My Violin Playing Memories

I played susuki style classical violin for years in my early teens during the late 1980s (along with soccer and martial arts classes). I had a very good teacher who lived in an old school house down by the river in Millville. She taught us at the Methodist Church and her home filled with her husband’s car parts. We performed at Wolftrap and the Kennedy Center in large student groups. If i had learned fiddling it might have been more fun for me and i might have kept doing it, but the only fiddler i knew was Bruce Wilkin, but he was busy working a regular job; so i made Chance McCoy listen to Bruce on CD with me since we were both into Celtic music. i will never forget we were in Chance’s shed in the early 1990s, and i told him to listen for the imperfections, that is how you know it is real played lively without editing. i said Bruce is playing for the joy of it, and maybe in some moments for whatever reason he might sound slightly off, but that doesn’t matter. He does the best he can and that is good enough, because it evokes fun feelings. Chance barely played the guitar back then as he was starting out, but he still jammed with me on keyboard; and he went on to learn how to play the violin and other instruments, and win a grammy with fiddling and other folk style music playing. I used Bruce’s CD in a college film, with his kind non-profit permission.   – Drogo

Ancestry DNA Revised Analysis Flawed

Ancestry DNA company revised results have mislabeled my Spanish AND Italian as all German, and it has to do with migrant history Y-Chromosome haplogroups R1b subsets dating back to 2300 BC. Their lazy revisions appear to be less precise because they are more generalized and less specific. despite my ancestors being documented as living in Spain and Italy and England for hundreds and hundreds of years, their shared R1b DNA marker tends to lump them together as all “GERMAN European” as all being from that migrant phase thousands of years ago, using the current Ancestry. com analysis algorithms. This leaves out major labels for hundreds of years of ancestors.

 

Haplogroup R* originated in North Asia just before the Last Glacial Maximum (26,500-19,000 years ago). This haplogroup has been identified in the remains of a 24,000 year-old boy from the Altai region, in Siberia. R1b people (perhaps with J2 tribes) were the first to domesticate cattle in northern Mesopotamia some 10,500 years ago. R1b tribes descended from mammoth hunters, and when mammoths went extinct, they started hunting other large game such as bisons and aurochs all across Europe with Germany as the hotspot circa 2000 BC. 

R1b is the most common genetic DNA haplogroup in Western Europe, reaching the majority of the population in Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Spain, Germany, Russia and Asia. R1b hotspots include the Po valley in north-central Italy and Catalan Spain (over 70%), Armenia (35%), the Bashkirs of the Urals Russia (50%), Turkmenistan and Hazara Afghanistan (35%), the Uyghurs of North-West China (20%) and the Newars of Nepal (11%).  R1b-V88, a subclade specific to sub-Saharan Africa, is found in 60 to 95% of men in northern Cameroon. Menorca has 73% R1b (ancient Celtic-Germanic) and 19% E (East African), in family lines who have lived there for centuries. R-M269-DF27 (R1b1a2a1a2a) is a Y-chromosome haplogroup defined by marker DF27 (also known as S250). Along with R-U152 and R-L21, the lineage is to a significant extent associated with Proto-Celtic, Celtic and later Celtiberian movements.

It arose after European Bronze Age, and is mostly prevalent in the Pyrenees region. The regions where it has been mostly found are Basque Country, Navarre, Asturias, Galicia, Portugal, Aragon, Catalonia, Pyrénées-Atlantiques as well as a some presence in Great Britain and Ireland, though it has been found in smaller quantities as far away as Germany and Poland.

Specific subclades of DF27 have been associated with specific groups of people, for example R-M167 is associated with the Catalans and R-M153 is associated with the Basques. Like other Western Europeans, among Spaniards and Portuguese the Y-DNA Haplogroup R1b is the most frequent, occurring at over 70% throughout most of Spain. R1b is particularly dominant in the Basque Country and Catalonia, occurring at rate of over 80%. In Iberia, most men with R1b belong to the subclade R-P312 (R1b1a1a2a1a2; as of 2017). The distribution of haplogroups other than R1b varies widely from one region to another.

