|
|
Welcome to Silverhawks Homepage | |||||||||||||||||
| Just a few things before we get started | |||||||||||||||||
.gif)
|
Here you will not find anything illegal that has to do with Sex, Drugs or anything that will harm anyone else. This page has nothing to with any thing of the evil nature, Satanic worship or the Black Mass if you want that sorta thing then go somewhere else, because you won't find it here. Though you will find Things of the Pagan nature. This page includes the History, Herbs and Spells, and other links to other witches pages, you may even find some addresses where you can order what you need to get started in the craft. You will also find a link to a place of training; for those of you who would like to be trianed in the craft. This place will teach you the right way. Well thats all entry and enjoy. | ||||||||||||||||
| History, and Spells to. | |||||||||||||||||
|
5000 Years Of Herbal History By Herne Over the centuries the healing properties of plants and herbs has not changed. What was a healing plant or herb five thousand years ago is still a healing plant or herb. Because great confidence was placed in them, Witches and physicians of the ancient world were expected to know their herbs. Plants gave healing powers to those who studied them, worked with them, and respected them. In many lands and in many times, healers spent a good part of their lives in the field and forest gathering green medicines. They remembered and scribed what they learned, and passed it on. Today we have the opportunity to benefit from the accumulated herbal wisdom of the ages. This advantage allows us to peer back through history, harvesting for our own benefit only those herbs that have stood the test of time. But even the herbal uses that didn't pan out are fascinating. While the story of healing herbs has it's comic episodes, it is also a dramatic story of human sacrifice, complete with medical hero's, men and women whose work deserves to be recognized. Much of this credit in my opinion should go the Witches of the past because they are the ones who essentially began the work of learning and understanding herbs and their benefits. However when the male physician arrived on the scene, they essentially benefitted from the inquisitions and burnings claiming the right to and credit for this knowledge. The topic of how modern drug companies have distorted this knowledge for profit is an area I probably shouldn't delve into, but what the heck, the truth only hurts if it ought to... Many of synthetic medicines on the market today owe their existence to natural occurring herbs, plants and trees. The original pain killer marketed just a little over 100 years ago is a derivative of White Willow Bark, what is it's name? Asprin. It is pretty much a foregone conclusion, that the only reason the major drug manufactures synthesize these drugs is because you cannot patent a naturally occurring substance, obviously there isn't as much profit in something that everyone has access to producing. Ultimately the drug manufacturers create a substance that copies the healing properties of these herbs, plants and trees, then market it to the world while down playing the benefits of the natural herb. Currently the drug industry is the single most profitable business in the United States spending over $8 Billion per year on advertising and marketing alone! Much of this goes into seducing and providing perks for the doctors who prescribe their magic potions, many of which are completely useless at effectively treating the problem or cause serious side effects. But for the drug manufacturers there is an up side to the negative side effects because that provides them with the opportunity to create new drugs to counteract the side effects their product produced to begin with... A final word before you continue into the following pages. Many of the herbs and plants listed here offer a proven track record of alleviating symptoms and helping with different conditions, but there are risks involved in using many of them without adequate knowledge. Without a sound understanding of their properties and potential effects, one would be foolish to blindly use them. Therefore it is recommended that you carefully research those of interest, seek the guidance of a health care professional who is competent in herbal knowledge and use common sense as you proceed. It is also vitally important to remember that the use of herbals should not be used in lieu of sound medical council and advice, instead they should be used in combination with the care of your personal physician. It is not the intent of these writings to suggest otherwise... Blessed Be!!! Wiccan Rede As presented in the Gardnerian Book of Shadows Bide ye Wiccan laws ye must in perfect love and perfect trust Live and let live, fairly take and fairly give Form the circle thrice about to keep all evil spirits out To bind ye spell every time, let ye spell be spake in rhyme Soft of eye, light of touch, speak ye little, listen much Deosil go by the waxing moon, singing out ye Witches'Rune Widdershins go by the waning moon, chanting out ye Baneful Rune When the Lady's moon is new, kiss your hand to her times two When the moon rides at her peak, then ye heart's desire seek Heed the North wind's mighty gale, lock the door and