Smith work

Of late I have been to the City of Smiths, quite often in fact. Once part of Marakanda, I am told, it now resides Elsewhere, as other places do, such as Avalon. 

Time spent there is always pleasant and it allows me to 'keep my hand in' despite not having my own forge up and running. I have been told often that I could set it all up and work with it..until someone in the complex complained...but that there could be no shelter or structure around it, making it completely subject to the whims of Weather. However, now there is, perhaps, a chance to actually take them up on their statement without having to worry so much about Weather or even complaints. It is worth a try.

My aim is to construct a Japanese style forge with a box bellows. Built down into the ground with layers of various types of gravel, made with fire brick and refractory plaster, they are low, not obviously a forge, and very efficient. The version I am looking at has an arched plastered 'cover' to it, making it less subject to wind and rain and more efficient at retaining  even heat. To that end I have a lot of material concerning the making of swords, blades, and whatnot..including techniques used by the Japanese sword masters. It was said by the first of them that the Gods taught him his craft...and given the metallurgy I do not doubt it. They are still the finest blades ever made for their intended use, in my opinion. But he also said he had not learned it all before They left, so there is more to discover.

It was also common for the sword masters to chant as they worked the metal, something I too engage in...imbuing the steel with intent and will. They do this all the time in the City of Smiths.

I have learned many things in the City of Smiths, not least among them many advanced techniques I am eager to have a go at here on the manifest. 

Why is this here on Grēnē Harow? Because I aim to use my skills in this arena for the Temple of course. Of all the things I have learned and turned my hand to, smith work is still the first of the lot, in love and understanding. The inherent magic involved in working with metal in a forge is amazing and illuminating.

I would love to make a blade, or blades, using many of these ancient techniques (and some others I have picked up), specifically for the Temple Guards and People of the Temple. Etching into them the image of the Simurgh, imbuing them with power and intent. I can see them in my minds eye. 

So much for imagining. Reality is that the forge might be rain covered but the working of the hot metal is still out in the open so any sort of rain storm would preclude working. Or would it? The stricture is no structures allowed...but tripods and frames for growing plants and whatnot are. I am going to have a go at using such a framework for a piece of canvas of appropriate earth tone solely over the work area itself. I might could get away with a bit more but we shall see. This Spring I will construct a small lean to frame on which I will practice a bit of thatching...just for the technique mind, not as a serious piece..and use that frame as a kind of movable 'sun shield'. If they get used to that without a problem, I will make a better one for similar use. 

It is all very 'iffy' but worth a go. One never knows until one tries and getting forgiveness is rather easier than permission around here. 

Meditative journeys into the City of Smiths and other places, like the Bards' Keep, are welcome learning opportunities. 

Siani

Samhain

Samhain has come around again. :) One of my favorite fire festivals.

The Veil is thin (for me essentially non-existent), the Ancestors are more easily met, the Wild Hunt fares forth, and the Ending of the Year is here. With sunset the First Day of Winter and the New Years' First Night will arrive. :)

Today I spend the day in Druid guise...an increasingly common thing in general...and tonight I shall probably visit the Sunwheel as well as stroll a bit. A green under dress, a cream wool over dress with orange lining, an orange lined cream wool hood and mantle, a blue cloak of the Gaulish sort. My staff of course, and my bronze sickle.

Perhaps I shall hear or even see the Hunter of Souls....that would be interesting. I am pretty sure He is not seeking me this year.

Samhain is a time of endings and beginnings both. Many often forget the latter part. The Wheel turns and the Cycle starts again. What comes with the New Year? We have only to wait and see.

Tonight I will do my reading for the New Year. At Midwinter I will do my Great Reading as always.

New garments are almost sorted out...an increasing amount of time spent in 'Druidic' clothing...simple stuff. Being seen is one of my duties. The reds and oranges are part of them too. And after all, the Sun and the Fire Festivals....reds and oranges are rather appropriate. The blue of the cloak is for the Bard. There will be green embroidery, and gold, to be sure. All of the colors of the Year Wheel and Druidry.

While I have hoods, and mantles, I will also have a new nemyss...of cream wool lined with orange and a sweat band even. Probably even a reinforced front area for embroidering the Awen symbol.

All of it is symbolism of course. I need none of it to do the Work, yet still I use them regardless. Symbols matter.

I may have found the perfect piece of wood for a 'proper' Druids' staff. Of Rowan wood, it is a sapling that was uprooted in some storm or other. The root ball is intact and the stem of the tree is not too large. I could easily steam the roots I wish to keep intact and entwine them in whichever way I wish or around anything I wish while working the shaft...or not...as I see fit.

