan Mair
Tribes: Resolution (Group Shadow)
Druids: Confrontation (Personal Shadow)
Community: Feast of the Midwife / Festival of Lights
Confrontation—(Personal Shadow)
Festival of Light / Lá Féile Bhríde
Lady Day (Spring Equi‐nox)/Alban Eiler (Ostara)
Tribes: Blessing the Fields
Druids: Starlore / Divination
Community: Awakening Processionals, Feast of the Bride
Reunion of the God‐dess and Her Consort
Beltane/Calan Mai
Tribes: Descent (Group Shadow)
Druids: Re‐Emergence (Personal Shadow)
Community: Feast of Remembrance *
Re‐emergence—(Personal Shadow)
Fertility Festival / The Great Marriage
Midsummer/Alban Heruin (Litha)
Tribes: Reaffirmation Ceremony (Group)
Druids: Offerings to Sovereignty (Personal)
Community: Feast of the Faery Host
Flower & Fairy Festival
Lammas/Calan Awst (Lughnasadh)
Tribes: Confrontation (Group Shadow)
Druids: Resolution (Personal Shadow)
Community: Feast of Brân
Resolution—(Personal Shadow)
Funeral Games of Lugh
Note: Though we have used the same terms for personal Shadow work in both Avalon
columns, some Avalonian Faery Druids may use different terms more in keeping
with their perception of the natural cycle (e.g. Penetration/Descent; Conception/
Confrontation; Labor/Re‐emergence; and Consummation/Resolution, ending with
Rebirth/Integration). In either case, the intention of Cycle work remains the same.
* Some Avalonian Druids reverse these Feast dates in accordance with group needs.
12
threat to reclaiming and maintaining any
form of alternative beliefs or lifestyles. To
permit these attitudes to ‘infiltrate’ the
Order would be extremely damaging to
the Order and to the Avalonian Tradition,
and could jeopardise the future of this
community. As the mainstream world be‐
comes more radically ‘corporate’ it may
become increasingly difficult to maintain a
workable balance between these incom‐
patible worldviews. One day soon, we
may well find ourselves obliged to choose
one or the other.
Forfeiting our 501(c)(3) might make some
things more difficult, but our first responsi‐
bility remains to the integrity of the Tradi‐
tion, because therein resides our own spir‐
itual integrity and identity. Therefore, we
must continue to reassess whether the
integrity of our beliefs can be adequately
safeguarded within an essentially corpo‐
rate structure, and if not, we must be pre‐
pared to forfeit our non‐profit status.
Such an assessment cannot be undertaken
lightly. The membership will be consulted
during assessments and, should the Coun‐
cil deem it necessary to ‘unincorporate’,
notices will be published here, at our web‐
site, at the Forum “Announcements”
board, and in other ADO Member publica‐
tions.
Annual Member Assembly. 1 On November 1, the
ADO membership meet in the website chatroom
for the annual meeting to review the State of the
Order and hold elections for open offices. All Life‐
time Members in good stand‐
ing were eligible to vote and to
nominate candidates.
Message from the Chief‐
tain Meliaska, formally
Refthi‐Tiard , excerpt from
the State of the Order 2012
Greetings to my Brothers and
Sisters of the Order. Another year is ending
with a new one beginning, There is an active
learning circle in Canada facilitated by Sarah
with Pamma, Jed, and Carla . The Order as
been blessed with a new Pathwalker at the
Annual Gathering, Meg Bluejay Pathwalker.
We have been strengthening our bonds and
abilities with chats, Shared Dreams, and post‐
ing to the Forum. Our Founder Morgaine, has
gifted us with wonderful texts to guides us on
our Path in ADO. I look forward to the upcom‐
ing year with great hope that the Order will
continue to flourish. I hope that the next
Gathering can be opened to allow family
members to share in the experience of being
with the Tribes. I believe that our Tribes will
grow in numbers and abilities. May ADO pro‐
ceed in the new year with the blessings of the
Deities and Ancestors. May the Spirits of
Place bless our dwellings and support our gar‐
dens. May our Spirit Guides aid and protect us
as we manifest our Dreams.