trim the sail When the wind comes from the South, love will kiss thee on the mouth When the wind blows from the West, departed souls may have no rest When the wind blows from the East, expect the new and set the feast Nine woods in ye cauldron go, burn them fast and them slow Elder be ye Lady's tree, burn it not or cursed ye'll be When the wheel begins to turn, soon ye Beltaine fire'll burn When the wheel hath turned a Yule, light a log the Horned One rules Heed ye flower, bush and tree, by the Lady blessed be Where the rippling waters flow, cast a stone and truth ye'll know When ye have and hold a need, harken not to others greed With a fool no season spend, nor be counted as his friend Merry meet and merry part, bright the cheeks and warm the heart Mind ye threefold law ye should, three times bad and three times good When misfortune is anow, wear the star upon thy brow True in love ye must ever be, lest thy love be false to thee In these words the Wicca Rede fulfill, So long as it Harms none not even yourself, do what you will. A Practical Guide for Astrological Colors, Gemstones, & Metals This is a guide for you according to your Zodiac Sign: Capricorn Colors: Black and White Gemstones: Onyx, Quartz, Beryl, Jet, Garnet , Obsidian Metals: Gold, Silver Sign: Aquarius Colors: Electric Blue Gemstones: Blue sapphire, Lapis, Aquamarine, Amethyst Metals: All metals Sign: Pisces Colors: Soft Azure and Light Blue Gemstones: Diamond, Turquoise, Jade, Tourmaline, Bloodstone, Amethyst Metals: Silver Sign: Aries Colors: Red-Orange Gemstones: Ruby, Red Jasper, Carnelian, Coral, Diamond Metals: Gold, Bronze Sign: Taurus Colors: Deep Yellow to Sand Brown or Beige Gemstones: Emerald, Golden Topaz, Lapis, Azurite, Agate Metals: Silver, Gold, Copper Sign: Gemini Colors: Violet Gemstones: Crystal, Aquamarine, Alexandrite, Beryl, Pearl Metals: Gold, Silver Sign: Cancer Colors: Green Gemstones: Ruby, Moonstone, Pearl, Green Turquoise Metals: Silver Sign: Leo Colors: Gold Gemstones: Amber, Sardonyx, Ruby, Jacinth, Peridot Metals: Gold Sign: Virgo Colors: Purple, Deep Royal Blue Gemstones: Pink Jasper, Rhodochrosite, Azurite, Sapphire, Star Sapphire Metals: Gold Sign: Libra Colors: Light Yellow, Pink Gemstones: Opal, Fire Agate, Agate, Tourmaline Metals: All Metals Sign: Scorpio Colors: Crimson Gemstones: Topaz, Garnet, Coral, Ruby, Zircon Metals: Gold, Silver Sign: Sagittarius Colors: Blue-Green Gemstones: Amethyst, Malachite, Zircon, Turquoise Metals: Silver, Gold, Copper How to Make Your Own Spells The paragraphs below, I am hoping, will aid you in making your own spells and rituals. [Moon Phase Correspondences for Magickal Workings] [Casting Circles and Calling Quarters] [Color Correspondences for Magickal Workings] [A Witch's Magickal Herbal] [Daily Correspondences for Magickal Workings] [Elemental Correspondences for Magickal Workings] Casting Circles and Calling Quarters The circle is the sacred space in which magick is worked, where Witches can meet with the Goddess and God. Spells To protect your home from prowlers. Sprinkle salt thoughout the house while repeating the following incantation: As this salt I sprinkle about To keep the evil spirits out; Let no danger enter in Any opening herein I now invoke the law of three This is my will, so mote it be Visualize the salt creating a blanket of protective, glowing energy around your home. It is done. To end tiresome visits. If you have company that stays to long and interferes with your life, try some of the following spells. None will harm visitors; they merely compel them to leave. Three spells involve brooms. The simplest entails nothing more than placing a broom upside down behind the door. If the guests still refuse to leave, stick a fork into the bristles of the inverted broom. Failing this, go into a room adjoining that which the guests are in, place the broom so that its handle points toward the offending visitors and intone the following traditional rhyme: Get thee hence beyond my door for I am weary to the core. There are other methods as well. Throwing salt on an ungracious guest's shoes (if he or she has removed them) is said to be effective, as is putting a pinch of pepper beneath his or her chair. Failing all else just ask them to leave. Home and personal protection spell for a renter. Say the following while in the house: Any evil spell against this place Or against the one who rents it, Will be scattered far apace And returned to the one who sends it. I nowinvoke the law of three This is my will, so mote it be. Protective Chant Some of these spells came from Wicca A Guide for the Solitary Practitioner. Visualize a protective circle of purplish light around your body while chanting: I am protected by your might, O gracious Goddess, day and night. Another of the same type: visualize a triple circle and Chant: Thrice around the circle's bound Evil sink into the ground. | ||||||||||||||||
| Wicca & Druidry | |||||||||||||||||
|
