01 Chronicles of the Foundation - A Reformed Druid Anthology.pdf - A Reformed Druid Anthology - YasminLight

PART ONE

THE DRUID

CHRONICLES

(Reformed)

a.k.a.

The Chronicles of the

Foundation

1996 Introduction

Originally published under the title of The Druid Chronicles (Re-

formed), abbreviated DC(R) and nicknamed The Chronicles, these

books contain the basic history and beliefs of the first year of the

original branch of the Reform founded at Carleton College from

which all the past, present and future Branches of the Reformed

Druidism spring. Thus the Chronicles are the about the only section

of A Reformed Druid Anthology that is accepted by every group.

The primary author, David Frangquist, has made no claim of divine

inspiration; nor has any other branch of the Reform. These five

books have no canonical status, but they’re chock full of interesting

and fun stuff. Don’t take it too seriously and try to see the message

that underlies all the outer-trappings, holidays and names.

For a more detailed discussion on the Chronicles see the End-

Notes, Printing History and Historiography at the end of end of this

Part One. Internal cross-referencing is indicated by raised numbers.

The existence of endnotes related to a verse is signaled by asterixes.

THE DRYNEMETUM PRESS

The Early Chronicles

(for such was the priest to be called) did ask those who were

gathered if they did approve.

9. Now all who were present did give their assent, save one who

was not yet of the First Order. And it came to pass that when the

question was again asked on the week following, all did again

approve, save one who did not disapprove of the paper, and so it

was considered unanimous.

10. And so after the paper had been accepted in this manner, the

congregation of the disciples was then known as the Reformed

Druids. b *

Chapter the FIRST

1. The first of the chronicles of the disciples of the Earth-Mother,

and of the various and wondrous events which did occur to them

who gave themselves in service to the establishment of the re-

form, which branch* of the order was in Northfield, which is a

city in Minnesota, the south-east part thereof. Peace be unto those

whose hope lies in the comfort of the Earth-mother.

2. In those days (when Nason was president at Carleton) a decree

went out from the Administration that all Sundays must be ac-

counted for.* So each went to their own place of worship in

order that their credit might be established on their record.

3. And it came to pass that there were those among these people

who chose to pursue such forms of worship as were not at that

time in general acceptance. And one of these was a man named

David, who was also a Fisher.*

4. Now he did appear in the area which is north of the Lake of

Lyman,* proclaiming the glory which was Druid. And a few there

were who listened to him and consulted with him.

5. And it came to pass that when a group of the faithful were

gathered on a hill, where there had been set up in a small monu-

ment in stone, they concluded among themselves that this place

should be the new location of an altar, which would be built

with the work of their hands out of rough stone.*

6. And it also came to be revealed, at that time, that David, who

was a Fisher, was a priest in the order of the Druids, and that his

rank was that of the Third Order Priest.*

7. Now it was decided that there should be a regular service of

worship which could be held in the appointed place, and which

would be held on the last day of the week, which is Saturday,

according to the old custom.*

8. All of these things, which have been presently related, did occur

during the month of April*, which is just before the celebration

of Beltane, and that time is generally held to be the time of the

beginning of the reform.

Chapter the THIRD*

1. Now after the paper had been read on the first Saturday after the

celebration of Beltane, it was perceived that the sky was covered

by clouds. And this was not good for a Saturday evening.

2. Thus did the Arch-Druid go and kneel before the altar and in-

voke the Earth-Mother asking for a clearing of the weather.

3. And the Earth-mother did look upon the congregation of the

faithful, and did look upon the altar which had been built to her

glory, and saw that it was good.

4. And, behold, there was a great wind in the sky, and it did blow

from the sky in the space of less than two hours all of the clouds,

yea, even the last vestige thereof. And the sun shone brightly in

the sky.

5. And this was taken to be a sign.

6. But there were those in the area who did scoff, for their hearts

were hardened. And they did conspire, saying: “Let us tear down

the stones from the altar which has been built on the hill.”

7. And they did go in secret to the altar, and did tear at the altar,

each with his bare hands, and did take therefrom the stones

which had been set there, yea, even down to the foundation

thereof.

8. And the Earth-mother did look upon this with disfavor, for it

was the defilement of the altar which had been built to her glory.

9. And so it came to pass that in that same day, even as the last

stones were being removed, a storm did gather, and there was

thunder and lightning and rain;

10. and it was exceedingly cold, and the clouds did not leave the

skies for a period of four days.

