Hello Silent People :)

[lorna]

Hello,

Some of us louder members have noticed that lots of people are using this forum but not replying to any of the threads. We're not too sure why this is but we're curious about who you are and how we could entice you into a conversation.

So I thought I'd throw a few random questions at you -

What brings you to Caer Feddwyd/Dun Brython?

What do you like/dislike about Caer Feddwyd/Dun Brython?

What would you like to see more/less of on Caer Feddwyd/Dun Brython?

What can we do to engage better with visitors to this forum?

Please be honest. We can't change things if you don't speak up.

Autumnal blessings

[potia]

In my case I've not got much to say here at the moment.

[gruffudd]

Hi
I've not really spoke much since joining. For me I'd say it's probably as after my introduction I had so much to think about. I haven't really had other peoples input before so it threw up a lot of stuff to dwell on. Ie as ever the mythological literature.

A lot of what I think, I went by feeling with some academia; but the academic side isn't really what I'm into. Yes ancient Britain is a passion of mine but for some reason I find it difficult to read through pages and pages of archaeological, anthropological papers... I like to experience. Maybe I'm still finding my thing but I do know what I crave is a physical community.

What I like: I like the range of knowledge/ideas, ease of use...

What I dislike (not really dislike but to answer the question): the real hardcore academic stuff. I've tried reading some before but thought ooph I know nothing haha I hope I don't offend by this, it's just me.

Anyway I'm droning on haha

[lorna]

Potia and Gruffudd - thanks for your feedback.

@ Gruffudd - you mention that we're heavy on the academic side. Perhaps to balance that it might be worth posting more experiential work. I guess there is a lot of academic work on the website and blog but we do post personal experiences and devotions (such as Lee's recent post on his devotions to Gwyn and image of his shrine) too. Is there anything else experiential you'd like to see? Would you like to write something?

- 'what I crave is physical community'

Hopefully we'll be having a more open group Brython meeting next year. I'm considering hosting an open festival for Belisama here in Lancashire next year between Calan Mai and Summer Solstice and, if that goes well, one for Gwyn later in the year, but nothing set in stone yet!

[gruffudd]

Hi Lorna,

I did enjoy the posts by Lee and his shrine. Was such a relief to see something other than a Wiccan altar lol nothing against Wicca, it's just everywhere though.

I've never actually created a thread before bit think I might give it a go.

I was actually thinking about rites/rituals the other day. Thought how amazing it would feel as a group! There are some amazing locations here on Anglesey that would seem fitting. Bryn celli ddu, barclodiad y gawres, lligwy... maybe one day we could bring brythonic polytheism back to Anglesey! Perhaps I could host it, albeit the rite would be a group creation to suit tastes. I'm sure the monuments miss it lol

[lorna]

@ Gruffudd - a group rite on Anglesey sounds really exciting, particularly with someone such as yourself who knows the landscape and the spirits of place. My only fear would be of clashing with the Anglesey Druid Order!!! I guess all the local groups 'share' sites and it's a case of picking a time when there won't be any clashes?

[gruffudd]

Hi Lorna

Strangely enough I've never bumped into them out and about, well tell a lie, I did once on lligwy beach but I wasn't out celebrating anything. From what I've gathered, they celebrate a year very similar to the Wicca 8 fold wheel... just under Welsh names. Of course some of these are ours too, namely the ysbryd nos.

They have their own Grove that was donated to the group so I assume the majority of their worship takes place here... it actually looks rather lovely in photos... they celebrate summer solstice at Bryn celli ddu and winter at barclodiad because of the light alignments that happen here. Apart from that, as I said, I think they use their private grove.

I would think a calan gaeaf rite would be wonderful. I've thought of one before but solo I don't think it would work. Start somewhere in the day to celebrate the last harvest and as the sun sets start a procession to one of the main burial chambers planning to arrive during the night by lamp light to perform a rite/communion in honour of the ancestors. In my mind this is filled with symbolism haha

[lorna]

It would certainly be something to consider, perhaps at our committee meeting next year. For a Brython ritual I think it would need to satisfy our commitments to inclusivity - so be something disabled people can partake in, and also to the environment - so be accessible by public transport. This could be made possible by a car share from a nearby train station. I'm not sure of the exact location myself as I've never visited Anglesey. Failing that there would be nothing to stop likeminded people getting together to do that but not as a Brython rite if that makes sense?

