The Hedge Druid

Posts Tagged ‘signs of merlin’

One of the skills that ancient historians attributed to the Vates of the Druid class was the ability to divine the future from a number of unusual sources. One of the sources that doesn’t involve disembowelment and which would therefore be considered to be relatively acceptable to the modern druid is bird augury – acquiring knowledge from the observation of the flight patterns of birds. Some modern druids take this system a little further, reading signs of the future flow of the universeTo join with the flow of the universe is to follow a natural progression in tune with Nature’s own direction of development. Religion has called this concept “following the divine will”, but then has proceeded to make it a law, rather than a useful option for personal and communal progress. from the historical symbolism inherent in the type of bird. A good example of this is a recent OBOD seminar which can be read here.

I have noticed that I am beginning to recognise the interventions of birds, especially when I look to them for direction or advice on how to progress on my path. Whilst reading Jaq D Hawkins‘ book “Spirits of the Air” I came to realise that I could categorise the types of interventions and characterise each, in terms of what it signified or portended for me. Of course, one remembers the times when the event subsequently took place, or the right outcome happened – but then, that’s the trick of birdwatching!

So far I have identified relatively few birds that seem particularly significant to me. The wood pigeon‘s call reminds me of a time when I came across a tramp sleeping in some woods in the grounds of a large stately home. I don’t think I’ll ever forget his look of sad discomfort and the feelings of helplessness and pity on my part. The tramp’s discomfort was a mirror opposite of my own feelings of comfort and security in those woods, or in fact, these days, any woods. For me, then, the wood pigeon’s call signifies COMFORT. It makes me smile when I hear it’s trill. It’s also strangely hypnotic for me. Often I am lulled by the continuous warble, and when I imitate the sound in forests it’s like the forest enjoys the fun of my attempts, and the mood lightens even in the densest depths.

We are almost saturated with media renditions of the common crow. They are prevalent in most sinister contexts, from sound effects to super heroes. For me the crow has come to symbolise KINSHIP. Generally, if a crow makes its presence known when I am scrying for guidance then I know that the thoughts of others are with me, and that I can tap into their wisdom and advice concerning directions in life. They help me make decisions, although the final say is always mine to have. The crow is also significant to Kal. Usually when I see a lone crow land near to me and look at me I know that this is a sign related to Kal.

Song birds as a whole seem to symbolise my family. That’s probably because I haven’t yet trained myself to differentiate their intricate identities. Nevertheless, when I hear their song my thoughts are tuned into my family. The appearance of this type of bird will alert me to imminent family contact.

Finally, there are birds of prey. Seeing one of these is always a special event, but their frequent appearance at moments when I am strongly connected to nature is uncanny. It is far too frequent for me now to think of it as anything less than a handshake, a sure sign, and thus birds of prey signify TRUST. I always feel immensely privileged and trusted when I am granted a meeting with these graceful creatures. Their majesty exudes from them, and they make ideal avatars for nature’s subtle assent. I also feel like I am within their protective circle when they cross my path, and I know they show me that I am on the right path with my actions.

Here’s is a summary of the characteristics I have been able to associate with some birds:-

1. Wood pigeon or Dove – comfort, companionship, direction of flight as indicator of event or place
2. Crow – friendship, group flight direction indicates path of a decision
3. Birds of Prey - magic, druidry, spirit of Merlin, right path, protection, apprenticeship

Gwas.

Watchin da boidies.

Another stiflingly hot German evening in late July. I was at the end of my stay and would be heading back to England soon. Before I left I ventured out further than I had walked before in the quaint town that formed my temporary residence. It was eight o’clock in the evening and still twenty-eight degrees, although the light was soon to begin its descent below the horizon. A waxing quarter moon would stamp its presence in the night sky later that night.

The fields that I had been hidden by last week had been harvested, but as I walked out of the town following my intuition I noticed that I was taken a different way, past the fields, but not to them. A municipal broad concrete cycle path led out of town for miles and I began to follow it until I saw a sign for a quieter path, which attracted me more strongly.

The path led me to the edge of a wood that seemed to link several local towns or villages together, so I got my dowsing rods out to guide me as to where I should walk. My thoughts to the rods were: “please find me a magical place in the forest where I can meditate peacefully.” I followed a narrow dirt path into the heart of the woods, and the rods kept indicating small groves amidst trees off the track to the left and right as I walked. Each one I scrutinised for suitability, but none felt quite right. During my slow walking a pair of red deer looked up at me, then turned and fled into the thickets between the trees. It was a lovely sight.

Stopping again the rods were both pointing down a small track, seemingly made by a two-wheeled vehicle, that had long wispy tails of grass down its length. It was an easy track to see and I noticed that eventually it led back to the main path. Well, that wasn’t where I wanted to go, so I turned around and I changed my request to the rods slightly: “please show me a magical place on the path that I was walking before.”

