tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-80287704934911091332024-03-13T06:03:59.209-04:00A Wren's voiceSteter Tropfen höhlt den SteinAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.comBlogger45125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-31909263831513762322017-11-13T00:50:00.000-05:002017-11-13T00:50:05.864-05:00Scottish Gaelic for Gaelic Polytheists<br />
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<b><b>Scottish Gaelic </b></b></div>
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<b>For Gaelic Polytheists </b></div>
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<b>From: Dance of Oak and Wren: Rites of Draíocht by Robert Barton</b></div>
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Dance-Oak-Wren-Rites-Draiocht/dp/1304745511">https://www.amazon.com/Dance-Oak-Wren-Rites-Draiocht/dp/1304745511</a></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Greeting the Sun</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Failte ort fèin, a grian nan tràth<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Hail to you, you sun of seasons</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">‘S tu siubhal ard nan speur<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>As you traverse the skies above</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Do cheumaibh truen air sgèith nan ard<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Your steps are strong on wings of the heavens</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">‘S tu màthair àigh nan reul<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>You are the glorious mother of the stars</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Thu laighe sios cuan na dith<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>You lay down in the destructive ocean</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Gun diobh is gun sgàth<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Without impairment and without fear</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Thu ‘g èirigh suas air stuagh na sith<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>You rise up on the peaceful wavecrest</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Mar rioghainn òg fo bhlath<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Like a queenly maiden in bloom</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Peace</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sìth air gach uinneig, air gach doras. Peace on every window and every door.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sìth air gach tolla leigheas solas. Peace on every opening that lets in light.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sìth air ceithir oiseannan mo thaighe. Peace on the four corners of my house.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sìth air ceither oiseannan mo leaba. Peace on the four corners of my bed.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sìth air gach nì achì mo shuil. Peace on everything seen by my eye.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sìth air gach nì a tha dha m’bhrù. Peace on everything taken in by my mouth.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sìth air mo chorpa tha dh’an uir. Peace on my body of earth.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sìth is air m’anam thàin os cionn. Peace on my soul from on high.</span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Blessing</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sith co Nem<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Peace up to the heavens.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nem co doman<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Heavens down to earth.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Doman fo nem<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Earth under heavens</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nearst hi cach<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Strength in all</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seo an teine choisrigte. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Behold the sacred flame.</span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">(From the center) (From the edge)</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Ón lár chuig an imeall</i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <i>Seo an nèamhaidh</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Ón lár chuig an imeall</i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <i>Dìon nan Diathan air an àite seo</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Ón lár chuig an imeall Gu robh beannachd nan Diathan agus ar sinnsearan air</i> <i>an nèamhaidh seo.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan a tha san talamh <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gods in the earth</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan a tha san neamh<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gods in the sky</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan a tha sa mhuir mhóir bhòcaich Gods in the great pouring sea</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dìon nan Diathan air An àite seo. Protection of the gods on this place.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Gu robh beannachd na Diathan agus ar Sinnsearan air an àite seo. May the gods and ancestors bless this place.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ann an gaol nan Diathan In the love of the Gods</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ann an gràdh nan Diathan In the affection of the Gods</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ann an toil nan Diathan In the will of the Gods</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ann an suil nan Diathan In the eye of the Gods</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ann an run nan Diathan In the purpose of the Gods</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ann an cùram nan Diathan In the charge of the Gods</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ón áit os comhair àr sùile chuig an áit istigh iontu. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">From before our eyes to within them.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 34px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Aid of the Gods</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sith co Nem<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Peace up to the heavens.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nem co doman<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Heavens down to earth.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Doman fo nem<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Earth under heavens</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nearst hi cach<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Strength in all</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seo an teine choisrigte. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Behold the sacred flame.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">(From the center) (From the edge)</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Ón lár chuig an imeall</i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <i>Seo an nèamhaidh</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Ón lár chuig an imeall</i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <i>Dìon nan Diathan air an àite seo</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Ón lár chuig an imeall Gu robh beannachd nan Diathan agus ar sinnsearan air</i> <i>an nèamhaidh seo.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i></i><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan a tha san talamh <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gods in the earth</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan a tha san neamh<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gods in the sky</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan a tha sa mhuir mhóir bhòcaich Gods in the great pouring sea</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dìon nan Diathan air An àite seo. Protection of the gods on this place.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Gu robh beannachd na Diathan agus ar Sinnsearan air an àite seo. May the Gods and ancestors bless this place.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Mo, do, or bhur may be used.</i> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan mo chaim<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The gods to my enfolding.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan mo chuirt<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> …surrounding</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan mo chain<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> …speaking</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan mo smuai<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> …thinking</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan mo chadal<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> …sleeping</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan mo dhùsg<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> …waking</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan mo chaithris<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> …watching</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan mo dhùil<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> …hoping</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan mo bheatha<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> …life</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan mo bhilibh<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> …lips</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan m’ anam<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> …soul</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan mo chridhe<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> …heart</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan mo riaradh<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> …sufficiency</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan mo shuain<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> …slumber</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan m’ anam siorraidh<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> …everliving soul</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan m’ bhioth bhuan<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> …eternity</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ón áit os comhair àr sùile chuig an áit istigh iontu. From before our eyes to within them. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 27px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Journey blessing</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sith co Nem<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Peace up to the heavens.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nem co doman<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Heavens down to earth.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Doman fo nem<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Earth under heavens</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nearst hi cach<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Strength in all</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seo an teine choisrigte. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Behold the sacred flame.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">(From the center) (From the edge)</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Ón lár chuig an imeall</i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <i>Seo an nèamhaidh</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Ón lár chuig an imeall</i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <i>Dìon nan Diathan air an àite seo</i></span></div>
<div style="font: 17.0px Times New Roman; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 144.0px; text-indent: -144.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Ón lár chuig an imeall Gu robh beannachd nan Diathan agus ar sinnsearan air</i> <i>an nèamhaidh seo.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i></i></span><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan a tha san talamh <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gods in the earth</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan a tha san neamh<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gods in the sky</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan a tha sa mhuir mhóir bhòcaich Gods in the great pouring sea</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dìon nan Diathan air An àite seo. Protection of the gods on this place.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Gu robh beannachd na Diathan agus ar Sinnsearan air an àite seo. May the gods and ancestors bless this place.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Manannan bhith leat air gach bealach. Manannan be with you in every pass.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Manannan bhith leat air gach talach. Manannan be with you on every hill.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Manannan bhith leat air gach strutha. Manannan be with you at every stream.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ruadh, s’raighe, is rèid lein. Headland ridge and lawn.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Gach muir is tir, gach frith is cluan. Each sea and land, each moor and meadow.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Gach laighe sios, gach éirigh suas. Each lying down, each rising up.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">An lag nantonn, air barr nan stuagh. In trough of waves, on crest of billows.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Gach ceum dh’an chuart dh’an téid thu. Each step of the journey you go.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Extinguishing fire.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ón áit os comhair àr sùile chuig an áit istigh iontu. From before our eyes to within them.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 29px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Charm of Protection</span></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Sith co Nem<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Peace up to the heavens.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nem co doman<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Heavens down to earth.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Doman fo nem<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Earth under heavens</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nearst hi cach<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Strength in all</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="font: 17.0px Times New Roman; line-height: 23.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seo an teine choisrigte. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Behold the sacred flame.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">(From the center) (From the edge)</span></i></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Ón lár chuig an imeall</i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <i>Seo an nèamhaidh</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Ón lár chuig an imeall</i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> <i>Dìon nan Diathan air an àite seo</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><i>Ón lár chuig an imeall Gu robh beannachd nan Diathan agus ar sinnsearan air</i> <i>an nèamhaidh seo.</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan a tha san talamh <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gods in the earth</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan a tha san neamh<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gods in the sky</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Nan Diathan a tha sa mhuir mhóir bhòcaich Gods in the great pouring sea</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dìon nan Diathan air an àite seo. Protection of the gods on this place.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Gu robh beannachd na Diathan agus ar Sinnsearan air an àite seo.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>May the gods and ancestors bless this place.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seun romh shaighead<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Charm against arrow</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seun romh chlaidhe<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Charm against sword</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seun romh shleagha<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Charm against spears</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seun romh bhrùdh ‘s romh bhà thadh. Charm against bruising and against drowning.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seun romh athain<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Charm against firebrand.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seun romh nathair<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Charm against snake</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seun romh bheithir<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Charm against lightning</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seun romh bheud air bhlàraibh. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Charm against harm in fields of battle.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seun romh shiodhach<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Charm against sidhe-child</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seun romh shaoglach<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Charm against earth-child</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seun romh bhiodhbhach<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Charm against hostile one</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Seun romh bhaoghal bàsach<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Charm against deadly peril</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dha do dhìon o do chùlaibh. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To guard you from your back</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Dha do chaomhnadh o t’aghaidh. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To preserve you from your front.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">O mhullach do chin agus t’urla. <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>From the crown of your head and forehead.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Gu dubh bhonn do choise.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>To the sole of your foot.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Is eileann thu am muir.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>An island are you in the sea.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Is tulach thu air tir.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A hill are you on land.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Is fuaran thu am fàsach.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A well are you in wilderness.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Is slàinte thu dh’an tinn.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Health are you to the ill.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ón áit os comhair àr sùile chuig an áit istigh iontu. From before our eyes to within them.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Feast blessing</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bless the Host and host</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Hunter and hunted</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Hands and harvest</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Hearth and hall</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Field and fruit</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Feast and friends</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Cup and contents</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Tongues and tales</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Singers and songs</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Feasting</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">We give praise to the Túatha dé Dannan, the Gods of our people and our Ancestors. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">We thank you for this meal and all that has come before it. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Bless the Field and the Fruit</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The Hunter and the Hunted</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The Hands and the Harvest</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The Brewer and the Brew</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">and the Home and the Hearth </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b></b><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Scottish Gaelic Ritual Terms</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">By</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Alexei Kondratiev</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><b></b><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Gods Nan Diathan</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Ancestors Ar Sinnsearan</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">We are here to honour the Gods. Tha sinn annseo chum urram a chur air na Diathan.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">So be it. Bitheadh e mar sin.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Gods be with you. Na Diathan libh.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> And also with you. Agus leat fhín.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Thank you. Tapadh leat (pl. leibh)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">May the Gods be honoured. Cuirear urram air na Diathan.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Let the gates be opened. Fosgailtear na geataichean.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Let the gates be closed. Dùintear na geataichean.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">May the Gods and ancestors bless ____. Gu robh beannachd nan Diathan agus ar sinnsearan air ______.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Protection of the Gods upon _________. Dìon nan Diathan air_______.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Behold the ______________. Seo an___.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This Sacred Fire. An Teine coisrigte seo. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This Sacred Place. An nèamhaidh seo</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This Sacred Tree. Am Bile seo.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This place. An àite seo.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This Water of life (whiskey). An uisge beatha seo.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This Water. An uisge seo</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This object. An rud seo</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This cup. A' chopain seo</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This well. An tobar seo.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This Stone. An clach seo , (tursach, standing stone)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This pit. An sloc seo</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This Tribe. An treubh seo.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This child. A' phàisde seo.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This man. An fhear seo.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">This woman.<b> </b>A' bhoireannach seo.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-57763107353157431412017-10-24T01:06:00.003-04:002017-10-24T01:08:04.612-04:00Samhain Ritual <br />
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Samhuinn Ritual</div>
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Poball nan Ealachan Naomha</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sacrifice:</span><i> Morrigan </i>Chant continues during blessing: Blessing of <i>Morrigan. Sith co Nem – Nem co doman – Doman fo nem – Nearst hi cach</i></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sacrifice:</span> chant:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>Blàth-fhliosg na mara</i>, <i>Blàth-fhliosg nan talamh</i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Blàth-fhliosg nan neamh<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>A’ Chailleach Màthair nan Diathan</i></div>
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<i> </i>End Chant with: <i>Failte A Chailleach! </i></div>
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- Processional</div>
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Opening by <i>Draoi</i>: “<i>Tha sinn annseo chum urram a chuir air nan Diathan.</i> </div>
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Chant: </div>
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Burn bright, flame within me. Kindled of eternal fire</div>
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Of the people I will be. And the people a part of me</div>
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All are one of many parts. Single fire of flaming hearts.</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sacrifice:</span> Firepriest points at the fire and says: “<i>Seo an teine choisrigte. </i> <i>Failte</i> <i>Daigre</i>. </div>
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Ceann-Poball:<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Draoi responds:</div>
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<i>Ón lár chuig an imeall</i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>Seo an nèamhaidh</i></div>
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<i>Ón lár chuig an imeall</i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>Dìon nan Diathan air an àite seo</i></div>
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<i>Ón lár chuig an imeall</i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><i>Gu robh beannachd nan Diathan agus ar sinnsearan air an- nèamhaidh seo.</i></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sacrifice:</span><i> Honouring from the North. (facing the south): </i>"Ogma sunface, bright champion of the Tuatha Dé Danann we offer to you a gift and ask that you insure our protection in this darkness between worlds and without time."</div>
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Ceann-Poball:<i> "</i>Cuirear urram air ar sinnsearan."</div>
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All Sing:</div>
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From far beyond this mortal plane. Mothers and Fathers of old</div>
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We pray that you return again. Mothers and fathers of old</div>
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To share with us your mystery. Secrets long untold</div>
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Of the ancient ways we seek to reclaim. Mothers and Fathers of old.</div>
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Oh come and tell of a distant age. Mothers and Fathers of old</div>
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King and warrior, bard and mage. Mothers and Fathers of old.</div>
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As you share with us the mysteries. Your stories will unfold</div>
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And the ancient ways we see once again, Mothers and Fathers of old.</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sacrifice:</span> <i>West- Facing the Skull or Head.</i> "Honoured Dead, those who were before and yet live on in us, as we shall live on in our children. Hear our voices across the sea and among the apples of youth. Receive this gift and show to us your favour." </div>
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Ceann Poball: “Cuirear urram air nan Diathan.”</div>
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Chant continues through entire calling until the patrons have been called:<i> </i> “Gods of the people, people of the gods.” <i>(repeated several times)</i></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sacrifice</span>: Calling to the West. “In great ships they loaded their 4 treasures and themselves, leaving behind forever the four great cities, and sailed through the skies to find a new world. This is how our gods come, and in your coming may you be welcomed. May fires burn in your honour, may there be songs in your presence and may feasts be laid before you." </div>
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Ceann-Poball or Draoi:</div>
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<i>Nan Diathan a tha san talamh</i></div>
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<i>Nan Diathan a tha san neamh</i></div>
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<i>Nan Diathan a tha sa mhuir mhóir bhòrcaich</i></div>
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Naming the patron deities starting with the<i> </i>Ceann-Poball and continuing around the group sunwise.</div>
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<i>Ceann-Poball or Draoi:</i> <i>Samhain...</i></div>
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Chant continues through the calling until signalled to stop.</div>
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<i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Morrigan Morrigan Morrigan Morrigu,</i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Morrigan Morrigan Morrigan Badb,</i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Morrigan Morrigan Morrigan, Macha.</i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Morighain Morrigu, Macha Badb</i></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sacrifice:</span> (<i>A plate of raw meat that has been cut up is taken out and placed for the crows.) </i></div>
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A lone voice says this three times gaining in volume each time. “<i>Under the Darkwing – We Stand!”</i></div>
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<i>*Calling may be memorised or extemporised and may be accompanied by a bodhrán playing in triplets like a running mare. It should be shouted or loudly called in an uninhibited or frenzied manner without restraint starting while standing in the gates and walking to the centre and ending in an intense whisper and period of silence.</i></div>
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“A Mhorrighan, harvester of heroes, hooded black winged shadow over the battle field, a scream in the night, running mare, nightmare. She wolf running just there, in the dark. Charging Red Heifer. Voice of poetry, poetry of destiny, destiny of the hero. Entanglement under the waves and the washer at the ford and a lover by the riverside. A fire-pit cooking a feast of fate – light of the Fianna. Great Queen, Great Queens. Maker of kings, running red mare falling, birthing. Nine tresses your hair, you who are many and you who is one. Know her and Be Still.”</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sacrifice:</span> <i>The head of Donn is picked up and carried in from the west and around before the people and then held up in the centre. </i></div>
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- “Donn, Lord of Tech Duinn<i>,</i> the first of The Sons of Míl to die in Ireland, you wait patiently in your house to the West, an Island among the waves, a respite beyond death.</div>
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<i>- The old year fire is extinguished in silence and Donn is returned to the West.</i></div>
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<i>Ceann-Poball</i> <i>begins the calling of the role of the dead in darkness on the first round, each person will introduce theirself and call a name or just silently look to the person to their left to signal their silence. There will be three rounds and on the third round any remaining names are called and each person looks to their left to signal when they are finished.</i></div>
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*Stand in silent contemplation for several moments.</div>
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Chant: </div>
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Burn bright, flame within me. Kindled of eternal fire</div>
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Of the people I will be. And the people a part of me</div>
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All are one of many parts. Single fire of flaming hearts.</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Sacrifice:</span> Firepriest lights the new year fire and says: “<i>Seo an teine choisrigte.</i></div>
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<i>Ìobairtear carries around the covered plate of the cut up bannock with one marked piece. Each adult of the Poball takes a piece and holds it without looking until everyone has a piece then the Ìobairtear signals and everyone shows their piece and the Ìobairtear identifies the chosen person and if necessary this is repeated until the marked piece is pulled. </i></div>
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<i>The Taiséadach is draped around the diviner for the divination: “Gu robh beannachd nan Diathan air an ogam seo” is said if using ogam for the divination.</i></div>
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<i>Cord with requests tied into it is picked up by the Ceann-Poball and held aloft, then handed to the Draoi to leave in the woods or burn. </i></div>
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The Spring Water: "Waters of land, bring to us the touch and blessings of this world:</div>
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The Rain Water: "Falling waters of the sky, bring to us the blessings of the High Ones."</div>
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The Sea Water: "Waves of the waters of the sea, bring to our shore the blessings of the ancestors."</div>
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Waters of memory: "Waters of memory, allow us to drink the flowing traditions and blessings of our people."<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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Draoi says: "Bless these waters of life that they may flow to and through us, may the wells of blessing spring to life within us and fill us with waves of joy and prosperity. <i>"Seo an uisge choisrigte. </i></div>
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All<i> </i>respond: <i>Seo an uisge choisrigte</i></div>
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Refill the water of mystery. </div>
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Thank Donn: Donn, master of the house which is the first stop on the journey of the dead <i>Tapadh Leibh </i></div>
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Thank An Mórrígan: <i>Morríghan, </i>Great Queen, Great Queens, <i>Tapadh Leibh </i></div>
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Thank the Deities of the Poball: “Gods and Goddesses of our Fathers and Mothers, High Ones of the Ancestors, Rulers of these realms and the forces that fill them. You protect and provided for the people as they scatter across the land in the season of growth. We ask that you once again aid this tribe as our heads, hands and hearts turn to the season of darkness and cold. Shining Ones of elder days, for your blessings, <i>Tapadh leibh,</i>”</div>
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Thank The Ancestors: “Mothers and Fathers of blood and of spirit, most honoured ancestors, for who we are and for your blessings,<i> Tapadh leibh”</i> </div>
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Thank Protector Deity: “<i>Ogma</i>, great champion of the Gods for your protection,<i> Tapadh leibh</i>”</div>
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Firepriest/ess “<i>Ón áit os comhar ár suile, chuig an áit istigh íontu”</i> <i>Daigre,</i> <i>Tapadh leibh</i></div>
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Thank An Cailleach: <i>A Chailleach </i>Mother of mountains, islands, tribes and gods.<i> Tapadh leibh.</i></div>
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Restate the Morrigan blessing<i>.</i><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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<i>Ceann-Poball or Draoi: </i>"As our ancestors have done in the depths of ages past, so we have done today. May each of us go from this place carrying the blessings of our people, our ancestors and our gods. <i>Gu robh beannachd nan Diathan agus ar sinnsearan air an poball seo</i>. <i>Cuirear urram air nan Diathan an duigh, a nochd agus suthain.” </i></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-24833288672375065462017-08-29T01:55:00.003-04:002017-08-29T01:58:21.676-04:00<br />
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Are you ready for Fall-Winter?</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Zxta8rPnu8/WaUBl6m573I/AAAAAAAAFFc/_7FUI2NPcU04RC7m0KCRD4CeVV1xMGn4gCLcBGAs/s1600/snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="426" data-original-width="640" height="213" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8Zxta8rPnu8/WaUBl6m573I/AAAAAAAAFFc/_7FUI2NPcU04RC7m0KCRD4CeVV1xMGn4gCLcBGAs/s320/snow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font: 15.0px Helvetica;"> </span>- It's a big mistake to assume that "we've been through this before" and that "we'll be fine". That type of lazy attitude is 'The Hare that lost the race'. Your job as adult to is to provide your children and family a means of comfort and safety. If there is a situation, it's best to be proactive, have a plan and be as prepared as you can be. The Weather Man calls for a storm and the stores fill up with people often in a mindset of panic. Soon everything you (think you need) will be limited or gone. </div>
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Most peoples mentality is "on the last roll" They don't go buy or stock up or even think they even need something until they are almost out of it. "Hun, can ya grab me a roll of toilet paper we are out." Do not assume what you need will be available when everyone else has the same idea and needs as you do. Guess what? A Storm hits and you cant get to the store, then what? Worse even, you're stuck at work or stuck on the road. How prepared are you for that? This is not to cause panic or install fear, it's to keep your eyes wide open to where we live and what can happen here. </div>
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<b>Heat:</b></div>
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How do you heat your home?</div>
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Do you have a back-up way to heat your home?</div>
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Is it Energy Efficient? </div>
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Should you plastic your windows, and have things for door drafts?</div>
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Can you go A WEEK with NO Electricity, and still be comfortable?</div>
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~ In the Winter time during a major storm when there is no electricity and no power- if you also have no heat, your house is basically a primitive shelter from the elements. You'll be surprised how cold it really can get inside with no heat. You'll be in sleeping bags, under covers and wearing hats and gloves inside! </div>
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With no heat, and no running water, your pipes can freeze and then burst. Clean that up at 3 am in the dark. Not fun. </div>
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<b>Light:</b></div>
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What back up Light sources do you have? </div>
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- Do you have enough to Last a week? </div>
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Flashlights and Headlamps are great, but they suck batteries. </div>
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Candles are good, and provide minimal heat, but are a limited resource and dont give off lots of light. Plus fire can be dangerous. </div>
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Oil lamps are nice, but can get hot and just like candles are dangerous if you have kids, pets, etc. Fire-bad! </div>
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Glow sticks are fun options for kids, are cheap, and work okay. </div>
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Have options!<span style="font: 15.0px Helvetica;"> </span></div>
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- Have a fire extinguisher and know how to use it. </div>
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<b>Cooking: </b></div>
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How will you be preparing and cooking your Food if there is no power?</div>
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- Do you have a gas/propane Grill, AND/OR a Charcoal Grill? </div>
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Perhaps you have a Fire Pit in the yard, Do you have cookware for it, and a dry wood supply?</div>
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~ What do you know about 'Solar Cooking'? </div>
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Look into making a solar cook box!</div>
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<b>Water:</b></div>
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<span style="font: 15.0px Helvetica;"><b> </b></span>If there is a serious emergency, there will be no water or no safe water to drink. Stores will be out of stock and thats even if you can get to them. Your toilets will also stop running if its a very serious emergency.</div>
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~ How much water do you plan to keep stocked up? </div>
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Remember, 1 gallon of water per day, per person. (This is ONLY drinking water) That is minimal. You'll need water to basic hygiene, and for cleaning pots and pans, also water for food prep. etc. </div>
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If you are on a well, how does your pump work? Do you have a solar option, a generator option, and even a hand pump option? </div>
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- Remember, you can go three weeks without food but only three days without water. </div>
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<b>Food:</b></div>
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<span style="font: 20.0px Helvetica;"><b> </b></span>What foods will you stock up on? What foods store well, and are easy to prepare. Each family has different needs, some have allergies, others have dietary/medical needs or personal/religious beliefs. Sit down, make a list and each week while doing normal Shopping, buy a little extra for your storage. Beans and Rice go a long way! </div>
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<b><i>~ Great, you have some form of heat. You have water, and food... Do you have to use the toilet yet?!</i></b></div>
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How will you and (how many people in your house?) be using the toilet? Especially if you have how much toilet paper left in the house and now your toilet doesn't flush! </div>
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also to consider: Given that you wont have Garbage pick up, where do you put all your trash? </div>
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<b>Medical: </b></div>
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<span style="font: 18.0px Helvetica;"><b> </b></span><b> </b>Do you have the medications required on hand if you can not get to the Pharmacy?! What if the Ambulance can not get to your house? Address any pre-existing family medical needs and have back ups on hand. </div>
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<b>POWER:</b></div>
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<span style="font: 18.0px Helvetica;"><b> </b></span>Do you have a generator, a back up generator? Do you have enough gasoline for it? Can you even get to the store to get gas? What about a Solar Generator? </div>
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<b>Free-Time:</b></div>
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<span style="font: 18.0px Helvetica;"><b> </b></span>Given that you'll not be going to work or school, what will you do with your time?! Do you have books, games, family activities? Part of comfort is a state of relaxation, can you do this with no power? Can your children be comfortable reading, coloring, doing fun projects, even helping make food can be family fun. </div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-71lLtp50u3k/WaUBuGCIAvI/AAAAAAAAFFg/JIfJ3KGtHBUFnBZdQdTonqsMQABog0lAgCLcBGAs/s1600/snowmap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="640" height="175" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-71lLtp50u3k/WaUBuGCIAvI/AAAAAAAAFFg/JIfJ3KGtHBUFnBZdQdTonqsMQABog0lAgCLcBGAs/s320/snowmap.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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* Here are some of my families go to items. Your family may require different things.<span style="font: 15.0px Helvetica;"> </span></div>
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<b>Basic Baking Needs</b></div>
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<b>Bread</b></div>
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Flours, various kinds.</div>
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Any Grains that are whole you'll need a mill grinder</div>
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Cornmeal</div>
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Oatmeal</div>
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Powdered Milk or substitute </div>
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Dried whole eggs or substitute </div>
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Baking Powder</div>
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Baking Soda </div>
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Salt</div>
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Yeast</div>
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<b>Spices and Flavorings</b></div>
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Cinnamon</div>
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Vanilla</div>
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Baking Cocoa</div>
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-other spices and flavors</div>
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<b>Sweeteners </b></div>
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White Sugar</div>
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Honey (I like local-raw honey myself) </div>
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Brown sugar</div>
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Maple Syrup (The real kind) </div>
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Stevia</div>
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-other sweeteners</div>
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<b>Fats and Oils</b> </div>
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Shortening </div>
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Butter Powder</div>
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- Margarine powder (optional) </div>
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Shortening powder</div>
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Olive oil</div>
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Vegetable oil</div>
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Canola oil</div>
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Corn oil</div>
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- other oils and fats</div>
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(coffee can in fridge with bacon fat) </div>
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<b>Extra Stuff:</b></div>
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Raisins </div>
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Dried/Dehydrated fruits</div>
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Nuts</div>
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Seeds</div>
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extras (think what goes well in various types of breads) </div>
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~ What non-perishable foods can you easily obtain weekly? Buy what you like such as soups, tuna fish, sardines, rice and beans, pasta, cans of sauce, TVP (Textured Vegetable Protein) , gravies, and even spam hahaha. Think of things like Protein. Peanut butter is great, other nut butters, sunflower butter or soy butter even work well. Canned meats are very important for those that are use to a very meat filled diet. Can or frozen fruits and veggies are good to have on hand. You can also get fresh and dehydrate, or can yourself. Jams/Jelly, puddings, drink mixes, even ramen noodles (skip the packets they come with, there is enough sodium in them for like 5 days of a dietary requirement) </div>
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Think drinks like Coffee, tea, hot cocoa that you might want to have. </div>
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<b><i>IMPORTANT NOTE</i></b></div>
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Do you have any pets? You'll need to remember food and water for them during such hard times.</div>
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<b>Non-Food Items</b></div>
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Aluminum foil</div>
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Matches/Lighters</div>
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Napkins</div>
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Paper stuff like cups, plates, towels</div>
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Plastic cutlery if thats your thing</div>
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ziplock bags- various sizes</div>
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toilet paper</div>
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trash bags</div>
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<b>Hygine:</b></div>
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Female products</div>
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Shampoo/Conditioner</div>
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Soap</div>
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Shaving?</div>
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Toothbrush/toothpaste </div>
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Towels/washcloths</div>
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other stuff ....</div>
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<b>Cleaners:</b></div>
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Bleach</div>
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Cleanser</div>
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Dish soap </div>
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Hand soap </div>
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Laundry soap?</div>
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other items ....</div>
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I'm sure there are many more things to list, but this is up to your family to think about and address. Sit down at dinner together and discuss what you would want to have on hand. </div>
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If you're havin' a shut in for a good week and all your needs are addressed and everyone is safe, warm, well hydrated and fed; I highly suggest to relax with a few drinks and a good book. No wants to shovel 7 feet of snow to get to a car that will not take you anywhere, or to a road no one is not plowed. Stock up your bar! </div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8oxV-VE7BbI/WaUB0N9_fRI/AAAAAAAAFFk/fIwBk7VBUYA63gHaMUfBVnpi6ixBmImnQCLcBGAs/s1600/snowhouse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="408" data-original-width="640" height="204" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8oxV-VE7BbI/WaUB0N9_fRI/AAAAAAAAFFk/fIwBk7VBUYA63gHaMUfBVnpi6ixBmImnQCLcBGAs/s320/snowhouse.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>Stuck on the Road? Make a Winter Car Kit.</b><span style="font: 17.0px Helvetica;"> (see my other link for that) </span></div>
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<a href="http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2017/08/winter-emergency-kit-for-your-vehicle.html">http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2017/08/winter-emergency-kit-for-your-vehicle.html</a></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-11248954075387663802017-08-29T01:51:00.000-04:002017-08-29T01:52:18.220-04:00<br />
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<b>Winter Emergency Kit</b></div>
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<br />
<br />
For your Vehicle<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rkg0X4WXN7I/WaUAlpNXUYI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/BzOvck63mekKbdbV3fuZQBUdoShPNDBOgCLcBGAs/s1600/snowcar1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="431" data-original-width="640" height="215" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Rkg0X4WXN7I/WaUAlpNXUYI/AAAAAAAAFFQ/BzOvck63mekKbdbV3fuZQBUdoShPNDBOgCLcBGAs/s320/snowcar1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Many of you that know me, may not know me very well; and are unaware that I teach wilderness survival skills along with bushcraft. Part of this mindset is daily, with being prepared as best as possible for things if they should happen. Given that we live in WNY we are fully aware of what Old Man Winter can put us though. Have you ever been stuck in your vehicle for more than 10 hours? Have you gone a week with no heat, running water or electric? Well, I have and can tell you no matter how prepared you are it sucks. My family has a few mottos we live by, one is: "No Power, No Problem", along with "Embrace the Suck, and Party On!" My wife rephrases the last one as, "Adapt and remain positive." </div>
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Every Fall Equinox my Wife and I take some time to go through the house. We look at what we have in the cupboards, what water we have on hand, what we would use or lighting, cooking, and warmth. After all, we have four children to keep safe. After we know that our house is pretty much set for winter we take the same mental process for each of our vehicles. My wife is on the road for work a lot and I am often the one responsible running children around. </div>
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This Blog post is to share with you some of the things you may wish to keep on hand in your vehicle. Its easy to take a rubbermaid tote and pack it full, but with what? Well, most people honestly pack all the wrong stuff. Lets have a chat about some things, and move on to an items list. </div>
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<b>Making a Winter Car Kit</b></div>
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~ There is no excuse not to be prepared for something you know could very well happen! </div>
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<span style="font: 32.0px Arial;"> </span> As stated, we live in WNY and we should be aware of the conditions here. You shouldn't hear about people dyeing in their cars, but it happens. The items you carry might not be for you. Ever see someone in distress and wish you were able to lend a hand? I would like to think that my Brethren in their obligations would remember them and act accordingly. So, first and foremost... Panic kills! I know that you are not all trained, or even skilled medically but remaining calm is your 1st priority. It's when you panic, and you make decisions without being able to think clearly or use rational thought that accidents can happen. So, stop; take a few deep breaths and breathe. Think for a few moments of what is you are faced with, and then act upon it. It's not the end of the world I assure you, but it could be the end of yours if you do something without thinking!</div>
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Since this is based on a Winter situation, the number one priority is maintaining and regulating your bodies core temperature. If you are too cold, its moments away from hypothermia, especially if you're wet and there is wind. If you are doing something and you're sweating and its cold, and you can't take layers off; also just as deadly. Lets take a look at some warming ideas for your vehicle. </div>
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<b>These are just ideas, your needs may vary.</b></div>
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<b>Clothing: </b></div>
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extra winter gloves</div>
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extra winter hat</div>
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extra sweater and jacket</div>
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Safety reflective vest - few dollars: very cheap</div>
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extra scarf </div>
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extra wool hiking socks, also liner socks</div>
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hand-feet warmers</div>
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heavy 100% wool blanket</div>
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heavy duty mylar space blanket (reflective)</div>
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Now that we are warm, do we need to address any mechanical problems? If so your 1st option is your cell phone and calling a tow, a Brother, or family. You could get a backup cheap phone prepaid, or something and keep it charged. In case of a real emergencies, TXT wins, as its easier and faster on connection than calls. Do you have power cords for your devices in your car? What about a 'brick' to recharge your phone, or even a solar charger. </div>
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What if no one can get to you? It's best to let people know where you are exactly, and what your plan is. If you eventually have to get out of the vehicle and walk somewhere, keep someone up to date with any changes in location. It's generally best to stay with your vehicle, yes even for days. It's easier to spot a vehicle than a person, plus its a shelter from the elements. If you do leave it, call someone and leave a note that can be seen of when you left and what direction you were headed. </div>
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So, you're alone. Yay! Take a few minutes and enjoy the peace and quiet. Get your thoughts together, and relax. You're going to be fine. This is where I generally get something to drink, and grab a snack. Chill out for a few minutes and think about your current situation. If your health is fine, and you're just stranded be thankful and devise a plan. Ask yourself, "How long am I willing to stay here before I decide to get out and get to another place?" It could be a mall, a store, or other business. Take your time and think it through. </div>
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~ Your next step would be to make your vehicle visible! Here are some options to do so.</div>
