The Druidic College

We are entering my favorite time of the year. The farmers' markets are in full bloom, and we can find savory delicacies Wednesday through Sunday, all locally-grown, and it will only get better as the summer progresses. Fresh strawberries abound, as well as crimson-colored lettuces that would make any artist envious of our salads. Soon raspberries and blueberries will be gracing our tables, and then apricots and peaches. Oh, yum!!

We are standing in a valley, flanked by sand covered mountains with rocky outcrops peppered along the ridges. Before us lies a beautiful deep blue lake, its glistening surface reflecting the luminous light of the Full Moon. In the center of the lake is a lush green island. Confidently you walk into the cerulean blue water and follow a rock-lined path along the bottom of the lake until you find the entrance into an Underworld cave. The cave walls are lined with bright glowing gems of red, pink and yellow, green, blue and magenta… you follow the winding path down. Your spirit and animal guides meet you as you enter the realm of the Underworld. They guide you along a twisted narrow path that leads you deeper and deeper until you find yourself entering a dark forest. The path winds and turns past huge ancient trees. Eventually you find you way to a clearing of tall green grass, bright with the light of the full moon. In the center of the clearing stands a well. Its moss covered stones radiant with moonlight. Sitting next to the well is a wooden bucket attached to a long rope. There are several hawthorn trees covered with wish rags growing around the well. This is the well of Bridget, a well of wisdom and healing.

The Bardic path guides the Novice on an extensive study of Celtic history, but inevitably history raises more questions than it can answer. In fact, the closer a student scrutinizes the accepted story of western civilization, the more gaps appear in the chronology itself. These "Dark Ages" have fallen repeatedly over the course of human history; in the Middle East at the end of the Bronze Age is one example, a is Medieval Europe from the Fall of Rome to the Battle of Hastings. We are led to believe that these Dark Ages are large spans of years during which learning took a back seat to survival, few records were kept from this time, and even fewer remain. However, if we apply other disciplines to look for insight into these times of darkness, we are faced with so many contradictions one is inclined to believe, astonishingly enough, that the orthodox time line has been augmented with several intervals of "phantom time" that never occurred.

Cultivated by the Egyptians, Greeks, Hindus and Arabs, Calendula (Marigold) grew in European gardens and has been used medicinally since the 12th century. Its name comes from the Latin word, calends, the first day of every month, because of its long flowering period. It is important to note, however, that not all household plants called marigold are members of the calendula family.

The philosophy of tinctures is to capture the spiritual and physical essence of the plant. Tinctures have proven to be more powerful and longer lasting than dried herbs. What are tinctures? A tincture is a liquid herbal extract made by soaking herbs in solvents such as pure grain alcohol or vodka, which helps extract the active constituents from the herbs. The liquid is then pressed out and the herbs discarded. A tincture can be made of one herb or a combination of herbs. Alcohol helps to preserve the benefits of the herbs, so you can keep tinctures or extracts in your medicine cabinet for a long period of time. Tinctures will keep up to three years and keep their potency if stored properly. They should always be protected from light.

Once you have decided what kind of a tincture you want, there are several items that you will need to gather. First you need either powdered herbs or cut and sifted as much as possible, or fresh cut herbs. Vodka, brandy or rum, 80-100 proof to cover the herbs. Mason jars with lids. Muslin or Cheesecloth that is unbleached.

Has anybody been to the farmers market yet this spring? While it is still early, the markets that are open boast vibrant displays of spring salad greens as well as cheese made from the milk of early lambing season. How much better can it get? (Of course, local strawberries will be here before the next edition! Awesome!!)

Deep withing a forest, lush and green, there lies a small spring. One warm summer day a Stag came up and began to drink of its cool refreshing water. After a few moments, The Stag began to talk to the Great Oak standing nearby about who was the stronger of the two.

The Stag boasted proudly, "I am the strongest, by far! I can run for hours. I am faster and more agile than any other creature in the forest!"

My studies this month have been leaning towards the deepest of meaning. Within my being, within my soul, and within the Earth. I've been studying wells fountains, lakes, and springs. I find these to be very deep subjects so I thought a perfect time to write about Augury.

No one knows for certain where dowsing began. This form of prophecy was common in Celtic times. Druidic training in Augury demanded much discipline and preparation.

Greetings one and all!

I trust that your Prima Vera is proceeding nicely on its verdant path. It is developing into a busy time for most of us, so let’s hope our hard work pays off lavishly.

Both Groves have challenging, and rewarding times ahead. In particular, Silver Birch Grove will be looking to grow to a more workable size. This way they can spread the burdens of grove administration, enjoy powerful ritual, and fulfill all their greater missions. The loss of two of their founding members, who have done such an outstanding job, will be a hard act to follow. But I see that all have stepped into the breech and will, without exception, perform exceptionally well.

In the ancient days, our ancestors revered the Vernal Equinox as a time when the young Solar God awakens the Earth Goddess. She begins her cycle of fertility, her womb swells, feeding and nourishing the plants and animals. There are many myths abound concerning the return of spring as our pastoral ancestors celebrated the “rising of the sap” after a long winter of hibernation, and the return of the fruitfulness of the earth and the rebirth of their livestock.