What I Believe ... continued

Further to my post of 18 February 2009, "What I Believe", I have considered other people's ideas and am now able to add to my list:
I believe in:

1. the pre-Christian gods of the British Isles;
2. genius loci, i.e. spirits of place and/or landscape;
3. animism, i.e. spirits in plants, animals and some objects scientist might deign inanimate;
   ancestor worship;
4. an energy, or force that permeates everything, though I am unsure as to its source (it could be the gods, or perhaps they are a part of it, like us);
5. the effectiveness of magic and/or witchcraft, i.e. the ability of humans to source and utilise that energy and/or force;
6. the ability to craft magic is unconnected with religious beliefs;
7. crafting magic is a gift, in the blood, not a skill anyone can harness;
8. the connectiveness of all, not unlike the heathen Web of Wyrd;
9. the gods are separate from us, external, not something we project;
10. (most of) the gods/goddesses are separate individuals and not aspects of just one;
11. the gods are superior to us in some ways, mostly their ability to wield power/magic/energy;
12. the gods are fallible, just like us;
13. there are planes of existence other than this one, and they touch at certain points, even interact, with ours;
14. it is possible to know the non-human denizens of the Otherworlds, such as the Sidhe and other beings, and that we can communicate with them.

I am sure I will add to this list as time goes on and I read the offerings from other pagans.

Trip to the Outer Hebrides

I am in a bit of a bind. I had pre-booked, and paid for a trip to the Outer Hebrides with Megalithic Tours for August this year. Then one of my close family members decides to have a "secret wedding" in September and they tell me so that I can arrange to attend the celebrations in Australia.

Wonderful.

Except ... I don't have enough holiday time left with work to travel to Australia and back, and the tour company had already booked and paid for the tour the week before I needed to cancel. I desperately need just one person to book a place on the Hebridean and Highlands tour in August. Unfortunately, it appears that bookings are down this year, so I am doing my utmost to promote the company, Megalithic Tours and the tours, wherein passengers visit ancient, mystical and historical sites.

I travelled with Megalithic Tours just last year, to the Orkney and Shetland islands and it was a fabulous trip. There is only ever 11 people travelling on the bus, the accommodation was marvellous and Neil, the guide, made everything go so smoothly and he was very flexible, allowing for the interests of the passengers. I simply cannot recommend Megalithic Tours enough, and that is why I had pre-booked this year's tour on the last day of our trip. I intend to travel with Megalithic Tours for the next couple of years as its exactly what I want in a tour - interesting, fun, reasonably priced (very good value for money), and easy. Its just a shame I have to bow out of this year's trip (and I was sooo looking forward to it).

So, if you know of anyone who might be interested, particularly in the Hebridean and Highlands tour in August, please, please recommend Megalithic Tours to them. Neil is always happy to answer any questions.

Skellig

I saw this programme being advertised prior to the Easter break, but, as it was on Sky and I only have freeview, I was unable to watch it. As luck would have it, I saw it in the supermarket the other night and, as there was nothing on television, I opted to buy it. I am a huge fan of Tim Roth’s and as the story appeared to have a supernatural element, I figured it was a safe bet.

I got home and settled myself down and started to watch the extras; I know I do things a little back to front from time to time. The mention of angels made me balk a little, but I gained an impression of a much darker story, so I started the movie a little perplexed as to its actual content. I was in for a welcome surprise.

Skellig is about life, death and rebirth, and the way in which a young boy, Michael, deals with the upheavals these events in his young life. First, he and his family move to a run-down house in a new area of town; second, his baby sister arrives unexpectedly and with complications; next he meets Grace, an elderly patient in the hospital; he meets a free-spirited, local girl, Mina; and, lastly, he finds Skellig in his garden shed. Michael’s life becomes chaotic and confusing as he finds himself out of place, and with little support.

Skellig is an enigmatic character, whose presence in Michael’s life adds a supernatural element to the tale. At first, only glimpses Skellig’s face and hands are seen but, as more of him in revealed, more questions are raised as to who, or what he is. Even with these doubts, Michael continues to build a relationship with his strange new friend.

I can’t say this movie has an unexpected end, but it certainly leaves the viewer with questions about the characters. The story moves along at an adequate pace, the storyline is a little different from the norm, the visuals are wonderful, somewhat seamlessly blending the everyday with the extraordinary, and the performances of the actors, particular young Bill Milner as Michael, are understated, making the world they inhabit seem more real in the face of the supernatural elements of the story.

