April 10 Ezine - Amber Jayanti

W
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l
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The Magickal Light
Volume 5 Issue 4
April 1st 2010
Inside this Issue:
Interview with
Amber Jayanti
_______________________________________
Merlin
by Gypsy Avalon
_______________________________________
The Order of the
Everlasting Day
By Marcus Katz
_______________________________________
Pagan Festival
by Frances
Billinghurst
Image © Pino Longchild
Edi to r’ s L et te r
Highlights
New Zealand Pagan
Festival, P.3
Australian High Priestess, Frances
Billinghurst, writes about a recent
festival she attended.
The Meaning of
Archangels, P.7
A
l
l
N
E
W
That’s not all though: Marcus
Katz provides us with a glimpse
at his new magickal project; The
Order of the Everlasting Day
which seems to be a fascinating
new venture. Francis Billinghurst
as always provides an
Antipodean perspective with her
a c co u n t o f a r e ce n t Pa g a n
festival in New Zealand. There’s
articles too from new
contributors Jas dela Luna and
L i n a B . Hu m p h r i e s , n o t
forgetting the last in the series
about
C e l t i c-A r t h u r i a n
mythology with a look at Merlin
by Gypsy Avalon.
M
erry Meet everyone! I
trust that you are all keeping
well.
Before I tell you about the ezine
this month I just want to say a
big thank you to Natrob87 and
Inkky on the Forum who have
recently given it a complete
overhaul and upgrade. I think
you’ll agree it looks better and
we will all benefit from the more
advanced security features.
This month in the ezine I am
delighted to be able to present
to you my interview with Amber
Jayanti. Amber truly is one of
the great Tarot teachers and she
wa s an absolute delight to
question. Her interview on page
12 is one of the fullest that the
ezine has carried and has some
fascinating information about
the floor of the cathedral in
Siena.
Just one more thing: You will see
some changes to the Magicka
Shop over the next couple of
m o n t h s . We ’ v e m a d e s o m e
decisions to increase the range
of stock and will also soon be
showca sing some exclusive
Magicka jewelry. Watch out for
announcements in the coming
newsletters.
Jas Dela Luna writes about the
background to Archangels.
Empathy, Development
& Control, P.9
Lina B. Humphries discusses what it
means to be an Empath.
Interview with Amber
Jayanti, P.12
Pino interviews one of the most
highly respected Tarot teachers.
Introducing the Order of
the Everlasting Day,
That’s it. Enjoy this month’s P.18
ezine.
Love and Light,
Pino
Marcus Katz introduces his new
magickal order.
Merlin, P.27
Gypsy Avalon concludes the series of
Celtic-Arthurian articles.
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respective authors, artists and photographers.
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2
New Zealand Pagan Festival
by Frances Bi"inghurst
N
ew Zealand, a
country located at
the bottom of the
world, seemingly rather
non-eventful (except for
when it banned American
nuclear warships back in
the 1980s which resulted
i n t h e “ B i g B ro t h e r ”
attempting to impose a
trade ban in order to get
its own way), known for
its sheep population, love
of extreme sports, and
o u t s t a n d i n g s c e n e r y.
However, just below the
surface there seems to be
another side to this rather
laid-back countr y that
would not be found in
travel books.
New Zealand seems to have a
long and rather varied occult
history which, whilst rather
hidden from view, still offers
to intrigue those who stumble
across it. I first became aware
of this history when, in 2003,
I attended the 4th annual New
Zealand Pagan Fest whereby
Roel van Leeuwen, who was
investigating this history for
his then PhD, presented a
lecture on the topic.
Roel mentioned that when
the Hermetic Order of the
Golden Dawn established the
Smaragdum Thallesses
Temple in Havelock North
(more commonly known as
“Whare Ra”) in 1912, it turned
out to be one of the last
vestibules of that Order, not
officially closing until 1978.
An offshoot of the Golden
Dawn, the Builders of the
Ad y t u m ( o r “ B O TA” ) ,
founded in 1921-22 by Paul
Foster Case, was established
in New Zealand in 1963 after a
visit by its then head, Anne
Davies. Other occult and
esoteric organisations exist in
New Zealand as well, such as
A.M.O.R.C., the O.T.O.,
Society of Guardians, and
even the Order of the Nine
Angles.
During the 2003 Pagan Fest, I
worked with Philip CarrFrances at the Festival
Gomm, author and Chief
Druid of the Order of Bards,
Ovates and Druids. From
that visit, coinciding with the
publication of his then book
“Druidcraft”, Philip was also
attracted to New Zealand,
whereby he established the
Av r o n e l l e
School
of
Druidcraft. Over a course of
a year, during five weekends,
each held around the time of
t h e Fu l l Mo o n , P h i l i p ,
together with 20 others, met
at various locations each time
a r o u n d Ne w Z e a l a n d t o
undertake teachings.
Philip Carr-Gomm, Chief Druid
Another contact that I made
at that initial festival was
Mambo Paula Wedo, who at
that time was a Vodou Mambo
sur point, meaning that she
had undergone the second
degree Vodou initiation. Since
that time, Mambo Paula has
returned to Haiti at least
twice for various initiations,
and more recently to assist in
the aftermath of the January
earthquake and her Danthor
Foundation
Drummer at the Festival
3
which was set up to help the
orphans in Haiti.
When I returned to the New
Z e a l a n d Pa g a n Fe s t i n
February of this year, some
s e v e n y e a r s l a t e r, I w a s
accompanied in both the
opening and closing rituals by
occult philosopher and author
Ramsay Dukes. One of my
biggest challenges was to write
a suitable ritual without
having worked with Ramsay
before and therefore not really
knowing what his ritual
influences are. Added to this
was my assumption that the
New Zealand Pagan scene was
still largely solitary, so what I
devised was loosely structured
to allow for the different
individualistic styles and
personalities that was also
suitable for about 100
participants (compared to the
250 people who attended the
2003 opening ritual). I also
blended together a number of
techniques,
including
vibrating Enochian elemental
calls, chanting and various
movements, to cater for the
differing levels of experience.
My own invocation of the
Goddess reflected my Wiccan
training, whereas Ramsay’s call
to the God showed him
Crowley-influenced with
Therion stomping around the
circle.
This was later
embraced when the other men
present created an inner circle
reciting a version of the God
chant I use at various rituals
of my own, in comparison to
the larger one where the
women were circling in the
opposite direction reciting the
better known Goddess chant.
