Just what the heck IS that wisdom stuff, anyway?

So exactly what IS wisdom to me, anyway? After all, I’m writing an entire Oracle deck called, in part, WOLF WISDOM; but did I really think that through and know what I meant by that? It seems to me that wisdom feels like something you do, a course of action taken, after careful judgement and inclusion of as many angles and aspects as a poor little artist-mind (like mine) can possibly conceive. Therefore, it has several components. A thinking process, a mulling over, mixed with an emotional process of what feels correct, for poor is the individual who thinks the ‘logical rational’ is all there is to decision-making, and who fails to take into account his or her emotional needs.

Because, you see, I know what it is not – it is not plunging ahead willy-nilly and heedless of circumstance. It is not a brainless, thoughtless course of action that those of us who fight impulsiveness have to contend with. It’s not reaction. It’s not just intelligence, either; you can have enormous intelligence and still be a complete amadan.

Purpose of the First Oath

From the article on the ADF members web, the stated purpose of the first Oath is,

“With this simple Oath you choose to admit publicly that you are a Pagan, and you pledge that your Paganism will be more than a feeling that you keep in your heart. You pledge yourself to the three basic principles of Pagan spirituality: honor in your deeds, diligence is keeping rites and spiritual practice, and earnest study of the facts of the Old Ways.”

This will drive the content of my Oath fonn.

First Oath Adaptation

I’ve decided that I’m doing my Celtic knotwork wolf track that I designed, and that I’m doing it in ‘sand’ so that I can save some of the sand for future working, and give back some of the sand to land, sea and sky in blessing and to release and solidify my Oath.

I’ve decided that the ‘sand’ painting will be composed of soil from three sources – my garden here at home, my land out in a neighboring city, and the field and rough area that I have spent so many happy hours playing and walking my dogs. This is the first triad. The second triad is the chant during the ceremony, which will consist of the three vows I need to take; and the third Triad will be after creating the wolf track mandala in soil, releasing a portion to the sky, a portion back to the land and a portion to Chalk River.

The whole point of this is to demonstrate my willingness to prepare, take the time to do what is right instead of what is easy, and demonstrate my commitment to developing my Path and my artwork to the very best of my understanding and ability. Part of this, too, is the knotwork I’m using is that of my own design – it is my personal power symbol, and also symbolises my commitment to originality and creativity, instead of copying what others do. This also connects my Oath to Land, Sea and Sky and to the Deities that I am currently involved with as well as any future Ones who may present themselves over time.

The actual ritual is but a small portion of my demonstration of energy, commitment and time, and this feels completely right. I see and feel it in my head, and the ritual itself is broken into a Triad – the waulking chants as I gather the soil and blend it; the úrnaigh agus fuinn during the soil painting itself; and the úrnaigh, Oath fonn and triad of dispersal to complete and seal the Oath.

Triads are such a beautiful way to work, because it gives one a natural beginning, middle and end as well as three nice elements to work with.

First Oath

I have begun thinking about the first oath; I see certain things in visions, so I need to incorporate what I see; I need to draw it, and work on the chant, for it will be a chant, at least, that feels right, right now. I know it needs a couple of things – it needs simplicity, for that suits me; it needs visuals; I would also like to work in sand painting or find a more ‘Celtic’ equivalent for it. I have about three weeks until the next High Day, so that should give me enough time to solidify and work with the imagery and chant and supplies.

Although it isn’t really ‘Celtic’, I’m an illustrator and creating sand mandalas as a sacred art form has always deeply interested me. Since this is part of my personal work, I may consider using the concept (from Tibetan Buddhism). I think what connects me here is that I am an illustrator, and I have taken Oaths in the Otherworld already about my artwork; it is one of my Sacred tasks of this life to bring my artwork to fruition, and I strongly feel that I must incorporate it into my personal oath. I’m also going to find out if the Celts had any equivalent; but I’m thinking more that  I will need to adapt this idea to my Hearth culture.

The opening and setting of sacred space will be my standard úrnaigh.