Samhain (Halloween) Ritual

Sowin, End of Fall, Annual End of the Celtic Year, Celtic New Year, Start of Winter,

Ancestor Night, Feast of the Dead, Devil Night (Friday or night before), All Souls Night & Day, Time of Scorpio / circa Oct. 31 – November 1

The significance of this night is great, for it is the Celtic New Year and Ancestor Night. On November’s Eve the Celts celebrated Samhain (now pronounced Sowin). The veil between worlds is thinnest at midnight when the Dark Lady Crone and Dark Lord Wizard work their magic. Test your bravery, and rid yourself of fears by confronting them. Sacrifice that which no longer serves you, but will scare you from living the fullness of your potential. We must find the light within us with the aid of Hecate and Herne, to make it through Winter. We must find ways to cooperate together.

Samhain Poem   [ AUDIO Reading & Music ]

Leaves have turned brown, and fallen down; or will soon.

Silhouettes of trees lean creepily against the Moon.

Smells of smoke and spice, feel very nice.

Pumpkins become Jack-o-lanterns to ward off vice.

Wearing costumes to dance with the dead.

Thin Veil Time, our spirits full of dread.

Fire burn bright, in the dark of night!

Trick or Treat, let us eat; despite our fright.

Another growing year is done,

Now let the new year bring more fun!

*

Samhain Sabbat Spell

Components: Candles (white, black, red, yellow, orange, brown, blue), orange cloth, cauldron or plate, horns and skulls, staves, wands, daggers, fire, water, incense, salt. Fire pit optional.

(Darlock)

“Be it known our power is here. There are spirits with us, ours and those of others. The circle is about to be cast, let those who desire attendance gather here within, so long as they wish us no ill will. Lesser spirits of evil or selfish purposes should stay away from this place and these strong souls. For if they come near seeking to harm us, they will find us difficult to possess and they will be the one’s hurt this night, by their own anger. For we are the guardians of light and darkness, and tonight we welcome visits, but support only positive intention towards catharsis and healing at the end of the growing year.”

(Drogo)

“We must not fight each other, and so must communicate loving reassurances to those that we want within our circle. If one of us becomes possessed by evil, those with enough strength to see the good should wish them life and seek to save them this night. For the path is perilous. We should remind ourselves why we are here, and what must be done, as one. We must guard against ill intent from spirits that distract us from our duties to the circle and our goals that we set for the new year. We can fight them in the ethereal spirit world, and banish them from us. If a kindred spirit becomes confused, it is our duty to keep them safe by reminding them that they are loved and important to us. Even if they cannot control themselves due to madness, fear, or anger we must not give into those selfish dark emotions. Defend yourselves, but do not leave the safety of the circle unless retreat is needed, or brothers and sisters will watch your back, and let you back in by protecting you in a bubble that does not dispel the circle. Our path is perilous, but we are one.

(Drako)

“The dead are with us this night, more than usual. Be strong for our ancestors, and smart enough not to harm a brother or sister, even if you feel them attacking you in any way. Ask them their intent if you are confused. If their dark side answers in a way that seems to conform they wish us ill, then with the brightness of love and life, defend the circle. Seek to remind, subdue, and release any level of threats. Remind any enemies of their positive worth. Subdue with minimal harm. Release those unwilling to participate from obligations. Hold no one against their will if they will leave peacefully. Even when faced with the most destructive force, the goal of the circle is to keep our loving light lit in our hearts and minds. May Hecate light our way and shine through our actions. Great darkness and cold will come this Winter, and we must be together in our readiness to survive, despite death and sickness around us.”

Place salt, water and candles around the circle. Set altar and prepare to light the candles. Light incense. Wear masks, costumes, or paint as appropriate. Music.

Ollumh the high priestess leads coveners along the procession and into the circle area.

(Priestess)

“For all the Ancestors and relations, in acknowledgment of all who have gone before, we honor you with offerings. We bow to your memory within us, and the lives you led as part of our legacy. We are the living and you are the dead. Some are living dead, and others are dead living. Be here only of your free will and sympathy. Let us cast the Circle!”

Elements – casting Circle

Visualize light drawing a circle perimeter deasil.

East – Air

(Emma)

“Here I do bring light to Air in the East. To illuminate breath of life. Listen to the Spirit Winds that herald the voices of the ancients. From the realm of Gorias and Paralda, come forth clarity, truth, sunlight, starlight, moonlight, and shine bright! Thoet se! We call upon you powers of Air to witness this rite and guard this circle. So mote it be, blessed be.” Light the Air candle.