11. And this also was taken to be a sign.

Chapter the SECOND

1. And it came to pass that when the celebration of Beltane (which

is the first day of the month of May) was held, there was not yet

completed the altar which was to be built of stone, according to

the plan which had been adopted by the faithful.*

2. And so it was that an altar which was small and portable and

made out of steel came to be used for the service. And it was

generally agreed that it was indeed an inferior type of altar.*

3. Thus, a group of disciples began to assemble the rough stones

which were necessary to build the new altar. An although their

numbers were small in the beginning, those who did lend their

help did increase until their number was nearly doubled.*

4. Now when the last stones had been laid in the altar, the priest

did step back from it, and did look upon it, and he said: “It is

good. a We shall hold services here around it today, after the noon”

(for it was Saturday).

5. And the altar did measure about two cubits high, and about two

cubits wide, and about three cubits long.*

6. And it came to pass that there were in number about a dozen

people who did gather at the altar that day, and who did partake

of the waters-of-life*.

7. After the waters of life had been passed, Howard who was called

Cherniack, did rise up (for he was a Preceptor, and of the Sec-

ond Order), and he did read to them from a paper.

8. The purpose of this paper was to establish for them a constitu-

tion*; so when the reading had been completed, the Arch-Druid

R Chapter the FOURTH

1. And it came to pass that when those of the faithful who had

built the altar, each one with their bare hands, did find that the

altar had been defiled, they did rend the air with their lamenta-

tions.

2. And they did set themselves to the task there of once again

building the altar, that is, of rebuilding it; and they did set each

stone in the place which had been appointed to it.

3. And as they did complete their task, the sun did make a brief

appearance unto them from in the midst of those clouds which

were covered over the sky;*

4. and each took this to be a sign, each in their own way. c

5. Now after the work was the second time completed, those whose

purpose it was to do evil unto the altar did come the second time

also;

6. and they did come in the darkness of the night, for they were the

Anti-Druids.

7. Now when these Anti-Druids did come, their coming being cov-

ered by the darkness of the night, they did come with the smell

of drink heavy upon them; yea, were they so filled with drink

that they were under the influence thereof.*

8. And they did pull at the stones of the altar, yea, did they tear at

the altar with their bare hands, and they did pull the stones

away, one from the other.

9. Now as the Anti-Druids did defile the altar in this manner, one

of their number did shout in his loudest voice:

“Blasphemy!....Blasphemy!” for so was he under the power of

strong drink.

10. And it came to pass that the faithful did perceive that the altar

had once again been attacked by the hand of violence, then did

they again rend the air with their lamentation, so great was their

grief.

11. Wherefore they did set to the task which was before them, which

was the task of placing the stones the third time in their proper

places; but they did fix them there this time with mortar, d that

they might not be wrested therefrom by the hand of the Anti-

Druid.

12. And a curse was placed on the altar; and the Arch-Druid spake

unto the Druids assembled saying: “Verily I say unto you, who-

soever findeth him who hath done this thing, be he admonished

to do whatsoever he will to make for him his life miserable.”

13. And it came to pass that it was made known to them that one of

the Anti-Druids had come to twist his ankle, yea, even to sprain

it; and this was taken to be a sign.

Chapter the SIXTH

1. Now it came to pass that ton the fourth Saturday after the cel-

ebration of Beltane,* it came to be decided that petition be made

unto the authorities, that is the Administration, concerning the

recognition of the activities of the Druids.

2. And it came to pass that there were many among them who did

approve; for they were in number about one score and two.

3. And each went and prepared their petition in the manner that

was prescribed by the Administration.*

4. But behold, there were then returned notices which did say:

“Thy actions are not acceptable in our sight.”*

5. Wherefore, Howard, who was preceptor, did go up unto the

authorities saying: “Do ye not see that there are many like us

which do go by strange creeds?”

6. And he was answered: “Yea, verily we do see that there be many

like ye which do go by strange creeds. Neither ye nor they are

acceptable in our sight.”

7. And Howard spake saying: “By what method do ye judge?”

8. And he was answered: “We are chosen that we should be judges.

Yea, even do we judge according to our judgements.”*

9. But there were two of the petitions which were not rejected, for

they were the domain of a different authority; and this was taken

to be a good sign.*

R Chapter the FIFTH*

1. And it came to pass that the time was near at hand for the altar

to be consecrated.

2. Now it was the custom that when an altar was to be consecrated,

that a sacrifice should be made upon it, which sacrifice should be

of a living thing, yea, a thing which doth testify to the bounty of

the Earth-mother.

3. And the purpose of this sacrifice is to consecrate the altar.

4. But behold, there did arise a dispute among the Druids con-

cerning this sacrifice which was to be made upon the altar.

