Post by potia on Oct 9, 2009 12:49:48 GMT -1
The following report has not been seen by anyone else prior to my posting it here. This is my opinion of key achievements over the last year and other members of Brython may well disagree 
Brython report - October 2009 by Potia.
A Brython yahoo group was set up in January 2007; membership to that group was by invitation only and gradually increased. At the beginning of November 2008 a private forum for Brython was set up and the yahoo group has fallen into silence since that time with activity moving into the Forum. Again membership is by invitation only and currently stands at:
LR (Admin)
Teg
Potia
Blackbird (Moderator)
Francis
Megli
Arth
Dreamguardian
Red Raven
Clare
Lee
Heron
Brochfael
Bram
Ceinach
Draighean
Of the above there are of course some people who post a lot and others who post little (often due to personal circumstances).
By mid December 2008 discussions had taken place about goals and plans for Brython and we agreed on a small number of areas to try and progress. These were:
1. Brythonic Pantheon
2. Ritual Calendar
3. Format of Rites
4. Brython Info Pack
5. Brython Journal
6. Brython Website
The following is my personal opinion on where we are at with each of these areas.
1. Brythonic Pantheon
There have been a number of discussions about various gods on the Brython Forum and indeed on CF. Megli put forward the following list of god types with examples of known names/titles which has been very useful:
"The Mare-mother (Epona) [the same as 'Our Lady of the Land', below?]
Sulis/Briganti/'Minerva' - possibly a sun goddess, 'Our Lady of Light'?)
Our Lord of the Tribe (Toutatis) (often the same as the War God?)
Our Lord the Manyskilled (Lugos)
The Divine Blacksmith (Gobannonos)
Our Lord the Ploughman (Ambactonos)
The Holy Youth (Maponos)
Our Lady of the Land ('Sovereignty', Rosmerta, perhaps Donu/Don)
The Wheel-god of Heaven/The Thunderer (Taranis?) - the same as the 'Allfather'?
The Horned One of wealth and regrowth: an underworld god? (Cernunnos, ?Caesar's 'Dis Pater') - is HE the 'Allfather'?
A War God, variously named (Cocidius, Belutucadros, Camulos etc)
local nature spirits called 'the Mothers' and their male associates, 'the Hooded Ones'
Our Lady of the River (Sabrina, Matrona, Deva, Cluta, Verbeia: ?also Donu, given the number on Donu/Danu river-names on the continent)
Our Lady of the Well (eg Coventina)
Our Lord of the Wood (Rigonemetis, 'Silvanus')
Our Lady of the Glade (Nemetona)
The Divine Druid/Wizard/Poet (Vitionos?)
Our Lord of Waters (some good evidence for this one: Nodons, and in Ireland Nechtan and the 'rex aquarum', or 'Waterking', mentioned by Patrick)"
Some of these names/titles will be very local while others will be more widely known. Discussion on deities is likely to be ongoing for some considerable time but I think in the list above we have a core framework to work with. I think it worth emphasising that what many think of as names for various gods were titles and if you understand the title you have an insight into the nature of the deity.
2. Ritual Calendar
As the year has progressed we have discussed various festivals and what they mean to us. Currently we have a skeleton of festivals which have meaning to the majority of us. These are:
We have also talked a little about the possibilities of other lesser festival days but there haven't been any conclusions as yet.
LR started a discussion on the dedications of the days of the week looking at Latin and Anglo-Saxon as well as English in December 08. LR suggested the following dedications (which Megli clarified into Welsh and Brythonic versions):
While I've not used these as yet I like the links and can see why most were chosen. LR explained his reasoning for the choices I didn't guess at.
I've no doubt that as the year continues to progress and we move into a second year of the Brython forum existing that this skeleton of festivals will be developed further.
3. Format of Rites
I think it is reasonable to say that there hasn't been much movement in this area. There have been some examples of different rites posted and some discussions but not many concrete conclusions so far.
One rite that has proved popular is that of the triple toast. This began as an idea at Eponalia and has been continued through the developing festival year so far. Wherever we are we raise a cup in a triple toast. The toasts usually include some aspect of the day, the tribe or the gods of the tribe and the ancestors. When we can we do this at the same time of day but that is not always possible with work and family commitments. The toasts often involve libations being offered in addition to taking a drink ourselves.
Some of us are doing some form of rite at the full moon focussed on the ancestors. For a couple of us that includes ritually brewing up a pot of tea and sharing a cup with the ancestors but as far as I am aware this is not something that we all do by any means.
4. Brython info pack and 5. Brython Journal
I'm grouping these two things together because there are relationships between them. There have been a number of discussions on what to include in an information pack about Brython and how to publish it. So far we have not managed to produce sufficient material that we are all happy with to go ahead with this. Publication of a journal has been put on a back burner with more energies going into Info pack than a journal at this time. Time constraints for all involved have also impacted on both these areas.
