Welcome! to Dana's corner of Euro-Celts   

We are renovating!!!

The project I began here four years ago got sidetracked and stalled for a number of reasons, but now seems to have had a new life breathed into it.  Look for Footsteps to expand and Aeon to shift its focus!

Although I'll be leaving the Green Man list up on Yahoo, I honestly haven't checked it in years.  If you are on MySpace, I can be found on the Druid Way group along with some other great people.  I'm considering moving Green Man to MySpace but haven't quite decided.  (And if you're not on MySpace, try it--it's fun!  Click on the Green Man to get started!)

ã  R.J. Stewart 29 September 1983

An Arthurian Cycle of the Year

Though events may appear to progress linearly, the world and our lives in fact move in a circular fashion. The cycles of Day-Year-Lifetime-Age-Aeon radiate outward like ripples from a stone tossed in a pond, intertwining with one another in Celtic knotwork fashion.  In terms of the Earth energies that influence us, most perceptible is the cycle of the year.  As the Land wakes, buds, blossoms, is harvested, fades and sleeps, the patterns are reflected not only in our lives but in the larger community and can be discerned in the wider world.

In an effort to understand this several years ago, I followed the progress suggested by John and Caitlin Matthews in Hallowquest - The Search for the Grail, the companion volume to their Arthurian Tarot, that correlates the seasons with the Four Treasures of Britain and takes one on a mini-quest through each one.  Though they provided the material and the direction, the observations and insights I gained are my own and so I share them.  Enjoy.

Autumn - the Season of the Grail

The Season which opens with the Autumn Equinox finds the main dynamic goal that was the focus of the Seasons of Sword and Spear mostly accomplished.  The harvest is in, the results are known.  It is a time of rest, of satisfaction in achievement.  It is also a time to consider what previously important thing was perforce discarded in the process of achieving the goal and bid it farewell.  A change has occurred, a difference has been made, and it is time to reflect on its nature--and accept the gift of healing of the wound any loss will leave.

It's an odd quirk of western culture (some would say a fault) that striving for a goal receives far more emphasis than what to do once the goal is successfully achieved.  There's a sort of short-sightedness that seems to assume that once whatever has been striven for--with all the accompanying sacrifice and heroic effort--is achieved, life will simply return to what it was before or else become free of conflict or troubles as all proceed to "live happily ever after."  Of course it doesn't work that way.  To strive for a goal necessarily brings about changes, permanent changes, that must be incorporated into going forward in life with the current goal achieved.  Nonetheless, many at this point attempt to blithely return to what was before.  Their anguish at their inability to do so sends them backward so that much if not all must be done all over again, this time with a burden of frustration and despair.  It need not be so.

On a physical and spiritual level, the Grail corresponds with Emotion.  Emotion is the language with which the heart and one's personal Truth speaks to focused Mind and impulsive Intuition.  Put aside worries of "self-indulgence" at this time and truly listen to what your emotions are saying.

Click here to read the full Cycle of the Year

What are Celts?  What are Druids? - The Euro-Celts English language FAQ--watch for additions and changes!

Druidric Footsteps - The Quest - Reconnecting with the Land by following the teachings of our ancestors the Druids

Edge of the Aeon - an attempt to make sense of world events that began with September 11 

The Matter of Britain - a compendium of Arthurian history and lore 

Food for the Spirit - Poems, songs, pictures and other things

And last but never least--my eternal gratitude and appreciation to Dan for giving me space for my ideas.

ã  Dana Felber 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005