5. For there were some among them who were in favor of a small

sacrifice and some who were persuaded that the sacrifice should

be a large one;

6. those being in favor of the small sacrifice having a desire that it

be of the leaves and branches of a tree;

7. those being in favor of the large sacrifice having a desire that it

be of the living flesh and blood of an animal or bird.

8. Wherefore, there did ensue a dispute among them concerning

the manner in which this sacrifice should be made.

9. And it came to pass that Howard, who was Preceptor, did arise

and he spake unto them saying: “Have ye not forgotten that we

are reformed, yea, we do even call ourselves by the name of

Reformed e , wherefore we must put behind us those things which

do bring offense to our senses;” for Howard was one of them

who were in favor of the small sacrifice.

10. But another did arise, who did call himself Jan, for he was in

favor of the sacrifice of an animal, and he spake unto them say-

ing: “Have ye not forgotten the customs of old— which were the

customs of our predecessors before us? Verily I say unto you,

nothing will be acceptable to the Earth-mother save it were noth-

ing smaller than an animal or fowl, yea, even a chicken.”*

11. Wherefore, there was about to occur a great schism between

those on the one hand who were of the first faction and those on

the other hand who were of the second faction.

12. And they were exceedingly wroth one with the other.

13. But behold, Jan did rise up and relent his position, asking nei-

ther that flesh nor blood be spilt upon the altar; for he did per-

ceive that they were not strong enough and that such a schism

would be their end, wherefore he did relent that the schism might

not take place.*

14. And it came to pass that the altar was consecrated by the burn-

ing of living leaves and branches of a tree; f and it came to pass

that the altar was consecrated on the third Saturday after the

celebration of Beltane (which is the first day of the month of

May).

Chapter the SEVENTH

1. Now on the fifth Saturday after the celebration of Beltane,* the

Druids were assembled as usual; and after the waters-of-life had

been passed, the Arch-Druid spake unto them saying:

2. “Behold, how our altar is attacked on the one side, g and our

recognition is rejected on the other. h Are we no afflicted even as

were our predecessors before us?”

3. “Our predecessors of old did take up the sword and fight with

those who afflicted them, but they were defeated.

4. “Wherefore, we must not take up the sword, but remain toler-

ant and patient in our afflictions that there might be peace.”*

5. And he spake saying: “Behold, this is the last time we shall be

together for a long time. The time is at hand when we shall

depart, each of us going his own seperate way.*

6. “Behold the flowers of the earth and the beauty thereof; and

behold the sky and the clouds and the beauty thereof; and be-

hold all the handiwork of the Earth-mother and the Beauty thereof.

7. “Be ye firm in the faith; and as ye go your separate ways take

time to pause before all the glory of the Earth-mother (which is

Nature); and fail not to meditate on that which has been said

and done here, yea, even as the sun does reach it height in the

north (which is Midsummer and an important day with us) should

ye meditate on these things.

8. “For verily I say unto you, when the sun crosses the equator,

shall ye be again reunited here with these thy brethren.” i

9. And each went his own way glorifying the Earth-mother and

singing her praises, yea, even unto the very ends of the land did

they journey praising the beauty of all that is to be found in earth

and sky.

10. Now these are the records which have been made to the glory

and honor of the Earth-mother. Praise be to the Earth-mother for

the beauty which is in her in the earth and in the sky; all the

birds of the air and the animals of the ground are a testimony to

her excellence. Even as the dawn of the new day brings new

light, is there new hope.

Peace!

The Book of the Law

The Customs of the Druids

Chapter the FIRST

1. The Book of the Law as revealed by the Reformed Druids, in

council at Carleton College, for the purpose of making more

fruitful their existence.*

2. And it came to pass that they did take upon themselves a name,

which is “The Reformed Druids of North America.” a

3. And it came to be revealed that any person could become a

member of them; b but any who would become a member would

be first required to submit humbly a petition, which petition is a

declaration of their subscribing to the Basic Tenets. And this

petition may be written with the pen, or it may be spoken aloud

with the mouth.*

Chapter the FIRST *

1. Now it was the custom among the Druids, who were reformed,

that at every meeting of the congregation, the waters-of-life* should

be passed to those present. a

2. Now they who subscribe to the Basic Tenets of Reformed Dru-

idism, as prescribed in the Book of the Law, they are accepted

into the body of Druidism which is the organizational body of

Druidism only. b

3. But, they who partake of the waters-of-life in communion with

the congregation, they are accepted into the great body of Druid-

ism which is the spiritual body of Druidism only.