Hen ! Cuk (G. F. Bergman, Jr), Myrddin
[Member of the ADO Elder Council, Advisor
to the Band of Guardians ], excerpt from the
State of the Order 2012
I, Hen !’ Cuk, am honored to share some
thoughts with you in this State of the Order
13
Report. It is with great pride
that I have observed and
participated in the growth of
ADO this past year. Many of
the members have shown
great generosity with their time and talents
toward making the progress we have experi‐
enced. There is a more cohesive and enthusi‐
astic presence at the Forum and in the Chat
Lessons, and the Fall Gathering was both well
attended and participation was especially en‐
thusiastic. I am grateful for all the support
ADO and I have received in the past and espe‐
cially this past year.
In my roles as Elder Dreamer, Mem‐
ber of the Elder Council, Advisor to
the Band of Guardians and as a Mer‐
lin (Messenger) for ADO to the out‐
side world I have experienced an
awareness of a change in the ener‐
gies that are present. There is a sense of our
organization being received with more re‐
spect from outside individuals and organiza‐
tions and that I believe is due to the revitaliza‐
tion of our efforts to work with the Land and
our Deities more consistently to effect posi‐
tive change in this world. Our Novice
Pathwalkers, Dreamers and Singer have
shown diligence in their duties and consistent
effort toward mastering their skill sets thus
providing positive examples for our Aspirants
and Tribes Members.
I still see the potential for ADO developing a
tighter community in the future as we be‐
come even more cohesive as Tribes and come
together to support each other and our fami‐
lies as the world deals with the Earth Chang‐
es/Climate Change issues. Some of our Sisters
have begun to study Survival and Neolithic/
Paleolithic Stone Age and Bronze Age skills
and I hope will be sharing these with us at fu‐
ture Tribes Gatherings
I look forward to being here to provide guid‐
ance and support as each of you grow and
mature in ADO.
Member & Guest Submissions
[Note from the Editors: Selection are from vari‐
ous contributors on whom Avalon continues to
exert a profound influence, informing the
course of their spiritual lives. Some of these
contributors are guests to our community.
Guest articles help us to understand each other,
and provide insight on views and practices held
by other Avalonians and Druids that may be very different
from our own. This broader perspective also supports seek‐
ers in making more informed decisions about their own spir‐
itual journeys.
As you enjoy this flowering of Avalonian/Druid creativity,
please remember that the views and practices of guest con‐
tributors do not necessarily reflect or represent official ADO
teachings or policies.]
Ogham
I was first introduce to Ogham by the work of Robert Graves , author of The White Goddess. Robert Graves took up a speculation that the trees that fought in the battle correspond to the Ogham alphabet, in which each character is associated with a particular tree. Each tree had a mean‐ing and significance of its own, and Gwydion guessed Bran's name by the alder
14
branch Bran carried, the alder being one of Bran's prime symbols. Graves argued that the original poet had concealed druidic secrets about an older matriarchal Celtic religion for fear of cen‐sure from Christian authori‐
ties. He suggested that Arawn and Bran were names for the same underworld god and that the battle was probably not physical but ra‐ther a struggle of wits and scholarship: Gwydi‐on's forces could only be defeated if the name of his companion, Lady Achren ("Trees"), was guessed and Arawn's host only if Bran's name was guessed. Graves accepted that the poem is a compo‐site of several different sections, among which he named a Hanes Taliesin (History of Taliesin) and a Hanes Blodeuwedd (History of Blodeuwedd). (from Wikipedia Cad Goddeu entry). Surely you recognize name from our own tradition thus I think Robert Graves ap‐proach may have merit and is worth investi‐gating. Making association between deity and tree and the corresponding Ogham symbol also greatly improve the chance of remember‐ing the information one uncovers. The White Goddess is not an easy read but it is a very in‐teresting one. Another way, or a complementary one, to look at ogham is by examining the tree, the real one that are around us. Where they grow, how they look, what kinds of animals fre‐quent them. A good way to start a more prac‐tical approach is to look up the Celtic Tree Mysteries from Steve Blamires. It is a treasure of information from the botanical to the men‐
tal and spiritual side of each ogham or trees. After reading Blamires book I set a task upon myself: to
collect a twig from each trees, put the ogham sign on it and learn from the tree itself. So far I have collected
7 of them, you can see on the picture. For those I have yet to find I use coffee stick. As I tend to bury my‐self in book and live in my head always thinking about this or that, I find the Ogham appealing to both the intellect and also to the need of physical doing. Going out to meet
the tree, collecting the twig, inscribing the symbol and then manipulating them as you learn really help the knowledge to sink. I hope you have now a desire to go out and talk to our brothers trees! Until next time. [Caroline,2013]
Bees
Deep in the earth, the Bee Queen awaits daylight:
Her daughters peer from the honeyed gates, affrighted
By the vast, silent white.
