Druidry & Treelore

Kristoffer Hughes – Free Talk, Q&A

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The Mysteries of the Celtic Cauldron

Druid Kristoffer Hughes — Kristoffer Hughes

February 14th (Tuesday) 7-9pm – FREE Event

Kristoffer Hughes is the current head of the Anglesey Druid Order and studies with the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. In 2012 he was awarded the Mount Haemus Scholarship for original research in Druidism and related subjects. His love of Celtic heritage and culture caused him to pen his first book “Natural Druidry” his latest book “From the Cauldron Born: Exploring the Magic of Welsh Legend and Lore” is scheduled to come out this summer.

The Welsh National TV Network S4C is sponsoring his trip, along with a film crew, for a documentary of his life as a Welsh Druid and a writer working with Llewellyn.

At the centre of Pagan symbology and iconography stands the cauldron, a symbol and tool that has continuously influenced and inspired the Pagan traditions. But where does it come from and why do we continue to use it? The Cauldron is perhaps one of the primary symbols of Celtica, one which connects us to the magic of the Celtic cultural continuum. Discover the origins and role of the Celtic Cauldron, its associations with the divine feminine, its function and applicability as a tool of modern magical practice. Share in the magic of tradition and teachings from Wales and discover the deep, ancient magic of the Celtic Cauldron.

[box type=”bio”] A native Welsh speaker, Kristoffer Hughes was born to a Welsh family in the mountains of Snowdonia in 1971. He lives on the sacred Island of Anglesey, Wales, the ancestral seat of the British Druid Priest caste. His love of Celtic literature and traditions guided his path into the exploration and practice of Celtic paganism. Kristoffer frequently presents lectures and workshops throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. [/box]

Natural Druidry Booksigning

We were able to obtain a few copies of this imported title for the Kristoffer to sign. Please call 612-872-1292 to reserve your copy, or pre-purchase online.

Natural Druidry is a deeply personal account of one man s journey through the dappled groves of culture and tradition. Exploring the inspiration of Druidry through the eyes of a man in love with heritage and the land, Kris takes you on a journey into the mysteries of the Druid tradition, into the shadows of the past and the magic of Druidry.

Written with simplistic clarity, humour and tears, Kris invites you to share his journey through tradition, descending into the mysteries of Druidry and of its practise in the twenty-first century. Exploring the fundamental principles of Druidry from ritual, connection, mythology, shamanism and finally a personal ride through the Druid year. Share in a world of wondrous beings, of sheer potentiality beyond comprehension, and the awe and childlike surrender one feels when confronted with the enchantment of Druidry.

Inspiration lies at the heart of this book, where the joyous experience of the flowing spirit of Druidry known as Awen; sings through dry ink. Journey with Kris into the magic of the past and the present, deep into the vast cauldron of spiritual enlightenment that sings from the land, that whispers to us upon the breeze as the breath of our ancestors.

The Wildwood Tarot

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Look to the heart of a primeval forest where deep ancestral wisdom lies to help make sense of your world today. With beautiful images by Will Worthington, The WildWood Tarot can be used as a meditation system, a card oracle, a Tarot Deck, or as a well-source of profound spiritual knowledge. The cards draw inspiration from pre-Celtic mythology and a belief system steeped in shamanic mysteries. It’s easy to quickly access the magical lore of the Wildwood through descriptions of each card revealing its historical and mythological background as well as its divinatory meaning.

A 160 page guide book covers the individual meanings of the cards, as well as insights from the lore this deck is based on. From the Green Man and Woman, Archer, and Blasted Oak, authors Mark Ryan and John Matthews introduce forest archetypes based in the seasonal rhythms and festivals of the ancient year. Step back in time to better understand where your life’s path may lead. There is also a complete bibliography to take you deeper into your studies.

This is a 78 card Tarot deck, but the names, suits and meanings of the cards make it very friendly to those who prefer to use oracle decks. The Four Suits are: Arrows, Bows, Stones and Vessels. Each card has it’s name as well as a meaning on the bottom. The Major Arcana are numbered and labeled at the bottom. All the standard names from the Rider Tarot have been changed on these cards.

0. The Wanderer – 0. The Fool
1. The Shaman – I. The Magician

The Seer Card — The Seer (High Priestess)

2. The Seer – II. The High Priestess
3. The Green Woman – III. The Empress
4. The Green Man – IV. The Emperor
5. The Ancestor – V. The Hierophant
6. The Forest Lovers – VI. The Lovers
7. The Archer – VII. The Chariot
8. The Stag – VIII. Strength
9. The Hooded Man – IX. The Hermit
10. The Wheel – X. Wheel of Fortune
11. The Woodward – XI. Justice
12. The Mirror – XII. The Hanged Man
13. The Journey – XIII. Death
14. Balance – XIV. Temperance
15. The Guardian – XV. The Devil
16. The Blasted Oak – XVI. The Tower
17. The Pole Star – XVII. The Star
18. The Moon on Water – XVIII. The Moon
19. The Sun of Life – The XIX. The Sun
20. The Great Bear – XX. Judgment
21. The World Tree – XXI. The World

Here are some more of the images from the Wildwood Tarot cards:

7 of Arrows - Insecurity | 10 of Vessels - Happiness | 3 of Vessels - Joy | Queen of Vessels - Salmon

Additional larger images are available if you click on the alternative views on the Wildwood Tarot product page>

Urban Farming, Druids, Trees and Street Faeries – View from the Eye

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In the midst of the urban problems in London, and all the shakeups and downs coming from “the Street” comes some hope for a different way of dealing with difficulty from The Urban Farming Guys “This is the epic story of a band of pioneers–several families who have uprooted from comfortable suburbia & made their homes for good in one of the most blighted zip codes in the U.S.–64127, Lykins neighborhood, inner-city Kansas City. Each of us, standing with our neighbors, believe there is hope, but we know that money alone will not solve the problem.”

This just proves you can get back to nature in the city. If you wonder at the roots of the current set of issues we face, just check out the Salvage series of articles by John Michael Greer in the ArchDruid Report. But it’s not for the faint-of-heart. It’s more for those who are willing to face the future and wade in and do something.

Speaking of doing something to solve problems, here’s one for the Druids and other tree-lovers. A 13-Year old was inspired by trees and came up with a solar cell tree that produces 20-50% more power than a uniform array of photovoltaic panels. This story comes from Inhabitat.com – a weblog devoted to the future of design, tracking the innovations in technology, practices and materials that are pushing architecture and home design towards a smarter and more sustainable future.

Just look around, and you will find wonder to behold. Beth Hansen-Buth, the Faerie Artist (and my twin sister), pointed me to the Fairy Street Fashion of Finland. (We’re half-Finnish). For those of you who who embrace the Fae Lifestyle, music, art etc., you should check out these outstanding Faerieworlds events>

“Come Fairies, take me out of this dull world, for I would ride with you upon the wind and dance upon the mountains like a flame!” ~William Butler Yeats