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Post by littleraven on Aug 2, 2007 15:08:53 GMT -1
Actually, I was asked to do this for TDN about two years ago but never got around to it. Bobcat had her course up there, and the plan was to have something as a 'counter' to it. I only mention it because I found my notes for it at the weekend. As for the idea, when the DunBrython site is sorted this kind of thing is part of the plan. LR Excellent look forward to reading it. Bobcat's TDN course is a bit fluffy the grove tried doing but found it unworkable. I wouldn't hold your breath too long Don't expect the same kind of idea though, it will be much more a 'things you should know to get you started' thing. I think BC's moon course has a very specific target group, a group that is essentially 'fluffy'. It provides what they want/need and good luck to them. As I begin to think of this again, the major reason I quit on it was because the concept of the 13month 'course' simply doesn't work IMHO. All you end up with is a series of articles. I couldn't continue with a degree of personal integrity. I wasn't prepared to invest a *lot* of time to create a 'TDN syllabus' without getting paid something substancial (I have to work for a living). As time goes on, who knows? Something useful may present itself, never say never. To be honest the average learner will get something of much more worth from a group like this where ther is a true interaction. In our disparate society, in many ways this becomes the new version of the oral tradition, people gathered around and telling stories and learning.
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Post by Francis on Aug 2, 2007 16:16:42 GMT -1
OK dare I say it outloud? I did Bobcat's Living Druidry course - I didn't pay £600 though! - but I know some people do! Just for clarity she has at least two courses available to the general public - her free Perennial Druidry online one and a face to face residential one (about 15 folk at a time). I'm never really sure why "fluffy" is the adjective I most hear about Bobcat? I don't think she is at all fluffy in her practice. I would say she operates a sort exo/esoteric approach to answering peoples questions or an audience's expectations- depending on what she thinks their level of experience or knowledge is. That being the case most of her public performance and communication is one of relatively gentle encouragement and acceptance. But I think it's a misconception to think that her own practice, and that of those she chooses to work with is 'fluffy'. She has a very strong dogmatic view of the plurality of existence and experience - and this can often give the appearance of her being 'new-age-illy' accepting of the validity of any bit of tosh a person spouts, if it "works for them". I think that's because she is more accepting of (and perhaps perceptively better at) being aware that the person in front of her is not defined, or limited by, their beliefs on any given day- and that this apparent nonsense they are spouting to her is valid, because its part of the machinery of their developing/evolving belief that will carry them to where they are going with their ideas in time. Does that make sense? I know it's not really my place to play at counsel for the defense for her, it's just my opinion that it isn't useful to reinforce the idea that her output is always the fluffy option. Its different from what most people are doing here but there is nothing fluffy at her core! (in my opinion ) Blessings Stephen
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Post by arth_frown on Aug 2, 2007 18:35:18 GMT -1
I've read a few of her books I don't think BC is fluffy just the Perennial course is. The course is OK for the absolute beginner, but I would say is why not start how you mean to go on.
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Post by suelittleowl on Aug 2, 2007 20:06:38 GMT -1
I did the first year of the Living Druidry course - in the first year she gave it so I expect its changed - I am not aware of a course that costs £600, is this something new?
It put me through the mill quite a bit and I decided not to do the second year, I came out of the other side glad that I had done it but with the absolute conviction that her way wasn't for me.
I think that one of the reasons she started teaching this course was to prepare a number of 'Priests' who could take on the mantle of the public and also private rituals she had been responsible for, initially with Philip Shallcross and later by herself with Mark Graham. She did this when her physical health started to fail.
As well as the Living Druidry course Bobcat has always taken Apprentices, as far as I am aware she does not charge for this.
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Post by Francis on Aug 2, 2007 20:58:53 GMT -1
I did the first year of the Living Druidry course - in the first year she gave it so I expect its changed - I am not aware of a course that costs £600, is this something new? Bobcat has a system for payment so that it's related to your income- i.e. if you're a merchant banker on stupid money you pay a lot, if you earn only a little you pay far less. The system relied on people being honest and no proof of income was required - unfortunately that meant at least one person doing the course when I did was fibbing and quite openly told me they didn't believe in that sort of thing...
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Post by Francis on Aug 2, 2007 21:21:00 GMT -1
I am widening my reading. What publications do you read - what's worth a look, what is absolute tosh? Just going back to the original question I'd recommend; "The history of the countryside" By Oliver Rackham. Very good text on why the British countryside looks the way it does and how it came to look this way - woods, fields, heath, moor everything- brilliantly written and researched - definately tosh free. Blessings Stephen
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Post by woodsmoke on Aug 3, 2007 7:10:22 GMT -1
I have found this site the richest source of learning that I have thus far encountered. The links to websites and literature, particularly people's recommendations and of course the discussions, have all offered a lot to me in the short time I have been here.
I hope in time, as I learn more, to be able to actually participate in some of the more complex and knowledgeable discussions here! Til then, I read on...
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Post by suelittleowl on Aug 3, 2007 9:43:21 GMT -1
I have just purchased 'Wildwood - a journey through trees' by Roger Deakin. The reviews were good and the first few pages look promising.
Its going on hols with me so I will do a review in the Library when I get back.
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Post by Blackbird on Aug 3, 2007 15:31:00 GMT -1
Re. not discussing the OBOD material - that must be a new thing. When I did it, you were almost encouraged to pass the course material onto other people. I can see that it would be a shame to tell a newcomer to OBOD what happens throughout the course, as it's supposed to progress in a certain way and add new information at certain times. Perhaps that's what they are thinking? Talking of books, I'd definitely recommend anything by Richard Mabey - I've got his Flora Brittanica, which is a wonderful treasure trove. Food for Free is also very good and useful too I second the Oliver Rackham recommendation - I've got his book 'Trees in the British Landscape', which is excellent.
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Post by suelittleowl on Aug 3, 2007 16:37:38 GMT -1
When I was in Junior school, many,many years ago they were keen for us to pick flowers, press them and mount them in a 'Flora'. To identify them I used a book that I absolutely loved. A few years ago I attended a school fete as my daughter was at the same school, the school had cleared out some books and offered them for sale - there it was, 'The Concise British Flora in Colour' by W Keble Martin. I can't tell you how delighted I was to be able to buy it.
Having said that, I covet the Richard Mabey.
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Post by potia on Aug 8, 2007 13:35:43 GMT -1
There is a definate character to the people that OBOD 'churns out', with some notable exceptions. But they would most likely be exceptions whatever route they took. This made me grin and then wonder if I qualified as one of the exceptions. I don't think I really want to know I've done the whole OBOD course right through but before the new Bardic and Ovate materials came out (I've seen them but don't want to pay for them). I don't agree with all of the materials and I've not kept that secret but I also found it a useful starting place for my development at the time. I've moved on since then - not sure where too but that's another story Blessings Potia.
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Post by Midori on Aug 9, 2007 10:00:19 GMT -1
Hi Craig,
Sorry not to have gotten back to you before, No, I didn't write the glow worm rhyme (wish I had!), I just saw it somewhere on the Web and adopted it! The author wasn't credited where I found it , either.
Cheers, Midori
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