In all, there were about 12
different presenters offering a
wide range of talks over the
weekend that ranged from the
history of European magickal
performances (such as Morris
dancing and the Mummer
Plays), and medicinal New
Zealand herbs, through to
Aleister Crowley’s Book of the
Law and the Thelema current,
as well as comparing
Alexandrian Wicca to modern
Wicca. My own presentation
was on the Dark Goddess
whereby the mantra of KaliMa was chanted as a way of
connecting to Deity. There
were also a number of
practical workshops as well
from cord making and knot
magick, through to the tarot,
past life journeying and power
raising, which was a lot of fun.
Whilst attendance numbers
seemed to be down compared
to the 2003 event (largely due
to the global financial crisis
which had hit New Zealand
rather severely), there were
still plenty to see, listen and
do with demonstrations of
belly dancing and medieval
archery being had, as well as
market stalls.
Prior to the closing ritual on
the Sunday there was a panel
consisting of the presenters
sharing our various views and
opinions on how to approach
covens and finding suitable
teachers, as well as the various
structures of groups. One
thing that I noted that whilst
there seems to be a lack of
interest with respect to
training in more disciplined
covens, particularly those
which are more traditional in
their format (ie, that being
Alexandrian or Gardnerian),
five of the eight panellists
were in fact from that
background, with one having
actually trained with Alex
Sanders himself in London.
In the closing ritual, Ramsay
took on the role of a
Mercurial spirit, whilst I the
High Priestess from the Rider
Waite tarot cards. As the
ritual space was opened, each
participant took with them a
seed that contained within
them many memories of the
weekend.
A number of comments made
over the weekend have been
mulling around in my head
since February, one being the
question of why we were
there, at a Pagan festival, as
opposed to any other kind of
festival? Why do we classify
ourselves as Pagans? What
does Paganism actually mean
to us? What actually sets our
practices truly apart from the
other spiritual and/or religious
beliefs?
With what seems to be the
push these days for Paganism
to be assimilated with the
other more orthodox religions
in order to “ease” classification
and/or clarification (which, to
me, tends to be limited to the
descriptions of one particular
faith in particular, that of
Christianity), sometimes it
seems hard to differentiate
between what is Christian,
Buddhist etc and what is
Pagan, in particular with the
modern concept that one can
be a “Pagan Christian” or a
“Christian Wytch”.
4
Wi c c a , i n p a r t i c u l a r, h a s
seemed to have lost a lot of its
b o u n d a r i e s , s o to s p e a k ,
within the wider community
with just about anyone
classifying themselves as a
Wiccan regardless of whether
they have been initiated into
the Mystery religion stemming
from Gerald Gardner that
centres around the duality and
polarity of Deity.
I am hoping that by the time I
return to the 2011 festival, that
I may at least have found
some answers.
Frances Billinghurst is the High Priestess of the Temple of
the Dark Moon, an active “progressive” Wiccan coven which
offers courses in Wicca including a 13-lecture correspondence
course, as we" as holding public Fu" Moon gatherings. For
further information, write to her at PO Box 2451, Salisbury
Downs SA 5108, visit the Temple's web site.
www.templedarkmoon.com,
or email
[email protected].
5
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6
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7
The Meaning of
Archangels
By Jas Dela Luna
A
rchangels serve ONE
purpose, they are here to help
and serve us. They have no space
or time restrictions and can be
everywhere at once to aid and
assist you. They also serve to
offer us Divine guidance, and are
simply manifestations of the
Divine energy source that flows
through all things.
The medieval Celestial
Hi e r a r c h y i s a m e t h o d f o r
classification used still today in
angelology. In the Celestial
Hierarchy, Archangels fall into
the eighth of nine levels. Most
Archangels (all of them, other
than two that are known), have
names that end in the suffix “el”.
“El” means “in God” and follows
the first part of the archangels’
name and describes the
archangels’ “specialty”.
Christianity?
The names of the fifteen
archangels featured in this
article are gathered from Jewish,
Cabalistic, Christian, and
Is l a m i c a n c i e n t s p i r i t u a l
practices, texts, and beliefs.
These are not the same way that
angels are recognized by these
religions today, as in ancient
times there was a great deal of
mysticism involved in each of
their practices. For this reason,
the Archangels are what I have
“Archangels...are
heavily influenced
by, and rooted in,
Judaeo-Christian
beliefs.”
dubbed “areligious” and worked The Archangels
with by practitioners of many
paths, religious and nonreligious
The list of archangels that I
alike.
have included in this article is
A l a r g e a m o u n t o f t h e not all inclusive. The actual
information a vailable f rom number of archangels is not
historical texts are written from agreed upon, but these are the
a Christian perspective, and it angels that I feel comfortable
should be noted that Archangels, l i s t i n g . A l o n g w i t h t h e
although “areligious” are heavily A r c h a n g e l ’s n a m e I h a v e
influenced by and rooted in included the meaning of their
name and the religious origin of
Judeo-Christian beliefs.
the angel.
There was one specific point in
Christian history that had a Ariel- The name means “Lion
of God”. Ariel is
long-lasting effect on the
Cabalistic in origin.
p u b l i c ’s
knowledge
of
archangels. It was during the Azrael – The name means
“reign” of Pope Zachary (741-52
“Whom God helps”.
C.E.)of the Roman Catholic
Azrael is Hebrew and
Church. Pope Zachary believed
Muslim in origin.
that the public’s interest in the
archangels
had
been
approaching idolatry. The Pope Chamuel- The name means
then decided to “officially”
“He who sees God”.
remove the names of seven
Chamuel is Judeoarchangels from the accepted
Christian in origin.
l i s t . Ho we v e r, t h o s e s e v e n
archangels are still included in
Gabriel- The name means
the list I have provided below:
“Strength of God”.
Gabriel is JudeoChristian in origin.
8
Haniel- The name means
“Grace of God”. Haniel
is Babylonian and
Cabalistic in origin.
Jeremiel- The name means
“Mercy of God”.
Jeremiel is Judaic in
origin.
Jophiel- The name means
“Beauty of God”.
Jophiel is JudeoChristian in origin.
is Judaic and Cabalistic
in origin.
Uriel- The name means “God
is light”. Uriel is JudeoChristian in origin.
Zadkiel- The name means
“Righteousness of
God”. Zadkiel is
Cabalistic in origin.
Metatron- The name means
“He who occupies the
throne next to the
divine throne”.
Metatron is Judaic and
Cabalistic in origin.
Michael- The name means
“Who is like God”.
Michael is JudeoChristian in origin.
Raguel- The name means
“Friend of God”.
Raguel is JudeoChristian in origin.
Raphael- The name means
“Healing power of
God”. Raphael is
Judeo-Christian in
origin.
Raziel- The name means
“Secrets of God”.
