Spiritual Progress

Is Spiritual Progress, or a seeming lack of, important?

Yes it's a tricky one, how to use my time? Do I sacrifice physical well being (cycling), our family environment (gardening), family time itself or money and lifestyle (work) for dedication to a spiritual path? Obviously, family comes first then work (to an extent - but being mindful of the work / life balance) which leaves personal time fairly short. This personal time has to be split into physical well being which for me is cycling, environmental well being which is the garden and spiritual well being (Gewessi) which is a mix of Druidic and Heathen work.

My spiritual work is broken down into:
small regular practice - meditation around 3 times per week usually in the bath after cycling, monitoring of the forums I look after on the OBOD forum website
more detailed ritual - the 8 fold year Blot's recorded on this Gewessi blog
wider themes - such as the Druid Ovate work which has to fit in around other things - practically this means that I only progress this work over the winter as in the summer gardening and cycling fill my personal time.

For me the Gewessi worldview is that spirituality should enhance your life and relationships (this is key for me) and also be integrated into your daily life. So each mountain bike ride into Nature is in itself part of my spiritual engagement or Gework with the land where I live, gardening is part of my Druidic practice and the herb work informs my Ovate studies.
Even things like waiting to pick the kids up (from school, clubs etc...) can be a 10 minute downtime to compose a little bit of Bardic poetry or meditate on the natural world around me.
So have I completed my Ovate work as quickly as I'd like? At 5 years plus now that's a no...,
Do I write to my OBOD tutor as often as I feel I should?.. no,
Are my rituals as elaborate and significant as I would like...no
Does this really matter? Probably not; as long as Gewessi is enhancing my life & relationships (including that with the land), making me more balanced as a person and through this I am reducing my family's impact on the planet and current eco-systems. The Gods, Land-Alfs and Ancestors know that I remember, honour and respect them and I feel that this is sufficient, they do not demand more.

Gewessi is a path for living life not subsuming it into a religious fervour

Óg's Eye

A dream is soft skinned
nebulous, fragile.
An irregular egg, serpentile.
A soft sack with a precious cargo,
needing a mother's care;
the correct heat,
a regular beat,
attentive endeavour.
An incubatory treasure
ready to release into the world;
see your created thing.

Meditation - Visualisations and Reality

Here's a brief synopsis around types of meditation, although the author is biased as the article promotes the heart meditation over the other types... Types of Meditation.
Within Druidry the usual type of meditation is a form of Guided Visualisation with a western mystical focus, typically a type of Kundalini meditation on the light body or internal cauldrons, see Erynn's excellent text on the Cauldrons of Poesy, which precedes the Guided Visualisation and enables the practitioner to settle into their meditatory context before the Visualisation.
During a self-guided visualisation meditation the question arises around one's experiences within the visualisation - do they come via a connection to some 'Otherworld' or are they just made up imaginings from the brain? Usually there is a tone of the sarcastic modern atheistic sub-text or rationale that it's all just from a fevered imagination and thus without relevance or importance to the person or the 'real world'. Given that our experiences within the Guided Visualisation may well include advice and guidance for the 'real world' from beings met within the 'otherworld' the question of it's importance and reality do need to be addressed.

This understanding of the inner meditatory world fits into the grey area, I believe, of the transrational. One of the things that I like about Druidry is the lack of a defined position on this. Each Druid has to reconcile their Druidic transrational experiences for their self which leads to the 'herding cats' approach to Druidic dogma, no two Druids will agree as each Druid has reconciled and understood their inner world themself without the intervention of some priest to tell them what to think.
So does my brain just put an imagined experience into the meditation? Are the spirits real and is the otherworld really there? Does it matter?
These are big questions and maybe breaking them down into bits will help:

1. What do we mean by 'brain'? Brain could mean the conscious, subconscious or the physical grey stuff. I think it means our whole being, our physical and non-physical self, in this context
2. Then there's 'put' - even if we take the atheistic worldview you could view it as 'access' rather than 'put'. 'Put' implies a conscious act of creating something without a basis in the real world, however, I think that 'access' is closer and suggests that it's from the subconscious which has a basis in a real world that our conscious can't get to
3. And also 'spirit' - which is a definition that can be argued about incessantly. For me I think that spirits are energies or patterns that bubble up from within our subconscious. I do not know how they get into the subsconscious
4. Finally 'does it matter' - I think it's part of the Druidic experience to come across these transrational questions and to try and find a reconciliation that satisfies you. Personally I think it is important and that yes it does matter. It is how we access a deep and ancient wisdom via a subconscious mechanism. How that subconscious mechanism works I do not know - it could be linking deeply held genetic patterns or some Akashic record or there really could be an otherworld or higher plane that is accessed

For me these 4 questions are the big areas of Druidic / spiritual work. I wrestled with them through the whole Bardic work and they form (for me) the part of 'working it out for yourself' that is important to the Western Mystery Tradition as opposed to the revealed dogma, interpreted by priests, of the big 3 religions.