Fires tonight, of various sort. Cleansing of the rooms with Juniper, among other things.

A blessed Samhain to all.

Silverhair /|\

The Making of Things

Interesting dreaming of late. Occasional excursions to the Bards' Keep. In that place between complete sleep and partial waking, in the place that is not a place in the time between times, a momentary and complete understanding of the making of things.

It has drifted away as mist upon a breeze since. I could see and understand how to work with the structures of all things. Mastery of such a thing would allow...well, more than I am truly comfortable contemplating. I am pretty sure no living person could master that....on the other hand, we have the tales of the Bards of old.

Thus far Herself has been silent on the matter. So have the Bards in the Keep.

Changes are still occurring within me....moving away, steadily, from the Warrior and towards the Sage, for lack of a better word. Counsel and Wisdom, these things are actively sought. They lead one down another road....and that road requires, as all roads do, changes. Change is the only constant. Sometimes it is fast, sometimes so slow as to seem non-existent.

I plan to complete the traveling harp case so I can begin to carry with me on hikes into the forested hills around here. Having sat upon the ledges of the hills a couple of times now, and effortlessly slid into the Otherworld and the Sight, I know such places are where much of my ongoing work will now take place.

With the harp, one of the gwers of the Ovate grade. What better way to meditate and contemplate the lessons and material than with a harp in the forested hills with a gorgeous view of he hills about? Whether it is a trick of the terrain or the construction of our towns, on those ledges the sounds of our modern culture are almost non-existent. If there is any breeze at all, they are completely silent. The trails I hike are not heavily traveled, being strenuous, difficult, and even treacherous in some places. Especially this time of year with the leaves all fallen. The Winter snows will make things even more interesting....but also even more silent. Great care will need to be taken with the harp under such conditions.

I am applying to the Sisterhood of Avalon for membership. I do not know if I shall be accepted, but I was at least encouraged to apply and that gives me a bit of hope. I have long wanted to join this group.

To complete my studies in the OBOD, to begin them with the SoA, to continue my duties in the AODA...all are worthy paths. There is also the other road of independent study and work. Woven all around and through these things is the Temple.

These are interesting times in a variety of ways.

Bright Blessings.

Dewin Arthes /|\

Busy

Interesting times in the spiritual front. I have resumed my OBOD studies; the new course materials arrived, I have a new mentor, and I feel..invigorated. I have always liked the OBOD material, indeed, I like it most of all.

I shall be contacting my mentor today for the first time; he's in Belgium and I look forward to working with him.

I do not have to start from scratch. I only have to work with the new material, which I would do anyway. I have decided to also review the rest of the course as well as some of the Bardic course; review is never wasted effort.

Jannat can use my Bardic materials for her own course of OBOD studies, and if she completes that she can also use my Ovate materials, for a very reasonable fee. My student has begun the Bardic grade as well, so we lack for nothing when it comes to people to natter with and work alongside. They will get their own mentors for the Bardic grade of course.

I have been revamping and reorganizing Oakstone Grove; bringing it more closely in line with the material in the Druid Grove Handbook. I have been working on the regalia as well. By Alban Elfed it should all be up to snuff, so to speak. I even have the official version of the Alban Elfed AODA ritual. It is quite organized. If you like lodge type structure, it is highly appealing.

I should complete my Ovate Grade and move into Ovate Og soon enough. After that, the Druid Grade of the OBOD, where studies really begin, much as they did when I became an Adept of the AODA. Archdruid, however much it is or can be a lifetime position, is temporary after all. I have never really thought I deserved or earned that, still don't in fact, but I serve as I can. Sometimes better than others I am afraid.

I am also looking hard at the Sisterhood of Avalon. I may be able to join and learn with this Order too. Time will tell. Certainly I find the books published by the Morgen quite illuminating and fascinating to read.

I listen to the Druidcast podcast, mostly at this point older casts so I can catch up. Currently the ones I am listening to daily are from 2009. This is an awesome resource in general and for the OBOD in particular. I do listen to the new ones straight away, but between those I listen to the older ones. Slowly catching up.

