Remembering Sir James George Frazer

Remembering Sir James Frazer

Sir James Frazer was born on 1 January 1854 -5/7/1941) and passed 7 May 1941. A social anthropologist, he is particularly noted for his work, The Golden Bough, which is now available (abbreviated form) at no charge on the Kindle Kindle and in an illustrated edition. Frazer's approach to religion focused upon what people did rather than theology. I have always wanted the 12 volume complete set, but have only encountered the abridged edition. I read his material first in the early '70's and was blown away. It opened my eyes to all of the similarities in religion. His material was among the first to have me understand how much of the Christ myth was a duplication of other, more ancient myths (virgin birth, resurrection, etc.). His work expanded my understanding that many religions share similar stories. The Golden Bough was probably the most eye-opening book I ever found any many later books, such as the Silver Bough, built upon my learning. Definitely on my "needs to be read again" list and on a special "I'd love to get the entire 12 volume set" list.

Today, on the 156th anniversary of his birth, I remember Sir James George Frazer and give thanks to him as an Ancestor.

OBOD Druids in Mass. Celebrate Winter Solstice

Very nice article about the OBOD Druids of the Mystic River Grove in Massachusetts who celebrated the Winter Solstice with an evening bonfire ritual.  Photos at http://bit.ly/tnhBfy
They met at "The Peace Abbey" which is an interesting looking organization.  Although they are moving, for members in the Boston Metro area, it may be good to look at their site for potential activities in the future.  They have a Bed & Breakfast as well as conference spaces for rent.  They also have a Pacifist Living History Museum and a Quaker room. It looks like a place it would be nice to have an Keltria Gathering and/or Annual Meeting.

Druid ceremony at Sherborn's Peace Abbey celebrates the return of the sun

The Order of the Bards, Ovates and Druids celebrated Winter Solstice at the Peace Abbey on Wednesday, Dec. 21.....

...the Boston “[Mystic River] grove” has been in existence for about 20 years....

..."the goals of Druid practices are similar to the practices of the Peace Abbey such as embracing Mother Earth.”

OBOD Druids mentioned in the article include:

• Sarah Fuhro of Natick.
• 
  Cat Hughes of Berlin
• 
  James Dempsey (A Shamanic Energy Healer)
• 
  Liz Tobin

Remembering Carlos Castañeda

Carlos Castañeda was born 25 December 1925 and passed 27 April 1998.  Although an anthropologist, he is particularly noted as an author. In 1968 his published The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge. Certainly, Carlos Castañeda was an important author in the late 1960's and early 1970's.  His work helped expand the ideas of Native American Shamanism (Yaqui) and Toltec wisdom.  I read his book when it first came out and found it both confusing and enlightening. I was still a teenager and the book was beyond my comprehension.  However, it did expand my understanding of alternative beliefs and practices and is thus provided an important step along my path in Druidism.  Today, on the 86th anniversary of his birth, I remember Carlos Castañeda and give thanks to him as an Ancestor.


Technorati Tags: Remembrance, Shaman, Don Juan, Carlos Castaneda, Carlos Castañeda, Ancestor

Mara Freeman led Celtic Journeys

Mara Freeman, author of the Henge recommended Kindling the Celtic Spirit, Meditation Leader (See: "Celtic Spirit Meditations"), and regular contributor to Keltria: Journal of Druidism and Celtic Magick during the 1990's is leading some wonderful Celtic Spirit Journeys. Besides tours of Ireland she also leads groups to Scotland, Wales, and Avalon. They look wonderful.  If you are able to participate in any of her tours, please say "hello" from me. Of course, we'd love a review of your experience.

Celtic Spirit Journeys - Spirit of Ireland Tour

Join Mara Freeman on an inspirational journey that will open you to the living presence of the Goddess in Ireland - and provide an opportunity for you to awaken to your innermost self deep within Ireland’s Spiritual Heartland.