Raziel is Judaic and
Cabalistic in origin.
Sandalphon- The meaning of
the name of
Sandalphon is
unknown. Sandalphon
Michael tramples Satan by Guido Reni,
1636, Capuchin church of Santa Maria
de"a Concezione.
9
Empathy, Development and Control
by Lina B. Humphries
This month Lina
discusses what it
means to be an
Empath and how to
control and utilise this
ability.
mpathy is the ability
to read or sense
others’ emotions and
state of mind. This gift can be
quite frustrating as emotional
atmospheres can become
over whelming for the
empath. Being in large
crowds where there are
considerable amounts of
mixed emotions can be a
struggle and living in a big
city or just going to work or
school can become a
hardship. For someone who is
just discovering that they
have this empathetic ability it
can be quite a challenge!
E
Here are a few things to
remember from my personal
endeavors in controlling my
empathetic abilities:
- You should begin to take
note to how you are feeling,
several times a day. Stop what
you are doing and pay
attention to how you feel and
your state of mind. Also take
note of your surroundings; for
example, whether you are
with a group of people or in a
h u g e c r o w d . No t e t h e
differences between the state
of mind induced when in the
presence of people and that
of how you are when you are
alone. This helps teach
discernment between yourself
and others.
- You must meditate or at
least sit quietly and learn to
watch your thoughts and
emotions. The more aware
you are about your state of
mind and your feelings, the
easier you can tell them apart
from someone else’s.
Meditation is also a great way
to develop a sort of shield; a
shield that protects you from
receiving energy from those
around you. It can also be
used as a very good way to
filter the receiving of energy.
There will be a difference in
the quantity of feelings you
receive when the shield is
developed and up, compared
to how you feel when your
shield is not in use. This
shield is a great defense
mechanism and one that can
be expanded and worked on.
help sensitize you to the
different "feel" of each person
and their emotions/thoughts
or state of mind. Everyone is
different and they all give off
different energies. The goal
here is to distinguish what
belongs to you and what
belongs to others.
- Try to find an activity that
brings solidity into your
physical self. This can help
with the extra stress you may
have to deal with. It will also
help to prevent you from
getting sick by keeping the
energy circulating. A simple
walk or jog is great!
- Once you learn to identify
your energy and distinguish
that from others you have to
find a method of releasing it
from you. Grounding and
centering is a great method of
sending the energy back to
Earth. There are other
methods available as well;
these include visualization,
the use of song or chanting.
Whatever is chosen, make
sure that it is done on a
regular basis, otherwise the
energy will continue to
circulate within you and may
become heavy and stale.
- Practicing a statement such
as "This anger belongs to ...,
but this is my feeling..." will
10
Empathy, Development and Control by Lina
B. Humphries
E m p a t h y, l i ke p s y c h i c
abilities or telepathy, is a gift.
Although at times it may
seem as though no good can
come of it, once it is fully
developed and once it is
under control, it can be used
for positive things. Helping
others during sensitive times
when they feel as though no
one can understand what they
are experiencing is just one
example of how this gift may
be used. So don’t let being
empathetic become too
over whelming. Take your
time in developing your skills
and be proud of what you can
accomplish.
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11
Pino Longchild
interviews Amber
Jayanti
I first came across Amber Jayanti
many, years ago when I bought her
book Living the Tarot in a sma"
esoteric shop in Greenwich, London
that now no longer exists. I am
delighted to be interviewing her for
the ezine this month.
I want first to ask you about
yo u r t h r i l l i n g Ta r o t
Illumination Journey, which
took place earlier in 2009. It
w a s a v a c a t i o n to u r ( o n
w h i c h s t u d e n t s w e re
invited) that took in some
i m p o r t a n t It a l i a n Ta ro t
landmarks. Can you tell us
about the journey and also
do you have anything similar
planned for the future?
Ahhhhhhhhhhhh, che meraviglia!
What a wonderful and
illuminating journey this “once
in a lifetime” trip, to enjoy the
glories of Tarocchi and promote
the Italian translation of Tarot
for Dummies, aka Tarocchi per
Negati, was!
Our group: Visited with the
prolific, ingenious and most
humble Tarocchi artist, Master
O s v a l d o Me n e g a z z i a t Il
Meneghe"o in Milan; trained to
rural Riola to Hermantena and
Er nesto’s absolutel y mind-
Amber Jayanti Th.D., is a
graduate of the Builders
of the Adytum's (BOTA)
thirteen-year long
training in the Qabalistic
Mysteries as well as a
student of esoteric Hindu,
Buddhist and Islamic
teachings and practices.
Her spare time is
dedicated to social and
political activism. She is a
world renown expert on
the Tarot.
blowing Museo Dei Tarocchi, a
tarocchi dream come tr ue;
mar veled at the marble
pavement of the The Cathedral
of Siena; pilgrima ged to Il
Gardino Dei Tarocchi, to embibe
the ma gnificent sculpture
garden created by the
incomparable Niki De Saint
Phalle, certainly the 8th wonder
of the world; were blessed with
the gracious Italian hospitality
of the folks from Lo Scarabeo;
and luxuriated for a few blissful
d a y s a t t h e Fe d e ra t i o n o f
Hermes Trismegistus
Damanhur, taking classes with
their
tarot
teachers
extraordinaire, appreciating The inlaid marble mosaic floor
their community and meditating is one of the most sumptuous of
in their exquisite temples.
its kind in Italy, covering the
entire floor of the already
The trip was also sprinkled with astounding cathedral. This work
p r i v a te Ta r o c c h i co l l e c to r s occurred between the 14th and
generously sharing their antique 16th centuries, with about 40
collections.
artists
making
their
contribution. The floor consists
of 56 panels in different sizes.
On part of that tour you They represent the Cumaean,
went to the Cathedral of Delphic, Persian and Phrygian
Siena. I was unaware that sibyls aka oracles or prophets,
t h e c a t h e d ra l h a d Ta ro t scenes from the Old Testament,
symbolism on its floor. It allegories and virtues. I believe
sounds
absolutel y we’re talking roots of the
fascinating, who put the Renaissance Tarocchis. The
symbolism there and why? earliest scenes were made by a
Are there other religious graffito technique: drilling tiny
buildings that contain such holes and scratching lines in the
symbols?
marble then filling these with
12
bitumen or mineral pitch. In a
later stage black, white, green,
red and blue marble intarsia
were used.
The uncovered floor can only be
viewed for 6-10 weeks each year,
generally including the month of
September. The earliest panel is
probably the Wheel of Fortune
depicted in almost ever y
Tarocchi deck, laid in 1372.