Too, there is the Temple work that is ongoing. I have a pretty busy routine where spiritual things are concerned, yes indeed. :)

Siani

Moving onward

A cool, rainy morning. Really a good morning to take up the Crane Bag and the Staff and start wandering the longer paths and trails once again. The shorter paths have served their purpose well, but it is time to return to longer ways. :)

The staff I walk with I have had for some 25 years. It is somewhat taller than I am, an octagonal piece of white oak, and it has a bit of simple carving on it, a bit of leather wrapping, and a bunch of feathers bound to the top of it, with the odd bead or sigil added in. The feathers are all those found on my rambles about the area, mostly crow feathers.

One has to be a bit careful with this as some feathers can get a person arrested just for picking them up off the ground. I am all for conservation, but really, we need a bit of sense in what we do. The law as it stands is meant to allow maximum laziness while meting out maximum penalty. Oh, and supposedly save costs on actual investigations. Idiots.

Whatever, most of mine are quite legal crow feathers, with a wild turkey feather in there as well, which is also legal, thank you.

Perhaps the new Ovate course will arrive this week. It is about due, but mail from overseas can take a long time. :)

I am still rearranging and reorganizing things in the apartment, along with divesting myself of a LOT of stuff. I have made solid progress, but the rain over the next few days will focus efforts indoors for the most part, with occasional dashes to main storage between showers. Once this is complete I will be a lot happier. There is an urgency behind this that I cannot explain and refuse to ignore.

I figure the next time we have visitors there will be a deal more space than they are accustomed to seeing here. A good thing too.

It is said it took some twenty years for one to become a Druid. I have that in formal study and more besides. If I included self or informal study it would be closer to thirty odd years. Pagan for over forty years. It is all just stuff. I have studied and explored a long time but I am still a student. I hope I am always a student; I never wish to get to the point where I think I know it all. All too common with humanity.

I do call myself a Druid...I often leave off the 'Neo' or 'Modern' parts as it seems to be a kind of temporizing comment, almost an apology. I live in the here and now...if that does not get across the concept of a new or modern Druid then so be it. My focus is the land where I live and the tribes who are resident here; as I have said before, I honor Ireland, Wales, Britain, and Brittany, but I don't live there. My concerns are here, and now, not there and then.

I wear white, or off white. I also wear a nemyss...although a hat will take its place on sunny days (I face South and that means into the sun year round). I may add a hood to my robe. I have no fear of being mistaken for the KKK or any other group. Some do. I do not. Education and illumination is part of what we, as Druids, do. We also take risks; Druids speak Truth to Power and that is an inherently risky business. Just how it works.

Dewin Arthes /|\

Fallow

It has been a long time. Sometimes I think we have to lie fallow, much as we let lie a hard-used field, before we can bear forth again. Sometimes we can decided to do this, other times it simply occurs. All things in their time of course.

After long thought and consideration, and after many fits and starts, I have finally decided to acquire the new Ovate course from the OBOD. I have the old course in its entirety, of course, but the course has been revised and the old one no longer suits. I look forward to seeing the changes in a couple of weeks. The Ovate grade tends to take as long as it needs to complete, regardless of the desires of the practitioner.

I have been getting caught up with the Druidcast, the Druid Podcast put out by the OBOD. The OBOD, by the way, is the other Druid Order I belong to. The AODA is the one I have been most active with in recent years.

OBOD = Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids.

AODA = Ancient Order of Druids in America

There is a chance I may also become a Sister of Avalon down the line. :) The book 'Avalon Within' by Jhenah Telyndru is excellent. She is the Founder and the Morgen of the Sisterhood of Avalon. SOA.

'The Druid Grove Handbook' by John Michael Greer is excellent, as usual.

As I am about to revamp my own Grove to a large degree, it is a timely thing o be re-reading these books.

Alban Elfed is coming. Aye, Lughnasad is barely over. Nonetheless, Alban Elfed is near. Being one of the four main celebration days of the AODA, rather than an optional one as the four Fire Festivals are, it carries a bit more importance. I am considering death as a topic of discussion; yes, it is Second Harvest and all, but it also marks the winding down of the harvests and the year. Appropriate I think, and it seems to me this topic is one largely avoided or glossed over by many. Having died and been sent back, and living at once in both worlds, I think perhaps it is a good thing to discuss.

I have resumed harping after a lapse...but as usual it seems the lapse has been beneficial. Apparently these periods are times when part of me digests what I have been working on, preparing for future work. I am fine with this.

Dewin Arthes /|\

Temple Tidings

Some time ago, measured in years, I looked into metal stamps for use in my forge. They were hard to find at best and generally had to be custom made...and were not cheap even then.

Now, however, stamping small designs in pieces of metal has become popular after a fashion, such that small stamps...up to about 3/8" diameter rod...are easily available with a variety of designs for use with silver, gold, brass, or copper. 

