The Atheist Druid

[wolf560]

I've heard Awen used for inspiration..... not just for poetic or artistic inspiration either.

I am inspired every day to comb the libraries and the internet as well as my books for tidbits that might unlock yet another piece of our history.

Just me maybe, but I think to have it qualify as only artistic inspiration belittles the word somehow...

[Huathe]

DJ,

I know the Awen, at least to some degree is open to individual interpretation. The Christian Trinity is one way I use it for interpretation, but the poetic divine inspiration is the " official " meaning or definition of the Awen. I looked it up and have seen it mentioned many times on this BBS forum as such.

Proof of individual interpretation of the Awen is the altered symbol used by the Druidic Order of Naturalists. An atom replaces the three points of light represented by divinity on the traditional Awen symbol. And no I do not have anything bad to say about it. It is their interpretation and they are entitled to that. The definition for their symbol is on their website.

And I am sure that some only use the Awen symbol only to represent neo-druidry. I or no one has it copyrighted and that was an un called for remark.

[Huathe]

Mark,

I agree with you. I feel the Awen can mean more than just poetic or artistic inspiration. Divine Inspiration I feel is more than that. It is something I will have to ponder on.

[cursuswalker]

To me I am calling down Awen every time I look at a starry sky with awareness of what those stars actually are. Science can be deeply inspiring. In fact I would argue that modern paganism would not have developed nearly as much as it has without scientific inspiration, which teaches us such incredible truths as the fact that we are all related very literally to every living thing on earth.

[Huathe]

Cursuswalker,

With the appearance of your Awen symbol, your definition of Awen fits. I like it. I have been inspired by " Natural Science " for years. I have had scientific hobbies since childhood. Astronomy, Geology, Entimology, Dendrology, you name it. I seek to learn about or natural world and science has been a way for me. Like you, I guess I am "Scientifically Inspired ".



Natural Science. By Rush

1. Tide Pools
When the ebbing tide retreats
Along the rocky shoreline,
It leaves a trail of tidal pools
In a short-lived galaxy.
Each microcosmic planet
A complete society.

A simple kind mirror
To reflect upon our own.
All the busy little creatures
Chasing out their destinies.
Living in their pools,
They soon forget about the sea...

Wheels within wheels in a spiral array,
A pattern so grand and complex,
Time after time we lose sight of the way,
Our causes can't see their effects.

2. Hyperspace
A quantum leap forward
In time and in space,
The universe learned to expand.

The mess and the magic,
Triumphant and tragic,
A mechanized world out of hand.

Computerized clinic
For superior cynics
Who dance to a synthetic band.

In their own image,
Their world is fashioned.
No wonder they don't understand.

3. Permanent Waves
Science, like nature,
Must also be tamed
With a view towards its preservation.
Given the same
State of integrity,
It will surely serve us well.

Art as expression,
Not as market campaigns
Will still capture our imaginations.
Given the same
State of integrity,
It will surely help us along.

The most endangered species,
The honest man,
Will still survive annihilation.
Forming a world
State of integrity,
Sensitive, open and strong.

Wave after wave will flow with the tide,
and bury the world as it does.
Tide after tide will flow and recede,
leaving life to go on as it was...

Lyrics by Neil Peart.

[cursuswalker]

[Kernos]

Awen is translated by The University of Wales as poetic gift and by others as poetic inspiration. IMO, the 'divine' aspect is interpretive due to the monastic origin of the word (1st known use was probably Gildas). To the Xtians everything was divine. I suspect this also is related to the muses [awenau in Welsh].

BTAIM, inspiration can come from many sources not divine, eg the trees, the stars, the moon, any part of nature. Calling these divine, begs the question, ie, derives from circular reasoning.

One can be an atheist, rational humanist, naturist, whatever and still be profoundly spiritual. Spirituality does not depend on divinity.

[Huathe]

Kernos,

You have expanded my knowledge on the awen. Thank you.

I never have quite been able to understand an atheist being spiritual, probably because my spiritual self is centered on divinity. But maybe they center their spirituality on life itself or life's energy? On this I can only guess.

[DJ Droood]

Spirituality does not depend on divinity.

It has learned not to...

[Kernos]

It has learned not to...

I think I would say 'evolved' or "matured'.

[cursuswalker]

One can be an atheist, rational humanist, naturist, whatever and still be profoundly spiritual. Spirituality does not depend on divinity.

[Davin Raincloud]

Hey Guys,

I reckon we should give Athiest Druids a hard time. Start a thread where we say they aren't real Druids. They just don't get it!


Nah Jokes!

We only do that for Christian Druids!




My Sarcrasm > All other Sarcasm

[DJ Droood]

I reckon we should give Athiest Druids a hard time. Start a thread where we say they aren't real Druids. They just don't get it!

I double dare you.

[Huathe]

Hey Guys,

I reckon we should give Athiest Druids a hard time. Start a thread where we say they aren't real Druids. They just don't get it!


Nah Jokes!

We only do that for Christian Druids!




My Sarcrasm > All other Sarcasm

That has been done already!!

[Kernos]

I reckon we should give Athiest Druids a hard time. Start a thread where we say they aren't real Druids. They just don't get it!

I double dare you.

I double DOG dare you!

:woof:

[DJ Droood]

I reckon we should give Athiest Druids a hard time. Start a thread where we say they aren't real Druids. They just don't get it!

I double dare you.

I double DOG dare you!

:woof:

Actually, a convincing case could probably be made in favour of your argument, Davin....I think a clever Christian rhetorician, a modern Augustine of Hippo, might be able to, once and for all, define druidry as an "add on" to Christianity...sort of like an "app" for their ireligion. I am actually ok with this....I, personally, am not all that attached to the label, and I am just as embarassed (through association) by the fantasy/pagan/Celtic fetishist elements, so really, there may be no place or use for nontheism and rationalism in druidry..

[Huathe]

" Actually, a convincing case could probably be made in favour of your argument, Davin....I think a clever Christian rhetorician, a modern Augustine of Hippo, might be able to, once and for all, define druidry as an "add on" to Christianity...sort of like an "app" for their ireligion. I am actually ok with this....I, personally, am not all that attached to the label, and I am just as embarassed (through association) by the fantasy/pagan/Celtic fetishist elements, so really, there may be no place or use for nontheism and rationalism in druidry.. " DJ Droood.


DJ,

Huh? I thought you were against any kind of Druidry-Christian connection?

[Heddwen]

It has learned not to...

I think I would say 'evolved' or "matured'.

Does this mean that you think that atheist druids transcend deity?

[DJ Droood]

It has learned not to...

I think I would say 'evolved' or "matured'.

Does this mean that you think that atheist druids transcend deity?

I think it would be more accurate to say that athiest druids butterscotch bananas.

[Heddwen]

Ah yes, but is this druidry?
Cool avatar BTW