Friday, March 2, 2012

Research on Druidry Week 5, Earth Path Reflections: Foundations

Updates on my ongoing research into Druidry via the year long dedicant course courtesy of the Black Mountain Druid Order


My Homework
------------------------------
Month 2 Week 1 Earth Path Reflections: Foundations
For the rest of this week, try to spend at least fifteen minutes per day in nature. Go to a park if there is one nearby, or just spend time out in the back yard if you have a yard. Pay attention to the moment, observing what you see going on in the natural world around you. 


Try this: Before going out on your daily nature exercise, take your pulse and record the number of beats per minute. After completing your fifteen minutes of simply observing nature, take your pulse again and record the number of beats per minute. Was there a difference? 



As you become practiced at observing nature, focus on the stillness. Picture your mind as the surface of a lake. Allow your mind to become quiet. See the ripples of thought on the lake of your mind slowly calming until the surface is like glass.



As you practice this for this week, it may help to do the Basic Mindful Meditation from the previous lesson. 



After a week of spending time in nature, post your reflections on these questions:
1. As you spend time in nature, what changes do you notice in yourself?
2. As you spend time in nature, do you see things you've never noticed before?
3. Did you have any new experiences?
4. If so, what were they?

------------------------------


1. As you spend time in nature, what changes do you notice in yourself?


Much like the first week, I immediately see balance being restored in my body, and in my spirit - it's as if I was viewing those old weigh scales and someone deposited something heavy on the other side, and it starts creeping into balance, lifting me up!


Very inspiring.


I feel more alert, I'm not sure if its due to the extra oxygen, additional sensory input etc. Whatever it is, I feel my senses heightened.

2. As you spend time in nature, do you see things you've never noticed before?


Definitely, Im trying to pay attention and learn more about the plants and animals in our area. I was getting pretty good at identifying every tree on my property in Virginia, but we're now back in Canada so I'm having to re-aquaint myself with the local trees here. I know the commons ones, Pine, Oak etc. But now am starting to recognize plants, shrubs and other less common trees.


When my mother was a kid she used to know every name of every plant she could see, and when I was young she taught them to me. But she grew up on the farm, I in the city and suburbs.


3. Did you have any new experiences?


Yes!

4. If so, what were they?



This week I started to notice the flight pattern of Chickadees as they approached my bird feeder. It's like a wave! They start falling in an arc, then flap their wings briefly, rise up and forward, then start falling down again. Like a sine wave for any of you science majors!


Yet I notice the Junkos and other birds don't do it quite like that as they approach the feeder, they have more of a direct flight path.




Read Eoghan's Latest Book - Northern Wisdom



Explore the Havamal - "Tao" of the Vikings

The Orient has long shared its ancient wisdom, and so now do the Northmen.

Northern Wisdom presents ancient Viking parables and knowledge in a delightfully accessible modern format.

Combining Teachings on par with Buddha, Sun-Tzu, Myamoto Musashi, Nicollo Machiavelli & Lao Tzu, The Havamal sheds light on forgotten lore of the dark ages.

In the days of the shield-wall, there yet lived poets, scribes and philosophers.

In Northern Wisdom you will:
  • Journey through the Mundane and the Mystical passages of the Havamal
  • Discover the famed Hospitality of the Northmen
  • Learn Maxims for respectable conduct
  • Develop the Leadership traits of Heroes
  • Explore tips for safe travel in Dark Ages Europe
  • Uncover lessons for the bravest Warriors
  • Share in the secrets of Odin's Love Quests
  • Tap into the power of Viking Magic

(Use Code: DLMW384R ) Valid for Any of his Books!

Read more about Eoghan and his other books at www.eoghanodinsson.com or click below to buy other books.




Use Code: DLMW384R

Use Code: DLMW384R

Coming Spring 2012!

If you're not already signed up for my BLOG,

Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Modernized Havamal - Verse 63

Most men have something intelligent to say,
and enjoy sharing what they know.
Tell one person your thoughts, 

but be careful telling a second.
If you tell a third, 

then everyone knows your business.






Read more of Eoghan Odinsson's Modernized Havamal in his new book.



Explore the Havamal - "Tao" of the Vikings

The Orient has long shared its ancient wisdom, and so now do the Northmen.

