Compare and contrast two mythological or folkloric tales from two Indo-European cultures. Include a discussion of the use of narrative point-of-view, the element of time, and any relevant issues of religious (or other) bias influencing the narrative. (minimum 600 words) The two tales I plan to discuss are the deaths of Beowulf and Cú Chulainn […]
General Bardic Studies for Liturgists 1, #2
Compare and contrast examples from the work of three poets in one cultural tradition from at least two historical eras. (minimum 300 words of the student’s original essay material beyond the verses provided, at least one poem per poet) I’m focusing on three poets from the Greek culture, Homer from seventh century B.C., Hesiod from […]
General Bardic Studies for Liturgists 1, #1
Write two poems of at least 16 lines each appropriate for performance at a High Day ritual. One poem may be in free-verse form, but one must employ some form of meter and/or rhyme. Note in each case for which High Day the poem is intended. Poem #1: A Poem to Frigga in Cinquain form […]
Magic for Priests, #10
Introspection – Having done the above work, provide detail of your understanding of why self-knowledge and introspection are critical for working with magic and how you intend to pursue your own course of self-understanding. (min. 350 words) Self-knowledge and introspection are important when working with magic because the types of energies and outside influences you […]
Magic 1 for Priests, #9, Purification Work
Purification Work – Provide and explain one example of purification magic from an Indo-European culture, and write an ADF-style purification working based on that example. (min. 150 words for example explanation) In Greek culture, purification is considered a very important act. “in no way can a man pray to Zeus spattered with blood and filth”. […]
Magic for Priests 1, #8 Warding Work
Warding Work – Provide and explain one example of warding or protection magic from an Indo-European culture, and write an ADF-style warding working based on that example. (min. 150 words for example explanation) In the Icelandic Lore according to Flowers (Flowers, 52), involves a lot of complex spells and magical working, some of which involves […]
Magic for Priests 1, #7 Healing Work
Healing Work – Provide and explain one example of healing magic from an Indo-European culture, and write an ADF-style healing working based on that example. (min. 150 words for example explanation) I purposefully waited to work on this piece after we finished a beautiful healing write for a fellow priest at the Clergy retreat to […]
Magic 1 for Priests, #6
Discuss the relative place and methodologies of magic within your personal religious/spiritual practice. (minimum 100 words) I do not consider myself as much of a magical person as I’ve seen other priests and liturgists. It is not as prominent a feature in my personal working, but it does have its place. I do not like […]
Magic 1 for Priests, #5
Discuss three key magical techniques or symbols from one Indo-European culture. (minimum 100 words each) Three magical techniques or symbols that I’ve discovered from the Northern Lore are galdur, seidh(r), and of course to reiterate the runic alphabet and its magical connotations. With the rune lore, you have 24 set symbols that each have a […]
Magic 1 For Priests, Citations
Mallory, J. P. In Search of the Indo-Europeans: Language, Archaeology and Myth. London: Thames and Hudson, 1989. Print. Winn, Shan M. M. Heaven, Heroes, and Happiness: The Indo-European Roots of Western Ideology. Lanham: University of America, 1995. Print. Graf, Fritz. Magic in the Ancient World. Cambridge, MA: Harvard UP, 1997. Print. Thorsson, Edred. Futhark, a […]
