Henge Happenings
Beltaine 2003 - Issue #58
Public Version
Published by The Henge of Keltria, 2350 Spring Road, PMB-140, Smyrna, GA 30080-2630
Tony Taylor - Editor
From
the President
Feast of Flowering 2003
West Virginia is a beautiful place and our new yard is haven to deer,
turkeys, 'possums and rabbits who come to visit the back yard in the
evening. We have three pairs of wrens ensconced in the birdhouses and
too many other songbirds to mention. They consume an amazing amount
of seed in a day, which cheerfully keeps me running to fill them. Our
little valley is right along the flight path of Canada geese and other
waterfowl on their way to the small lake behind us. They fly so low
that I think I can reach out and touch their tummies as they fly by
us. Every day I find some new wonder of nature to admire. We are very
happy to be here and plan to stay indefinitely.
It's hard to believe that this is the fourth house we've owned in five
years. Once again we are faced with canyons of boxes to unpack. Priorities
being what they are, the office was unpacked right after we set up the
kitchen and the bedroom. Now we are back in business.
It's also hard to believe that six years have passed since I was first
elected to the office of president of the Henge of Keltria. As per the
by-laws of the Henge, this is my last term in this office. As I look
back, I can see that moving so many times certainly has inhibited the
growth of our small church. On the other hand, things happen for reasons.
I have had time to try ideas out on a smaller scale to test whether
or not they are feasible. The idea of the Special Interest Groups didn't
catch on with the membership; however, we have taken the time to completely
revamp the Correspondence Course, which should be ready to be implemented
in the not too distant future. In my humble opinion, quality is always
worth the wait.
I extend my sincere thanks to everyone for being so patient regarding
our transcontinental moving and I pledge to continue to do my best in
service to the Henge. I also pledge to give my utmost support to the
new administration and wish best of luck.
Walk with Wisdom
Wren
From the Vice President
I've been struggling with what to write from the Vice President as
the end of my term draws near. As you know, I will not be seeking re-election
this time around. It is not because I don't like the job of Vice President
or that I will fall out of sight… It just falls to reason that
at a time when Keltria needs a Vice President able to travel to pagan
gatherings we need someone who can do this. I can not do this as a single
parent of two young girls and as someone whose schedule is already full.
I also have trouble balancing the office of Vice President with leading
a Study Group and writing. I hope to focus on the latter two as the
new Vice President emerges.
When I look back over the past few years I recall all the lessons
I've learned as a leader. We all have expectations when we enter an
office, and as anyone who has held office knows these expectations are
changed by life's circumstances, the acquisition of knowledge and skills
and the emergence of new priorities dealt to us. I have accomplished
many of the things I set out to do. My main goal was to occupy a seat
on the Board of Trustees and help to make decisions for the membership.
That I have accomplished. I have also written lots of articles to keep
in touch with the membership. Through the Keltria E-mail list I have
met and come to understand the membership of Keltria.
As I look back the most important lessons I've learned from this office
are those that often go unsaid. I've learned when to speak up and when
to listen. I've learned that sometimes people just want to be validated,
by anyone around them and not necessarily be taught. I've learned that
we all have gifts to give, and when we give them we are able to enrich
the lives of others. I've learned that you don't have to be a member
of a group for 17 years, have attained 17 degrees of recognition from
the group or be recognized at every turn to be a meaningful contributor
to the group. We all have something to offer.
So as I say goodbye to the office of Vice President, I say hello to
opportunities to continue giving, learning and growing as a member of
Keltria at large. You'll be hearing more from me.
Walk with Wisdom,
Rain
New Henge Address
The Official Address for Henge of Keltria is:
The Henge of Keltria
2350 Spring Road, PMB-140
Smyrna, GA 30080-2630
The Minneapolis address should no longer be used as a resource
in articles, in books, or on the web.
Please do not send mail to the Quincy,
MA address; please use the Clarksburg address for all correspondence
with the exception of this year's election/proxy ballots.