Wicca and Druidry The two main streams of "British Paganism are Wicca and Druidry. Although both traditions draw their inspiration from past ages, much of their contemporary practice has evolved very recently - from the eighteenth century for Druidry, from the 1940s onwards for Wicca. The eighteenth century saw the development of Druid ceremony, much of it articulated by Iolo Morganwg, and in the twentieth century the MacGregor-Reids and Ross Nichols gave further inspiration and form to Druid ceremony and thought, while Gerald Gardner proved the catalyst for the rebirth (or birth, depending on your opinion) of Wicca. Since Wicca and Druidry share so much in common, it is natural to wonder whether they were originally one and the same, only developing later in different directions. Gerald Gardner, in The Meaning of Witchcraft (1959) wrote "The great question is, were the witches and the Druids members of the same cult?.....Personally, I think they were not; the witch cult was the religion of the soil, as it were, and the Druids were the more aristocratic religion..." At a Pagan Federation conference and then later in The Druid Way (1993) I asked Gardner's question again, and quoted various authors views on the subject. Christina Oakley's article continues the debate, and her conclusion tallies with Gardner's: Wicca and Druidry have different histories. They certainly "feel" different, as Christina Oakley mentions, and I think our Paganism is all the richer for these two vital, distinct and rich traditions growing side by side. Many people, however, are now following both paths, combining them idiosyncratically to suit their own tastes and practises, in the time-honoured slightly anarchical way of modern Paganism. There is value in this, but also, I believe, a danger. The value lies in our being able to develop our own unique path. Paganism, Wicca, Druidry, Shamanism, the Earth Religions - all avoid the problems of the Revealed Religions, which so easily develop into personality cults and dogmatic systems. The eclecticism and anarchy of the former prevent this. And so a creative meeting of Wicca and Druidry is occurring, with some people feeling that the private focus of Wicca fulfils one need, while the more public focus of Druidry fulfils another. Christina Oakley says 'At the heart of Wicca is the image of the God and Goddess joined in love as one'. Whilst variants of Wicca do not make the Great Rite central, she is speaking here of Traditional British Wicca, whose focus is on the act of union, just as Druidry's focus is on the results of that act: symbolized by the Divine Child, the Mabon, and expressed through the Arts and the Bardic tradition. Thus, the emphasis on the joining of male and female energy in Wicca seems perfectly balanced with the emphasis on the results of that joining in Druidry. So we can see that it is quite possible to follow both Wicca and Druidry, since each fulfils a different need and helps to express a different facet of the self. To return to Gerald Gardner's suggestion, we could say that now we can embrace both traditions because socially we are no longer so constrained, and the person of the soil and the person of culture both need feeding within us. Having said this, it is important to realize the limitations of this argument, since many Wiccans and Druids will quite rightly point to the completeness of their own tradition, which belies any necessity for combination with a complementary path. Even so, the mixing is undoubtedly happening. If you were to visit a non-aligned Pagan ceremony at a festival time, you would almost certainly find yourself participating in a ritual which draws its inspiration and form partly from Wicca and partly from Druidry. Ask Wiccans if they are Druids too, and a good deal will say they are, and vice versa. The question is, are we enriching our traditions or diluting them? While some contemporary Pagans eclectically blend Wiccan and Druid practice, research is revealing more of the connections that existed in the seminal years of modern Druidry's and Wicca's development - the 1940's and 50's. The influence of the related movements of Woodcraft Chivalry and Naturism of the 20's and 30's, which could be seen as effectively Pagan movements, is only now being explored (see Ronald Hutton's article in Enchante Autumn 1993 and Steve Wilson's article in Aisling 8 (1995)). Both Gerald Gardner and Ross Nichols, founder of the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids, were influenced by these, and we know that Gardner was a member of the Ancient Druid Order (The Druid Way p.57). It has also been suggested that George Watson MacGregor-Reid, Chief of the Ancient Druid Order, was also a member of the famous New Forest coven in 1939 (W.E.Liddell The Pickingill Papers, Capall Bann 1994 ). From conversations with Ross Nichols, and from his writings, I believe that he was probably not an initiated Wiccan (although I cannot be certain of this), but I know that he was highly sympathetic to Wicca and had many Wiccan friends, including Justine Glass, author of Witchcraft, the Sixth Sense and Us (Neville Spearman 1965) and apparently Doreen Valiente. Gardner and Nichols were friends too, and as a result of their exchanges the eightfold Pagan festival cycle was born. (Or reborn, depending on your point of view. For a discussion of the history of this central feature of modern Pagan practice see Steve Wilson's article in Aisling 8 (1995) p.15 which is based partly on detailed research by Ronald Hutton for his forthcoming book on the history of modern paganism The Triumph of the Moon.) Following their discussions, Wiccans incorporated the Solstices