12 Days of Yule

Yule recognises the death of the Sun's cycle, the shortest day of the year.  In the Anglo Saxon calendar Yule is a period in the calendar, undefined as far as we know.  However, my Gewessi interpretation is this...

At the sunset of the day before Yule wreaths are hung on peoples doors to mark its passing.  This death releases the chaos of the Wild Hunt to take reckless souls with him.  This year's Yule's eve was calm, the one before the Wild Hunt stormed their way over the land.  Down here in Sussex I believe it's led by Freyr, 'The Lord', also known as Ing or Scyld.  This year it is proving to be a long and very wild hunt.  The Xmas street decorations are thrumming, everything static is shaking with the wind.  The rain beat relentlessly against the glass making one and all grateful for a warm  home and hearth, that the wailing sounds of the emergency services are for others and not them. 

24th December it is ModrasNacht, Mother's night or Xmas Eve to the Christians.  Time to honour Frij or Frigga with good food, mulled cider or wine and final preparations for the rebirth of the Solar King, the Bright One whose death we celebrated 3 days earlier.  She is his mother and it is right to honour her.

Then there is the Xmas, x being the rune gebo that is the rune of giving, the exchange of gifts and friendship, with the traditional feast that accompanies such exchanges.  Just like the feast in Beowulf where gifts are given in exchange for loyalty, to Gewessi folk this feast is just as important as for the Xtians who appropriated it around the time of the Roman Emperor Constantine.  After 3 days it is noticeable that the days are not getting shorter, the circle has turned, the sun is reborn.

The time in between Xmas and the Gewessi 12th night, New Years Eve, is the chaotic dream time.  To plan the year ahead, dreaming of success in the goals and tasks that the individual chooses.  This is an important time, it should not just be spent feasting, socialising or just watching TV / gaming / indulging (although these downtime activities also have value).  Dreaming realisable goals takes creative time for that 1% inspiration then a lot of planning for the 99% perspiration.

For me, this year, replacing the battered old shed at the end of our garden with an outdoor room for gaming, training and crafting with occasional spare room use is the goal.  Designing and building it myself, with help from my teenage sons is the dream.  Finances dictate that to deliver my goal I must realise my dream.  This is the root of need, or necessity, the energy driving us on. 

Finally the Gewessi 12th night, New Years Eve, arrives and with it the celebration where people can finish the night with a traditional
Toast, Boast and an Oath.
The toast is traditional or personal, the boast is to recognise the goals you achieved in the year past and the boast is for the goals you will aim for in the next year.

So use this Yule dream time, when the last year's work is done and next year's work is not begun to let the Awen, the Wod, the furious inspiration flow and I wish
A blessed Yule to all.

Yule's Eve

A bit of fun for the time of year...

'Twas the Yuletide Night

'Twas the Yuletide night, with a moon so bright,
and all round the house 'twas quiet and light.
When suddenly loud a shout rent the air
and Bridget came running pulling her hair!
She'd gone to the fire and noticed it's plight
the few bits of wood had gave her a fright.
"Oh what shall I do and what shall I say
when everyone's here for the feast today?
My fire can't go out, the hearth can't be cold
on Yule day of all days, wood won't be sold.
My woodpile is wet, all else is snowy
where will I find logs to warm this wee bothy?"

"The Holly has been gathered, the Ivy too
I'd got drum and bass, even a kazoo
but no fire at home, no fire at hearth!"
Brid wailed, bemoaned her heat dearth.
The women at pace, ran down the stairs
pulling on warm gowns, caught up on affairs.
The men they were slower, grumpier too
and added their voices to the hullabaloo.
One voice was deeper, Tor was its keeper -
he'd fallen for Bridget's beautiful bleepers -
but she only saw his effing great beard
not the passion with which his heart seared.

"I'll find you a log not water bogged
if under the mistletoe I will be snogged -
if I can find fire; a smooch I desire!"
"If you can find fire a gift I shall give,
equal in value, each year whilst I live!"
Tor took up his hammer of steel
donned wool jacket; against cold a shield,
fastened green belt around his stout belly.
Scoffing quickly some black elves in jelly,
Driving-Tor tried to quietly grab chariot -
but thundering wheels create a racket!