[M.Bergman,2010]
15
ADO Now Has Aspirants & Members in:
S. California, SE. Florida, Iowa, Maryland, Pennsylvania*,
Tennessee, SW. Virginia, Quebec Canada
Ontario Canada
* Aspirants or Members are seasonal residents.
Consider this map carefully: Do you live within commuting distance of one of these areas? Are you con-
sidering joining? N o w i s t h e t i m e . Opportunity waits for no one. People move on. Circumstances
change. Don’t let opportunity pass you by:
S Learn to walk in your ancestors’ footsteps;
S Discover for yourself the difference a powerful Spiritual Tradition can make in your life. Visit our
website: http://www.AvalonDruidOrder.org;
S Send us an email (ado_admin@avalondruidorder.org) with your questions; or
S Post a message to the public area of our Forum (http://adoadmin.proboards.com/index.cgi) and meet
members of our community.
We look forward to meeting you!
16
Nominations for Elected Officers
Each 1 November the ADO holds a Members
Assembly to review the state of the Order and
resolve issues relating to its operation, including
introducing new appointees and voting to fill
vacancies. Nominations are announced as far in
advance as possible to allow new members time
to acquaint themselves with nominees and make
informed decisions when voting. This November
we will be voting for candidates to fill the follow‐
ing positions:
Position. Chieftain : Chief executive officer of the order. Shall exercise general supervision of all activities of the order. Perform any duties assigned by the Band of Guardians.
Description. (Terms: 3 years)
S Member of the Band of Guard‐
ians.
Serves as a ‘trustee’ or ‘board
member’ for the Order on the
BoG, which is involved in making decisions
with regard to fiscal policies, fundraising,
and maintenance of any physical property
the Order might acquire. Nominees must
be members in good standing and make
substantial contributions to the quality of
life in our community through active, regu‐
lar participation, have successfully complet‐
ed all required training, and demonstrate a
thorough, working knowledge of our Tradi‐
tion and customs through 3+ years of ser‐
vice to the Order. (Term: 3 years)
S Position. Position description.
Description.
The Band of Guardians will be
announcing this year’s open‐
ings and nominees by posting
to the ‘Vacancies’ thread at
the ADO Member Forum.
Special Features
Not every issue of Messenger of the Gods includes Special
Features, but this one does! These short articles by Core
Members are intended to provide last minute updates to
members on issues of importance, and clarification to all and
sundry on matters arising outside of the Order, but which
require urgent answer, clarification or remedy. Please take
time to review this information and address any questions,
comments, or complaints to the ADO Midwife at
ado_admin@avalondruidorder.org.
Ownership of ‘Avalonian Tradition’. It has come
to our attention that certain Avalonian mentors
and groups now claim to ‘own’ the
terms ‘Avalon Mystery Tradition’,
‘Avalonian Tradition’, and
‘Avalonian Mysteries’, while at the
same time conceding that they are
not the only Avalonian groups or
mentors in the world. It is difficult
to imagine how the rest of us are
meant to identify ourselves, if we
are barred from using common English words to
describe what we do. Such tactics are used in
business to create and protect monopolies by
eliminating fair competition (e.g. the AMA/FDA’s
legislation of alternative healing terminology);
however, we do not believe that any person or
group has the right to claim ownership of a tradi‐
tion, because a tradition is much more than a
single person, organisation, culture, or body of
work.