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<b>Visibility:</b></div>
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Glow sticks</div>
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Road flares</div>
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Road reflective triangles</div>
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Flashlights</div>
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Many flashlights have strobe/s.o.s. options</div>
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A good headlamp. Why? Because it gives you hands free abilities so you can 'do-stuff'</div>
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Make your vehicle visible, set up a perimeter around your car. I'm sure we have all been on the i90 at some point and have seen a car surrounded with either flares or triangles. The goal is to be seen and to alert other traffic/plows/resuce that you are there and also not to pass you by or hit you. After this has been established will you be changing a tire, working on the vehicle? What tools do you need? Do you have them with you already? </div>
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<b>Again, these are just ideas, your needs may vary.</b></div>
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Tow rope and or chains</div>
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tire iron and a jack</div>
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spare tire</div>
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packable/collapaseable snow shovel</div>
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snow brush/scraper</div>
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Jumper cables</div>
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~ battery thing</div>
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Wrenches</div>
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Pliers</div>
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Channel lock pliers</div>
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heavy duty zip ties</div>
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pry bar </div>
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multi-tool</div>
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fix-a-flat</div>
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"heat"-rock salt</div>
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super glue/gel</div>
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gorilla tape</div>
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small wd40</div>
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* I'm sure there are many other items in this section you could add. </div>
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You might not need any of these items, though someone stranded may, and you could be a major help to them. Lets discuss some other things you'll want to have with you to make most situations more comfortable. </div>
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Are you comfortable? What about having something to drink and something to eat with you that is packed and ready to go. There are many options available & if you know anything about hiking/backpacking these things would be a good option. It is not the old fashioned military MRE's anymore; there is delicious, nutritious options that take minimal preparing or no preparing at all. Not having water, or drinks and snacks with you is foolish. Stop in a local Cabelas, Dicks, or EMS, see what they have and grab a few food items. I bet even Walmart sells some basic camping food items. Grab some sports drink powder, a few bag of tea, instant coffee, etc. Only you know what you like so set some stuff aside. Remember: 3 min without oxygen, 3 days without water, 3 weeks without food. Stay hydrated! </div>
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As for foods, you could easily throw in some sardines, caned tuna and the dreaded spam if ya wanted. Things like granola bars, or cliff bars are great options, as well is jerky. Your options end with your creativity. If you will be cooking food or boiling water thats another story and if such thing is desired you may wish to brush up on skills you may be lacking. There is very easy ways to boil water, and cook that you could achieve that take up no room at all. If this is of interest please by all means reach out to me and I will be sure that you and your family are prepared. </div>
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Lastly there are those items which don't fit into the other lists or might even be needed for all the lists, so here are some random items that I find are great to have. </div>
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<b>Extra items:</b></div>
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$Cash Money$ - Cash is King and can get you things, help, or be helpful for others. Keep $20-50 bucks stashed away in the car. (I keep mine in a cleaned out - empty Chapstick rolled up inside) Trust me, no one looks there. (They do now, damn-it!) </div>
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Extra pair of Sunglasses. Go to the dollar store and grab a few pairs. Snow blindness can happen in just a few min. </div>
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Note pad and a pen/sharpie/pencil. Sometimes you need to leave a note.</div>
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Extra batteries</div>
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Wiper Fluid</div>
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Gas & Gas Can/Funnel </div>
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A few books to read. You could be there a while!</div>
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Those Hand/Feet warmers. They work even inside your clothing.</div>
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BIC Lighter</div>
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Chapstick - for the lips in he winter. Do you wear glasses? Take a dab on each lens on the outside, then buff it with something and they wont fog up on you! </div>
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A good sleeping bag</div>
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*An Axe</div>
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*A good bow saw</div>
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*A knife (or two) </div>
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* Your mileage may vary, you may be an outdoorsman, travel long distances, live rural, own a truck, etc. </div>
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~ Neat Tip/Trick: Buy an Empty Spray Bottle from a Dollar Store and buy some 91% or higher Isopropyl Rubbing Alcohol. Use it to spray on your windshield in those very stubborn icy patches that wont scrape off, and watch how fast it simply dissolves! (It's also highly flammable and can be used in many camping cook stoves) </div>
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You may also choose to have a Bug-Out kit packed with out items if you are an outdoorsman. Besides that, be sure to have a basic First Aid Kit, and any extra medications you may need such as back up inhalers, rolaids, allergy pills, epi-pen, asprin/pain killers, and other things of that nature. If you have children and there is any chance they could be stranded with you. Remember- stay calm! If they see you stressed or worried, they will act the same; but for them it is by far more traumatizing. With that, throw a few toys or stuffed animals in the car. A coloring book or activity book. Books for them, plays games to pass the time. Tell stories, and keep them calm. Sometimes even explaining what is going on calmly will also help you stay calm and on point as you'll be reenforcing your thoughts before they are put into action because you'll hear yourself say them aloud. </div>
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Thank you for taking the time to read this, and stay safe out there! If you can help someone, by all means do so. If this type of information or even other <i>"at home or wilderness survival information"</i> is of interest to you, please reach out by e-mail, phone, or when you see me at Lodge as I am happy to teach one on one, or to groups/families. </div>
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<b><i>* Important Note:</i></b></div>
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<span style="font: 21.0px Arial;"> </span>Do not consume alcohol thinking it will warm you up. It actually thins the blood and speeds up the process of hypothermia. Save it for celebration when you get home, because by then you'll have earned it. </div>
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<b>Here are some Books you might enjoy:</b></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px "arial";">Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival by Dave Canterbury</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bushcraft-101-Field-Wilderness-Survival/dp/1440579776/ref=zg_bs_864488_1">http://www.amazon.com/Bushcraft-101-Field-Wilderness-Survival/dp/1440579776/ref=zg_bs_864488_1</a></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px "arial";">Advanced Bushcraft: An Expert Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival by Dave Canterbury</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Bushcraft-Expert-Wilderness-Survival/dp/1440587965/ref=zg_bs_864488_3">http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Bushcraft-Expert-Wilderness-Survival/dp/1440587965/ref=zg_bs_864488_3</a></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px "arial";">98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive by Cody Lundin</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/98-6-Degrees-Keeping-Your-Alive/dp/1586852345/ref=pd_sim_14_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Y9S0GX7KXT1ETTZAJW0">http://www.amazon.com/98-6-Degrees-Keeping-Your-Alive/dp/1586852345/ref=pd_sim_14_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Y9S0GX7KXT1ETTZAJW0</a> </div>
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When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need To Survive When Disaster Strikes by Cody Lundin<span style="color: black; font: 12.0px "helvetica";"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/When-All-Hell-Breaks-Loose/dp/142360105X/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_y"><span style="color: black;">http://www.amazon.com/When-All-Hell-Breaks-Loose/dp/142360105X/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_y</span></a> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px "arial";">SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere by John 'Lofty' Wiseman</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SAS-Survival-Handbook-Third-Edition/dp/0062378074/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=13HDJXZPHQV14J8KDJH6&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR206%2C320">http://www.amazon.com/SAS-Survival-Handbook-Third-Edition/dp/0062378074/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=13HDJXZPHQV14J8KDJH6&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR206%2C320</a>_</div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px "arial";">Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties: The Classic Guide to Building Wilderness Shelters (Dover Books on Architecture) By D.C. Beard</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shelters-Shacks-Shanties-Wilderness-Architecture/dp/0486437477/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1K2DCYFDSVNTYR65G8WJ&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR202%2C320">http://www.amazon.com/Shelters-Shacks-Shanties-Wilderness-Architecture/dp/0486437477/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1K2DCYFDSVNTYR65G8WJ&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR202%2C320</a>_</div>
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<span style="font: 14.0px Arial;">SAS Urban Survival Handbook: How to Protect Yourself Against Terrorism, Natural Disasters, Fires, Home Invasions, and Everyday Health and Safety Hazard</span><span style="font: 16.0px Arial;">s</span><span style="color: black;"> by John 'Lofty' Wiseman <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SAS-Urban-Survival-Handbook-Terrorism/dp/1620877112/ref=pd_sim_14_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=0611Z5YKY07MM6K9BBAM">http://www.amazon.com/SAS-Urban-Survival-Handbook-Terrorism/dp/1620877112/ref=pd_sim_14_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=0611Z5YKY07MM6K9BBAM</a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px "arial";">Primitive Skills and Crafts: An Outdoorsman's Guide to Shelters, Tools, Weapons, Tracking, Survival, and More by Richard Jamison</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Primitive-Skills-Crafts-Outdoorsmans-Shelters/dp/1602391483/ref=pd_sim_14_33?ie=UTF8&refRID=1MFK0AQBVK1BMEWFAPHN">http://www.amazon.com/Primitive-Skills-Crafts-Outdoorsmans-Shelters/dp/1602391483/ref=pd_sim_14_33?ie=UTF8&refRID=1MFK0AQBVK1BMEWFAPHN</a></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px "arial";">Primitive Technology: A Book of Earth Skills by David Wescott<b> </b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Primitive-Technology-Book-Earth-Skills/dp/0879059117/ref=pd_sim_14_9?ie=UTF8&refRID=070YYAYHS4GCPP45SDQG"><span style="color: black; font: 12.0px "helvetica";">http://www.amazon.com/Primitive-Technology-Book-Earth-Skills/dp/0879059117/ref=pd_sim_14_9?ie=UTF8&refRID=070YYAYHS4GCPP45SDQG</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px "arial";">Primitive Technology II: Ancestral Skill - From the Society of Primitive Technology by David Wescott</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Primitive-Technology-II-Ancestral-Society/dp/1586850989/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_y">http://www.amazon.com/Primitive-Technology-II-Ancestral-Society/dp/1586850989/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_y</a></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px "arial";">Bushcraft: Outdoor Skills and Wilderness Survival by Mors Kochanski</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bushcraft-Outdoor-Skills-Wilderness-Survival/dp/1551051222/ref=pd_sim_14_25?ie=UTF8&refRID=0E0MH2VW6CWP2S8KWEYJ">http://www.amazon.com/Bushcraft-Outdoor-Skills-Wilderness-Survival/dp/1551051222/ref=pd_sim_14_25?ie=UTF8&refRID=0E0MH2VW6CWP2S8KWEYJ</a></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px "arial";">Essential Bushcraft by Ray Mears</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Bushcraft-Ray-Mears/dp/0340829710/ref=pd_sim_14_10?ie=UTF8&refRID=0S3TTXCVA0X3GHPW4FB1">http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Bushcraft-Ray-Mears/dp/0340829710/ref=pd_sim_14_10?ie=UTF8&refRID=0S3TTXCVA0X3GHPW4FB1</a></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px "arial";">The Outdoor Survival Handbook: A Guide To The Resources & Material Available In The Wild & How To Use Them For Food, Shelter, Warmth, & Navigation by Ray (Raymond) Mears</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Outdoor-Survival-Handbook-Navigation/dp/0312093594/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=01VVZEN65J3E9W6B7DBV&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR208%2C320">http://www.amazon.com/The-Outdoor-Survival-Handbook-Navigation/dp/0312093594/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=01VVZEN65J3E9W6B7DBV&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR208%2C320</a>_</div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px "arial";">Woodcraft: A Guide to Camping and Survival by E.H. Kreps</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Woodcraft-A-Guide-Camping-Survival/dp/1620874814/ref=pd_sim_14_13?ie=UTF8&refRID=0VVBJ9JYW6FGGZRV2ZDR">http://www.amazon.com/Woodcraft-A-Guide-Camping-Survival/dp/1620874814/ref=pd_sim_14_13?ie=UTF8&refRID=0VVBJ9JYW6FGGZRV2ZDR</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-60218055245310739132017-08-23T22:03:00.002-04:002017-08-23T22:03:22.151-04:00My Top 20 Fav. Books and more<br />
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<b>My Top 20 Favorite Books</b></div>
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I was asked by a friend to list my Top 20 Favorite Books. It was next to impossible, and just as hard to put into an acceptable order. I'm sure this list will change in a few weeks. The list grew to encompass shows, films, music. Lets just call this what it is then. SHITE I LIKE! </div>
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1- When All Hell Breaks Loose - Cody Lundin</div>
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2- The Druids by Peter B. Ellis </div>
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3- The Way of Men by Jack Donovan</div>
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4- Bushcraft 101 by Dave Canterbury </div>
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5- Deep Ancestors: Practicing the Religion of the Proto-Indo-Europeans by Ceisiwr Serith </div>
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6- The Apple Branch: A path to Celtic Ritual by Alexei Kondratiev </div>
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<span style="font: 17.0px Helvetica;">7-</span> The Celtic Heroic Age by John T. Koch</div>
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<span style="font: 17.0px Helvetica;">8-</span><span style="font: 15.0px Helvetica;"> </span>Celtic Heritage by Alwyn D. Rees & Brinley Rees</div>
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<span style="font: 16.0px Helvetica;">9-</span><span style="font: 15.0px Helvetica;"> </span>Ogam by Erynn Rowan Laurie</div>
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10- The Way of the Shaman by Michael Harner</div>
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11- The Year in Ireland by Kevin Danaher</div>
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12- Cattle Lords and Clansmen: The Social Structure of Early Ireland by Nerys T. Patterson</div>
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13- Dance of Oak and Wren: Rites of Draiocht by Robert Barton</div>
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<br /></div>
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14- A Guide to Early Irish Law by Fergus Kelly</div>
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<br /></div>
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15- Celtic Myth and Religion by Sharon Paice MacLeod</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
16- The Celts- A History by Dáithí O hOgain</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
17- Celtic from the West by Barry Cunliffe and John T. Koch</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
18- Auraicept na nEces: The Scholars Primer by George Calder</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
19- Coire Sois: The Cauldron of Knowledge: A Companion to Early Irish Sagas by Tomas O'Cathasigh and Matthieu Boyd</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
20- The Sacred Isle: Pre-Christain Religions in Ireland by Dáithí O hOgain</div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
~ This was very hard to do, I left out many titles. I have a complete separate list for things like: Mythology, Legends, Stories, and Folklore/Tales. Here are some Honorable Author mentions: Jung, Campbell, Morgan Daimler, Huxley, Neitzsche, Plato, Ray Mears, Tolkien, William Blake, John Nagy (his series on Freemasonry) and so many more! I don't read Novels, or stories of any type besides Mythology. Not my thing. *Tolkien is the only exception! </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Shows I am fond of</b></div>
<div style="font: 16.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
(In no specific order)</div>
<div style="font: 26.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 31.0px;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Vikings</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
BBC Sherlock</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Black Mirror</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Rick and Morty</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Turn- Washington's Spies </div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The Path</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Stranger Things</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Supernatural</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Lie to Me</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
House</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Peaky Blinders</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Wayward Pines</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
X-Files</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
John Adams</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Spartacus</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Adventure Time</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Breaking Bad</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Star Trek-Next Generation</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Chance</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Trailer Park Boys</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Shows I have <i>sometimes</i> watched with my Wife</b></div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Vampire Diaries</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The Originals</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Tru Blood</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Bones</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Sleepy Hollow</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Master Chef and MC Jr.</div>
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Top Gear</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Lucifer</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Orange is the new Black</div>
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Americas got Talent</div>
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Grimm</div>
<div style="font: 15.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
American Ninja Warrior</div>
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Reign</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font: 26.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 31.0px;">
<b></b><br /></div>
<div style="font: 31.0px Helvetica; line-height: 15.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b>Films that I've enjoyed</b></div>
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(In no specific order)</div>
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<br /></div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The Shining</div>
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Sherlock Holmes (both films!) </div>
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What the Bleep do we know?</div>
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The Wicker Man - original unedited version</div>
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I heart huckabees</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Waking Life</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Fight Club</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Coraline</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
A Clockwork Orange</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Donnie Darko</div>
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Vanilla Sky</div>
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A Beautiful Mind</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Butterfly Effect</div>
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Shutter Island</div>
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Eternal Sunshine of a Spotless Mind </div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Secret Window</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
One flew over the cukoo's nest</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 22.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
(Silence of the Lambs Films)</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
-Manhunter</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
-The Silence of the Lambs</div>
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-Hannibal</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
-Red Dragon</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
-Hannibal Rising</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 22.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The Matrix - all three</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Meet Joe Black</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Requiem for a Dream</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Pi</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
War of the Buttons</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Brother Bear</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Gladiator</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Secret of Roan Inish</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The Secret of Kells</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Song of the Sea</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Snatch </div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Alice- wonderland movie</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
From Hell</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Wonka- original</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Mists of Avalon</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Rainman</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
American History X</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Saw (all of them)</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Beowulf</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
13th Warrior</div>
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300</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Excalibur</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Robin hood </div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Valhalla Rising</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Agora</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Warrior Queen</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The Eagle</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Dancing at Lughnasa</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Rob Roy</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Braveheart (yes I know its rubbish! still a good film)</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Lord of the Rings</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The Hobbit</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Willow</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Da Vinci Code</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Angles and Demons</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
National treasure</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Sleepy Hollow</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Pirates of the Caribbean-all </div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Indiana Jones- all: except that Crystal Skull rubbish!</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Michael Collins</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Trainspotting</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The Last Samurai</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Bourne Trilogy</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Gullivers Travels</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The Brothers Grimm</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The Illusionist</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
The Prestige</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Underworld-all films</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Land of the Lost</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Where the Wild things are</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Bill and Ted-both</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Groundhogs Day</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
James and the Giant Peach</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Dogma</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Shawshank Redemption </div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Pulp Fiction</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Starwars- all films</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Full Metal Jacket</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Monty Python - 'everything!' </div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Big Lebowski</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Stand by me</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Goonies</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Merlin (With Sam Neill) </div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Seven</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Boondock Saints</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Master and Commander</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Dead Poets Society</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
Harry Potter - all films</div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 22.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 18.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
- I'm sure there is more, you get the point.</div>
<div style="font: 25.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 30.0px;">
<br /></div>
<div style="font: 17.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<b>10 Albums of Summer: (From Youth) 'under 20 yrs old'</b></div>
<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 14.0px;">
<br /></div>
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The Beastie Boys-License to ill</div>
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The Cure-Disintegration </div>
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The Doors- An American Prayer</div>
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Porno For Pyros- Good Gods Urge</div>
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Phish- Rift</div>
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Bjork- Post</div>
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Jethro Tull- Aqualung</div>
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Nirvana- In Utero</div>
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Pearl Jam- Ten</div>
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NIN- <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>The Downward Spiral </div>
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* Bonus- Bob Marley & The Wailers- Legend</div>
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<b>Its nearly impossible to pick top 10 from youth, these are 'Honorable Mentions' from youth and since youth to now at almost 40. </b></div>
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Danny Elfman!</div>
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Omnia</div>
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Kilbrannan</div>
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Penny Whiskey</div>
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Altan</div>
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Barley Shakes</div>
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Planxty</div>
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Dead Rose Symphony</div>
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Martyn Bennett-Grit</div>
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Dougie MacLean</div>
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Capercaillie</div>
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The Smiths</div>
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Tori Amos</div>
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Moby- early stuff only</div>
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Faun</div>
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Stan Rogers</div>
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Stereolab</div>
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MGMT </div>
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Corvus Corax</div>
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Wolf Tones</div>
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Seven Nations</div>
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The Tossers</div>
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Silly Wizard</div>
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Blockhead</div>
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The Postal Service</div>
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VNV Nation </div>
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Aphex Twin</div>
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Boards of Canada</div>
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Bjork</div>
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Johnny Cash- all</div>
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Pink Floyd </div>
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Tory Amos</div>
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Fleetwood Mac </div>
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Double Indemnity/ Empty Hats</div>
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Floggin Molly </div>
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Great Big Sea </div>
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Glengarry Bhoys</div>
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Led Zepplin</div>
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The Pogues</div>
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Phish- Junta, Hoist, Billy Breathes, A picture of Nectar, Round Room </div>
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The Doors- every other album</div>
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NIN-all, but Love 'With Teeth album' </div>
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Tool</div>
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Underworld</div>
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Sneaker Pimps</div>
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Pearl Jam- Vs.</div>
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The Corries</div>
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Damh the Bard</div>
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Flook</div>
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Shpoongle</div>
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Juno Reactor</div>
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Switchblade Symphony </div>
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Velvet Acid Christ</div>
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Tom Waits</div>
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Igorrr </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-10248552774196760482017-06-26T15:15:00.000-04:002017-06-26T15:21:28.728-04:00What is Sinnsreachd?*Since the Sinnsreachd Homepage has been down this will temporarily serve as a means to link people.<br />
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<b>Fáilte, Welcome</b></div>
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Sinnsreachd is a cultural and religious movement that revives the pre-Christian religion, including cultural elements, of the Gaelic peoples of Ireland and Scotland from which it and many of its practitioners are descended. Sinnsreachd is a Gàidhlig (Scots-Gaelic) word that means, in this context, "Customs of the Ancestors", and is a term that truly expresses what it is that we hold dear. Our faith, our culture, our way of life all fall within the bounds of that single word, yet no simple term can ever describe the vastness and complexity that is encompassed in the ways of our people. In simplest terms, Sinnsreachd is a polytheistic folk religion that bases its core cultural, social, and religious doctrine off of the extant customs and superstitions of rural Ireland and Scotland combined with modern restorations of society, culture, and customary law gleaned through research.</div>
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Sinnsreachd draws on the ancient elements of Gaelic culture and religion as they existed prior to Christianity, but does so in the modern day and age. While the history of the Gael from which Sinnsreachd draws is recorded and quite clear-cut, its direct roots as a modern movement are harder to pinpoint. Though the first vestiges of a resurgence of the faith of the pre-Christian Gael are found in writings from over a century ago, it is hard to determine exactly when academic postulation became faith.</div>
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Today Sinnsreachd is an overarching term, like Christianity or Buddhism, that encompasses many independent tribal or clan groups, organizations, families, and individuals, each united by an adherence to a particular way of life and belief. Though there are many variations from family to family, organization to organization, these differences are subtle and do not detract from the unified adherence to the core beliefs and traditions we call Sinnsreachd. These include the social structure and cultural forms found within the Féinechais, the Laws of the Freemen, also known as Brehon Law, which are the founding social and cultural doctrines of the Sinnsreachd faith. Much of the secular cultural aspects of Sinnsreachd, such as tribal structure, castes, and other social organization aspects, are derived from these ancient laws of the Gaelic people.</div>
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Other core elements of Sinnsreachd are the ethics, morals, and teachings of wisdom found in the Triads and the Teachings of the Kings. One of the most distinct elements of Sinnsreachd- one that sets it aside from many other Celtic or Gaelic polytheistic faiths- is the underlying practice of tribalism. All elements of Sinnsreachd and the personal identity of the Sinsearaithe are based, directly or indirectly, in the concept of the tuath, or tribe. Sinnsreachd is not a religion of the person, but of the people. While there are individual Sinsearaithe who are not part of a tuath, they are the rare exception, not the rule. Tribalism is Sinnsreachd's key defining characteristic.</div>
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Sinsearaithe believe that the indigenous culture and beliefs of the Gaelic people are sacral, taught to our ancestors by our Gods as the proper way of living. To us, the tuath represents the core of this sacred way of life, and it is paramount that it be followed. Our belief is that the foreign cultural and religious influences that have overwhelmed mainstream Gaelic culture are unacceptable to follow, and represent a breaking of the pact established between Éiriu and the Milesians, a pact we are beholden to uphold. We believe that to maintain our end of the pact we must adhere to and follow the core of our ancestral culture, society, traditions, and beliefs as a way of life. In exchange for this, should we succeed in rebuilding our people and proving our worth and dedication, we will be granted a union with the land and prosperity.</div>
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It is our belief that some day, many generations down the road after we have rebuilt our people and our way of life into a proper heir to that of our ancestors, we will again have a sovereign homeland in which the teachings of our Gods and Ancestors are honored. Our adherence to a belief that our ancestral way of life is sacral does not mean that we seek to return to primitive living conditions or Iron Age technology. In fact, we embrace modern technology and science, and we believe that our way of life is more needed today than ever before. Sinsearaithe believe that a modern incarnation of our ancient cultural values, society, laws, etc. are not only perfectly viable today, but are vastly more preferable to the evolving global monoculture that is rapidly spreading to every corner of the planet. It is the belief of our people that we have a sacred duty to build towards that future- rebuilding our population, our tuatha, and our pride, recovering what lore and tradition was lost, rebuilding our societal infrastructure now that our ancestral homelands no longer recognize any vestige of it and have freed it from their control, and preserving those traditions, customs, beliefs, and cultural paradigms that still exist. It is our duty to not only preserve and honor our culture, but to help guide it into the modern era so that it can be the foundation for the future. In a nutshell, our way of life is both our sacral duty to our Gods and Ancestors to follow as best we can, and is also seen by our people as a far better, safer, and more rewarding way of life compared to the mainstream Western societies we live among.</div>
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<b>Culture and Laws</b></div>
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Sinnsreachd is a religion that involves secular cultural elements, though it is often stated to be a culture with religious elements entwined in it instead. In objective review, it appears to be a roughly 60% culture, 40% religion split. There is no central body that oversees or dictates Sinnsreachd customs, culture, or religious beliefs, but the practitioners of Sinnsreachd recognize each other based on their adherence to cultural and religious doctrines that are along the same general lines. The origins of the culture and customs of the Sinnsreachd faith come from a variety of sources. These include family customs and superstitions, traditions still found in the Gaelic communities of Ireland and Scotland, customs and traditions recorded in the 19th and early 20th century in these countries, as well as the Gaelic-speaking Diaspora populations in the Americas and Australia. Many of these cultural traits and customary laws are found within the Fénechas (a.k.a. "Brehon Law"), and from religious history and recorded lore found in the manuscripts of the Leabhar na Núachongbála (The Book of Leinster), Leabhar na nUidre (The Book of the Dun Cow), Leabhar Baile an Mhota (The Book of Ballymote), Leabhar Mór Mhic Fhir Bhisigh (The Great Book of Lecan), Leabhar Buidhe Lecain (The Yellow Book of Lecan), and the Leabhar Feirmoithe (The Book of Fermoy).</div>
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<b>Social Structure</b></div>
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Socially, Sinnsreachd is a tribal faith, grouping into small to medium tribe-like family-based groups. The smallest of these groups is the household, called a teaghlach, teaghlaigh plural, comprised of a family of persons living under one roof or in one general household such as a farmstead. The next largest of these groups is the kin-group, or fine, finte plural (fineachan plural in Gàidhlig), which is comprised of everyone in a particular family group related by blood or marriage from a common ancestor. Different varieties of these kin-groups exist, but the most commonly seen version is the dearbhfine, dearbhfhinte plural (dearbhfineachan plural in Gàidhlig), which is all persons descended from a common ancestor out four generations. The largest organizational body of the Sinnsreachd faith is called a tuath, tuatha plural, or clann, clanna plural. The tuath has been roughly equated to mean "tribe", and is considered to be all members of the Sinnsreachd faith in a cohesive body living in a particular geographical area. It could be considered to be the Sinnsreachd equivalent to a diocese, but with closer ties due to familial relations and the cultural and political unifying structure.</div>
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<b>Castes</b></div>
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Sinnsreachd is comprised of loose hierarchal classes of persons, often referred to as castes. These castes are based around occupation and position within the tribe. Examples of such castes would include ceardaithe (craftsmen), laochra (warriors), filí (poets), draoithe (religious functionaries), seanchaithe (lore-keepers), etc. Leadership is comprised of a chieftain, called either a taoiseach or rí, and the ceanna fine, a form of tribal parliament made up of the heads of each kin group.</div>
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One of the more common questions that is asked in regards to the caste system of the Gael is whether or not it is viable in the modern age. Critics claim that the caste system is an archaic remnant of a bygone time in which modern freedoms did not exist. This is not only incorrect, but a view espoused by those who refuse to do proper research into the reality behind both the castes and ranks of our ancestors and our people today. We all live in castes and hierarchies, even if such are not named nor organized. Whether one works in a corporation with overt castes (IT, billing, secretarial, maintenance, etc.) and ranks (cube-gopher, middle-management, CEO, etc.), or whether the castes and ranks one lives in are unconscious expressions of their social life based on occupation, income level, and social standing among one?s cliques and friends, everyone lives in some form of caste and rank system. The difference with the traditional Gaelic caste system is that it is upfront and honest, not hidden, and has openly-declared codified rules governing it. There are critics, to be sure, as the very idea of a caste system or rank system is anathema to self-indulgent and forced-equality systems such as hedonistic anarchy or socialism. However, such systems are anathema to our way of life, and criticisms from that angle are generally ignored.</div>
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What value is the caste and rank system of the ancient Gael in modern society, especially when so many of our people live within Host Nations and have no sovereign homeland? Most Sinsearaithe would say invaluable, something that is important not only to the preservation of our traditions but for the strength and survival of our people. Codified and organized castes and ranks give one a sense of their place in the world, and lay out the easy-to-understand steps and goals through which one must pass in order to better their place. They help to take a people defined by their tendency towards individualism and stubborn traits and guide them into a situation where they work together for the common good of the tribe in an organized fashion, making the tribe a coherent and well-oiled machine.</div>
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The Gaelic concepts of rank and caste also serve as a form of identification, not only of one?s place in our society and their occupation, but of their level of accomplishment. One is judged based on their position within our society, with the lowest ranks receiving general levels of respect, but those who have climbed higher have earned even more so. Heroes and role-models earn their accolades, they are not simply given to make one feel special. In the deoraithe world, one identifies themselves generally based on their job and level of income. Among the Sinsearaithe, when one speaks of their identity, it is based on their caste and rank. This may seem to be the same general concept at some levels, but the Sinnsreachd ideology holds that identifying oneself based on their income level in a society based on personal acquisition of wealth above all else simply shows that person?s position in the game of make-as-much-money-as-you-can. In a tribal society such as that held by the Sinsearaithe, one?s identity being based on caste and rank shows not only what they do, but how well they do it and what level of dedication to their family and tuath they possess.</div>
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In the modern world, the need for self-identity- not only at a cultural or religious level, but at a personal level- is sorely needed in order to have a sense of stability and a sense of one?s place. This is true within our society if it existed in a vacuum, and even more so when we are forced to deal with the pressures and chaos of being surrounded by the deoraithe of the Host Nations in which we dwell for the time being. Eventually, within a few generations, our people will have a homeland where our society, laws, culture, and political structure are the norm, but even then there will be a need to know where one stands in relation to the greater society of one?s tribe and our people as a whole. In the time between now and then, there is the additional need to understand the organizational hierarchy that helps keep our people together and allows us to function and prosper in spite of the crushing pressures of the deoraithe world to cast off our culture and assimilate into their way of life.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 22px;"><b>Sinnsreachd Faith</b></span></div>
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The religious beliefs of Sinnsreachd are inseparable from the culture, but they deserve a good, solid look on their own merits as well. While descended, directly and indirectly in varying ways, from the original pre-Christian faith of the Gael, it is not the result of secret family traditions of hidden ?druid cults? or other such nonsense. Neither is it an attempt to reconstruct the faith of our ancestors as they followed, for such would be virtually impossible without the aid of a time machine. We simply do not know every last detail of our ancestors? faith and thus have to work from the core parts that survive in recorded lore and customary traditions. Much survived, enough to build from and reclaim our faith, but it is in a modern incarnation and not a direct continuation of that of our ancestors. It could be likened to the differences between ancient and modern Judaism- the same faith, praying to the same god, with most of the same core cultural and social elements, but also changed by time, loss and recovery or replacement of knowledge, and an expansion of scientific and celestial knowledge.</div>
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Because it is a modern incarnation of a pre-Christian religion, and not an unbroken linear tradition, some external observers label Sinnsreachd a "neopagan" religion. However, that term is highly inaccurate due to its associations with purely modern syncretic religions such as Wicca, which have nothing in common with Sinnsreachd ideology or theology. We simply prefer to be called Sinsearaithe (Sinsearaí sing.), and our faith Sinnsreachd. Nor are we fully a Reconstructionist religion, either. Our faith is a living, breathing entity in the modern world, not a well-intentioned, yet anachronistic, attempt to recreate the ancient beliefs of our ancestors as they were two millennia ago. Sinnsreachd is for today, for our people now, and embraces modern scientific and cosmological understandings of existence. We understand and accept that the Sun is a burning ball of plasma fed by a hydrogen-to-helium reaction, and not the giant flaming chariot wheel of a deity. However, the core ethics, morals, doctrine, and customs of our people are by and large timeless, and neither require us to live in an Iron-Age mindset nor to shirk an expanded and enlightened understanding of the cosmos. In fact, quantum physics and our expanded understanding of things such as non-corporeal intelligence, the multiverse, string theory, etc. are all complimentary to our beliefs in many ways. We do not need to cast aside science and modernity in order to practice our faith, but instead mold our understanding and practice of such things through the filter of what we believe.</div>
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The basics of the Sinnsreachd faith are universal, but many of the minor details may differ from tuath to tuath. These basics include veneration of the Gods of the Tuatha de Dannan- particularly the core deities Nuada, Lugh, an Mórríghan, Dana/Danú, Goibhniu, Manannan Mac Lír, Dian Cecht, an Dagda, Bríd (a.k.a. Brighid), Macha, and Bóann. Other universal aspects of the Sinnsreachd faith are the celebration of the four fire festivals- Samhain (the celebration of the end of one year and beginning of the next, and the beginning of the dark or winter half of the year) at the beginning of November, Imbolc (the festival of Bríd and the celebration of the coming spring) at the beginning of February, Bealtaine (the celebration of the summer and the beginning of the light half of the year), and Lughnasadh (the festival of Lugh and the celebration of the harvest). These festivals involve feasts and tribal celebrations, and different religious practices depending on the festival. Sinnsreachd also has a fairly universal a code of ethics and morals spelled out in various poems called Triads, primarily focused on honor, integrity and hospitality in both religious and cultural practices.</div>
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Theologically, Sinsearaithe have strong beliefs in both an afterlife- called Tír na nÓg- and reincarnation, as well as veneration of ancestor-spirits, and recognition of the spirits of the three realms considered sacred by Sinnsreachd- land, sea, and sky. Probably one of the strongest unifying theological beliefs of the Sinsearaithe is that of a pact or covenant between our ancestors and our Gods. The Sinsearaithe believe that the indigenous culture and beliefs of the Gaelic people are sacral, taught to our ancestors by our Gods as the proper way of living. To us, the tuath represents the core of this sacred way of life, and it is paramount that it be followed. Our belief is that the foreign cultural and religious influences that have overwhelmed mainstream Gaelic culture are unacceptable to follow, and represent a breaking of the pact established between Éiriu and the Milesians, a pact we are beholden to uphold. We believe that to maintain our end of the pact we must adhere to and follow the core of our ancestral culture, society, traditions, and beliefs as a way of life. In exchange for this, should we succeed in rebuilding our people and proving our worth and dedication, we will be granted a union with the land and prosperity. It is our belief that some day, many generations down the road after we have rebuilt our people and our way of life into a proper heir to that of our ancestors, we will again have a sovereign homeland in which the teachings of our Gods and Ancestors are honored.</div>
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<b style="font-weight: bold;">Research </b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">(to be edited later)</span><b style="font-weight: bold;"> </b></div>
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Our way of life is based on the indigenous cultural ways of the Gaelic people before the heavy influence of foreign customs and cultural institutions, and our faith is based largely off of the faith of our ancestors prior to the coming of Christianity. While ours is a living way of life, it is rooted in a mixture of folklore, customs, superstitions, etc. combined with a great deal of research. This research into our legends, lore and the archeological information and studies are important in filling the gaps of cultural knowledge created by those aspects that were lost over the years. Such research is also critical in the recovery of native Gaelic beliefs, as such beliefs have been relegated to folklore and superstition for over a thousand years. In order to counter the massive volume of misinformation that has cropped up over the years, it is important to have solid academic research to back up arguments. In addition, for the independent folk who have no tuath or family lore from which to learn, there is only the research they can do on their own from which to rebuild their culture.</div>
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The following are just a fraction of a percent of the resources available for research, but these articles and sites, as well as the reference books listed below, are a good starting point. More articles will be added as they are written, and older articles are being updated and re-posted as the authors get to them.</div>
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<b>Legends and Tales</b></div>
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Much of our lore and cultural traditions are preserved in the many tales and legends that were recorded by early Irish monks. These manuscripts, combined with other resources such as anthropological evidence and archeology, provide a window into the lives and beliefs of our ancestors. It is from these tales and legends that we extrapolate many of the foundations of our religious beliefs and some elements of our moral code, so in a way, they are to us what the Gospels are to the Christians (though not as fanatically enforced). In these tales, we see the great heroes- CuChullain, Fion Mac Cumhail, Fergus Mac Roith, and many more, and they inspire us to meet the standards they set.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b; text-decoration: underline;">Táin Bó Cúalnge</span>, Translated by Joseph Dunn and Ernst Windisch</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b; text-decoration: underline;">Scél Mucci Mic Dathó</span>, Translated by Nora Chadwick</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b; text-decoration: underline;">Cath Mag Tuired</span>, Translated by Elizabeth A. Gray</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b; text-decoration: underline;">Táin Bó Cúalnge</span>, Translated by Joseph Dunn</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b; text-decoration: underline;">The Destruction of Dá Derga's Hostel</span>, Translated by Whitely Stokes, D.C.L.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b; text-decoration: underline;">Heroic Romances of Ireland</span>, Translated and Compiled by A. H. Leahy</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b; text-decoration: underline;">Cuchulain of Muirthemne</span>, By Lady Augusta Gregory</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Gods and Fighting Men: The Story of the Tuatha De Danaan and of the Fianna of Ireland</span><span style="color: #3f3f4b;">, By Lady Augusta Gregory</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b; text-decoration: underline;">Táin Bó Cúalnge (from the Book of Leinster)</span>, Translated by Elizabeth A. Gray, edited by Cecile O'Rahilly</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Buile Suibhne (The Frenzy of Suibhne)</span><span style="color: #3f3f4b;">, Translated by J. G. Ó Keeffe</span></span></div>
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<b>Manuscripts</b></div>
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Much of our lore comes from a variety of manuscripts that are generally only available to scholars. By a stroke of great luck, many have been translated and large parts put online. These manuscripts represent the core of our research, and are vital in helping us learn about our ancestors. Though written by Christian monks, and being very Christocentric in many ways, a smart scholar can remove the veneer and see the older tales beneath.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Lebar na Núachongbála</i></span>, The Book of Leinster</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Lebor na nUidre</i></span>, The Book of the Dun Cow</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Leabhar Baile an Mhota</i></span>, The Book of Ballymote</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><i>Leabhar Mór Mhic Fhir Bhisigh</i><span style="color: #3f3f4b;">, The Great Book of Lecan</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Leabhar Buidhe Lecain</i></span>, The Yellow Book of Lecan</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Leabhar Feirmoithe</i></span>, The Book of Fermoy</span></div>