And then he went to find his Goats
alas, alack! The goats were sick.
To Donner and Blitzen, he gave them oats,
good Reindeer help - in harness - click.
Then up, away did chariot fly
to hurtle loudly through the sky
Now Tor, despite what people say,
is wise enough, in matter grey
that hangs between his hairy ears.
He's thick enough not to have fears
and to his goal - Eternal flame -
and that Bridget forever tame.

Tor called out "Donner", he called out "Blitzen"
"take me to Bala, Cerridwen's kitchen."
Over cumulus clouds, snow filled surprise
they saw celebrations some humble, some wise,
others colourful with candles and cake,
mince pies, mulled wine and paper chains to make.
Finally flying, Donner and Blitzen
dropped Tor, down chimney, in the Sow's kitchen.
Cerridwen, unhappy, drew in sharp breath
ready to curse Tor "A cowardly death,
with a pox on his name and unmanly shame!"
Tor quickly said "Sorry! I take the blame."

Flattering wisely, Tor could play the game,
he went into detail of why he came.
Cerridwen matchmaker - that feminine art -
turning pure virgin into wedded tart.
Thinking of Bridget, Tor was a good catch,
whose nature and temper Bride would well match
so the Winter hag told all to young stag,
the quest for his Bride? Oh yes! He would snag.
With a joyous cry did chariot leap
head to the North Pole his promise to keep.
Caer Arianrhod he thundered to goal
with a special gift; his snowiest foal.

Once there, this present he took care to hide;
"First get on the Silvery dam's good side."
This was the white Sow's timely advice
knowing her sister's most fortunate vice
was her collection of Stallions, White.
Tor's aim was simple, his foal for Fire bright.
"Everburning Logs from Caer Arianrhod
her magical stack of seasoned Yew
burns so much better than peat boggy sod,
the fire it gives lasts long, heats well and smells true."
Tor marched boldly to door, ringing her bell,
shouts "Merry Yuletide I hope you are well?"

Arianrhod said "Well? I wish you to Hel!
Jolly or merry I wish not to be
when hammering men come ringing my bell."
"I come from yon well with a gift for thee!"
"What? Breeds Well? A gift for me?"
Once she had said that Tor knew he'd her tree!
The silvery yearling ate sweets from light hand,
safe within gloved hand, soon to be Brides fann'd
flame upon fireplace, her bed a shared space
did hurry Tor, Donner and Blitzen apace.
Did Bride know what plot was afoot
when Tor hurried in all covered in soot?

This tale does not tell, what magical spell
made these adventures end so well,
under the mistletoe our two did kiss
and nine months later they called it Gewis!
In honour of this on each Yule night
there's a fire that burns long and bright
and everyone's heart has a lift
from giving their friends a great gift.

Street Sunset

Turquoise and ivory
Bands stream across the Yule sky
Aesir's gift of joy
Simple beauty,  teasels chime
A note before Night rides up high.

Blowing smoke up the Black Dog

Sometimes when the Black Dog comes a stalking, which is often as the year dims and Skadi aka Sceadu stalks the land. Skadi rules the shadow part of the year and for those prone to a dark, low, depressive mood 'the black dog' sometimes it's difficult to get a positive perspective. How do you redress the balance when the black dog is lurking in your mind?

I think that sometimes a balancing positivity by feeding the ego with praise, blowing smoke up your arse, for the good parts of your character and life can do much to alleviate the darkness. Some charismatic people have the ability and sometimes life just throws you a bone! I was directed to the Via Institute of Character as part of my work's 'Team Resilience' training and these were the results...

Character Strength # 1 - Judgment

Thinking things through and examining them from all sides are important aspects of who you are. You do not jump to conclusions, and you rely only on solid evidence to make your decisions. You are able to change your mind.

Character Strength # 2 - Bravery

You are a courageous person who does not shrink from threat, challenge, difficulty, or pain. You speak up for what is right even if there is opposition. You act on your convictions.

Character Strength # 3 - Fairness

Treating all people fairly is one of your abiding principles. You do not let your personal feelings bias your decisions about other people. You give everyone a chance.

Character Strength # 4 - Perseverance

You work hard to finish what you start. No matter the project, you "get it out the door" in timely fashion. You do not get distracted when you work, and you take satisfaction in completing tasks.

Character Strength # 5 - Honesty

You are an honest person, not only by speaking the truth but by living your life in a genuine and authentic way. You are down to earth and without pretense; you are a "real" person.

These were a little bit of smoke that helped alleviate a difficult day. My Black Dog might be more of a mild Patterdale Terrier compared to others who have a great Rottweiler stalking them, but it seems that blowin' a little smoke up its backside will make it go away, for a while anyway.