Wheel of Fortune, Duomo Siena
The Four Virtues (Temperance,
Prudence, Justice and Strength)
and Mercy date from 1406, are
seen in the remarkable Tarocchi
Du Mantegna that dates from the
m i d - 1 4 0 0 ’s , t h e C a r y -Ya l e
Visconti Tarocchi and numerous
other tarot decks down through
the ages. Of course, there is an
awesome depiction of Hermes
Trismegistus reputed to be a
source of hermetic, magical,
alchemical and, hence,
Qabalistic wisdom and
inspiration since antiquity.
investigation of Hinduism,
Buddhism and Sufism/Islam;
traditions that are lightly
touched upon in the BOTA
studies. These most enriching
and inspirational endeavors have
more than convinced me that
the Qabalistic Tarot and Tree of
Life form a bridge between the
inner traditions of the East and
West. The recent release of
“closet” Qabalist, Carl Jung’s Red
Book, has further underscored
this for me.
Yo u a re p ro b a b l y b e s t
known for your book Tarot
for Dummies, which was a
best seller in the USA and
provides a starting point for
many who are interested in
the Tarot. Where, though,
did your studies with the
cards originate, and can you
include
h e re
yo u r My personal favourite work
associations with BOTA of yours is Living the Tarot.
(Builders of the Adytum).
What distinguishes it from
m a n y Ta ro t b o o k s i s i t s
Like so many love affairs, it was emphasis on application and
lo ve at first sight in 1967. i n t e g r a t i o n . C o u l d yo u
Perhaps the draw came from explain to our readers why
previous lifetimes, as it’s been this is so important?
suggested, or from my intense
hunger to make sense of/get Yes, the book’s emphasis on
p e r s p e c t i v e o n w h a t w a s taking the teachings discussed
happening in my life and the and integrating them into one’s
world.
life is an elaboration on seeds
planted within me from the
A f t e r r e a d i n g j u s t a b o u t BOTA lessons. Agonizing it can
everything I could find on the be at times, I feel obliged to
subject, which was not very encourage others to also “walk
much at the time, I began the talk.” That is, to take the
looking for teachers. A tarot tarot out of the world of the
teacher and student of BOTA, theoretical into the world of
suggested I give the lessons a practical spirituality. (That’s why
t r y. We l l , t h e c o u r s e w o r k one of my students started
r e s o n a t e d d e e p l y. Ha v i n g calling me a “practical mystic.”
completed the BOTA studies, I Although it’s a title that isn’t
feel blessed to have given it the always a breeze for me to live up
time and attention it so richly to, it has stuck—because it does
deserved. Although some tarot give me something to live up to!)
folks say that BOTA does not
offer anything new, a geless Studying the symbolism and
Wisdom is certainly not new! All meanings of the Major Arcana,
of the mystico-spiritual systems and for that matter the entire
being propa gated today are deck, is certainly valuable, yet
some kind of reconfiguration of learning such on a cellular level,
such Wisdom.
by putting the teachings into use
—living the cards, on a daily
I was stirred to extend my basis has an essential role in
BOTA learning with travel to understanding the symbolism.
India, Nepal, Thailand, Turkey
and Egypt. Such resulted in my
13
This aspect of the book deems S t u d y a n d p r a c t i c e o f t h e
the Qabalistic Tarot to be a esoteric side of these teachings
viable spiritual tradition.
has shown me what they have in
common with Judaism and
I best mention that I had the Christianity. For instance: the
pleasure of doing a new edition, e n t i r e p h y s i c a l u n i v e r s e i s
Living the Qabalistic Tarot (RED Divinity ‘coming into being,’ the
WHEEL WEISER 2004), with emphasis of loving kindness as
the addition of more details on well as the workings of “cause
the Qabalistic Tree of Life. and effect,” aka Karma. Over
Here’s a thanks to Mar y K. times I have come to see the
Greer for helping me to publish Tarot to be a system of symbols
the book’s first edition in 1988, communicating and honoring
twenty-two years ago.
the core principles of the world’s
great religio-spiritual traditions.
What is your favourite Tarot To r e i t e r a t e , f o r m e t h e
deck and why?
Qabalistic Tarot and Tree of Life
create a bridge between the
Each deck, like both its maker traditions of East and West. As a
and each one of us, is unique, peace activist since the 60s, I
beautiful and beloved in its own experience the Tarot promoting
way. For some teaching I use the peaceful co-existence between
coloring book style black and r e l i g i o u s g r o u p s , h e n c e
white BOTA deck as students countries.
can color each card not only as
an aspect of themselves, but In the mid 1970s you set up
with their particular skin and the Santa Cruz School for
hair tones, etc. I also use this Tarot and Qabalah Study.
deck because coloring-in a card What are the aims of this
i s a f o r m o f m e d i t a t i o n - - - o rg a n i z a t i o n a n d h o w
offering the opportunity to successful has it been in
recall a card’s meaning, intuit its realizing them?
deeper significance and imprint
its symbolism.
The Santa Cruz School for Tarot &
Qabalah Study was founded in
Of course, much like learning 1975 to make the study and
classical music helps one to experience of the Qabalistic
improvise, learning the classical Tarot and Tree of Life more
tarot helps one to work with accessible. Instruction aims at
other decks. For this reason, I guiding and supporting each
greatly appreciate the Rider- student's development (physical,
Smith-Waite as so much has mental, emotional and spiritual)
been written about it and there a n d t o h e i g h t e n h e r / h i s
are so many variations of it—the a w a r e n e s s o f Re a l i t y - - t h e
Albano Waite, Universal Waite, inseparability of spirit and
Golden Rider, and so on.
matter. Emphasis is on a balance
of theor y and the practical
application and integration of
You describe yourself as a spiritual principles into everyday
student of “Hindu, Buddhist life.
and Sufi/Islamic teachings.”
Have these faiths influenced The curriculum also teaches
how you see the Tarot and if students to use what they have
so how?
lear ned to help foster this
developmental process in
others. Over the years I’ve had
the joy of guiding hundreds of
students through the school’s
program that now offers 6 years
of material. While the school is
often a tremendous amount of
work, I feel truly honored to be
passing the Great Work along to
others.
Yo u r w o r k , St e p p i n g
Through Addictive and Cod e p e n d e n t B e ha v i o u r i s
designed to show the
correlation between 12 step
support programs and the
l a s t s e v e n c a rd s o f t h e
Tarot's Major Arcana. How
effective a compliment to
mainstream therapy do you
regard the Tarot as being?
Effectiveness has to do with the
ability of both the therapist/
consultant to work with the
Tarot as well as the client’s
openness to working with the
cards. Here intention is key.
