Part of ADF rites require the drawing of auguries to determine the success of the rite, sacrifice, prayer etc.
I struggle with this. Not so much with the efficacy of it as the mechanics of it. I have a deck of the extremely beautiful Druidcraft Tarot. However, as with any Tarot deck, there is a great deal of memorization, studying, and time required to be able to do a reading without resorting to the guidebook. Something that is awkward during a ritual and basically destroys the rhythm. If it annihilates the rhythm of my tentative noob rites held indoors in warmth and bright light then I can only imagine the practical issues awaiting me should I attempt to use them outdoors.
I had already decided to seek out a better method of drawing auguries and was leaning toward creating my own ogham sticks. Largely, as I had no urge toward runes and also, because it seemed that making ogham sticks from hardware store dowels was more feasible. Then I got issue #53 of Oak Leaves.
The article, Awen Stones by Mark Bailey, granted me an answer to my immediate need and also elaborated on problems I had not yet anticipated regarding the use of a Tarot deck in particular ritual situations.
In the article Mr. Bailey outlines similar problems that he and his companions encountered during rituals as well as touching on what little is known of 'Druid stones'. Historically Druids were said to carry a stone or stones that did everything from win judges to their cause in court cases to augury and the like. He came up with his own modern but plausible method of utilizing three colored stones for augury in all weather and reasonable ritual situations. I won't go too far into detail as I would encourage anyone to seek out the article for themselves (if you are an Oak Leaves Subscriber you can access the digital version of the article via the link in the website I'm not sure if ADF members that are not subscribers can also access it).
To this end I am keeping an eye out for three stones of like size texture and shape, a red, a black, and a white that I may use as my own augury tools. I would prefer to find them, either locally or if I must in a shop. This is one of the few things I don't feel proper about purchasing online. Obviously there are some aspects of what I'm looking for (weight, texture, how they feel in my hand) that I will find nearly impossible to insure similarities in if I were to purchase them online, but, I also feel that I need to expend some personal effort and energy in locating and acquiring these stones. It doesn't feel right to choose them based on photographs and have them mailed to my doorstep.
So thank you Mr. Mark Bailey for sorting out an issue I wasn't fully aware of before I got to it!
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| Three of the Druidcraft cards |
I had already decided to seek out a better method of drawing auguries and was leaning toward creating my own ogham sticks. Largely, as I had no urge toward runes and also, because it seemed that making ogham sticks from hardware store dowels was more feasible. Then I got issue #53 of Oak Leaves.
In the article Mr. Bailey outlines similar problems that he and his companions encountered during rituals as well as touching on what little is known of 'Druid stones'. Historically Druids were said to carry a stone or stones that did everything from win judges to their cause in court cases to augury and the like. He came up with his own modern but plausible method of utilizing three colored stones for augury in all weather and reasonable ritual situations. I won't go too far into detail as I would encourage anyone to seek out the article for themselves (if you are an Oak Leaves Subscriber you can access the digital version of the article via the link in the website I'm not sure if ADF members that are not subscribers can also access it).
To this end I am keeping an eye out for three stones of like size texture and shape, a red, a black, and a white that I may use as my own augury tools. I would prefer to find them, either locally or if I must in a shop. This is one of the few things I don't feel proper about purchasing online. Obviously there are some aspects of what I'm looking for (weight, texture, how they feel in my hand) that I will find nearly impossible to insure similarities in if I were to purchase them online, but, I also feel that I need to expend some personal effort and energy in locating and acquiring these stones. It doesn't feel right to choose them based on photographs and have them mailed to my doorstep.
So thank you Mr. Mark Bailey for sorting out an issue I wasn't fully aware of before I got to it!
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