Northern Wisdom presents ancient Viking parables and knowledge in a delightfully accessible modern format.

Combining Teachings on par with Buddha, Sun-Tzu, Myamoto Musashi, Nicollo Machiavelli & Lao Tzu, The Havamal sheds light on forgotten lore of the dark ages.

In the days of the shield-wall, there yet lived poets, scribes and philosophers.

In Northern Wisdom you will:
  • Journey through the Mundane and the Mystical passages of the Havamal
  • Discover the famed Hospitality of the Northmen
  • Learn Maxims for respectable conduct
  • Develop the Leadership traits of Heroes
  • Explore tips for safe travel in Dark Ages Europe
  • Uncover lessons for the bravest Warriors
  • Share in the secrets of Odin's Love Quests
  • Tap into the power of Viking Magic

(Use Code: DLMW384R ) Valid for Any of his Books!

Read more about Eoghan and his other books at www.eoghanodinsson.com or click below to buy other books.




Use Code: DLMW384R

Use Code: DLMW384R

Coming Spring 2012!

If you're not already signed up for my BLOG,

subscribe here and you'll be able to download a FREE eBook

Tuesday, February 28, 2012

Congratulations to the Winners of the Draw for Free copies of Northern Wisdom!

Congratulations to the Winners of the Draw for Free copies of Northern Wisdom!

The folks for which I have e-mails have been contacted already, but a few of you subscribe and I don't have your emails (you're hooked up via Networked BLOGS etc.)

Would these folks listed below please e-mail my publicist so she can make sure you get your book? e-mail Melinda at melinda@asgard-studios.com


  • Dorilys
  • Darlene
  • Danny Bembibre Gude
  • Soraya Hazel McKee
  • Frigga's Keys
  • Shane
  • loclynn
  • jill
  • R.M Anderson
  • Harry
Thanks again for participating and congratulations!

Sunday, February 26, 2012

Modernized Havamal - Verse 62

Like a desperate and hungry eagle,
snapping at anything that moves as he hunts over the empty sea
Make friend and cultivate allies or you will be that eagle,
and when you get into trouble, 

you'll find yourself desperate and alone.






Read more of Eoghan Odinsson's Modernized Havamal in his new book.



Explore the Havamal - "Tao" of the Vikings

The Orient has long shared its ancient wisdom, and so now do the Northmen.

Northern Wisdom presents ancient Viking parables and knowledge in a delightfully accessible modern format.

Combining Teachings on par with Buddha, Sun-Tzu, Myamoto Musashi, Nicollo Machiavelli & Lao Tzu, The Havamal sheds light on forgotten lore of the dark ages.

In the days of the shield-wall, there yet lived poets, scribes and philosophers.

In Northern Wisdom you will:
  • Journey through the Mundane and the Mystical passages of the Havamal
  • Discover the famed Hospitality of the Northmen
  • Learn Maxims for respectable conduct
  • Develop the Leadership traits of Heroes
  • Explore tips for safe travel in Dark Ages Europe
  • Uncover lessons for the bravest Warriors
  • Share in the secrets of Odin's Love Quests
  • Tap into the power of Viking Magic

(Use Code: DLMW384R ) Valid for Any of his Books!

Read more about Eoghan and his other books at www.eoghanodinsson.com or click below to buy other books.




Use Code: DLMW384R

Use Code: DLMW384R

Coming Spring 2012!

If you're not already signed up for my BLOG,

subscribe here and you'll be able to download a FREE eBook

Friday, February 24, 2012

Music & Strong Women in Northern European History

I was listening to a beautiful song this morning called "The Great Gaels of Ireland" by Damien Dempsey, a contemporary Irish Folk singer. I've heard this song dozens of times, but this morning I felt compelled to share some thoughts around this particular verse:

"They're the first kings of Europe
And their women weren't shut up
Yes their women were leaders
They won battles, gave orders"

Here is a link to the song:

Great Gaels Of Ireland (Album Version)

Most of my readers are familiar with the strong roles women held in our Northern European history, but for those that aren't,  I hope you'll be pleased that this was indeed the case. As Damien Dempsey said, "our women were leaders, they won battles and gave orders."