I could have made my own if I had not had to shut down my forge and pack it away. Still, I may be able to make a few for specific purposes. I have practiced with simple mild steel rods and files in working on tengwar characters. The mild steel works, but it does tend to rust of course. Tool steel is better naturally..that would be high carbon steel. This is harder to work with, unsurprisingly and since annealing steel requires air cooling, is quite challenging to do in a cluttered space like an apartment. Non-ferrous metals are water quenched to anneal so are safer and more easily accomplished.

Where I am going with this; I am after making, or having made, some stamps with very specific designs to do with polytheism and paganism on them, and in particular designs for use with the Temple. Some of our dresses can have small metal plates sewn to them. While plain is doable, stamped or repousse work plates are preferred. The metal is quite thin as it must be, and I would be using copper of around 20 or 22 gauge, maybe even 24. Stamping or working appropriate designs into these plates for use with the dresses, veils, and hats would certainly benefit the Temple well. 

I could perhaps make others for use by other folk outside of the Temple. A kind of Tithecraft perhaps, although I am also thinking mosaic work since I have a very keen love for mosaics. I also have the tools and that does not require fire and heat to do..and requires little space. All one needs is tiles to work with, the cutting hardy, hammer, grout, adhesive and there we go. Trivets and display items could be done, at simplest. It is just a thought at the moment, but an intriguing one  all the same.

Today I am cutting green fabric. This will not have kick panels in it as I will make it a little looser around the legs for movement purposes...and I want the green of the dress to show through the outer dress kick panels. Since it won't have kick panels it will probably feature strip decoration and embroidery. Yes, it is generally hidden under the outer dress..in cold weather. I shall have to do this again with orange fabric..probably silk, certainly linen. I have to make multiples for frequent wear so both materials will be used.

The hat...for warm weather...possibly occasionally even cold weather at times...will be cream colored and feature worked metal plates. It will have a veil attached, of fire orange or tangerine silk, again with worked plates lining the edges. If one is an Enaree and the Adepta Mater of a Temple, one has rather stricter requirements and expectations to meet. 

A great deal of work has been done. Far more remains to be done. There is the Temple Ger to work on, the rites, rituals, traditions, and customs of the Temple to work on, the Codex of the Living Flame to look to starting, Tithecrafts to sort out, future faires to consider and so on. Founding a Temple is no easy task by any means. It is a lot of work, work that cannot be pushed to the back so occupies almost all of my time.

Busy times.


Kowis Bhermi

 

Thoughts

So...we get some more 'massacres' (they aren't, not really, but it sells so there you go) and now the law abiding owners of firearms find themselves the target of more legislation to restrict the acquisition of firearms. The idea being to keep them out of the hands of irresponsible and criminal folks....although from what they have actually promulgated it seems more like trying to restrict honest folk in the hope that dishonest folk cannot steal their weapons.

Too many people tell me the 2nd Amendment says nothing about defense from our own government. That it applied to the 'weapons of the time'. Well, even a cursory examination of the letters and commentaries penned by men such as Madison, Jefferson, Adams, and Washington will make it crystal clear the Amendment was and is meant to allow the People to defend themselves from their own government should the need ever arise (Gods forbid). 'Weapons of the time' is a ridiculous statement meant for ignorant, non-thinking people. Of course they were weapons of the time...that is what they had...but more, the intent was to arm the People so they could stand against their own government and its forces...to be overwhelmingly capable, in the words of one. That means that in the realm of small arms civilians *must* have, and ought to be required to have, military grade weapons.

Try standing against a modern military with modern weapons with shotguns, hunting rifles, and muskets. You will not last long.

I agree that mental health needs seeing to, absolutely. I disagree with punishing the honest to get the dishonest. It is easy to blame guns..and for some, by extension, anyone who has them...for the evils in the world. However, more folk were killed with hammers than with military grade weapons last year. Cars even. Guns are meant to kill..well, duh. So are knives...and more has been done with those than with military grade weapons.

I shall not disarm. However, I will not purchase any more modern firearms either. My focus, when it comes to firearms, has been and will continue to be on muzzleloaders..that is, flintlocks and caplocks. They are not considered firearms at the moment ...and of course, they will probably get attention now since some nasty deranged reenactor is probably planning to go 'massacre' a bunch of people with his firelock. *snorts* Don't laugh; the atlatl is prohibited from use in most places, and specifically from hunting...for which it is designed. Slings. Slingshots. So many people murdered by these, aye, they need banning, don't they? Yeah, sarcasm.