That is, how the Tarot is being
used -as a mirror, diagnostic tool
or indicator of future events. I
experience
the
Ta r o t
functioning as a potent adjunct
to psychotherapy via the
Jungian-type exploration of:
archetypes, the phenomena of
synchronicity, the collective
unconscious and personal
subconscious. Also,
as
compelling means of diagnosis
similar to the Roarschach,
Meyers-Briggs and Thematic
Apperception tests, among
others.
As you know, trans-personal
approach to psychotherapy is
one that has come to the fore
within the last 20 years or so.
Certain
Ta r o t
clients
periodically come in for what
they jestingly label, “my double
therapy appointment.” When a
client is ready, this approach
takes her/his attention beyond
14
the personal or “little me”
picture, to the trans-personal,
“big me” picture of what’s
occurring in one’s life. I believe
I stated earlier that the
aforementioned is what
attracted me to the Tarot in the
first place.
recognized by most scientists.
There’s an article on my website
that tells more about this. http://
www.practical-mystic.com/
You created Oils of the Tarot
for
the
Pe r f u m e r ’s
Apprentice Shop. Scent can
be a key to path working,
can you tell us about the
connection between scent
and Tarot?
In Cosmologist and Mystics
Meet you have written about
the relationship between
science and mysticism. Do
you believe it’s important
that they meet and if so, L i n d a f r o m t h e Pe r f u m e r ’s
why?
Apprentice enjoyed helping me
create essential oils for Qabalistic
It has been my experience that Tarot and Tree of Life for me.
science and mysticism are two With only a couple of variations,
sides of the same coin. I believe the scents I use were codified by
the “meeting” of science and the Order of the Golden Dawn
mysticism breaks down another (1888).
barrier to interpersonal
communication, and therefore Of course, research in the fields
facilitates spiritual development. o f n e u r o p s y c h o l o g y a n d
Science and mysticism teach aromatherapy has shown that
many of the same things, yet in our sense of smell brings up
different terms or languages.
memories faster and for longer
durations than any of our other
In regard to the concept of the senses. Since the beginning of
S i x D a y s o f Cr e a t i o n , o u r human histor y, alchemists,
understanding may be greatly s h a m a n s , g u r u s a n d o t h e r
improved if we change our mystico-spiritual practitioners
human concept of days into that have used resins, and floral
of Divine Days. Doing this essence, in the form of oils and
allows each "day" to refer to an incense, to alter, modify and
entire Age. On the first day of heighten awareness. This is why
c r e a t i o n t h e Mo s t H i g h I recommend usa ge of the
commands, "Let there be light scented oil associated with each
(aka sub-atomic photons): and of the Qabalistic Tarot Cards
there was light." Cosmologists and sephiroth (spheres) on the
state that gravity became a Tr e e o f L i f e a s a w a y o f
separate force, tearing away contributing to a deeper, more
from the still unified basic f u l l b o d i e d a n d a u to m a t i c
forces of nature. Here too, the recollection of its principles.
still expanding universe teems Along this line, I wear the scent
with the primary components of of a card or sphere on the Tree
life-with quarks and anti-quarks, of Life as I’m studying, writing
the smallest known constituents about, teaching or living it.
of matter-along with electrons
and other exotic par ticles, You are a Th. D (Doctor of
emanating from the exploded Theology) what main things
nebula giving forth light. This has your study of religions
explosion, or the "Big Bang," is shown you?
the first sta ge of evolution
First, with regard to that Th.D,
I’d like to clarify how I came by
it. After reading my voluminous
writings, my Builders of the
Ad y t u m m e n t o r, a n d t h e n
Pr e s i d e n t o f t h e O r d e r,
commented that I had earned,
and should use, the title of
Th.D. Because titles are often
superfluous status symbols, it
took me a few years to actually
add the letters to my name.
Okay, on to your question.
My s t u d y a n d p r a c t i c e o f
numerous esoteric religions and
spiritual traditions has
repeatedly shown, the presence
of
the
One
Divine
Consciousness in the manyness
of creation. For example: the
teachings of Advaita Vedanta can
be perfectly aligned with the
journey up the Qabalistic Tree
of Life’s middle pil lar and
consequently, and the path that
Christ and Buddha, amongst
others, took to enlightenment.
I ’ l l c a l l o n t h e Sh e m a , t h e
“watchwords,” of the ancient
He b r e w p e o p l e to f u r t h e r
answer this question.
The Shema, the most sacred of
the ancient Hebrew “Words of
Po w e r, ” o r “ m a n t r a s . ” w a s
handed down to Moses along
with the Ten Commandments
on Mt. Sinai. When translated
from the Hebrew, the word
Shema means, “Listen.” It is a
call to attention from the Most
High to the Hebrew people.
However, from my point of view,
the Shema is a “heads up” not
only to the Jewish people, but to
all people, as it affirms that all of
c r e a t i o n , t h e a n i m a te a n d
inanimate, creatures great are
small, is divine in essence and
origin.
In addition to emphasizing the
sacredness of life in all forms,
these teachings have shown me
15
what I can do to eliminate
suffering -be it human, animal
and/or planetary. Last but not
least, the physical world is a
proving ground for the soul and
the certainty that everything fits
together in the greater scheme
of things.
W h a t a re
projects?
yo u r
district different from mine to
help remove a corrupt politician
from office, or getting on a bus
or plane etc. when it has the
potential to help build the
critical mass for a better world.
What makes Amber Jayanti
laugh or sing?
latest
Ta k i n g c a r e o f m y “ L i v i n g
Temple,” is an ongoing project.
This includes remaining healthy
by swimming, biking and eating
well, but not too much. Doing
this balances out the rest of
what I do, helping me to be the
best person and Qabalistic Tarot
facilitator that I can be.
When I’m on the Tree of Life’s
middle pil lar, the absolute
absurdity of what’s going on in
the world—sometimes referred
to
as
the
P L AY
of
consciousness, makes me laugh.
Sing? I love to sing and chant?
Like most singers, my feelings--love, joy, sadness, anger and so
on move me to express myself
through song. Chanting,
whether in Sanskrit, Hebrew,
Latin or English etc., gives me a
“time- out” from the world so
that I can return to it ready for
the next round.
I am in the process of getting a
timely book on the Qabalistic
Tree of Life ready for online
purchase. Looking forward to
teaching at the London School
of Tarot for two weekends in With Respect & Love,
September: 11-12/18-19 and some Amber Jayanti
other work in Europe that’s in www.practical-mystic.com
the process of jelling.
