Category: Voice of the Bard

The Ancient Wisdoms

The Ancient Wisdoms,
Old Welsh Prose from 21 Lessons of Merlyn: a study of Druid Magic & Lore by Douglas Monro. The ancient wisdom refers to the wisdom of the Ancient Druids and bardic tradition in Wales. The mythology of the Welsh Druids is often associated with the name of Taliesin, Merlyn, or Merlin, the wizard-like figure that J.R.R. Tolkien uses as a model for characters like Gandolph the Grey in Lord of the Rings. The ‘Wizards’ or Druids were actually the poets, philosophers, scientists, seekers and all- round wise men of their time. They have associations with other ancient sects such as the Pythagoreans and both were famous for keeping no records of knowledge.

Everything they learned was committed to memory, much of it was encoded and passed on verbally in song or poetry to preserve the sanctity of the words.
The Pythagoreans believed that number was sacred, for the Druids, it was the letter.

Consequently, they developed an intricate relationship with the alphabet. Each letter would have a plethora of associations and when each of those meanings combined in the word, it had tremendous power.

by Elizabeth Invictus

Blessings by John O’Donohue

On Summer Solstice 2017 I would like to share with you Selections from Eternal Echoes by John O’Donohue. A Celtic Shaman, O’Donohue writes on the longing of the soul, our spiritual relationship with ourselves and others, and belonging. Blessings are selfless wishes and these are my wishes for you, that you may find self-love, that you may see the light in yourself and others, that you will open yourself to the shadows too, and embrace the danger of freedom, love, and renewal.

by Elizabeth Invictus

6 Things I Learned About Empowering Myself from Sia’s Elastic Heart

Relationships end. Breakups can be awful. Whether we decide to end it or our partners do, there is always a period of adjustment and mourning.

Our logical analytical mind wants to swoop in, be the hero, and save us from our emotions so give it something to do instead of breaking down the same situations over and over again.

I have a tendency to over analyze things, which can be self-defeating; this is an example of the kind of analysis that is helpful.

Since Sia’s Elastic Heart came out I have played it (sometimes on repeat)  to bring me back to myself even when I am in the thralls of avoidance: dying my hair, remaking my bed (even if it’s clean) moving furniture, excessive baking, walking, you get the picture…

Listening to music, reading a book or watching a show can give us the inspiration we need to exercise the aspects of ourselves that left unattended can drive us crazy. We can find empowerment instead of self-defeat.

by Elizabeth Invictus