Only moments later the rods crossed at a dry spot between two trees. This spot felt different in a subtle way. I could feel the aura of the tree behind me to the right of the path, but also one emitted from the beech tree immediately to my left as well. Also, the air felt different here – clearer, lighter, easier to breathe, filled with the sparkling motion of faint speckles of energy. I knew this was the place, but being on the path – would I be disturbed? Again, I resorted to the rods for the answer : NO, I wouldn’t be disturbed. OK. Well I just had to believe that.

When I dowsed as to exactly where the best spot for me to sit would be the rods insisted it was on the near side of one of the trees, practically sat on the path. Was it not around the back where there were some comfortable looking leaves, I asked hopefully? NO. Oh well. I tried.

Settling In

For the first time I took my shoes and socks off, enjoying the coolness of the earth and night air on my hot feet. Never done that before. Ready and settled in the roots of the tree (again, it was a perfect fit and very confortabe) I asked if I should use crystals. YES. Should I set up protection? YES. I laid out my small five crystal set and set up circle. As the light was fading I felt that I needed to protect it very strongly. I sat meditating for several minutes until my breath was almost nothing and I was completely still. The forest went still too, as the birds went to sleep, and the slight winds abated.

It seemed appropriate at that moment to introduce myself to the forest as Gwas Myrddyn. servant of Merlin, merely by emitting the thought all around me. Recalling a Caitlin Mathews idea I formulated the plan to call upon the spirit of Merlin himself. Where better to meet him than in the depths of an unfamiliar forest at dusk? I asked Merlin to show me a sign, a sign that would show me where I was on my journey. A sign to show me the way to go on this spiritual path of druidry. I fell silent again and stilled my mind to become aware of any response.

The Black & White Minstel Show

The noises started. A loud crack of a thick branch inthe dark realms of the thickets to my left. I smiled, but my heart rate increased and I re-doubled the protective circle I had estabished around me. Something fell from a tree close to where the I had heard the snapping branch. Another crack - farther down the path into the gloom of the darkening tunnel of undergrowth and the overgrown canopy of young birches, It kept my attention pinned to my left. I let it slip back to the circle and waited again, calming my blood.

A loud rustle to my left, close by, from behind the tree I was meditating besides – at the lush-leaved spot where I had wanted to sit initially. It sounded like a small dog. I didn’t move except to turn my head slowly towards the sound. A black and grey striped snout and body appeared only two feet away from me. A badger! It stopped when it was almost touching me, looked up at me, realised I wasn’t a bush and ran for its life down the path inthe direction of the snapping rustling noises, which I now realised must have been other badgers making their way to their night-time feeding grounds!

My heartbeat was raised, and I was ultra-alert. This was not a meditative state, and I needed to assimilate what this meant. so I started to pack away crystals. As I gathered my things the badger that I had startled returned to watch me from about fifteen feet away, standing in the middle of the path and sniffing the air.

As I walked past the two trees I thanked them and left. On my slow and steady way back I noticed that the moonlight was picking out the side path formed by the grass and car tracks – the one that led to the main path. That was exactly the quick escape route I appreciated. How lucky to have found it before!

Once back at the apartment I thought about the evening’s events. What had this meant? Anything? Undoubtedly the crystals and circle had given me the mental strength to resist any fear that had arisen. Within it I felt safe and secure. The rods had been correct to indicate that no person would disturb me. I had asked for a sign about my way along this journey, and in the stillness and silence I had experienced something unique in my life : an intimate natural encounter. I had been rewarded with a fabulous experience when I adopted the correct attitude and presence.

The Badger As Symbol

What of the badger as a symbol? Here are some quotes I found relating to Celtic concepts of the badger:-

“An animal said to possess unyielding courage in the face of danger, the badger was noted for its tenacity. In the Welsh tale of Pwyll’s courting of Rhiannon, a badger was mentioned as a guide during dreaming. The Badger was symbolic of the fight for individual rights and the defence of personal spiritual ideas.” (Source: Celtic Symbols)

“BADGER (Breach): Tenacity and courage. The Badger will teach you perseverance and endurance in the face of adversity. The badger is a powerful protector of both material possessions and ideals held close to the heart. ” (Source: Celtic Animal Allies)

“Unyielding courage in the face of danger.”? Well, it was hardly danger – more mild alarm –  but it was quite exciting meeting the badger. I had learned something here this night and I knew it with every fibre of my being. Be still and silent and things happen. The nuifre, the fire within, burned brightly all through that night’s sleep.

Gwas

Chased by small mammals