Definitions
Soundbite definitions ...
Why do we need them? To give quick answers to fundamental questions, all of which in reality take many years to understand and long tomes to explain. However, one of my favourite teachers always made it clear to me that a person only knows something when he/she can write its essence upon a postcard. As it is also profoundly true to say that the more we know of any subject, the more we realize we know virtually nothing, I hereby offer these definitions with some tentative reservations ...
After each one, I offer a challenge to others to send their own definitions on the word, in less than 100 words. These will be published: the sensible, clear, brilliant, the serious and comedic.
Blessings
Emma Restall Orr
bobcat [at] druidnetwork [dot] org
| Words Defined : | Druidry | Awen | The Awen Symbol | |
| Pagan |
Druidry ...
is the native spiritual tradition of the islands of Britain. Evolving over millennia since the first post-glacial settlers, it was a magical pagan religion and for many it still is: based on sacred relationship between the individual and the spirits of nature, the landscape and the ancestors. Its ethics are based on honour - profound respect - for life itself, its practice based on the quest for wisdom through inspired relationship with spirit and the expression of truth through living fully and in a sacred manner, in beauty and with conscious creativity.
What's your definition?
Awen ...
is the energy of divine inspiration, the flow of spirit, the essence of life in motion. It is the exquisite power of sacred relationship, the power that floods through the body and soul when spirit touches spirit, life is acknowledged, a moment's experience shared, divine energy exchanged. Awen is the focus of the deep inner quest; it is what we all seek as we stumble through life, that which brings us wisdom, clarity, freedom, ecstasy, the joy of being alive, simply being, peaceful, presence. It is fire in the head, poetic frenzy, lust for breath, complete purpose in perfect serenity.
What's your definition?
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The Awen Symbol ...
(used as a watermark on the pages of this website)
was devised by the nineteenth century genius and charlatan of Druidic history, Iolo Morganwg, as an expression of the power of awen, the essence of Druidry. Most commonly depicted as three circles with three lines beneath, it could be understood as the sun at its eastern equinoctal rising point, with the midwinter (SE) and (midsummer) NE rising points on either side; the rays are the sun's gift of light, warmth, inspiration, expressing symbolism of knowledge, guidance and wisdom. The circles can also be understood as the three drops of inspiration from the Welsh tale of Cerridwen.
Heading over the 100 word limit ... in the Druid Network logo, the central circle is a five-pointed star or pentagram, denoting the magical elements of creation, earth, air, fire, water and spirit. While other draw circles around the awen, symbolizing the worlds we live in, the Network awen's lack of enclosing circle expressing the idea of nature and the many worlds extending far beyond our ability to perceive or imagine, as indeed does our own spirit and potential.
What's your definition?
Pagan ...
is a word that derives from the Latin pagus, meaning a village or community. Implicit in the word is the idea of a perspective based on natural law or lore, as opposed to government by laws of men. This could imply an anarchy or social ammorality, but in fact outlines the connection, interaction and interdependency of human relationship within natural ecology. Paganism focuses on individual and local diversity, on change held within nature's tides and cycles, and on forging sustainable relationships built on honour for all things.
What's your definition?
And what other words should we here define? ...