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<b>Research Websites</b></div>
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Some of the tales above are found on the following sites, as are various items of wisdom and information. These sites are among some of the best on the net, some featuring exact translations of the original manuscripts, and others having a great deal of information on language and law.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>CELT, the Corpus of Electronic Texts</i></span>, Featuring the many Annals, several of the tales, and a wealth of Irish literarature.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Law, Literature, and Legend</i></span>, Featuring an overview of the Brehon Laws and the Fenechas, as well as postulations on integrating them into modern life.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Dalriada Celtic Heritage Trust</i></span>, Featuring multiple resources, some free, some pay, used to educate the public in all aspects of Celtic languages, culture and tradions.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Sacred Texts: Celtic Folklore</i></span>, Featuring many of the tales above, plus other information and tales from the extant Celtic nations written or compiled by multiple authors.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>The Gaelic Homepage</i></span>, Featuring information on Gaelic and other Celtic languages.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Medieval Irish Poetry</i></span>, Featuring translations of Irish poetry and information on the poetic forms used.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>A (much) Smaller Social History of Ancient Ireland </i></span>, Featuring brief overviews of the ancient government, military, law, religion, art, and customs of the ancient Irish people. Abridged form of the larger book.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Celtic Literature Collection: Irish Texts</i></span>, Featuring manuscripts and tales from throughout the surviving lore of the Gael Éireannach.</span></div>
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<b>Language Resources, Online</b></div>
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To truly understand the Gaelic people and their worldview, one must know the basics of our language at the very least. Our mindset is explicit in the wondrous and complex languages we speak. The following are websites that help teach the basics of the Irish language and assist in learning.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Irish Lessons Online</i></span>- 125 lessons on basic Gaeilge by the Irish People.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Eo Feasa</i></span>- Irish lessons starting at Level 1, basic level for beginners.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Fearghal Mag Uiginn</i></span>- An Irish lesson course that provides you with the basics of the lrish language in a fifteen week course.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Cáemgen's Irish Lesson Videos</i></span>- An online video series of Cáemgen's Irish lessons that will increase as more video's are posted. Cáemgen is the first Sinsearaí to put together videos of language lessons, so bravo to him!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Daltaí na Gaeilge</i></span>- Daltaí's pages forIrish Grammar and Vocabulary</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Interactive Irish Lessons</i></span>- Online lessons and other resources as well as sound files.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Foclóir Gaeilge/Béarla I</i></span>- Irish/English Dictionary I. May or may not register fadas properly due to poor coding in HTML.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Foclóir Gaeilge/Béarla II</i></span>- Irish/English Dictionary II by An Chrannóg.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Foclóir Gaeilge/Béarla III</i></span>- Irish/English Dictionary III, including technical and advanced terms.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Gaeilge Word Lookup</i></span>- In Gaeilge, enter a Gaeilge word into the text box and it will present the singular and plural, genitive and vocative forms of that word. Handy for more advanced students.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Irish Gaelic Translator</i></span>- Due to the complexity of the Irish language, no computer translator exists to do online translations. IGT is a forum of volunteer Gaeilge-speakers and students who assist in basic translations.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Foghlaim na Gaeilge ar an Idirlíon</i></span>- Irish Gaelic learners' material on the Internet, multiple links to further pages.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Gàidhlig Word Translator</i></span>- Set for beurla (English) words to be entered into the box and translated to Gàidhlig (Scottish).</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Faclair Gàidhlig/Beurla</i></span>- Scottish/English Dictionary.</span></div>
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<b>Language Resources, Books and Audio</b></div>
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To further the study of the Gaelic languages, many books and audio resources are available, as are CD ROM programs. The following are sources for written, audio, and multimedia materials that help teach the basics of the Irish language and assist in learning.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Fios Feasa</i></span>- Manufacturer of Gaeilge lessons for children and adults alike. Many products available.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Cló Iar-Chonnachta</i></span>- Another company selling Irish language resource material and books in Irish.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Teach Me Irish</i></span>- A multimedia program that teaches basic Irish fluency and comprehension.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Teach Me Celtic</i></span>- For the REAL dedicated, a package of multimedia programs that teach basic fluency and comprehension in all of the Celtic languages- Gaeilge, Gàidhlig, Welsh, Cornish, and Breton.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Litriocht.com</i></span>- The largest Irish-language bookshop on the World Wide Web, including textbooks and many many Irish-language sourcebooks.</span></div>
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<b>Irish Language Media</b></div>
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Reading Irish books and studying Gaeilge lessons help a great deal, but they need to be backed by use and exposure to native speakers. This is best accomplished by a direct hands-on approach in the Gaeltacht, but when this is not possible, Irish audio and video media is of great value. The following are Irish media links to various radio and television resources.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Raidió na Gaeltachta</i></span>- The famous national Irish language public broadcasting radio station.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Live Ireland Radio</i></span>- Featuring Gaeilge and Bearla (English) programming, music, and live streaming television.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Raidió na Life</i></span>- 106.4 FM in Dublin, catering to the Irish-speaking communities in Éire and around the world through streaming audio.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: black;"><span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>TG4</i></span>-Irish-language television, including streaming video (subscription service, not free), catering to the Irish-speaking communities in Éire and around the world.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: red;">*This information above was granted by Breandán with permission for the use of education until such a time when our website is rebuilt.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-4836185078507247152017-06-26T14:59:00.002-04:002017-06-26T15:23:49.393-04:00What is a Celtic Ring Necklace?<br />
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<b>A Celtic Ring Necklace</b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UClBnSFJSs0/WVFYTKjCVII/AAAAAAAAES4/B6D0e1oZhJ8HbY3Y_JRYeSnWMHfds-aYwCLcBGAs/s1600/Photo%2B748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="640" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UClBnSFJSs0/WVFYTKjCVII/AAAAAAAAES4/B6D0e1oZhJ8HbY3Y_JRYeSnWMHfds-aYwCLcBGAs/s320/Photo%2B748.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Many of us in the Sinnsreacht/Sinnsreachd tradition of Gaelic Paganism, and even others have adopted to wearing a ring necklace. Simply put, the bronze rings are historical finds from all over Europe but mainly within the Isles that date between 800 to 500 BC and as late as 100 BC. It could be argued that they were used as currency, or that they were used as collections to later be transformed into an item of value like a knife perhaps. Some are suggested to be from horse harnesses, belts, and other such decorative items, while the plain ones even for chainmail. No one is quite certain, but that isn't the point here. The age of the ring being very old, pre-dates Christianity, a time when our ancestors lived in a world where metal was still new to them. It came from the hands of our people, our ancestors. Someone mined the ore and transformed it by hand into this object, this shape for a purpose; 'WE' have a purpose. It is a direct link to the people and the culture of that time period. It is symbol of culture for many of us, it is who we are and where we came from that is embodied in this ring. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Those of us that wear these, either as pendants, earrings, or even rings do so in honour of our ancestors and our cultural roots. The nice thing is you can wear it in a simple fashion or you can if creative add to it. Many of these are sold as collections on Etsy and Ebay but be careful as there are those out there selling rings which are fake. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> Your teaghlach, fine, derbfine, clan, pobal, or tuath may chose to adopt a custom as to when you are given your rings. Perhaps it is given to the teen when they hit adolescence and have a rite of passage into adulthood. Maybe it even allows them more responsibility amoung 'the people', such as a voice within the Pobal or Tuath; able to have a vote on things. I think it will be up to each group to figure that out for themselves. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> I was gifted mine by Ceann Barton of Poball nan Ealachan Naomha a few years back. I only take it off to shower or sometimes for sleep. I find I wear it as much or more than my Torc. Mine is on a simple leather cord which has a bog-oak bead from Ireland which is 3,000 years old. I highly suggest if you wear a ring necklace that you creatively do it anyway that feels right for you. Some good options are beads, reproduction Celtic glass beads, bone, stone, horn, amber, bog-oak or bog-yew. The way you do it is up to you. Be inspired by your ancestors and the vision of future they had which is us. Dream the tradition into the future by allowing inspiration of the past to guide the way. </span></div>
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<b>Go dtugtar onóir do na Déithe!</b></div>
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<b><b>Notes:</b></b></div>
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<b> For a very in-depth but quick 2 min read on 'Celtic Ring Money' please check out the following link: <span style="font: 23.0px Helvetica;"> <span style="font: 19.0px Times;"><a href="https://oldcurrencyexchange.com/2015/03/31/what-is-celtic-ring-money/">https://oldcurrencyexchange.com/2015/03/31/what-is-celtic-ring-money/</a></span></span></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-10846139220663996972017-06-18T01:25:00.005-04:002017-06-26T15:01:08.284-04:00<br />
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<b>These are my Top Triggers for Lucid Dreaming</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 24px;">"The Cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek."</span><b></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 24px;">~ Joseph Campbell</span><b></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Time:</b> Digital clocks are unreadable. The numbers will appear jumbled, shaky and even be changing shapes. Since most of us carry a cell phone, take the time to really study the details daily while you are awake. In your dream state really look closely at your phones clock. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Reading: </b>Reading something in your sleep is impossible. If you look closely you will see that all the letters are jumbled and even words are missing letters. Your brain recognizes words more like symbols. Fine print like newspaper or a book is a clear indicator that you are dreaming. Most of us have seen those "If you can read this" message online. Those are in fact very close to how your sleeping mind works while you think you are reading in a dream. Here are two examples:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1) Olny srmat poelpe can raed tihs. It deosn't mttaer in what oredr the ltteers in a word are, the iprmoatnt tihng is tht the frst and lst ltteer be in the rghit pclace. Yu awlys tghuhot slpelling was ipmporantt?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2) 7h15 m3554g3 53rv35 7o Pr0v3 h0w 0ur M1nd5 c4n d0 4m4z1ng 7h1ng5. 1mpr3551v3 7h1ng5! 1n 7h3 B3g1nn1ng 17 wa5 h4rd bu7 y0ur m1nd 1s R34d1ng 17 4u7om471c4lly w17h 0u7 3v3n 7h1nk1ng 4b0u7 17, B3 Pr0ud 0v Y0r531f.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">~ Something to be said is that we all can read these things. You are not special or smarter or different than anyone because you can read these. It is simply how the brain works. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">* Also since we are a technology culture and our phones are always on us, try reading a text, try accessing your email, try typing in a password. Have fun!</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Light Switches:</b> Flick them on and off over and over and notice the rooms light does not change! Do this now and then while you are awake and take note that on and off does produce an effect. Say to yourself something like, "up is on, or let there be light." When you try this in your dream you'll automatically know that you are dreaming as there will be no change. </span></div>
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<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">People: </span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">1)Often times peoples facial features change either slightly or into different people over and over. Look for tiny details in people you know. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">2) Peoples mouths do not match the words or sounds they are making. Like a bad edited film or something. 'Sound' in general can be off/odd in many ways, again pay attention to details.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Phones/technology:</b> Either a home phone or a cell, you'll notice a great trouble trying to dial, reach/contact someone, text, etc. If you are on a call you'll notice oddly that one second the person is talking and then oddly they are gone with no response. This goes for most technology, computers as well. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>The weather/nature:</b> The wind is a big tell for me. I can see the leaves and branches moving but can't actually feel the wind. You may see a bight summer sun and feel no heat. Does water feel wet? Is fire really hot? Things of that nature. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>The body/pain:</b> Focus real hard, extremely hard on pain, do you actually feel it? Nope! I recently had my arm gnawed on by a tiger... no feeling at all once I realized I wasn't actually feeling anything. The same could also be said about pleasure. Pay attention to details and don't simply assume that the situation is what it is. Play with a lighter or a fire. Fire will not equal pain. At 1st you might 'think' there is a pain. Its a tough one as its deeply rooted as a physical response while awake, but if you can take the time to focus you'll see...no pain equals a party on type of attitude. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">~ Do you have any tattoos? Remember the physical pain or even discomfort? If you are planning on getting any tattoos in the future do not try and escape this pain. Embrace it, get to know it. Be in the moment with it and learn about it. This type of feeling of discomfort and pain does not exist while dreaming. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Mirrors:</b> Mirrors, still pools of water, anything with your reflection honestly. Look closely at yourself in the mirror once a day. Know your face! While dreaming look at the details of your face, say a few words, look at your mouth while speaking, smile. It can be an immediate trigger that 'this is not you'. As soon as you realize it isn't i find its best to act quickly and do something fantastic. I have on more than one occasion stayed to study those dream details of my face and have found it very uncomfortable. There are parts of all of us that can try and make us uncomfortable. Remember, your dream, you're in control. Don't like what you see, ask why, change it, move on. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">I'm sure there are many more 'triggers', but these should be a great help for you to begin Lucid Dreaming. Why Lucid Dream? Because you are the creator of your own reality and at that point and there is so much that is possible. If you can imagine it in detail there is no reason you can't create it in your dreams. Only you limit such things. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">These are things many have found they are able to do without much effort</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Switch Dreams</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Develop deeper creativity</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Invent them as you go along remaining in control</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Travel </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Solve personal problems</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Super Powers</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Stopping reoccurring nightmares</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- The naughty factor</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Manipulate reality </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Healing the body</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Time travel</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Talk with animals, trees, rocks, etc</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Share dream time/space with others</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">- Be alert and aware of your dream as well as what is happening around you in while you're sleeping at the same time. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">The most basic thing anyone needs to do is question waking life, question reality and what makes it any different than the reality you experience while dreaming. Pay attention to details in daily life and start to look for those triggers in your dreams. Stop blindly accepting the reality of this world to be more real somehow than the other reality you experience every night for half of your life. Once you realize you're dreaming, immediately do something to prove to yourself that you are definitely dreaming. Try flying, breathe fire like a dragon, shape shift, jump super high (like over a car or house) Keep reminding yourself that you're dreaming and have fun with it. Do what ever you want. When you get better at it, it will become easier to do without so much as a quick trigger you've programed the mind to look for and off you go. An important thing to note is many people immediately wake up when they realize they are dreaming. This is why you need to do something right away and keep reminding yourself actively, "this is my dream, I can do what I want." All of this and science still can't fully understand or explain in detail why we sleep. There are some basic ideas but nothing is fully accepted by the scientific community as an agreed answer to the question. Depending on what field of study there will be different answers. Want to have some fun? Get real good at lucid dreaming and spend some time in a deprivation chamber. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">You spend a good deal of your life asleep, why not know about lucid dreaming and have fun with it? You can learn a lot about yourself in the process. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-75734619298237280782017-05-13T10:46:00.003-04:002017-08-31T14:15:51.275-04:00Bealtaine Ritual <br />
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<b>Bealtaine</b></div>
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2017</div>
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<span style="font: 18.0px Verdana;"><b>Draoi:</b></span> Támuid an seo chun onóir a thabhairt do na Déithe</div>
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<span style="font: 18.0px Helvetica;"><b>Ceann Teaghlach</b></span><span style="font: 17.0px Helvetica;"><b>:</b></span> Fáilte agus Lá Bealtaine sona daoibh! </div>
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<b>Morrighan Chant:</b></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Morrigan Morrigan Morrigan Morrigu,</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Morrigan Morrigan Morrigan Badb,</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Morrigan Morrigan Morrigan, Macha.</span></i></div>
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Morrigain, Morrigu, Macha, Badb (x3)</span></i></div>
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<b>Draoi-</b> (Dagda Chant/Waulking song) [Call & Responce] </div>
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Hao riri o hu o</div>
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Ro-ho io hi o</div>
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<b>Dagda mór </b></div>
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E o hao-o hao o</div>
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Hao riri o hu o</div>
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Ro-ho io hi o</div>
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<b>Ruadh Rofhessa</b></div>
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E o hao-o hao o</div>
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Hao riri o hu o</div>
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Ro-ho io hi o</div>
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<b>Eochaidh Ollathair</b></div>
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E o hao-o hao o</div>
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Hao riri o hu o</div>
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Ro-ho io hi o (x3) </div>
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<b>Ceann Teaghlach</b><span style="font: 16.0px Helvetica;"><b>:</b> </span></div>
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Sidh go neimh</div>
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Neimh go domhan</div>
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Domhan fo neimh</div>
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Neart í gcách</div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font: 18.0px Helvetica;"><b>Fiach Chroí:</b></span><b> </b>- An Cailleach, Mother of mountains, of tribes and Gods; we bid you farewell on your way to sleep. May you rest peacefully in your slumber until we feel your frozen face upon us at Samhain. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font: 16.0px Helvetica;"><b>(Fire Song) </b></span><i>(People sing while fire is being lit) </i></div>
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<i>Burn bright, flame within me. Kindled of eternal fire.</i></div>
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<i>Of the people I will be. And the people apart of me</i></div>
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<i>All are one of many parts. Single fire of flaming hearts. (x3)</i><span style="font: 16.0px Helvetica;"> </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Fire Priestess</b>: <i>(light candles)</i>: "Seo an Tine Choisrichthe" May Brigits Flame burn bright within our hearts and hearths.</div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Ceann Teaghlach</b><span style="font: 16.0px Helvetica;"><b>:</b></span></div>
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ón lár chuig an imeall <b>Draoi: </b> an neimheadh seo</div>
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ón lár chuig an imeall <b>Draoi:</b> Cosaint na nDéithe do an áit seo</div>
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ón lár chuig an imeall <b>Draoi: </b>Go raibh beannacht na nDéithe agus ár sinsir ar an neimheadh seo </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font: 16.0px Helvetica;"><b>Fiach Chroí:</b></span> Osclaítear na geataí </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Séamus: </b><i>(North) "</i>Ogma, Sun Face, eloquent champion of the Tuatha Dé, shinning champion of the Gods, we ask that you stand with us, that we may celebrate in peace. Hold forth your sword and protect the people." </div>
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<span style="font: 16.0px Helvetica;"><b>Draoi</b>: </span>Go dtugtar onóir do na sinsiríthe</div>
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<i><b>(West)</b> </i>"Ancestors we welcome you to our rite. As your blood flows through us into the future, may your voice whisper to us across the winds of time and become the words which we speak to the ears of our children." <i> </i></div>
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<span style="font: 18.0px Helvetica;"><b>Ceann Teaghlach</b></span><span style="font: 16.0px Helvetica;"><b>: </b></span>Go dtugtar onóir do na Déithe.<br />
<br /></div>
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<span style="font: 18.0px Times New Roman;"><b>Chant:</b> </span><span style="font: 16.0px Helvetica;"> </span>"Gods of the people. People of the Gods"</div>
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<i>(chant continues while following Sacrifice is called & during Draoi)</i></div>
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<i> <b>(West) </b></i>"In great ships they loaded their 4 treasures and themselves, leaving behind forever the 4 great cities, and sailed through the skies to find a new world. And this is how our Gods come, and in your coming may you be welcomed. May fires burn in your honor, may there be songs in your presence and my the feats be laid before you." </div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Draoi:</b> Nan Diathan a tha san talamh</div>
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Nan Diathan a tha san neamh</div>
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Nan Diathan a tha sa mhuir mhoir bhorcaich </div>
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<i>(chant slows & stops) </i></div>
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<b></b><br /></div>
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<b>All: </b><span style="font: 17.0px Helvetica;">[Call out to your Patron or Pass] </span><i>(start with Ceann, end with Draoi)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<b>Sacrifice</b>- "Angus Mac Oc, son of the young for young is the son, conceived and born on the same day. Ruler of the Brú na Boínne, helper of lovers. The birds themselves sing your praise songs. Oh White winged wandering wayfarer, we ask your blessings as we journey into the work of summer. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font: 18.0px Helvetica;"><b>Fire Priestess:</b></span> (second fire is lit along with incense) </div>
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<b>Fiach Chroí: "</b>Pass now between the flame and be cleansed and renewed. One at a time come and tie a knot of your summers intentions into the cord." <span style="font: 15.0px Helvetica;"><i>(Passed to the Ceann to be held aloft for all to see. Ceann hands cord to the Draoi.)</i></span></div>
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<b>Draoi: </b>See before you the cord of "OUR" intentions, of our hopes & dreams, and of our goals & wishes. May they manifest for us in ways of growth and achievement. <span style="font: 17.0px Verdana;">Bíodh sé amhlaidh ("So be it.")</span><span style="font: 15.0px Verdana;"> </span></div>
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<i>(Draoi to dispose of the cord in the woods or in the fire) </i></div>
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<b></b><br /></div>
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<b></b><br /></div>
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<b>Baby Freya's Birth Rite</b></div>
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<b></b><br /></div>
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<b>Ceann Teaghlach</b><span style="font: 16.0px Helvetica;"><b>:</b></span></div>
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Arise Today baby Freya Bláithín</div>
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Through the strength of heaven</div>
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The Light of sun,</div>
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& Radiance of moon.</div>
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Arise today by Splendor of fire,</div>
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the Speed of lightning,</div>
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& Swiftness of wind.</div>
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Arise today by the Depths of sea,</div>
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The Stability of the earth & Firmness of rock.</div>
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Freya Bláithín: Arise today through the blessings of the elements in a new form as they wash over you in Truth, Love, and Beauty.</div>
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<b>Mary Ellen:</b></div>
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May green be the grass you walk on,<br />
May blue be the skies above you,<br />
May pure be the joys that surround you,<br />
May true be the hearts that love you</div>
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<b>Séamus: (or your own words 'gaeilge') </b></div>
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Fáilte ar ais<i>, </i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><span style="font: 16.0px Verdana;">Beannachtaí na sinsear ar ort </span><span style="font: 16.0px Verdana;">Síochán leat, </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">An grásta na ndéithe a bheith in éineacht leat.</span></div>
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<b></b><br /></div>
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<b>Fiach Chroí: </b><span style="font: 16.0px Arial;"><b> </b></span></div>
<div style="font: 17.0px Times; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 16.0px 0.0px;">
Ancient ones Circle this child <span style="font: 17.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>Keep protection near<span style="font: 17.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>And danger afar.<span style="font: 17.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>Ancestors Circle this child, <span style="font: 17.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>Keep hope within.<span style="font: 17.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>Keep doubt without.<span style="font: 17.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>Spirits of our people Circle this child<span style="font: 17.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>Keep light near<span style="font: 17.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>And darkness afar.<span style="font: 17.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>Family of this child, Circle her.<span style="font: 17.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>Keep peace within.<span style="font: 17.0px Lucida Grande;"><br />
</span>Keep malevolence out.</div>
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<b>Draoi:</b></div>
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Go raibh beannacht na ndéithe agus ár sinsir ar <span style="font: 20.0px Times New Roman;">an bpáiste seo! </span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font: 22.0px Times New Roman;"> </span><i>(Draoi uses 'The Waters mixed with Mead' to bless each wave)</i></div>
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<span style="font: 22.0px Times New Roman;"> </span><b>Fiach Chroí:</b> </div>
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A small wave for your form. <span style="font: 16.0px Helvetica;"><b>Séamus</b></span><span style="font: 22.0px Times New Roman;"><b>:</b></span> Tonnan beag do cruth</div>
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A small wave for your voice. Tonna beag do Ghuth </div>
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A small wave for your eloquence Tonna beag do Mhánrain </div>
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A small wave for your appetite Tonna beag do Chàleachd</div>
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A small wave for your health Tonna beag do Shlànachd</div>
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A small wave for your life Tonna beag do Shaohail </div>
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A small wave for your wealth Tonna beag do Mhaoin</div>
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A small wave for your generosity Tonna beag do Bhuig</div>
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A small wave for your graciousness Tonna beag do Ghràsachd<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></div>
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<b>Fiach Chroí:</b></div>
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Nine waves of grace for you Freya Bláithín </div>
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By land, sea, and sky </div>
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May you be welcomed among the people.</div>
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By the Tuatha Dé, the Gods of our people, </div>
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the Spirits of the Otherworld, </div>
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and the Ancestors whose blood lives within you; </div>
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may you ever be blessed by these waves of grace. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font: 19.0px Helvetica;"><b>Séamus:</b></span><span style="font: 25.0px Times New Roman;"> </span>An duigh, a nochd, agus suthain. </div>
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<span style="font: 22.0px Times New Roman;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font: 22.0px Times New Roman;"><b>Draoi:</b> </span>Ón áit os comhair àr sùile chuig an áit istigh iontu<span style="font: 22.0px Times New Roman;">. </span></div>
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<span style="font: 23.0px Helvetica;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font: 23.0px Helvetica;"><b>Draoi:</b> </span><i>(Divination for Freya)</i></div>
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<br /></div>
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<br /></div>
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~ <b>Draoi: </b></div>
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<b>"</b>Before us stands a warrior. One that has seen battle, blood, and death. One who has risked his life for our freedom. This warrior is my friend and our guest today. From his early days of youth playing in the mountains of Mayo, through adolescence and into maturity he has always treaded the path of the Warrior. Recently <span style="font: 16.0px Helvetica;">Séamus<b> </b></span>you have completed your military service, and all whom are present honor and thank you for your time over seas. May this Torc forever remind you of your duty and obligation to protect and defend those you call family and friend. May Donn the ancestor of Gael look upon you with pride. In wearing this Torc may you be blessed by the Gods, the Ancestors and the Sidhe folk. On this day of Bealtaine I present you with your 1st Torc. <span style="font: 14.0px Helvetica;"><i>(Draoi places Torc around the neck)</i></span> </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="font: 21.0px Helvetica;"> * </span>Go raibh beannacht na ndéithe agus ár sinsir ar an bhfear seo.</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande'; font-size: 17px;"><span style="font: 17.0px Verdana;">* </span>Go gcumhdaí is dtreoraí na déithe thú<span style="font: 19.0px Lucida Grande;"> </span></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Paticipant:</b></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 23px;"> </span>"Angus Mac Oc, helper of lovers & young sun of summers beauty we thank you. Go raibh maith agat</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><b>Paticipant: </b></span>"Gods and Goddesses of our Mothers and Fathers, High ones of the Ancestors, Rulers of these realms and the forces that fill them. You protect and provided for the people as they scatter across the land in this season of growth. We ask that you once again aid these people as our heads, hands and hearts turn to far-flung journeys of Summer. May we be protected and blessed in our work and in our search for this seasons prosperity. Shinning ones of elder days-for your blessings over us- </div>
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<b>All:</b> Go raibh maith agaibh! </div>
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<b> Participant:</b> Mothers and Fathers of Blood and of Spirit, most honored ancestors, we stand in respect and thankfulness for who we are because of your sacrifices for our lives. We return the love with honoring you today, and everyday. </div>
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<b>All</b>: Go raibh maith agaibh! </div>
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<b>Séamus</b><span style="font: 24.0px Helvetica;"><b>: </b></span>"Ogma, great champion of the Gods for your protection this day we give thanks. </div>
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<b>All: </b>Go raibh maith agat! </div>
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<b>Fire Priestess: "</b>Feed the flames and set them dancing, hail to the sun and hail to all life. May the spear of fire burn within us to provide inspiration and direction in our work. Birigit, may your flame always be lit within us!" </div>
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<b>All:</b> Go raibh maith agat</div>
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<span style="font: 20.0px Helvetica;"><b>Fiach Chroí:<i> </i></b></span><i>(whispers) </i>"Great grandmother, veiled one, witch and blue-hag please rest deeply now. We will see you again. <b><i> </i></b></div>
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<b>All: </b>Go raibh maith agat. </div>
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<span style="font: 20.0px Helvetica;"><b>Ceann Teaghlach</b></span><span style="font: 16.0px Helvetica;"><b>: </b>An<b> </b></span><span style="font: 16.0px Lucida Grande;">Dagda, Eochaidh Ollathair, Ruadh Rofhessa;</span> May your fertile bounty be present within our lives, may the abundance we grow be shared with all those in need. </div>
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<b>All:</b> Go raibh maith agat! </div>
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<span style="font: 23.0px Helvetica;"><b>Draoi:</b> </span>Over hills and over meadows, see the crow fly, feel her shadow. </div>
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Over woods and over mountains, searching for a war.</div>
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Her wings embrace each strife and battle, </div>
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where swords they clash and chariots rattle. </div>
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Seeking out the one whose time has come to take the blade.</div>
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Morrighan ancient crone of war, i'll see your face I'll cry no more.</div>
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Morrighan ancient crone of war come lift us on your wings.</div>
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Morrihagn ancient crone of war, we hear voice we'll grieve no more</div>
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Morrighan ancient cronce of war, come set our spirits free! </div>
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<b>All:</b> Go raibh maith agat</div>
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<span style="font: 18.0px Verdana;"><b>Fiach Chroí: </b></span>It is the hour of recall. As the radiance of this ceremony comes to an end let it remain as a light in your hearts. May your memories hold what the eye and ear have gained this day. May its inspiration continue within our beings.</div>
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<span style="font: 18.0px Verdana;">Dúntar na geataí</span> </div>
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<span style="font: 19.0px Helvetica;"><b>Draoi</b></span><span style="font: 21.0px Helvetica;">:</span><span style="font: 23.0px Helvetica;"> </span>Neart inár lámha, fírinne ar ár dteanga, glaine inár gcroí. </div>
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<span style="font: 18.0px Helvetica;"><b>Ceann Teaghlach</b></span><span style="font: 16.0px Helvetica;"><b>:</b></span> Is é an dóiteán a chomhlánú. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-9136982096456421702017-05-08T00:10:00.004-04:002017-05-08T00:12:00.471-04:00Prayers over my children<br />
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<b>Prayer I whisper over my sleeping children</b></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2fQVW-UOSM/WQ_vmpN4GGI/AAAAAAAAEOw/3HwR-vX0YS0aj_AbJ1hKUGUCB0xIiAzygCLcB/s1600/7743_celtic_scrolls_enamelled_brooch_blue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/--2fQVW-UOSM/WQ_vmpN4GGI/AAAAAAAAEOw/3HwR-vX0YS0aj_AbJ1hKUGUCB0xIiAzygCLcB/s320/7743_celtic_scrolls_enamelled_brooch_blue.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "lucida grande"; font-size: 19px;"><span style="font: 19.0px Verdana;">Go raibh beannacht na ndéithe agus ár sinsir ar an mo chlann seo.</span><span style="font: 15.0px Verdana;"> </span>Go gcumhdaí is dtreoraí na déithe thú. Sidh go neimh, Neimh go domhan, Domhan fo neimh, Neart í gcách. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "lucida grande"; font-size: 19px;">*To a fluent/native speaker this is probably a bit off. I'd be curious to what corrections should be made. Feel free to leave suggestions. </span><b></b></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-24362387681186071222017-05-01T00:28:00.002-04:002017-05-01T00:28:34.012-04:00Festival Dates<br />
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<b>The Festival Date Debate</b></div>
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<b>Lá Bealtaine sona daoibh go leir!</b></div>
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<b><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DBg16C8jNo0/WQa4ONrEZnI/AAAAAAAAEMo/9tm8s7e6sygDZqEQZTWrAIpYzvzSolzogCLcB/s1600/beltanecows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="243" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DBg16C8jNo0/WQa4ONrEZnI/AAAAAAAAEMo/9tm8s7e6sygDZqEQZTWrAIpYzvzSolzogCLcB/s320/beltanecows.jpg" width="320" /></a></b></div>
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<span style="font: 19.0px Helvetica;"> </span>The calendar date debate arises from the celebrations being on the 1st of the respective months of February, May, August, November. There are references dating back to the 11th century for people still celebrating Lúnasa, Bealtaine, and Samhain on what is called 'kalends' (1st day) of those months. We also know this from handed down folk traditions. The confusion around these 1st of the month traditions arises when there was a switch from the Julian to the Gregorian. This shift of dates occurs in 1752 within the Isles, and moved everything back 11 days, meaning what was once the 1st of Nov. is now the 12th by our current calendar. </div>
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We know that even up until recently, a hundred years ago there were people still celebrating these festivals in rural parts of Ireland and Scotland on the 12th, not the 1st showing a continuation of a time period when there was the calendar shift. </div>
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Another school of thought is that even before these festivals were connected to calendar dates they were simply based on local detailed agricultural observations. Such as Imbolc happens when the ewes in that region begin lactation, when the milk flows, and when the lambs were born. Also things like the cattle returning to summer pasture in the upper elevations until they come down at Lúnasa. Things like the 1st blooming of the Hawthorn in May. Samhain at the 1st hard frost of what is now Nov. and Lúnasa being when ripeness of crops was optimal for 1st Harvest. Much like our local Eden Corn Festival each year here in WNY which is always held around Lúnasa. This means often times a place would be celebrating something in a region whereas in another region it could be 2 weeks later or such. </div>
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~ There is no standard or agreed view on these festival times for celebration and much debate about when and which is correct. No one really knows for certain and each was actually correct depending on the time period being referenced. It boils down to what is best for the dynamic of the group in todays context. Some people like to work with dates because they have larger groups; people need to schedule time off, while others might live in more rural areas and focus on details of that local area. Each has merit. </div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cX1RGY6EQq0/WQa4ZPIUq4I/AAAAAAAAEMs/Ag8afxEsEcsfwcgfA7LpD-cmwOOZSp0SgCLcB/s1600/sinnsreachd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cX1RGY6EQq0/WQa4ZPIUq4I/AAAAAAAAEMs/Ag8afxEsEcsfwcgfA7LpD-cmwOOZSp0SgCLcB/s320/sinnsreachd.jpg" width="288" /></a></div>
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<b>Neart inár lámha, fírinne ar ár dteanga, glaine inár gcroí</b></div>
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<b>My personal views:</b><b></b></div>
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<span style="font: 19.0px Helvetica;"> </span>What gets me heated as a Gaelic Polytheistic Tribalist (Sinnsreachd) is 'how' the modern Pagans are celebrating these "fire-festivals." Most of them haven't a clue about<i> why</i> these things were celebrated historically even beyond their made-up esoteric ritualized trappings. What irks me to the core is the mispronunciation or anglicizing of these festivals. Seeing them treated so poorly without any Gaelic cultural influence by neo-druids and wiccans is sad. You try and educate them and all of a sudden you're fundamentalist. For those Neo groups it's all about some form of ritual that has no Gaelic format or tradition, etc. It's NOT Bell-tain, we say Be-ALL-tinn-uh. ;-) It's not all about having a 'ride' in the woods and getting stoned by a bonfire, although it could be argued that such things do have a place ;-) </div>
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For those not 'in the know' of the traditional customs of the Gael, it's better to just have a get together, and have a feast. </div>
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Be 'a people', work together in the kitchen, have fun, tell stories, play games. Make some offerings to The Gods (The Tuatha Dé Danann), The Ancestors, and The Sidhe. Say some words, share some music and poetry, it's that easy! Don't complicate it by looking to foreign cultures for your rituals. Don't rely on Wiccan or Neo-Druid ritual formats to fill in gaps for your lack of education as their formats are far from accurate depictions of Gaelic culture. </div>
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Please remember these festivals are Pre-Christain Gaelic traditions, and as such they should be honored and respected by keeping them traditional. This is to ensure the survival of our cultures customs & traditions to be passed down into future generations without romantic or foreign influence. For us this is not just a branch of pagan spirituality; this is our culture, and our cultures faith. It is not something we just casually do for festivals. Our culture is everyday, all day long. Please see my useful links for more on this. GRMA.</div>
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<b>Go raibh beannacht na ndéithe agus ár sinsir ar thú!</b></div>
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<b>*Useful links: </b></div>
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A look at this thing people call "Druidry" <a href="http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-look-at-this-thing-people-call-druidry.html">http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-look-at-this-thing-people-call-druidry.html</a></div>
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Starting a Druid group. Can it really be done? <a href="http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2017/04/starting-druid-group.html">http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2017/04/starting-druid-group.html</a></div>
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Celtic Feasting Customs <a href="http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2017/01/celtic-feasting-customs.html">http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2017/01/celtic-feasting-customs.html</a></div>
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Suggested Celtic Reading List <a href="http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2017/01/suggested-celtic-reading-list.html">http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2017/01/suggested-celtic-reading-list.html</a></div>
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Useful Celtic Links <a href="http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2017/01/celtic-links.html">http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2017/01/celtic-links.html</a></div>
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<b>Refrenced/Cited: </b></div>
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Irish Paganism - Morgan Daimler (pg 42)</div>
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Celtic Myth & Religion - Sharon Paice MacLeod</div>
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Cattle Lords & Clansmen - Patterson</div>
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The Apple Branch - Kondratiev</div>
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The Celtic Heroic Age - Koch & Carey</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-63795720517127872312017-04-14T00:05:00.001-04:002017-04-14T00:11:49.772-04:00Starting a Druid Group<br />
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<i>* The views and opinions in this article are from my personal experiences after 25 years on the path. The suggestions may be helpful or you may dismiss them. Take from them what you will. </i></div>
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All too often I hear people in the Pagan community, especially those that are Druids talking about groups. How to start a new group, not knowing where to begin and all the trappings that could be involved. It's always the same complaint- *<i>I'm a solitary Druid, there is no one in my area to celebrate with</i> (more on that later) Generally these people are Neo-Pagan/Neo-Druids. They want to form a seed group, a grove, or some form of "Druid" related group. Ultimately therein is part of the problem. The Druid was/is a social/polical title for someone that underwent specific training to be of service to their people. They belonged to a certain Culture; that culture had its faith and traditions and within that faith the Druids role was only part of the equation. </div>
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A deep study and look into Gaelic culture will reveal that the culture and faith can not be separated, they are interwoven, overlap, and without one the other is barren and devoid of all substance. Don't believe me, spend some time on a Native American rezervation. A culture has its mother tongue- its native langauge, its customs and traditions that are spiritual and yet also mundane. Beyond the use of language in daily life the music, foods, history, lore/stories, art, burial practices, and laws define and give a culture its unique substance that makes it what it is. Not just poorly translated mythology and modern rituals. <b>Please read my Blog post: This Thing We call Druidry. </b><a href="http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-look-at-this-thing-people-call-druidry.html">http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2014/06/a-look-at-this-thing-people-call-druidry.html</a><br />
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This idea of having a 'Druid group' for "Clergy only" is not Gaelic and certainly not Celtic in the broad sense of our ancestral traditions. I am not saying there is no value in what they might do, and I am not bashing them; but I am calling them out on their focus on faith separated from culture. This romantic idea of Druid-priest-craft is absurd. I'm sorry to inform you, but your rotary club druid tradition of wearing long white robes wandering about neolithic sites has nothing to do with the iron age Celtic people, let alone their Gaelic decedents. It's 1700's Welsh Bardo-Romantic fantasy. Does it have value, sure it has some; but while the Masonic aristocrats of that time period were trying to re-invent a Celtic past they looked to foreign elements of Christian mysticism, alchemy, kabalah, Arthurian myths; Instead of looking to rural places of their neighbors like Ireland, and the Highlands of Scotland where the "folk tradition" remained and still remains strong. Why? Because at that time they were oppressing them as inferiors.</div>
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Celtic traditions, specifically Gaelic ones are about "the people". The tribe, the clan, the family, the roles each person had within the community. Within those four seasonal rituals where the Draoi (Druid) served as mediator between the people and the Gods. Making sure ritual was done correctly doesn't mean always leading or holding the ritual itself. It sometimes simply meant 'over-seeing' and being present. Rituals were and are 'for the people'. This means all of the people, the children, the grandparents, everyone. They bring their offerings to the sacrificer or Draoi to make the sacrifice on their behalf. Not this modern notion of each individual having a voice to offer song, poem, or other offering in the middle of ritual. Can you imagine hundreds of people doing this in ritual, it would take hours. You can't imagine it because they didnt. Personal offerings were given after the rites, or communal offerings made and the proper care taken over the entire offering as a 'collective offering'. Peoples personal offerings of gifts like story, poems, and songs were heard at the feast, which held just as much importance as the ritual itself. These feasts were not a buffet or casual event. They had protocol and ritual to them as well. Who sits where and why, who is served first, who was a cup bearer and why, is there a heros portion, to whom does it go? Who speaks 1st, what type of conversation was prohibited, etc. Feasts just like Rituals defined the culture. </div>
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The trappings of starting a Druid Group are many. You'll get ego-manics arguing about who is qualified to do what, to even who has been on the path longer. You'll get one uppers, drama queens that want everything their way because they read it in once in a book. You might get strangers that are pedophiles, sexual predators, or even people with mental illnesses like bi-polar or schizophrenia. These types often do wander into "the occult" thinking they have something to gain like power or magic; its also a perfect hunting ground for warped people looking to exploit the good nature of strangers. You open your home a few times and you get robbed a year later, I've seen it happen. To people like that, they see your group is based on Druids; you must be about magic and such so they come looking for power, attention, and validation. I've seen groups of all types over the years. Ones that do not allow children but allow you to bring your dog. Some that are one gender only, to even those that require you to have sex with their higher ups to advance in their spiritual/educational program. I've seen seed groups that are merely "study groups" that have been reading the same 2 books for 5 years! My all time favorite was a group very overweight gay men who only allowed other overweight gay men to join that only met at the mall food-court. </div>
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As stated, many complain there is no one to celebrate with or they don't know where to begin, meaning they don't know how to formally start a group. For those like that <i>I will provide a helpful link</i> at the end of this article. The reason though you have a hard time forming a Druid or otherwise Pagan group is because its an unnatural process. What do I mean by unnatural? The religious traditions of our ancestors was ingrained into every aspect of the day, it was their world view and more. Things like magic were everywhere all the time, and there was different types of Magic as well. The entirety of the people they knew were of the same faith, albeit with differences from tribe to tribe and place to place, they shared common belief structure. They didn't have this umbrella term Pagan which can include conflicting philosophical elements into a culture. </div>
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Then and even now very successful groups form and maintain a bond because they form from families, families merging with other families, and so forth until there is a community. I am not talking just a husband and a wife and a few neighbors. I'm talking about a husband and his family, his brothers their wives and children, sisters, parents and grandparents. His wife, her family and the same applied to the other families. They need not all be family, but your close friends and their families is a good start. This is how you form a group, a tribe, a people must share the same culture, and that culture should be as Celtic as possible. The Gaelic tradition is a cultural thing with the spiritual aspect being only part of it. Yes, the spiritual part is every day, all day. It's the virtues, ethics, and simple things like how we do this or that. Though here is the major crux...</div>
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Even in this Gaelic Pagan format you cant just expect something to blossom from just having tea and cookies. You cant just all read the same books and then poof, your a people now. You must, and this is imperative; you must have a few people that are not only educated in this area, and other areas; but they also must be able to lead. The ability to direct, teach, and hold the group with a focus. The problem of taking someone out of the Neo Druid tradition and placing them in the role of Draoi within a Tuath or Pobal is not going to translate or work out smoothly. Again, you must have a few people that are educated and have experience in the ability to educate and lead, in roles of respected honor seen by 'the people' for your group to even have a chance of being productive. This is why so often groves and seed groups become study groups, and social club in nature. </div>