[gruffudd]

Ah, that makes sense. Thanks for your feedback on this. Anglesey isn't the roughest of terrains in Wales but I suppose some of these areas might be inaccessible to some with less mobility. I will keep an eye out for areas interesting enough but so everybody can enjoy it.
Barclodiad has a small beach underneath and a small walk up to the mound that I don't think would pose a problem but I'm not 100% sure on this as I'm not in a position to say.

[mrpasserby]

Sept 27, 2016 7:31:02 GMT -1 lorna said:

Hello,

Some of us louder members have noticed that lots of people are using this forum but not replying to any of the threads. We're not too sure why this is but we're curious about who you are and how we could entice you into a conversation.

So I thought I'd throw a few random questions at you -

What brings you to Caer Feddwyd/Dun Brython?

What do you like/dislike about Caer Feddwyd/Dun Brython?

What would you like to see more/less of on Caer Feddwyd/Dun Brython?

What can we do to engage better with visitors to this forum?

Please be honest. We can't change things if you don't speak up.

Autumnal blessings

What brings you to Caer Feddwyd/Dun Brython?

Having emailed about with several people in England I found this forum.

Originally I was on a spirit quest in England when I wound up in Lancashire where my English relatives came from.

What do you like/dislike about Caer Feddwyd/Dun Brython?

When I have been posting on Caer Freewyd I get a good nostalgic feeling.


What would you like to see more/less of on Caer Feddwyd/Dun Brython?

I would like to see more of a general clarifying statement about general acceptance toward spirit workers and the like.
Initiations: as you could guess from the way that I am always talking about spirits, most of my initiations have been of a spirit nature and they are difficult to explain.
If someone asked more specific questions like in this thread it would probably generate more conversation. 
The blogs that I have seen doing the best offer all sorts of spirit-magic-general training of both the lower and higher types.

The gods that we connect with have quiet a variety of names, so in my experience it is difficult to persuade someone else about relating to one or the other but most people seem to be willing to listen about your experiences then they seem to keep an open mind. 


What can we do to engage better with visitors to this forum?

I personally expected people in the English area to be reserved and so I wasn't surprised when this site seemed to be reserved.

I always need to know the limits of acceptance that will be tolerated (I am not saying how that one will be accomplished). May be with a check box? Like: do you do sigils, do you do higher magic, do you work with spirits, do you do a lot of rituals.  
We all want to connect with each other, I think that getting silly is the best medicine for that.
I will post one of my silly stories to start. If no one objects.


Autumnal blessings

[Heron]

May 12, 2017 0:50:58 GMT -1 mrpasserby said:

What would you like to see more/less of on Caer Feddwyd/Dun Brython?

I would like to see more of a general clarifying statement about general acceptance toward spirit workers and the like.
Initiations: as you could guess from the way that I am always talking about spirits, most of my initiations have been of a spirit nature and they are difficult to explain.
If someone asked more specific questions like in this thread it would probably generate more conversation. 
The blogs that I have seen doing the best offer all sorts of spirit-magic-general training of both the lower and higher types.

The gods that we connect with have quiet a variety of names, so in my experience it is difficult to persuade someone else about relating to one or the other but most people seem to be willing to listen about your experiences then they seem to keep an open mind.

Thanks for you comments.

Like Lorna my approach is more devotional than magical, or at least more about discovering magical experience than working magic. I do regard things I have written as evocative of magical thinking, and so more likely to put me in touch with the gods I address. If this is what you mean by 'initiations of a spirit nature' I can empathise with what you say, and agree that they might be 'difficult to explain' (for me it is far better to find ways to recreate them in words, images etc that to try to explain them).

As far as training goes, I undertook various programmes of training when I was younger, and I suppose they did point me along paths some of which were useful. But I doubt that training is what most people need, or at least not of the type that many of the courses that are available offer. Initiation for me is a personal thing rather than anything conferred, though it can certainly be encouraged and validated by trusted personal associates.

[lorna]

Thanks for taking the time to reply to this thread. Much appreciated.