Refresh your spirit in the heart of Connacht, the ancient western province of Ireland associated with learning, wisdom and magic. We will be staying in Sligo, traditionally known as The Land of Heart’s Desire, a breathtakingly beautiful county, with spectacular scenery and unspoilt landscapes: long sweeps of sandy beaches, rolling green hills, shining lakes, waterfalls, and magical woodlands. Sligo is home to possibly the most abundant ancient sacred sites in Ireland, stretching back more than 5,000 years

Another Mistletoe Article with the Green Santa at Tenbury Wells

Xanthe Clay, chef and food writer has a lovely article about Mistletoe in the Telegraph.  Another great photo of the Green Santa at the Mistletoe auction at Tenbury Wells, England.
 
Mistletoe, the kiss of Christmas - Telegraph

But kissing [under the mistletoe] only became a national Christmas tradition in the 18th century, thanks to the Victorians’ obsession with Druids, driven by William Stukeley, the first archaeologist to complete a serious study of Stonehenge.

Cherry Hill Seminary has course on Druids: Past and Present.

Cherry Hill Seminary is presenting a course in "The Druidic Past and Present."  It is pricey, (as are most things of value) but looks like it would be very interesting.  If anyone in the Henge attends, let me know.  I'd love to hear how it goes, maybe even receive a review of the course.  Humm... I wonder if we Keltrian Druids receive a mention.

Master’s Courses Spring 2012 » Cherry Hill Seminary

The Druidic Past and Present T6405
Instructor: James Acken, PhD Class meetings....

This course reviews evidence from several
disciplines and pertaining to the druids, analyzing the connections
between what we believe we know of their reality to the extant evidence,
but it will also look beyond the usual scholastic analyses to folk
customs and traditional lore.

New Druid Store in Columbus, OH - The Magical Druid Spiritual Resource Center

I ran into a "will be opening" Druid store in Columbus, Ohio.  The Magical Druid.  They already have some interesting Druid specific items on their website.  Of particular interest was a bundle of the nine sacred woods for a need fire.  Of course, it is better to collect the woods yourself, but if time or location keep you from it a purchased bundle would be a great resource.  They also have a Ogham Set made of aspen that look very nice. Anyway, I wish them success in their new enterprise.
   
The Magical Druid, Spiritual Resource Center

Welcome to The Magical Druid, your one-stop shop for hand-crafted ritual tools, earth-conscious art, workshops, rituals, and support!

Children's Story about Mistletoe

I was very excited when I first saw a children's story about a Druid collecting mistletoe in a magickal way.  I forgave the notion that the mistletoe was being collected during the full moon for the sake of literary convention. Then the mistletoe falls to the ground and felt a sadness, for mistletoe is too sacred to be allowed to touch the ground.  I then began thinking about children who hear the story and learn its lessons will also carry incorrect bits of knowledge about mistletoe.  Will the children later argue with their parents in the same way that children argue saying their teacher told them so.  Of course, their teacher (or storyteller) always knows more than their parents - or so kids think.

It is a good story, told with feeling and compassion but could be made better by including known facts.  Mistletoe was collected on the sixth night of the moon and was caught in a white cloth never to touch the ground.

Tell Me a Story: The Mistletoe (a Celtic tale) | recordonline.com

By -- Adapted by Amy Friedman and illustrated by Jillian Gilliland
(This story was first published Dec. 24, 2000.)

Long ago, in the darkest days of winter, a blanket of snow lay softly on the ground. A full moon rose. The men and women of the village watched the moon rise, and they knew that soon their priest, the sacred druid....
....
As the mistletoe fell to the ground, the snow began to fall harder....

Green Santa -

Great photo of Michael Pritchard as a Green Santa walking the mistletoe fields in Tenbury Well, England.  The Druids bless the mistletoe before buyers put in their bids.