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Something to be said about this thing so many call Tuath (Tribe). At one time on the continent this meant a good 300,000 people for one tribe spread out over very large areas. In places like Ireland 30,000 people could easily make up a Tribe, sometimes even being on more than one Island where they lives in Scotland, Wales, or even Cornwall. This idea that there are no people for me to celebrate within my town is not accurate depiction of our ancestral customs. Somehow good ole' Hollywood transformed us to thinking that the people of your tribe must live within your village. This is not borne out of the evidence, as often times one would travel by foot or horse for day or half day to visit members of their Tribe, Clan or Family. How did we just measure distance? By time not by miles or kilometers. We measure distance by time, when I ask how far does Michael live? You might reply, "oh he's just up the road about 15 min from here." Not miles away. Same for our ancestors. So on that, given that we do not have to walk or ride horses to visit and we have cars, buses, trains and planes what is a 3, 6, or 12 hour trip to see "Tribe" if you only see some of them once or twice a year for major festivals like Lughnasadh? Personally, I will gladly make the time and travel for those that live 3-4 hours away a few times a year, or meet them in the middle for a day, or stay a weekend. Some families have reunions, Lughnasadh is often like this for many of us. </div>
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So, back to 'Groups'. It might be wise to consider reading some more material about the customs and traditions of these people that are our ancestors, and Druids within a Gaelic context not a Neo-Pagan context. <b>Please see my Blog Post: Celtic Reading List </b><a href="http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2017/01/suggested-celtic-reading-list.html">http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2017/01/suggested-celtic-reading-list.html</a></div>
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<b>Here is my suggestion:</b></div>
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You could easily start a "Gaelic Pagan" group which is much more inclusive to all people and not just those who have an obsession to be Clergy. Ditch the neo-trappings of the ego boosting title seekers. Maybe your Gaelic Pagan group studies the language, the lore, and gets together to play seisiún music. Start with you family, network with other families. Attend Highland Games as a group & Irish Festivals. Do things as a family and extended family unit. Form a solid core group that has become family. </div>
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* Remember - you must have a few people that are educated and have experience in the ability to educate and lead, in roles of respected honor seen by 'the people' for your group to even have a chance of being productive. </div>
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Get together to talk, have cookies and tea monthly. Learn some Irish dancing, get involved together within the community as a group. Use the language with one another as much as possible. Make and share meals, work in the kitchen together. Once you have a strong family bond with these other families you then might consider something like Craigslist to reach other Pagans in your area. Always see it as cultural with the spirituality being part of the culture and not a spiritual group like a grove. Try and meet at a park for the new comers. Let them see that the group functions as a family unit and the visitors will either love it or they wont attend again. Especially if the people like Cean (head) or Draoi (Druid) are kind yet firm about what is accepted and what is not tolerated. </div>
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The things I've been talking about are mainly those traditions that are Celtic re-constructionist- CR, and Sinnsreachd. These are just some groups that exist which work in such fashions. </div>
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To focus your entire group on Druids is honestly a disservice to the culture and traditions of your ancestors. If you want to train to be a Draoi for your people, wonderful- Do it! Read, study, read some more, learn the language of your people like Irish/Scottish/Manx. Attend University, specialize in a few crafts of your trade, offer a service to your people and then and only then if they accept you will you be a Draoi. A tribe must be willing to have you, & require your services. After all, you'll be at the hospital when someone is ill, you'll see the newborns arrive, you'll be the one to give last rites to their/your loved ones. It will be up to you to be available to the drunk person to pick them up at 2am to make sure they are safe. You should be able to offer marriage counseling, perform legal rites like weddings, and so much more. Education and service, your people come first. I'm writing this at 1:22am and have to be up at 6am. Why am I doing this? Because this is apart of my service work, to offer insight for others that might be looking for something but have hit a dead end. </div>
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Ask yourself an honest question. Is the culture and faith of our ancestors worth preserving and passing on, or would you rather continue being involved in something that isn't culturally based that often focuses not on 'the people'? Shouldn't it be a family tradition that grows, one that includes everyone not just clergy celebrating festivals. I am not saying groups like ADF or OBOD do not offer value within their systems, but no one says you cant be involved in other more traditional things either at the same time. Try both and see what works best for you. </div>
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On that I offer you some helpful links. </div>
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The Organization called <span style="font: 19.0px Helvetica;"><b>Comhaltacht na nGaedheal</b></span> (Fellowship of the Gael) exists is for any individual, family, or group that wishes more information on getting your own group started.</div>
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<b>http://nan-gaidheal.org#home</b></div>
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<b>Helpful Links:</b></div>
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<b>Sinnsreachd on FB - </b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/sinnsreachd"><b>https://www.facebook.com/groups/sinnsreachd</b></a></div>
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<b>Sinnsreachd on G+ </b><a href="https://plus.google.com/communites/107627130709484664219"><b>https://plus.google.com/communites/107627130709484664219</b></a></div>
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<span style="font: 19.0px Helvetica;"><b>Comhaltacht na nGaedheal </b></span><b>Fellowship of the Gael Blog - </b><a href="http://bloggy.nan-gaidheal.org/#home"><b>http://bloggy.nan-gaidheal.org#home</b></a></div>
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<span style="font: 19.0px Helvetica;"><b>Comhaltacht na nGaedheal</b></span><b> Fellowship of the Gael Twitter - </b><a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/Nan_Gaildheal"><b>https://mobile.twitter.com/Nan_Gaildheal</b></a></div>
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<b>Reading List: </b><span style="font: 17.0px Helvetica;"><b> </b></span></div>
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<a href="http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2017/01/suggested-celtic-reading-list.html">http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2017/01/suggested-celtic-reading-list.html</a><b></b></div>
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<b>Notes:</b></div>
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* Earlier I mentioned <i>"I'm a solitary Druid, there is no one in my area to celebrate with." </i></div>
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The role of the Draoi is much like that of a Rabbi, and less like a Priest. Do not forget its a social/political role. A Draoi is an earned title. The Draoi being educated in the culture/faith serves the people, the community. This idea of Neo-Druidry spirituality where one is a solitary "Druid" has missed a major point. The main point is once again a cultural one. Neo-Druidry is faith based with no focus on the culture ie. The language, traditions, laws, customs, etc. How can you separate a faith from its culture, let alone transform it into something so far from its origins with foreign cultural influences? The Druid was/is a public servant to their people, and it was a title of earned respect much like Doctor, Professor or even Judge. </div>
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IMHO - No people/no community, no role of Draoi. Can you call yourself a solitary Druid? Sure you can also call yourself a Captain of a ship, but if you have no education/expeience, have never been on a boat, are you really a Captain? Just because you read a few books on "Druidry" doesn't magically transform you into something. This modern idea of reading New Age Druid books, being on 'the Druid Path' is rather conflicting with a traditional cultural opinion. It may be a very upsetting thing to accept, but ask yourself what was a Druid back then if they were not serving the people? Imagine someone who trained as a Draoi for many years and was a part of a community that didn't require their services. Hard to imagine because that would be like us saying we do not need that computer programer, teacher, judge, or psycholigist. So many seem to have a hang-up with things like ranks-titles. It's okay to call yourself a Gaelic/Celtic Pagan. Not everyone back then was a Draoi, they were the smallest in number to their communities; and for good reason. </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-778728245765803742017-04-14T00:01:00.002-04:002017-04-14T00:01:41.723-04:00Insightful Triad<br />
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<b>Three things a man is</b></div>
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What he thinks he is</div>
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What others think he is</div>
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What he truly is </div>
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<span style="font: 20.0px Helvetica;"> </span>Beyond all gender here, I wanted to take a few moments to address this Triad for I think there is often a misplaced value in some of its meaning. I feel the beauty of this triad is that we will never know the answers to these questions. Who we truly are is always changing as we grow and experience new things. Yes, there is a core to the self, a root and a foundation to things like our personal moral code and basic philosophy of life. Our views and our perceptions are in constant flux like the seasons with each new season bringing and even forcing upon us changes. </div>
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What we think about ourselves isn't always the most accurate, but if we somehow knew what others thought of us in all honesty sparing no feelings, it could be used in conjunction with the other two to possibly give us a holistic idea of who we are. I might think that I am a very persuasive individual but others might take me as pushy and unwilling to meet them at their comfort level. This leads me to a very important focus of this triad. </div>
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<b><i>~ What do others think of us?</i></b></div>
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All too often I hear things from Pagans like, 'Who cares what others think about me.' and 'It doesn't matter what others think about me, I will do what I want.' If we know anything about our Gaelic ancestors traditions we will know about their virtues, things like honor price, and the value of an individual that could be measured by monetary means, even if it was through cattle. </div>
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What others think about us is important. No? Ask yourself about the people you know and the judgements you have placed upon them. Why did you formulate those opinions of them? Was it how they come across, their language, perhaps the company they keep? We all pass judgements and weigh things everyday. How someone is dressed, their choice of music, makeup, even the people they associate with. Ones reputation & their name holds a price. </div>
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<b> ~ </b> Let me give you a very personal example about my life. I live in a town where my fathers family has been for over 100 years. My Grandfather and his two brothers after World War 2 became men associated with alcohol abuse. Back then in what was a small town everyone knew one another for the most part and people talked. My father born into this had 5 brothers and a sister. During the 50's many of his brothers were involved in a motorcycle gang. (I will leave the name of the gang out) They wore swastikas, were involved in violence and drugs. They made the paper several times and the surname took on a reputation. In the 50's this was also very much frowned upon in a small town. Given their fathers alcoholism it was seen as, "well... look at the father". My father was never involved in that lifestyle, but even in school it was, "which one is your father?" or "is your brother so-and-so?" Eventually my father became an alcoholic, drug abusing monster. He was physically abusive and my mother divorced him. My younger brother and I grew up without him - by my fathers own choice. Yet, I knew at any given time which of the 4 bars he was at; sitting right next to his brothers! My brother and I grew up the same way as my father did with, "which one is your father?" Now I'm a father to 3 boys and a girl and even now and then I still get the same questions. My brother has been in trouble since he was 10, and now that he's 32 with his own son, he still is in trouble with the law. His son is also a trouble maker. My children are in school & no doubt get asked by their teachers the same questions my father and I both were asked. Not long ago at a school event the Police were holding something for the school like fingerprints and id cards and my children's names tags were read by one of the officers and right in front of my wife he asks, "So, are you the good family or the bad family in town." How dare he. But honestly... look at the history, the reputation! </div>
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Do we judge people on an individual level? Do we stereotype them by their appearance like tattoos, piercings, and clothing? </div>
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<i>What others think about us can matter</i>. For an example you are looking to land a job, it's your dream job. Your employer has at their fingertips a means of looking up everything about you online. What does your online footprint say about you? Would it hold you back from this dream opportunity? A quick Google search and they have your Facebook, Google+, Twitter, Tumblr, Pintrest, Instagram, Amazon wish-list. Not to mention any/all public legal records. They can see how you are away from the professional world. What company you keep, how you dress, music you listen to, political and religious views, places you vacation, and so much more. </div>
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The point here is what does your 'online face' say about what others might think about you? Do you post all day long, do you you waste time and energy bitching and complaining? Do you share information, education, humor, and joy? Are you constantly ranting about things you can not change like other peoples faiths, political views, and even sexual preferences or diets. If you think that people do not judge you you're mistaken. If you think that their opinion of you doesn't matter, that is also a faulty use of critical thinking. The person you may not even know that knows of you only online has an ill formed and uneducated opinion of you because of what you share. They don't know that in real life 'off-line', you're not really like this. Too late, that person is so-&-sos brother, sister, cousin, nephew, etc and they told their family that they know you, and what type of person you are. No job! Use caution.</div>
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It is not just online though. In daily life are you walking around in your own world, self consumed and selfish, or are you polite, personable, and hospitable? What of your appearance, your use of language, and even hygiene? Now, I'm not saying that everyone should be clean cut business professional; not the least! I love a well done woman in anything from steampunk to cybergoth. It's time and place. I am saying if you look like you are seeking attention, and are rude, use poor language you might as well hand them the rope because you basically strung yourself up at the gallows.</div>
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An interesting way to look at this is through ancestor veneration. If we honor our ancestors, shouldn't we be a representative of them? We are after all a culmination of them, we are here because they survived war, famine, drought, plague, ice age and more. They survived, had children they loved and thats why we are here today. Wether or not your view of them is in a spiritual sense being with you on your lifes journey or simply as you should be healthy and strong because you owe that to them, I think honoring them by being the type of person they would want you to be. </div>
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Have you ever been in a formal situation where you required people to not only hear what you had to say and understand you, but also value and respect it? If so you might understand what I am talking about. </div>
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If what we think about ourselves is not an honest assessment, we are prone to see ourselves in ways that boost our egos or at least allow us peace from conflict in self doubt. Our self image is only part of the great equation. Others views of who we are are also one sided. How many of us can say that anyone really knows us fully? Do you put on airs, are you pretentious; do you interrupt conversations, take over conversations making them all about yourself? Are you a one upper, or have to have the last words? Perhaps you're socially awkward and too introverted and blend in. Do you say things that make others uncomfortable not respecting others boundries? Are you too rigid, or does your handshake feel like a dead fish? </div>
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This triad is beautiful because it forces us to think about ourselves in ways we often do not. What do I think I am? Am I really that or is there more. Am I being honest with myself or am I fantasizing about who I'd like to be instead? Who we want to be is not who we are. Maybe I am being fully honest with myself about all the positive and negative things I am aware of, even still; does this answer the question? How am I not myself? </div>
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We may also think upon the statement of, 'What do others think about me' in a more esoteric perspective. Energy, are there people you barely know formulating negative opinions of you sending negative thoughts out there attached to you. The subconscious is a strange thing. There could easily be people in your family or your close friends circle that have an opinion of you that if you knew of not only injury of insult would you take, but offense leading to sever the relationship would be pursued. </div>
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All of this from a Celtic Triad, for a people known for their ego, quick temper, and constant braggadocio. Masters of word and weapon we still aim to be, but please do give thought to your reputation and as someone told me long ago, "Go Gently little Wren." Hard words to accept, and even harder to apply. Still though, valuable information and something to always work towards. </div>
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What do you think you are?</div>
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What/How do others think of you?</div>
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What/Who are you truly?</div>
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Think about it.</div>
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Only you can be the change you seek.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-38614779883674701752017-01-25T03:05:00.001-05:002017-01-25T09:47:10.693-05:00Kilts in Ritual? <br />
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In ancient times long before people in Scotland were wearing the Great Kilt/Belted Plaid (Breacan an Fhéilidh) the Celtic people wore the Brat/Cloak. Basically this was a very long rectangular piece of wool fabric fastened by a brooch or fibula. Eventually as time passed on this eveloved into the Feileadh Mor (great plaid) and the Small Kilt (Féileadh beag, filibeg, philabeg) of the 16th and 17th centuries respectively. Many families have their own tartans that are registered and can be found on various websites. In our modern culture we have Military groups, Irish counties, and even Public and Private organizations that all use tartan for one use or another. Basically it is a deeply rooted thing, this idea of being united as a people using a tartan. </div>
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Today the Kilt is widely recognized as a symbol of Scottish heritage, and even more loosely a throw back to identifying with ones Celtic roots. What can be said is that from the Celtic Brat, the Great kilt developed and from that we have our modern kilt; just like the ones worn in WW1 and WW2. When one wears a kilt they do so not as a costume, nor as a simple piece of garb. It can be a uniform for some, but when the wearer does don a kilt, it is most definitely done so in an honorable veneration of Gaelic pride. It is and should be a statement of who we are and who we identify with. Who are our people and what culture we honor. </div>
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With so many Pagans wearing anything from monks robes, to fantasy renaissance wear in their rituals I ask, why not a kilt? If you happen to be of the Gaelic Polytheistic persuasion, by all means this should be an option. It should seriously be considered as the main choice for your ritual attire. You may chose to look into your families roots and see if you have any Clan associations, or even see if there is something universal you could wear. If you are apart of a Tuath or Pobal you could adopt and then adapt a tartan design that you all vote on. When I say adapt I mean you could use something that is readily available and then add a stripe or two to it to change it from being 'off the shelf'. What colors would you wear and why. As with all things they should have meaning to you. </div>
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I would much rather see people united with a group tartan or even each family wearing their colors than people in robes. If people in your group already have their own family tartans thats fine, but to wear your groups colors is a great option. A nice way of looking at it is if one were to join and march with a Pipe Band, you would wear 'their colors.' So, to wear the colors of your Tuath or Pobal does make sense in that respect. For me, it makes more sense culturally to wear something from our peoples history than a style foreign to us. </div>
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The women could wear an Earasaid, a shawl, a scarf, a ruana, or even long pleated tartan skirts. There are fly plaids, and even things like neck ties, hats, and hoodies people could wear to represent the group they are with; it need not be the kilt itself. There are baby kilts & youth kilts as well. Picture the image of a large group of people in kilts, people wearing torcs, tattoos showing, torc bangles, women with braids in their hair; these are all things that can be done to honor the culture and faith we celebrate as Gaels. One doesn't have to don formal kilt attire either. There is a time and a place for that like all things. I can tell you from experience that wearing a kilt with sandals and a tank top with a torc on during the summer makes me feel closer to my peoples culture and the faith of ancestors than wearing robes any day! Yes, I own robes, I have a few sets. Again, time and place ie. performing legal rites like weddings and such. </div>
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With companies like Sport Kilt there is no reason why one can not obtain an affordable kilt for their needs. They have many styles that range from casual, hiking, or even more formal. </div>
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You are having a public ritual and picnic at a local park. You are there with your family, and many other families. The fire is lit, the BBQ is going, the sun is shining, the children are running around and outsiders see everyone in kilts and tartan. Do you think they look on with concern as if you were all standing around in robes? Nope! They see one thing that even they can understand...'a people'. They see culture and heritage. To them it looks like what it should be; a people gathered together celebrating. Celebrating what? Does it matter? Nope! It could be anything or nothing at all. Just being TOGETHER and sharing in good company. So, Why not wear a kilt?! </div>
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<i>* I should add that one does not need to have Scottish or even Irish roots to wear a Kilt. If you're a Celtic Pagan you're already honoring the faith of the Celtic people. So why not honor the culture as well and wear a kilt or don some tartan. If kilts are not your thing, consider wearing the tartan in creative ways like a skull cap or even a shoulder sash.</i><span style="font: 19.0px Arial;"><i> </i></span></div>
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<b>Wonderful Kilt related Links:</b> </div>
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<span style="font: 20.0px Arial;">Has many articles <a href="https://albanach.org/"><span style="font: 21.0px Georgia;"><i>https://albanach.org/</i></span></a></span></div>
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<i>Early history of the kilt </i><i><a href="https://albanach.org/early-history-of-the-kilt-e0c5b0101b5">https://albanach.org/early-history-of-the-kilt-e0c5b0101b5</a></i></div>
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<i>wiki </i><i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_kilt">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_kilt</a></i></div>
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<i>clergy tartan- </i><i><a href="https://albanach.org/breacan-nan-clerach-the-tartan-of-the-cleric-a5f63b393c41">https://albanach.org/breacan-nan-clerach-the-tartan-of-the-cleric-a5f63b393c41</a></i><br />
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Sport Kilt - <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #006621; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 18px;"><a href="https://sportkilt.com/">https://<b>sportkilt</b>.com/</a></span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-61899737536510584802017-01-16T08:08:00.000-05:002017-01-16T08:08:26.766-05:00Celtic Feasting & Customs<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"> Most of us would agree that a language defines a culture. With that there are its funerary practices, styles of art, how they celebrate their faith and honor their Gods and so forth. One thing often left out is how people feasted. Each culture would have its own customs of dinning. For instance the Greeks would have had traditions much different from the Scythians or the Hebrews, just as the Celts would have been different from them and even the Germani (The Peoples East of the Rhine) Among the Celtic tribes, mainly those of ancient Gaul, we have a considerable amount of information. I'm intending to share some of the fragments that we have from historical accounts dealing with eating and drinking. So, grab yourself a pint and lets dig in. </span></div>
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<b>Plato 4th century BC</b></div>
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I am not discussing the drinking of wine nor drinking in general, but outright drunkenness, and whether we ought to follow the custom of the Scythians and Persians, and also the Carthaginians, Celts, Iberians, and Thracians, all very warlike peoples, or be like you Spartans, who, as you claim, abstain totally from drink. </div>
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<b>Athenaeus AD 200 Deipnosophistae </b></div>
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Trans. Philip Freeman </div>
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<b>From Posidonius in his Histories (135-c 50 BC)</b></div>
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The Celts place dried grass on the ground when they eat their meals, using tables which are raised slightly off the ground. They eat only small amounts of bread, but large quantities of meat, either boiled, roasted, or cooked on spits. They dine on this meat in a clean but lion-like manner, holding up whole joints in both hands and biting the meat off the bone. If a piece of meat is too difficult to tear off, they cut it with a small knife which is conveniently at hand in its own sheath. Those who live near rivers, the Mediterranean, or the Atlantic also eat fish baked with salt, vinegar, and cumin. They also use cumin in their wine. They do not use olive oil because of its scarcity and, due to is unfamiliarity, it has an unpleasant taste to them. When a number of them dine together, they sit in a circle with the most powerful man in the center like a chorus leader, whether his power is due to martial skill, family nobility, or wealth. Beside him sit the remainder of the dinner guests in descending order of importance according to rank. Bodyguards with shields stand close by them while their spear-men sit across from them, feasting together with their leaders. The servers bring drinks in clay or silver vessels resembling spouted cups. The platters on which they serve the food often are of similar material, but others use bronze, wooden, or woven trays. The drink of choice among the wealthy is wine brought from Italy or the region of Massalia (the Greek colony ay Marseilles). It is normally drunk unmixed with water, although sometimes water is added. Most of the rest of the population drinks a plain, honeyed beer, which is called <i>corma. </i>They use a common cup, sipping only a little at a time, but sipping frequently. The servant carries the cup around from right to left. In the same direction they honor their gods, turning to the right. </div>
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The Celts sometimes engage in single combat during their feasts. Arming themselves, they engage in mock-fights and sparring sessions with each other. Sometimes however, wounds are inflicted and these mock-battles lead to real killing unless the bystanders restrain the combatants. In their ancient times, the best warriors received the thigh portion during feasts. If another man were to challenge his right to the choicest portion, a duel was fought to the death. Others in former days would collect silver, gold, or a number of wine jars. Having received gift-pledges and distributed gifts among friends and family they would stretch themselves out across their shileds on their backs and then someone standing near would cut their throats with a sword. </div>
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<b>Diodorus Siculus (wrote 60-c 30 BC) </b></div>
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Trans. Philip Freeman </div>
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Some shave their beards while others allow a short growth, but nobles shave their cheeks and allow the mustache to grow until it covers the mouth. The result is that their mustaches become mixed with food while they eat, but serve as a sort of strainer when they drink. They do not sit in chairs when they dine, but sit on the ground using the skins of wolves or dogs. While dining they are served by adolescents, both male and female. Nearby are blazing hearths and cauldrons with spits of meat. They honor the brave warriors with the choicest portion, just as Homer says that the chieftains honored Ajax when he returned having defeated Hector in single combat. They also invite strangers to their feasts, inquiring of their identity and business only after the meal. During feasts it is their custom to be provoked by idle comments into heated disputes, followed by challenges and single combat to the death. They do not fear death, but subscribe to the doctrine of Pythagorus that the human spirit is immortal and will enter a new body after a fixed number of years. For this reason some will cast letters to their relatives on funeral pyres, believing that the dead will be able to read them. </div>
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<b>Strabo (64/63 BC-AD 21 at least) Geography</b></div>
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Trans. Benjamin Fortson</div>
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There is also a certain wooden weapon like a <i>grosphos, </i>cast by handed not from a thong, and having a longer range than arrows; these they use most of all for hunting fowl. Even to the present day most of them sleep on the ground, and eat sitting on beds of straw. Most of their nourishment comes from milk and all kinds of meats, especially pork, both fresh and slated. Their pigs live in the open, excelling in height, and strength, and speed; in fact it is dangerous for an inexperienced person to go up to them, as it is for a wolf.</div>
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At assemblies they have a peculiar practice is anyone should disturb the person speaking and interrupt him, an officer, approaching him with drawn sword, orders him to be silent with a threat; and if he does not cease, he does it a second and third time, and at last cuts off enough of the man's 'sagus' {"sagi/sagus" which they call lainai -probably a cloak} as to make it useless for the future. </div>
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As we can see from the Historical accounts there was a common them that seems to connect Feasting Customs, at least across Gaul. The similarities between them and the Brythonic Celts and the Gaels of Ireland are probably very close in custom. If one wishes to become more familiar with the Insular traditions it is best to read as much as you can of the stories that concern or have feasting within them. Here are some I feel provide a wonderful glimpse into the Gaelic and Brythonic culture. </div>
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The Story of Mac Dá Thó's Pig & Hound </div>
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Bricriu's Feast</div>
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The Severed head in the Feninan cycle</div>
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Now that we have eaten the 'Heros Portion' so to speak, how can we adopt and even adapt what we know from the lore and the historical accounts into our own Celtic feasting traditions. Those of us that honor the Old Ways might be inspired to use what we have gained here for we will how feast after our rituals and festivals. </div>
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<b>Some modern feasting customs</b></div>
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<span style="font: 15.0px Helvetica;"> </span> If you are like me and value the culture of the Celts, just as much as the spirituality you might wish to partake in some customs and traditions that define our culture in how we feast. It could argued that if the following customs are celebrated, an ancestor from ancient times would still know they are amongst kin folk due to these traditions. Here is a small list of things that you could incorporate into your festivals & gatherings. </div>
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~ When Guests arrive you offer them a sip from a "Welcoming Cup". This beverage need not be alcoholic, though some good choices are Mead, Wine, Ale, Hard Cider, Apple Juice or Non-Alcoholic Cider. We use a drinking horn or a Scottish Quaich. Remember if using a Quaich always use two hands while passing and receiving. </div>
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~ Welcome them in with a hug or a hearty handshake and any good welcoming phrase in Irish/Scottish/Welsh/Manx/Cornish/Breton or even Gaulish. Something simple like, "Céad Míle Fáilte" (Kay-ad mill-uh Fall-cha) is fine if you wish. You could even say this as you hand them the 'welcoming cup'. </div>
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~ Hosting an event should be done with great care. The job of hosting is very serious. You want your home to be clean, free of clutter, organized, and have dedicated room for feasting and even games or dancing. Your home reflects your family. </div>
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~ Try to serve traditional dishes that are in season to which ever festival is being celebrated. Local grown food is always best. Are you serving meats? Can you obtain local organic grass fed free range? Maybe you hunt? so perhaps deer, or wild boar, duck and goose, rabbit, etc. Can you grow your own herbs and vegetables to be used for at least festival celebrations? Will there be milk, cream or butter? Can you obtain 'raw milk' (tested) instead of store bought rubbish? What about the alcohol, can you homebrew or make the mead yourself? So Much to consider when being a host. </div>
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~ Make sure there is plenty of everything and that no one goes without. </div>
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~ It is common for guests to bring gifts when visiting. Commonly this is often a bottle of wine, mead, or beer. Though there are other gifts might consider like candles, and breads, or even deserts. *Breads served or brought are always best when homemade if possible. </div>
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~ Seating arrangements are taken seriously. Who sits where and why is important. The one hosting the event might arrange a table with pre-placed name cards to avoid confusion. Know your company, who does what for a living, etc. After all this is a feast, they should at least be family or close friends. If there will be new guests, its good to know a bit about them to make them feel special. </div>
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~ Who eats 1st and why. Who is served 1st and how things are passed around the table also play an important role. It is not a grab for yourself free for all. Things are passed right to left. </div>
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~ Have dedicated people for serving food and drinks. Are there teenagers present? They can best be of service to wait on those who need refills, before they can eat. </div>
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~ Someone may be served "The Hero's portion" of the meal. Are there any people of military service, veterans, law enforcement, or even those in the martial arts at your table? Possibly just someone that has accomplished some great deed or feat within their personal lives for the benefit of the "the people" or others within the community. </div>
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~ All offerings, blessings, and callings are done by the Druid/Draoi only. (In the Irish/Scottish language) This includes any portion dedicated as a meal offering left outside or at the table. Unless of course there is a dedicated person who makes the sacrifice for the people. Others may wish to make an offering and in doing so, give them to the Draoi or dedicated person to make the sacrifice on their behalf. Remember most often in Celtic culture 'the people' went to the Druid because they were the mediators between the Gods and the people. They had the power of word and education to be of service, it was their job. Let them be of service. </div>
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~ Toasting should be done by all present and lots of toasting should be practiced. Toasts to the ancestors, the Gods, and Heroes. Just as important is toasting to one another & those whom could not be present at the feast. </div>
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~ At the table there could be stories, songs, poetry and music. Consider having a seisiún "session" after the meal. Sing songs together. </div>
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~ You may also wish to include a Mead Circling which is similar to the Germanic custom of a Symbel. </div>
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~ A proper parting/blessing to your guests is good form. You may wish to offer them a care package of food to take home for the next day or for those that could not attend. I always using the 'welcoming cup' full of Milk and a special spoon I carved from Rowan (protection) to pour milk over the tires of the departing ones vehicle. I do so clockwise while singing a blessing. I generally reserve this practice for those guests that i don't see often that travel long distances to visit. You may chose to use something like this:</div>
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<b>A Journey blessing</b></div>
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Sith co Nem<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Peace up to the heavens.</div>
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Nem co doman<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span> Heavens down to earth.</div>
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Doman fo nem<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Earth under heavens</div>
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Nearst hi cach<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Strength in all</div>
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Nan Diathan a tha san talamh <span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gods in the earth</div>
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Nan Diathan a tha san neamh<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Gods in the sky</div>
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Nan Diathan a tha sa mhuir mhóir bhòcaich Gods in the great pouring sea</div>
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Dìon nan Diathan air An àite An rud seo. Protection of the gods on this object. </div>
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Gu robh beannachd na Diathan agus ar Sinnsearan air an àite An rud seo. May the gods and ancestors bless this object.</div>
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Manannan bhith leat air gach bealach. Manannan be with you in every pass.</div>
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Manannan bhith leat air gach talach. Manannan be with you on every hill.</div>
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Manannan bhith leat air gach strutha. Manannan be with you at every stream.</div>
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Ruadh, s’raighe, is rèid lein. Headland ridge and lawn.</div>
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Gach muir is tir, gach frith is cluan. Each sea and land, each moor and meadow.</div>
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Gach laighe sios, gach éirigh suas. Each lying down, each rising up.</div>
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An lag nantonn, air barr nan stuagh. In trough of waves, on crest of billows.</div>
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Gach ceum dh’an chuart dh’an téid thu. Each step of the journey you go.</div>
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Ón áit os comhair àr sùile chuig an áit istigh iontu. From before our eyes to within them.</div>
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~ The host may have a special welcoming & greetings for the Guests at the meal before it begins after the Druid speaks 1st.</div>
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~ The Draoi might do a blessings over the meal, over the guests, and over the offerings most likely in Irish or Scottish.</div>
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If you are the host you could use this:</div>
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Blessings on the Blossoms</div>
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Blessings on the Fruits</div>
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Blessings on the Leaves and Stems</div>
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Blessings on the Roots.</div>
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My family often uses this. You may adjust it for your needs. </div>
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We give praise to the Túatha dé Dannan, the Gods of our people and our Ancestors. </div>
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We thank you for this meal and all that has come before it. </div>
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Bless the Field and the Fruit</div>
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The Hunter and the Hunted</div>
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The Hands and the Harvest</div>
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The Brewer and the Brew</div>
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and the Home and the Hearth </div>
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or</div>
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Bless </div>
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Host and host</div>
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Hunter and hunted</div>
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Hands and harvest</div>
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Hearth and hall</div>
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Field and fruit</div>
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Feast and friends</div>
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Cup and contents</div>
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Tongues and tales</div>
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Singers and songs</div>
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<b>Other wonderful Feasts ideas might include:</b></div>
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~ Playing Fidchell, or Chess or other board games. Maybe you are a DnD family? </div>
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Have you ever heard of the New Celtic Card Game called <b>Ard Rí</b> https://www.culturlan.com/pages/ard-riIts<b> </b>Both children and Adults can play, there are three versions of skill level. </div>
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~ You may wish to have certain topics to discuss but be sure its not NOT business related. No "business meeting like" topics. Remember the Gauls only talked business after a meal, and if interruption in conversation was had it was highly offensive. If this feast is related to something you do with your Tribe, Grove, Coven, etc remember the mood should be Festive! This is not a communication meeting or a time for group business while eating. That is done at other times or after the meal. Perhaps such topics are best left for tea & cookies, lunch type meetings. If there is important issues to be brought up, after the meal would be at least better form. </div>
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~ Divination after a meal might be offered privately or for the group. </div>
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~ Music with dancing can always be fun! Are there any Irish dancers in your family, Sean Nos dancing anyone? If you don't have live musicians, why not make a music play list for feasting, and one for after the feast for drinking, dancing or other merriment. Its nice to have some relaxing eating music and more upbeat tunes after the meal. We live in a time where you could add your playlist to your phone or usb drive and just plug in, hit play, and 'shake yer bum' it's that easy. Let the little ones show you how its done! </div>
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~ Since we are not in practice of carrying swords you could always have hand to hand combat, arm wrestle, wrestle/grapple. But of course what would a Celtic meal be without some real feats of strength? "George, go fight your Father!" There are wonderful practice weapons one can obtain for those braggadocio moments of heated debate during meals where you may wish to engage in combat. Having personally done this many times I can tell you, there is nothing that makes me feel more connected to my ancestors than having just finished swallowing some delicious roasted pork and grabbing my practice sword to defend my stance on an issue. "I call you out on your B.S. 'Mr. know it all', take that!" And of course in good form knowing when to call it, and return to the festivities. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-38184631783973413032017-01-16T07:36:00.001-05:002017-01-16T07:36:07.023-05:00Know your faith before you mock mine!<br />
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I think you should really come to terms with what you believe and either make a choice and follow it or do something else. It is very simple, you can NOT be a Christian and not follow the 10 commandments. Contrary to popular belief they are not in order of what is most important. You can not pick and choose which best suits you. Breaking one is EQUAL to breaking any of them. That is right- Thou shall not kill is equal to Thou shall not steal. Just as Thou shall not covet a neighbors wife is equal to Remember the sabbath day & to keep it holy. </div>
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So, you really like that house down that one street better than your own house, and you really want it? Thats a SIN the SAME SIN as MURDERING SOMEONE!!! Were you thinking about fucking that cute guy, not doing it but thinking about it, yep sin. Same sin as not going to church! And you're a Christian? Watch your thoughts they could be sending you to hell LOL</div>
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Now for a moment think about this; Both Jew and Christian take these rules as only some of the rules of their faith. Yes, they come from the Old Testament which in fact makes them a bit more Jewish, but both Christian and Jew believe that these 10 Commandments were actually written by "The finger of 'God' himself". Moses did not write them and bring them down to the Israelites, GOD WROTE THEM on the tablets and gave them to Moses for him to deliver. Now, do you believe that? Because if you don't... You're not a Christian. </div>
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~ But Which God? </div>
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"I am the Lord thy God"</div>
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This actually translates more closely to: "I am Yahweh your God" This is the opening of the 10 Commandments. </div>
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<i>I am Yahweh your God, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. You shall have no other gods before me. You shall not make for yourselves an idol, nor any image of anything that is in the heavens above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: you shall not bow yourself down to them, nor serve them, for I, Yahweh your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and on the fourth generation of those who hate me, and showing loving kindness to thousands of those who love me and keep my commandments.</i></div>
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<i>— Exodus 20:2-6</i></div>
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So, This God Yahweh. He is a Hebrew God, a God who proclaims he is and should be the ONLY God of the Isrealites. Why? Was his competition causing problems? Pretty bold for a God to step out of his pantheon of other Gods and say screw you guys, Im more powerful and better. Btw- these people over here (The Israelites) they are mine now, I claim them. As the Christians would call him "GOD" or God the Father; What do you really know about him? I dunno, how about the fact he just admitted to being a jealous God. One who will punish you if you do not follow him. Hey God, thanks for all those options! LOL He's clear when he says, he's Not the only God, but pick me- pick me, I'm the best and greatest and if you do this I will reward you (he's never really clear how you'll be rewarded), and if you don't you will be punished. Yea, nice God ya have there, but no thanks. Oh yea, he smote entire cities killed tons of people, tried to destroy the earth by a massive flood but choses Noah and allowed his son (Jesus - btw: not his real name) to die and suffer. Great Father-God right there. Oh and I forgot, his promise of ever living after life in heaven that Jesus mentions is ONLY FOR JEWS. But Jews don't really have a "heaven" by traditional/original belief. You have to be Hebrew to be Gods chosen people. After all Yahweh is the one who professes that he should be the only God of the Iseralites. </div>
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But wait - Did Yahweh exist before this and who was he? Was he apart of a larger Pantheon of Gods? It is pretty clear he was a deity from the Iron Age that was connected to 'the sky, and storms'. What about his Wife? (more on that later)</div>
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Best God ever, NOT! Thou shall not kill, but its okay if God punishes and kills entire cities? It's not okay to murder we can all agree on that one right? Don't forget the book of Deuteronomy and Leviticus where it is allowed, and encouraged. Yep, you can capture a Pagan in your village, bring them to the boundary of your town line and stone them to death. WHAT?! Yep, God allows you to KILL PAGANS. Says so right in the Bible. Throw rocks at them until they are dead... Nice God. I am the Lord thy God ~ Thou shall not kill, but... kill Pagans, thats okay with me. FUCK THAT! Constant biblical contradictions. </div>
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Faiths like Judaism, Christianity, & Islam are all Middle-Eastern Hebrew and Arab faiths. They all claim to be the only way to salvation or heaven. That each one is the right way. Each has a holy book, each has a prophet, and a God that for way too long people have killed others for because their God told them to. Ask yourself, what does this faith have to do with your ancestral roots? Are you a Jew, are you an Arab? If not can you see how this faith isn't really aimed at you or your ancestors. Again, not who my ancestors were, so I don't care about their faiths. <span style="font: 18.0px Times New Roman;">Tolerance and Respect is very important, they often demand it for their faith but fail to have it for anyone else! </span></div>
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So, What about Jesus?</div>
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To be a "Christian" You must FULLY believe in the following 10 statements</div>
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1. Jesus was born of a Virgin</div>
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2. Was the ONLY son of God</div>
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3. Is the ONLY way to salvation</div>
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4. Performed the following miracles: </div>
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1)Calms a Storm on the Sea of Galilee with a wave of his hand.</div>
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2) Heals the demonized man at Gerasa</div>
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3) Raises Jairus's dead daughter back to life</div>
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4) Feeds crowd of 5 thousand</div>
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5) Heals a man who was born blind</div>
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6) Changes water to wine</div>
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7) Cures a Centurions servant with no contact</div>
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8) Heals the paralytic at the pool- man who couldnt walk for 38 years.</div>
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9) Reverses the drought of fish. After a fruitless night of fishing on the Sea of Galilee, Peter receives a command from Jesus to lower his nets again. This time so many fish are caught that Peter’s nets begin to break.</div>
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10) Heals the demonized in Synagogue at Capernaum. </div>
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11) Heals Peters monther-in-law and many sick.</div>
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12)Heals the leper</div>
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13)Heals another paralytic</div>
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14) Heals the woman who touched him. </div>
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15) Walks on the lake and stills the storm</div>
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16) Feeds four thousand people</div>
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17) Heals the blind, mute, and demonized son in Peraea</div>
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18) Heals 10 lepers</div>
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19) Raises Lazarus from the dead</div>
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20) Curses the fig tree and it withers</div>
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21) Resurrected himself from the dead</div>
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22) After rising from the dead he supplies an abundance of fish</div>
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5. You believe in the resurrection of Jesus: That he Died on the Cross & Rose from the Dead</div>
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6. You believe in Sin</div>
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7. You believe that by believing in and praying to Jesus (ONLY) you will be saved during life and after death because you believe he died for your sins. You don't pray to God, you pray to the "Son of God"</div>
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8. You believe in heaven and hell.</div>
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9. You believe that the Bible is the actual "word of God". That there is no higher authority of Gods Laws. The Old Testament and The New Testament, You follow all of the 10 Commandments, etc. </div>
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10. You believe in One God that exists in 3 persons also known as the Holy Trinity: Father (God aka. YHWH) Jesus Christ as the only son of God the Father, and the Holy Spirit.</div>
