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Tag: theory

The Crutch of Orthodoxy

Posted on June 13, 2014June 3, 2014 By Gwas 3 Comments on The Crutch of Orthodoxy
Hedge philosophy

You know a post is serious when there are no pictures! In this post I offer an explanation of how to construct your own theology no less! If you are interested in the foundations of paganism, then read on.

We frequently get requests from people who know we write a blog. They say things like, “..but how did you know to do this, that or the other?“.  These people are looking for guidance, and we are more than happy to offer our experiences up for them to consider. Yet some people want to go further. They say things like: “How do you do this, that or the other?“. These are requests for orthodox teachings. Here are my opinions on the relative merits of oxthodoxy on a seeker’s path.

Following The Rules

Orthodoxy essentially means following the rules, or taking a path that has already been trodden before. Someone whom one considers to have been a person of more spiritual value than yourself has been out into the spiritual world(s) and has come back with a description of the way in which that world operates. They have perhaps described the way it works, the way they perceived it, told you their tales and maybe even offered you the benefit of their experience. They might have come back with warnings – don’t say this to that, don’t do this in there, etc. The value of orthodoxy is generally supposed to be that the new seeker learns from the mistakes and the wrong paths of those who have gone before. Progress should be faster, easier, further, deeper. The devout and orthodox religios seeker should be the most enlightened. How does that fir with your experience of such people?

If this were the case, that strict orthodoxy reaps the best rewards, then after several thousand years of the prevailing orthodox religion wouldn’t we all be enlightened by now? Of course, we have free will, and we are entitled to ignore the prevailing wisdom and teachings. Thus, we are bound to continue to make mistakes, continue to throw impediments on to the path to our spiritual freedom. So claim the guardians of such teachings and the preservers of religious structures.

I have a different opinion to offer.

Read More “The Crutch of Orthodoxy” »

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Spring 2014 – The Borrowdale Yews

Posted on March 29, 2014March 26, 2014 By Gwas No Comments on Spring 2014 – The Borrowdale Yews
Herbalism, Trees, Wheel of the Year

As we crawled at a few miles per hour towards the dead end that is Seathwaite in the Borrowdale valley we kept our spirits up and our frustration levels down by focusing on the end point – a set of three yew trees which I knew to be of ancient origin. They were among the oldest trees in the country, and I wanted to see them on this special “gateway” day, because the yew tree was such an important part of the start of my ritual year. Kal was excited too. Over the years he’s grown to like visiting these ancient trees, and now he was curious to see what these old specimens might have to offer.

The rain got worse. The tractor pulling a trailer was going our way – all the way to the end of the road! We parked at the ample parking area – no other visitors today – then got kitted out with waterproof gear. Luckily for Kal I had a new waterproof coat that I wanted to test out. He got to wear that and it was excellent. The rain was now horizontal and coming in waves of deep powerful droplets which soaked anything they touched. I asked Kal one last time if he wanted to brave these elements – the water angel’s expression of herself in full glory. Amazingly, he said he did, so we headed off on the well-signed path across the fledgling River Derwent – a river which I knew well from my childhood.

Borrowdale Yews - Spring Equinox 2014 (9) (Large)

The Fraternal Four – Now Three

The yews were easily spotted despite the terrible conditions and the proclivity to keep our heads down. They stood majestically and apart from other trees of lesser standing. As we approached up the incline we saw the information sign which gave us a timeline for their existence. On a sunny day this might have been fun to read. We moved on. Facts and figures were irrelevant to our meeting.

We visited each of the remaining three yew trees in turn. Each had their own character, and each revealed something which could be immediately tested at the next tree. My meditation was a series of incredibly profound experiences, and so informative. Read on to find out what these ancient yews told me.

Read More “Spring 2014 – The Borrowdale Yews” »

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Cornwall Winter 5 – The Piper and The Maidens

Posted on January 20, 2014January 20, 2014 By Gwas No Comments on Cornwall Winter 5 – The Piper and The Maidens
Ancient Sites, Dowsing, Energy cleansing, Energy work, Visions

I was making the most of the beautiful winter weather – despite all the prognostication from the official weather channels. Tow more delightful sites to visit – one of the Piper Stones, and the accompanying Merry Maidens stone circle.

1. The Pipers standing stones [megalithic]

You can park for the stones in a lay-by on a junction of the B3315 between Porthcurno and Newlyn (at Trewoofe, just above the Lamorna cove).

There are two such stones in the area but I only had time to visit one. As I leapt into the field from the stile nearby I could see the stone standing lonely, the sea close behind it. Apparently it’s an outlier from the Merry Maidens stone circle nearby. That’s quite a distance for an outlier – outliers are usually within a hundred yards or so of the main site. This stone would be visible from the circle but it’s further away than most outliers.

Piper Stone near Merry Maidens

Had it been summer I would have followed the line I found which seemed to head off in the direction of the Merry Maidens circle. Then I could have categorically said that the two were energetically connected. There is every indication that they are, which would reinforce the idea of standing stones being a sort of relay for the subtle energy to be beamed or propelled across the landscape.

When I dowsed the stone from a distance I was surprised at the size of the stone’s aura. The boundary for the stone’s energy radiation was about 120 feet in diameter. Given that I expected low energy levels due to the time of year this was another site that was punching holes in that notion. A notion that I had held for quite a while! You live and learn. Dowsing revealed that the stone is acting as a repeater, directing energy in specific directions according to the faces and edges of the stone, and adding the energy of the place where it was positioned to amplify the subtle energy being transmitted. Seems like Tom Graves’ theory was right.

Read More “Cornwall Winter 5 – The Piper and The Maidens” »

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Lammas 2011 on Anglesey – Part 1

Posted on August 18, 2011September 12, 2026 By Gwas 3 Comments on Lammas 2011 on Anglesey – Part 1
Lammas 2011 on Anglesey – Part 1
Ancient Sites, Circles and Stones, Dowsing, Energy grid

Even though Kal and I had gone to Lud’s Church for Lughnasagh (Lammas) I wanted to do something of my own, so I took some time off work to go on a little outing of my own. The dowsing rods had indicated that the best place to visit would be Anglesey, and so I sought … Read More “Lammas 2011 on Anglesey – Part 1” »

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The Druidic Method

Posted on July 29, 2008July 29, 2008 By Gwas No Comments on The Druidic Method
Modern Druidry

Firstly, before you read on, let me state this quite categorically: I am NOT setting myself up as any kind of authority on the practise of Druidry. Whilst I have many years experience in mystical concepts, ideas and theories I am relatively new to the framework of druidical practise and I do not propose to … Read More “The Druidic Method” »

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