and Equinoxes into their celebrations, and Druids incorporated the fire festivals into theirs. That is a tremendous example of cross-fertilization between the two traditions, and in the last few years we have seen this happening in a wider, though less dramatic form. I believe we can avoid a dilution or homogenization by understanding Druidry and Wicca as two discrete, separate entities, which nevertheless have much to offer each other. Some will want to work in both traditions, feeling that they complement and enrich each other. Others will prefer to root themselves firmly in just one tradition, sensing that it is complete in itself. Celtic Sacred Trees and Woods To the Celts and many other peoples of the old world , certain trees held special significance as a fuel for heat, cooking, building materials and weaponry. In addition to this however, many woods also provided a powerful spiritual presence. The specific trees varied between different cultures and geographic locations, but those believed to be "sacred" shared certain traits. Unusual size, beauty, the wide range of materials they provided, unique physical characteristics, or simply the power of the tree's spirit could grant it a central place in the folklore and mythology of a culture. Even our modern culture finds that certain trees capture our imagination. The mighty oak, the mystical yew and so many others are reminders of the power that trees have on our lives. Trees are living things, filled with the essence and energy and of the Elementals and Mother Earth with an aura of power which is visible to those who are in total balance and harmony. The lore which surrounds a particular tree or wood often reflects the power the old ones sensed and drew from their presence. ALDER This tree was sacred to the Druids. The pith is easily pushed out of green shoots to make whistles. Several shoots bound together by cordage, can be trimmed to the desired length for producing the note you want and used to entice Air elementals. The old superstition of "whistling up the wind" began with this custom. APPLE (Domestic) Another sacred tree to the Druids. It is said that you may cut an apple into three pieces, then rub the cut side on warts, saying: "Out warts, into apple." Then bury the pieces and as the apple decays, the warts will disappear. Use apple cider in any old spells calling for blood or wine. Apple indicates choice, and is useful for love and healing magic. ASH A Druid sacred tree. Druid wands were often made of ash because of its straight grain. Ash wands are good for healing, general and solar magic. Put fresh ash leaves under your pillow to stimulate psychic dreams. BIRCH Known as Lady of the Woods, Paper Birch and White Birch. Carefully gather strips of the bark at the New Moon. With red ink, write on a birch strip: "Bring me true love." Burn this along with a love incense, saying "Goddess of love, God of desire, Bring to me sweet passion's fire." The specific name of a god/goddess may be added. Or cast the bark into a stream or other flowing water, saying: "Message of love, I set you free, to capture a love and return to me." ***Remember*** It is unwise to use this incantation and ritual directed toward a specific person as that would violate the rule. If a love is to come to you, it must be of that persons free will to do so. BLACKTHORN Blackthorn is a winter tree. Its white flowers are seen even before the leaves in the spring. It is black barked with vicious thorns and grows in dense thickets. The wood is used in the cudgel shillelagh and Blasting Stick. Its thorns are used to pierce waxen images. Blackthorn indicates strong action of fate or outside influences that must be obeyed. BROOM Also known as Scotch Broom or Irish Broom. It can be substituted for furze (gorse) at the Spring Equinox. The Irish called it the "Physician's power" because of its diuretic shoots. Sweep your outside ritual areas with it to purify and protect. Burning the blooms and shoots calms the wind. In the part of Oregon where I live this is quite abundant and I would be more than happy to send offshoots to anyone willing to pay the shipping charges. Be cautious however, since it will quickly multiply.... CEDAR Also known as the Tree of Life, Arbor Vitae, Yellow Cedar. Ancient Celts on the mainland used cedar oil to preserve the heads of enemies taken in battle. To draw Earth energy and ground yourself, place the palms of your hands against the ends of the leaves. ELDER Also known as Ellhorn, Elderberry, Lady Elder. Sacred to the White Lady and Midsummer Solstice. The Druids used it to both bless and curse. Standing under an elder tree at Midsummer, like standing in a Fairy Ring of mushrooms, will help you see the "little people." Elder wands can be used to drive out evil spirits or thought forms. Music on panpipes or flutes of elder have the same power as the wand. Remember the words of the Rede. Elder is the Lady's Tree, burn it not or cursed ye be! ELM A slightly fibrous, tan-coloured wood with a slight sheen. Elm is often associated with Mother and Earth Goddesses, and was said to be the abode of faeries, explaining Kipling's injunction; "Ailim be the lady's tree; burn it not or cursed ye'll be". Elm wood is valued for it's resistance to splitting, and the inner bark was used for cordage and chair