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~ If you do not believe in ALL of these things then by definition than you are NOT a Christian, you are something else. You can not pick and chose what you want to believe and call yourself a Christian! That is a fact. That is not how the Religion works!!!! If a Vegetarian eats a little fish now and then, maybe an egg once a month then they are not a Vegetarian by definition, they are something else. </div>
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There are also things you can not do if you are a Christian. A small example list is as follows: (This is based on the Christian belief that the Bible is the highest authority of Gods Law) </div>
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Shaving - Lev 19:27</div>
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Cursing - Eph. 5:4</div>
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Gossip - Lev 19:16</div>
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Football on Saturday - Exod. 20:8</div>
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Eating Lobster - Lev 11:10</div>
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Eating Pork - Lev 11:7</div>
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Wearing Cotton mixed with other fibers - Lev 19:19</div>
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Associating with women who are having their periods - Lev. 15:19-20</div>
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So?</div>
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After all of this are you a Christian? What God/Lord are you worshiping? You cant pick and choose. Make a choice, and have the guts to follow it through. It's not hard to understand that your ancient ancestors lived just fine with their own Gods for many thousands of years before Christianity even existed. And it wasn't until then that they got along well enough without being ruled by a foreign faith pushed upon them without a choice. You know what? I have a choice, and my choice is to follow my heart and listen to it. That is why I follow the path of my ancestors and have no fear. The Jews and Christians can keep their God, their Lord, their Jesus. I don't believe in sin, I don't believe Mary was a virgin, I don't believe he died on the cross and came back from the dead. Why?</div>
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~ Sin never existed outside of the ancient Hebrew world. No other faiths have it. Do the Hindus have it? Did Native Americans have it? What about the Celts and Norse, the Balts, Slavs, Thracians, Scythians, Etruscans? Nope. It's based on Fear and Guilt they try to instal for control. </div>
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~ Do women get impregnated from God? No! He didn't look like his brothers and sisters; yes Mary and Joseph had other kids after Jesus (Yeshua) which means Joshua. How do women get pregnant? Only one way that I know of- Intercourse; and if that wasn't with her Husband Joseph then she would have been stoned to death while pregnant because that was their law. She could have been unfaithful, or she could have been raped, possibly even by a Roman solider? Regardless a mother protects her unborn child, and she does what? LIES!!! "An angel came to me from God and said...blah blah blah." Why? So she doesn't get brutally murdered by having an entire village throw rocks at her face until her brains ooze out of her head, thats why. </div>
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~ Death on the cross? You can not die and come back days later. Its a story is symbolism, allegory. But people saw him?! That means he didn't die on the cross because there were many accounts people saw him afterwards. So he didn't rise from the dead, he simply wasn't dead. Were they not giving him pain killers while he was up on the cross? Those herbs in the water they washed his wounds with were pain killers. Why was he buried in a private tomb? Why do the Stations of the Cross show the moon out while putting him in the tomb? Were they possibly taking him out of the tomb? Possibly I dunno, moving the body or even reviving/healing him? If I saw someone days later after being killed I'd call that a ZOMBIE. </div>
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Jesus is basically a Pagan God himself...well, "basically." </div>
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The last supper was a passover supper and he breaks all Jewish tradition. He breaks bread and shares it saying to take and eat it as it is his body. Think about it, bread is his body. What is bread? Bread is grain, it is the fertility of the land and hard work of the fields, the harvest. He then is a grain god, and is about the threshing floor, the process of transforming grain to bread, about the winnow and the chaff, about separating and opening. But, he's not the grain really. Grain has to be harvested, just like he was explaining that he would be harvested. But bread is not grain, it is bread; its the grain that has undergone transformation. Its alchemy. He is the bread, the sustainer, the God of the field, "John Barleycorn", he's a Pagan Deity in this aspect! But wait, there is more.</div>
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He also took a cup and said something about, "take this all of you and drink from it, for this is my blood"...etc. Really, eat his body and drink his blood? Yes, cannibals and vampires lol Oh, it was wine? Well in all good things Dionysian he then becomes the fermentation of the vine, the produce of the vineyard, the magic of fermentation, and associated again with products of reaping, and harvest. <i>He is not the grape, nor the vine, he is not juice he is the wine</i>. Hey that rhymes! The point here is if his blood is the wine, he is associated with a process of fermentation - transformation, just like the grain to the bread. The grains of the fields transformed, they have to be winnowed on a threshing floor, made into flour, and undergo a transformative process before baked into bread. No doubt a Matzah, a passover bread made of eggs, wine, wheat, barley, spelt, rye, and oats. These were cooked in about 18 min or less as tradition has it the Israelites didn't have time to let their bread rise as they fled Egypt. This does NOT mean they didn't have yeast in them, it means they didn't allow time for the yeast to rise. </div>
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*** Speculation but possible - Could this new covenant be about yeast? Something that "rises again"? We know the wine had wild yeast in it for fermentation and wine was used to make the Matzah. Perhaps the bread at the last supper was a leavened bread? Just a thought. Again, Yeshua was definitely not acting within Jewish tradition when he said those words at his Passover meal. He broke tradition and that was a big no-no to any Jew. It could even be argued that he wasn't trying to form a new religion but rather reform Judaism. Thats the big one all Christians miss. </div>
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~ Don't even get me started on Catholic thought about this. That God gives the Priest magical powers to actually transform, NOT through symbolism but actually transform the bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus. Listen again, the actual body and blood of Jesus. Transubstantiation, Look it up! Btw: It wasn't invented or used prior to the 11th century. Yet Today every Catholic takes part in this each Sunday. Not really, do you know any Catholics that go to Church every Sunday? LOL. Keep holy the sabbath for them is only on Easter and Christmas. </div>
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Here is another provoking thought. Is it possible that God the Father (Yahweh) is not God the Father Jesus was talking about in his sermons? Think about where Yahweh comes from, who he is, his story/lore and his over-all nature in the Old Testament. Could it be suggested that Jesus was actually a messenger, teacher, prophet, whatever of the real "all powerful creator" sent here to teach us and remind us about love etc showing that the Father of Jewish Old Testament isn't actually the real father at all, but a deity that stepped in with his own agenda? Hey just a thought. If you read everything Jesus supposedly talks about 'His Father' none of the characteristics of the Old Testament God seem to fit. </div>
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These are some other things to consider:</div>
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The Bible might be inspired by divinity but its a peoples book and therefore can be dangerous to base any form of credibility in its pages. It is a work that you read in your own language which by all means does not read the same way in its original texts. Translation upon translation, things omitted and taken out, edits, etc all make this book unreliable.</div>
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So.. The Dead Sea Scrolls. They are older and perhaps the most accurate of Old Testament, they are written in Hebrew Aramaic, and Greek. But we often see that even simple words can differ greatly! </div>
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Things like God creating mankind in his own image. When it reads - We created you in our image. Thats plural. Because at one time the Hebrew God was not a sexless being. He had a consort. </div>
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Words like 'Adam' - was a Hebrew word not meaning the name of an individual but it means 'human race'. </div>
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With things like the Gospels, they are not 1st hand accounts of Jesus and his life, the 4 gospels are not a reality!</div>
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Mark was the 1st to be written and that was in 70 AD. None of them were 1st hand accounts. None of them actually met Jesus. Christianity existed for 300 before there was a New Testament. Yep, re-read that again and ask yourself why are you even reading this 'Bible'</div>
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So, who were the authors then of this New Testament?</div>
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I think all of these authors had a goal and an agenda, they included stories that met their agenda. The real author lies about their identity by telling stories that place them along side Jesus. This is a fact and provable. </div>
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Greek is the oldest and most common language of the Roman world and this is what we have written about Jesus that is used to create a later giant following used Globally. These people in charge of the writing wanted Romans with money to form a religion, one that could be used for power. Constantine did so in his religious political agenda for control we all know this.</div>
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There are so many stories that were not in the Bible that people accept today like they were. </div>
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For instance, there no three wisemen at Jesus birth... no Gold, frankincense, and myrrh. We often see the gospels don't agree. This with so many mistranslations over the centuries simply prove the book is unreliable as a source of faith. </div>
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<b>Every translation is an interpretation!</b></div>
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At Jesus death:</div>
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The women ran away, they were afraid....</div>
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The original page was destroyed or deleted, or even lost. It was most likely on the back of another page that didn't make the book. Then someone much later added 8 more verses #9-20 of the story of his resurrection. Why, because people were so dissatisfied with Marks gospel and how it ended abruptly. It became common practice to edit the bible to support new religious beliefs. Mother church had an official translation and ONLY a priest could interpret the content. You had to go to them for your questions and guidance. </div>
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You could not translate the Bible from Latin or Hebrew or Greek on your own without persecution. It was forbidden to own an unlicensed bible, and you would be put to death for heresy. The bible was not for everyone, it was priests only. Did you hear that... You were put to DEATH for owing an "unlicensed bible". Thou shall not kill?</div>
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Stories added like the one found in the King James bible where Jesus catches a woman committing adultery (John 7 and 8)</div>
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Jesus says let them without sin cast the 1st stone. This was never in any of the original books. It was a story people told about him and then added at that time because of how they felt Jesus might have acted in that situation.</div>
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The Bible has been trimmed, cut, embellished and even mythologized to the point of romanticism so many times even the basic messages have been lost. </div>
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Back to the Dead Sea Scrolls - </div>
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Not every piece is account for. Back in 1947 many fragments and even entire scrolls were stolen and sold off. Might there be tons of info missing that is untranslated or even lost forever that tells us another story, are there more scrolls out there still in a desert cave that would give us insight? </div>
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So who decides what is cannon? Why do they chose this over that? I feel the agenda is politics and not religious. Books edited out like the Apocrypha which means "hidden things" or secret teaching are not accepted as accepted cannon but they give an alternative source to understand things that were rejected. That any book which contradicts what they accept to be cannon is rejected and considered heresy and then punishable by torture and death. Very Christian LOL</div>
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You could look at The Book of Enoch. "He walked with God and then he was not, God took him." </div>
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He was removed from Hebrew texts but why? Was the message of promoting the notion that God is angry and vengeful, to where Enoch shows God as compassionate and caring about human welfare somehow controversial and not fitting to accepted texts. I think so. </div>
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The Nag Hammadai have 52 texts and were compiled around the 2-4th centuries by The Gnostics. Many of the texts were burned and destroyed because they did not fit the political agenda of the established message. For instance the Gospel of Thomas. It offers a very different form of Christianity with a very different Jesus.</div>
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So, what about his missing years? Where did he travel? His teachings are often very foreign to Jewish practice!</div>
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Look at Jesus and Mary Magdalene. Look into the Gospel of Mary - written 2nd Cent AD</div>
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He shared things with her that he didn't share with his other disciples. It has even been written that he loved her more. Why? I dunno, maybe she was his wife? The established church was a men rule over women system, and this takes hold and forces her story out. The Roman world operated on a male dominate system and you see her story disappear out of history. </div>
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What of the Garden and the serpent? God doesn't want you to pursue knowledge. Why wouldn't God want you to have knowledge? The serpent granted knowledge to mankind instead of keeping it and hiding it from them. If God loves you so much why can you not have knowledge? Why is knowledge forbidden? The Church places blame on Eve not the serpent</div>
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Well what about Lilith? What about the people outside of the Garden? Mentioned but never discussed.</div>
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~ 1st cent ad The book, The life of Adam and Eve which based on an original Hebrew script offers a glimpse at the life after their expulsion from the garden. You see a more detailed story of Cain & Able, Seth, 30 sons and 30 daughters. </div>
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Okay "God"</div>
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The Israelites in 8-9 century BCE give us Hebrew inscriptions - that "God" had a wife. Yahweh and his Asherah. She is mentioned more than 40 times in 9 different books. Often as the Queen of heaven. She worshiped as late as the 7th cent bc and her symbols are a tree and a serpent. It could be suggested that the Adam and Eve stories are derived from older Goddess myths. Though in later stories and in books like Deuteronomy she is banned, she is not tolerated or accepted as being even related to or apart of Yahweh. Why? Because to the Israelites God 'became' but wasn't always, a sexless deity, and had no consort. But only among the Israelites was "he" a sexless gender. The concept of El and Elohim, etc were not original to their concept of God. The Gnostics show her as an equal, as a mother with her husband Yahweh as a Father in Heaven (sky) by the gnostics. Earth Mother, Sky Father... very-very common in the ancient world. Look at Proto-Indo-European religion. The symbols connected to Asherah are no doubt connected to the Garden of Eden stories, the tree and serpent. Don't forget these stories were told in Mesopotamia long before they became adopted by the Israelites. </div>
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Books like Revelations are very odd! </div>
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Look at John's Apocalypse - which comes from the Greek and means "a revealing or an unveiling"; not the end of the world doomsday type of event. It is about a prophet that has a vision. There were other books just like it that didn't make it in the final draft like, The Apocalypse of Peter. This was just one of 20 books of revelation that were kept out of the standard Bible that people accept as "The Bible" today. In Peters story it offers a guided tour of heaven and hell where Peter is shown by Jesus what hell and torture is like. Its pretty entraining. </div>
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<b>~ ALL Bible stories are censored and edited. </b></div>
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Who was this Jesus? </div>
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He was actually born around 4-7 BCE, during the reign of Herod the Great, so we live on a wrong calendar. LOL, Nice thanks a lot Churchies. </div>
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He was not born in Bethlehem, but in Nazareth. We know this by Roman census which for taxation they kept good documentation. So why they story? The Messiah was suppose to be born in Bethlehem, so they changed their story to fit his role. What about his life before he was a prophet? His Lost years? He had 4 brothers and a few sisters, about 7 kids or more in his family and they get lost later in his life story because of the importance of the "Virginity of Mary".</div>
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Born of a Virgin?</div>
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In Hebrew the original text Mary is called - "Almah" which simply means a young woman, one of marital age. It wasn't until the translation into Greek where the translators thought this meant virgin. They ran with this virgin title with an attempt to justify Jesus as a Messiah in his fulfillment role of the Old Testament prophesies. All of a sudden he was divine and a miracle child. Young woman of marrying age does not mean Virgin! Kinda a big deal. </div>
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Want a different perspective of Jesus as a child? Read the Infancy Gospel of Thomas was Jesus Brother. </div>
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Who was Jesus mentors? Perhaps John the Baptist aka John the dipper. It could be said that he was Jesus 1st cousin. </div>
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It was written that Mary was kins woman of Elizabeth... 'John's Mother'. They probably grew up together, John was the big guy, well known, many thought John was their teacher and Messiah. John was popular and dangerous because the Jews didnt like being a conquered people from the Romans. The Romans eventually had him arrested, sent to prison, and beheaded. </div>
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This is when Johns followers begin to followed Jesus, and why not, Jesus was probably right there beside John helping him, especially if they were family. </div>
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So were his miracles real, or did his followers help him publicly so more people would follow him? His messages were directed the poor people. He threatens the status quo. He tells people to quit their jobs and to leave their families. Yep...leave your family! WHAT? No thanks Josh, I love my wife and kids! It was women that contributed funds to his ministry - Because he had no job, no money to eat or drink. Mary is mentioned again as his benefactor, maybe Mary was his wife? She was not a prostitue but a victim of a churches agenda to take away power from the female role in all things spiritual. The Bible is very clear about the 'role of women.' They are NOT equals, very Abrahamic and even Roman. </div>
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So many get stuck on titles.</div>
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<span style="font: 18.0px Times New Roman;">Things like "The son of man"... In Aramaic, Bar 'ěnoš.</span> simply meant "a person." It's like saying 'someone'. It wasn't really connected to any Messianic meaning. But he did know the scriptures and tried to step into a role that already existed. His primary task was to recreate the kingdom of David on earth and to liberate the Jews. Did he actually claim he was the Messiah? His message was about renewal, revolution, change, and fulfillment of the old prophesies. He was trying to fulfill that common people were equal to the wealthy. This resonated with the occupied Jews. The Romans see him as a threat because he has a political agenda; He was after all a revolutionary. Think about this for a second, at one time people in Germany were upset about foreign influence in their homeland and Hitler rose to power exploiting our nation, a nation of Germany for Germans. Eh hem, Jeusus was all about his land being returned to the Jews. Its political and although not exactly the same, its still social/political. Jesus simply used religion to reach the people with his messages for liberation. </div>
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He told his apostles there will be 12 thrones to rule over the 12 tribes of Israel. His mission was non military. But if thats what their role was to be, what was Jesus role? Was Jesus to be the "New King of the Jews? </div>
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He was a passive holy man type figure, but by allowing his followers to call him Messiah this was like waging war on Caesar himself. He could have easily told them not to call me that, but he didnt. The religious hierarchy and the Romans plotted his death for being someone who was starting a movement that could create a war. A week before passover in Jerusalem, Jesus enters the city on a donkey.</div>
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He humbly riding on a donkey fulfills this old image of prophecy to show Jews present who he thought he was... the promised Davidic King, the Messiah. He was starting a rebellion by doing this. Roman rule did not fancy such demonstrations, and action would be taken on account of his public political statements. </div>
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At the Temple he looses his temper over financial corruptions and makes a scene. Stating, "this house of God which is for prayer for ALL nations, has become a house of commerce." Doing so he becomes a vice of judgement. Ultimately this sets the course to his death. He shouts and whips people, was he trying to ignite a political revolt. The question here is; was he delusional in who he thought he was as the Messiah, and how he perceived himself? So he was arrested on a charge of sedition. He was to be put to death with no hearing, or formality as we see in the bible, but thats not Roman practice. Also its held at night, on a holy day, at passover, all of which was illegal. Doesn't make much sense. With a crime written above his head, "king of the jews" which he never said he was, he was placed in a private tomb. Why?</div>
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Three days after his death "3 days" huh..? The moon dies and is reborn after 3 days. </div>
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It was in the private tomb of his uncle - Joseph of Arimathea who put him there. When passover is done, a final rite and final resting place would be in order, and the body was taken for a 'final burial'. Why was his body missing when the women went to check on him? He was missing because he died hours before the sabbath and had to be later prepared for final burial. BUT was he deliberately removed to create speculation, and controversy, and were the gospels written to promote his divine origins? His followers were the ones that make him into the Messiah, its they who elevate him to a status which is still seen as divine. So, he either died on the 'Cross' (probably not actually a crucifix) because lets face it, he was tortured and there are no accounts to people surviving a Roman death sentence. Unless it was an inside job? Unless they took him down and he healed and was moved? If people did actually see him 3 days later it was because he wasn't dead; Not that he rose from the dead. OR there was a type of hysteria surrounding their belief in what he programmed them to believe. Who knows? Not really a care I have. </div>
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~ Anyway, Not my circus, not my monkeys. This is not my faith. The details I find interesting for study but thats it. I will not worship a man that "might" have existed a few thousand years ago who isn't even of 'my people'. My Gods are much different. Jesus - if he did exist probably had a good message, one that is no doubt over seen and lost! His message, I think is pretty basic: don't be a dick! Anything past that we really have no clue about. </div>
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I think Christians should really come to terms with what they believe and either make a choice and follow it or do something else. Educate yourself on your faith for starters before you preach to me. It is very simple, you can NOT be a Christian and not follow the 10 commandments. You can not pick and choose within your faith, your religion does not allow for that. If you want to that is fine, lots of people do that, but they can not be defined as a Christian. There are things that define you as a Christian; Either follow those things or do something else. I am not an anti Jew or an anti Christian, I am though against uneducated masses that feel the need to push their faith into my life. You have a choice, I have choice, thats the beauty of life. The nice thing is, if you choose to "shove your dove" into my life I will kill it and feed it to my children. Birds taste good. Know your faith and don't mock mine; now go eat your stale Jesus chips and have a pleasant day! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-83227020530897689572017-01-15T06:23:00.001-05:002017-01-15T06:31:56.279-05:00Suggested Celtic Reading List<div style="font: 25.0px Helvetica; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; text-align: center;">
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<b>1) Celtic Heritage </b>by Alwynn & Brindley Ree<span style="font: 16.0px Times New Roman;">s </span></div>
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<b>2) The Apple Branch </b>by Alexei Kondratiev:<b> </b>A path to celtic ritual</div>
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<b>3. Pagan Portals - Irish Paganism: Reconstructing Irish Polytheism</b><span style="font: 18.0px Times New Roman;"> by Morgan Daimler</span></div>
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<b>4. Where the Hawthorn Grows</b> by Morgan Daimler </div>
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<i>~ Other great works by Mrs. Daimler: </i></div>
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<span style="font: 17.0px Arial;"><i>- </i></span><span style="font: 15.0px Arial;">Pagan Portals</span><span style="font: 17.0px Arial;"><i>- </i></span>The Morrigan: Meeting the Great Queens</div>
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- Pagan Portals- Brigid: Meeting The Celtic Goddess of Poetry, Forge and Healing Well</div>
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- By Land, Sea, and Sky</div>
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- Pagan Portals- Gods and Goddesses of Ireland: A Guide to Irish Deities</div>
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- The Treasure of the Tuatha De Danann: A Pocket Book of Irish Myth</div>
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- Selected Prayers from Volume 1 of the Carmina Gadelica</div>
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- Selected Charms from the Carmina Gadelica </div>
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<i>'and she has many more' </i></div>
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<b>5) The Sacred Isle: Pre-Christian Religions in Ireland</b> </div>
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by Dáithí O hOgain, Daithi O'Hogain</div>
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<b>6) The Year in Ireland </b> by Kevin Danaher</div>
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<b>7) Celtic Myth and Religion: A Study of Traditional Belief, with Newly Translated Prayers, Poems and songs.</b><span style="font: 26.0px Arial;"><b> </b></span><span style="font: 13.0px Arial;">Sharon Paice Macleod (Author) </span></div>
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<b>8) Cattle Lords and Clansmen: The Social Structure of Early Ireland </b><span style="font: 17.0px Arial;"><b> </b> </span></div>
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by Nerys T. Patterson (Paperback)</div>
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<b>9) Dance of Oak and Wren: Rites of Draiocht </b><span style="font: 17.0px Arial;"><b> </b></span></div>
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by Robert Barton (Paperback)</div>
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<b>10) Ogam: Weaving Word Wisdom </b></div>
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by Erynn Rowan Laurie (Paperback)</div>
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<b>11) The Celtic Heroic Age (Celtic Studies Publications) </b></div>
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by John T Koch (Paperback)</div>
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<b>12) The Celts - a History</b></div>
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by Daithi O hOgain (Paperback)</div>
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<b>13) Celtic from the West: Alternative Perspectives from Archaeology, Genetics, Language and Literature (Celtic Studies Publications)</b></div>
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by Barry Cunliffe, John T. Koch (Paperback)</div>
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<b>Other amazing books by * Cunliffe, Barry</b>. </div>
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*---. The Ancient Celts.<br />
* ---. The Celtic World.<br />
* ---. Iron Age Britain.</div>
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<b>14) The Celts: </b>Peter Berresford Ellis</div>
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<b>15) The Druids </b>Peter Berresford Ellis</div>
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Other good works by - Peter Berresford Ellis: The Celtic Empire (goes well with #14) </div>
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<b>16) Celtic Mythology</b></div>
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by Proinsias MacCana </div>
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<b>17) The Brehon Laws: A Legal Handbook (Classic Reprint)</b></div>
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by Laurence Ginnell (Paperback)</div>
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<b>18) A Guide to Early Irish Law (English and Irish Edition)</b></div>
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by Fergus Kelly (Hardcover)</div>
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<b>19) Coire Sois, The Cauldron of Knowledge: A Companion to Early Irish Saga </b></div>
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by Tomas O Cathasaigh, Matthieu Boyd </div>
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<span style="font: 17.0px Arial;"><b>20.) </b></span><b>Myths and Symbols in Pagan Europe: Early Scandinavian and Celtic Religions </b></div>
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by H. R. Ellis Davidson, Hilda Roderick Ellis Davidson (Paperback)</div>
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<b>* Supplemental -</b> <b>The Lore of Ireland An Encyclopedia of Myth, Legend, and Romance</b> by Dáithí ó hógáin (This is "that one book" every collection needs as a cross reference resource, its the go-to encyclopedia for things you will come across in various books, especially Myths and Legends) </div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Further reading in no special order:</b></span></div>
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<b>Teagasca: The Instructions of Cormac Mac Airt </b> </div>
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by C. Lee Vermeers (Paperback)</div>
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<b>Deep Ancestors: Practicing the Religion of the Proto-Indo-Europeans</b>- Ceisiwr Serith </div>
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<b>A World Full of Gods: An Inquiry into Polytheism </b> John Michael Greer</div>
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<b>* Green, Miranda</b><span style="font: 14.0px Helvetica;">. </span></div>
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- Celtic Goddesses: Warriors, Mothers, and Virgins.<br />
* ---. The Concept of the Goddess: <br />
* ---. Dictionary of Celtic Myth & Legend.<br />
* ---. The Gods of the Celts.<br />
* ---. The World of the Druids: Illustrated and easy to digest.<br />
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<b>George Calder - Auraicept na nEces: the scholars primer</b>. Very hard to find often wicked expensive</div>
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<b>Cuchulain of Muirthemne: The Story of the Men of the Red Branch of UIster (Forgotten Books)</b></div>
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by Lady Augusta Gregory (Paperback)</div>
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<b>Visions and Beliefs in the West of Ireland (Forgotten Books)</b></div>
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by Lady Augusta Gregory (Paperback)</div>
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<b>Gods and Fighting Men: The Story of the Tuatha De Danaan and of the Fianna of Ireland (Forgotten Books)</b></div>
<div style="font: 13.0px Arial; line-height: 18.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
by Lady Augusta Gregory (Paperback)</div>
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<b>Sanas Cormaic (Cormacs Glossary) </b> </div>
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by Cormac Ua Cuillenain, Kuno Meyer (Paperback)</div>
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<b>Fionn Mac Cumhail: Celtic Myth in English Literature (Irish Studies)</b></div>
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by James MacKillop (Hardcover)</div>
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* Powell, T. G. E.<b> The Celts</b>: A classic and highly recommended text, one of which was the first to underscore the endemic inter-tribal duo-theism practiced by the ancient Celts.<br />
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* Sjoestedt, Marie-Louise.<b> Celtic Gods & Heroes:</b> </div>
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* Clark, Rosalind. <b>The Great Queens: Irish Goddesses from The Morrigan to Cathleen Ni Houlihan</b><br />
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* Raftery, Barry. <b>Pagan Celtic Ireland.<br />
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* Arnold, Bettina and Blaire Gibson. <b>Celtic Chieftain, Celtic State: The Evolution of Complex Social Systems in Prehistoric Europe.<br />
</b></div>
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* Benozzo, Francesco. <b>Landscape Perception in Early Celtic Literature.</b><br />
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* McNeill, F. Marian. <b>The Silver Bough, vols. I-IV: A study of Scottish-Celtic folk-lore.</b><br />
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* Mallory, J.P. and D. Q. Adams. <b>The Oxford Introduction to Proto-Indo-European & the Proto-Indo European World:</b> Discusses the common "war of the gods" motif, of which "The Taking of Ireland" text is a part.</div>
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* Larouse <b>Encyclopedia of Mythology:</b> A standard text that should line every Witch’s personal Library!</div>
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* Cross, Tom P. and Clark Harris Slover. <b>Ancient Irish Tales.</b></div>
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* Kinsella, Thomas. <b>The Tain: From the Irish Epic Tain Bo Cuailnge.</b></div>
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* Gantz, Jeffrey, trans. <b>Early Irish Myths & Sagas.</b></div>
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* Ford, Patrick K. <b>The Mabinogi and Other Medieval Welsh Tales:</b> Contains the tale featuring the sorceress/ goddess Cerridwen and many details most retellings casually omit.</div>
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Simon James: <b>World of the Celts</b> <br />
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Myles Dillon and Nora Chadwick: <b>The Celtic Realms</b></div>
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Helen Litton: <b>The Celts An Illustrated History </b></div>
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John Haywood: <b>The Historical Atlas Of The Celtic World </b></div>
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Peter Harbison: <b>Pre-Christain Ireland</b></div>
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Stuart Piggot: <b>The Druids </b></div>
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<b></b><br /></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>The Fairy Folk </b></span></div>
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<b>- W.Y. Evans-Wentz: The Fairy Faith in Celtic Countries </b> (Note that this book was written in the early 20th century and the interpretations contained therein are very much a product of the time and popular spiritual views of that period, the value of this book is in the tales so carefully gathered and detailed by the author.)</div>
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<b>- Fairycraft: Following The Path of Fairy Witchcraft by Morgan Daimler </b></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Female Interest</b></span></div>
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Peter B. Ellis: Celtic Women -<b> Women in Celtic Society and Literature</b></div>
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Jean Markale: <b>Women of the Celts</b></div>
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Moyra Caldecott: <b>Women in Celtic Myth</b></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Modern Druidry</b></span></div>
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<b>Druidcraft</b> by Philip Carr-Gomm</div>
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<b>The Celtic Shaman</b> by Matthews </div>
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<b>Celtic Tree Mysteries</b> by Blamires</div>
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<b>Druidheachd: Symbols and Rites of Druidry</b><span style="font: 18.0px Arial;"> </span><span style="font: 12.0px Arial;">by Ian Corrigan </span></div>
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<b>Sacred Fire, Holy Well: A Druid's Grimoire</b><span style="font: 18.0px Arial;"> </span><span style="font: 16.0px Arial;"> </span><span style="font: 12.0px Arial;">by Ian Corrigan </span></div>
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<b>An Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom</b> by Matthews </div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Celtic Herbal interest</b></span></div>
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<b>A Druids Herbal of Sacred Tree Medicine </b>by Ellen Evert Hopman</div>
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<b>A Druids Herbal For the Sacred Earth Year </b>by Ellen Evert Hopman</div>
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<b>Scottish Herbs and Fairy Lore </b>by Ellen Evert Hopman </div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Legends and Tales</b></span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Táin Bó Cúalnge</span>, Translated by Joseph Dunn and Ernst Windisch</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Scél Mucci Mic Dathó</span>, Translated by Nora Chadwick</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cath Mag Tuired</span>, Translated by Elizabeth A. Gray</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Táin Bó Cúalnge</span>, Translated by Joseph Dunn</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Destruction of Dá Derga's Hostel</span>, Translated by Whitely Stokes, D.C.L.</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Heroic Romances of Ireland</span>, Translated and Compiled by A. H. Leahy</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cuchulain of Muirthemne</span>, By Lady Augusta Gregory</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Gods and Fighting Men: The Story of the Tuatha De Danaan and of the Fianna of Ireland</span>, By Lady Augusta Gregory</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Táin Bó Cúalnge (from the Book of Leinster)</span>, Translated by Elizabeth A. Gray, edited by Cecile O'Rahilly</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Buile Suibhne (The Frenzy of Suibhne)</span>, Translated by J. G. Ó Keeffe</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Manuscripts</b></span></div>
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<i>Lebar na Núachongbála</i>, The Book of Leinster</div>
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<i>Lebor na nUidre</i>, The Book of the Dun Cow</div>
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<i>Leabhar Baile an Mhota</i>, The Book of Ballymote</div>
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<i>Leabhar Mór Mhic Fhir Bhisigh</i>, The Great Book of Lecan</div>
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<i>Leabhar Buidhe Lecain</i>, The Yellow Book of Lecan</div>
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<i>Leabhar Feirmoithe</i>, The Book of Fermoy</div>
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</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-76233813914219086052017-01-15T06:19:00.001-05:002017-01-15T06:21:31.209-05:00Celtic Links<br />
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<b>Helpful Celtic Links</b></div>
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Sinnsreachd on FB - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/sinnsreachd/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/sinnsreachd/</a></div>
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Sinnsreachd on Google+ <a href="https://plus.google.com/communities/107627130709484664219">https://plus.google.com/communities/107627130709484664219</a></div>
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Fellowship of the Gael - <a href="http://nan-gaidheal.org/">http://nan-gaidheal.org/</a></div>
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Fellowship of the Gael Blog- <a href="http://bloggy.nan-gaidheal.org/#home">http://bloggy.nan-gaidheal.org/#home</a></div>
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Fellowship of the Gael Twitter - <a href="https://mobile.twitter.com/Nan_Gaidheal">https://mobile.twitter.com/Nan_Gaidheal</a></div>
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Morgan Daimler's Blog - <a href="http://lairbhan.blogspot.com/">http://lairbhan.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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Celtic Reconstructionism (CR) - <a href="http://www.paganachd.com/faq/whatiscr.html">http://www.paganachd.com/faq/whatiscr.html</a></div>
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Imbas - <a href="http://www.imbas.org/">http://www.imbas.org/</a></div>
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*** There is no current Sinnsreachd website/home-base as it is currently being re-worked and should be up in a few months. </div>
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<b>Legends and Tales</b></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Táin Bó Cúalnge</span>, Translated by Joseph Dunn and Ernst Windisch</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Scél Mucci Mic Dathó</span>, Translated by Nora Chadwick</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cath Mag Tuired</span>, Translated by Elizabeth A. Gray</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Táin Bó Cúalnge</span>, Translated by Joseph Dunn</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">The Destruction of Dá Derga's Hostel</span>, Translated by Whitely Stokes, D.C.L.</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Heroic Romances of Ireland</span>, Translated and Compiled by A. H. Leahy</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Cuchulain of Muirthemne</span>, By Lady Augusta Gregory</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Gods and Fighting Men: The Story of the Tuatha De Danaan and of the Fianna of Ireland</span><span style="color: #3f3f4b;">, By Lady Augusta Gregory</span></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Táin Bó Cúalnge (from the Book of Leinster)</span>, Translated by Elizabeth A. Gray, edited by Cecile O'Rahilly</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">Buile Suibhne (The Frenzy of Suibhne)</span><span style="color: #3f3f4b;">, Translated by J. G. Ó Keeffe</span></div>
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<b>Manuscripts</b></div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Lebar na Núachongbála</i></span>, The Book of Leinster</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Lebor na nUidre</i></span>, The Book of the Dun Cow</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Leabhar Baile an Mhota</i></span>, The Book of Ballymote</div>
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<i>Leabhar Mór Mhic Fhir Bhisigh</i><span style="color: #3f3f4b;">, The Great Book of Lecan</span></div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Leabhar Buidhe Lecain</i></span>, The Yellow Book of Lecan</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Leabhar Feirmoithe</i></span>, The Book of Fermoy</div>
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<b>Research Websites</b></div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>CELT, the Corpus of Electronic Texts</i></span>, Featuring the many Annals, several of the tales, and a wealth of Irish literarature.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Law, Literature, and Legend</i></span>, Featuring an overview of the Brehon Laws and the Fenechas, as well as postulations on integrating them into modern life.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Dalriada Celtic Heritage Trust</i></span>, Featuring multiple resources, some free, some pay, used to educate the public in all aspects of Celtic languages, culture and tradions.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Sacred Texts: Celtic Folklore</i></span>, Featuring many of the tales above, plus other information and tales from the extant Celtic nations written or compiled by multiple authors.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>The Gaelic Homepage</i></span>, Featuring information on Gaelic and other Celtic languages.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Medieval Irish Poetry</i></span>, Featuring translations of Irish poetry and information on the poetic forms used.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>A (much) Smaller Social History of Ancient Ireland </i></span>, Featuring brief overviews of the ancient government, military, law, religion, art, and customs of the ancient Irish people. Abridged form of the larger book.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Celtic Literature Collection: Irish Texts</i></span>, Featuring manuscripts and tales from throughout the surviving lore of the Gael Éireannach.</div>
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<b>Language Resources, Online</b></div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Irish Lessons Online</i></span>- 125 lessons on basic Gaeilge by the Irish People.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Eo Feasa</i></span>- Irish lessons starting at Level 1, basic level for beginners.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Fearghal Mag Uiginn</i></span>- An Irish lesson course that provides you with the basics of the lrish language in a fifteen week course.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Cáemgen's Irish Lesson Videos</i></span>- An online video series of Cáemgen's Irish lessons that will increase as more video's are posted. Cáemgen is the first Sinsearaí to put together videos of language lessons, so bravo to him!</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Daltaí na Gaeilge</i></span>- Daltaí's pages forIrish Grammar and Vocabulary</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Interactive Irish Lessons</i></span>- Online lessons and other resources as well as sound files.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Foclóir Gaeilge/Béarla I</i></span>- Irish/English Dictionary I. May or may not register fadas properly due to poor coding in HTML.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Foclóir Gaeilge/Béarla II</i></span>- Irish/English Dictionary II by An Chrannóg.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Foclóir Gaeilge/Béarla III</i></span>- Irish/English Dictionary III, including technical and advanced terms.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Gaeilge Word Lookup</i></span>- In Gaeilge, enter a Gaeilge word into the text box and it will present the singular and plural, genitive and vocative forms of that word. Handy for more advanced students.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Irish Gaelic Translator</i></span>- Due to the complexity of the Irish language, no computer translator exists to do online translations. IGT is a forum of volunteer Gaeilge-speakers and students who assist in basic translations</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Foghlaim na Gaeilge ar an Idirlíon</i></span>- Irish Gaelic learners' material on the Internet, multiple links to further pages.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Gàidhlig Word Translator</i></span>- Set for beurla (English) words to be entered into the box and translated to Gàidhlig (Scottish).</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Faclair Gàidhlig/Beurla</i></span>- Scottish/English Dictionary.</div>
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<b>Language Resources, Books and Audio</b></div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Fios Feasa</i></span>- Manufacturer of Gaeilge lessons for children and adults alike. Many products available.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Cló Iar-Chonnachta</i></span>- Another company selling Irish language resource material and books in Irish.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Teach Me Irish</i></span>- A multimedia program that teaches basic Irish fluency and comprehension.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Teach Me Celtic</i></span>- For the REAL dedicated, a package of multimedia programs that teach basic fluency and comprehension in all of the Celtic languages- Gaeilge, Gàidhlig, Welsh, Cornish, and Breton.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Litriocht.com</i></span>- The largest Irish-language bookshop on the World Wide Web, including textbooks and many many Irish-language sourcebooks.</div>
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<b>Irish Language Media</b></div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Raidió na Gaeltachta</i></span>- The famous national Irish language public broadcasting radio station.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Live Ireland Radio</i></span>- Featuring Gaeilge and Bearla (English) programming, music, and live streaming television.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>Raidió na Life</i></span>- 106.4 FM in Dublin, catering to the Irish-speaking communities in Éire and around the world through streaming audio.</div>
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<span style="color: #337c1b;"><i>TG4</i></span>-Irish-language television, including streaming video (subscription service, not free), catering to the Irish-speaking communities in Éire and around the world.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-22798146577177982542016-10-20T12:40:00.000-04:002016-10-20T12:40:21.850-04:00To be Irish<br />
<div style="background-color: #fefaf1; font: normal normal normal 33px/normal Verdana; line-height: 17px; margin-bottom: 14px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span style="font: normal normal normal 30px/normal Verdana;"><b>* </b></span>The other day after commenting on one of Clare's (Clisare) videos on YouTube, some gobshite thought it be a grand idea to look me up on Google+ and e-mail me. His opinion of me caused some serious internal investigation. So, I wrote this.</span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 16px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #fefaf1;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><b><i style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">What does it mean to be Irish?</span></i></b></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"><i> </i>Ask anyone in The States and you'll most likely hear, "Oh I'm Irish, My Dad side is Irish, or my Grannie was Irish. Yet so many people in Ireland will either not care or look at you like you're not Irish. Having Irish roots and heritage is not the same as "being Irish", right? After all, you don't live in Ireland. By all means is that takes <i>to be Irish? </i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">So, I live in Ireland and I'm Polish, Chinese, Indian, Pakistani, etc. Am I "Irish" now? </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">I live in Northern Ireland but my family is from (insert foreign land) can I call myself Irish? </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">I have a legal passport with dual citizenship for the US and Ireland, am I Irish yet? </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">I was born in the US yet my families roots trace back to the Uí Fiachrach, Niall of the Nine Hostages, and Conn of the hundred battles, what about now?</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">I speak Irish (Gaeilge) can I be considered Irish? </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">I know the Old stories of our people and can tell them, am I Irish? </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">I can Sean-nós dance, am I Irish? </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">I play the Cláirseach, am I Irish? </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">I'm a Gaelic Pagan and celebrate Samhain, Imbolc, Bealtaine, and Lughnasadh. Any closer to being Irish?</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"> Our culture has a poetic tradition that uses a somewhat ritual response; "Ní hansa". This phrase meaning "not hard" often given before responding to a serious question seems rather unfitting here. It's very hard, there is no easy way of putting it. If you look at what it means to call yourself (Irish) something which has many subtle layers, how can we clearly define it. Are we talking blood lines & heritage? What about culture and customs? Which culture, the Gaelic culture? Is that "Irish"? After all a culture is defined by its Language. Gaeilge has more fluent speakers in the US and world wide than in Ireland, so this means what? Most Irish people do not speak Gaeilge, nor do they know much about pre-christain or even later Gaelic customs. They all seem to be rather consumed with modernization. </span></span></div>