6. Brython Website
This was launched early in November 2008. Other than the addition of a statement about neo-druidry this has remained unchanged. This is partially because the intent was that the information pack material would also be added to the site. I think it is also fair to say that LR who has the editing permissions for the site has been up to his eyes in other things. As most activity takes place on the forums I think the website is really more of a signpost at the current time.
Other things not in the list of goals
Francis hosted a successful face to face meeting on his land in July. Prior to this meeting there was a flurry of online activity leading to the production of a document on Brython called Brython Core Values. This has not been published anywhere as yet but it is hoped that an article based on this it will be appearing in the Imbolc 2010 edition of Pentacle.
It is hoped that twice yearly gatherings will be taking place and Arth offered to take forward the planning of gatherings for 2010.
A six spoked wheel has been adopted by consensus among Brython members as a symbol of the group. The wheel was chosen because it has a number of apt meanings already attached to it such the sun, chariots and horses, the turning year and also movement and journeys. There is no set meaning of the six spokes, the number was picked simply as something different to other wheel symbols out there with popular meanings.
Arth has made a lovely bowl for use at Brython gatherings. It was generally agreed that this could and should hold a range of good quality liquid refreshments for sharing among the gathered tribe - oddly I think everything mentioned was alcoholic
There have also been many discussions on a wide range of topics both on Brython and on CF.
Conclusions
When I look back at the discussions and agreements reached over the last year I personally think we have done a great deal. It may not look like much to others but it must be remembered that we all have lives outside these forums. A few of us have families with young children, most, if not all of us, work for a living and some of us have been undergoing periods of stressful change in the last year.
I think we have also come to know each other a lot better over the last year. I see a supportive network of friendships developing with an atmosphere of deep trust and caring.
I am convinced we will continue to move forward in building a tribe that I am honoured and proud to be a part of.
Minor edit for formatting corrections
Brython report - October 2009 by Potia.
A Brython yahoo group was set up in January 2007; membership to that group was by invitation only and gradually increased. At the beginning of November 2008 a private forum for Brython was set up and the yahoo group has fallen into silence since that time with activity moving into the Forum. Again membership is by invitation only and currently stands at:
LR (Admin)
Teg
Potia
Blackbird (Moderator)
Francis
Megli
Arth
Dreamguardian
Red Raven
Clare
Lee
Heron
Brochfael
Bram
Ceinach
Draighean
Of the above there are of course some people who post a lot and others who post little (often due to personal circumstances).
By mid December 2008 discussions had taken place about goals and plans for Brython and we agreed on a small number of areas to try and progress. These were:
1. Brythonic Pantheon
2. Ritual Calendar
3. Format of Rites
4. Brython Info Pack
5. Brython Journal
6. Brython Website
The following is my personal opinion on where we are at with each of these areas.
1. Brythonic Pantheon
There have been a number of discussions about various gods on the Brython Forum and indeed on CF. Megli put forward the following list of god types with examples of known names/titles which has been very useful:
"The Mare-mother (Epona) [the same as 'Our Lady of the Land', below?]
Sulis/Briganti/'Minerva' - possibly a sun goddess, 'Our Lady of Light'?)
Our Lord of the Tribe (Toutatis) (often the same as the War God?)
Our Lord the Manyskilled (Lugos)
The Divine Blacksmith (Gobannonos)
Our Lord the Ploughman (Ambactonos)
The Holy Youth (Maponos)
Our Lady of the Land ('Sovereignty', Rosmerta, perhaps Donu/Don)
The Wheel-god of Heaven/The Thunderer (Taranis?) - the same as the 'Allfather'?
The Horned One of wealth and regrowth: an underworld god? (Cernunnos, ?Caesar's 'Dis Pater') - is HE the 'Allfather'?
A War God, variously named (Cocidius, Belutucadros, Camulos etc)
local nature spirits called 'the Mothers' and their male associates, 'the Hooded Ones'
Our Lady of the River (Sabrina, Matrona, Deva, Cluta, Verbeia: ?also Donu, given the number on Donu/Danu river-names on the continent)
Our Lady of the Well (eg Coventina)
Our Lord of the Wood (Rigonemetis, 'Silvanus')
Our Lady of the Glade (Nemetona)
The Divine Druid/Wizard/Poet (Vitionos?)
Our Lord of Waters (some good evidence for this one: Nodons, and in Ireland Nechtan and the 'rex aquarum', or 'Waterking', mentioned by Patrick)"
Some of these names/titles will be very local while others will be more widely known. Discussion on deities is likely to be ongoing for some considerable time but I think in the list above we have a core framework to work with. I think it worth emphasising that what many think of as names for various gods were titles and if you understand the title you have an insight into the nature of the deity.