South – Fire

(Drogo)

“The flame of Life reaches us, climbing up and surrounding us. We are within it dancing. The flame can destroy life, burning it like a wick. From death comes life reborn from ashes. We can sprout from devastation, with fiery passion, like the phoenix. On this night we honor the dead year, and the new year to come! We honor the ancestors and spirits and our sacred selves in this circle of Albred. So mote it be, blessed be.” Light the Fire candle.

West – Water

“Here I do illuminate Water in the West, to wash and clean. From the realms of Murias and Niksa, come forth fertility of plenty. Ocean circles the Earth, seas flowing and ebbing, rivers running. Thoet se! Taste tranquility and baptism to rest and be born again. Witness this rite and guard this circle. Blessed be, so mote it be.” Light the Water candle.

North – Earth

(Avalock)

“Here I do bring the light to Earth in the North. We illuminate and give you strength Mother Earth! From the realm of Falias and Gob, come forth earth elementals. La Falia, La Fail (Stone of Destiny), solid strong! Foundation below thoet se, shelter and food (throw salt). We call upon you powers of Earth, to witness this rite and guard this circle. Tuath, North, Earth, so mote it be. Blessed be.” Light the Earth candle.

(Priestess)

“Flames leap high, inside life! Flames rise forth, outside death! Flames burn bright, inside eternal day! Flames keep us warm, outside everlasting Night! I consecrate this circle with power all around, to the ancient ones. Here may they manifest and bless their children.”

Lights white, red, and black candles at the altar.

“White candle, glorious Maiden we honor your joy. Red candle, Great Mother we honor your love. Black candle, Dark Crone we honor your wisdom. We welcome the Triple Goddess in all her forms. Also let the Triple God be with us too, through her.

*

Offerings and spell work

*

Closing

“By the powers of light and dark, so closes the fullness of our energy in this circle, here this night, yet this circle will be open to all spirits who linger or remain. Depart in peace, all those visiting. So mote it be, thank you gods, goddesses, ancestors, and elements. Blessed be, so mote it be.”

*

Celtic Music Favorites

Celtic Music is emotional and full of energy. Celtic songs can be slow and sad, and quick and lively; loud and proud, or soft and gentle. I love them all.

Drogo’s favorites

Celtic Bands: Pendragon, Enya, Clannad, Loreena McKennitt, Seven Nations, Pogues, Drop Kick Murphies, Chieftains, Unfortunate Rakes, Boiled in Lead, and many more

Celtic Songs: Whiskey In the Jar, She Is Like a Swallow, Wind That Shakes the Barley, Anam, Poison Glen, Mummers Dance, Dulamon, and many more

 

Harpers Faery Magic Bible

 

New-Age Testament & Neo-Pagan Scripture

by Drogo Empedocles 2013

Introduction

Multiple religious myths and spiritual magics for polytheistic Neo-Pagans

This book is a modern eclectic Pagan Bible. It is the personal beliefs of Prophet Drogo Empedocles, and his interpretation of world religions, New-Age philosophy, and Neo-Pagan magic. Polytheistic Celtic-Wiccan influence is finally proudly written here, in contrast to many Hebrew, Christian, and Muslim beliefs; because of their doctrines of cultural war against Pagans. As a handbook guide of holy Pagan scripture, this book is meant to be a shield and a sword for our faith, in the hands of the chosen guardians. This Pagan Bible includes stories about the magical town of Harpers Faery, and is a combination of historic-fiction, occult magic, and autobiography.

Eclectic-Pagan Celtic-Wiccan New-Age Bible

The word bible, is from the Greek word biblia, meaning simply books. According to religious tradition a bible is also a canon of holy scripture; an authoritative collection of rule books. The dominant rule of this Neo-Pagan Bible is the proclamation of a new covenant with ancient religions, modern Paganism, culture, and individuals in the form of universal spirituality, and acceptance of unique personal magic, and our diverse environments within the Universe. Most of the major religious rule books are now outdated guides. Please help spread the good news of the Pagan Bible!

The word pagan, from Latin paganus, means “rural country folk”. Paganism usually refers to religions or beliefs which are polytheistic or indigenous (non-Christian). Within Paganism are categories such as polytheism, shamanism, pantheism, or animism. Neo-Paganism is the revival of the ancient old ways, adapted in a new way for our modern times. There are many important reasons for this “New-Age” movement, but perhaps most of all Neo-Paganism exists because Mother Earth deserves some respect again, more than ever before!

