CELTIC WORKSHOP 1 CELTIC WORKSHOP 1 This is an Upload of the first Celtic Workshop on Druids, Oghams and Divination. Each student was supposed to have already downloaded the Library 16 files Oghamd.txt (A table of Ogham correspondences), Fionnw.GIF ( A symbolic representation of Oghams in Circles.) and Ogham.GIF (A picture showing exactly how each tree Ogham symbol looked.) In additional to these files, messages were posted in the Section 15 message board for Ogham correspondence tables by Nigel Pennick, D.J. Conway, John Matthews, Murray Hope, Douglas Monroe and Edric Thorsson. A lot of information is contained in these files and messages and is essential for fully understanding the workshop and discussion. I recommend reading "The Celts" by Nora Chadwick for historical background on the Celts as a people. I recommend John Matthews book "Celtic Shamanism" and also Nigel Pennick's book "Magical Alphabets". More complete discussions of many of these topics are found in those works. Due to time constraints, All the prepared material did not get presented during the Workshop. I have included it here in it's entireity at the request of the participants and in the interest of completeness. Before starting the Workshop, we engaged in informal conversation with the first topic being the book "Life of a Druid Prince". Jehana asked if I had read this book. CLASS #1 Druids, Oghams, Divinations CLASS #2 Deities, Shamanism, Magick CLASS #3 History, Warriors, Geneologies (maybe your family name!) CLASS #4 Languages (Gaeilge, Gaelic, Welsh, Manx,Breton), Poetry, Prose I will basically upload files to the library, prior to the class, to provide a focal point for the discussions and a framework for building a Celtic Book of Shadows. We will flesh these frameworks out through discussions online. I, by no means, have all the answers on matters Celtic. But I truly believe that ALL of us, working together, can approach advance our knowledge and rediscover the True Celtic Way. Druids are especially welcome to attend so that our Celtic Knowledge may be "Illuminated"! I also hope that The Welsh Bards will grace us with the Songs of Taliesin. Other topics will be included based upon the desires and direction of the students and other participants. I see the way that the workshops will be conducted as: Susan W.: ? O'Dubh : Opening Remarks by Me. Presentation by a Speaker (not necessarily me). Questions and Answers. Group Open Discussion and Discovery. Summation and Assignments. The classes start this Monday night in Work Shop 1 of the NewAge Forum at 10 PM EST! See you there! Beannacht leat, (Blessed be) O'Dubh Susan W> ga Susan W.: Oh, sorry, thought my screen was stuck there. GA O'Dubh : OK That was the announcement and sorry if it was wrapping on your screens! Jehana : sorry, i do have to go; i will put this workshop on next monday's calendar. O'Dubh : I'll continue with the presentation Ce'ad Mi'le Failte! (100,000 Welcomes) Welcome to the Celtic Workshop! We will be investigating and sharing our knowledge of matters Celtic here. It is my hope that the researches and references I have will add to or compliment your own. I am, by no means, the final authority on these matters. Discussion and interaction, coupled with a shamanistic journey or two should fill in the gaps and illuminate us all. Dean : hello O'Dubh : Tonight I hope to lay down a firm framework for our knowledge of Druids through a discussion of their Magickal writing, called Ogham, after Ogma - Sun Face, and through a discussion of their divination techniques. It is commonly thought that the Druids left no written records of their work. I disagree. Many references exist that contain the poems of Druids, stories about their Magicks, tales of their strategies, their secret lore, their Oghams, their invocations, their victories and their defeats. The major problems with using this information is that it is the product of a long (tho reliable) oral tradition that was finally written down by their antecedents the Culdean Monks of the Celtic Church. (Probably Druids in hiding). Some of the Irish manuscripts used as references on Druids are: * The Book of Armaugh * The Book of Ballymote (A primary source for Oghams) * The Tain Bo Cuailgne * The Book of the Dun Cow * The Book of Invasions * The Book of Leinster Many references to what Druids did are contained within the above books. Much of what Celts wrote was symbollic of deeper meanings. Each work can be interpreted on many levels. In modern times, Druidry is being studied by several major groups, ADF and OBVD to name just two. If we have any Druids present tonight, Please come forth and identify yourselves now. (well, since only us chickens are here!) Susan W.: . O'Dubh : I'll