Although aimed at children, I can see where this production would also appeal to adults. Certainly, its transported me back back to the confusion I felt as a pre-teen as to my place in the world and what was expected of me from friends, family and, well, people in general.

Well worth watching, even if I have more questions than answers.

Rating: 4/5.

Beannachd Bealltainn

Wishing all readers of this blog good fortune, good health and a glorious summer.

Unsung

Fortitude in greyness comes.
Not with pithy sayings:
Chin Up;
Keep a Stiff Upper Lip;
Pull Your Finger Out;
Pull Your Socks Up;
Get a grip;
It is always darkest just before dawn;
Things can only get better;
Count your blessings;
God helps those who help themselves;
Pick yourself up;
Dust yourself off;
Start all over again,
... so often said though rarely stirring.

Fortitude in greyness comes.
Not in cheery countenance;
A well-placed arm of sympathy;
Nor coaxing voice of reason;
Or rousing motivational speaker -
All well meant, but inneffective.

Fortitude in greyness comes.
When the sight of those who, in silence,
Tending to their daily obligations,
With ne'er a complaint or confrontataional protest,
Or even a whispered, wistful wish -
just acceptance and contentment.
(Or so it seems to our jaded eyes)

Fortitude in greyness comes.
Not with colour, fireworks, music;
No pomp and ceremony;
No light from above nor inner voice;
No applause nor cheering crowds;
No medals, honours or badges.
No future Bards will recall the moment,
Of some glorious, valorous turn.

No.

No, Fortitude in greyness comes,
When remembering the unsung,
The forgotten everyman, and everywoman
Whose drab, maybe even dreary lives[?],
Continue unabated, uncontested and unrelieved.
Doing what needs to be done;
Day in; day out - with unrelenting persistence.
Those who consistently endure;
With fortitude.

Fortitude in greyness comes.
Plain, simple and unassuming.



© 2009 Ancestral Celt

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Hate Poetry?

Fake it. I don't care :) This is a note of Shameless Celtic Boasting in the grand tradition of our forebears to raise awareness that: (a) we have an anthology; and(b) it's damn fine. PPP Publications are terribly proud of themselves. And if you're thinking why the giddy hell is she annoying ME with this - it's so you know we have an anthology!

Look What I've Got

I am at a loss as to know why, but a talented poet sent me this gorgeous, hand made calendar. I am so chuffed. I knew that this particular poet had sent similar (though each one is individual) items to others, I was unaware of just how beautiful they truly are until I had mine delivered to me today. It will be a family heirloom and I shall always treasure it, even if I have no idea what I did to deserve such an honour.

Pagan Poetry Competition

"Inspirations"

The Pagan Poetry Pages are proud to announce the latest poetry competition. Take either of the images provided at the website - and write a poem. The best, most original take on it wins!

The winner will recieve a great prize: a £20 gift voucher for either Amazon UK or Amazon US AND a free copy of "Pagan Paeans", the first Pagan Poetry Pages anthology, which is to be released on May 1st, 2009! Post your entries at the Pagan Poetry Pages website, in the section entitled "PPP competitions". Just follow the instructions posted there.

If you are not already a member, register, it's free and very easy to do! If you have any queries please email ppp at anfianna.com.

The Myths

I have been following with interest a conversation about myths and how they are viewed by pagans. This stems from a comment whereby someone said:

Hellenic/Romanesque pagans ... [can't] ... all literally believe their myths actually happened.

I thought this rather presumptious. To my mind, the myths did occur. Maybe not exactly as we hear (or read) them today (generations of bards altering each tale to suit their listening audience), and maybe not in this world, but certainly in one form or another. I'm sure some of the characters may have changed, or merged (as he scriptwriters are want to do when rendering a book suitable for a screenplay), descriptions may have altered, feats exaggerated and so on, but that's not to say that the feats of the gods, heroes and ancestors didn't occur at all.

I am also of the belief that the myths were not concocted simply as a means of informing our ancestors of the best way to live their lives. In some instances, this may be true, but surely not all?

Perhaps I am taking things too literally myself?

Pagan Poetry Pages Anthology

I spent a considerable amount of time last night working through the anthology for the Pagan Poetry Pages, so, hopefully it will be out before the Summer solstice.

I must say I am pleased with the submissions and will be happy to purchase several copies: one or two for myself and a few for my friends, too.

I just hope that Fate decides not to throw more spanners into the works.