For example, the ADO fits every definition of
‘tradition’ listed in standard collegiate dictionar‐
ies of the English language; therefore, we are a
tradition. As we are also Avalonians, we are an
Avalonian tradition. In making this claim, we
intend no challenge to others’ rights, nor should
any formal affiliation with other groups using
17
this term be inferred, except
insofar as we all draw our ma‐
terial from a common well‐
spring: Avalon’s oral tradi‐
tion, myths, folklore/
traditions/customs, cultures, sacred land‐
scapes, art, and literature. Beyond our chosen
sources, we remain separate entities. Nor do
we relinquish any rights over the resource ma‐
terials we have created. To say that we are an
Avalonian tradition is a simple statement of
fact, but in our view all Avalonians are part of
one Greater Avalonian Tradition. We have al‐
ways capitalized the initial ‘T’ to distinguish Av‐
alonian from non‐Avalonian spiritual paths, and
spiritual from non‐spiritual traditions, and not
in an attempt to steal anyone else’s fire.
We recognise that ours is not the only Avalo‐
nian group and that the ideas upon which our
tradition is founded are not our exclusive prop‐
erty—but nor are they anyone else’s. The well‐
spring belongs to all seekers of the Holy Isle.
Only what we create is ‘ours’, and this cannot
include what we inherited from those who
have gone before us. The ancestors, myths,
cultures, customs, art, landscapes, monuments,
and artefacts that are associated with Avalon in
legend, myth, literature and lore are our com‐
mon legacy—they belong to us all, just as do
the languages we speak.
It is especially troubling to be compelled to
make such an argument when the world is so
clearly in need of our support. In our view, eve‐
ry Avalonian group and mentor has a vital role
to play at this time. Rather than striving
against one another, we should be coming to‐
gether to support our planet and the life it sup‐
ports in all its diversity.
We believe that we are being offered an op‐
portunity to break the ancestral soul debts that
bind us, and which have their roots in distrust,
ego, control issues, old wounds, and competi‐
tiveness by working together for the greater
good—not under the auspices (or for the glory)
of any one mentor or group, but as allies whose
wisdoms and ways are drawn from the same
sacred ancestors, lands, and wellsprings. If we
fail in this, we repeat the mistakes and com‐
pound the soul debts of the ancestors—and fail
again to identify our common challenge, allow‐
ing ourselves to be torn apart at exactly the
time when the world most needs us to work
together.
It is time to heal old wounds and lay aside
old disagreements to meet in council around
one hearth fire and explore how we may best
help and support each other and the planet. It
is past time to stop competing for ownership of
something that cannot be ‘owned’, and start
celebrating each other’s achievements as sis‐
ters and brothers who share the same spiritual
ancestral inheritance, even if we each work
with that inheritance differently.
ADO is not interested in competing with oth‐
ers; we are interested in becoming the Druid
priest/esses we were born to be, in fulfilling the
soul purposes with which we came into this
life, and in collaborating on work intended for
the highest good of our species and planet. We
are especially interested in collaborating with
other Avalonians—provided we can do so in
ways that are empowering for all concerned.
The ADO is always open to dialogues with
those interested in collaborating as peers to
achieve these goals—a true ‘round table’ of
different, unaffiliated Avaloni‐
an mentors and groups, gath‐
ered in service to Avalon and
the planet, rather than for self‐
promotion or glory, is some‐
18
thing that is much needed at this time. It may
be that no mentor or group can lead such an
effort, for as soon as someone leads equality is
lost.
It comes to me that perhaps we should do
as the ancestors did of old, and take it in turn
to host these round tables on a regular rotation
(first in the Isles, which have preserved Ava‐
lon’s earliest lore, then Western Europe, home
of the later literature, and finally the New
World, wherein the present challenge lies), and
in each place the largest groups hosting, and
the event announced in the manner most likely
to be discovered by other Avalonians, and let
those with a mind and heart to answer the call
come and find welcome. The rotation would
be set by Tradition, every three years in times
of crisis and longer in tranquil times. Thus
would we all gather to share news and do the
Lady’s work.