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<b><i style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">~ What the feck does it mean to be Irish?</span></i></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"> It all depends on who you ask, and where they were born, and where they live now. To some extant even their age will play a part of their responce. One must remember that IRELAND IS AN ISLAND. It has no native people, everyone came from somewhere else. Our earliest roots are a beautiful woven tapestry of mixed history and mythology. Its tales of early inhabitants and different races of beings inspire us; but I can guarantee you that in todays Ireland no one looks to "those people" as their ancestors. Which is sad, as many can trace through DNA roots to a people from the Neolithic and Bronze age throughout the Isles. For a moment think about this. You have a DNA marker that clearly shows you have family that has been in the same region for a good 5,000 years, and they are still there. Now if you can not venerate your ancestors, the land, and the traditions of old, knowing that somehow you are apart of it all - I feel bad for you! But surely these things, thats not Irish is it?</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"> Back to <i>"Being Irish"</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"> Ireland today is as diverse as the UK and its roots. I'm sure they'll love being compared. I can hear someone in the corner making IRA comments and mumbling random outdated shite about this country, that country, the past, and religion. Guess what Mr. your relatives were probably Norman, Viking, maybe even Welsh. Oh are we talking about 'The Gael'? Does this sum up Irishness? The culture, the customs and traditions, the language and laws of our past past are sadly hanging on by a thread. You want a real insight into traditional Gaelic culture? (Read: <i>Cattle Lords and Clansmen - The Social Structure of Early Ireland by Nerys Patterson</i>) The fact is, people have steadily been moving in and out of Ireland since the Neolithic. Since that time with the coming of agriculture and trade, innovation and the exchange of ideas and philosophies allowed us to grow in a way to have a very distinct culture, albeit because we are not landlocked. We never were conquered by Rome, and our historical development based on foreign cultural influence played a large role on who we are today in our Irishness. Look at the Normans, they took on Gaelic culture, took our women as wives, adopted our language, and even dressed like us. They fought beside us as a united people to push back the foreign rule to a small area in the east. Now thats a compliment, someone willing to adopt your culture and die for it. This Irishness, It's something very easy to see, yet hard to define. That's Irish right there! </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"> A good way to helping someone understand what it means to be Irish is showing someone from outside our culture our historical works of art. Look at the spirals of the Neolithic site of Brú na Bóinne (New Grange) look then at the development of that artistic style almost exactly mimicked in the Iron Age on pottery, shields, sword scabbards, mirrors, and so much more. Later we see it again in the artistic styles in The Book of Kells. This is Irishness; a continual development of culture and people, growing from our past - not defined by it! *With the cultural stream-bed of inspiration in our subconscious we can use the undertow currents of our past to summersault and leap upstream like the Salmon of Wisdom to our future which is ultimately a place of home. Think about that, there is some draíocht ya boi ya. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"> When someone online tells me that I am not Irish because I don't live there, or wasn't born there they are making an ignorant assumption about a stranger. This is very unfair and rude on their behalf. They don't know what my passport says, they don't know that I speak Gaeilge, they don't know that I and many others celebrate 'the old ways' that honor The Tuatha Dé Danann, the ancestors and the sidhe folk. When it comes down to defining who is Irish and who is not, its a foggy thing; much like trying to decipher the Ogham or translate poems and stories from Old Irish. I honestly feel bad for the people who claim to Irish that live in Ireland that do not speak the language and who do not know their stories, and customs. They are not my people. They are Irish because they live there, some were born there; but again, not my people. Ireland... IT'S AN ISLAND, no one is 100% Irish. Get over yerself. Am I saying I'm more Irish than you, NO! <i>I'm saying I simply see myself as a very different kind of Irish than most</i>. Being a Gaelic Pagan which does not subscribe to Neo-paganism is very different. For those on this path the Culture and Faith can not be separated. Our faith is apart of our culture, it is everyday day and everywhere. It is how we see the world, how we treat people with our ethics and virtues. Our views on deity and the otherworld. Our laws, and customs help to define us as well as our language. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"> I guess what I am getting at is, it is highly offensive to assume certain things about people you do not know. I would never call out someone on their Irishness because they are not a Gaelic pagan, thats obsurd. I don't care, it's their private life. I also don't care if they are Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Wiccan, etc. Unless you are trying to shove your culture/faith down my throat we wont have a problem. <b>I am Irish, I'm also not Irish.</b> Not all of my ancestors come from Ireland... so what. Some come from Scotland, Wales, Germany, and even Greece. Who cares? Most of the people in Ireland are so mixed they shouldn't be so up-nosed about it. Ireland is made up of Picts (Non-Gaelic early people 'possibly Brythonic'?) Gaels, Normans, Anglo Saxon, Viking, Franks, Welsh, British, Germans, Poles, and Czechs. Pakistani, Afghans, Asians, Indians and lets not forget our Travelers! Who claims the right to call themselves Irish and by what parameters? You'd be better off looking for the answers inside Oweynagat. You wanna go one step further and say You're a Celt, I dare you to define that! There is one that is certain, we Irish have been good at two things, maybe three for a very long time, so much so its sadly a stereotype. I'll give ya a hint to one: You're here because of your parents ;-) I'm sure your smart enough to figure the others out. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"> When will we adopt the idea that this earth is our only home and we have to share it. If we embrace one an others differences to understand & compassionately see from their perspective we might further grow and evolve. Possibly into a people that can unify for the greater good to explore outside (and inside) space as "human beings". So, lets just agree NO ONE knows what it means to be Irish. It is like attraction, it's subjective and can not be analyzed... Much like us Irish. It's something you feel and something you share and celebrate. The next time some tourist tells you that their great great great so & so was Irish, don't be an ass to them. They are trying to connect with something they feel inside which is important to them. Be hospitable and good repressive of our culture & buy them round. Show them by example what it means to be Irish. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;"> I will leave you with a final warning. The next person to say I'm not Irish for any reason will only get the following response: <span style="font: normal normal normal 18px/normal Helvetica;">Gabh suas ort fhéin a thóin mhóir chacsmuitín bod. A bhastaird bhreallghnúisigh! </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">For the rest of ya, </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Beannú na déithe's n'aindhéithe ort<span style="font: normal normal normal 12px/normal Verdana;"> - </span><span style="font: normal normal normal 15px/normal Verdana;">Bí sé amhlaidh</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Go gcumhdaí is dtreoraí na déithe thú<span style="font: 8.0px Lucida Grande;"> - </span><span style="font: normal normal normal 15px/normal Verdana;">Bí sé amhlaidh</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Now go wet the tay and give yer one hug ya cunt! </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Slán agus beannacht libh! </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Your Friend</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #f1c232;">Dreoilín </span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-76606302113939825412016-03-17T12:02:00.003-04:002016-03-17T12:14:25.131-04:00Hardly a Saint! <br />
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The REAL Facts about Saint Patricks Day</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Patrick or "Pádraig" was not his real name it was: <span style="font: normal normal normal 18px/normal arial;">Maewyn Succat</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">He was not Irish</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">There were no snakes in Ireland to chase out. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The 'snakes' being a metaphor for the Pagan culture (Which remained strong and proud long after he died)</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">He and his converts actually destroyed more positive within Gaelic culture than preserve them.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">He tried dividing the Irish from their native culture because 'God' told him to bring a foreign religion to them.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Irish Catholicism remains highly Pagan to this day. Many "folk customs" are actually left over Pagan traditions combined with Catholicism. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Celtic Cross shows how the Christain faith had to try and use the native faith to explain it's doctrines. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Gael had the concept of the Trinity long before he introduced it.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">The Shamrock and the Clover are different.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">KILTS/BAGPIPES are NOT Irish, they are Scottish.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">~ "Patrick" was a Roman and a Brythonic Celt by blood and wasn't Irish-Gael, his name wasn't Patrick/Pádraig it was Maewyn Succat</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">~ He was no "Saint", as he spent his youth debauching in the high-lifestyle fashion of all spoiled-aristocrat sharing in what nobles of the Roman Empire were accustom to. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">~ He was a rich kid, son of the Decurio of a province in Roman Britain, which is comparable to a Governor or Lord.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">~ He didn't bring Christianity to Ireland, missionaries had been there for a long time prior to his birth. It just didn't catch on because the majority of the locals were happy with their faith. It didn't really take solid root for centuries after his death. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">~ He was captured by Nialach raiders and sold to Milchu, where he served as a swineherd for seven years before being released... not him escaping! He later came back with mercenaries from his mother's family (his father was Roman, his mother a Welsh/Brythonic) and murdered Milchu and his entire family except for his youngest son, burned his farm, and brainwashed the surviving son into a mindless zealot. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">~ He lied profusely about his accomplishments in his self-congratulatory autobiography, most of which has since been debunked by historians, and even the Catholic Church says much of it is allegory and metaphor. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">~ The only reason he is credited the way he is was because he had a lot of his fathers and political money to fund a huge PR machine of books and people that were paid to spread his version of history.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #274e13; color: lime; font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: small;">~ The only real success he had was converting the king of one of the major tribes in Eastern Ireland who's Draoithe(Druids) had gotten too big for their britches. They felt they should rule through a puppet king, and threatened the king by telling him to do as they said or he would not be allowed to make public sacrifice. "Patrick" offered him a new chieftain-a god to put above the others- something that fit into Gaelic cosmology to some extent, but was a gross violation of Christian doctrine- in order to win him over by saying this new chieftain-god would give the kings power instead of the Draoithe(Druids). The fact that said power was later usurped by the bishops was a dirty little secret he forgot to mention. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-26762072502835305002015-12-16T18:04:00.001-05:002015-12-16T18:04:40.486-05:00The Long Night <br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> As the "Holiday Season" is soon upon us I wanted to take some time to share some thoughts about this time of year. Our modern culture would have us believe that it's all about the Christ Child and Santa Claus, presents, and treats; but where does this come from? What about things like Christmas Trees and lights, ham, and stockings? For me the beauty of the season is found in the earliest roots of our Proto Indo-European ancestors, because from there we will see how so much is developed and made into what we understand as Christmas today. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> For a time forgotten, these Megalithic builders placed great importance on the Winter Solstice. The longest night of the year and hence the shortest day. The theme of dark and light is ever present in the stone monuments they have left behind. Places like New Grange in Ireland where the suns rays align to the roof box, travel down a chamber to light the back wall of a burial chamber all demonstrate their obsession with tracking the movement of the sun and moon throughout the seasons. Much speculation exists on any of their spiritual connections with solar and lunar observations. The popular and common thought that seems to be accepted is that the spirits of the people within the tomb could unite with the ancestors during such alignments, or the ancestors were able to be present at such places when this gateway or threshold was open by the alignment. It could even be suggested with places like Stonehenge & the near by place of Woodhenge also played an important role between Winter and Summer Solstice. All that can be said is that from Northern Scotland, Ireland, Wales, Cornwall, Brittany, and even in places in France, Spain, Germany and Italy the Winter Solstice seemed very important to the people of the Neolithic. The theme again of Darkness and Light, of day and night and life and death were no doubt very important. These people dealing with new found agriculture and technology of the 1st discovery of copper, and tin, of hunting, and survival through the hard winters no longer following big game after the ice age became tied to a farmstead. The pastoral lifestyle became hard and often unbearable. The longest night or the darkest time of year had to be hard on them. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> What does this have to do with Christmas? </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">What is Christmas but not the celebration of the birth of "The Christ Child"? Is he not the symbolic human figure of 'the light'? Is this why the early biblical editors chose to set his birthday near the Winter Solstice in place of a pre-existing Pagan culture. Most likely. Is the son not also 'the sun'. If we understand its direct connection to<i> Mithra</i> and <i>Zoraster</i> it is clearly evident. In the ancient Welsh (Brythonic) tradition we can understand the divine child of light with the <i>Mabon</i> or Maponos (Gaulish) 'the great boy, the great son'. In later folk customs of the British Isles we see the battle between the <i>Oak and Holly Kings</i>. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> It was from such peoples like the <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beaker_culture" target="_blank">Bell Beaker culture</a></i> that stretched from Sardinia, Sicily, Northern Italy, Germany, France and Spain all the way to the British Isles and Ireland during the Bronze Age that we see the continuity of culture still embracing the Winter Solstice traditions from the earlier Neolithic cultures already in place for much time. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">What do we know from our ancestors of the European Iron Age?</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> The <i><a href="https://en.wikipeadia.org/wiki/Coligny_calendar" target="_blank">Coligny Calendar</a></i> found in Gaul (France) mentions the month of December as Deuoriuos. The word 'Riuros' translates to "frost month" from the Gaelic reo, Welsh rhew, Breton riv. In Irish 'reo' means a deep-darkness, so the word Deuorious (Deuo-ro-ious, "great divine feast") would be linked to their observation of the Winter Solstice and would give us a glimpse of the Old Celtic understanding of this holiday. A deeper look into the Gaulish Coligny calendar of the 'samos-giamos' part of the year would give us a more in depth understanding of these solar points on the calendar and their traditions in the continental Celtic world. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> What can be said is that there was an effort to celebrate hope during this dark time. The seed of light sown in the womb of darkness will grow and in its appropriate season will bloom and blossom. Christmas tree lights, candles, bonfires are all good examples of our early focus of light during this time which clung to hope in connection for the Sun/Son to return. <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proto-Indo-Europeans" target="_blank">The Proto Indo European culture</a></i>, and even Joseph Campbell and Carl Jung cover in depth this 'Child of Light- The returning Sun'. He is always born at the time of deepest darkness. What can not be argued is that the archetype is clear and cross cultural with the <i>Mabon/Maponos</i>. The divine child of light is associated with re-birth and salvation. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> In times before the industrial revolution many of these Winter Solstice celebrations lasted weeks, "the 12 days of Christmas" comes from a time when the Solstice was celebrated for about 3 weeks. Such festivities were not merely indoor family traditions, but entire communal celebrations of public display. These included sporting events, processions/parades, musical performances, divination, and lots of feasting. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">So much could be said in detail about the many cultural celebrations during this time of year. To get a good feel for the many subtle layers of this seasonal festival one should look into a well researched study into the following:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Winter Solstice </span>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Winter_solstice<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Wren Day - Lá an Dreoilín </span>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wren_Day<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Saint Stephen's Day </span>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Stephen%27s_Day<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mummer's Day </span>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mummer%27s_Day<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Mari Lwyd </span>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mari_Lwyd<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Cailleach </span>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cailleach<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Alban Arthan - Alban Arthuan </span>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alban_Arthan<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Mōdraniht </span>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mōdraniht<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Krampusnacht - see krampus.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">Koročun or Kračun<i> - </i>Slavic </span>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Korochun<br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> We would be very dismissive if we did not mention the Norse/Germanic culture for it is here that we have the most direct imagery for our modern Christmas season. If you have a Christmas tree, garland, holly, wreaths, lights and other things of green-red-white in your house consider it thanks to the Pagan Germanic customs. <span style="font: 24.0px Times;"><b><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yule" target="_blank">YULE</a></b></span> being a holiday where we get much of our traditions from was during this Solstice time. Santa Claus from the Dutch: <i>Sinterklaas </i>is without argument a combination of the Christian Saint Nicholas and the much older tradition of the God Odin during Yule with one of his <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_names_of_Odin" target="_blank">many names</a></span> as Jolnír. It was common for children to leave carrots or other treats in their shoes for Odins eight-legged horse <i>Sleipnir </i>much like children hang stockings and leave treats for Santa and his reindeer today. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Does your family eat Ham during Christmas? Ever wonder where that comes from? The Yule Boar! Check out the following.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">Christmas Ham/ Yule Ham <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_ham">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christmas_ham</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">The Yule Boar - Sonargöltr <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonarg%C3%B6ltr">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonargöltr</a></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;"> It is hard to forget the Germanic <i>Yule Goat</i> often associated with <i><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Krampus" target="_blank">Krampus</a></i> the counter part of the dark side of Saint Nicholas. This half man half goat beast would punish the children who misbehaved. No doubt this bastardized anthropomorphic figure is a direct connection to the Germanic pagan past of a Horned God figure. Imagine growing up in alpine Germany long ago where you were terrified by this creature and then having a man in a costume come to your house, spank you or scare the jeebus outta ya. Be good or else! I know some parents that still bribe their children with be good or else. It be much cooler if they dressed up as Krampus after some story telling. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">There is three major themes that are connected to the Winter solstice of we dig through the cross cultural European traditions. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">1. The theme of the Child of Light. The spark of life who is born at the darkest time. To triumph he is often hidden away until the right moment. From the Irish Myths with Fionn Mac Cumhaill & Lúgh to the Welsh tales of Lleu & Mabon/Maponos, to even how Jesus was hidden from Herod the Great. The birth of the light child (Luke Skywalker) Luke = <span style="font: 24.0px Times;"><b><a href="https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Appendix:Proto-Indo-European/lewk-" target="_blank">Lewk</a></b></span><b>. </b>The child of light a vigiorus leader who will rule during the samos half of the year when he grows after being hidden. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">2. The theme of the Exiled Mother. Powers of generation and growth are unable to manifest outwardly, but is still active & present usually hidden or not easily recognized. Stories of Demeter and Persephone, Isis and Osiris, Nanna and Balder add to the Celtic tales where we have The Great Mother and The Great Son. Sometimes its her consort, or husband who she wanders searching for while grieving instead of her child. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">3. The theme of the Sun Sacrifice. The new-born light must be given energy from a like source of itself. This is usually blood from a hunt or farm animal with the warm red blood sprinkled or poured onto the cold white ground where the seeds and crops go. Often by someone wearing Gold the color of the Sun. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">How ever you celebrate the Holiday Season, be aware that it is Happy Holidays & Seasons Greetings. There are so many cultures, customs, and traditions of both Judeo-Christian and Pagan being celebrated. I hope you can see from the above that we have more in common through archetype and symbolism than that which divides us. Have a safe and wonderful holiday, and always remember the wise words of our prophets William and Theodore; "Be excellent to each other, and Party on Dude." </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit; font-size: small;">~ In the know:</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: none; color: #444444; font-family: inherit; font-size: small; line-height: 18px;">Sirius shared the same declination as the Winter Solstice sun around 3,150 BC, when Newgrange was built, and it is possible the people who constructed Newgrange were well aware of this coincidental alignment, and therefore they may have used the passage of Newgrange to watch the precessional drift of Sirius over long periods of time. Viewed from Newgrange, Sirius set over a hill called Réaltoge, which is an Irish word for "star". In folklore, it was said there was gold buried under the ringfort. </span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-35913986836368544212015-11-15T01:38:00.000-05:002015-11-15T02:00:32.286-05:00Corr Bolg<div style="text-align: center;">
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The Irish Crane Bag</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">The above bag was made for me by Kelsey Goodwin at StarLeather <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/StarLeather"><span style="font: 12.0px Verdana;">https://www.etsy.com/shop/StarLeather</span></a><span style="font: 12.0px Verdana;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">She makes wonderful pouches/sporrans that are very affordable and she does custom work at a very fair price. </span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times"; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times";"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Since I was child I would often collect things I found and put them in a special bag. My magic pouch held rocks, twigs, roots, nuts, feathers, bones, shells, teeth and more. I had special names for each item, and I would on occasion talk to them, hold them and use them in an imaginative play of sorts. I still have a few of these items from early youth and today they hold a deeper meaning for many reasons. As the years have gone by this meaningful collection has waxed and waned as it should. Items have been lost and others were given away to those whom I felt were in benefit of a gift. It wasn't until I was around the age of eighteen that I heard the term 'Crane Bag' used for what I had always dubbed in childhood as my magical pouch. After almost twenty years in a Druid Order I came to understand this in a new way. Though there there still was a cloudiness, or a fog surrounding this Crane Bag of sorts. Many of us on the Pagan path use a Crane Bag simply to hold our items, but what do we really know about the bag? Let us briefly examine where this tradition comes from, and to what it may allude to.</span></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times"; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;"> <i>Why is it called a Crane Bag?</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times"; font-size: x-small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times"; font-size: large;">If we look to Irish Mythology where this term originates; Corr Bolg (Crane Bag) we will glimpse a theme as to why the Crane Bag held such importance.</span></span></div>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18px;">This is a poem from ‘The Poem-Book of Finn’, (Duanaire Finn) Contained within describes the magical Crane-Bag of Manannán & Aoife, the daughter of Delbaeth. How she had been turned into a crane by the jealous Iuchra. How she went to live within Manannán’s household until she passed away. Manannán made the magical bag out of her skin, (as human or crane?) within it held his many treasures. It was passed on in time to others again & again throughout the many tales in Irish mythology. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">
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Duanaire Finn</div>
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I have a question for thee, Caoilte, man of the interchanged weapons: to whom did the good Crane-bag belong that Cumhall son of Treanmhor had?</div>
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A crane that belonged to gentle Manannan — it was a treasure of power with many virtues — from its skin, strange thing to prize — from it was made the Crane-bag.</div>
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Tell us what was the crane, my Caoilte of many exploits, or, tell us, man, why its skin was put about the treasures.</div>
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Aoife, daughter of dear Dealbhaoth, sweetheart of Ilbhreac of many beauties — both she and luchra of comely hue fell in love with the man.</div>
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luchra, enraged, beguiled Aoife to come swimming, it was no happy visit: when she drove her fiercely forth in the form of a crane over the moorlands.</div>
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Aoife then demanded of the beautiful daughter of Abhartach: ’How long am I to be in this form, woman, beautiful breast-white luchra?’</div>
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‘The term I will fix will not be short for thee, Aoife of the slow-glancing eyes: thou shalt be two hundred white years in the noble house of Manannan.</div>
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‘Thou shalt be always in that house with everyone mocking thee, a crane that does not visit every land: thou shalt not reach any land.</div>
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‘A good vessel of treasures will be made of thy skin — no small event: its name shall be — I do not lie — in distant times the Crane-bag.’</div>
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Manannan made this of the skin when she died: afterwards in truth it held every precious thing he had.</div>
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The shirt of Manannan and his knife, and Goibhne’s girdle, altogether: a smith’s hook from the fierce man: were treasures that the Crane-bag held.</div>
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The King of Scotland’s shears full sure, and the King of Lochlainn’s helmet, these were in it to be told of, and the bones of Asal’s swine.</div>
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A girdle of the great whale’s back was in the shapely Crane-bag: I will tell thee without harm, it used to be carried in it.</div>
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When the sea was full, its treasures were visible in its middle: when the fierce sea was in ebb, the Crane-bag in turn was empty.</div>
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There thou hast it, noble Oisin, how this thing itself was made: and now I shall tell its faring, its happenings.</div>
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Long time the Crane-bag belonged to heroic Lugh Long-arm: till at last the king was slain by the sons of Cearmaid Honey-mouth.</div>
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To them next the Crane-bag belonged after him, till the three, though active, fell by the great sons of Mile.</div>
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Manannan came without weariness, carried off the Crane-bag again; he showed it to no man till the time of Conaire came.</div>
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Comely Conaire slept on the side of Tara of the plains: when the cunning well-made man awoke, the Crane-bag was found about his neck. </div>
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<b><b>What can be said from this?</b></b></div>
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In the previous poem we learn that the Crane bag was made by Manannán ma Lir containing many personal treasures to him. Aífe was transformed into a crane by a jealous rival, luchra; she spends 200 years in the household of Manannán mac Lir. When she dies, he uses her skin to hold things precious to him. Though when she dies is she in crane form or a human? The personal items included are his knife, shirt, the king of Scotland's shears, the king of Lochlainn's helmet, the bones of Assal's swine, and the girdle of the great whale's back. Notice that at high tide the treasures are visible in the sea, but at ebb tide they vanish. To what does this allude? Should our Crane Bags wax and wane with the moon and tides each month?</div>
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There is a lot of speculation that the bag contained the letters of the Ogham alphabet. Perhaps it was a bag of Ogham lots carved or burnt on wood? Specifically here, we can suggest the last five letters of the Ogham are being mentioned through symbolism of the original twenty script, making it a twenty five basic script. One early form of Ogham divination was done by observing the legs of cranes. We also see that the bag went through various owners, including <span style="font: 18.0px Arial;">Lugh Lamhfada</span><span style="font: 22.0px Verdana;"> </span>and Liath Luachra from whom it is obtained by Fionn ma Cumhaill. </div>
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Let us start picking this apart. We know that Manannan was the God of the sea, we have reference to objects that are seen and unseen through the timing of the tides within the bag. Objects like his shirt and his knife and thus a bag created out of a cane-woman. Did the bag hold water? Is there something special dealing with the moon maybe and the concept of these tides? If <span style="font: 18.0px Arial;">Manannan</span> is the Sea God, then is he not responsible for the ebb and flow of the tides? Suggesting what could be visible and yet unseen would be within his control and not just that of the natural cycles. Something to consider if you have a personal Crane Bag. Who is allowed to see what, and which times we allow it. We are dealing with sight here, so the seen and unseen could be a light vs. darkness correlation. Could these following Ogham letters on the right hand side of the diagram below represent the items (treasures) listed from this poem? Do they not look like shears/sciccors, a helmet, etc? Was this suggested a form of a hidden language. Maybe language to be hidden from others through use of the Ogham? The Ogham was not a language of the masses in its earliest form as we know. </div>
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What of these treasures? </div>
</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "verdana";"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18px;"><span style="font: 18.0px Verdana;">The shirt of </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18px;">Manannán and his knife, what could possibly be the Sea Gods shirt? Since we are not talking about an actual tunic, maybe it's not even fabric at all. Maybe its the ocean itself or something of the ocean like sea weed? It could have been the knowledge of weaving even, maybe like the ebb and flow we could apply some sort of weaving pattern? This is seen possibly as the (AE) Ogham. The knife that he had belonged to Guibhne the Smith God, and it might be the knife like hook found in the Ogham (IO). Maybe it wasn't a knife at all but the knowledge of smith-craft? Maybe the knife is a Druids sickle or reaping hook, maybe its the crescent moon above the water? The King of Scotland's shears (Ui), A good question we may ask is what did the shears symbolize? Cutting, trimming, perhaps keeping up on hygiene or appearances. We do know the Celts were often manicured and took pride in appearances. The King of Lochlainn's helmet (OI) might also be found by their shape among the Ogham. What is a helmets job, protection of the head, what is in the head? The Celts thought that the head was the seat of the soul and it was highly venerated, and sometimes taken in battle. It could be that the helmet represented an attribute of protection of such things? The bones of Asal's swine, and a bone from the great whales back could be cross bones laid overlapping one another creating the (EA) ogham. Bones are symbols of our bodies death, though why the swine & the whale? Are stones of the earth the bones of the earth which many carved Ogham onto, who is to say. A much deeper study of all of these symbols should be considered. I feel these are possible suggestions of the corresponding attributes pertaining to these diphthongs. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 18px;"><span style="font: 18.0px Verdana;"><a href="http://naturemeanings.blogspot.com/2013/02/irish-ogham-forfeda-additional-letters.html">http://naturemeanings.blogspot.com/2013/02/irish-ogham-forfeda-additional-letters.html</a></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times"; font-size: x-small;"><span style="font: 18.0px Verdana;"> We know that mythology gives us stories that are full of symbolism and metaphors, that things are never what they appear. We see that </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Aoife in her passions is punished by someone who has a jealous heart. He punishes her by transforming her form into that of a Crane. This theme can be found in a few myths where someone is punished by being transformed into an animal. It is only natural to assume that since she was transformed into a Crane that she should be in the presence then of Manannán with his very watery attributes. What we should mention is the transformation into an animal within a story was never seen as a punishment, the punishment was that they were forbidden to willingly on their own accord to transform back into human form until a given time. As all the tales tell us today, Aoife spent 200 years as a Crane in the company of Manannán. The theme of time within Celtic myths is not how we understand it in our culture, especially that of otherworldly time in the Sea Gods home none the less. From what we gather from the lore, a few moments in the other-world can be generations in our time, and sometimes the opposite where years over there can be but a few moments in our time. This is not suggesting that the Celts didn't understand time, simply that as pastoral and agricultural culture their concept of the seasons, of the light and dark half of the year was perhaps so 'organic and natural' that we are missing something from our own cultural understanding. We would have to live that lifestyle to understand it. I feel to accomplish any real understanding multiple generations would have to undergo living as they did to try and understand where their mindset originates. On a side note, have you ever been camping for a prolonged period of time, say a week or more with no technology, no watches, phones, no time; just sun up, sun down? It changes you, it resets your inner clock! </span></span></div>
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So, then how does a woman become transformed by jealousy? In good Celtic response I would say, 'not hard'. In a very real humanistic approach we need to try to apply this to what we know if we hope to learn from these stories. Ask yourself, how in your life has someone's jealousy and actions changed and transformed you? Aoife was banished to go live with Manannán. Would a jealous lover not cause you to be repelled or seek exile from their presence? Perhaps even to move away and be alone with only the Gods and the ocean. A place full of vast openness always considered to be the place of unknown and unpredictable; which could be be said of anyones future. The part of Aoife being punished is also a theme to explore. When one feels jealousy, they act out of betrayal and harshness. Have you ever been jealous yourself, how did you feel and act? Though any such punishment we may bestow upon those we feel wronged by is only a mask of sadness we wear, not anger. In the end we are only punishing ourselves. </div>
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Let us examine the Crane in Celtic lore. It can be said that the bird is associated with knowledge or wisdom. It has its ties to the Ogham language as people could read omens from the position of the Cranes feet while it stood still on one leg, or even in flight. In the Irish Book of Leinster Midhir has three cranes which guard his fortress. They had abilities like that of being able to steal away an attackers will to fight. There are three Cranes which are said to guard the entrance to Annwn the Welsh Underworld. Three cranes stand upon a bulls back in a Gaulish carving. Perhaps the Crane speaks of the Goddesses dark aspects? With its loud cry it became later associated with that of mean and unpleasant women in later folklore. Though before this we can see in tales the Crane is a good omen, where Fionn MacCumhail's Grandmother shape-shifts into a crane to save his fall from a cliff when he was a child. In our esoteric studies we learn of the Crane Pose. This is where the individual stands on one foot, closes one eye, with a rock in one hand and pointing with the other. They turn the stone in their hands over and over, recite a certain style of poetry with their backs to a Hawthorn tree as they return ill will to the sender. Powerful stuff. </div>
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<b>What do we put into our Crane Bags and why?</b></div>
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<span style="font: 23.0px Verdana;"> </span>It is agreed that within our bags the items that are contained are symbols for other things. The power they have is in our ability to attach meaning and memory to them. Just as in <span style="font: 17.0px Arial;">Manannán</span>'s bag with his the shirt, helmet, and bones. These items were no doubt symbols for things, and not the actual items mentioned. Your items could be sacred objects from locations or pilgrimages, things that represent deeds done, or rites of passages you've been through. Your items could represent anything from the people you know to specific types of energy you work with. A common practice is often that objects being so personal are not for the common view of others or even anyone at all depending on the individual. It is the practitioners microcosm of their magical world. We use these items upon our altars for certain work, we use them for personal divination, and healing, and sometimes in a sort of chess game allowing us to place desired items at certain points; thus actively shaping our unseen world in hopes for a desired outcome.</div>
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I make it a point to shape many (not all) of the items in my bag to form them into highly personalized items. For example a rock from a certain location may be altered by inscribing or carving a symbol upon it. This creates not only an object with a meaning and memory but one that has physical work put into it, forming it into something else entirely. I have two Crane Bags, one is my esoteric/magical bag, the other is a sort of modern Druid take on a EDC survival kit. To give you a good example of what is in my magical Crane Bag I will give you some of the basic items, without of course their private personal attributes:</div>
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</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"> My crane bag is made of deer leather, and can fit the size of a giant phone book within it. It has a small inner pocket which often holds items for ready use. Like a pipe and a tobacco pouch. It is the over the shoulder style bag like a haversack. There is a triskele I painted very roughly with three cranes heads on the flap of the bag which was done in woad. The toggle style closure to it has an antler button from which a bear claw and an elk ivory dangle. From some of its hanging leather ties I have an Ice Age walrus tooth that is carved, hazel nuts with ogham, a small bone skull, a red squirrels tail, a ravens talon, a sea shell from Tintagel Cornwall, and an owl feather from New Forest England.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;">
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Inside my Bag I have many small bags and some loose items. I have an Ogham set of the 20 trees each being from the corresponding tree. Many types rocks/minerals carved with various symbols. Teeth, bones, feathers, an owl and a hawk talon, rocks from many holy places in Ireland, Wales, England, a small piece of a castle in Scotland, turff from Ireland, a needle, thread and a thimble, a druids egg, a large carved piece of mandrake root, a hand carved pipe of Cernonnus, a broken harp string, a braid of hair, a boars tusk, carved figures on ice age antler, bog oak, bog yew, a rowan wand carved with ogham, a cloth for divination, old coins from over seas, sheep knuckles, Fidchell game pieces carved with ogham, a leather roll-out Fidchell game board, a promise ring cut in half! a seeing stone to magnify things, my sons umbilical cords, an effigy carved out of mistletoe, acorns, a sun dried Irish potato, an herbal smoking mixture, a salmons skull painted with woad, a flask of real Irish poitín, and various other things made from bone, stone, horn, antler, amber and wood. Sometimes I carry my Broze-Age replica Sickle, and my gold torc when not wearing it.</div>
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As you can see, you can put what ever you want in your Crane Bag, as long as each item is highly personal and personalized. Sometimes I only carry certain objects with me, other times my bag is full. Wax and wane. Much of the power of these objects comes from the memories and associations they symbolize to you. Your bag is not a catch all, you don't just gather items and toss them into your bag. They are carefully selected, worked on and added with great purpose. They are your 'world' in microcosm, ebbing and flowing at all times.</div>
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The question of why we hold certain objects with power or reverence could be looked at that in different ways. Perhaps the item does hold its own personal power, and that alone is enough. It can be a simple item like a feather or a river rock that just called out to you, and we didn't analyze it any further. We just knew where its home was; that being within our Crane bag. Another perspective is that you quested for an item, you might have been looking for an object to have in your bag designated for a certain individual like a grandparent, an ex, or even a child. Why do we gather such items? Why do some of them call to us? Why do we place value on them as important things to us? Maybe the more important question is, what do we do with them and how do we use them once we have them? That is not a topic I can address here, and is for the individual to find out for themselves. If you are interested in making a Crane Bag I would suggest some further reading on Celtic tales, meditation, and working with some inspiration to design your own. It need not be fancy, and might simply be a small cloth pouch worn on your belt, or even a sporran. Only you have these answers.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-64905353328537866172015-11-15T00:26:00.000-05:002015-11-15T01:41:15.617-05:00A Basic Guide to EDC and Other Kits <div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">An in depth overview from a Druid Bushcrafter</span></b><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8lni6yLaNGA/VkgN43D9zTI/AAAAAAAACrQ/dVH9JPRBg2Y/s1600/prim%2Btools.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8lni6yLaNGA/VkgN43D9zTI/AAAAAAAACrQ/dVH9JPRBg2Y/s320/prim%2Btools.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are Pagans today of various cultures have a fervent relationship for the outdoors. We not only consider Nature our church in a way, but our life-school as well. It is in places created by the divine that we feel closest to our roots, our ancestors, the seasons, and deity. Often times there is no need for ritual or fomality. We quiet the mind, observe, and allow ourselves to be filled with beauty and inspiration. Many people of this path love camping, hiking, and backpacking trips. Some of us go hunting and fishing, others go rock climbing and even kayaking or canoeing. It is from being an avid outdoorsman & Druid that I was hoping to inspire those of you with some insight into how to go about making a basic survival kit or necessities bag. There are a few versions of different kits I will mention towards the end of this write up.</div>
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The idea of a <i>Druid's Crane Bag</i> for me doesn't contain items of an esoteric nature, but rather items that I would carry to stay alive while out in the woods. Something like a small Haversack or even a Sporran/belt pouch. (Although I do have a pretty tricked out Crane Bag full of oghams, fetish totem items, and personalized paraphernalia of carved rocks, roots, and bones I use for personal divination) If you are interested in the esoteric nature of the Celtic Crane Bag please follow the link to a write up I did on it here.<b> </b><a href="http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2015/11/corr-bolg.html">http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2015/11/corr-bolg.html</a></div>
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This Basic guide and overview up is not intended in any way to be an instructional or a what you should do with the following items format. It is up to the individual to learn, study, and practice the skills and techniques in the outdoors before they can feel comfortable in places of distant and great beauty. There is always that what if, or being lost or stranded that could happen. Because of this I wanted to list a few items that I feel are valuable beyond any sort of monetary association and give my Druidic insights into them. </div>
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With television shows such as: Dual Survival, Ray Mears, Survivorman, Bear Grylls, to name just a few; people have been passively educated through entertainment and often feel they have what it takes to make it in the wilderness. This armchair attitude of survival education is dangerous and disrespectful. You do not just grab some gear and go into the woods and try to survive. Surviving is what you do if you are in a compromised situation, all the while trying for rescue or getting out is the goal. If you do go out into the woods and try and survive you will either get hurt, have a horrible time, or worse; you could die. There are virtually tons of books, articles, websites, schools, and products now aimed at people into prepping, bugging out or hunkering down. Survivalism, bushcraft, and even primitive living skills are all the rage these days. When I grew up I never heard of the term 'Bushcraft'. My Grandfather and his three brothers along with my father and his five brothers were simply "outdoors men". They knew the forest for the trees, they would hunt and fish & trap. They farmed their land, raised animals, and were simple people who never really struggled. They did all these things which now seem to be a fad of sorts like Homesteading. To them that was just normal everyday life. It is sad that we have become complacent in this era and lazy to where we have traded our given right to live free for connivence. </div>
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I wanted to share with you what things work best for me. It may not suit your style or methodology, but this information is valuable nevertheless. The collection of information here was made possible from many years of experience. I've tried & tested this material over a period of fifteen years thats proved its worth. Online forums, videos & books have helped make organizing this article possible; though nothing can replace experience - aka what people call, 'dirt time'. </div>
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Before building any basic kit, I would begin with building a storehouse of knowledge. Read, study, go out and try and experiment with what you may have already. Apply your techniques to see what works for you. After some serious time outdoors you'll get a feel for your own way of doing things with your education. It is a good idea to try these things while camping. While at a campsite you are already in the outdoors and since nature is our school there is no better time than while relaxing at a campsite; besides you should have some of the items already with you. It's only after that you should consider taking the next step in building a serious kit. It could be your EDC (every day carry) a bug out bag, an emergency pack you keep in your vehicle or even a backpack you use often for hiking/backpacking. </div>
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With knowledge gained from study and personal experience, you should also have the ability in addressing the means to control your <i>bodies core temperature</i> in various situations or conditions. Being able to look at your environment to see and use what <i>resources are available to you</i>. This knowledge adds to your outcome of being comfortable in your psychological mindset when a situation arrises. These things plus what items you carry in your basic kit will be to your advantage.</div>
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<b>Some thoughts on building your 'kit'</b></div>
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As stated much of this information can be found online through websites, youtube videos, and other outdoor forums. Many have contributed articles and videos showcasing specific items & where to shop to save you money on obtaining material for a basic kit. Always be open to learning from others, you never know what new tricks or techniques you can adopt to make your own for a better rounded education. </div>
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Something should be said about overdoing it vs. being redundant. I personally feel that two is one, and one is none. It is a well known idea that if you have only one knife and it becomes lost, now you have none. Though I feel strongly against packing unnecessary items if you can find the right things that are multi-purpose. Now onto some basic items that you might use while in nay-chur.</div>
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<b>Skyclad in the woods? Not on this trip Mr. Druí</b></div>
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<b> </b>Your 1st defense against the elements is what you are wearing when the undesirable may happen. If you are going hiking, backpacking or camping always know all the possible variables of what weather could come your way, and pack accordingly. If its mid Fall and the nights are cold, with any possibility of snow; by all means pack as it will be unfavorable. Clothing is a form of shelter in allowing you to control your bodies core temperature. Layers are your friend in cold climates. This would be a part of your Cover that will be discussed as we go. </div>
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<b>A pack.</b> </div>
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You will need some sort of means of holding the following items of your kit. It does not have to be expensive. You may find one at a thrift store, an Army-Navy surplus outlet, or even a garage sale. It might be a school type book-bag or something leaning more towards the style you'd go hiking with. Personally I like a bag that has both adjustable waist and chest straps to help in load bearing and comfort. You might like a over the shoulder haversack, it's all what works best for you. </div>
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I have used various day packs, backpacks & bags over the years. All depending on what I am doing and how long I think I will be gone depends on which pack I bring. My current everyday pack is the <b>Maxpedition Vulture 2 </b><a href="http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/Vulture-II-3-Day-Backpack-p114.htm">http://www.maxpedition.com/store/pc/Vulture-II-3-Day-Backpack-p114.htm</a> I find it best suits my personal needs of space and durability for the things I do on a daily basis. For me it works great as I have three little boys that require me to carry stuff for them. You should buy what you like because you'll use it more that way. With our ability to use the internet, one should be fully aware of what they are buying. You can always watch and read reviews and make up your own mind on what you like and why. There is really no wrong choice, simply make sure its well made and wont fall apart. </div>
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<b>My Druid Thoughts on Packs</b></div>
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The idea of carrying a backpack is a very ancient idea. We have reference to one such example with Ötzi the Iceman. The idea of having to carry items allowing ones hands to be free for other tasks is no doubt an ancient one. An easy way of carrying things was just a large piece of fabric, or even an animal hide. Items tossed into the center, folded and rolled up, the corners tied to each other and slung over the shoulders or across the chest. You can picture primitive cultures wearing this, allowing them to walk with a spear as they surveyed the land from higher elevations. I often do this technique while having simple family outings. While packing I always end up tying it up and yelling, "Hobo-Go!" It has often occurred to me that it might have been one of the 1st of our human inventions. After all a Mother needs to carry a baby while on the move. Wrap em' up and have a space to carry stuff. </div>
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<span style="font: 20.0px Helvetica;"><b>~The Pathfinder School</b></span><b> </b>teaches a very easy to understand & good approach using what Dave Canterbury calls the 10 C's of survivability. It is a great place for beginners or even more advanced students of the craft to begin or even review things they already are familiar with. Lets take a look at these 10 C's which seem to transcend into the very basics that all cultures have relied on since our earliest times. </div>
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<a href="http://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/pathfinder-school-classes/">http://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/pathfinder-school-classes/</a></div>
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<b>1. Cutting tool. </b></div>
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A good knife! Make sure it is a fixed blade & full tang. I like knives that are at least 4-5 inches in blade length. Something thick enough that could be used for batonning and splitting wood if need be. Many people like 1095 steel for its ability to use with creating fire with combination of a <span style="font: 16.0px Arial;">Ferrocerium Rod and ease of sharpening.</span><span style="font: 11.0px Arial;"> </span>Though there are metals like INFI, Cpm 3V, Cpm 154, S35vn, VG-10, D2, A2, 01, and AUS 8 Steel and so many more which are also wonderful choices. It's all personal preference. Currently my two main carries are:</div>
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1) A Hawkins Dogwood custom knife by Dan Eastland <a href="http://www.DogwoodCustomKnives.com/knives/Hawkins">http://www.DogwoodCustomKnives.com/knives/Hawkins</a></div>
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Mine is: 1/8 in. Cpm 154 steel, convex grind, spear point, spalted birch wood handle, fancy brass pins, with a leather sheath. </div>
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2) My smaller back up blade I often use as my EDC is a Becker D'Eskabar D2 steel, flat grind, with custom handles. </div>
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Honestly though, there are tons of great knives out there; You just have to find which one you would rely on most often for the purpose you wish to use it for. Don't buy the hype with those swaering to brand loyalty. There are many people out there pushing one knife over another as 'better'. Perhaps for them it is? It may take a few years in different conditions for you to find which knife/kinves works best for you. Remember a bushknife used around camp is much different than something you'd carry for survival, or even for kitchen prep. This could be said about your EDC knife as well; so folders are out of the question for lots of tasks, but could be great around camp. Have you ever played chew the peg/mumbly peg? When I think of knives I think function and purpose. Again, do your homework on types of steel and alloys. The conditions you'll most likely find yourself in are a factor to consider before purchasing. Will it be wet, bloody, snowy or even near/on the ocean? Have fun field testing, and be careful. Keep it sharp, keep it clean and remember to take care of your knife so it can take care of you. Invest in some good sharpening equipment and know how to use it. </div>
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<b><i>Some things to consider:</i> </b>Type of metal, weight of the knife, how you'll be carrying it, Rockwell hardness scale, thickness of blade, what types of things will the knife be used for, how much money are willing to invest, how will you be sharpening, type of edge/grind you prefer - flat, scandi, convex, etc, how well it holds an edge- does it sharpen easy in the field?</div>