identify myself as a student of Wicca, Druids and Celts Susan W>Whatis your interest or area? Susan W.: I have no knowledge in this area . . I have been told a little bit by a friend. The extent . . . is that I understand this Wicca, Druid beliefs, are very old and are based on the powers of the earth? ga O'Dubh : yes the knowledge of Druids/Wiccans is based upon the Earth and it's power. The knowledge of the Oghams is tree knowledge applied as symbols in the use of Magick and Divination. I'll upload some info on each symbol or group of 5 symbols and show what their meanings are. The Druids were the shamans of the Celtic Clans. They carried the history, the culture and the geneologies of the Clan in their memories. To aid in remembering this information, Oghams were used, each Ogham being associated by its beginning sounds with the item to be remembered. This is similar to alliteration in today's writings.This led to an entire series of different types of Oghams. Tonight we will discuss tree oghams and Fionn's Wheel. Ogham BTW is pronounced "O Wam". It's one of those strange Gaelic things! I have listed the Oghams for those of you that haven't downloaded the Ogham GIF's or the Ogham Divination files in Library 16 yet. Each Ogham is listed by its ancient Gaelic name, then its modern Irish name and then its Welsh counterpart. The first group of 5 is from the North on Fionn's Wheel. (it is from the Book of Ballymote) 7th century Irish manuscript. Susan W.: . O'Dubh : Beth Beith Bedw Birch - The White Tree of Purification Protection against harm, physical and spiritual. Deal with/clear away the bad things of life. A new begining. Peasant. 24 December-20 January. White. Luis Caorthann Criafol Rowan - Tree of Life Protection against psychic attack. Develop powers of protection and foretelling. Used in Metal dowsing. Planted around stone circles. Peasant 21 January-17 February. Liath (grey). (also luisne or "red glare"). Fearn Fearno'g Gwernen Alder - "The Red Man" (pranksters, also help one escape the Otherworld) Used in fires to make swords. Frees the Earth from water. Used in Building Foundations because of this fire aspect. Protection in conflicts. Freedom from binding Magicks. 18 March-14 April. Crimson or blood red. Saille Saileach Helgen White Willow or Sally Tree The growth of lunar power and water. Linking and harmonizing. It's power is greatest at night unless the Moon is visable during the day. O'Dubh : Tied to the Moon phases. Protection against diseases. Peasant. 15 April-12 May. Sodaith (Bright or fine). Susan W.: ? O'D Nuin Fuinnseog Onnen The Black Ash - The Tree of Rebirth Links the World of Spirit to the physical. The passage way between the inner world and the outer realms. The keys to the future but only in time. First Chieftan Tree. 18 February-17 March Necht or clear in color. Yes Susan W? (I actually heard Susan W and responded at this point but have included the other uploaded information here for completeness). Huath Sceach gheal Ysbyddaden - The Hawthorn or Whitethorn The May Tree. The name means "Terrible" referring to the Destroyer aspect of the Goddess. Unlucky (especially to cut it except in May). (Bringing the blossoms in the house is also unlucky). Rags are tied to its branches as offerings. Protection against all ills Magickally. Peasant. 13 May-9 June. Purple (For the Hag/Underworld). Duir Dair Derwen Oak - The King of Trees The Oak King. Magickal strength. The doorway to inner knowledge. The ability to see the invisible or be invisible. The ability to bar or open the ways. 10 June-7 July. Black. Chieftan. Planted in Sacred Groves by the Druids. Tinne Cuileann Celyn Holly - "Fire" The Holly King. Balanced Strength and Power. Unification, Fatherhood, Rebirth. Fire, strength, boldness. Peasant. Temen (grey-green). Coll Coll Collen Hazel - "By the Power of Three Times Three" Discovery, Druidic Herald wands "Word Wisdom". Used as A Magick Shield in warfare (Fionn's Shield). Water Witching forked rods. Nut-Brown. Quert Aball Afall Crab Apple - Tree of Eternal Life Isle of Avalon. Five seeds/blossom petals. Apple-green or Mouse-Brown. Muin Muine Vine - "The Vernal Equinox" "The First Harvest". Chieftain, 2 September- 29 September. Mbracht (variegated). The Magickal ability to roam widely and to gather. Assimilation leading to inner development. Gort Eadhne'an Eiddew Ivy - "The Second Harvest" 30 September - 27 October. Gorm (blue). scarcity in unfavorable situations. Changes necessary for growth. All things are tied to the Earth. Transformation by being rooted in the Earth. Ngetal Giolcach Cawnen Reed - "The Tree of Scribes" Used to make pens and Welsh plagawd (paper). 