2. Ritual Calendar
As the year has progressed we have discussed various festivals and what they mean to us. Currently we have a skeleton of festivals which have meaning to the majority of us. These are:
- Eponalia - 18th December
- Winter Solstice - Sunset 21st December to Sunrise 25th December
- Gwyl Ffraed - Sunset 31st January to Sunset 1st Feb
- Calan Mai/ Belenus - Sunset 31st April to Sunset 1st May
- Lugus - End of summer/harvest
- Nos Calan Gaeaf/ Samhain
We have also talked a little about the possibilities of other lesser festival days but there haven't been any conclusions as yet.
LR started a discussion on the dedications of the days of the week looking at Latin and Anglo-Saxon as well as English in December 08. LR suggested the following dedications (which Megli clarified into Welsh and Brythonic versions):
| English | Welsh | Brythonic |
| Monday | Dydd Ebon | Diwos Eponas |
| Tuesday | Dydd Cafwl | Diwos Camuli |
| Wednesday | Dydd Lleu | Diwos Lugi |
| Thursday | Dydd Taran | Diwos Taranes |
| Friday | Dydd Braint | Diwos Brigantias |
| Saturday | Dydd Mabon | Diwos Maponi/Ogmii |
| Sunday | Dydd Belen | Diwos Beleni |
While I've not used these as yet I like the links and can see why most were chosen. LR explained his reasoning for the choices I didn't guess at.
I've no doubt that as the year continues to progress and we move into a second year of the Brython forum existing that this skeleton of festivals will be developed further.
3. Format of Rites
I think it is reasonable to say that there hasn't been much movement in this area. There have been some examples of different rites posted and some discussions but not many concrete conclusions so far.
One rite that has proved popular is that of the triple toast. This began as an idea at Eponalia and has been continued through the developing festival year so far. Wherever we are we raise a cup in a triple toast. The toasts usually include some aspect of the day, the tribe or the gods of the tribe and the ancestors. When we can we do this at the same time of day but that is not always possible with work and family commitments. The toasts often involve libations being offered in addition to taking a drink ourselves.
Some of us are doing some form of rite at the full moon focussed on the ancestors. For a couple of us that includes ritually brewing up a pot of tea and sharing a cup with the ancestors but as far as I am aware this is not something that we all do by any means.
4. Brython info pack and 5. Brython Journal
I'm grouping these two things together because there are relationships between them. There have been a number of discussions on what to include in an information pack about Brython and how to publish it. So far we have not managed to produce sufficient material that we are all happy with to go ahead with this. Publication of a journal has been put on a back burner with more energies going into Info pack than a journal at this time. Time constraints for all involved have also impacted on both these areas.
6. Brython Website
This was launched early in November 2008. Other than the addition of a statement about neo-druidry this has remained unchanged. This is partially because the intent was that the information pack material would also be added to the site. I think it is also fair to say that LR who has the editing permissions for the site has been up to his eyes in other things. As most activity takes place on the forums I think the website is really more of a signpost at the current time.
Other things not in the list of goals
Francis hosted a successful face to face meeting on his land in July. Prior to this meeting there was a flurry of online activity leading to the production of a document on Brython called Brython Core Values. This has not been published anywhere as yet but it is hoped that an article based on this it will be appearing in the Imbolc 2010 edition of Pentacle.
It is hoped that twice yearly gatherings will be taking place and Arth offered to take forward the planning of gatherings for 2010.
A six spoked wheel has been adopted by consensus among Brython members as a symbol of the group. The wheel was chosen because it has a number of apt meanings already attached to it such the sun, chariots and horses, the turning year and also movement and journeys. There is no set meaning of the six spokes, the number was picked simply as something different to other wheel symbols out there with popular meanings.
Arth has made a lovely bowl for use at Brython gatherings. It was generally agreed that this could and should hold a range of good quality liquid refreshments for sharing among the gathered tribe - oddly I think everything mentioned was alcoholic
There have also been many discussions on a wide range of topics both on Brython and on CF.
Conclusions
When I look back at the discussions and agreements reached over the last year I personally think we have done a great deal. It may not look like much to others but it must be remembered that we all have lives outside these forums. A few of us have families with young children, most, if not all of us, work for a living and some of us have been undergoing periods of stressful change in the last year.
I think we have also come to know each other a lot better over the last year. I see a supportive network of friendships developing with an atmosphere of deep trust and caring.
I am convinced we will continue to move forward in building a tribe that I am honoured and proud to be a part of.
Minor edit for formatting corrections