These are my dreams. I cannot speak for
others, but perhaps if the dream is shared my
words will prompt a positive response; then
might our dreams come into waking action. I
do believe that were this dream to manifest,
the power of our combined efforts would
awaken a slumbering power with strength to
restore balance to our world. On this hope I
shall set my sights, and not on the shadows
cast in days now fading to twilight.
—MVLB
Heaven's Darker Face
Most people imagine heaven
As white, and pure, and full of
benign angels;
They forget that devils are just angels
In the dark. Most people think
Mystics are pure and silent
And calm as frescoed ruins;
They forget that not all Mystics
Are Eastern or Christian. Some
Are wild and sharp as nettle, dreadful
And unfathomable as any deity;
And a few are as shy as the dark little people
Of Faery. Most people see myth
As a fancy name for fiction or as
History, lost in a morass; the petty concerns
Of people lost in a blur of ego
Or self‐delusion.
But myth is eternal precisely
Because it garbs Truth in mortal threads;
An evolving story that never
Ends or changes, really.
Leader and follower, what has either
To offer but a space to be filled by you
Or another; each dwells alone
In his own dark heaven
Wherein he envisions ever brighter
Sweeter paths to his own damnation.
M. Bergman, 2011
19
Canadian ADO Learning Circles Forming!
Ontario
The Order is pleased to announce two new Learning Circles; ‘seed groves’ serving
Aspirants en route to Lifetime Membership. Learning Circles are the ideal place to
explore life in the Order while completing ones initial studies. Learning Circle
membership opens for one month twice a year, beginning 1 November and 1 May.
Places are limited.
SLearn directly from Core ADO Members SExperience traditional Druid spiritual community
SRediscover the native path of our Western European ancestors SRemember your forebears and honour your roots
SBecome the person you were born to be
Some opportunities are like doorways, ever open until the moment the door shuts.
Don’t let the door close on you. Learn more about our membership requirements
by visiting the ADO website (www.avalondruidorder.org), then contact us to ar-
range a meeting by writing: ado_admin@avalondruidorder.org
We look forward to meeting you!
Caroline,
ADO Dreamer
Sarah,
ADO Pathwalker
About the Circle Founders
Sarah and Caroline are Core
members, respected and
much-loved within our
spiritual community. Over
the past decade, they have
been dedicated and active
participants in the ADO,
and have shown themselves
to be exemplary Tribes
members, astute Novices,
true friends, and skilled
mentors who promote ex-
cellence and enthusiasm in
those they tutor. We are
proud to have them repre-
sent the Order to new
members.
20
Ava lon Dru id Orde r (ADO) PO Box 62151, Ft Myers, FL 33906 ado_admin@avalondruidorder.org
Dr idr for a New Age
About the Holy Thorn
InDruidlore,theHawthornisagiant,andfatheroftheFlowerBrideOlwen,whomustbeovercomebytheMabonwhocomestocourther.ThetreebelongstotheFae,andwasplantedatmanysacredsitesforitspurifyingandprotectivevalue.ThetreepicturedaboveissaidtohavesproutedtherefromJosephofArimathea’sstaff,whenhestruckitintothegroundofthehallowedhillknowninAvalonas‘FisherHill’;thehomeoftheFish-erKingwhokeepswatchovertheWastelandinlaterArthurianmyths.ItwaslocatedintheconstellationPisces,intheGlastonburyZodiac,andwascalledtheHolyThorn.
SeveralyearsagoduringtheChristmasseasonthetreewasviciouslyattacked.Despitethefactthatthecrownandallthebrancheshadbeenhackedoff,itbegantogrowagain—andagainitwasassaulted.Itdidnotsurvivethesecondattack.Theculpritswereneverfound,andtheirmotiveremainsunknown.However,iftheirintentionwastodestroywhatthetreesymbolised,theyhavefailed.CuttingstakenfromtheoriginalHolyThornbeforeitperishedhavebeensuccessfullystarted,andsothetree’sdescendantswillsur-
vivetocarryitsmemoryforwardintoaNewAge.
(Graphicbasedonanoriginalphotobyanunknownartist.)
top related