September 22nd, 2016

O Autumn, laden with fruit, and stain’d

With the blood of the grape, pass not, but sit

Beneath my shady roof; there thou may’st rest,

And tune thy jolly voice to my fresh pipe, 

And all the daughters of the year shall dance! 

Sing now the lusty song of fruits and flowers. 

“The narrow bud opens her beauties to 

The sun, and love runs in her thrilling veins; 

Blossoms hang round the brows of Morning, and 

Flourish down the bright cheek of modest Eve, 

Till clust’ring Summer breaks forth into singing, 

And feather’d clouds strew flowers round her head.

“The spirits of the air live in the smells 

Of fruit; and Joy, with pinions light, roves round 

The gardens, or sits singing in the trees.” 

Thus sang the jolly Autumn as he sat, 

Then rose, girded himself, and o’er the bleak 

Hills fled from our sight; but left his golden load. 

- William Blake 

A happy Mabon to all; may the coming season bring you abundance, while the growing dark offer you rest and transformation.

The Instructions of King Cormac

I was a listener in the woods,
I was a gazer at the stars,
I was not blind where secrets were concerned,
I was silent in a wilderness,
I was talkative among many,
I was mild in the mead-hall,
I was stern in battle,
I was gentle towards allies,
I was a physician of the sick,
I was weak towards the feeble,
I was strong towards the powerful,
I was not parsimonious lest I should be burdensome,
I was not arrogant though I was wise,
I was not given to vain promises though I was strong,
I was not unsafe though I was swift,
I did not deride the old though I was young,
I was not boastful though I was a good fighter,
I would not speak about anyone in their absence,
I would not reproach, but I would praise,
I would not ask, but I would give.

- Cormac Mac Cuileannáin

King and Poet of Cashel, 836-908 CE

June 6th, 2015

This morning, I read one of the books I bought with Destiny the other day.

Title: The Rune Poem
Translated and Annotated by: Jim Paul
©1996

Paul has a doctorate in medieval literature, and his ongoing translation and re-translation of this ancient poem into English makes for an interesting look at one of the oldest connections to the Futhark runes we have.

As Paul explains, this particular rune poem is from the Germanic tribes of pre-Christian Europe (similar poems also existed in Iceland and Nordic countries). The oldest written copies have all been lost; currently, the only historical record of the original poem comes from a transcription by a Christian monk, which had in turn been transcribed by a series of other monks before him, like a scholarly game of telephone. As a result, some of the original Pagan passages have more Christian overtones. If you have read Beowulf, you've probably encountered this same problem. That being said, thousands of years later (the poem is believed to have first been recorded circa 1000 CE, and had likely existed for centuries before that), the poem still retains both its simple, fluid verse and reference to the magic and daily life of the Anglo-Saxons.

The book begins with a brief introduction to the history and magic of the runes. Then, beautifully illuminated pages show both the rune and the accompanying three lines of verse with Paul's annotations to explain their significance. It's hard to see in my room's poor lighting, but all the colors are metallic, and the surrounding borders draw clear inspiration from art contemporary to the poem.

This is not probably not a book for those already well-versed in runic readings, origins, or meanings. It's really more of an introductory text, almost bearing resemblance to the alphabet books one might read to children. However, if, like me, you've never read the original rune poetry before and aren't necessarily looking for a more expansive book, then this could be one to add to the collection. Also, as I pointed out, it might not be bad for younger individuals interested in runes, either. The large illustrations are attractive, and the language is very straightforward throughout the text.

Overall, it's not a particularly academic text, but I knew it wouldn't be the first time I picked it up. I just wanted a nice translation of the rune poem to read, and Jim Paul's book certainly delivered.

April 15th, 2012

First, a personal update: last night marked the final performance of my high school's spring musical, so I should be home a great deal more now to write up my blog posts. Huzzah!

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In other news, I shall continue my monthly saga of the Celtic tree months. Today begins the month of Willow, called Saille (Sahl-yeh) by the Celts. The Willow belongs to the genus Salix (from Latin sal-, meaning near, and -lis, meaning water), which includes approximately 400 species of deciduous trees and shrubs. They grow in moist soil, are found primarily in the northern hemisphere, and are extremely cross fertile, meaning that both natural and cultivated hybrids are common. The most popular example of such is the Weeping Willow, which is a cross between the Peking Willow from China and the White Willow from Europe. All Willows have sap heavily charged with salicylic acid (similar to the active ingredient in aspirin, and used in many acne treatments), and the roots are typically stoloniferous, or runner-producing. Indeed, the roots of the willow are extremely tough, and in some varieties will happily grow even from parts of the plant well above the ground. With regard to flowers, the willow produces catkins that are both male and female, and are generally purple or orange.
The Willow is prevalent in mythology and legend from across the globe. In Japan, the tree is associated with ghosts, and the Japanese believe that wherever one grows, a ghost may appear. Similarly, the Willow is frequently planted in or near European graveyards, and in China, the branches of the Willow are employed during the Qingming, or "tomb-sweeping", festival. At this time, the god of the underworld allows the dead to return temporarily, and as these spirits may not always be welcome, the Willow is said to ward them off. Some Christian churches in northern Europe use Willow branches instead of palms on Palm Sunday, and in Wicca, the Willow is mentioned in the Rede as being one of the Nine Sacred Woods, and is used to guide the dead to the Summerland. It is also common in rites of fertility. In ancient Greece, for example, willow leaves were placed in the beds of infertile women, which was believed to call mystical snakes from the underworld to cure them. In later times, the association was switched, and willow was used to drive snakes away. Today, a pregnant woman may place an article of clothing under a willow tree, and if that night even a single leaf falls on the cloth, the woman will be granted an easy childbirth by the spirit of the Willow. The tree is also sacred to poets, as the wind whistling through the branches is said to inspire the mind.
Because of its connection to the dead, Willow is commonly associated with the element Spirit. Burn Willow to help ease the spirit of the deceased, and use it to bring new energy to the elderly or sick. Since the tree deals with the cycles of life, change, and will, it can be employed in magick dealing with those things. It is also associated with the element Water, and is an excellent wood to use in making a water-dowsing rod. Further, it is tied to feminine energy, and can be employed in love spells, or spells to aid in womanly matters. According to tradition, willow bark is to be used to bind sacred and/or magickal objects together. A besom, for instance, will traditionally have an Ash handle and Birch twigs for the broom, bound with Willow. It is also a popular wood in carving wands and talismans.
Willow bark is edible, and is frequently made into teas to reduce rheumatism, indigestion, and whooping cough. To make a willow decoction, useful for soothing inflamed tonsils or gums, soak three teaspoons of willow bark in cold water for two to five hours, before boiling. Then strain, and drink a glass daily.