Since, what I regard to be the Amber Jayanti, thankyou.
coup d’etat occurring in the U.S.
in 2000 when Bush, Inc. did
their power grab, I’ve felt
compelled to be more politically
active. Working in the Peace
Mo v e m e n t l o c a l l y a n d i n
Washington DC with Codepink,
involved
in
Election
Protection--being part of the
grassroots movement that
brought election fraud to the
attention of the general public
and media. I’m presently
working towards “Health Care
for All.” For me being spiritual
means having a social and
political conscience, yet without
undue attachment to the results
-like the sphinx in the Wheel of
Fortune. Also, relinquishing my
aversion to canvassing a
neighborhood in a voting
16
The Babylonian Tarot
Before Egypt...
...There was Babylon
Over four thousand years ago, the Sumerians
built the world's first cities near the floodplains of ancient Mesopotamia, sometimes
called Babylonia. Their sophisticated
civilization was so influential that elements of
Sumerian culture, including mythology and
the system of writing, would survive for
millennia. The "Land between the Rivers"
was a land that lived and breathed magic,
where celestial gods and capricious spirits
watched over human activity. According to
the author and tarot artist Sandra Tabatha
Cicero, the powerful deities and mysterious
incantations of ancient Babylonia can be seen
as the very root of the Western Magical
Tradition.
The Babylonian Tarot
by Sandra Tabatha Cicero
ISBN 0-7387-0716-3
www.llewellyn.com
The Babylonian Tarot is the only deck ever
published on the deities, legends, and magical
symbolism of ancient Mesopotamia, the
oldest civilization on Earth. Beautifully
original in concept and design, this deck
remains faithful to tarot tradition. The
Babylonian Tarot includes five extra
cards—one Trump and four court cards—yet
retains the traditional zodiacal, elemental, and
planetary associations of modern decks. The
companion book included, A Guide to the
Babylonian Tarot, gives detailed descriptions
of each card, including the deity or spirit
depicted and its mythological significance, as
well as divinatory interpretations for both
upright and reversed positions. This
guidebook also contains two new spreads
designed specifically for The Babylonian
Tarot, and a table of elemental, astrological,
and qabalistic correspondences.
www.freewebs.com/babylonian-tarot/index.shtml
17
Growing Up Pagan
Finally, a children's
workbook designed for
Pagan families! Rich,
exciting stories to read
together and discuss,
as well as activities to
reinforce lessons in a
fun way. Chock-full of
puzzles, games,
mythology, beautiful
illustrations, and Pagan
symbols, this workbook
teaches the basic
Wiccan belief system.
Let this be a family
affair, with parents,
older siblings, and
young children taking
part in a "something-for
-everyone" Pagan
experience. A teaching
tool for Pagan families,
or others who want to
teach their children
diversity.
Raine Hill says: The publisher did such a wonderful job on the layout and the fact that it is
full-color inside and out is just breathtaking. I hope you and your Pagan child/ren enjoy!
I am offering personalized copies for sale at http://www.myspace.com/rainehill and at
http://www.rainehill.com
Where To Buy: Chain bookstores, online stores and many small,
independent stores will be carrying this book. If you favourite store
doesn't have "Growing Up Pagan", please ask them to order it!
http://www.schifferbooks.com
Check your bookstores first!
18
The Order of the Everlasting Day
Introducing the Order of
the Everlasting Day
n this unique Voice of
the Seasons column, I
would like to introduce
r e a d e r s to t h e O r d e r o f
Everlasting Day, a new form
of Occult Order based on
ancient principles, which is
now accepting candidates. It
has taken me some 25 years to
develop this system, called
WEIS (Western Esoteric
Initiator y System) and I
would particularly here like to
discuss apprenticeship and
t e a c h i n g . Yo u m a y s e e
elsewhere on Magicka and at
the end of this column for
details on joining the Order
of Everlasting Day (OED)
which is open to all students
of any background.
I
Introduction
“On an evening before
Easter Day, I sat at a
table, and having (as my
custom was) in my
humble prayer sufficiently
conversed with my
Creator, and considered
many great mysteries
(whereof the Father of
Lights his Majesty had
shown me
not a few) and being now
ready to prepare in my
heart, together with my
dear Paschal Lamb, a
sma", unleavened,
undefiled cake; a" of a
sudden arose so horrible a
tempest, that I imagined
no other but that through
its mighty force, the hi"
on which my little house
was founded would fly
into pieces.”
So begins the first section of
t h e C h e m i c a l We d d i n g o f
Christian Rosencreutz, dated
1616, a bewildering and
bedazzling allegor y of
spiritual progress through
Alchemy. What follows in the
story is an invitation to a
wedding, presented by “a fair
and glorious lady, whose
garments were all skycoloured, and curiously (like
Heaven) bespangled with
golden stars”. The journey
which the character then
proceeds upon, and their
experience at the Wedding, is
a clear depiction of inner
growth and development,
through the complex
s y m b o l i s m o f c h e m i s t r y,
romance and magick.
You can read the entire piece
at the link I have provided at
the end of this column, along
with two other allegories of
the spiritual ascent in the
WEIS.
19
These are study pieces and in
true esoteric fashion make
more sense the further along
the path one travels.
It is the romance and magick
of this journey that I would
like to write about in this
column. We have yet another
Easter day just today, as I
write this, and I would wish
to offer a similar invitation to
a wonderful new journey of
the spirit for all readers.
However, we must first look
at apprenticeship and what it
m e a n s i n t h e We s t e r n
Esoteric Initiatory System.
Apprenticeship
The
concept
of
apprenticeship has almost
vanished from western society
outside of specialist trades
and certain professions. In
our educational system, we
are taught from the outside
in, and the modes of learning
are constrained within
propositional knowledge and
logico-deductive reasoning.
[1] We rarely learn how to be
creative, intuitive, nor the
nature of belief, our place in
the world, and the nature of
awareness
and
our
relationship to the Universe.
Our spiritual nature is stifled.
It ha s been the Wester n
Esoteric Initiatory System
(WEIS) which has maintained
the personal route to spiritual
ascent, through hermetic and
Gnostic teachings, against the
preoccupation with science,
wealth and formal education.
Unfortunately, this tradition –
this route – has been viewed
as through a glass dimly for
many generations. It is now
experiencing
a
new
renaissance; scholars are
reco vering va st tracts of
forgotten
material,
practitioners are sharing more
experience more rapidly, and
together we are generating a
new esotericism. Arguably, the
first seeds of which were seen
in the birth of neo-paganism
and the revival of the
Witchcraft, Wiccan, Druidic
and Pagan movements.