In various religious and spiritual writings, we may find some answers; or at least stories we can relate to, and are helpful. We may also become upset or troubled by what we read. One curious pattern to notice about written history and other bibles, is how their texts ignore and degrade goddesses, women, and nature-based faiths in general. While mythical stories may be interesting, it is only through our own self-realized connection to civilization and nature that we may put ourselves in context with the true Universe. Remember we are not alone, even when we feel alone.

My name is Drogo Empedocles, and I am a faery. Well, part faery anyway. It is complicated, so I will explain my blood line later. I call myself a faery because fae magic is in my blood, and most of my friends are faeries of one kind or another. I wrote this as my Bible, and it is based on my beliefs and my home town. I encourage everyone to write their own bible. History happens to real people everyday (before it becomes history). This Bible supports polytheism, faerie equal rights, and bloody swear words; in addition to conventional biblical morality and multicultural ethics. This is my Bible.

– Dr. Rev. Drogo F.H. Empedocles

HFM Chapters

World Religious Mythology

Harpers Faery Creation Myth

Harpers Faery Songs & Poems

New-Age Testament of Drogo

Harpers Faery Spells and Rituals

Images, Bibliography, References

*

1st Edition Ebook – Available on Amazon Kindle!

1st Edition – Buy the Paperback Book on Amazon!

2nd Edition –  Paperback  /  Kindle

*

Celtic Paganism (Wiccan / Druid)

Neo-Pagan Wiccan and Druidic religions are derived from the ancient Celtic Pagan polytheist culture (1300 BC – 400 AD). The word Celt translates “chisel” or “ax” from the Latin word celte, and refers to an ethno-linguistic region comprised of several European tribal nations. Originally the Greeks and Romans got the name Celt from a specific tribe in Gaul (France). The main Celtic name for themselves seems to be Gal (“strong” or “fierce”) with derivations: Gall, Gaul, Gali, and Gael. The main Celtic nations were Gaul (France), England (Brittani & Cornwall), Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and Spain (Iberian Galicia). The basic Celtic periods can be divided into Bronze Age Urnfields (1300-700 BC), Iron Age Hallstatt (700-500 BC), Iron Age La Tene (500-0 BC), Gaelic Last Stand (0-400 AD).

Celts were commoners, slaves, nobles (equites), priests (druids), oracles (vates), and musicians (bards). Druids, bards, and vates were the three priestly classes. Secular Celtic society varied throughout their decentralized tribal civilization. Celtic priests emphasized an oral tradition, and forbid their doctrines and stories to be written down; perhaps to have exclusive control over the religious rights, much as we use copyright laws today. Druids were exclusive secretive authorities on cultural superstition, ritual knowledge, and political magic. Bards were story-tellers, singers, and musicians. Vates were prophetic seer shamans, or oracles. These priestly orders may have survived from a Neolithic or Bronze Age Indo-European religion of the Horned-God of Animals; which included wheels, spirals, torcs, deer, ram-horned snakes, and other animals as sacred symbols even into the Iron Age. Various Greco-Roman accounts refer to Druidic human sacrifice, magical practices with flora and fauna, belief in reincarnation, and that they were respected as authorities by Celtic secular society. Oaks seem to be their most sacred trees (followed by ash and yew), and perhaps wrens were their most sacred birds; because the word druid is related to roots which mean “magic-oak-wren-seer”.

The Greeks and Romans considered Celts to be simply barbarians, a term which lumped them together with germanic and other tribal cultures that were deemed uncivilized savage foreigners. It was also said that most barbarians were immoral mindless hordes, that will invade and destroy unless they are invaded and destroyed, or enslaved.

Thus Roman and Christian Empires invaded and destroyed most of ancient Celtic culture by war and assimilation. The only source scriptures we have are Greek, Roman, and later Christian literature for any linguistic detail concerning ancient Celtic religion. For obvious reasons these sources are biased towards the conqueror’s own beliefs. However in the New Age, Neo-Paganism resurrects the ancient religion, with the contemporary tradition of witch-craft (wicca), which is the rural underground vestiges of the ancient Celtic beliefs, evolved in family secret legacies and in assimilated spiritual superstitions for hundreds of years, despite numerous witch lynchings and burnings by Christian literalists.

