Bardic Journal

I've been studying a course in Druidry (Level 1: Bard) since May 2021, and have been keeping an offline Bardic journal. This journal covers spirituality, but also creativity, since this is a big part of druidry. They have a concept called "awen", which is like the holy spirit of druidry, flowing through us to create art, music, and poetry.

I've now decided to put parts of my Bardic Journal online, and since I'm not really using this blog much, and it was always about creative things anyway, here's where it will live. I'm typing this in September 2021, but the material was originally written in my paper journal on the dates shown on each blog post, starting in May 2021.

Bardic Journal, by Holland Morrell. May 2021 (exact date uncertain).

After realising that the Druid path fits well with many of my existing ideas, beliefs, and passions, I have enrolled on the Bard course with the British Druid Order.

What draws me to druidry:

• Nature-based
• Compatible with pantheism
• Seems to revere creativity, or at least equate it with spirituality
• Celtic, like my family & ancestors
• Involves trees and stone circles, which I have always been drawn to
• Uses the same seasonal Wheel of the Year festivals as Paganism

Aspects that put me off a little:

• Spells/witchcraft
• Shape-shifting
• Nudity

I like to think I'm an open-minded person, but literal shape-shifting isn't something I believe in. I also have a hard time getting my head around the concept of witchcraft. Although I was a Pagan many years ago, it was more about prayer, worship, and ritual than about spells for me. Nudity is also a part of many covens, but it's not something I can see myself taking part in.

Exercise 1 - The Bardic Journal

I chose this notebook for my bardic journal, as I like the tree of life designa nd the celtic knots at the bottom. As a nice surprise, each page has celtic knots around it. I'm using a cartridge pen to write in it, as this makes it feel and look more special.

The course suggests to write in this journal:

• Dreams
• Notes for poems
• Notes/results re meditations
• Ritual experiences
• Changes in daily life reflecting bardic growth
• Sources of creative inspiration
• Illustrations, paintings, photos, newspaper and magazine clippings