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Before buying a knife please read some information on Steel FAQ: </div>
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<a href="http://www.zknives.com/knives/articles/knifesteelfaq.shtml">http://www.zknives.com/knives/articles/knifesteelfaq.shtml</a></div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Other knife companies you could consider reviewing: </b></span></div>
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Dogwood Custom Knives: <a href="http://www.DogwoodCustomKnives.com/">http://www.DogwoodCustomKnives.com/</a></div>
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Fiddleback Forge: <a href="http://www.fiddlebackforge.com/">http://www.fiddlebackforge.com/</a></div>
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Battle Horse Knives: <a href="http://store.battlehorseknives.com/">http://store.battlehorseknives.com/</a></div>
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Fallkniven: <a href="http://www.fallkniven.com/">http://www.fallkniven.com/</a></div>
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L T Wright Knives: <a href="https://www.ltwrightknives.com/">https://www.ltwrightknives.com/</a></div>
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Jeff White Knives: <a href="http://www.bladesmithjeffwhite.net/">http://www.bladesmithjeffwhite.net/</a></div>
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Ka-Bar Becker: <a href="http://www.kabar.com/knives/fixed-blades">http://www.kabar.com/knives/fixed-blades</a> </div>
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Esee: <a href="http://www.eseeknives.com/">http://www.eseeknives.com/</a></div>
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SOG: <a href="https://www.sogknives.com/">https://www.sogknives.com/</a></div>
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Busse: <a href="http://www.bussecombat.com/">http://www.bussecombat.com/</a> </div>
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Swamp Rat knife works: <a href="http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/knives/">http://www.swampratknifeworks.com/knives/</a></div>
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Ontario: <a href="http://ontarioknife.com/">http://ontarioknife.com/</a> </div>
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Bark River: <a href="http://www.barkriverknives.com/index/">http://www.barkriverknives.com/index/</a></div>
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Tops Knives: <a href="https://www.topsknives.com/knives/survival">https://www.topsknives.com/knives/survival</a></div>
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White River: <a href="http://www.whiteriverknives.com/">http://www.whiteriverknives.com/</a></div>
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Habilis Bush Tools: <a href="http://habilisbushtools.com/order/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1">http://habilisbushtools.com/order/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=1</a></div>
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~ Last but certainly not least is:</div>
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Mora Knives! Not full tang, but these knives are awesome, affordable, and perform many tasks that outshine other knives. For the price, everyone should one at least one Mora. <a href="http://www.moraofsweden.se/home-1.0.115.2">http://www.moraofsweden.se/home-1.0.115.2</a> </div>
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<b>My Druid Thoughts on Knives</b></div>
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When I carry a knife, (which I 'ALWAYS' do) I like to reflect on the Celtic Iron Age. A time when so many smiths transformed their environment leaving bronze by the way side. The forge, a magical place of elements and transformation. The Celtic tools and weapons made of Iron, albeit not much of it was transformed into he best hardened steel, the fact they had this material allowed a sense of cultural growth. It made lives easier, and lives easier to be lost as well. I often dream of a time of proud Celtic nobility having swords, and long knives, and farmers with better tools. Mostly I think of the magic the Smiths conjured in their artistic imaginations while designing and creating such works of the La Tene cultures beauty. The art work they created on even their weaponry shows a skill and care that was done with wonder. When you carry your knife try and think back to when we didn't use metal at all, when all we had was stone. Try then if you can to imagine only having that to do the tasks you achieve with ease as your modern knife slides with ease through woods like oak, ash, and thorn. Remember the best knife to have is the one you happen to have on you. Keep it sharp, keep it clean, and keep it on you. </div>
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<b>2. Combustion device.</b></div>
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This could be a fire striker with a <span style="font: 17.0px Helvetica Neue;">Ferrocerium Rod</span> or a magnesium block with striker attached or flint and steel. Things like char cloth, and a magnifying lenses have their place, and serve a great purpose. There are many choices available to you and all it takes is some time outdoors to get comfortable with what tools work best for you. Personally I always carry a small fire kit. I use to have one attached to my knife in my Esee pouch, one in my pack, and one in my EDC kit. Why the redundancy? Well I would rather have a means to make fire than not where I live. </div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">My basic fire kit contains the following: </span></div>
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1 orange BIC Lighter - more on this below.</div>
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A large ferriicum rod with striker</div>
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A pill bottle full of micro inferno, and petroleum jelly soaked cotton balls</div>
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Charred items, a tin, a magnification lense</div>
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In my pack I also carry: A magnesium block with striker, more petroleum soaked cotton balls, a zip lock bag with dryer lint, another orange BIC lighter, and a smaller ferro rod and striker, and a few small packets of Insta-Fire. Remember a zippo or a bic is NOT a means of having a sure flame. They can be damaged, run out of fuel, and don't work well in the rain or very cold temperatures. But here are some thoughts on BIC lighters:</div>
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<b>~ Did you know?</b></div>
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Your trusty BIC lighter can be used when it's out of fluid. How you ask? Given that its not soaked, and if it you can dry it, the flint will still spark. Take the spine of your knife and scrape off shavings of the side of the lighter. Yes, shave off plastic shavings, add them to a well made tinder bundle, roll that finger over the lighter to ignite some sparks on the plastic shavings inside your tinder bundle and there ya have it. Do NOT throw away a lighter. Matches can run out, but a lighter can be used even out of fuel. For that matter, a broken or soaked cell phone that will not turn on can also be of use. Take out the battery, add it to a tinder bundle, use your knife to punch a hole in it and it should smoke, and ignite. Who you gonna call anyway, Ghostbusters? </div>
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With fire being an extreme component to the psychological mind set of being comfortable, cooking, warmth, and safety I go a little heavy on redundancy at times. Something to be said about the ability to make fire with no combustion tools. It is very hard, and takes lots of practice. It is not something you can watch on youtube and just do. Once you get better with the many techniques, the knowledge gained from knowing the woods and how to do this will add in your ability to psychologically feel more at ease. I think the bow drill technique is one that many people should have a go at. It's not that hard once you get a feel for it. My 7yr old is already pretty good at it. </div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Always exercise caution when working with fire!</i></span><span style="font: 17.0px Helvetica; text-decoration: underline;"> </span></div>
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Leave the area like you found it, leave no trace you were there. Make sure the fire and all the coals are extinguished before you leave your site. Remember that wind can cause fires to relight and could cause massive forest damage. Learn about how fire works, types of fires you can build and what purpose they can serve you. Cooking fires are different than camp fires, or even survival cold weather fires. *Did you know in places like Ireland and Scotland parts of the ground are peat/turf, and it too will burn underground and cause unspeakable damage. Always use caution, and have respect. </div>
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<b>My Druid Thoughts on Fire</b></div>
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There has been many nights of solitude in remote areas that without fire, my imagination would've installed fear or even panic. Remember where there is no imagination there is no fear. I think about early humans, and their relationship to fire. What it meant to them was far more important than it is to most of us. Imagine a world with no electricity, what impenetrable darkness is like. That type of darkness is hugely lost to us, and to our consciousness. We place lights everywhere like streets, veicheles, on billboards. Areas like 'the woods' that are unexplored symbolize this primitive darkness to us. Fear of the unknown, always staying on the path, not traveling at night have been common themes in many children's stories. Our darkness unexplored these days is inner darkness, our inner-personal and cultural darkness. There to we bombard our senses with light and distraction. The glow of television, computer screens, and a house full of lights makes us feel safe & secure. It won't though you know. Take away electricity for a week or longer and watch us become savages. Something happens to us at fireside, our thought process changes, we dream with our eyes open. We safely explore inwardly things like memory, emotion, and if we are lucky we might even be gifted a chance to gain insight into what otherwise is hidden from us...'ourselves'!</div>
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For our Celtic ancestors Fire was important enough to have entire festival become a main focus for. What would Samhain or Bealtaine be without fire? Think about that for a bit.</div>
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<b>3. Cover/Shelter </b></div>
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Your 1st defense against the elements is your clothing. Cover begins with what you are wearing in combination to the elements and environment you are in. Dress wisely when you are going outdoors. Know your fabrics, layering, know the weather and conditions of possibility. You may like Gore Tex, you may like down, some like wool hunting coats and oilskin match coats<b> </b><a href="http://tentsmiths.com/tent-camp-accessories/watchcoats.html">http://tentsmiths.com/tent-camp-accessories/watchcoats.html</a> <b> </b>each of us is different. Cover could be anything but not limited to the following: </div>
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- A heavy duty survival space blanket. <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Grabber-Outdoor-127008-Weather-Blanket/dp/B000CSJWWW">http://www.amazon.com/Grabber-Outdoor-127008-Weather-Blanket/dp/B000CSJWWW</a> They are usually red or orange on one side and reflective metallic silver mylar on the reverse. </div>
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- A tarp, one with grommet holes I find works best. Know how to create different types of tarp-shelters! You can achieve warm temperatures if constructed in combination with an emergency blanket. This could save you from hypothermia, Do your homework. </div>
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- Those 55 gallon drum liners are great light weight options-as these things can be converted into a small sleeping sack, poncho, help gather water, or even help in shelter building. </div>
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- A good heavy 100% wool blanket is worth its weight in gold. I stress heavy and 100% wool for many reasons. </div>
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The Goal here is micro-climates and controlling your bodies core temperature. </div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Why do I like 100% wool?</i></span></div>
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Wool is naturally flame retardant. This helps around camp fires. </div>
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Wool helps regulate body temperature due to its moisture wicking ability</div>
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Wool is naturally hypoallergenic, meaning it is resistant to bacteria, mold, and mildew which are known to cause reactions in some people.</div>
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Wool is known to be dust mite free. Since mites like moisture they will seek others fabrics. Dust mites can trigger asthma attacks for some.</div>
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Wool retains its warmth (about 70-80%) even when it's soaking wet.</div>
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Wool when wet, dirty, greasy or grimy will still perform the same, this is not true of most synthetic fabrics.</div>
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Wool doesn't collect much static. Static attracts lint, dirt, and dust.</div>
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Wool is very durable. Properly cared for it will last a long time. Possibly longer than your life span. Many of us own vintage wool blankets today. </div>
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Wool dyes well</div>
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Wool is easy to sew </div>
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Wool has been used for thousands of years for all of the following reasons.</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><i>Could you use a sleeping bag in place of a a heavy wool blanket?</i></span></div>
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Of course, but the nice thing about using the wool blanket is that it can be used as a shelter, can be worn as a poncho or wrap style robe. You can also make it into a carry all or a pack-style carry. It is versatile. Where as to modify a sleeping bag causes loss of what its purpose is intended for. Depending on time of year, conditions, by all means use a sleeping bag! Going out into a late fall and winter environment with just a wool blanket is foolish. A<b> </b>military sleep system <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Military-Modular-Sleep-System-Goretex/dp/B002LLPILC">http://www.amazon.com/Military-Modular-Sleep-System-Goretex/dp/B002LLPILC</a> is great for colder weather, though why not bring along that blanket as well for multi-use. </div>
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<b><i>~ Important Note: </i></b>Not all wool blankets are created equal. Many are 70% wool with other synthetic fibers. Some 80% wool with 20% synthetics. Also, - Not all 100% wool blankets are created equal either. Some are lightweight and others somewhat heavier. For some odd reason here in the US it is increasingly difficult to obtain a good quality 100% heavy wool blanket. The devil is in the details, as we are looking for a quality item here. When you do find one they are expensive or have limited quantity. If you are looking for military wool blankets be careful! It is easy to get ripped off online. I would avoid sites like Ebay or Amazon unless you know for sure. If the description reads anything like "military style" wool blanket, or army "type" blanket and doesn't give you a percentage of wool, it's rubbish. Note the word 'style', & 'type' a dead giveaway that its illegitamate. If the price seems too good to be true, it most likely is fake. Anything generally under $50 will be fake or not worth it. If it lists the weight of the blanket and its not even close to 5 lbs. it is most likely fake, or a wool blend. Of course buy what you can afford, if you happen to find a 90% wool blanket thats under $20 by all means get a few. You could even sew them together. I once found some 80-20 wool blankets at Harbor Freight for under $10. They are not the greatest but again for under $10, I bought three. I sewed two of them together, and made a hunting shirt out of the third. They performed just fine for family tent camping. I wouldn't use them for a survival blanket. </div>
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There are good heavy weight wool blankets out there that are not military ie. Pendelton and Hudsons Bay six point (usually around the $250-350 and up.), some of them could work for your kit while others will not perform well and will even tear as they are made for indoor use. Do keep your eyes open while shopping at thrift stores. People often get rid of things they think are old and no longer valuable. Flea Markets & estate sales are wonderful places to look, even Craigslist. I once heard of a gentleman obtaining the following from an Amvets thrift store: Goretex Jacket shell jacket, small day pack, military 300 weight polartec jacket, and 2 good 100% wool blankets for a grand total of under $60. Now thats a steal of a deal! Just further proof that if you look around you can find good deals. </div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Military blankets to keep an eye out for that are good to use:</b></span><b> </b></div>
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~Swedish Officers Blanket (so far it seems to be the softest) Next to impossible to find. Know anyone in Sweden?</div>
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~ Dutch Naval Blankets- White with Red stripes. They are big, soft, and thick. </div>
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~Germany Military Grey (NVA or striped) be careful of modern reproductions. </div>
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~ German Bundes-Eigentum brown blanket. be careful of modern reproductions.</div>
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~ Italian Officers Blanket (They are a medium coffee color not grey, or greenish) Look for the real ones by looking them up on Google in Italian. Be sure to use the words "official" ~ <span style="color: #111111; font: 17.0px Arial;">Coperta militare italiana da Ufficiali Esercito Italiano 100 x 100 Lana calda. </span><span style="background-color: #fffff3; color: #141414; font: 17.0px Trebuchet MS;">La coperta Militare Italiana.</span><span style="background-color: #fffff3; color: #141414; font: 22.0px Trebuchet MS;"> </span></div>
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<b>*Note</b>: The Italian Army has three blankets. A bunk or cot blanket, it often has a star on it. A field blanket, commonly called an officers blanket here in America but its not! There are many knockoffs of this blanket made in India or 90% not made in Italy. Lastly the real or official officers blanket, only sold currently by one company in Italy. They have an E.I. on them! </div>
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~ Here is all three in a picture: </div>
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~ Italian Naval Blanket- Blue with a white anchor on it. </div>
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~ Italian Air Force Blanket- Blue and White with an Eagle in the center.</div>
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~ Italian Air Force Blanket/Vintage- Two tone Tan. Greek key scroll and an Eagle in the middle (One of my favorite blankets!) Super dense, warm, not that big, but soft!</div>
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~ Hungarian white wool blanket- 4 lbs. <span style="font: 18.0px Times New Roman;">64" wide by 72" long, dyes well.</span></div>
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~ Czech Army Issue wool blanket- 56" by 72" and 4 1/2 lbs. white with blue stripes.</div>
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~ Polish Grey Blanket- <span style="font: 18.0px Times New Roman;">60" x 79" 5lbs. </span></div>
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~ Danish grey blanket with blue stripes. 59" by 67" (buy 2 and sew together) 4 1/2 lbs. </div>
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~ CZECH REPUBLIC GREEN BLANKET - 52" by 82" and 4 1/2 lbs. </div>
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~ GERMAN GRAY BLANKET WITH BLACK STRIPES- 52" by 80" and 4 1/2 lbs. dense and great for match coats. Many have yellow names or numbers stitched on them that can be removed. </div>
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~ Bulgarian grey blanket with a black stripe. Hard to find</div>
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~ Bulgarian off white or cream wool blanket- 66" by 62" soft, dyes well, and weighs 4lbs. </div>
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~ French Green wool blanket - many have yellow letters or numbers stitched on them, </div>
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* Many good Military 100% wool blankets may have a heavy odor of moth balls. Simply hang it outside for a few days and it should be just fine. Even in the rain, just let it dry and be sure to flip in now and then. If it smells after a few days, let it get rained on more, and dry in a good wind. Hit it with some febreeze and let it dry. It'll be fine. Don't buy the hype of washing it or adding hair conditioner to the wash. Though if you must feel free to wash it in cold water only, with mild wool soap, or hand wash it in the tub and line dry it works even better. Never use a dryer for 100% wool blankets. Unless of course you want a baby blanket. </div>
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Interested in a one of a kind super thick hand woven one at a time wool blanket? Look into getting a Baker's Bundle from Tony Baker. They run $400 + and are like the first Hudson Bay Blankets used by early pioneers. He only makes a few a year. They are expensive but a hand loomed/dyed thick 100% wool blanket is something you can pass to grandchildren. </div>
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<b>Tony Baker</b></div>
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Baker's Bundles</div>
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718 E. 500 South</div>
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Marion, IN 46953</div>
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Phone: (765) 517-2515</div>
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<span style="color: black;">Email: <a href="mailto:loommaster1750@yahoo.com"><span style="text-decoration: underline;">loommaster1750@yahoo.com</span></a></span></div>
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Also, if you are inclined to carry things like a small backpacking tent, a covered hammock, a goretex bivy, so be it; they all work great for cover or in combination with one another. Remember, two is one, one is none. Cover/shelter options are endless. Since I brought up clothing something should be said about Boots.</div>
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<b> </b>It has been said that we spend most of time on our feet or on our backs. Invest in good boots and in a good bed. Take care of your feet and your back. A good night sleep in the woods is vital, so cover/comfort is important. Boots for your feet are also just as important. Every persons feet are unique, you might have foot problems or some sort. You may go through hiking boots in a yearly fashion. This is my suggestion- Invest in a good pair of boots that will last you years, many many years. The kind you can break in and have re-soled. Expect to pay anywhere from $300-600 for a great pair of boots. Yes that seems like way too much, but if they last 10+ years it evens out. Gore Tex can break down in a year or three, and then you have a leather boot with lining that doesn't work that you paid decent money for. I would suggest a good quality all leather boot that you can treat with something like<b> </b>Obenaufs Heavy Duty LP. <a href="http://www.obenaufs.com/Currently">http://www.obenaufs.com/</a> Currently I wear <span style="font: 17.0px Arial;">Alico Summit Backpacking</span><span style="font: 11.0px Arial;"> </span><span style="font: 16.0px Arial;">Hiking Boots</span><span style="font: 22.0px Helvetica;"> </span>but have heard wonderful things about Limmer boots <a href="http://www.limmercustomboot.com/cgi-bin/CustomBoot/index.pl">http://www.limmercustomboot.com/cgi-bin/CustomBoot/index.pl</a> made by Peter Limmer and Sons in New Hampshire. You could pay good money for boots like; Asolo, Vasque, Scarpa, Zamberlan. Don't get me wrong, lots of their models are awesome. I've worn a few myself, and even as I type this I'm considering a pair of Zamberlans. It does depend on what you use your boots for, how often you wear them, etc. Feet, treat em' right - Oh and socks... get good socks! </div>
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<b>My Druid Thoughts on Wool Blankets</b></div>
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Let us give thanks to the sheep and its gifts. Ancient people often kept sheep for what they could obtain from the animal as not all of them were seen as merely a food source. It was an amazing renewable resource for them that provided a means of shelter, comfort and even for trade. There was a time ancient Romans wore Celtic cloaks as a sign of their wealth. I think back to the arts of drop spinning, making and using a loom, and it is something of great respect I have for these ancestral weavers. There is a reason our Celtic ancestors used wool for their tunics, pants, dresses, cloaks, and later their coats & kilts. It is still a fiber modern science has yet to replicate. </div>
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<i>(Sings)</i> Yit wisnae for the weavers whit wid we do</div>
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We wadna hae claith made o' oor woo'</div>
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We widnae hae a coat, neither black or blue</div>
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If it wisnafor the wark o' the weavers</div>
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<b>~ Did you know? </b></div>
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The Breacan an Fhéilidh (belted plaid) or Feileadh Mòr (great plaid) has its roots from the Celtic Brat (Cloak) The Great Kilt which was generally woven on a loom that created a 25-30" inch wide product at about 9 yards long was then cut in half and sewn to create a 60" inch wide product of about 4 yards total to be worn belted. Before the mid 1600's the Scots just as the Irish wore Tunics and Cloak. This Cloak was the jacket of the time and could be worn many ways by both men and women. To learn more on the Celtic cloak and to see good examples on the many ways it was worn please follow this link to a post I wrote on just that. <b>'How to wear a Cloak'</b> <a href="http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-to-wear-cloak.html">http://dreoilin.blogspot.com/2013/11/how-to-wear-cloak.html</a> You can wear your wool blanket the same way. </div>
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<b>4. Container.</b></div>
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I would suggest something heavy duty with the ability to boil water in. A 32 oz.18/8 stainless steel canteen with a wide mouth is a good choice. Why 32 oz? Most popular methods of water purification require a container of 32 oz. container, so its just easier to do the math that way. Again, shopping around will provide useful options. You may find something at a dollar store that will work for you until you upgrade to a better bottle like Klean Kanteen. Be sure to examine the inside of the bottle you are looking into. Are there seems? Is there a seem on the bottom, and while holding it can you indent the metal by sqeezing it? It might be too flimsy? All bottles will have seems, though the type of seem is important and if you compare a good quality stainless steel water bottle to a dollar store aluminum bottle you will notice the difference in quality, which ultimately is about how it will perform being used over the fire. I carry a 64 oz Klean Kanteen in my pack for trips, but I do have other sizes like 40 oz and 27 oz. It is always with some other water things like a lifestraw or a sawyer mini. My EDC water carry is: <i>The Ultimate Bottle Cooking Kit 2</i> <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "times"; font-size: small;"><a href="http://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/stainless-steel-bottle-cooking-kit/">http://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/stainless-steel-bottle-cooking-kit/</a></span></div>
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Which includes: 32oz. Stainless steel bottle & cup set </div>
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Stove & Grill Top</div>
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A fire striker</div>
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Package of micro infernos</div>
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Bottle hanger</div>
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Light my fire Titanium Spork</div>
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Water bottle bag that carries everything plus room for more.</div>
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(Which I store a multi-tool, fire kit add ons, and have added 25 feet of Paracord for cordage.) A nice little compact kit of various items that stores compact and I use daily.</div>
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I like it because I can carry a small EDC Fire kit in the pockets, attach things to its MOLLE webbing, I can attach it to my pack, my belt, it is very versatile. You may find another system works better for you, and thats the point. </div>
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Carry what works for you. Don't just buy something because it's popular & it's promoted by someone. I always recommend that you field test your gear, beat the hell out of it to see if it stands the test of time. For a long time I carried a military issue canteen with stainless steel canteen cup. It worked great for what I used it for, and I still keep it in my car; thats if my kids are not using it. </div>
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<b>My Druid Thoughts on Containers</b></div>
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To reflect. Imagine being somewhere and having to make a container because you didn't have one. The energy it takes to do this causes loss of calories and I can tell you, its not easy if you don't have the right tools. A vital strategy of survival is the calorie crunch. If you look at primitive cultures today even in the most remote parts of the rainforest they will often have somewhat modern containers to cook or boil water in. When I carry my 18/8 stainless steel bottles or bush pots I often think of the ancient past, how people on the move had to lug around iron. Thank goodness they had carts, wagons, and horses. For a moment think of what it would be like to carve bowls from wood, make woven baskets from natural cordage, and things of this nature. Trades and skills that are becoming rapidly lost to us. Learn these skills if you can and share the knowledge with others before things like this are lost. Can you boil water in a carved out bowl using the rocks from a fire? You sure can, it might be a great idea to learn how. </div>
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There are many ways to cook food, and boil water if you do not have a container. An insight into primitive skills is a good place to do your research and begin trying these techniques out. I have listed some wonderful book sources at the end of this article. Remember to ask yourself when you look around, "What resources do I see that will help me in the task I need to perform?" Nature can provide but it is up to you to have the know how. Cody Lundin says: "The more you know, the less you need." He's got a very good point; Learn those ancient skills! </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OvLScoO50og/VkgQTzuwt0I/AAAAAAAACsg/JjNoOB6vd1k/s1600/Paracord-Uses1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OvLScoO50og/VkgQTzuwt0I/AAAAAAAACsg/JjNoOB6vd1k/s320/Paracord-Uses1.jpg" width="269" /></a></div>
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<b>5. Cordage.</b></div>
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Something that is not easy to obtain in nature without a serious amount of work and loss of calories is rope. It is best to have the know how in case of a situation, but there are some options to carry that will make your life so much easier. There are two main types people often carry. </div>
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Lets start with <b>Paracord</b>. <a href="http://www.gorillaparacord.com/550-Paracord-Commercial-Type-III-7-Strand_p_8.html#.Vkf7RhwvSks">http://www.gorillaparacord.com/550-Paracord-Commercial-Type-III-7-Strand_p_8.html#.Vkf7RhwvSks</a> Always read the fine print. It should be 550Lb test strength, with 7 inner strands. There are cheap versions out there that are just fibers inside a nylon shell calling themselves Paracord, and they will not give you the options real Paracord will. I will not get into all the things cordage can be used for, but real 550lb test 7 strand paracord is wonderful stuff. </div>
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The next popular type of cordage is what many people call Bank line. This tarred (somewhat tacky) rope can be found where they sell cat fishing supplies. You may find it at Walmart, or Bass Pro. shops or even online. Sometimes called <b>Mariners Line</b>, <a href="http://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/bank-line-3/?sort=pricedesc">http://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/bank-line-3/?sort=pricedesc</a> it can also be broken down into smaller strands. Bank line comes in various test strengths and I've seen it online at very affordable prices. Each of these options are good to carry, I personally carry some of each. I keep different hanks of either 25 feet or 50 feet of paracord as I find carrying a hank of a 100ft often tangles in the field. Paracord comes in many colors, so depending if you are wishing to stay hidden or be rescued consider this before you buy some. I love the camo, and the olive drab but having some bright orange cord is nice. You can see it, you wont trip on it while walking around camp and its just one more option of being spotted for rescue. They make a glow in the dark option but I have never seen it in person, and don't know anything about it. </div>
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<b>Druid Thoughts on Cordage</b></div>
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As stated it is good to know what to use, and how to make cordage in the wilderness. Your rope can be lost, run out, get ruined and then what? Also good to look into is how to make cordage from sinew. Natural textiles are the first things to disappear in the archeological record. They break down and return to the earth whence they came. Leather, sinew, and other ropes made of fiber like Nettle and Hemp were once all that we had. They were used by people for everyday functions as we use cordage today. Think back to the Neolithic and the builders of Stonehenge, the roping off of those giant stones, this was all done with natural cordage! Think of the many ships the Celts and Vikings had, all those ropes were natural, all the way down to the explorers & the ones on the Mayflower. For some reason many of us think that a natural rope is inferior, look at Ötzi the Iceman; <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/%C3%96tzi">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ötzi</a> he too was using natural fiber cordage. All of the first people to climb Mt. Everest used natural cordage. It is a skill worth learning. When you use your bank line, or your paracord remember that just because you didn't have to make it doesn't mean you shouldn't know how to make cordage if need be. Since we are talking about rope, why not learn a good five knots or so to add to your metal tool kit. It will come in handy for setting up camp with tarps. Here is a link to learn how: <a href="http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2012/02/essential-knots-how-tie-20-knots-will-keep-you-alive">http://www.outdoorlife.com/photos/gallery/hunting/2012/02/essential-knots-how-tie-20-knots-will-keep-you-alive</a></div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fli21393iNU/VkgQa57QcXI/AAAAAAAACso/b44CBGKTidU/s1600/compass.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="313" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fli21393iNU/VkgQa57QcXI/AAAAAAAACso/b44CBGKTidU/s320/compass.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0063PII32/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0063PII32&linkCode=as2&tag=bhiking-20&linkId=QTPLAMO4RUBZXZP4"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0063PII32/ref=as_li_tl?ie=UTF8&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0063PII32&linkCode=as2&tag=bhiking-20&linkId=QTPLAMO4RUBZXZP4</span></a></div>
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<b>6. Compass. </b>I like the<b> </b><span style="color: #111111; font: 18.0px Arial;">Silva Ranger 515 Compass</span> myself, but the important things is to just buy a good one. A button compass has its place, and that is meant for back up. Many of them do not work well. You can buy a nice compass for under $50. Look for something that has a mirror, and a moveable bezel. Some even have a small magnifying lens built into them. Just another multi-purpose item for fires. Know how to use your compass! For navigation & for signaling. It is a valuable tool often underestimated and not used enough. All people... I stress, ALL PEOPLE wander and drift when not able to sight a source to aim for. You can not reach a point blindfolded in a field. Here is a fun experiment: with a friend in a large wide open flat field take turns trying to reach a very far off point blind folded. Walk behind them and eventually you will see them drift from their course. Sometimes they will even circle back without knowing it. </div>
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<b>Druid Thoughts On navigation.</b></div>
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People for thousands of years didn't have compasses, yet they navigated by land and sea trading and traveling afar. With the attitude of the more you know the less you need, you can apply your bushcraft knowledge to this subject as well. Say your compass is lost, you don't have a back up, or even your small one is broken. There are means of navigating using nature. I would suggest learning how to read the woods, the sun, stars and even moon to be able to fashion a means for direction. The how to's are out there, learn them and practice them. </div>
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Can you imagine Bronze Age sailors, the ones responsible for creating and using the Nebra Sky Disk, <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebra_sky_disk">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nebra_sky_disk</a> or others on the ancient amber routes for travel and trade. It is all amazing to us, yet it was the only world they knew. If they were able to use such skills, we can to. If only we maintain a positive attitude and keep on with perseverance. A positive attitude goes a long way in combination with education. Let nature be your guide. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krOMTVRS-CQ/VkgQiAAuVVI/AAAAAAAACsw/EWx6XU3q-Jc/s1600/headlamp.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-krOMTVRS-CQ/VkgQiAAuVVI/AAAAAAAACsw/EWx6XU3q-Jc/s320/headlamp.png" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>7. Candling Device (Headlamp)</b></div>
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Why a headlamp and not a flashlight? Have you ever tried setting up camp, building a fire or anything that otherwise requires using your hands while its dark? Yes, I carry a flashlight sometimes two, a good one and a smaller very reliable back up in my EDC pack. Though my EDC and my recommendation will always be a handsfree light of some type. </div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;">What you want to pay attention to</span>: </div>
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Is it water resisant/proof? </div>
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What kind of batteries does it take? </div>
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How long does the battery life last? </div>
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Are there flash or strobe options? </div>
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What is the brightness (lumens), and are there settings for different power levels? </div>
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Not that you should be wandering around in the dark, but if trying to be rescued; Perhaps you are lucky enough to be walking down a dark rural road, a strobe or flash option is valuable to have. There are many great headlamps out there and if you keep in mind the things to look out for, you'll be all the better off.</div>
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I carry the <b>Peztl Tikka XP2</b>. (Orange) <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Petzl-E99-PG2-Tikka-Headlamp/dp/B002BWQ4IM">http://www.amazon.com/Petzl-E99-PG2-Tikka-Headlamp/dp/B002BWQ4IM</a></div>
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Weight. 88 grams</div>
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Wide or focused beam pattern</div>
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Max. 80 lumens</div>
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Max distance. 68 meters</div>
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Max battery life. 190 hours</div>
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Takes 3 AAA compatible: alkaline, lithium, rechargeable Ni-MH, rechargeable Ni-Cd</div>
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Water resistant</div>
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Has a tiny whistle for emergency attached to head band</div>
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Switches between High, Efficiency, and Strobe</div>
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Also Has red light option, and red strobe</div>
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<b>My Druid Thoughts on Torches</b></div>
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Just as in the above with the topic of fire and light, something about pulling a log from the fire to see your way into the dark conjures up images of old. How people made and used torches long ago is still a skill to be valued. It is not as easy as one thinks simply pulling a log from the fire to see what's out there. Though there are many good ways one can build a natural torch. I would suggest learning a few ways in case one of them simply isn't working well. </div>
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I admire those ancient ancestors who braved those deep caverns in france <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lascaux"><b>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lascaux</b></a><b> </b>to paint and capture images from a world that is lost to us. By torch light, they mixed pigments, blew paint from their mouths, and created art, leaving us a record of a time in history we can only dream about. Such beasts like the wooly mammoth, dire wolf, cave bear, wooly rhinosours and giant heards of bison and deer roamed grasslands, as ice sheets still covered areas of much of europe. Hunting with sharpened stone spears, and possibly being hunted themselves, this had to be a time of extreme survival. A an interaction with a human species (Neanderthal) that was completely alien to themselves must have been mind blowing. Conjecture exists here that our redhair DNA comes from interbreeding with their species from a Blonde mutation. When I hold a torch and look into the darkness I can almost hear the sound of a language that I do not understand. I can feel a something within me that is them. A connection to history and an unknown spirituality that they revrenced. That I am here because of them. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qeNB1Gw-3dc/VkgQpnalw1I/AAAAAAAACs4/2Tep5SY48fo/s1600/bandana%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qeNB1Gw-3dc/VkgQpnalw1I/AAAAAAAACs4/2Tep5SY48fo/s320/bandana%2B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>8. Cotton Bandana. </b></div>
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The versatility of a cotton cloth or bandana has so many functions it would be hard to list. I will try and name just a few so you can see why I carry a few with me. </div>
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- To be used for First Aid, cuts or wounds, tieing off something.</div>
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- To be used for rescue. A bright color like orange would help in this</div>
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- To use for making char cloth for fire starting</div>
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- To use for filtering sediment of merky water</div>
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- To protect your head from the elements</div>
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- To use for basic camp clean up</div>
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- To use for tieing pieces to trees for finding you in the woods</div>
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- To make a sling with which to use stones for hunting small game</div>
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There are so many more.</div>
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What is important is that it is cotton, and that it is large enough. You could easily go to a craft store and buy what you like and use that. Often suggested is a 3'x3' square of cotton cloth for addition to the common bandana. I like Orange because it stands out in the woods. </div>
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<b>Druid Thoughts on Cloth</b></div>
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<b> </b>Think back to a time when cloth 1st appeared in our history. We went from leather, hides, fur, and woven grasses to working with drop spinning, looms, weaving and sewing things of fine delicate and complex patterns. Flax Linen was a wide spread textile used for everything we use cotton for today. In combination with wool such material allowed not only a more comfortable standards of living, but gave them an ability to artistically express themselves as a culture helping them to define who they were at times just by style of dress. Can you not see the Celtic Chieftain dressed in his large check pattern plaids, variegated wool tweed like tunics of various colors. Layers of linen and wool, heavy cloaks for inclement weather fastened by a fibula. Beautiful! </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sASmZTsQC-I/VkgQwGuKxpI/AAAAAAAACtA/f6-qGAinRjY/s1600/celts03_446.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-sASmZTsQC-I/VkgQwGuKxpI/AAAAAAAACtA/f6-qGAinRjY/s320/celts03_446.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wkF2K6y6rz8/VkgQ7WssdyI/AAAAAAAACtI/C2iRF9_MyxE/s1600/needles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wkF2K6y6rz8/VkgQ7WssdyI/AAAAAAAACtI/C2iRF9_MyxE/s320/needles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>9. Cloth needle. </b> <a href="http://www.sailrite.com/Hand-Needles-5-Assorted-Osborne">http://www.sailrite.com/Hand-Needles-5-Assorted-Osborne</a> </div>
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A heavy duty needle/canvas needle to use for punching through thick material. You can magnetize these with 100% silk cloth or a good magnet to be used for a compass, sew up torn gear or yourself if you must. You could carry some heavy duty upholstery thread with you as well. It is very useful, light weight and is extra cordage for things. To carry a few different size needles is also not a problem, they take up no space in a sewing it or pocket fishing kit. </div>
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<b>My Druid Thoughts on Needles</b></div>
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Can you imagine our early ancestors working with the same size needles we do today fashioned out of bone? How did they drill the eye on those things? There have been many needles found from the Neolithic period, some of them still in perfect shape and sharp! We can easily go to a craft store and buy a needle but for us to make one would prove futile and often impractical. Why not could carry one or two, after all they weigh nothing. Picture if you will these Neolithic people working with stone and bone around a fire, threading a bone needle with sinew to sew hides and furs required for their daily lives. You can almost hear the women chatting just as they do today. I wonder what they were talking about? I bet if you listen carefully to the sound deep within yourself you can understand that conversation. </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oyceJ1XlAMY/VkgRF9c_M9I/AAAAAAAACtQ/4HIEkrKWsmE/s1600/tape%2B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oyceJ1XlAMY/VkgRF9c_M9I/AAAAAAAACtQ/4HIEkrKWsmE/s320/tape%2B.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>10. Cargo Tape. </b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Black-Gorilla-Tape-1-88-Roll/dp/B000CSS8UE"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;">http://www.amazon.com/Black-Gorilla-Tape-1-88-Roll/dp/B000CSS8UE</span></a></div>
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100 mile an hour tape, Military duct tape, <b>Gorilla tape</b>; These are all very good choices to carry. Many have said that if duct tape cant fix it, it isn't really broken. You can make and repair so many things with these types of tape. From First Aid, to almost anything, it does come in handy. Fix your boots or tarp shelter, torn poncho, all sorts of stuff, even fletching for making arrows. </div>
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I carry a small 2'' wide roll of Gorilla tape in my EDC, but on longer trips I carry a wider and bigger roll. Again a multi purpose item is better any day than a tool that serves only one purpose. </div>
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<b>Druid Thoughts on Sticky Stuff</b></div>
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<b> </b>It has often been said if ancient people had duct tape and super glue the world as we know it would be very different. What would our ancestors know of tape? No doubt they used sticky things of a glue like nature, certain plants when chewed or even making pine pitch style adhesives and adding leather and sinew would have been their tape and glue. It is these Primitive wilderness skills we should learn to honestly appreciate as we carry around a roll of tape. On that, why not learn how to make some sticky stuff out in the bush. </div>
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<b>~ Did you know?</b></div>
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Neanderthals for thousands of years were making and using a well made pitch from birch and pine resins to use to secure the sinew on and around their spears. It is quite possible that we learned the skill from them. You could ask my wife she's part Neanderthal with that natural red hair of hers. I kid. </div>
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* The above items in combination with the knowledge of how to use them for multipurpose applications will be a blessing in disguise. The following 5 items could been seen as redundant, but worth mentioning or adding to your pack.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UwHOJPID7h0/VkgRM8jkkjI/AAAAAAAACtY/1w1g9ku2bxc/s1600/axes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UwHOJPID7h0/VkgRM8jkkjI/AAAAAAAACtY/1w1g9ku2bxc/s320/axes.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b>11. Cutting tool #2</b></div>
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Above we have listed 'a good knife'. This cutting tool #2 item should be an option to carry. Many chose a good quality folding saw. They are lightweight, perform wonderfuly and save on your knife. Why bother chopping small wood down with your knife, when you have a saw to do the job much easier. You may chose a backpacking axe depending on the location and conditions you'll be in. They are both very valuable items to consider in bushcrafting or backpacking. For the next to nothing weight of a folding saw, why not also carry a small back packing axe?</div>
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<span style="font: 17.0px Helvetica;">I carry the <b>Bacho Laplander</b> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bahco-396-LAP-Laplander-Folding-9-Inch/dp/B0001IX7OW">http://www.amazon.com/Bahco-396-LAP-Laplander-Folding-9-Inch/dp/B0001IX7OW</a> folding saw in my EDC. Anytime I will be out for more than 2-3days I will carry my vintage </span>Gränsfors Bruk Small boys Axe that was my Grandfathers (made between 1916-1940) in addition to the folding saw. Here are some Axe companies with models that would be suitable for your needs. I look forward to obtaining quite a few of these myself so I can pass them on to my children and grandchildren someday. I like camp axes that are around 18-23 inches in total length, anything longer for a backpack is a bit of a burden unless you have conveyance. </div>
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<b>Some affordable options</b></div>
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<b>Husqvarna: </b></div>
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Check out this review of their product compared to other popular more expensive axes. <a href="http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/996539-REVIEW-Husqvarna-Forest-Axe">http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/996539-REVIEW-Husqvarna-Forest-Axe</a></div>
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Carpenters<span style="font: 15.0px Helvetica;"> Axe $50</span></div>
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Traditional Multi-Purpose Axe $70</div>
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Hatchet $30</div>
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<b>Marbles Axes:</b></div>
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<span style="font: 15.0px Helvetica;">Marbles Camp Axe: $50 almost 16" long</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Marbles-Outdoors-American-Hickory-Handles/dp/B008PPZO94/ref=pd_sim_468_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=415aQy57OML&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1JBM6AK3VD6X7A3TSPWN">http://www.amazon.com/Marbles-Outdoors-American-Hickory-Handles/dp/B008PPZO94/ref=pd_sim_468_5?ie=UTF8&dpID=415aQy57OML&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=1JBM6AK3VD6X7A3TSPWN</a></div>
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<b>Condor Axes:</b><span style="font: 10.0px Helvetica;"> </span></div>
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Greenland pattern axe 16" $47</div>
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Woodworker axe $ 47</div>
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Scout Hatchet $43</div>
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Swedish pattern 34" long. $60</div>
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Greenland pattern axe 26" long $56</div>
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Danish Pattern Axe 34" $60</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Higher Priced Axes</b></span></div>
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<b>Gränsfors </b><span style="font: 28.0px Helvetica;"><b>Axes</b></span><span style="font: 34.0px Helvetica;"><b>: </b></span></div>
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Gränsfors Bruks Ray Mears Wilderness Axe - kind of expensive but a great inventment</div>
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Gränsfors Wildlife Hatchet</div>
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Gränsfors Outdoor Axe</div>
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Gränsfors Hunter’s Axe</div>
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Gränsfors Small Forest Axe - Very popular and widely used. Usually around $130</div>
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Gränsfors Scandinavian Forest Axe</div>
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Also see their: adzes, draw knives, froe, splitting axes, files and stones</div>
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chisels</div>
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<b>Wetterlings Axes:</b></div>
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Wilderness Hatchet</div>
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Outdoor Axe</div>
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Bushman Axe by Les Stroud</div>
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Foresters fine axe</div>
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Scandinavian Forest Axe</div>
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splitting wedge</div>
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<b>Hultafors Axes:</b></div>
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Trekking Axe</div>
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Hunting Axe- CLASSIC</div>
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Hatchet</div>
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Felling Axe HY20</div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;"><b>12. A 2nd Container.</b></span></div>
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This could be anything from another canteen with nesting cup, a larger heavy duty water holder, or even a basic mess/cook kit/bush pot. The point here is one is none. If you are able to boil water and cook something at the same time, it is rather nice. Remember to create a container from a natural means expends calories you may not have, it could fail, or you might be in a position where the resources are not available. A container that you can boil or cook in is very valuable. Self reliance outfitters sells a Bushpot that I love.<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: xx-small;"><a href="http://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/stainless-steel-bush-pot-cooking-kit/">http://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/stainless-steel-bush-pot-cooking-kit/</a> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 17px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: "helvetica"; font-size: 17px;"> </span></div>
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<b>13. 2% tincture of iodine.</b></div>