28 October - 24 November. Thatching, mats, baskets. Insulation, Enclosure, Covering. Preserver of Knowledge, Maintainer of Order. Nglas (glass green or yellowish-green). Straif Drai'on Draenenwen Blackthorn - "Tree of Punishment and Strife" Peasant. Staves of Magickal Power. Draoi (Wizard), Drai' (Druid). Power in Visible and Invisible Worlds. Use to overcome resistance to One's will. Sorcha (bright colored) or purple-black. Ruis Trom Ysgaw Elder - "Tree of the Cailleach (Hag)" ru'isce (a violent attack, a blow, a throw). Irish Witches rode Elder sticks instead of brooms. Three fold aspects of Time, Existence, Goddess. Ogham of Timelessness or unity of all time. Balance in threes. Rocnat (roebuck red). Susan W.: How would you use this information, for example . . . the Native Americans use prayers for certain rituals, such as blessing your surroundings. How would you use that infor.? Ga O'Dubh : The information would be used in divinations and in casting spells. It would also be used to mark pathways for Spiritual journeys into the Celtic Otherworld. The first use of Oghams was on Birch, for instance, and it was interpreted by the Irish God Lugh to mean that a Magickal attack was going to be made upon his wife. Freepowder: hi all O'Dubh : He took precautions. Hi Freepowder !! we are underway with our workshop. Freepowder: I didn;t miss it? O'Dubh : I'm just telling Susan how Ogham information was used. It's happening right now. Anything missed will be in the library. Freepowder: out standing, but I can't stay long O'Dubh : Susan>Does that answer your question? Freepowder: GA Susan W.: So, he called upon the spirit of the Birch tree to protect him??? O'Dubh : He used the Magick of the Birch symbol to protect him and his wife. Birch was used to surround them and protect them from Magickal attack. Lugh's wife was in danger of being spirited away to the Underworld. Freepowder: (sorry) who are we talking about? Susan W.: Gottcha. :) Difference in interpretation. GA O'Dubh : The Celts were also shamanistic just like the Native Americans Ok Susan W.: ? O'Dubh : FP>We are talking about the use and meaning of Oghams and symbols of Magick. FP>GA Freepowder: in general? O'Dubh : Well I'm presenting the meaning for each Ogham as based upon the information handed down by the Irish Druidic Bards. Misty : Can you tell us a little about the shamanistic part of the Celts? Freepowder: ah! O'Dubh : Misty>I will cover that more fully next week but.... the Celts lived close to nature as did most peoples O'Dubh : in the past. They observed that they had to interact with it on a more personal basis than we do today. I am introducing symbols and diagrams to be O'Dubh : used in Magickal journeying. Misty : Ok, sounds good!! Freepowder: O'd> the Celts focused mainly on Trees & shrubs, while the NAIndians, Freepowder: focused more on animals , right? O'Dubh : FP>The Celts tied Oghams to everything... Birds, animals, shields, flowers you name it! Freepowder: ! O'Dubh : They even had a secret Hand Language! GA Misty : I've heard of that...how was that used? Freepowder: sounds like modern gang!>... Ogham was used like runes or tarot? ga O'Dubh : FP>one of the messages I posted has a direct correllation for Oghams and TArot! Susan W.: ? Freepowder: I missed it, been a heavy wkend GA O'Dubh : It's in Section 15. Susan >GA Susan W.: I had someone give me a shamanistic (N.Amer.) style drumming experience. .. in which I saw the trunk of a very large tree . . with a section that you could walk into . . . like the old forest located S. of Yosemite . . . what are those called again. ? Anyway GA Any meaning to that vision? O'D? Sequoia . that's it. O'D> GA SUZAN : O'D is having some trouble with his connection....... he will be right back..... Susan W.: ok I'm probably gonna split in a few . . . been on almost 2hrs. SUZAN : thanks for being patient Susan W.: What are your interests again Suzan? SUZAN : i am an astrologer Freepowder: Suzan> by the look of it we have just got started w/ this, right? Susan W.: Hi O'D Freepowder: welcome back O'D O'Dubh : Sorry about the line going down! Thanks guys! Freepowder: Mercury is retarded O'Dubh : So where were we? Freepowder: Sequoyah in vision Susan W.: Did you get I saw trees in a vision? O'Dubh : FP!