The Day's Best | 11.29.11 - Nation/World - NewsObserver.com

Circle now has natural burials

I see in an article in the Chicago Tribune that Circle Sanctuary now has full body burials at their cemetery area.  I am so pleased.  I have been a proponent of natural burial for a very long time.  If I were to pass in Wisconsin, it would be my desire to have a full body burial at Circle Sanctuary. This is great news and evidence that Circle Sanctuary is continuing to lead the way in Pagan ways.
 -----------
Wiccan church members celebrate holiday honoring the dead in new eco-friendly cemetery

Wiccan church honors dead in eco-friendly cemetery

Believers say natural burial shows reverence for the land as well as the departed

Practical Druidry Radio on the Pagan Radio Network (PRN)

I'm looking forward to hear Charlton Hall's new radio show on the Internet beginning next Wednesday (with an encore on Sunday).  Charlton is the Chief Druid of the Black Mountain Druid Order. Besides his PRN show, he also leads round table discussions on Skype.

Practical Druidry Radio | Pagan Radio Network

Practical Druidry Radio

Practical DruidryHost: Charlton Hall
Premiering on PRN Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Practical Druidry focuses on Druidry, Paganism and other topics of interest to those who practice a nature-centered spiritual path.

Irmandade Galician Druids

I received a notification about the a new Galician Druid organization that look like kindred folk.  The majority of their site is in Portuguese but they do have some English content as well.  From their website, they pay attention to historical accuracy and documented evidences, yet, adapt Druidism to the contemporary world and make it relevant to followers today.  Much like the Henge of Keltria attempts to do. Best wishes to our Celtic cousins in Galaica on their new public presence.

Irmandade Druídica Galaica

Welcome to the official site of the Pan-Galician Druidic Fellowship (IDG in the Galician acronym).

The IDG is a religious association formed by those who follow the path of the Galician Druidic tradition. The Fellowship offers shelter to Druidic believers, who can then observe the Celtic calendar in community in addition to celebrating Galician Druidic rituals. Furthermore, the Fellowship offers religious services, advice and rituals by request of the Clan.

The IDG shares the main principles of Druidry elsewhere, but focuses on the own Galician tradition and Celtic legacy. There is, in fact, a continuity in the religious beliefs, folklore and Galician character that can be traced back to the times of the old Pan-Galician Celtic civilisation. In this way, the IDG pays paramount attention to historical accuracy and documented evidences, following the scientific criteria of the Galician Institute for Celtic Studies. Nonetheless, IDG’s view of Druidry adapts to the contemporary world in order to avoid anachronisms and make it relevant to followers today.

 

 

Paris exhibition debunks Asterix history

I've seen a number of articles about the ‘Les Gaulois’ exhibition at Paris’ Cite des Sciences which proports to debunk much about Asterix and Obelix.  Come on.  They are cartoon characters.  It is like saying Pepé Le Pew doesn't act like a real skunk.  Of course Asterix and Obelix are fictional and do not represent historical Gauls and Druids. 

• The article about the exhibition goes on to say that the Gaul.
• Lived in towns and villages (rather than in the woods).
• Did not wear winged helmets.
• Did not play with Dolmens.
• Used polished bronze sickles rather than gold sickles

I don't think any of the "debunking" would surprise a modern day Druid.  I also think the exhibitors are doing a disservice to the French to imply that they believe the historical Gauls and Druids did the things that the cartoon characters do.  See

Paris exhibition debunks Asterix history - Sci/Tech - DNA

The ‘Asterix and Obelix’ comics have done much to mould the popular belief about the Gauls, but the books have got it all wrong, according to a new exhibition at Paris.

Related articles, courtesy of Zemanta:

• Asterix history debunked but Gaul myth will endure

Tara: Heaven on Earth

I learned about a very interesting article by Surendra Mathur regarding his pilgrimage to the Celtic Sacred sites in Ireland and the British Isles. Surendra is a Hindu, residing in India and is exploring the similarities between Hinduism and Druidism.   Interesting material relating Lugh and Indra.  Definitely, a good read.

See pages 21, 22, and 23 of the online edition of  By the Way: A Magazine for pagans of all paths

This is also the first time I've seen By the Way.  Nicely done magazine. 
I'm not too keen about the cookies they want to drop on your machine.  I denied them and was still able to read the articles.

Pendragon's audio much more reasonable...