One of the earliest and most famous examples that comes to my mind is Boudica. Here is a concise history of her deeds from Wikipedia:


Boudica (Boudicca, or Boadicea)(d. AD 60 or 61) was queen of the British Iceni tribe who led an uprising against the occupying forces of the Roman Empire.


Boudica's husband Prasutagus, ruler of the Iceni tribe who had ruled as a nominally independent ally of Rome, left his kingdom jointly to his daughters and the Roman Emperor in his will. However, when he died, his will was ignored — the kingdom was annexed as if conquered, Boudica was flogged, her daughters were raped, and Roman financiers called in their loans.


In AD 60 or 61, while the Roman governor, Gaius Suetonius Paulinus, was leading a campaign on the island of Anglesey in northern Wales, Boudica led the Iceni people, along with the Trinovantes and others, in revolt. They destroyed Camulodunum (modern Colchester), formerly the capital of the Trinovantes, but now a colonia (a settlement for discharged Roman soldiers) and the site of a temple to the former emperor Claudius, which was built and maintained at local expense. They also routed a Roman legion, the IX Hispana, sent to relieve the settlement.


On hearing the news of the revolt Suetonius hurried to Londinium (London), the twenty-year-old commercial settlement that was the rebels' next target. Concluding that he did not have the numbers to defend the settlement, Suetonius evacuated and abandoned it — Londinium was burnt to the ground, as was Verulamium (St Albans). An estimated 70,000–80,000 people were killed in the three cities (though the figures are suspect).Suetonius, meanwhile, regrouped his forces in the West Midlands and, despite being heavily outnumbered, defeated the Britons in the Battle of Watling Street. The crisis caused the emperor Nero to consider withdrawing all Roman forces from Britain, but Suetonius' eventual victory over Boudica re-secured Roman control of the province. Boudica then either killed herself so she would not be captured, or fell ill and died — the extant sources, Tacitus and Cassius Dio, differ.


Interest in the history of these events was revived during the English Renaissance and led to a resurgence of Boudica's legendary fame during the Victorian era, when Queen Victoria was portrayed as her 'namesake'. Boudica has since remained an important cultural symbol in the United Kingdom. The absence of native British literature during the early part of the first millennium means that Britain owes its knowledge of Boudica's rebellion solely to the writings of the Romans.


Enya has a song about her, titled, naturally enough, 'Boadicea'. It's an absolutely mesmerizing song, and I always imagine Boudicca's armies marching to fight the Roman's when I hear it.



Another great historical example of woman not only as leaders, but as heroins and mythical figures, come to us as Valkyries.

Excerpt form Wikipedia:


In Norse mythology, a valkyrie (from Old Norse valkyrja "chooser of the slain") is one of a host of female figures who decides who falls and dies in battle. Selecting among half of those who die in battle (the other half go to the goddess Freyja's afterlife field Fólkvangr), the valkyries bring their chosen to the afterlife hall of the slain, Valhalla, ruled over by the god Odin. There, the deceased warriors become einherjar. When the einherjar are not preparing for the events of Ragnarök, the valkyries bear them mead. Valkyries also appear as lovers of heroes and other mortals, where they are sometimes described as the daughters of royalty, sometimes accompanied by ravens, and sometimes connected to swans or horses.


Valkyries are attested in the Poetic Edda, a book of poems compiled in the 13th century from earlier traditional sources; the Prose Edda and Heimskringla (by Snorri Sturluson), and Njáls saga, a Saga of Icelanders, all written in the 13th century. They appear throughout the poetry of skalds, in a 14th century charm, and in various runic inscriptions.


In modern culture, valkyries have been the subject of works of art, musical works, video games and poetry.


Read More Here

Few could forget the dramatic music of "Die Walküre"(Ride of the Valkyries) by Richard Wagner, which fame was renewed in the 20'th century as part of the soundtrack to "Apocalypse Now" a movie set in the Vietnam war.



I urge you to go and learn more about our noble women, revere your mothers, daughters and sisters.

Hail to you all!








Check out Eoghan Odinsson's New Book "Northern Wisdom"



Explore the Havamal - "Tao" of the Vikings

The Orient has long shared its ancient wisdom, and so now do the Northmen.