Always the easy way out. Always the way that divides and conquers.

Weapons do not kill people by themselves. They have to be used to do that. People kill people using the tools that are weapons, whatever form they may take.

Fortunately for me, I have been withdrawing from modern culture and Imperial culture for some years now. One step at a time. This year promises to see major progress at last...since I have cleared already a goodly amount of extraneous junk. The increase in taxation, the decrease in income, the uncertainty of the job situations...all have lead to serious reexaminations by some folk making the endeavor to withdraw much easier.

The Temple needs none of it, to be honest, and the first one will be a ger in any case. Sacred Space is helping in their way and we are fortunate and blessed for it. All things in their time after all. The Temple is, or will be, a repository of knowledge and skills, especially the 'hand' skills. A light in the gathering darkness, after a fashion. Assuming I am successful and it lives. It is about withdrawing from the rat race, from establishing a slower way of living, in sync with the natural cycles and rhythms..finding one's place in the Way of Life. Among other things.

From Aspirant to Kerdhjos, from Aspirant to Enaree it is about hard work, contemplation, meditation, hand skills, and harmony of spirit and life. It is not meant to be easy..it certainly is not from my end. O-o It teaches a nature spirituality in the form of a philosophy of living around which is built a polytheist faith. Yes, it is rather religious and is entirely Pagan; the others all have plenty of 'temples' of their own.

It has no lineage...not anything one can trace in modern times anyway; it has been a couple of thousand years and more since last this particular focus has been around (as far as we can determine). No, I am not using any of my credentials from other Orders or groups in doing this. All things have a starting point and this one is new. All lineages begin somewhere..in the case of the AODA it is apostolic (even though most Christian groups would probably not accept it as proper). In this case, it comes from Herself. That is good enough for me. It is good enough for others too, obviously. It starts here. If that is a problem for someone, then we are not for them and they not for us. A fairly simple and quite amicable situation.

So busy, aye, but doing things of worth, things that matter. A nifty thing really. Very satisfying..and sometimes scary. ;)

Siani

Wow, been a bit. I have been busy.

First, there's the building and launching of the Temple...now there's a real task. Seriously difficult and detailed things to handle in the process, not least among them the 'face' of it, as in how it interfaces with the rest of society. There's the fund raising aspects of it...tithecrafting and faires and whatnot. There is the fact that is isn't like most 'churches' in that it does not exist to serve the flocks...rather, its presence is for serving the Gods and Herself in particular. To that end the clergy are 'regular' rather than traditional...we focus on the Gods we serve...and if in the process that benefits the Tribes then awesome sauce is served up. I shan't go into any real detail at this stage and some of it only the members of the Temple will ever know. Mysteries aren't if they are available to everyone and sundry. As difficult as it is, I love it.

Second, there's getting back into the appropriate routine vis a vis physical health. I slacked for a bit there but that is over and with a vengeance.

There are the duties pertaining to my Druid Orders and the holding of rituals around the Wheel of the year. A never ending routine that I enjoy. 

I rarely have the tube on any longer; the noise coming from it is just that; noise, with no real value beyond divisiveness and hatred. I watch movies now and then, and a show or two, but for the most part it remains off. Funny how that clears the mind at once.

Still working on paleotech..that won't stop. However, I am also working with more modern stuff too; the German mountain rucksack I have is about to be renovated even as I use it. I love this pack. There is the making of Winter over pants in good wool. Preferably from field green/grey fabric, which is ridiculously hard to come by...possibly due to its association with WWII Germany...their uniforms were that color. It is, however, a near perfect color for our terrain...for blending in. My bergmutze is of that color wool. 

Wool, already expensive, is getting more so...due in part to modern folk suddenly 'discovering' its properties..which some of us have known of all along. Damned faddish behavior. Aggravates me. It is not my task to warn and inform the public about such things..and I do, I must admit, resent a bit those who do so, making it oh so much more difficult for some of us to get what we require. Especially when I have found a nifty source and someone else posts it in the clear...generally when such sources were previously little known. Like it or not, if and when the wheels come off we will be in direct competition with a lot of other folk for a lot of things. I prefer to be in a better position vis a vis those I may have to face rather than trying to equalize things across the board. Too many people, not enough resources...inevitable conflict.

As She told me, and as I cannot forget; "You cannot save all of them. Even if you had the power, I would not allow it." That will *never* be forgotten.

Anyway, that's what has been doing...well, a tiny bit of it anyway.

Siani