Week 27: Nine Virtues: Integrity

Integrity: Honor; being trustworthy to oneself and to others, involving oath-keeping, honesty, fairness, respect, self-confidence

adherence to moral and ethical principles; soundness of moral character; honesty. Dictionary.com

All the virtues are ancient things, stemming from a time when a person’s word and reputation were necessary to prosper. While the methods of spreading ones reputation has changed, much of modern society still relies on the ability to trust the person you are dealing with. We still rely on letters of recommendation and references to get a job or even to get into higher education.

One of the primary purposes of any religion or community is to instill a code of ethics in its members. The adherence to this code has often determined how one’s life would proceed. Across millennia, being able to trust each other to adhere to the community code, to do ones tasks, was the difference between life and death. A person’s word was her bond, her promise to accomplish her end of the deal or arrangement.

Week 29: 5th High Holy Day Recap

Related to Requirement: #8 – High Days Attended
Required Reading: None.

I'm behind again. Need to write up an essay on Integrity and the meaning of the holiday, but I'm honestly more focused on actual practice right now. I also still need to start the modern paganism book, but there are just so many more interesting things to read.

But I'm going to do this while I'm coming off the ritual high and then go play outside.

• how did the rite go in terms of structure? What things went wrong during the ritual? What things went right? 

This was originally supposed to be a Hellenic group ritual. Then the folks who were supposed to be leading had to drop out due to scheduling problems and asked me to take over. So... Norse group ritual. And then neither of us actually had the energy to have ritual last night, so it became Norse solitary. Just a few changes.

I should have spent more time working out the changes from group to solitary ritual. There were wording problems (plural pronouns) and things that the Grove does that I don't in my personal practice. Given that I spent all of 30 minutes or so working on that transition, I don't know why this surprises me.

But because this was originally created for a group, it was fully ADF. So there's that. I had everything because, ya know, checklists. Most of the actual problems I had were caused by poor formatting on the print out, not failure to foresee something.

• Who were the patrons of the rite, and who was the gatekeeper?

 Gatekeeper: Heimdall
Earth Mother: Jord
Patron: Freyr
Outdwellers: Syn
Special Thanks: Eir

• Did you have problems with saying the words without stumbling, or did everything come out smoothly? Did you forget to bring a sacrifice? 

I had trouble remembering anything without the script, but everything came out smoothly as long as that was available. The only trouble I had with sacrifices was discovering I'm out of silver tokens for the well. So I had to come up with a different offering for the well (pearls) before I got started. But there wasn't any scrambling during the ritual.

• Were you alone, or with a group? If you were with a group, did you say anything or do anything? 

Yay being half-solitary and half-grove. 2nd time in a row I was solitary. But it wasn't as comfortable this time. Not sure if it's because of the time of day or the mental expectation for others to be around and there weren't.

• how did the rite go in terms of function and feeling? Did you feel anything during the ritual? Did you experience doubt or confidence? Can you describe what happened? 

This one was pretty straight forward. Come in, do the business, and leave. I felt a few glimmers of attachment during the Two Powers, but not much. I really do need to get better at that. I doubt my abilities as a liturgist. I doubt my suitability for this path. I doubt everything right now. But the only way I can get better is to push through and keep going. Fumbling for the script, managing to completely forget that August 1 is a holiday and maybe I should put thought into things a couple weeks before hand... not really confidence building. But it'll get better as the cycle of holidays becomes more ingrained in my psyche.

• What omens were drawn (if any), and what did they tell you? 

Nothing terribly helpful.

Ancestors:  sowilo. the sun. success, victory.

Nature Spirits:  Laguz. lake/leeks. go with the flow. still waters run deep. don't fight what isn't in your control.

Divine Ones:  elwaz. elk. communication and the dangers associated with it.

• Could you feel the presence of any deities, spirits, or powers? What else about the rite struck you, or do you want to share?

Mostly, I feel like I've had rites go worse, but normally, I also get an emotional link if I'm doing by myself. But hey, I got my cat blessed. Its a start.

Week 26: Modern Paganism book started

Related to Requirement:
#3 – Book Reviews
Required Reading:
 Our Own Druidry, p. 19 - 20 (Concerning the Reading of Books)
 Our Own Druidry, Appendix B, p. xiii (writing a book review)
 start on one book from the list of Pagan Revival titles at the ADF Website, A Recommended Reading List

I'm going to be reading "Drawing Down the Moon" by Margot Adler. Now, if only I could get the motivation to read anything other than fanfiction. I actually heard Ms. Adler's obituary on NPR this morning, she died yesterday.

Not going to lie, wish I could have a study group again for this. Motivation in numbers.

My, incredibly crappy, essay for the Indo-European Studies book below. I know I can do better than this. Just need to actually do better.