Dragons

Hmmm Dragons have been raising their heads quite a lot recently. What I know from Welsh and Germanic lore - within the Welsh the red and white dragons represent the energies of the peoples of Britain; Red for the Welsh and White for the English. The energies are intertwined and in conflict. This shows in many ways but none more so than in rugby when the English (wearing white) clash with the Welsh (wearing red) annually at the 6 Nations. This wikipedia entry sums up the history and myths: Welsh Dragon. However, this conflict is also very creative. The English have a stereotype of reserved, steady determination whilst the Welsh have a stereotype of creative, artistic brilliance that can be erratic. This seems to be a primal tension and the red, white and black colours have been traced back to the Neolithic of having spiritual and cthonic importance. Red Ochre having been used to colour the bones during burial . Archaeology About says this The site of Paviland Cave in the UK, dated to about 23,500 years ago, had a burial so soaked in red ochre he was called the "Red Lady". White can be seen as having symbolic importance in the various white carvings into the hillsides of Southern England and black was one of the first colours used in cave paintings. In later times a White Dragon has become associated with Wessex and the modern flag has a White Wyvern on it. Thus the red and white Dragons are for creative inspiration and the discipline of work that underpins it; 'Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration' as Thomas Edison said.

The Germanic Dragon, Draka or Drake is a chthonic (under world) energy usually invoked to protect buried kings and their treasure. In this respect it represents a very negative energy usually related to greed and taking from the earth what is not yours. I tend to think of this as a Black Dragon. Fafnir from the Volsungasaga / Niebelungleid is the most well known I suspect that my local Dragon legend in St Leonards Forest is this type. This would be the dragon that appears in Tolkien references for Middle Earth, it is often in depicted as a Gold coloured dragon. In many tales the gold colour comes from it's having absorbed the golden hoard that it protects into it's skin.
The chthonic black mud that lay at the bottom of the hammerponds inside the forest reminds me of this dragon. The land round here used to be very boggy and marshy - it was reputedly deep enough to swallow a horse and cart without trace. The forest itself is home to many Adders, the only British venomous snake, which is a grey-green with a black zig-zag marking downs it's spine. It is the only place in Sussex that I've seen one and maybe the root of the Dragon legend for that part of the ancient Anderida forest.

The Green Dragon only appears in one myth for Mordiford. But in Britain the symbolism is very prevalent so this is my personal opinion based upon my knowledge of folklore and customs. It appears in many pub signs and within Morris men folk dances. It represents the energy of the land. It is represented on the pub sign because of the association with hops used to make British beer aka Real Ale. The hop plant grows very energetically and fast, the hop self seeds energetically but is a perennial and so dies down every autumn. This represents the natural life force or Nwyvre that rises in the spring and declines in Autumn. It is interesting that the one myth has a version where an outlaw slays it by hiding in a barrel of cider (in that part of the world cider is as important as ale). This would suggest it is related to controlling the forces of nature and harvesting them.
The final dragon energy to consider is that which the Yogics call Kundalini energy. This is your internal Nwyvre that typically travels up your spine. With my OBOD Ovate work this energy is a green energy, appropriate for Druidry, and is the energy that Christian mythology controls with St. George who is usually depicted as slaying a Green Dragon. So the Black and Green dragons represent the static underworld and the vibrant ever changing power of life.

I also find the history of the Dragon (in Western culture) interesting - it appears to have entered the North Western European tradition via the Sarmatian cavalry conscripted into Marcus Aurelius' Roman Army in the 2nd Century A.D. They had a whistling serpent standard that was eventually adopted by the Roman cavalry. These Sarmatian's may have heavily influenced the Arthurian legends when they were stationed in Britain. These articles may be of interest :
Hungarian Quarterly
King_Arthur Sarmatian hypothesis
The Dragon has a strong hold on the human psyche, it's prevalent within our culture. The meme of Dragon energy seems to be a way of articulating a transrational relationship between humans and the world. So when it is said "Dragon's don't exist" I guess it means a physical creature, however, as a Meme or collective unconscious energy they certainly do exist. Physically in the past, as a cavalry standard, they would have existed - the screaming sound of the Draco standard as several thousand heavily armoured cavalrymen charged would have been a frightful thing and would have long stayed in the memory of those who experienced it.
To sum up the four dragons in the Gewessi worldview would be red in the West, White in the East, Black up North and Green down South. Finally perhaps we should consider the risks associated with chasing the dragon....

Samhain

This e'en of Sow-in is golden,
I cut through crisp crystal skin,
access the fruit within.
The flesh, sweet Autumnal
at this final festival.