I would like to see more of a general clarifying statement about general acceptance toward spirit workers and the like.

We do have a statement on inclusivity on the main site - 'Dun Brython welcomes all who approach the Brythonic deities with a reverential attitude regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, mental health, spiritual path, or location. By standing with other pagan groups promoting inclusivity and standing against discrimination and hatred we aim to help create a more tolerant world.'

All welcome - spirit workers included Maybe we need to make sure this statement appears clearly on this forum and on the blog too?

Initiations: as you could guess from the way that I am always talking about spirits, most of my initiations have been of a spirit nature and they are difficult to explain.
If someone asked more specific questions like in this thread it would probably generate more conversation. 
The blogs that I have seen doing the best offer all sorts of spirit-magic-general training of both the lower and higher types.

In relation to initiation I personally don't follow a magical tradition as I assume you do? But I do see my path as a Brythonic polytheist and awenydd* as an initiatory path. Beginning in 2012 I had a series of initiatory experiences that led to me dedicating myself to Gwyn ap Nudd then a dedication to my path as an awenydd. I have been serving an apprenticeship to Gwyn for over four years now and it is my intuition that this will be completed following the publication of my third book in a trilogy written with his guidance and dedicated to him. I've recorded some of my experiences here - lornasmithers.wordpress.com/articles/gwyn-ap-nudd/

There is brief conversation about initiation under the 'Rites of Passage' thread.

I'm interested in initiation as a topic in itself across various religious and shamanistic traditions. Research into a Benedictine community at a local (dissolved and demolished) priory has led me to looking into how one becomes a monk or nun. Basically there is a period of watching, then postulancy - seeing how one fits in, then a novitiate period of study, then three years under a temporary vow then after that pledging one's whole life to one's community and to God. I think it's a life I'd have gone for if I'd been Christian. More scary are the ceremonies for anchorites who are ritually buried and undergo a death to the world, an entombment in their cell like Jesus' death. They never see the light of day again... Maybe I'll attempt an essay on initiation at some point.

The gods that we connect with have quiet a variety of names, so in my experience it is difficult to persuade someone else about relating to one or the other but most people seem to be willing to listen about your experiences then they seem to keep an open mind.

Yes - it's possible for two people to have very different experiences with the same deity. That's because experience of deity is subjective. I love learning from others about their experiences with the deities I venerate as I'm often shown a whole other side of them. And always willing to listen

I always need to know the limits of acceptance that will be tolerated (I am not saying how that one will be accomplished). May be with a check box? Like: do you do sigils, do you do higher magic, do you work with spirits, do you do a lot of rituals.

Here are the forum rules - should be pretty clear at the top of the forum - caerfeddwyd.proboards.com/thread/82/forum-rules

'We respect the right of all people to hold their own beliefs, even if we may not agree with their philosophies. However, this is a site that encourages vigorous debate, so please be prepared to discuss your beliefs and experiences. Members are expected to provide sources for any claims made or information imparted.

We expect debate to be conducted in good spirit. We do not tolerate flaming, trolling or attacks of a personal nature. This site operates a ‘three strikes’ policy, and the administration reserve the right to ban any member who behaves discourteously or seeks to bring Caer Feddwyd into disrepute.

Members should also note that Caer Feddwyd strongly upholds the privacy and copyright of any material posted on its fora and reserves the right to deal appropriately with any member violating that principle. Any person wishing to use material found on these boards should contact the author for permission before distributing it elsewhere, whether in hard copy or electronic form.'

No limits on discussing sigils, magic, spirits etc. although you'd be more likely to get a response to questions on suchlike on a forum based around ritual magic than a polytheist forum as we aren't all magical practioners

*'Person inspired'. This is a path combining devotional practice, spirit-work, lore-keeping, and the Bardic arts in Brythonic tradition. More info on 'Awen and Awenydd' where you can read about the path from both an academic and experiential perspective including initiatory experiences from various awenyddion here - awenydd.weebly.com/

[mrpasserby]

May 14, 2017 6:26:27 GMT -1 lorna said:

Thanks for taking the time to reply to this thread. Much appreciated.

I would like to see more of a general clarifying statement about general acceptance toward spirit workers and the like.