Cynthia Eller’s study of the archaeological basis for Matriarchal prehistory, The Myth of Matriarchal Prehistory, attempts, and mostly succeeds, at tearing the pre-historical utopia myth from its foundations. The basic theory of matriarchal prehistory is that before the invention of writing and post-subsistence agriculture, there was a widespread culture that worshiped a female deity and whose clans/ tribes were headed by women held in great respect. These tribes had a greater degree of women’s superiority than seen since. As women were in charge, lives were long and peaceful with no war and lived in harmony with nature. All this came crashing down with either the Kurgan from the Russian-Ukrainian steppes or the Semites from the middle east invaded between 4000 and 3000 BCE, bringing with them war, a male dominated religion, and the patriarchy. This myth fails to make a convincing case in so many ways it is amazing that Eller managed to fit as much as she did in the text. Eller barely mentions the social justice issues that arise from such a reading of the archaeological record. Matriarchal Prehistory can easily be used to condemn homo-sexuality, deny the existence and experience of *trans, and uphold some of the most egregious acts of misogyny in the western world.

The main thrust of Eller’s critique is the refusal of the adherents of the theory to consider all the evidence available is an utter failure of their methods. Theories should be fit to the evidence, not evidence to fit the theory. Most of the archaeological evidence from the period in question is indeterminate at best. Looking at the decorations and figurines, Matriarchal Prehistory proponents see breasts and vaginas everywhere. They have expanded the definition of what ‘counts’ as a vagina in art so much that the term is near meaningless (Eller 123). Any diagonal, wavy, straight, or intersecting line is considered to be a symbol of the the Goddess’ womb. Unfortunately, this expanded definition includes every way of making a line.

The best argument the Matriarchal Prehistorians can make is there was a sudden influx of the Kurgan culture from the Russian-Ukrainian steppes. The Kurgan certain left their mark on the languages of the region. However, language does not leave physical traces in its wake to detail the circumstances of its spread. While it is possible that the Kurgan came swarming out of the steppes bent on conquest as the Huns did a millennia later, there is no evidence that would lead only to that conclusion. No archaeological digs have shown any of the conditions that are present when a violent invasion occurs: famine, population explosion, or massive outbreak of natural disasters. There is simply no reason to suppose that the Kurgan invaded instead of a slow, peaceful migration.

Ultimately, the matriarchal prehistory argument is pleading for a special case. Despite not having convincing evidence, they believe that ‘Old Europe’ must have been matriarchal in the distant past. However, reality does not force itself to conform to expectations. By the year 4000 BCE, cities and kingdoms were already being formed in Africa and the Middle East- with no sign of a matriarchal society. Why Europe was so ‘enlightened’ as to have a matriarchy while the rest of the world did not can never be explained without resorting to discredited and racist areas of historical study.

Week 25: Nine Virtues: Courage

Related to Requirement: #1 – Nine Virtues 

Required Reading:  

 Our Own Druidry, p. 15 (Virtue, Piety and Study) 

 Our Own Druidry, 85-90 (Lore and Essays) 

Optional Reading:  

 "Warrior Virtues" by Paul Maurice <http://www.adf.org/members/guilds/warriors/ethicsvirtues.html>;  

 A Virtuous Life Nine Virtues study guide: <http://www.adf.org/members/training/dp/publications/dp-req1-nine-virtues.pdf>; 

 Oak Leaves issue #14, "Ethics of a Celtic Warrior" by Robert Barton 

"The ability to act appropriately in the face of danger." Our Own Druidry

“the quality of mind or spirit that enables a person to face difficulty, danger, pain, etc., without fear; bravery.” dictionary.com

It has become a trite thing: courage is not the lack of fear, but the movement forward despite it. Perhaps that is true. Perhaps it is simply a comforting lie told to each other to encourage the view that society’s warriors are a class apart. It certainly does not take into account all the forms of courage.

There’s the courage of the soldier on the battle field. But there’s the small courage of accepting that your body is lying to you and you need help to see your worth. The small battles of daily life determine your courage as much as the grand battles for life and limb.

In many ways, courage, integrity, and perseverance are all tangled up to the point of all being necessary for one to shine true. Having the honor and courage to display one’s convictions, the perseverance to live them.

Week 24: Two Powers (part 2)

Related to Requirement:

• #5 – Two Powers 

Suggested Reading:

• "An Advanced Two Powers Attunement" by Linda Demissy  
• Ian Corrigan, "Working Magic with the Two Powers" mp3's, 
• "The Two Powers: an Alternative for Large Rites" by Rev. Kirk Thomas
• "Bungee Cord Two Powers" by Bert Kelher, 
• "Two Powers on a String and a Prayer" by Anne Lenzi, 
• Sacred Fire, Holy Well by Ian Corrigan, p. 82-85 
• The Fire on Our Hearth by Three Cranes Grove, ADF, p. 80-81 

• How has this meditation felt to you? Do you do this meditation as your daily meditation, or as part of daily rituals? 