4. But the whole and complete body of Druidism is consisted nei-

ther of the organizational body only nor of the spiritual body

only, but of the both of them, which are then in whole and

complete union.

5. Wherefore, they who have been accepted into the organizational

body only are not of the whole body of Druidism;

6. wherefore, neither are they who are of the spiritual body only

accepted into the whole body of Druidism.

7. Whereas, they who have been accepted into the spiritual body

of Druidism and also into the organizational body thereof is thus

accepted into the whole and complete body of the membership

of the Reformed Druids;

8. and are thenceforth called by them a Druid of the First Order.*

..*

4. Now the Basic Tenets of Reformed Druidism are these:

5. The object of the search for religious truth, which is a universal

and a never-ending search, may be found through the Earth-

mother, which is Nature; but this is one way, yea, among many.

6. And great is the importance, which is of a spiritual importance,

of Nature, which is the Earth-mother; for it is one of the objects

of Creation, and with it men do live, yea, even as they do struggle

through life are they come face to face with it.*

7. Now there shall be instituted in the grove three officers whose

duty it shall be to minister unto the needs thereof.*

8. And first among them shall be the Arch-Druid, who shall be a

priest of the Third Order or higher; c and the Arch-Druid shall

preside over the Druids assembled.

9. And second among them shall be the Preceptor, who shall be a

Druid of the Second Order or higher; d and he or she shall deal

in the spiritual insofar as directed by the Arch-Druid, but she or

he shall act foremost in affairs not of the spiritual, that is, the

secular.

10. And third among them shall be the Server, who shall be of the

First Order of the Druid or higher; e and she or he shall assist the

Arch-Druid insofar as she or he may be called to serve.

11. And none shall serve in these positions save it shall be that he

or she is selected by the members; and none shall serve save it

shall be that she or he is worthy to serve; and selection shall be

made each year during the period of Foghamhar. f

12. This is the Law which was revealed, but it is not all, for there is

yet more. And no thing shall be revealed save it shall be to a

majority of the faithful; and no thing shall be revealed save it

shall be revealed twice, that is, at two meetings, the second of

which shall be the first to be held after the first; and no thing

shall be revealed save it shall be when one third are present to

bear witness unto it.*

13. Yea, and this record is a true one and an accurate one.

..*

Chapter the SECOND

(A Chant*)

1. O Earth-mother!

We praise thee that seed springeth,

that flower openeth,

that grass waveth.

2. We praise thee for winds that whispers.

through the graceful elm,

through the shapely maple,

through the lively pine,

through the shining birch,

through the mighty oak.

3. We praise thee for all things,

O Earth-mother,

who givest life.

Chapter the THIRD *

1. Now some there are among the congregations of the faithful

who shall be set aside form the others as better;

2. for, they it is who have been chosen to serve the Earth-mother

and to do her work.

3. And none shall be chosen save they shall be pure in spirit and

save they shall have bowed themselves down in humility before

the powers which are manifested in the Earth-mother;

4. And none shall be chosen save they shall be imbued with the

spirit of the love of the service of the Earth-mother;

5. For those who are chosen to be honored are chosen also to be

elevated to the Second Order, which is in the succession to the

priesthood of the Druids. c

6. And those who have been chosen shall be questioned, and they

shall be questioned in the following manner:

7. “Do you, in full consciousness, promise to serve faithfully the

Earth-mother, ministering to her followers, and following your

duties as a Druid of the Second Order to the best of your abil-

Peace!

ity?”

8. “Do you understand from whence comes the source of all life,

and the nature of the source of all life?”

9. “Do you understand the partaking of the waters-of-life, and the

sacrifice of life that we offer up to our Mother?”

10 “Are you ready, then to sealed up to the service of the Earth-

mother?”

11. And none shall be honored with the Second Order save they

shall answer these questions in the proper manner.

12. And none shall be elevated save they shall partake of the waters-

of-life in communion with the Arch-Druid and save they shall

partake of them to the fullest extent.

13. These are the things which are prescribed, for so it must be

done. Thus it was, and thus it is, and thus it is to be.

even as we must return to thee.”

9. Then shall ye go forth into the world, secure in the knowledge

that your sacrifice has found acceptance in the Earth-mother’s

sight.

10. Peace! Peace! Peace!

Chapter the SIXTH

1. Behold, there is not one among you who is greater that they who

have given of themselves in service to you.

2. For it is for this reason that the priests among you have been

called to their station, that they might serve you.

3. And none shall be called except that they have sealed them-

selves up unto the grove.