We do have a statement on inclusivity on the main site - 'Dun Brython welcomes all who approach the Brythonic deities with a reverential attitude regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, disabilities, mental health, spiritual path, or location. By standing with other pagan groups promoting inclusivity and standing against discrimination and hatred we aim to help create a more tolerant world.'

All welcome - spirit workers included Maybe we need to make sure this statement appears clearly on this forum and on the blog too?

Initiations: as you could guess from the way that I am always talking about spirits, most of my initiations have been of a spirit nature and they are difficult to explain.
If someone asked more specific questions like in this thread it would probably generate more conversation. 
The blogs that I have seen doing the best offer all sorts of spirit-magic-general training of both the lower and higher types.

In relation to initiation I personally don't follow a magical tradition as I assume you do? But I do see my path as a Brythonic polytheist and awenydd* as an initiatory path. Beginning in 2012 I had a series of initiatory experiences that led to me dedicating myself to Gwyn ap Nudd then a dedication to my path as an awenydd. I have been serving an apprenticeship to Gwyn for over four years now and it is my intuition that this will be completed following the publication of my third book in a trilogy written with his guidance and dedicated to him. I've recorded some of my experiences here - lornasmithers.wordpress.com/articles/gwyn-ap-nudd/

There is brief conversation about initiation under the 'Rites of Passage' thread.

I'm interested in initiation as a topic in itself across various religious and shamanistic traditions. Research into a Benedictine community at a local (dissolved and demolished) priory has led me to looking into how one becomes a monk or nun. Basically there is a period of watching, then postulancy - seeing how one fits in, then a novitiate period of study, then three years under a temporary vow then after that pledging one's whole life to one's community and to God. I think it's a life I'd have gone for if I'd been Christian. More scary are the ceremonies for anchorites who are ritually buried and undergo a death to the world, an entombment in their cell like Jesus' death. They never see the light of day again... Maybe I'll attempt an essay on initiation at some point.

The gods that we connect with have quiet a variety of names, so in my experience it is difficult to persuade someone else about relating to one or the other but most people seem to be willing to listen about your experiences then they seem to keep an open mind.

Yes - it's possible for two people to have very different experiences with the same deity. That's because experience of deity is subjective. I love learning from others about their experiences with the deities I venerate as I'm often shown a whole other side of them. And always willing to listen

I always need to know the limits of acceptance that will be tolerated (I am not saying how that one will be accomplished). May be with a check box? Like: do you do sigils, do you do higher magic, do you work with spirits, do you do a lot of rituals.

Here are the forum rules - should be pretty clear at the top of the forum - caerfeddwyd.proboards.com/thread/82/forum-rules

'We respect the right of all people to hold their own beliefs, even if we may not agree with their philosophies. However, this is a site that encourages vigorous debate, so please be prepared to discuss your beliefs and experiences. Members are expected to provide sources for any claims made or information imparted.

We expect debate to be conducted in good spirit. We do not tolerate flaming, trolling or attacks of a personal nature. This site operates a ‘three strikes’ policy, and the administration reserve the right to ban any member who behaves discourteously or seeks to bring Caer Feddwyd into disrepute.

Members should also note that Caer Feddwyd strongly upholds the privacy and copyright of any material posted on its fora and reserves the right to deal appropriately with any member violating that principle. Any person wishing to use material found on these boards should contact the author for permission before distributing it elsewhere, whether in hard copy or electronic form.'

No limits on discussing sigils, magic, spirits etc. although you'd be more likely to get a response to questions on suchlike on a forum based around ritual magic than a polytheist forum as we aren't all magical practioners

*'Person inspired'. This is a path combining devotional practice, spirit-work, lore-keeping, and the Bardic arts in Brythonic tradition. More info on 'Awen and Awenydd' where you can read about the path from both an academic and experiential perspective including initiatory experiences from various awenyddion here - awenydd.weebly.com/

All of my comments are based on the imagined reflections of real circumstances. 
If anybody is uncomfortable with any of the following comments please let me know what sections and I will rephrase them or delete them. I wont take offense. 
In relation to initiation I personally don't follow a magical tradition as I assume you do? But I do see my path as a Brythonic polytheist and awenydd* as an initiatory path. Beginning in 2012 I had a series of initiatory experiences that led to me dedicating myself to Gwyn ap Nudd then a dedication to my path as an awenydd. I have been serving an apprenticeship to Gwyn for over four years now and it is my intuition that this will be completed following the publication of my third book in a trilogy written with his guidance and dedicated to him. I've recorded some of my experiences here - lornasmithers.wordpress.com/articles/gwyn-ap-nudd/