caning. Elm adds stability and grounding to a spell. FIR Fir is a very tall slender tree that grows in mountainous regions on the upper slopes. Fir cones respond to rain by closing and the sun by opening. Fir can see over great distance to the far horizon beyond and below. Fir indicates high views and long sights with clear vision of what is beyond and yet to come. FIR (SILVER) Also known as the Birth Tree. The needles are burned at childbirth to bless and protect the mother and baby. FURZE Also known as Gorse, Whin. Its golden flowers are associated with the Spring Equinox. Wood and blooms are burned for protection and preparation for conflict of any sort. HAWTHORN Also known as May Tree and White Thorn. Wands made of this wood are of great power. The blossoms are highly erotic to men. Hawthorn can be used for protection, love and marriage spells. HAZEL Wands made of this wood symbolize white magick and healing. Forked sticks are used to find water or buried treasure. If outside and in need of maigckal protection quickly draw a circle around yourself with a hazel branch. To enlist the aid of plant fairies, string hazelnuts on a cord and hang up in your house or ritual room. Magically, hazel wood is used to gain knowledge, wisdom and poetic inspiration. HOLLY A beautiful white wood with an almost invisible grain; looks very much like ivory. Holly is associated with the death and rebirth symbolism of winter in both Pagan and Christian lore and is important to the Winter Solstice. In Arthurian legend, Gawain (representing the Oak King of summer) fought the Green Knight, who was armed with a holly club to represent winter. It is one of the three timbers used in the construction of chariot wheel shafts. It was used in spear shafts also. The qualities of a spear shaft are balance and directness, as the spear must be hefted to be thrown the holly indicates directed balance and vigour to fight if the cause is just. Holly may be used in spells having to do with sleep or rest, and to ease the passage of death. A bag of leaves and berries carried by a man is said to increase his ability to attract women. JUNIPER Its berries were used with thyme in Druid and Grove incenses for visions. Juniper grown by the door discourages thieves. The mature berries can be strung and hung in the house to attract love. MISTLETOE Also known as Birdlime, All Heal and Golden Bough. It was the most sacred tree of the Druids, and ruled the Winter Solstice. The berries are poisonous! Bunches of mistletoe can be hung as an all-purpose protective herb. The berries are used in love incenses. OAK Oak has been considered sacred by just about every culture that has encountered the tree, but it was held in particular esteem by the Celts because of its size, longevity, and nutritious acorns. The oak was the "King of Trees" in a grove. Magick wands were made of its wood. Oak galls, known as Serpent Eggs, were used in magickal charms. Acorns gathered at night held the greatest fertility powers. The Druids and Priestesses listened to the rustling oak leaves and the wrens in the trees for divinatory messages. Burning oak leaves purifies the atmosphere. It can be used in spells for protection, strength, success and stability; the different varieties will lend their own special 'flavour' to the magic. PINE The Pine tree is an evergreen, its old title was "the sweetest of woods". It was known to the Druids as one of the seven chieftain trees of the Irish. Mix the dried needles with equal parts of juniper and cedar and burn to purify the home and ritual area. The cones and nuts can be carried as a fertility charm. A good magickal cleansing and stimulating bath is made by placing pine needles in a loose-woven bag and running bath water over it. To purify and sanctify an outdoor ritual area, brush the ground with a pine branch. ROWAN Also known as Mountain Ash, Witchwood and Sorb Apple has long known as an aid and protection against enchantment. Sticks of the Rowan were used to carve Runes on. Rowan spays and crosses were placed over cattle in pens and over homes for protection. Its lovely red berries feed the birds in winter. The berries have a tiny pentagram on them and are especially poisonous. The pentagram is the ancient symbol of protection. The Rowan tree indicates protection and control of the senses from enchantment and beguiling. The Rowan was sacred to the Druids and the Goddess Brigit. It is a very magical tree used for wands, rods, amulets and spells. A forked Rowan branch can help find water. Wands are for knowledge, locating metal and general divination. WILLOW Also known as White Willow, Tree of Enchantment and Witches' Asprin. Once of the seven sacred trees of the Irish, a Druid sacred Tree. The willow is a Moon tree sacred to the White Lady, Its groves were considered so magickal that priests, priestesses and all types of artisans sat among these trees to gain eloquence, inspiration, skills and prophecies. For a wish to be granted, ask permission of the willow, explaining your desire. Select a pliable shoot and tie a loose knot in it while expressing what you want. When the wish is fulfilled. return and untie the knot. Remember to thank the willow and leave a gift. YEW Also known as English Yew and European Yew. Another important tree to the Winter Solstice and the deities