But to find an authentic
teacher requires that they be
experienced in the journey. A
wonderful demonstration of
this journey and the role of
the teacher (and the outcome)
is to be found in the film, The
Silent Flute (1978, also known
as the Circle of Iron). This
was co-writtten by martial
artist Bruce Lee, drawing on
Ta o i s m , Z e n a n d t h e
teachings of Krishnamurti.
Even should we find a teacher,
our resistance is profound, for
we are taught a lack of trust in
our own early educational
experience. The gifted C.S.
No t t , a s t u d e n t o f G. I .
Gurdjieff, whilst talking about
how Gurdjieff ’s teachings
would often provoke friction,
also writes:
In my childhood, and
indeed later on in life, a"
sorts of persons, .om my
parents to my superior
officers in the army, were
constantly te"ing me
what to think, feel and
do. Outwardly I accepted
their views, inwardly I
doubted them: I doubted
whether they were
speaking .om inner
conviction due to direct
experience. Now I had
met a man who, I was
convinced, was speaking
.om his own experience
when he pointed out my
faults and weaknesses. By
his own efforts he had
overcome these things,
and he fu"y understood
my needs. The older pupils
also, when they answered
my questions about the
system, spoke only .om
their own direct
experience.[2]
The roles of teacher and
student in the WEIS are
complex and mutable. Whilst
we have no formal mystery
school or guild structure, the
Order of Everlasting Day
(OED)
does
operate
according to a graduated
system of teaching and this is
paramount to the success of
the Work. The nature of
hierarchy and control is moot,
in that any self-organising and
natural process has an
inevitable hierarchy of
function.
20
The Teacher State
So what sort of teacher should
y o u e x p e c t to f i n d ? T h e
teacher of the WEIS is not
particularly given to the role
o f Ad e p t , Gu r u o r S i f u .
Indeed, outside of cult-like
groups, the role of
authoritative teacher is
difficult to maintain without
resorting to controlling
behaviour. The experience of
the state of a contemporary
teacher is best depicted in the
late Da Free John’s short
piece,
the
Ma n
of
Understanding. In one section,
he writes:
The man of
understanding is not
entranced. He is not
elsewhere. He is not
having an experience. He
is not passionless and
inoffensive. He is awake.
He is present. He knows
no obstruction in the
form of mind, identity,
differentiation and desire.
He uses mind, identity,
differentiation and desire.
He is passionate. His
quality is an offense to
those who are entranced,
elsewhere, contained in
the mechanics of
experience, asleep, living
as various forms of
identity, separation and
dependence. He is
acceptable only to those
who understand. He may
appear no different .om
any other man. How
could he appear
otherwise? There is
nothing by which to
appear except the
qualities of life...[3]
The Student’s Journey
T h e We s t e r n h e r m e t i c
tradition
contains
a
description of the trials and
tribulations you will face as
you progress in the initiatory
system. You will also see that
it is a process which exhausts
all possibility of attachment
and escape as you come to
realise the truth. And even at
the last stage, there is still the
potential to be ensnared by
illusion:
Thence the human being
rushes up through the
cosmic .amework, at the
first zone surrendering
the energy of increase and
decrease; at the second
evil machination, a
device now inactive; at
the third the i"usion of
longing, now inactive; at
the fourth the ruler’s
arrogance, now .eed of
excess; at the fi/h unholy
presumption and daring
recklessness; at the sixth
the evil impulses that
come .om wealth, now
inactive; and the seventh
zone the deceit that lies
in ambush.[4]
Here we see a clear depiction
of a way of exhaustion; as
each zone or grade is attained,
the psychic devices of the
“earthborn man” (“child of
earth” in the Golden Dawn
Ne o p h y te i n i t i a t i o n ) a r e
disabled, in order that the
next grade can be attained,
and ultimately entry into the
“ogdoadic region” is attained.
[5]
It is this teaching that I
present to candidates to the
OED. It is a difficult but
authentic path, and one to
which not all are suited, for it
is also a long journey requiring
patience and dedication. It
leads to what is called the
Knowledge and Conversation
of your Holy Guardian Angel.
The Scale of the Journey
The WEIS is graduated into
specific “grades” or states of
awareness. These are
modelled on the Tree of Life,
but also from earlier texts
which are rarely known,
dating a century prior to the
Golden Dawn. The Golden
Dawn offered Grades within
several months of the
preceding Grade, or suggested
that only a nine-month period
w a s a m i n i m u m b e t we e n
significant steps in the
system. In practice, it is my
experience that in most cases,
several years may be required
between Grades. In a work of
this scope, the normal process
of ageing is a key component
of the spiritual work.
21
The everyday experience of
life
provides
more
opportunities to learn and
g r o w i n Wi s d o m a n d
Understanding (in Kabbalah,
Ma l k u t h ,
experience;
Chockmah, Wisdom; Binah,
Understanding) and growth
comes from this constant
teaching. The contemporary
mystic Bernadette Roberts, in
her “Experience of No-Self ”
and “Path to No-Self ” books,
writes of the mystical path
being undertaken naturally as
we age, if we are open to it.
Inevitably, physical birth is a
primary initiation, and death
a sacrifice of the self. We have
no choice in this matter.
The patience required to
make progress is phenomenal
and this is in part why the
first grades are extremely slow
and require discipline and
dedication. To some extent,
these train the faith of the
candidate.
We
must
remember that faith is the
substance of things hoped for,
the evidence of things not
seen – one of my teachers
once said, “Hope is waiting
for the bus because you are at
a bus station and have read
the bus timetable. Faith is
getting on the bus”.
a cherished hope that you will
accept the invitation to take
part in the activities of the
Order and engage with
spiritual progress in the heart
of the initiator y system.
There has never been a better
time for such teaching to be
p r e s e n t e d a n e w. I l o o k
forward to welcoming you
soon.
The Worker is hidden in the
Workshop.