Lorna, Thanks for being patient with me, some of my initiations are oath bound, some of my initiations are unbelievable, but some few I am free to talk about. 
A little more information about my situation is that I write volumes but post little. Part of the reason for this is that in my spirit quests I have the complication of other beings being involved, not all of whom want to be talked about in public. That is why despite all appearances I am still working on a work around post about the wild hunt that is detailed as far as my parts are concerned but leaves out those who wish not to be named.
One of my personal initiation experiences: *"you have to go below all things/forms, before you can rise above all things/forms" . This is my broom closet justification for one of my lower earth initiations. I was excited to be allowed to remember the initiation part of this specific spirit quest because my memories contain my initiation while in the presents of a powerful potent of the past.
Information: 'I don't really try to keep a exact track of these things because I know that it is only a courtesy to me that I am allowed to remember anything at all'.
I was on a spirit quest to investigate deep into the past concerning the Thoth legacy in Egypt, when I was confronted by some of the local spirits and offered an initiation into their realm **'in this case I considered it like a honorary degree' the group of ancient practitioners who use a ***tool/device to communicate with a special Snake(s). I as always was searching for spirit meaning and more important directions (getting lost in the big Other is easy to do), LOL. Anyway, as I passed by this group that had Great enthusiasm to add a new initiate to their ranks, (Comment: it always seams to bring great joy for a group who really cairs to add to their number or initiates). Thats is about it I placed one hand under the snake lifting it up (really heavy) and held a ancient device a few inches in front of her mouth and then she began to weave her head back and forth in a determinate manner while at the same time making a bunch of hissing sounds, during this time the ancient (interpreter) device began vibrating and I heard the words in a clear feminine voice say: 'you are initiated'. Then I having already gotten my directions from the locals passed by the group and headed straight out to finish my spirit quest.

*(paraphrased) a quote from a Historical document containing esoteric information.
**(clarifying comment) I have been initiated and baptized and joined many groups over the years (and been chased away from a few), while I pursue my spirit quests. Hence the sudo name MrPasserby.  It always seems the best way to get close to the people who usually shy away from strangers, but who frequently warm up to new initiates very quickly. I am always quit clear that my spirit quest takes priority over my local allegiance, but then I am quick to add that I am glad to become associated with yet another group of friendly beings.
***as a point of interest I have since spotted the very same (interpreter) device in some pictures of ancient egyptian tools and as a added bonus I have also seen a picture that looks like the same device but was a dozen or more times larger. I would like to go on a spirit quest some day to discover who or what that giant device was used to express interpreted language for. 

[mrpasserby]

May 13, 2017 12:57:31 GMT -1 Heron said:

May 12, 2017 0:50:58 GMT -1 mrpasserby said:

What would you like to see more/less of on Caer Feddwyd/Dun Brython?

I would like to see more of a general clarifying statement about general acceptance toward spirit workers and the like.
Initiations: as you could guess from the way that I am always talking about spirits, most of my initiations have been of a spirit nature and they are difficult to explain.
If someone asked more specific questions like in this thread it would probably generate more conversation. 
The blogs that I have seen doing the best offer all sorts of spirit-magic-general training of both the lower and higher types.

The gods that we connect with have quiet a variety of names, so in my experience it is difficult to persuade someone else about relating to one or the other but most people seem to be willing to listen about your experiences then they seem to keep an open mind.

'Like Lorna my approach is more devotional than magical, or at least more about discovering magical experience than working magic. I do regard things I have written as evocative of magical thinking, and so more likely to put me in touch with the gods I address. If this is what you mean by 'initiations of a spirit nature' I can empathise with what you say, and agree that they might be 'difficult to explain' (for me it is far better to find ways to recreate them in words, images etc that to try to explain them)'.

Heron, your valued comments always seem to cover what i would like to say. If I could write in pictures/images sharing informative information would go so much better. Thanks