of death and rebirth. It is a beautifully smooth, gold-coloured wood with a wavy grain. The Irish used it to make dagger handles, bows and wine barrels. The wood or leaves were laid on graves as a reminder to the departed spirit that death was only a pause in life before rebirth. All parts of the tree are poisonous except the fleshy covering of the berry, and its medicinal uses include a recently discovered treatment for cancer. The yew may be the oldest-lived tree in the world. Ancient yews can be found in churchyards all over Britain, where they often pre-date even the oldest churches. There are some convincing arguments for it being the original 'World-tree' of Scandinavian mythology. The Yew may be used to enhance magical and psychic abilities, and to induce visions. The Celtic Tree Calendar Beth (Birch) December 24 to January 20 Luis (Rowan) January 21 to February 17 Nion (Ash) February 18 to March 17 Fearn (Alder) March 18 to April 14 Saille (Willow) April 15 to May 12 Uath (Hawthorn) May 13 to June 9 Duir (Oak) June 10 to July 7 Tinne (Holly) July 8 to August 4 Coll (Hazel) August 5 to September 1 Muin (Vine) September 2 to September 29 Gort (Ivy) September 30 to October 27 Ngetal (Reed) October 28 to November 24 Ruis (Elder) November 25 to December 22 December 23 is not ruled by any tree for it is the "day" of the proverbial "year and a day" in the earliest courts of law. The Legend of Stonehenge The Legend of Stonehenge Stonehenge has fascinated thousands of people throughout the ages, even today people are still wondering about the origins of the mysterious Stonehenge. Today's scientists and historians are still unable to come to a solid theory of when, why, by whom, and how the intriguing rock structure was built. Throughout history as we know it, there have been a countless number of propositions pertaining to these commonly unanswered questions. One interesting but debatable point is that throughout history, idea's about the origin of Stonehenge have followed the fashions of the age. In medieval times it found a place in patriotic schemes of early British history. The 17th century age of learning marks the first attempts to analyze it. In the 18th century its history was submerged under religious dogma. (SC 1983, 6) Today it seems that it is undergoing a more scientific analysis using radiocarbon dating and other techniques. Many of today's scientists and historians reject many of the earlier stories about Stonehenge. Whatever the origin and reason, Stonehenge is one of the most fascinating structures ever built, and it's legacy will continue to live on even ages after we are gone. Many people have some vague knowledge of Stonehenge, enough at least to know it exists. But there are many things that make Stonehenge a very special structure. The name 'Stonehenge is believed to be of Saxon origin, although the building is much older. It comes from the roots 'stone and 'henge' or 'hang', meaning 'the place of hanging stones'. (SC 1983, 10) It is located in central southern England, in the country of Wiltshire. It resides about 30 miles north of the English channel, and about 80 miles west of London. It is located on a fairly flat stretch of land, known as Salisbury Plain. (SC 1983, 10) But what makes Stonehenge so special? For one, it is different from many other stone circles in western Britain due to the fact that many of the stones are trimmed into rectilinear forms. (SC 1983, 11) Another thing that makes it so remarkable is the sheer size of the stones that it is composed of. Some of its stones are among the largest ancient structures still standing in the British Isles. To really understand what Stonehenge looks like, in it's entire enormity, we must take a detailed look at it's structure. The circle of stones lying on the outer circle of Stonehenge is called 'The Outer Sarsen Circle'. It is composed of 30 squarish upright stones made of a type of sandstone called Sarsen. It forms a 100 ft diameter. Each standing stone reaches about 13 1/2ft above the ground, and is about 7ft wide and 3 3/4ft thick. The stones sitting atop the uprights are called lintels, and are about 10 1/2ft long, 3 1/2ft wide, and 2 3/4ft thick. They are attached to the tops of the stones by a method similar to that of the mortise & tenon, a common woodworkers joint. No mortar was used whatsoever in Stonehenge. The outer Sarsen circle forms a remarkable continuous circle within about an inch of perfection. However not all of the outer circle is still standing. (SC 1983, 12>) The Outer Bluestone Circle lies right within the outer Sarsen circle and is composed of a type of igneous rock called Bluestone (due to its blue-ish coloring). It contains about 60 Bluestones which are all about 6 1/2ft high, 3-4ft wide, and 2 1/2ft thick. The circle is about 75ft in diameter. They are upright, and contain no lintels. Many are missing or fallen. (SC 1983, 13) The Inner Sarsen Trilithons are arranged in a horseshoe shape, 45 feet diameter, and are composed of 5 independent Trilithons. (Trilithon means '3 stones' in Greek) Each Trilithon contains 2 uprights, with a lintel connected in the Mortise & Tenon manner. They reach an average of about 22ft high. Only 3 are still standing, but all the pieces are there. (SC 1983, 14) The Inner Bluestone Circle is another