The audio on this BBC report indicates King Arthur Pendragon only want assurances that the ancient people reinterred at Stonehenge and won't languish in museum limbo indefinitely.  I can certainly agree with that position.   
BBC News - King Arthur Pendragon loses human remains legal battle

Congratulations!

Congratulations to Autumn Rose on her election to the Henge of Keltria Board of Trustees for a three-year term.  Also congrat's to Tony, GreyBoar, and Rain on their reelection to the Board for two-year terms each. The new board is pictured on the Keltria website at HoK - Board of Trustees 2011.

Watch: Sign of the Times: Pagan Policeman

Very nice video article about Paganism on the ABC News.  Sure they focus a bit on the spooky bits bot overall they are portraying the participants as normal and not particularly odd.  Acceptable press.
 
Sign of the Times: Pagan Policeman | Video - ABC News

Book Released - Under an Expanse of Oaks: A Druid's Journey

I saw that David Smith, who was a member of the Henge from 2008 to 2010, has released a  book on Druidry.  Under an Expanse of Oaks: A Druid's Journey teaches that modern Druidry is a spiritual path that is close to nature. Druidism is a varied and intensely interesting path practiced by many people world wide. Many organizations exists such as the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, The Ancient Order of Druids in America, Ar nDraiocht Fein, The Henge of Keltria, The Order of the Mithril Star, and many more."

Thomas Berry

I noticed that Inner Traditions has published a new book, Thomas Berry, Dreamer of the Earth, The Spiritual Ecology of the Father of Environmentalism. The book contains 10 essays edited by Nobel prize nominee Ervin Laszlo and professor Allan Combs. With so many Druids interested in eco-spirituality it should be a must for the Druid bookshelf. The reviews I've seen have all been positive, but I would love to see a review for a Neopagan Druid perspective.

Henge of Keltria PicBadge available for your Facebook Account.

One of our members created a Henge of Keltria "PicBadge" you can use with your Facebook account. Way cool.  Thanks to Muadhnait for her great idea.  See the PicBadge / Henge of Keltria page.

Cafe Press Sale

I see that Cafe Press is having a sale, "Save up to 15% sitewide" which ends tonight. 
Henge Of Keltria Gifts, T-Shirts, Stickers, & More - CafePress

Henge Of Keltria Gifts, T-Shirts, Stickers, & More - CafePress
Shop our large selection of henge of keltria gifts, t-shirts, posters and stickers starting at $5 . Unique henge of keltria designs. Fast shipping.
shop.cafepress.com/henge-of-keltria

Save England's ancient forests

The Woodland Trust is having a campaign to try to save England's ancient forests.  The concern revolves around two issues, the Forestry Commission transferring ownership from the government (public trust) to private ownership and the practice of populating the ancient broadleaf woods with conifers which change the ecology of the woods significantly.  Currently the plans only affect England and not Scotland, Wales, nor Northern Ireland. They have a petition to sign (only requests you email address), membership in the Trust, a shop, and of course they take donations.   

Moondance 2011 - 20th Anniversary

Moondance 2011 20th ANNIVERSARY!!

I received a postcard from Linda Kerr announcing Moondance 2011 (May 26-30).  I'm
not sure if Wren & I will make it there this year but we went several
years ago and had a great time.  Certainly the festival is not Druid
nor Celtic centric, but is an inexpensive festival with good music,
vendors, and interesting workshops.  Let the Henge office know if you are planning on attending and we'll let other Keltrian Druids know about your plans.

North Carolina Pagans Outdoors Summer Calendar

Received an email from the folks at NC Pagans Outdoors which alerted me to their events coming up this year, 2011. 

• Apr 15-17, 2011 - If We Build It (IWBI).
• June 23-26 - The 9th Annual Pagan Wilderness Weekend (PWW).
  
• Sep 30 thru Oct 2 - Hocus Pocus Focus (HPF).

Check out their website for event details and registration:
NC Pagans Outdoors Event Dates | NCPagansOutdoors

(Disclaimer:  The Henge of Keltria does not endorse this event and is providing notification of it as a service to its members. If you attend, a write-up of your experience of the event, particularly from a Druidic or Celtic perspective would be appreciated. )