>LOL probably what the prob is! Freepowder: GA O'Dubh : Susan>Yes Susan W.: Any importance? O'Dubh : I was telling how Celts/Druids saw all of life interconnected like the Oak limbs I believe your vision is telling you to look within yourself to see how you connect to the life around you perhaps you should go on a shamanistic journey. Freepowder: ? O'Dubh : Discover your inner truths. FP> ga Freepowder: Shamanistic Journey?... you mean like a vision quest? Misty : Did we lose him again? O'Dubh : Yes FP but along definate paths Susan W.: O'D> celtic style? O'Dubh : let me continue and I'll show you the map. Freepowder: GA O'Dubh : Susan>Definately Celtic style if that is what you feel closest to. Susan W.: Actually more N.Amer. style :) O'Dubh : Native American style is nice but I am a Celt. Susan W.: Tell me your way. O'Dubh : Watch and see ! they (the ways) may be closer than you know!:) Freepowder: O'Dubh : Ok I'm going to skip the Ogham meanings and go straight to the Wheel of the journeys. This is Fionn's wheel and is a GIF in Lib 16. Fionn's Wheel is a diagram found in the Book of Ballymote. It shows all 25 Oghams arranged around a series of concentric circles (in library 16 as fionnw.gif). This diagram can be used to divine paths necessary for "Pathworking", a very powerful shamanistic technique. I have identified the meanings of each Ogham on the paths (using the correspondences from Nigel Pennick mostly). Each Ogham's meaning can require at least a workshop of it's own to fully cover. I offer these here to show what can be done with Oghams: An Roth de an Bealach (The Wheel of the Ways) ___________________________________ Each path will be identified with it's Gaeilge/English name and the elements along the Ways. The Northern Path is first. (from outside to inside) ___________________________________ An Cosa'n do Sla'n (The Way of Protection) The White Tree of Purity The Tree of Life The Red Man The Moon The Keys to the Future ___________________________________ This is the first path on Fionn's wheel 0jim : hellod O'Dubh : It contains the first 5 Oghams B L F S N jim : hello O'Dubh : This path is first because it teaches the new student how to protect him/herself from Magickal harm. HELLO jIM Please standby jim : ok O'Dubh : this is a formal Workshop But join in !!! Any way, the first step was Purification, followed by gaining an ally in "the Red MAn", a being kind of like Coyote in Native American workings. The tree of life is there as well (this could be what Susan saw in her dream) The Moon represents the protection of the Goddess When the inner level is reached the student gains the keys of knowledge but not the wisdom to use them. Another journey must be made. That is the next path. ___________________________________ O'Dubh : This Path contains the Ogham EBA: An Roth de an Bealach (The Wheel of the Ways) ___________________________________ An Cosa'n de Fe'ile (The Way of Ritual) The Sacred Grove (Imbolc) ___________________________________ This path requires an understanding of the major Religious festivals of the Celtic year begining with Imbolc, The new beginings The festival of Brigit. Susan W.: ! O'Dubh : It also requires one to perform such a ritual Susan>ga Susan W.: O'D & all> sorry, but I gotta go. Thanks for the info. jim : ! O'Dubh : Susan> ok I'll continue and upload all this into the library. B*B jim>ga Susan W.: THanks, I'll check into it. Bye. jim : Thanks for the insight to PAGANISM. Get out of this stuff! Freepowder: ? O'Dubh : jim>not sure what you mean? jim : ! O'Dubh : jim>ga jim : you know! Druids, Pagans, Witches, stuff like that Misty : Get out??? jim : ! Scott : uh oh. O'Dubh : JiM>We are Druids, Pagans, Witches and stuff like that. jim : ! O'Dubh : You are well to listen in to the workshop. Jim>standby just a second FP has a question FP>ga Freepowder: I thought Samhain was the beginning of the Celtic year? ga O'Dubh : FP>It's the begining of the Celtic year but not necessarily the begining of the study of Celtic religions. ga Freepowder: ? O'Dubh : FP>ga Freepowder: Imbolc... is the start of this path of wisdom?... or study on fionn wheel, right? O'Dubh : FP>The study of all the major festivals is the second path The symbol is actually the Grove. The most powerful Magick in the Druid rites Freepowder: ah! O'Dubh : was The victory of life over death, the renewal of the wheel of the year, the marriage of the Crone to the Oak King or Cernnunos. That would not be an appropriate start point for beginning the study of Druidic Magicks. (Before a student can begin Magickal work, the ability to shield and protect oneself must first be developed. This is why the first way studied is the way of protection. The next step to performing or learning occult wisdom would be in a protected environment, such as rituals or Circles. What better ritual for a fresh start than Imbolc which is symbollic of New Beginings and the Quickening of Life? Samhain is actually the end point of the year and represents the culmination of the Druidic Mysteries. Jim>I believe you had a question?ga jim : not really O'Dubh : ok jim : just watching and laughing O'Dubh : any other questions? Scott : ? Misty : So are you saying that Winter Solstice is the beginning of the wheel? O'Dubh : Jim>I suggest that you watch your