horseshoe shape, composed of about 19 Bluestones with no lintels. It stands just within the inner Sarsen Trilithons. They range from 6-8ft in height, and only 6 are still in place. (SC 1983, 15) The Alter Stone is a big rectangular piece of gray-ish sandstone, different from all the other types of rock. It is about 16ft long, and probably stood upright but is now snapped in two. The name 'Alter Stone' refers to the theory that the Druids used the Stonehenge as a temple, and the large stone lying in the center was their alter. (SC 1983, 15) All in all, about half of the entire structure is missing, and some of the remaining half is fallen and/or broken. However there is still enough standing to be able to tell the original form. Now with the image of Stonehenge in mind, we may have a better understanding of what makes it so special, and why so many different theories were devised pertaining to it's origin. Stanenges, where stones of wonderful size have been erected after the manner of doorways, so that doorway appears to have been raised upon doorway; and no one can conceive how such great stones have been so raised aloft, or of why they were built there. (SC 1983, 20) This quote, written in 1130 by a man named Henry Huntington, was one of the first things ever recorded in writing about Stonehenge. He was referring to the point that if you look from a certain angle, the two Sarsen Circles do seem to form doorways on top of each other. (More on doorways later, as associated with the Druids) The way Huntington refers to Stonehenge as 'Stanenges' is significant because it shows that a name was established for Stonehenge that early, and before the Norman scholars ever wrote of it. During the Medieval era, 1136, a man named Geoffrey of Monmouth wrote a book that set the stage for many of the associations we draw today between the Druids (Merlyn in particular), Stonehenge, and the Legend of King Arthur. This book on the origin of Stonehenge was entitled The History of The Kings of Britain. (SC 1983, 22>) The story begins in Britain, where the new British king Vortigern has seized the throne through treason. He sets up a peace meeting at Amesbury (Salisbury Plain) with the Saxon king Hengist because the Saxon armies are a threat to his kingdom. The Saxons pull hidden daggers at the meeting, and murder 460 British Lords. Vortiger, after being captured and released, flees to Wales where he builds a great tower on Mount Snowdon with the help of Merlyn the Druid. Then the rightful British king, Aurelius Ambrosius, comes back and burns Vortigern in his tower. There then ensues a battle between Aurelius and the Saxons. The British win, and Hengist is executed. Aurelius decides to set up a great and everlasting memorial to the Mt. Amesbury Massacre. Merlyn is called forth do devise a building, and he tells Aurelius of a great stone structure located in Ireland. Send for the Giants Round, which is on Mount Killaraus in Ireland. In that place there is a stone construction which no man of this period could ever erect, unless he combined great skill and artistry. The stones are enormous, and there is no one alive strong enough to move them. If they are placed in position round this site, in the way they are put up over there, they will stand for ever.... (SC 1983, 22) The structure he was referring to of course, was Stonehenge. So as the story goes, The kings brother, Uther Pendragon, took 15,000 men to Ireland to bring back the stones. They were unsuccessful however, and had to recruit Merlyn to move them. He takes down the stones himself, and sets them up at the massacre site in the exact same formation. Aurelius is supposedly buried there when he dies, as well as Uther Pendragon who succeeds him. Uther's son, the legendary King Arthur succeeds him, and is supposedly tutored in the ways of the Druids by Merlyn. That is the beginning of the Druids and Arthur's association with Stonehenge. That view/legend was prominent throughout much of the medieval era. (SC 1983, 22>) Geoffrey's idea's about Stonehenge and Arthur are said to be made up today. Everything after Vortigern was supposedly made up. However the tale still lives on, although it has acquired many variations. Some of the people who scorned Geoffrey's work included William of Newburgh, John Leland, and William Lambarde. (SC 1983, 24 + 29 + 37) Towards the Elizabethan Age, the questions about Stonehenge seemed to shift away from Geoffrey type stories, and more towards where the actual stones came from and how they got there. There were many paintings of Stonehenge that we still know of today. (SC 1983, 36 + 38 + 41) During the Renaissance, there emerged many tales pertaining to the actual stones. Some of these tales included ideas that 'you can never count the stones twice and arrive at the same number', 'whoever counts the stones of Stonehenge will die' or 'to count the stones was to tempt the power of the devil'. There were also myths saying that the stones contained magickal powers. (SC 1983, 44) Many famous kings visited Stonehenge, among them were the Stuart Kings, including James I and Charles II. James one had his great royal architect, Inigo Jones, write a book on Stonehenge. Stonehenge Restored was the first book dedicated entirely to a single monument. (SC 1983, 47) Many theories also popped