Please remember, the Henge of Keltria is a volunteer organization;
allow four to six weeks for responses. When inquiring about past
mail, please be kind.
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Submission Information
All submissions to Henge Happenings become property of The
Henge of Keltria, Inc., a nonprofit religious corporation. Categories
for submissions are based upon who they are from: Officers, Elders,
Coordinators, Groves, Members and the Henge Office. Members submissions
are further divided based upon subject matter, Bardic, Seer, Druid,
or Solitary Special Interest Groups.
© Copyright 2003
All material published in Henge Happenings is
© Copyright by The Henge of Keltria, Inc.
All rights are reserved.
This publication is also:
Protected by the Berne Convention.
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The
Bard's Path
Druidess
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I exist within a transparent door
as time raced forward I chose to remain
Come, phantom brethren circle round me
I am only a link from a golden chain
Time is such a confusing concept
the past and present feel entangled in me
before you I am the sum of ancient parts
Am I all you hoped I would be?
I call out to my gods, you are my constant
the secret of all I am and yet to be
I feel wedded in a bond unbroken
despite my tears, I have honored thee
Have I changed so much from where I began
when I danced with the women of my tribe
round the fire we danced, we melted into the goddess
liquid golds and greens against a blackend night
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The mysteries of life have left me silent
trapped within a time where I dont belong
the world has spun right off it's axis
if I could only return to where I'm from
Can you see the stars, they shine right through me
sparkling and flickering like a celestial gown
I am crowned with the jewels of wisdom
of long ago truths that were handed down
All the animals have come out of hiding
twinkling black eyes say words I can hear
Am I spirit or woman,or something feral
I blend into a night thats suddenly clear
The spirits of the forest beckon me closer
eternal enchantment - a wondrous song
singing in voices of rustling leaves
reminding me that here I am home
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© 2002, Ni
Bhrigid
Book Review
by Karl Schlotterbeck
Ogam: How to Read, Create and Shape Your Destiny Through the Celtic
Oracle
By Paul Rhys Mountfort
Ogam is a delightful book. It not only provides a history of the ogham
and how the trees metaphorically relate to the letters, but also linguistic
connections (in a readable way). It includes a section on the Druids
and their probably use of the ogham alphabet and the fact that there
are over 100 variants of ogham correlations such as bird ogham, color
ogham, dog ogham, etc.
The core of his interpretations of the meaning of each letter includes
the related tree, its status, sound, mythological references, and quotes
from three different versions of word oghams. Means of casting and interpreting
the letters are included, as well as the "four treasures"
of stone, sword, spear and caldron.
The text is readable, has depth, and is generally well-done. This is
the first book on the ogham that I've come across that inspires me to
attempt to learn this alphabet.
[Note: the author uses the spelling "Ogam" while I've used
"Ogham."]
Book Review
by Karl Schlotterbeck
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Mabon and the
Guardians of Celtic Britain:
Hero Mythos in the Mabinogion,
By Caitlin Matthews
In the context of a commentary on the Mabinogion myth, Caitlin
Matthews explores the meaning of the myths as more than heroic
stories. She takes the interaction of the Mabon and Modron as
the foundation of the mysteries of Britain and as showing the
relationship between the Goddess of the Land and her champion.
More than just cultural stories, she considers them a residue
of Druidic mysteries. She explains the changing roles of the Goddess
of the Land in the selection, support, and unseating of her champion,
thus casting in a fresh (non-patriarchal) light the role of the
female in many of these stories. Some of the strange transformations
of characters in the stories are regarded as initiatory journeys.
Especially recommended for anyone interested in Welsh
and British mythology
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Paperback: 256 pages ; Dimensions (in
inches): 0.74 x 8.98 x 6.02. Publisher: Inner Traditions Intl Ltd;
Revised edition (September 30, 2002). ISBN: 0892819200
Advertisements
Gatherings:
Arkansas - May 13-14, 2003, Organizational Meeting of the
South-Central Druid Coalition; includes South-Central Druid Pig-Out.
Kelts Pub (Altus, Arkansas) and Dalriada Ranch (Caulksville, Arkansas).
See: http://arkokla_druids.tripod.com/
or E-Mail kelts@apip.net for more information.
Minnesota - June 20-22,
2003, The Gathering of the Keltrian Tribe
includes members annual meeting. Contact the Henge of Keltria, 2350 Spring Road, PMB-140, Clarksburg, WV 26330.
Ohio - June 15-22, 2003 Pagan Spirit Gathering (PSG) is
one of the oldest and largest of the Pagan Festivals. PSG is sponsored
by Circle Sanctuary and held near Athens at Wisteria Campground in southeastern
Ohio. Contact Circle Sanctuary, P.O. Box 219, Mt Horeb, WI 53572; Phone:
608-924-2216; E-Mail psg@circlesanctuary.org
or find them on the web at www.circlesanctuary.org/psg.
Publications:
The Seeker is the monthly publication of the Magical
Education Council of Ann Arbor, Inc., in support of the magical, mystical,
earth-centered religious community in and around Ann Arbor. MECAA, P.O.
Box 3326, Ann Arbor, MI 48106, jmm@cyberspace.org,
phone 734-665-3522.
Celtic Connections: The Journal of Celtic and Related
Subjects is £11:00 for an annual subscription. Payment to David
James sent to Sycamore Cottage, Waddon Portesham, Nr Weymouth, DT3 4ER
United Kingdom. U.K. Sterling only please.
PanThology: Paganism-Witchcraft-Magic-Wicca. Subscription
is $10.00 (US$ Cash only; Aust$ Cash or Postal Order) to PanThology,
LPO Box 300, Australian National University, ACT, 2601, Australia.
From
the Mailbox
By Tony
New Page Books, a division of Career Press, announces in their Spring/Summer
2003 Catalog several new books of interest to Druids.
Of particular interest is Pagans and the Law: Understand
Your Rights by Dana D. Eilers, Attorney and Pagan Activist. Dana's
new book "touches upon constitutional law, employment discrimination,
family law, land use, landlord/tenant issues, and other areas of law
that are of interest to Pagans." Pub Date: June 2003, ISBN 1-56414-671-5,
$14.99.
Gerina Dunwich, long-time "friend of Druids," has a new book
titled, Dunwich's Guide to Gemstone Sorcery: Using
Stones for Spells, Amulets, Rituals, and Divination scheuled to
be released this summer. Her new book is "filled with numerous
spells and rituals, enchanting Pagan folklore, and useful magickal correspondences."
Pub Dat: July 2003, ISBN 1-56414-672-3, $14.99.
Check them out on the web at:
http://www.newpagebooks.com
From
the Internet
By Tony
Ellen Evert Hopman is co-authoring a book regarding Wizardry. In her
research she asked various groups about the genders of their membership.
The following are the parliminary Results:
| Order/Organization |
Male |
Female |
Unk |
| ADF |
50% |
50% |
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| British Druid Order |
50% |
50% |
|
| Corcu Nemedhian |
47% |
53% |
|
| Henge of Keltria |
47% |
51% |
2% |
| OBOD |
50% |
50% |
|
| RDNA |
42% |
53% |
5% |
| TdB (Tuatha de Brighid) |
20% |
80% |
|
| Whiteoak Druid Oder |
50% |
50% |
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It is interesting that none of the reporting Neopagan Druid Organizations
reported a majority of males in their ranks. By the way, our Henge Board
of Trustees is 29% Male and 71% Female.
Announcements
Dangerous Religion:
[Former] member of the Henge, Brendan Cathbad Myers and contributor
to Keltria Journal announced the publication of his first book:
Dangerous Religion: Environmental Spirituality and
its Activist Dimension, Published by Flying Witch Publications/Association
of Esoteric Writers, P.O. Box 6462, Coalville, Leics. United Kingdom
LE67 2ZU, Find out more about it on the web at Flying
Witch Publications
Copies should be available in June. FWP is able to accept reserve orders
for £2.50 (sterling), which will be deducted from the final price.
(Still being determined.)
About the book:
"Dangerous Religion" is a thought-opera of spiritual contemplations
on Pagan and environmental themes, and simultaneously a manual for environmental
activists and other participants in the anti-globalization movement.
It describes a planetary Will to Life expressed by everything in nature
from animals and plants to the material elements, here called "Global
Animism", and how it requires radical transformations in our total
lives, from the level of personal belief all the way to political and
economic organization.
Three main sections distinguish particular themes: the first, called
"In the beginning was the Mother" is concerned with environmental
and religious matters, particularly in the Celtic tradition; the second,
called "Separating Reality from Illusion" examines social
and political matters, especially how the global market is a manifestation
of the Will to Life in pathological disorder; and the third, "The
Great Silence", brings the previous themes into a personal and
more purely spiritual unity, and suggests some ways how the disordered
Will to Life may be rectified.
Druidism Lecture Series in Arkansas
In conjunction with the South-Central Druid Coalition organizational
meeting that will be held May 13th and 14th in Altus, Arkansas, a series
of lectures will be presented at bookstores in Ft. Smith, Arkansas and
Hot Springs, Arkansas on the weekend before and weekdays following the
meeting proper. The lectures are open to the public, and are a unique
opportunity to hear from nationally known authors and scholars on subjects
related to Druidism.
For additional information, please contact the stores at the addresses
below, and for information on the SCDC meeting or the lectures, you
may contact kelts@apip.net.
Study Groups
Minnesota - Minneapolis/St. Paul Area.
Harvest Moon Study Group. Please contact rain@
(edit this part to read KELTRIA.ORG) or the Henge Office for information.
North Carolina - Asheville Area.
Ashville Area Study Group. Please contact jmage5000@yahoo.com
for information.
West Virginia - Clarksburg Area.
Deer Haven Study Group. Please contact Deer Haven
or the Henge Office for information.
Gathering
of the Keltrian Tribe
June 20th to 22nd, 2003
Bunker Hills Camprgrounds,
MN
Join us the weekend of the Summer Solstice for a gathering you won't
want to miss. Harvest Moon Study Group welcomes you to the Land of 10,000
Lakes, cold winters and hot summers. Grab your mosquito repellent, sunscreen
and camping gear for a weekend you won't want to miss!
The annual Gathering of the Keltrian Tribe is a time to meet other
Keltrians, attend insightful workshops, be entertained around a campfire,
attend the annual meeting and to just gain a spiritual breath of fresh
air by attending an outdoor (weather permitting) ritual with other Keltrians.
Who will attend?
Current and potential members of the Henge of Keltria are welcome
to attend. Note that if you are not a member, you will not be able to
vote in the annual election. See the Henge of Keltria Website at http://www.keltria.org for a membership form if interested.
About the Site:
The 2003 Gathering will be held at the Bunker Hills Campground in Anoka,
MN. This is about 20-30 minutes north of the Twin Cites area and around
½ hour travel time from the Minneapolis/St. Paul Airport. Travel
to and from the 2003 Gathering from all points of entrance will be up
to the individual participant to arrange. For more information on Bunker
Hills, visit their website:
http://www.co.anoka.mn.us/departments/park_rec/qlinks/BunkerHills/BunkerHills.htm
This will be a tent camping activity, without on-site electricity but
with nearby water facilities. Within a very short walk are modern, clean
bathrooms and showers that are well maintained by park employees. Each
campsite may accommodate 2 large tents, and are equipped with their
own firepit, picnic bench and space to park a car. If you want to have
your own campfires at your site or your own ice chest, please be prepared
to pay for your own wood and/or ice.
Please note: There will be an additional parking fee assessed by
the Anoka Co. Park Rangers for each vehicle brought on to the premises.
Please be advised of this and have such funds ready for them.
Within a two mile radius of the campground are several modern shopping
conveniences, including a large Cub Foods supermarket with pharmacy,
several fast food restaurants as well as sit-down establishments and
various other convenience stores, should you need or have forgotten
anything.
Sleeping Arrangements:
We have several different accommodation options for you to consider.
Camping sites at Bunker Hills have been reserved for the Gathering.
Participants will be assigned camping space on a first registered, first
served basis though we will make every effort to put people near others
they may request to camp with.
Some individuals may decide that they would prefer to stay within a
motel and commute out to the site for days only. Two nearby motels and
their phone numbers are as follows:
: Super 8 Motel, 1129 W. Highway 10, Anoka, MN (763) 422-8000. Fax
(763) 422-4892.
: Pierce Motel, 1520 S. Ferry, Anoka, MN (763) 421-7000.
If you opt for this route, then you are responsible for making your
own contacts and lodging arrangements with said motel; the 2001 Gathering
staff has no detailed information on these establishments nor any special
rate agreements with any of the above. This information is merely presented
for your convenience and as an option for you. In addition, you will
need to purchase the $3/day pass to the campsite and will need to leave
the premises by 10pm each night, per Park regulations.
While Bunker Hills does have RV sites available on the opposite side
of the campground from the tent sites, the Event Organizers have made
no arrangements to reserve any of those. If you do plan to attend in
you own RV, please contact the Bunker Hills Regional Park directly (612-757-3920)
to make your own reservations for the dates of the Gathering.
Fees
There are three options for this Gathering:
Option 1: Full Ticket
Includes a reserved campsite and meal plan.
Please indicate on the registration form if you have any special dietary
needs and we will make all possible attempts to accommodate these.
Price is $100 for the weekend.
Option 2: Meals Only
If you wish to make your own camping arrangements and join us for meals
only.
Please indicate on the registration form if you have any special dietary
needs and we will make all possible attempts to accommodate these.
Price is $50 for the weekend.
Option 3: Event Only
If you wish to make your camping arrangements, bring your own food
and just join us for the events.
Price is free of charge, but you are responsible for the above mentioned
park entrance/use fees and making arrangements with the park. Note restrictions
mentioned above.
2003 Gathering of the Keltrian
Tribe
Please print, fill out and mail
with fee to:
The Henge of Keltria
2350 Spring Road, PMB-140
Smyrna, GA 30080-2630
Make checks payable to "The Henge of Keltria"
Legal Name: ______________________________ Preferred Name: __________________________
Address: __________________________ City: ______________ State: ____
Zip: _______________
Country: ______________________________
E-mail (if you wish an e-mail confirmation when registration is received):
_________________________
Membership Number (if you have one): _________________________________________________
___ I would like to camp near the following persons/Groups
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
___ I request a modified meal plan (vegetarian, diebetic, etc. ) (Please
provide details on a separate page and contact information for questions).
___ Option 1: Camping and Meal Plan $100 for entire weekend.
___ Option 2: Meal Plan Only $50 for entire weekend.
___ Option 3: Attending Events Only Parking Fees payable to Ranger
when entering Park.
Registration for Camping and/or meal plan is due by May 30th to
hold a spot for you. After that date accommodations and meals must be
arranged by attendee.
The following information is voluntary and is to be used for the Gathering
Pamphlet:
Name: ________________________________________________
Group or Grove: _________________________________________
Favorite Nature Spirit: ____________________________________
If you have any talents you wish to contribute to the gathering, we
are a small group and welcome anything you may have to offer. Please
contact rain@ (edit this part to read KELTRIA.ORG) or CML@prodigy.net
or write them in the space below along with contact information:
You can also contact Rain at these addresses if you have any questions
about the Gathering. Registration packets will be sent out for all registered
by May 30th.
See you in June!