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This is most frequently used to treat water. Pregnant women, breast feeding women, and those with health problems should NOT use this! Using this is not a permant solution to maintaining potable water, but should get you through conditions where otherwise water is unhealthy to drink. Again, knowing the many ways to purify water to make it safe to drink is what this about. You could chose to carry a water filter, a life straw, or even other water purification tablets found in camping-sporting goods stores. I would suggest a life straw, and a back packing water filter because they are fool proof, light weight and Id rather be safe than sick on a long trip. Iodine is good to have, but anyone thats used it will tell you, it's nasty!</div>
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<b>14. Sharpener.</b></div>
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Know how to sharpen and care for your knife! You can use the right rock, your leather belt, etc. Carrying a good small diamond sharpener with you saves time and effort. There are many affordable options and they can be found in stores and online alike. They weigh virtually nothing, and are small enough that for how well it works, the why not carry it opinion outweighs the why bother attitude. If you take good care of your knife, it will be there for you to perform properly when you need it. </div>
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<b>15. Slingshot bands (55lb pull strength)</b></div>
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The bands can be used on a fashioned sling shot in the feild if not already carrying a sling shot. You could use them in a pinch to drink from like a straw from a puddle of fresh rain water, you could even burn them to make some black smoke for signaling. I would also add to this some ranger bands. They come in handy to fasten things to other items, weigh nothing, and are also multi-purpose. Ok you could pick up a Pocket Hunting sling shot ;-) <a href="http://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/deluxe-pathfinder-pocket-hunter-kit/">http://www.selfrelianceoutfitters.com/deluxe-pathfinder-pocket-hunter-kit/</a></div>
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~ If possible take some courses. There is nothing better than the experience of hands on learning from someone that is qualified to teach the skills required. Look into your local area to see about qualified teachers. You may also wish to use some vacation time to attend some classes taught by leading professionals in this field. Many of them offer a 4 day class worth every penny. </div>
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<b>On 'Kits'</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;">I have never been one to buy a pre-made kit sold by anyone. I have looked at their contents and made my own based on my own needs, and location. There are so many variables: </span></div>
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- What you do for a living? Are you in law enforcement, a fire fighter, 1st responder. Maybe your just an outdoorsman or a good ole average day hiker?</div>
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- Where do you travel/envrionment? Where are you most often in your daily routine. How can you pack/plan for that? What region and seasons do you encounter, what weather is in your region?</div>
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- Are you packing for children often with you? You may be a parent and be responsible for little ones. Do you have a few books, a few toys and snacks? The psychological mindset of the child during an event is important. If you can remain clam and show them while facing a challenge that you are composed they will not be as frightened as if they see you panic. </div>
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- Medical needs? Do you suffer from any medical conditions? Do you have back up or extra medicine with you in your personalized kit?</div>
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The point here is only you will know in time what to carry with you for the where and when. Even with this, things can and do change per season. Is your kit a belt pouch, a backpack, a tote you keep in your car. Lots to consider. Keeping in mind the above 10 C's, and other items lets look at some other items that some of us carry in our kits, cars, bags and pouches. Why? Because as Adam Francis says on his Equip to Endure (E2E) youtube channel, "If you're not always prepared, you're never prepared." He's got a great point there. BTW: His channel is full of reviews and wonderful content. </div>
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<b>Other items that may come in handy:</b></div>
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Multi tool: The Leatherman Wave is the standard it seems. </div>
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Swiss champ knife is a great tool</div>
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b></b></span><br /></div>
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Sealine dry bags</div>
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The Pathfinder Pocket Hunter with take down arrows for your slingshot</div>
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A Pocket Fishing kit</div>
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Rat Traps, and or other snares or traps</div>
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A take down bow and arrows</div>
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Guns and ammo for hunting and protection</div>
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and so many more! </div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 17px;">...........................</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 26px;"><b>Some Wood Tools to have around the house</b></span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tP96EugOAJs/VkgS5GpmIYI/AAAAAAAACtk/YJj3bVe-20c/s1600/homestead.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="218" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tP96EugOAJs/VkgS5GpmIYI/AAAAAAAACtk/YJj3bVe-20c/s320/homestead.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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Felling axes 4-5 LBS</div>
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Camp axes</div>
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Hatchets</div>
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Carpenters axes</div>
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Saws</div>
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Take down buck saw drywood baco blade</div>
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fro or froe - splitting wood</div>
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Draw knives</div>
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Spoke shave for fine carving</div>
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Carving knives </div>
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<b>Winter Car kit ideas: YMMV</b></div>
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<b></b><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SQLWLtbmdjA/VkgUUM-PrOI/AAAAAAAACtw/m-3vKz_zuX4/s1600/snow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SQLWLtbmdjA/VkgUUM-PrOI/AAAAAAAACtw/m-3vKz_zuX4/s320/snow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><b></b><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">Wd40 pen</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">Tool Kit</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">550lb 7 strand para cord</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">adjust 6'' crescent wrench</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">allen wrench set</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">jb weld tubes</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">eletrical needle nose pliers</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">pliers</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">channel lock pliers</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">elec. wire</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">carpenter penic w/ tape</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">heavy duty zip ties</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">micro-driver</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">tire gauge</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">mini sharpie</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">mini pry bar</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">driver bit set</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">gorilla tape</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">locking pliers</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">tow rope</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">mini strobe light</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">road flares</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">extra batteries</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">glow sticks</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">$20 in cash</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">extra windshield fluid</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">gas can/funnel </span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">gas</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">multi-tool </span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">flashlight/and headlamp</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">bow saw or small folding saw</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">axe or hatchet </span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">heavy 100% wool blanket</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">mylar blanket</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">few gallons of water</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">drinks- tea bags, powdered energy drinks</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">food/snacks</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">a few good books to read</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">bic lighters</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">packable snow shovel</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">sunglasses- snow blindness takes a few moments and is paralyzing.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">hand-feet warmers</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">solar cell phone charger</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">fix a flat</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">extra medication if you take meds daily, ie inhalers</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">small medical kit- asprins, etc </span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">a few toys if you have children</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">18/8 stainless steel water bottle</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">heat/rock salt</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">jumper cables</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">road reflector triangle</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">tire iron</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">jack</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">spare tire</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: yellow; color: #274e13;">plug converter for lighter plug</span></div>
<div style="background-color: #fefaf5; font: 15.0px Arial; line-height: 19.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; min-height: 17.0px;">
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #274e13;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<b>My favorite Survival & Bushcraft Book List</b></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px Arial;">Bushcraft 101: A Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival by Dave Canterbury</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bushcraft-101-Field-Wilderness-Survival/dp/1440579776/ref=zg_bs_864488_1">http://www.amazon.com/Bushcraft-101-Field-Wilderness-Survival/dp/1440579776/ref=zg_bs_864488_1</a></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px Arial;">Advanced Bushcraft: An Expert Field Guide to the Art of Wilderness Survival by Dave Canterbury</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Bushcraft-Expert-Wilderness-Survival/dp/1440587965/ref=zg_bs_864488_3">http://www.amazon.com/Advanced-Bushcraft-Expert-Wilderness-Survival/dp/1440587965/ref=zg_bs_864488_3</a></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px Arial;">98.6 Degrees: The Art of Keeping Your Ass Alive by Cody Lundin</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/98-6-Degrees-Keeping-Your-Alive/dp/1586852345/ref=pd_sim_14_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Y9S0GX7KXT1ETTZAJW0">http://www.amazon.com/98-6-Degrees-Keeping-Your-Alive/dp/1586852345/ref=pd_sim_14_8?ie=UTF8&refRID=0Y9S0GX7KXT1ETTZAJW0</a> </div>
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When All Hell Breaks Loose: Stuff You Need To Survive When Disaster Strikes by Cody Lundin<span style="color: black; font: 12.0px Helvetica;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/When-All-Hell-Breaks-Loose/dp/142360105X/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_y"><span style="color: black;">http://www.amazon.com/When-All-Hell-Breaks-Loose/dp/142360105X/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_y</span></a> </span></div>
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<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; line-height: 27.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px Arial;">SAS Survival Handbook, Third Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Surviving Anywhere by John 'Lofty' Wiseman</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SAS-Survival-Handbook-Third-Edition/dp/0062378074/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=13HDJXZPHQV14J8KDJH6&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR206%2C320">http://www.amazon.com/SAS-Survival-Handbook-Third-Edition/dp/0062378074/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=13HDJXZPHQV14J8KDJH6&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR206%2C320</a>_</div>
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<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; line-height: 27.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px Arial;">Shelters, Shacks, and Shanties: The Classic Guide to Building Wilderness Shelters (Dover Books on Architecture) By D.C. Beard</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Shelters-Shacks-Shanties-Wilderness-Architecture/dp/0486437477/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1K2DCYFDSVNTYR65G8WJ&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR202%2C320">http://www.amazon.com/Shelters-Shacks-Shanties-Wilderness-Architecture/dp/0486437477/ref=pd_sim_14_2?ie=UTF8&refRID=1K2DCYFDSVNTYR65G8WJ&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR202%2C320</a>_</div>
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<b></b><br /></div>
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<span style="font: 14.0px Arial;">SAS Urban Survival Handbook: How to Protect Yourself Against Terrorism, Natural Disasters, Fires, Home Invasions, and Everyday Health and Safety Hazard</span><span style="font: 16.0px Arial;">s</span><span style="color: black;"> by John 'Lofty' Wiseman <a href="http://www.amazon.com/SAS-Urban-Survival-Handbook-Terrorism/dp/1620877112/ref=pd_sim_14_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=0611Z5YKY07MM6K9BBAM"><span style="color: black; font: 12.0px Helvetica;">http://www.amazon.com/SAS-Urban-Survival-Handbook-Terrorism/dp/1620877112/ref=pd_sim_14_7?ie=UTF8&refRID=0611Z5YKY07MM6K9BBAM</span></a></span></div>
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<div style="font: 12.0px Helvetica; line-height: 27.0px; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px;">
<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px Arial;">Primitive Skills and Crafts: An Outdoorsman's Guide to Shelters, Tools, Weapons, Tracking, Survival, and More by Richard Jamison</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Primitive-Skills-Crafts-Outdoorsmans-Shelters/dp/1602391483/ref=pd_sim_14_33?ie=UTF8&refRID=1MFK0AQBVK1BMEWFAPHN">http://www.amazon.com/Primitive-Skills-Crafts-Outdoorsmans-Shelters/dp/1602391483/ref=pd_sim_14_33?ie=UTF8&refRID=1MFK0AQBVK1BMEWFAPHN</a></div>
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<b></b><br /></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px Arial;">Primitive Technology: A Book of Earth Skills by David Wescott<b> </b><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Primitive-Technology-Book-Earth-Skills/dp/0879059117/ref=pd_sim_14_9?ie=UTF8&refRID=070YYAYHS4GCPP45SDQG"><span style="color: black; font: 12.0px Helvetica;">http://www.amazon.com/Primitive-Technology-Book-Earth-Skills/dp/0879059117/ref=pd_sim_14_9?ie=UTF8&refRID=070YYAYHS4GCPP45SDQG</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px Arial;">Primitive Technology II: Ancestral Skill - From the Society of Primitive Technology by David Wescott</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Primitive-Technology-II-Ancestral-Society/dp/1586850989/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_y">http://www.amazon.com/Primitive-Technology-II-Ancestral-Society/dp/1586850989/ref=pd_bxgy_14_img_y</a></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px Arial;">Bushcraft: Outdoor Skills and Wilderness Survival by Mors Kochanski</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Bushcraft-Outdoor-Skills-Wilderness-Survival/dp/1551051222/ref=pd_sim_14_25?ie=UTF8&refRID=0E0MH2VW6CWP2S8KWEYJ">http://www.amazon.com/Bushcraft-Outdoor-Skills-Wilderness-Survival/dp/1551051222/ref=pd_sim_14_25?ie=UTF8&refRID=0E0MH2VW6CWP2S8KWEYJ</a></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px Arial;">Essential Bushcraft by Ray Mears</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Bushcraft-Ray-Mears/dp/0340829710/ref=pd_sim_14_10?ie=UTF8&refRID=0S3TTXCVA0X3GHPW4FB1">http://www.amazon.com/Essential-Bushcraft-Ray-Mears/dp/0340829710/ref=pd_sim_14_10?ie=UTF8&refRID=0S3TTXCVA0X3GHPW4FB1</a></div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px Arial;">The Outdoor Survival Handbook: A Guide To The Resources & Material Available In The Wild & How To Use Them For Food, Shelter, Warmth, & Navigation by Ray (Raymond) Mears</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Outdoor-Survival-Handbook-Navigation/dp/0312093594/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=01VVZEN65J3E9W6B7DBV&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR208%2C320">http://www.amazon.com/The-Outdoor-Survival-Handbook-Navigation/dp/0312093594/ref=pd_sim_14_3?ie=UTF8&refRID=01VVZEN65J3E9W6B7DBV&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL320_SR208%2C320</a>_</div>
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<span style="color: #111111; font: 14.0px Arial;">Woodcraft: A Guide to Camping and Survival by E.H. Kreps</span> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Woodcraft-A-Guide-Camping-Survival/dp/1620874814/ref=pd_sim_14_13?ie=UTF8&refRID=0VVBJ9JYW6FGGZRV2ZDR">http://www.amazon.com/Woodcraft-A-Guide-Camping-Survival/dp/1620874814/ref=pd_sim_14_13?ie=UTF8&refRID=0VVBJ9JYW6FGGZRV2ZDR</a></div>
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~ Thank you for taking the time to read this. I hope it is a valuable source for your needs. Remember ~ <b>"Let Nature Nurture your Nature!"</b> & May the Force be with you. </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-31973532497817290762015-08-07T02:13:00.001-04:002015-08-07T11:55:37.387-04:00Lúghnasadh<br />
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<span style="text-decoration: underline;"><b>Lúghnasadh</b></span></div>
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What's it all about?</div>
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<span style="font: 21.0px Helvetica;"> </span>It is one of those festivals that seems to be viewed as merely a harvest celebration with the focus being upon feasting and competitive games. You can scour the internet and books at large and still not feel comfortable understanding what this celebration is all about. You might be lucky and find some random person that knows what they are talking about, but sadly that doesn't seem to be common. For me it was an in depth look at the lore that made understanding the themes and archetypes become very clear. There is so much more at play here than a simple day to feast and honor the ancestors, but where to begin?</div>
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Lets start with the name itself, Lúghnasadh (Loo-nas-ah) From the go we can easily see a connection to the God Lúgh and then we are faced with; Who was he & and what does the lore say about him? So back to the name itself. Násad found in Cormac's Glossary references it as meaning 'game or assembly' from - (cluiche nó aonach). This is understandable if we know the story of Lúgh's foster mother Tailtiu who died a violent death after having cleared great plains for agriculture that become called, Oenach Tailtenn. It is often a common theme that where ever an important woman dies that location becomes sacred space often used as an assembly area. So in essence these funeral games are played at the location where Tailtiu dies and are done so in her honor. In earlier times this agricultural festival could have been poetically called<b> Brón Trógain</b>, meaning 'the sorrow of Trógán. This could be from the Old Celtic (trougâ) meaning sorrow, but in Irish we find that troghan can also mean 'earth'. Could this be about the Goddess of the land, the harvest and other themes, we shall see. Which ever you wish to call your festival the theme is honestly the same. Even though there is a great joyous celebration, feasting, and games no doubt there is a serious side to this festival, one I feel most people leave out.</div>
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The summer only lasted through July before there was a shift. (No not the Irish slang word 'shift', ha!) This festival in August seemed to be a successful relationship between the Tribe and the Land. August translated from the Gaelic - Foghmhar meaning Autumn, and the earlier name of Fo-gemur (under or at the edge of winter) This has become tied to a calendar as August 1st-2nd because of the later Christian festival called Lammas. Similar to how Imbolc is a time when Winter was pregnant with Spring. The original celebration was not such a fixed time, the subtle and detailed relationship the Tribe had with nature directed when it was time to gather the 1st fruits, wild berries & harvest at the farms. The relationship between the Tribe and the Land, the wild and the cultivated. </div>
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July in Ireland was in those times often a hard month. The expression Iúil an Ghorta - 'July of the Famine', and Iúil an Chabáiste - 'July of the Cabbage' tell us about what was available to them when the summer sun turned its powers from nourishing life sustaining forces to possible drought. August and its first wild fruit harvest and its abundance at the farm meant life, and survival. Blueberry Sunday - 'Domhnach na bhFraochóga' when people gathered and prepared such delicious treats for Lúghnasadh or Brón Trógain clearly shows the joy communities must have had while out in the wilds gathering natures bounty. </div>
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Imagine the food stores you have managed to hang onto are running low, you're working hard at the homestead, its a hot July the sun is doing more harm than good and fresh foods are simply unavailable. Perhaps you are working the fields looking at your corn, 'knee high by July' and wondering if your crop will be ready soon for the seasonal communal celebration. You hear word from someone in the tribe that they spied the 1st fresh blueberries miles away in another part of the country. There is hope, joy, and anticipation of the harvest. </div>
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Looking back at names for the festival, at the time of Lúghnasadh in August according to the <b>Coligny Calendar</b>, it would be called Edrinios. Sometimes Edrinios was spelled Ædrinios which might allude to the meaning of, 'fire-intese heat' and might come to mean, 'the end of the heat'. Such other names like Ogronios which mean 'the end of cold' seem to support this idea that Lúghnasadh was a time when July heat had past and the rain and storms might also be giving some well needed relief. </div>
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It can be suggested that the festivals of Samhain & Bealtaine on the wheel of the year deal with the Land more so than any influence or relation to the Tribe, where Imbolc and Lúghnasadh are the initiation and outcome of the Tribes intimate relationship with the Land and its agricultural cycles. At Imbolc we honor Brigit as an aspect of the Land Goddess in her relation to the Tribe, whereas at Lúghnasadh we focus our attention to the aspects of Lúgh in connection to the Tribe. It is here one has to familiarize themselves with the lore to understand fully the symbolic nature of this deity - The God of the Tribe who like no one before him becomes gifted to have power over the Land; albeit only temporally for the harvest. Much of this is because of who he was, who his parents were and what deeds he accomplished. The importance of this deity gave his name to various places in the Celtic world such as, Lugudunnon, 'the fort of Lugus (Lúgh). The city of Lyons a Gallo-Roman place was called Lugdunum which also happened to be the Capital region of Gaul says something about how important Lúgh was. Lugus comes to translate from the Old Celtic stem of 'lightning-illumination' from which we come to see in the stories of Lúgh being a 'shinning one' as well as any meteorological associations with him during the time of harvest. He is often associated with 'mind over matter', and 'brains over brawn'. He was the perfect craftsman who was a master of many arts portrayed in the story when Lúgh came to Tara, ultimately giving him the name ildánach, 'many gifted'. </div>
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<b>Lúgh's Birth</b></div>
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Lúgh was born at a time of great uncertainty and tension between the peoples that inhabited Ireland. There was an invincible Formorian champion whose eye could burn anyone into ciders with a glance named Balor. Sometimes he was known as Balor of the baneful/evil eye, and he happened to be Lúgh's Grandfather. In the story it suggests that one of the Fomorian Druids prophesized that Balor would one day be killed by his Grandson, and since he had none he was not worried. Balor though had a daughter, but she was locked away from the world far away from men, surrounded by women on island that were forbidden to let her near the sight of mankind.</div>
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Lúgh's father Cian, son of Dian Cécht of the race of people called the Tuatha Dé Danann, went with great secrecy to conceive Lúgh with Eithne daughter of the Fomorian Balor of the evil eye. So here we have Lúgh a being of two races, his father one of the Tuatha Dé Danann and his mother a Fomorian. His mothers name Eithne which means - Kernal is an important theme. The Formorian nature being tied to the Land and how the Tribe must control the land for sake of the crops plays a special role in the dynamic of Lúgh's story. It could be suggested that his mother and her name Kernal can be linked to how the Tribe and Land meet, where there could be turmoil and hopeful resolve. Because Lúgh is of two races this puts him in the situation to be the only one able to resolve the conflict of his Grandfathers unruly & unjust grip upon the rest of those inhabitants of Ireland. You could say he was born to do it. </div>
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Bress Mac Elathan was a Fomorian King who like Lúgh was both Tuatha Dé Danann & Fomorian, but Bress's father was a Fomorian where Lúgh's was a Tuatha Dé Danann which shows that each sons allegiance was to his father and his people. Bress's rule was considered a blight and a famine upon the land and it was up to Lúgh to restore and bring in control of the harvest/the land for the benefit of the Tribe. </div>
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Because of Lúgh's existence he is at once in harms way, and at great danger from his evil Grandfather- Balor. This is why he is fostered during his youth. In many Indo-European stories a child of light is hidden away until the proper time to shine. Again due to his parents, his birth, his allegiance, he becomes destine to fulfill a role. Having an ability to transcend the barriers between Samhain and Bealtaine his function as a deity is with a doubt Champion of the Tribe. </div>
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<b>Fosterage: </b></div>
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<b> </b> Lúgh was fostered to Manannán Mac Lir, the God of the sea and otherworld Eamhain Abhlach, 'the land of apples'. It is from him that Lúgh learns the arts of poetry and the skills used in mind over matter. Lúgh after much time was then fostered by a Queen of the Fir Bolg called Tailtiu. She was the one responsible for clearing the great central plains of Ireland and was killed, thus Lúgh setting up feasting and games in her honor. It can not be certain how Tailtu dies but looking at a story Oenach Carmain (The Lúghnasadh assembly of Leinster) one can hope to make some sense from it. It says that Carman invades Ireland with her three sons, Dian ('Fierce'), Dubh ('Black') and Dochar ('Harm') to destroy all of the crops. They are pushed back into retreat by the Tuatha Dé Danann with help of Lúgh. Carman is kept alive and forced to bow to Gods of the Tribe and comes to her death in an Oak Grove that ultimately becomes a sacred site and an assembly place associated with the Land and the Fomorian forces. It can be seen from this story that Carmen has to be somehow acknowledged and made neutral before the destructive side of her nature can be made new and allowed to manifest as a positive Harvest/Land Fomorian 'energy like that of Eithne, Lúgh's mother. </div>
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<b>Lúgh at Tara</b> <b>(Temhair) </b></div>
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Lúgh comes to Tara to take his place with his father people the Tuatha Dé Danann. Upon reaching the gates of the place he is met by a guard and questioned. No one without the expertise of an art, craft, or great skill may enter Tara. Here is the dialogue from the story.</div>
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<a href="http://storyarchaeology.com/lug-comes-to-tara/">http://storyarchaeology.com/lug-comes-to-tara/</a></div>
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<a href="http://suburbanbanshee.net/irishptr/irepoems/tabhasdo.html">http://suburbanbanshee.net/irishptr/irepoems/tabhasdo.html</a></div>
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We can clearly see a very ritualized way of dialoging! </div>
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So Lúgh is allowed to enter Tara because he is now seen as Samildánach, 'totally gifted' His role to the Tribe as master of all crafts would put him in the chair to be King where Nuada sits. </div>
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It is in the story Cath Maigh Tuireadh or 'The Battle of Moytura' where Lúgh faces off with his Grandfather, Balor of the baneful/evil eye and kills him sling-stone. The power of King Bress Mac Elathan is defeted. Thus the reign of Fomorian power shifts to the Tuatha Dé Danann, the land is now in the hands of the Tribe while the fruits are gathered; and for us that celebrate Lúghnasadh or Brón Trógain our harvest can be sewn. Though this power over the land can only be temporary so we'll see. </div>
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If we read the Metrical Dinnshenchas (Lore of places) we can see a side to Lúgh that is not seen in other stories. Lúgh had a partner called Nás, and she was unfaithful to him with Cearmhaid Milbhéal ('honey mouth') who was one of the sons of The Dagad of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Lúgh with his spear kills Cearmhaid but given that his father is The Dagda, he brings him back to life with his magic. It is much later that Cearmhaid's sons seek revenge and one of them, 'Mac Cuill' (Son of the Hazel) kills Lúgh. </div>
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What we might be looking at here is a certain way of interpreting the Lúghnasadh rituals. We have the God of the Tribe and the God who in sometimes in alternating forms is the consort of the Goddess who lives within the Land that do share similarities, and can be mirror-images of one another that happen to be rivals of the Land-Goddesses favor. Meaning in order to make sure there was a successful Harvest, the Land-Goddess has to temporarily give her allegiance to the God of the Tribe instead of that to the Maponos figure who was her normal consort during this time. The Maponos figure will then steal her back after the harvest. This these seems to transcend cultures in an almost universal fashion. There being a Goddess of the Land, she is courted by two suiters, eventually meets with one while the other steals her away underground hidden away. </div>
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In many of the tales concerning Lúgh we learn one of his adversaries is 'ruler of the land' and in one such case is called Crom Dubh ('the black bent one'). The last Sunday in July was poetically called Domhnach Chroim Dhuibh. Crom Dubh could be a reference to Crom Crúaich an earlier deity that many disagree on, if they were one in the same it is unclear and disputed. Crom Dubh is often symbolized by a large destructive bull who must be slain by the 'harvest champion', this could easily be seen as re-enactment of the story of Lúgh and the destructive forces of Balor. If we consider Balors eye and its ability to scorch and burn things to cinders it is the symbolic destructive powers of the sun, that time of hardship and sweltering dog days of July's oppressive heat. This once welcomed heat of the sun to banish away the cold during Imbolc has now grown out of control. The hope for relief in the form of thunderstorms during August is what brings Lúghs shinning-illuminating face to the tribe. </div>
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During Imbolc and even Bealtaine the focus on fire is rather important, though Lúghnasadh deals more with the forces of water. This idea of fire and water being mated forces is very common throughout the Celtic lore. During Bealtaine the cattle were driven between two bonfires to bless and protect them as they returned to summer pastures in May; but on Lúghnasadh it was the horses of the Tribe that were purified by driven through bodies of water. This was often done through a ritual style race where the riders would mount them naked and make the horses swim through a lake or river. Cattle were always seen as powers of the Land with Bulls often being the destructive force, horses on the other hand represented the Tribe and its sovereignty. Normally the water of rivers and lakes was associated with cattle as types of Goddesses. Often stories show cattle coming from pools of water to be healed by fire, while here on Lúghnasadh we have 'solar' horses being brought into contact with water. Could these sort of ritualized races of solar horses representing the Tribe being raced through the waters, swimming almost fully submerged be related to Lúgh in his dual nature being of two different races of beings? From the lore we do learn that it was only Lúgh that like a janus head could be one thing but yet somehow also be of two different worlds. Because of his parents, Lúgh was able to cross social-political boundaries existing in two realms at the same time. </div>
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It could be suggested that a ritual of cutting the first sheaf was highly important to those celebrating these festivals. In Scotland we know this was done by the head of the kin group, who faced the sun, used his reaping tool and held it above his head to the sky before all and then turning three times on his heel while chanting, iolach buana ('reaping paean') The 1st cut crop was quickly made into cakes and brought to the ritual site (usually a high or elevated place- often with a well atop) and were it was consumed by the entire community. </div>
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The main theme here seems to be successful reaping of the Land by the Tribe and enjoyment of the 1st fruits both wild and cultivated. Many times flower garlands were made and worn and then brought to the ritual place and buried signifying that summer was over, promoting fertility of the land for a later time. Lúghnasadh was a day of victory for the tribe and was celebrated by the reaffirmation of solidarity between the Tribe and all of its members. This was done through an assembly and its games. It was like a giant market-fair, where the people brought their best to sell, and trade. It was also like a large family reunion, for it drew together scattered members of distant households within the tribe you might only see once or twice a year. Here poets and musicians would be performing their latest compositions and dancing was quite important. In many ways it was where people showed off the fruits of their personal harvest. The assembly gave people a sense of belonging, catching up on stories, contracts made, marriages done, it reunited the people as a unit. They raced their horses, wrestled, played hurley, fidchell, ran foot races, threw spears, fought, and all sorts of other feats of strength. It was also a time for men and women to gather in fertility out in the fields; for much joy of feasting, drinking and merriment was in the air. With the very hard work of the 1st major harvest past them it was time to come together and celebrate. </div>
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<b>Music!</b></div>
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Here are a few Lúghnasadh themed songs to enjoy.</div>
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John Barleycorn by Kilbrannan <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw3Gz0fYU2Y">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw3Gz0fYU2Y</a></div>
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Lughnasadh by Damh the Bard- <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnGuDgOjips">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnGuDgOjips</a></div>
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Lughnasadh Dance by Damh the Bard - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP6vrF5r6Lk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aP6vrF5r6Lk</a></div>
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Lughnasadh by Omnia - <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGvwVWz_yjw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PGvwVWz_yjw</a></div>
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Here is the <b>Bread Recipe </b>my family uses for Lúghnasadh: (I'm eating some right now) We often us it for ritual with Mead to go around. </div>
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<b>OAT BREAD (soda bread)</b></div>
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<b>What you need:</b></div>
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2 1/2 cups ground oatmeal fine (buy old fashioned oats and just grind them in a food processor or ninja/blender)</div>
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2 cups fresh buttermilk</div>
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2 1/2 cups flour - (I often use spelt or whole wheat. Gram flour mixed with whole purpose by a 1/2 by 1/2 ratio works nicely)</div>
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1/2 teaspoon salt</div>
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1 teaspoon baking soda</div>
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<i>* optional</i></div>
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You can add cinnamon & nutmeg or even real maple syrup or local honey. I always add honey myself. </div>
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Steep the oatmeal in the buttermilk overnight in the fridge. The next day combine your flour, baking soda and salt together and mix well. Stir into the oatmeal mixture. You can add more milk if needed. * This is where I add honey* I also throw in a handful of the regular oats not ground to this mix for a nice texture. The dough should not be too wet, but sticky is fine. Place into a heavily greased loaf pan. Turn it once over so that all sides are coated. Place into preheated oven at 350 degrees for 1- 1 1/2 hours. You can serve this load hot/warm with butter and jam. </div>
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<b>~ Note:</b> doubling this recipe can be difficult. I recommend if wanting more than one loaf to make one at a time separately. </div>
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Works cited:</div>
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The Apple Branch. Alexei Kondratiev pg.177-188</div>
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Brón Trógain - <a href="http://www.patheos.com/blogs/agora/2015/07/bron-trogain-lunasa-by-another-name/">http://www.patheos.com/blogs/agora/2015/07/bron-trogain-lunasa-by-another-name/</a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lughnasadh">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lughnasadh</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.druidry.org/druid-way/teaching-and-practice/druid-festivals/lughnasadh/deeper-lughnasadh">http://www.druidry.org/druid-way/teaching-and-practice/druid-festivals/lughnasadh/deeper-lughnasadh</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.newtara.org/lugh_essays_001.asp">http://www.newtara.org/lugh_essays_001.asp</a></div>
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<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dindsenchas">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dindsenchas</a> </div>
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<a href="http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T106500C.html">http://www.ucc.ie/celt/online/T106500C.html</a></div>
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<i>Bless the earth that grows the grain,</i><br />
<i>Bless the water that gives us rain,</i><br />
<i>Bless the wind that helps seed spread,</i><br />
<i>Bless the fire that bakes our bread.</i></div>
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– Words by Diane Baker, music by Anne Hill, Serpentine Music</div>
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<b>~ Disclaimer.</b> The art shown was pulled from google images and if you happen by this page and its your work please by all means let me know its yours so I can give you the proper credit you deserve! </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8028770493491109133.post-281392976885985842015-06-17T16:25:00.001-04:002015-06-25T23:35:57.955-04:00Who are MY People?<br />
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<b>A brief look into friendship</b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: bold; font: normal normal normal 22px/normal Helvetica;"> </span>Often in life we come to a cross roads where we examine such things as our vocation or even our location in this forever changing world. For many of us a sense of community is important. Knowing who your people are is a wonderful thing, but have you asked yourself, who are MY people; and what does that really mean?</span></div>
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The differences between acquaintances, friends, and those we consider family is really about who we feel 'at home' with. An unspoken bond, our vulnerability laid out before them, and a trust that they will always be there, never judging us. These are the people that help you move, the ones you tell things to you would not share with others. You are very lucky if you have more than one of these people in your life. In the Irish culture the concept of a 'soul mate' was not influenced from the widely popular Greek mythos, it is its own brand of beauty. They call it Anam Chara - soul friend. Not that we have this one person that completes us to make us whole, but rather this deep spiritual bond that you can not analyze. You can only accept and embrace it & its definitely not limited to one person. </div>
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There is often those people you only catch up with once a year or so, leaving off without missing a step in the dance of life's journey. There are also those who you remain in frequent contact with no matter the distance of the location. Yet what makes certain friends seem closer than others? Could it be that our own perceptions based on personal experience lead us to unite with those that share our views? Perhaps the subtle and yet complex art of dialoguing plays an important role in not only forming these ties and keeping them going; but how we feel, process, and interpret such information determines the outcome of such bonds. No one will ever know what it is like to be another person, so are we really all alone, living inside our own minds even when we feel the closest with another. I do not know. When I say the word 'dog' you have your own image, feelings about dogs, experience with them, memories, etc. The dog that I mention is not the same dog as you interpret. Try and experiment sometime, ask everyone in the room to draw a pig. We all know what pigs look like so its rather easy. Take a few moments and then share your sketches. You'll notice such great diversity among the drawings. Some will be cartoon like, some with curly tails and small ears, and then some more wild boar like with tusks, and long tails. Communication is so strange. </div>
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Personally I have always struggled with communication. My thoughts are emotional, tied to songs, stories, colors, dreams, memories, and feelings. Internally the words I wish to express could best be conveyed by music instead of a conversation, but I am a Wren so I guess this is only natural. </div>
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When I go to speak I find that my education can be a barrier and I start searching for the right words to convey my thoughts, which in turn forces me to spiral up the mountain instead of getting to the point directly. I have insecurities with my personal grammar, and lexicon; not to mention I am always reading body language and other non-verbal language like facial expressions, for what the person is really saying. Hell, even trying to compose this is difficult, I am horrible with punctuation if you couldn't have already figured out. </div>
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People wear masks, lie, evade, and hide behind ambiguity. I grew up in a house where I was not heard, and when I was my thoughts and opinions were too cerebral to be appreciated. This is why I enjoy posting blogs, because I am free to share even if no one ever reads them. It is something that I need to do for me. </div>
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Many of the friends we have are simply people that we get on with. Those that share common interest like music & hobbies. This type of fellowship is wonderful and fills a void for many of us, but could it be suggested that 'those people' are not really friends? It is if that they are merely reflections of who we are, or better yet things we like. They do reinforce those things within us and make us feel better about our selves in who we are, but who are we? I like to refer to the Celtic axiom of one the Triads that says:</div>
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<b>Three things a man is:</b></div>
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<b> What he thinks he is</b></div>
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<b> What others think he is</b></div>
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<b> What he trully is</b></div>
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I think it addresses a few topics that are important, for what we think of ourselves does shape and change us into becoming a someone we work hard to become. It is about working for self betterment I think. Though I could also suffer from delusions and think I am pirate, so there is also that. What others think of us many do not concern themselves with, feeling dismissive as it is unimportant to them. I happen to care what others think of me. It is not something that consumes me, but I use caution in my words and try by virtue to live by example as best as I can so that when others have an opinion of me or something to say I hope it is with joy and honesty. You can't make everyone happy and not everyone will like you, and I am fine with that; so long as I know I have been honest with myself in who I am in the company of others. Lastly who we truly are I feel is a bare bones stripped down version of ourselves. Can we answer with truthfulness if we are good people? Do we share joy, give love, live with honor, and respect others? What we truly are is arguably, our nature. I often tell people, "You can't be upset with the monkey because he doesn't know how to play cards with you." You have to accept the monkey for the monkey. It is not within his nature to know how to play cards, and if you happen to teach him you have to remember it's your game, not his. </div>
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Who we are is also our heritage and ancestors, for we would not be here without them. For me honoring the past, my ancestors, who they were, and what they did in history only brings me to a place of home within myself. Genitics only gives us the forward to our story because we can choose for ourselves if we are steadfast in our convictions of being true to ourselves in the face of indifference and adversity. This is where we focus on who we want to be in this world. For many of us part of this is our vocation, and for others there is so many subtle layers that make up a whole. </div>
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So back to the topic of MY people. It can be odd meeting new people, feeling them out and opening ourselves to them so that we may share freely. Finding common ground to build on can be a journey itself into self exploration and growth if we allow it. Often it takes us down paths we would have never travelled. People can change us, as much as we may influence them even if we don't realize it. Have you ever met someone and right from the start you just knew that they were 'your people'? Is it merely science, some sort of hormones and firing of chemicals? It is not how they dress, what music they like, or even what faith they celebrate. It is just a something, a something I know not. Just like attraction, it is subjective and can not be analyzed! </div>
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There may be a community you know of and a group of people within that community you feel drawn to being more expressive with and yet only a small group or even one or two within that subgrouping that you actually can consider 'your people'. Furthermore it is even more rare that any of them will become that type of person we can develop that unspoken spiritual bond with. Why is this?</div>
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To give you a personal example of this; I am Druid, a Celtic Pagan and celebrate the Gaelic tradition. This in itself is like a huge puzzle to someone outside of the culture. It is sort of like saying you are a Christian. What denomination, which part of the country, which parish, which study group, which services do you attend, which Priest, Minister or Reverend do you most work with in your faith, etc. </div>
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I am very traditional in my faith/culture so I tend not to often associate with many of the Neo-Druids. What they do is much different than I. Even though I have been in an Order for over 17 years, I find more times that not what they do to celebrate their faith is not how I celebrate mine. In that I am drawn to Celtic Reconstruction groups and Sinnsreachd. From there I focus more on those groups within the North East of the United states that belong to their own tribes/groups. More so then, those that are smaller groups like family units and Hearth groups that may make up a Poball (community) is where I find myself. Lastly, my direct focus is my own local community, and then my extended family, family and then myself. As a Draoi (Druid) it is part of my job to be of service to 'MY people' much like a Rabbi is to the Jewish faith. If I have no community, I have no job, no role, and am I really a Druid if I am not being of service to a community? The Druid role was a social-political one where the educated class of society was there for those in need, be it for education, entertainment, council, or other roles required to help connect them to their faith. We held many positions within society but we were never priests, nor should we be today. It was only after many years of education your tribe would then have the respect to see you in such roles of service. You were not simply a Druid, you had to be trained and then accepted by your people to fit the position they required from you. </div>
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So, today being a Druid does not mean I can automatically connect and feel a bond with someone else that calls them the same. They might belong to an Order that I do not really feel 'at home with' and a Grove within that Order that celebrates Brythonic/Welsh tradition which is also foreign to me. Beautiful as it may be, it is not my calling. Perhaps even further they are also Neo-Druids that do not share in the same rituals as I do, which can be rather conflicting in practice. Imagine you are a devout Catholic and attend a Southern Baptist Church. A better example is that your Jewish and attend a Catholic Mass, something traditional in Latin. Yet moving past this, it still can be hard within Celtic Reconstruction groups and even Sinnsreachd to form a bond, and then hope to have strong lasting foundations to build on and grow from. We all feel and search for.... OUR people. I have always found it best that opening my home, hosting, breaking bread and sharing a cup puts the mind to ease, the heart follows and joyful things usually occur. </div>
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This also happens to us that are Freemasons who travel to other Lodges. Our Mother Lodge where we are raised offers us a sense of home. Within the walls and halls of such places we form bonds with our brethren and again perhaps only a small group of them become very good friends, with an even smaller number sharing that unspoken bond just how it is in any other group. When we travel to other lodges if we are careful in our observations with a discerning eye we can see it clearly. Those Brothers that never miss a meeting, those that work in the kitchen, those that share a life outside the lodge, and those that have become family to one another. Some Lodges may do their work differently due to which jurisdiction they belong to, and even what type of Lodge model they follow. The ritual work could be worded differently and the layout of certain things could also be different. There is a good foundation already set when you are a Master Mason so reaching out with some education behind you goes a long way in forming new bonds. </div>
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Could communication be the bedrock of those bonds that stand the test of time always growing together with the seasons of change? Introverts operate much differently than extroverted people, yet both can share close friendships but do they ever develop into such close spiritual ties? What about those that speak foreign languages or even sign language. The topic of communication and the beginning of friendship is something that interests me greatly. Things like social anxiety, and those that suffer from other conditions that leave them feeling misunderstood, awkward or even sick and sacred I find fascinating to examine in relation to communication and the forming of bonds. </div>
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What causes us to feel 'at home' with others? Sure, having common ground helps us feel secure in opening ourselves in sharing from places we may only reserve for those we trust. Ah, there it is... Trust. We take subtle ques and even subconscious information internally and maybe its as simple as bio-chemical, we begin to trust. I have known people a short time, made online connections and have only shared their company in person a handful of times and trust them more than I do others I have known for years. </div>
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Sadly we have people in our lives we can no longer call friends. Something happened, perhaps lies, dishonesty, too much time passed, or growth happened in different directions. I know when my wife and I had our first child seven years ago many of our friends no longer were as close, most of of them without children drifted away never to reestablish a bond. We entered a different phase of life, and parenthood with maturity and responsibilities changed whom we allowed ourselves to be close with.<br />
There was no more time to embrace hedonistic pursuits of spontaneity. People have come in and out of my life and I have tried like hell sometimes to hold on to relationships that should have witherd and died. I have a hard time letting go, always hoping to mend or heal whatever caused such decay even if it was my own fault. To be fair I have not always been the best friend to others. I struggle with my own demons like many of us, but mine at times form a wedge where no wedge should exist because I am not forthcoming with communication. I try, but as yoda told us, there is no try. I understand it is hard for people to trust me that have known me for years because I am often in my own head or on the opposite end of the spectrum, a very opinionated extroverted aries. The child develops an ego and protects it with great passion for their emotional security and even strength. It has only been through broken trust, hurt, pain, and loss of friends and partners that I come full circle to reflect upon myself in past situations to embrace growth. We live and learn, we try and adapt and move forward. Sometimes we are like the salmon swimming upstream using undercurrents to leap forward to a place of home. We change... It is only with work and compassion we still remain close with those we share our lives with. I can only hope that in time those I feel close with presently remain by my side during this great journey of life. Those that have gone have their opinions of me and thats fine, so long as they realize I am not the person they once knew or even grew to dislike.</div>
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I hope this blog reaches someone, anyone, and that they may also explore this condition of friendship, community, and bonds. I ask you, "Who are your People, and Why are they your people?" Be excellent to each other and by all means feel free to share this post. </div>
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<b>~ spoiler alert ~</b></div>
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One of my next posts will be on Irish Hedge schools. Stay tuned!</div>
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</span></b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17542723666841628423noreply@blogger.com1