up about who built it, and of how old it was. One man's theory, Dr. Glisson, was close to what radiocarbon dating shows us today. Dr. Stukeley first devised the theory that Stonehenge was used by the Druids as a temple. Basically, the Druids were thought to be the Priests of the ancient Britons (TDW 1993, 10) and Stonehenge was an ancient British temple. (SC 1983, 85) Thus the association was made between the two. Although there was not too much support for this idea, and many today still hold it untrue, it was generally accepted, more so today then it was back then. Stukeley published a 4 volume book containing his idea's. However at the time it was published, Christianity was on the rise and was trying to wipe out all the other religions. This did not support a very friendly environment for his works. (SC 1983, 88) Many idea's about the Druids use came up, most of them were images of the 'savage' Druids performing 'Sacrifices' to their 'Gods'. (SC 1983, 83>) The Druids understood gateways and all that they mean. They built gateways at Stonehenge. Each stone circle has its gateway, It's entrance place between two stones. Irish folklore is full of tales of people who disappear into the land of Sidhe, the fairies, by accidentally, or deliberately, walking between one of a Trilithon which acts as a gateway into that other world. (TDW 1993, 12) This quote supports the fact that the Druids were the architects of Stonehenge. They had a belief in these types of 'Gateways'. Henry Huntington also referred to Stonehenge as containing 'Gateways' earlier. The Druids were however, heavily associated with trees. The name 'Druid', actually means 'Men of Oak'. And the Druids held many trees to be sacred, among the most sacred tree of course, was the oak. (TDW 1993, 13) So why then, would they have a heavy association with Stonehenge? The land around Stonehenge was practically 'treeless', and the Druids always tended to meet at 'Groves', a circular clearing in the middle of trees. (TDW 1993, 14) This might support the fact that the Druids indeed did not have a heavy association with Stonehenge, and if they did, they only used it, not built it. 'Where the Druids reared their rocky circles to make permanent remembrance of sin, & the tree of Good and Evil sprang from the rock circle & snake of the Druid...' (EOS 1980, 124) Today, views of Stonehenge are not so different. There have been many attempted breakthroughs, but none successful. Some feel that although the actual scientific view of Stonehenge is more important, so are the myths and stories that come with it, even though they may be untrue. Most people, however, do not stop to think about why Stonehenge has attracted so many people and ideas. (Today, it receives close to a million visitors per year) The attraction of Stonehenge here is very simple: there are not yet enough facts about it to bury it in certainty, in a scientific final solution to all its questions. Its great present virtue is precisely that something so concrete, so sui generis, so individualized, should still evoke so much impressions of feeling and thought. (EOS 1980, 125) The other Stonehenge, this vast labyrinth of words, pictures, speculations, feelings, impressions, may never be quite so important as the scientists Stonehenge, but it is no less real in any deep or sane sense of human history. Almost everyone who visits the monuments feels this. Never can a building have had its actual scale and height vis-à-vis man so persistently exaggerated or its surroundings so romanticized, both before and after the Romantic Movement proper. It is not that artists, or ordinary visitors, want Stonehenge to be larger than it is. It is large than it is. (EOS 1980, 126) I can agree with this to a very large degree, even though I have never seen the monument myself. Stonehenge has, and always will continue to intrigue people. Maybe it is not so much the truth about it, but the stories that emerge from it. For some of the myths concerning Stonehenge (Arthurian Legend, for example) are just so unforgettable that they will never die. Who knows what the purpose of Stonehenge is, but whatever the purpose, it has served itself well. What is Stonehenge? It is the roofless past; Man's ruinous myth; his uniterred adoring Of the unknown in sunrise cold and red; His quest of stars that arch his doomed exploring. And what is Time but shadows that were cast By these storm-sculptured stones while centuries fled? The stones remain; their stillness can outlast The skies of history hurrying overhead. (Siegfried Sassoon) This information is used with the gracious permission of the author listed below. Written by Greg Tczap (Demon Lord - demon@bayside.net) http://www.bayside.net/users/demon Copyright 1997, All Rights Reserved. This file may be distributed freely provided that NO material has been altered or changed. Bibliography Philip Carr-Gomm, The Druid Way, Rockport MA - Element Books, Inc. © 1993 (Reffered to within internal notation as TDW) Christopher Chippindale, Stonehenge Complete, New York - Cornell University Press, ©1983 (Reffered to within internal notation as SC) John Fowles, The Enigma Of Stonehenge, New York - Philpot Museum, © 1980 (Reffered to within internal notation as EOS | ||||||||||||||||
| |||||||||||||||||
|
This page has been visited
|