Northern Wisdom presents ancient Viking parables and knowledge in a delightfully accessible modern format.

Combining Teachings on par with Buddha, Sun-Tzu, Myamoto Musashi, Nicollo Machiavelli & Lao Tzu, The Havamal sheds light on forgotten lore of the dark ages.

In the days of the shield-wall, there yet lived poets, scribes and philosophers.

In Northern Wisdom you will:
  • Journey through the Mundane and the Mystical passages of the Havamal
  • Discover the famed Hospitality of the Northmen
  • Learn Maxims for respectable conduct
  • Develop the Leadership traits of Heroes
  • Explore tips for safe travel in Dark Ages Europe
  • Uncover lessons for the bravest Warriors
  • Share in the secrets of Odin's Love Quests
  • Tap into the power of Viking Magic

(Use Code: DLMW384R ) Valid for Any of his Books!

Read more about Eoghan and his other books at www.eoghanodinsson.com or click below to buy other books.




Use Code: DLMW384R

Use Code: DLMW384R

Coming Spring 2012!

If you're not already signed up for my BLOG,

subscribe here and you'll be able to download a FREE eBook

Thursday, February 23, 2012

Modernized Havamal - Verse 61

Keep a neat and tidy appearance when you go out,
but don't obsess over what you wear.
Never be shamed of modest cloths and shoes,
or even less of an older car.







Read more of Eoghan Odinsson's Modernized Havamal in his new book.



Explore the Havamal - "Tao" of the Vikings

The Orient has long shared its ancient wisdom, and so now do the Northmen.

Northern Wisdom presents ancient Viking parables and knowledge in a delightfully accessible modern format.

Combining Teachings on par with Buddha, Sun-Tzu, Myamoto Musashi, Nicollo Machiavelli & Lao Tzu, The Havamal sheds light on forgotten lore of the dark ages.

In the days of the shield-wall, there yet lived poets, scribes and philosophers.

In Northern Wisdom you will:
  • Journey through the Mundane and the Mystical passages of the Havamal
  • Discover the famed Hospitality of the Northmen
  • Learn Maxims for respectable conduct
  • Develop the Leadership traits of Heroes
  • Explore tips for safe travel in Dark Ages Europe
  • Uncover lessons for the bravest Warriors
  • Share in the secrets of Odin's Love Quests
  • Tap into the power of Viking Magic

(Use Code: DLMW384R ) Valid for Any of his Books!

Read more about Eoghan and his other books at www.eoghanodinsson.com or click below to buy other books.




Use Code: DLMW384R

Use Code: DLMW384R

Coming Spring 2012!

If you're not already signed up for my BLOG,

subscribe here and you'll be able to download a FREE eBook

Monday, February 20, 2012

Modernized Havamal - Verse 60

It's important for men to know how to plan,
how much wood to keep you warm in the winter,
how much money to save for emergencies.










Read more of Eoghan Odinsson's Modernized Havamal in his new book.



Explore the Havamal - "Tao" of the Vikings

The Orient has long shared its ancient wisdom, and so now do the Northmen.

Northern Wisdom presents ancient Viking parables and knowledge in a delightfully accessible modern format.

Combining Teachings on par with Buddha, Sun-Tzu, Myamoto Musashi, Nicollo Machiavelli & Lao Tzu, The Havamal sheds light on forgotten lore of the dark ages.

In the days of the shield-wall, there yet lived poets, scribes and philosophers.

In Northern Wisdom you will:
  • Journey through the Mundane and the Mystical passages of the Havamal
  • Discover the famed Hospitality of the Northmen
  • Learn Maxims for respectable conduct
  • Develop the Leadership traits of Heroes
  • Explore tips for safe travel in Dark Ages Europe
  • Uncover lessons for the bravest Warriors
  • Share in the secrets of Odin's Love Quests
  • Tap into the power of Viking Magic

(Use Code: DLMW384R ) Valid for Any of his Books!

Read more about Eoghan and his other books at www.eoghanodinsson.com or click below to buy other books.




Use Code: DLMW384R

Use Code: DLMW384R

Coming Spring 2012!

If you're not already signed up for my BLOG,

subscribe here and you'll be able to download a FREE eBook