4. And none shall be called except that they have been Druids of

the Second Order.

5. And none shall be called except that they have dedicated them-

selves to the search for truth in Nature.

6. And none shall be called except that they have kept the vigil

upon the bosom of the Earth-mother.*

7. This is the Third Order, the Order of the priesthood, the Order

of Dalon Ap Landu. h

8. Unto it shall be given the consecration of the waters-of-life.

9. Unto it shall be given the consecration of the Second Order.

10. Unto it shall be given the sacrificing of life.

11. Unto it shall be given the mysteries of the worship of the Earth-

mother.

12. For, even as priests are called unto it, shall they also call others.*

Chapter the FOURTH

1. Now these are the commandments which were given concern-

ing the observance of those days which were considered sacred

to the Druids.*

2. Ye shall observe always the festival of Samhain, d for it is the

beginning of the period of Geimredh, and also of the year. This

day shall ye celebrate by the lighting of great fires, for soon is the

land to become cold in the time of apparent death.

3. Ye shall celebrate on the day of Midwinter, for on that day doth

the sun begin again to rise in the south; so shall ye celebrate it

with the burning of logs and making merry. So also shall ye

make merry on the day of Oimelc, e which is the first day of the

period of Earrach;

4. and on these days shall ye glorify the mistletoe and the ever-

green, for it is a living testimony to the continuance of life, yea,

even in the midst of a dead world.

5. Of great importance is the festival of Beltane, f which is at the

beginning of Samradh. Then shall ye observe great ceremony;

and with the kindling of large fires on the hilltops, and the glori-

fication of the renewed tree shall ye celebrate the renewed life.

6. Ye shall take note of the decline of the sun in the sky, which

doth begin on the day of Midsummer. Ye shall light your fires

and let them die in token of the great fire which doth roll down

in the sky even as a ball doth roll down a hill.

7. Lugnasadh, g which is the beginning of the period of Foghamhar,

shall ye mark by the coming together in groups in order that ye

might feast upon the fruits of the Earth-mother; and then shall

ye offer up a sacrifice unto your prosperity.

Chapter the SEVENTH (A Response at

Samhain*)

1. Ea, lord, Ea, Mother, thou with uncounted names and faces,

thou of the many faceted nature in and above all, to thee we sing

our chants of praise.

2. Go thou not from us.

3. Dalon Ap Landu, lord of this and all groves, mover by night

and by day, descend not beneath the earth, turn not thy pleasing

face from us.

4. Go thou not from us.

5. The leaves wither; the trees and fields are barren; on what can

we depend? Where is thy order, where is they strength?

6. Depart not from our midst, sleep not, O most high.

7. The sun, the bright fire of day withdraws his chariot; his face is

veiled with clouds, and the breath of the north wind walks the

land.

8. Return to us his warmth.

9. Lo, we are as wraiths; our fire is turned to ashes and darkness

walks the land.

10. Preserve us O spirit of day. Keep us in thy mind, O spirit of

power.

11. O Earth-mother, guide our paths. If thou wilt leave us, save us

through the time of silence, keep bright within our hearts till

spring.

12. So let it be, O our Mother, for we are faithful, and would keep

thy ways.

Chapter the FIFTH

1. Also, shall ye observe the periods of the moon: the dates thereof

when it is full and when it is new; for thus is seen reflected the

birth and death, the growth and diminishing of all that is to be

seen in Nature.

2. Ye shall begin new projects when the moon is waxing; but ye

shall end old ones when it is waning.

3. And on the night of the full moon shall ye rejoice in the fullness

of it; but on the night of the new moon shall ye be given over to

vigils and to meditation.*

4. When ye come together that ye might worship, shall ye come

together in Nature, that ye might offer up on the altar of stone

your sacrifice of life.*

5. Then shall ye pass amongst you the waters-of-life, that ye may

know the continual flow and renewal of life.

6. For they shall taste of the very essence of life, hallowed in the

bosom of the earth, and purified by the worship of Druids.

7. And when all have partaken of the waters-of-life, then ye shall

pour a libation of it on the altar, saying as ye do it:

8. “To thee we return this portion of thy bounty, O our Mother,

Chapter the EIGHTH

1. Behold, some there are among you whose reflections and whose

deeds are of exceedingly great merit.

2. And they shall be selected for the great honor of the high Or-

ders of the priesthood;

3. and they shall be selected by the Patriarchs [or Matriarchs], each

to his [or her] own Order.

01 Chronicles of the Foundation - A Reformed Druid Anthology.pdf

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