behavior since the forum has some strict rules about jim : ? O'Dubh : putting down what others believe. Jim>ga jim : i'm not putting you down, just enjoying the show O'Dubh : Jim>Are you done? or do you have a question? jim : 1! ? O'Dubh : Jim>ga jim : soo sorry if i offended anyone, didn'y mean to got to go O'Dubh : Goodbye jim now to continue Freepowder: Slan leat J Scott : ? O'Dubh : the next path to aid us in becomming more enlightened is the Eastern path on the wheel. Misty : What about my question? Or did someone beat me to it? ******** Answer inserted by O'Dubh **************** (I completely missed Missy's question in all the confusion. The answer to Missy's question is that Samhain is the begining and the ending of the Celtic year. It is the time when the God of the Underworld marries the Crone aspect of the Goddess. The new God or the Sun is not yet reborn until the Winter Solstice. The Celts began their days at sundown. It is not surprising that they began their new year with the end of the last harvest. The period between Samhain and Imbolc is the dark part of the year and is therefore like the night before the day. During this period preparations were made for the onset of winter and the coming spring planting.) ****************************************************************** Michael : Whats up tonight? jim : \exit O'Dubh : Scott>ga jim : \exit O'Dubh : Jim> try /exit jim : thanks Scott : O'D did you say you were going to upload this lecture? I would really like to D/L it, but have to go to bed... O'Dubh : Scott>Yes I will and will add notes as I go ! Slan leat! Blessings Scott : Any idea what the file name will be? O'Dubh : It'll be celtws1.txt Freepowder: byer Scott : thanks for your time, Blessed Be. O'Dubh : Pressing on here and watching the clock. O'Dubh : This Path contains the next 5 Oghams H D T C Q: An Roth de an Bealach (The Wheel of the Ways) ___________________________________ An Cosa'n do Fios (The Way of Wisdom) The Cailleach The Oak King The Holly King The Three Times Three The Tree of Eternity ___________________________________ O'Dubh : This Path contains the Ogham OI: An Cosa'n do Gra' (The Way of Love) The Spindle of the Wheel (Beltaine) ___________________________________ ******** Additional Data inserted by O'Dubh ************** O'Dubh : This Path contains the next 5 Oghams M G NG STR R: An Cosa'n de Deis (The Way of Balance) The First Gathering The Second Harvest The Tree of Scribes The Tree of Punishment The Triple Goddess ___________________________________ O'Dubh : This Path contains the Ogham UI: An Cosa'n de an Fhi'rinne (The Way of Truth) The Ancient Knowledge (Lugnasadh) The Inner Mysteries ___________________________________ O'Dubh : This Path contains the next 5 Oghams A O U E I: An Cosa'n de an Saol (The Way of Life) The Tree of Regeneration The Tree of Continuous Fertility The Morning Dew The Preventer of Death The Tree of Life and Death ___________________________________ O'Dubh : This Path contains the Ogham AE: The Way between the Worlds The Sea (Samhain) **********End of inserted data *************** I will cover all of these and their meanings in the next Workshop, next Monday. Freepowder: ? O'Dubh : I'm putting them here to give everyone a chance to read and study them. FP>ga Freepowder: A bit off the Subj... if you find the time could you help with... Gaelic Pronounciation? O'Dubh : FP>Sure will and I'll put notes in the upload as well. Freepowder: thanks! Rilla/Sysop: Hi all! O'Dubh : I'm going to type the rest of the paths in now to speed things up. Hi Rilla! Freepowder: Hi rilla, Dai dhuit Rilla/Sysop: Dai dhuit! Did you learn what that meant ??? O'Dubh : Rilla>It means Hello. Rilla/Sysop: Just stopping bye to tell y'all goodnight! and hugs! O'Dubh : Gang I see that we will have to continue next week It's late and we still have about 2 hours to cover. Freepowder: ? Misty : I hate that. O'Dubh : I will post the rest of my lecture on the section 15 message board. FP>ga Freepowder: what time does this start?... and will it be in the Co notices? O'Dubh : It starts at 10 PM Est. Yes it should be. I have to get Rilla to do it. Freepowder: 7 PST O'Dubh : I was surprised it wasn't. FP>that's right 7PM PST. Freepowder: numbers hate me O'Dubh : I know I appreciate everyone being here. Misty : No prob.. O'Dubh : Next time we''ll cover how to make a shamanistic journey using the Oghams and Fionn's Wheel. Misty : See ya next time or probably sometime during the weekend. Freepowder: O'D, I appreciate you taking the time to put this on! O'Dubh : Beannacht leat! Thanks everyone! Hugs! Slan Freepowder: Sl'n leat! Misty : Night....*B*B* Freepowder: well, who's left? What follows is the rest of My presentation concerning divination: