Samhain 2004 - Issue 64
From the President
Samhain, the Feast of Death in Keltrian Tradition, marks the beginning of a new year in Celtic tradition, but it also marks the beginning of the dark half of the year — the darkness symbolic of the primordial womb from which all life emerges. It begins the time of storytelling (enculturation), and of looking within. It is a time to incubate spiritually, like seeds within the dark womb of the Mother. It is a time of reflection in preparation for a future time of action, a time to ponder on the nature of renewal, and to examine how well we have kept the commitments we have made.
Commitment was important to the ancients, as evidenced by stories of oaths sworn before Land, Sea, and Sky. This oath was binding as witnessed by the Ancestors, the Nature Spirits, and the Gods, and a Celt would rather die than face the dire consequences of breaking such an oath. Within the Henge Order, we are similarly adamant about keeping our commitments.
However, in greater modern society, commitments are made and broken on a whim, oaths are sworn and never followed through, and in fact, some people avoid real commitment at all costs, citing any number of excuses why they could not (or would not) carry on. Unfortunately, because of the greater society we come from, sometimes this lack of commitment (or fear of commitment) manifests within our modern spiritual organizations as well. We’ve all seen the folk who give up when the going gets tough and drift from path to path, searching for some sort of magic pill or great guru to open their heads and enlighten them, never realizing that the magic — and the guru — are both within them.
In my Aikido dojo, we swear an oath every day before practice in the form of the student creed, an oath in three parts: “I intend to develop myself in a positive manner, and avoid anything that would reduce my mental growth or my physical health. I intend to develop self-discipline, in order to bring out the best in myself and in others. I intend to use what I learn in class constructively and defensively, to help myself and my fellow man, and never to be abusive or offensive.” It is quite amazing how this affirmation of the students’ commitment to this particular path of enlightenment (a martial art) manifests itself in the everyday workings of the dojo. Students are courteous to one another and willing to help with any project the sensei or senior students may implement – including groups of students taking time out of their busy schedules to clean the dojo top-to-bottom before a seminar weekend. Cooperation and good will is evident in our dojo, as well as the commitment to self-improvement that we swear before each and every practice session.
You see, in the dojo, we practice the very same techniques hundreds and hundreds of times over, and with each performance of a technique, we learn just a little something new; we delve just a little deeper into the mystery that is Aikido. But our Sensei does not try to pour the teachings into our heads – he only demonstrates the technique each time — for he knows that a lesson learned by self-discovery is better retained and understood at the very core of our being. He is always ready to help if a student has a question, but he is not going to solicit questions or prompt. The students are dedicated to the learning process, and understand after a while that, with each repetition, they learn something completely new from a familiar process. Their understanding expands as their awareness expands. They don’t complain about their progress, for they know that their progress is completely up to them. Like anything else worthwhile, the training is difficult, and a student only gets out of Aikido what the student puts into it. It is the same with a Druid Order like the Henge of Keltria.
This Samhain, it might do us all good to examine our commitments. What commitments have we made? How have we kept them? Have we kept them? Will we renew those commitments? Personally, I would like to see us renew our commitment to the Henge of Keltria, for this organization belongs to all of us. What we each receive from the Henge is directly proportional to what we each contribute. The path of the Druid is so like a martial art, where our understanding can only be as deep as our effort.
As I gently remind our membership that the Henge is a purely volunteer organization, I wish to thank the Officers, Elders, and Initiates of the Henge who have made such a large commitment to the Order and continue to volunteer their spare time toward making Keltria the best it can be. Their combined work is creating an Order of which we can all be proud. But the work is not done…the work is never done. As Stewards of the Henge, these dedicated people have planted the seeds, and they wait quietly in the darkness in the hope that some of you will come forward to help these seeds grow and prosper. Will any of you rise to the challenge and make that deeper commitment?
If you would like to roll up your sleeves and get busy, let us know. Currently, we are soliciting proposals from Groves or Study Groups who would like to host the annual Gathering of the Tribe 2005. As many of you are aware, this Gathering moves from place to place each year so that more members might be able to attend at least one, and has been hosted previously by Avalon-on-Camelot Grove (MN), Grove of the Golden Horse (NY), Deer Haven Study Group (WV & MA), Juniper Grove (KS), Old Stone Grove (GA), and Harvest Moon Study Group (MN). Proposals must be submitted to the Secretary by Winter Solstice to be considered. The Board will be happy to help you with any details.
We also need volunteers to act as Coordinators for the Bard, Seer, and Druid paths. If you feel that you have the skills and the desire to coordinate any of these disciplines, please contact the Secretary with your credentials. Applications will be subject to Board review.
Aside from these specifics, members are welcome to get involved in any way that their particular skills and schedules allow. But make that commitment. You may find that it does your soul good.
Enjoy the quiet darkness.
Blessed Samhain,
The Topaz Owl