The Two Powers guided meditation as presented in OOD and Corrigan's audio tracks and writings feels really artificial and forced. I'm not saying it doesn't work, just that it doesn't work for me. I'm slowly re-working the basic concepts into something that does work. I try to do a full two power's meditation as part of my daily devotional at least once a week. It doesn't always happen, but that's the goal. 

I'm going to try putting together another prayer string and see if that helps me remember to do it.

• Can you describe how it feels? What parts of the meditation move you the most? The least? Does one power or the other seem stronger? 

Dropping into the Earth power is like settling into a hot tub a bit too fast. Sending tendrils down into that heat, soaking it up, and then drawing it up into myself. 3 breaths down, 3 breaths soaking, 3 breaths drawing up.

Reaching up for the Sky power is harder. Feels like I'm straining, reaching on tiptoes for something just out of my reach. And it's cold, the space between the world, running outside without a coat in January, swimming in a lake during February cold.

Earth power is easier to connect to and feels stronger. But I don't think it is, it's just closer.

• Many people will come to feel that one of these powers is masculine and one is feminine. In your Dedicant Notebook, write a short paragraph on how the Sky Power is masculine and the Earth Power is feminine. Now, write another short paragraph about how the Sky Power is feminine and the Earth Power is masculine. Can you make both arguments? Which one convinces you more? Is either worth arguing? The Sky Power is sometimes described as "ordering" and the Earth Power is sometimes described as "chaotic". Do you feel this is an accurate description of the Powers? 

Masculine/ Feminine are bullshit. The sky and earth have no gender or sex. They are both greater than that and encompass both (and every other possible permutation). I can see the catagories of organization and chaos, however, both Earth and Sky have aspects of both.

The explosion of a star going nova, disordering the sky's orderly dance and motion. A perfect gemstone forming in the molten chaos of the earth's mantle.

• If you have chosen a hearth culture, how does the mythology of that culture embrace the Two Powers? 

Yggdrasil has 3 roots which are in 3 wells: The Well of Urðr (the well of fate, around which the Norns sit), the Hvergelmir (the source of rivers, and filled with dragons and snakes), and the Mímisbrunnr (Mimis' Well, the well of wisdom). It's branches support the 9 worlds.

• Can you write a chant or a prayer about the way the cosmos looks when we're in ritual? Try writing one and using it as a meditation aid, and write down your results. 

coming later. It's written, but I've not had a chance to see if it helps yet.

Interlude: Solstice Brewing Part 2

Continued adventures in brewing.

Roommate and I tried the mead on Sunday, after a bare week of fermenting. It definitely had a kick (a hell of a kick!), but was still pretty sweet. Since it was already drinkable, we made the decision to go ahead and move to the secondary.

Unfortunately, the ex took the glass carboy. So I set up a crappy filtration system (coffee filters in a colander) to try to get some of the yeast out and we drained into another 5 gallon bucket. There's still some fermentation going on, but less than before. I'll pick up another airlock, clarifier, and yeast killer this weekend when I'm by a brew store.

Off hand, this looks like it's going to turn out better than anything I've tried to brew in the past. I'm glad I'm keeping notes.

Week 22: High Holy Day Essay

Related to Requirement:

#2 – Meaning and Discussion of High Days 

Required Reading: 

 Our Own Druidry, p. 62 - 74 (Hearth Cultures & High Days) 

 ADF Constitution, Article 4 

 The ADF Core Order of Ritual for High Days

Optional Reading: 

 Our Own Druidry, p. 51 - 75 (The Very Basics of Ritual); 

 A Crane Breviary and Guide Book by Rev. Michael J Dangler: <> 

 Appendix 1: Resources and Rituals for the Wheel of the Year in this book; 

 Step by Step through a Druid Worship Ceremony, <>; 

 The "Liturgy and Rituals" section of the ADF page, <> 

 The Three Cranes Grove, ADF, outline of ritual (with example prayers), <>

The summer solstice is one of the major points in the wheel of the year. It is at this point that the potential of the harvest can be seen, even though much of the growing season still lies ahead. Fertility rites are still in play, however, at this point they begin to focus more on protecting the crops from blight, flooding, or hail than the creation of new life.

There are a number of Deities that could be honored during this season. Traditionally, midsummer was viewed as the date that Baldur was killed, explaining the start of the decent into darkness as the dying of the sun/light god. Alternatively, Freyr and Freyja, the god and goddess of fertility and agriculture, could be honored to protect the crops. Their father, Njord, was honored to encourage the bounty of the sea as the god of fishing and sailing.

The sun and its representative on earth, fire, are the most commonly used symbols of the solstice. In the Germanic and Celtic lands, it was a tradition to light bonfires and drive livestock either between two fires or through the smoke to protect them for the rest of the season. This practice was so prevalent that it continued after christianization until the Reformation.