You can join the Order now as
a Candidate: http://
www.everlastingday.org
Reading Suggestions
(i) Vision of Zosimos
h t t p : / / w w w. l e v i t y. c o m /
alchemy/zosimos.html
(ii) Chymical Wedding of
Christian Rosenkreutz
h t t p : / / w w w. l e v i t y. c o m /
alchemy/chymwed1.html
(iii) The Wake-World, Aleister
Crowley
www.hermetic.com/crowley/
libers/liber095.pdf
Notes
[1] Ken Robinson, Out of Our
Minds: Learning to be Creative,
p. 61
[2] C. S. Nott, Teachings of
Gurdjieff, p. 55
[3] Da Free John, ‘The Man of
Understanding’, in The Knee of
Listening, p.269
{4] Brian P. Copenhaver,
Hermetica (Cambridge:
Cambridge University Press,
1992) p. 6. See also Salaman,
van Oyen, Wharton & Mahé,
The Way of Hermes (London:
Duckworth, 1999) p. 23
Tarosophy by Marcus Katz
"From the first steps in
reading Tarot through
metaphysical
correspondences and on to
professional marketing, this
book has it all! Marcus
Katz's Tarosophy is a work of
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—Mary K. Greer, author of
21 Ways to Read a Tarot Card
[5] Copenhaver, Ibid, p. 6
Conclusion
I hope in this column I have
provoked your interest in the
WEIS and the OED, the
Order of Everlasting Day. It is
Marcus Katz
www.farawaycentre.com
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22
Marcus Katz
Marcus Katz has been studying and teaching Witchcraft and Magick for
over thirty years. He is an initiated Witch and teaches Magick, Kabbalah
and Witchcraft at the Far Away Centre in the heart of the English Lake
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world to be awarded a Masters Degree in Western Esotericism at the
prestigious University of Exeter. He is presently a PhD Researcher in the
history of Occult Groups. His courses on Magicka include the Magician’s
Kabbalah and the Zodiacal Rituals.
Websites:
http://www.farawaycentre.com
http://www.tarotprofessionals.com
23
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Secrets of a Golden Dawn Temple
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25
Mer lin By Gy p s y Ava l o n
M
Pictures and Links
erlin
The boy was found but revealed
The character of Merlin has that there was a hollowed out
t a ke n o n m a n y g u i s e s stone beneath the base where a
throughout
A r t h u r i a n red and white dragon were
fighting. The dragons were dug
Mythology.
out and the boy interpreted
their fighting as a war between
Myrddin Wylt (Wild)
the Britons and the Saxons.
Myrddin Wylt was a court
prophet of Gwenddleu. He had Merlin
poetic skills and wrote long
changes
Ut h e r
poems. When Gwenddleu was Me r l i n
defeated in battle, Myrddin Pendragon into the likeness of
succumbed to his grief at losing Gorlois, husband of Igraine,
his master and fled into the which results in the birth of
woods where he lived as a wild Arthur.
man.
The Grail Quest
Lailoken
Celtic Origins
In this stor y, Lailoken was The cauldron of the Dagda was
rescued from the woods and o n e o f t h e f o u r m y s t i c a l
brought back to court. He symbols revered by the Celts. It
eventually began prophesising had two magickal properties. It
again and also took on the role c o u l d p r o d u c e u n l i m i t e d
of the court’s fool.
supplies of food and it could
r e g e n e r a t e l i f e . It w a s
Ambrosius
associated with the cauldron
given to the King of Ireland by
This figure is combined with Bran the ancient king or god of
Myrrdin Wylt in the time of Britain whose head was buried
Vortigen. Vortigen attempted at the Tower of London in
to construct a castle yet it kept o r d e r t o g u a r d t h e l a n d .
collapsing. His seer advised him Another magick cauldron in
to sacrifice a young fatherless Celtic mythology is that of
boy and sprinkle his blood on Cerridwen, which bestowed the
the foundations.
gifts of prophecy
Merlin, C13th Manuscript
Depicted in the Nuremberg
Chronicle 1493
Enlisting the help of a giant to build
Stonehenge
(MS British Library, Egerton 3208)
26
and inspiration on the great Their only religious counselors
were the holy hermits they met
Welsh bard Taliesin.
at remote shrines on their
Taliesin himself was the author j o u r n e y s - r e m n a n t s o f t h e
of the early poem Preiddeu a n c i e n t C e l t i c m o n a s t i c
Annwn in which Arthur and his settlements. This alternative
companion set off in the ship source of religious teaching
P r y d w e n t o r e c o v e r a provided the appropriate setting
m y s t e r i o u s p e a r l r i m m e d for the mysterious Grail.
cauldron guarded by the nine
C e l t i c p r i e s t e s s e s i n t h e Avalon
Other world kingdom of
Annwn. Its properties included The “isle of apples” was the final
perpetual nourishment and resting place of Arthur. Arthur’s
fer tility. They made se ven death takes place in the last
expeditions and at the end only battle, where he and his son
seven knights returned. It is not Mordred fight and impale one
known if they ever found the another with their spears.
cauldron, but it may be the
same cauldron Bran tried to The dying king asks his knight
bring back from Ireland in the Bedivere to cast excalibur into
Ma b i n o g i o n . O t h e r C e l t i c the lake and makes this request
sources speak of the magickal three times as Bedivere cannot
cup of the sea god Manannan find it in his heart to dispose of
mac
Lir,
which
h a d the sword.
discriminating properties in
that it would break into pieces On the third request the sword
is cast and a lady’s hand rises
if a lie were told over it.
from the lake, catches it and
From Celtic sources, then we brandishes it three times in the
ha ve the idea of a ma gick air then returns under the water.
cauldron, a severed head and a Excalibur has at last returned to
discriminating cup. All these its final resting place.
symbols reappear in the various
When Bedivere returns he finds
retellings of the Grail Legend
Arthur has been taken by a
barge, escorted by the nine
sisters of Avalon, including his
The Grail and Arthur
In some respects the stories of sister, Morgan Le Fay back to
the Holy Grail sit uneasily Avalon.
within Arthurian mythology. It
is the ultimate quest for the
knights and for many a hopeless
one. The flower of Arthur's
knights go after it and the
fellowship of the Round Table
is effectively broken. Yet in
other respects the Arthurian
setting is the only one capable
of bearing such a story. We have
seen how the individual quests
of the knights made them
autonomous figures in their
search for self mastery.
Arthur’s Return
A tale is told that once in the
hills of Gwynedd, a shepherd
boy stumbled upon a cave
entrance under a hazel tree and
crawling into the cave came
upon a circle of seven knights
sleeping and Arthur himself
sitting asleep at a stone table in
the middle of them. His hair
and fingernails had grown long
and a hor n and sword lay
beside him on the table. When
the boy tried to lift the sword,
Arthur half roused from sleep,
demanded to know if it was
time yet, where upon the boy
ran away in fear. Other versions
of the stor y have the boy
blowing the horn twice and
half waking the sleepers who
again demand 'Is it time?', but
the boy flees rather than daring
to blow the horn a a third time
and wake them completely. The
idea of an enchanted cave in
which Arthur lies with his best
knights ready to wake and
defend the land in need is a
powerful one and brings us
back full circle to the Celtic
origins of his kingship.
This conclude the series on Celtic
and Arthurian Mythology. I hope
you have enjoyed journeying into
these mystical realms which my
Celtic-Arthurian Wicca is based on.
Avalon Blessings, Gypsy
27