 |
A collection of Original Documents, Illustrative of the Theology, Wisdom, and Usages of the Bardo Druidic System of the Isle of Britain
Editor: J. Williams ab Ithel
The Barddas of Iolo Morganwg is regarded as one of the only existing books detailing the practices of the Druidic Bards that have survived through time. It contains the details of their beliefs and practices - coming from an oral tradition, and having been written down sporadically, and only in fragments. Edited by J. Williams ab Ithel, a Welsh patriot whose concern was the Druidic Bardic tradition, the book centers around the writings of Iolo Morganwg, a very controversial person whose authenticity concerning his original source works has been called into question, and who had an almost lifelong addiction to laudanum, leading scholars to claim that his writings were often drug induced fantasies. (Here I am going to introduce a speculation of my own: Could it be that the drug in some part acted to lift the veil between the earthly physical sphere and divine knowledge, and that the works produced in this state actually have a basis in "truth", even though Morganwg pawned them off as transcriptions of ancient knowledge?) Baraddas has played a rather unique role in bringing an interest in Bards and Druids back into fashion, so to speak. I think that there are numerous works in many diverse fields that hold this quality - they are understood not to be completely accurate, but they form a firm enough template, or jumping off place, that they are accepted as source material. One of the best things that could have happened to this book did - it has an introduction written by a highly knowledgeable, eminently respected scholar in the field of Celtic myth and lore - John Matthews, author of Walkers Between The Worlds: From Shaman To Magus, and The Encyclopedia of Celtic Wisdom, amongst others. Matthews starts out by reviewing the life of Iolo Morganwg (born Edward WIlliams in Pennan, South Wales). Iolo grew up speaking both English and Welsh, and he had access to a wide range of literature in the nearby town of Cowbridge. As young men, Iolo and his brothers went to London, where he had access to an even wider range of reference material, and where he joined the recently formed Cymmrodorion and Gwynddigion Societies, which were dedicated to the retrieval and publication of old Welsh manuscripts. He went through several different business ventures in his lifetime - none of which were successful. For the most part, it was up to his elderly father to support his wife and children. Iolo began to write verse in the Bardic manner, blithely passing the material off as ancient verse that he had recently "discovered". After Iolo's death at the age of eighty, his son Taliesin ab Iolo gathered his papers together ( a full eighty volumes!), and attempted to sell them, with no luck. He then attempted to pull out smaller tracts and sell them. Six years after Taliesin's death the papers were purchased by Lord and Lady Llanover, who made them accessible to those wishing to study Iolo's unpublished work. One such person was John Williams - J. Williams ab Ithel. In Matthews own words: "Much of the material presented here has served as a foundation for the modern revival of interest in Druidry, and for this reason alone "Barddas" remains essential reading for all concerned with the mystical beliefs of the Celts. It is also a testimony to the working of a remarkable mind, to a man who wanted to encompass the worldview of a visionary people and to translate these into words that would inspire a new generation." Barddas is presented in a very unique fashion - on the left hand page the text is in Welsh, on the right hand page is the English translation. (This works well until the final page - which somehow missed the English translation!) The book is broken down into the following sections: Symbol, which deals with letters and language, and how the written word entered the world of the Druidic Bard; Theology, which deals with the history of Druidic Bardism, its teachings and practices; Wisdom, which deals with the Druidic understanding of the Divine; and Privilege and Usage, which deals with the privileges of office under the Druidic Bard system, and the consequences of abusing such privelages. This is an excellent source book for those interested in the Druidic world, and the Bardic system. However, one must keep in mind that it was written by a person that, while an acknowledged scholar, is also known to have created his own truth.
Bonnie Cehovet
 View My Guestbook Sign My Guestbook
|