Celts and Druids did not seem to have unified religious doctrines amongst the tribes, as to who the main gods were, or how the gods could be represented; as the Celts were not an empire in the centralized way that Greece and Rome were. Rather than temples, the priests seem to have preferred forest groves, so the emphasis was on regional environmental powers and wildlife (genius loci), more than detailed personifications. Yet the bards must have sung of heroes, and because they were not recorded (as the Homeric poems were) the closest we have are the later Christian Irish and Welsh selected writings. It was claimed that Druids forbid writing, but they did use some alphabets and codes like Ogham and Runes. It seems that if there were any other Pagan writings the Church did away with them. The dominant mythical stories of Celtic England, France, Scotland, and Spain may have been lost over the generations, although their oral and bardic styles remain a secular tradition.

The Celts were animists, believing that all aspects of the natural world contained spirits. Celts communed with these spirits, and spirits were capable of reincarnation. Hundreds of Celtic deities and heroes were reduced to faerie spirits over time, and then futher diminished in size to tiny faeries, by the Renaissance. Although it is possible that small faeries always existed within Celtic Religion; even just as small animals. Also many animals continue to live in the ground, as our ancestors did, or dead people do, and birds fly like spirits in the air and mess about unseen. These are reasons that faeries exist.

The absence of a Celtic creation myth means either they never had one, or we have lost it. It is most likely the Celtic creation myth was lost on purpose by the Roman-Catholic Church, as it would have been seen as threatening to Catholic Genesis dogma. The Irish Christian story began with the settling of Ireland by several invasions. Celtic deities should be considered in a tribal clan context, due to their lack of specialization, as compared to Greek or Roman deities.

In Ireland, first were the Fomorians. Then came the Partholonians, who achieved architecture and landscaping, but were killed by plague. The next wave was the Nemedians, and they defeated the Fomorians. Then Fir Bolgs from Greece came, and civilized Ireland by dividing it into five provinces, and made laws. Next the Tuatha arrived and defeated Balor. Finally the Spanish Iberian Milesians came and defeated the Tuatha. The Milesians gave the Tuatha the land below ground and the Milesians the land above. Tuatha De Danann means “People of the Deity Danann” who came over water and went under hills.

Irish Scot Gaelic Deities

Danann / Danu – mother goddess

Dagda – father god, good with all

Morrigan – Nemhain, Macha, Badb (Triple Goddess)

Brigit – maiden fire

Lugh – light (Apollo or Mercury)

Goib – earth, craft

Oran Mór, “The Great Melody”

Crom Cruach Dubh – head bloody black crooked one of sacrificial stone mounds

Ogma – wise words, writing (ogham), and strength

Triple God of Skill = Dagda, Lugh, Ogma

Cú Chulainn – hero son of Lugh (Irish hero)

Fin MacCool – hero son of Cú Chulainn, (Irish hero)

Gallic Gaul, Briton, and Welsh Deities

Arawn Ankou – king of the dead otherworld realm of Annwn

Bran & Branwen – raven gods

Belenus – sun fire god of Beltane and cattle

Cocidius, a god of war

Condatis, a god of the confluences of rivers

Cernunnos – horned (Carnonos) nature virility (Hern) wild animals, green man

Ceridwen – (Carugwen) mother goddess of love, magic, change, transformation

Epona Rhiannon – horses

Nantosuelta Erecura – goddess of nature, earth, fire, and fertility in Gaul

Taranis – god of thunder and wheels (chariot or wagon)

Teutates = great tribal spirit, or leader of the people (Teuta), hundreds of deities

Sucellos – “kindly good striker” god of agriculture, forests, drinks, mallets

Damona Damara – a river fertility goddess

Coventina, goddess of wells and springs

*

Neo-Pagan Celtic Wiccan Deities

Kernunos – Triple God = Lugh, Dagda, Arawn / Ankou

Morrigan – Triple Goddess = Brigit, Ceridwen, Crone / Macha

Mathonwy – Merlin = druid god of magic, math, alchemy, science

Nantosuelta Damona Damara = Mother Earth, animals, plants

* Empedocles primary deity list (Harpers Faery way)

There is a connection between the old Celtic Horned-God Carnonos / (C or H)ernunnos, and with Dis-Pater. Wealth is represented by the torcs, which are both collars of control and value; stewardship over a livestock herd was wealth. Wealth, wildlife, and herds all connect Hermes-Pan with Carnonos. The horns and some underworld aspects link Dis-Pater and Pluto to Carn, but Pluto may have been Dagda as well… under-ground. Gaelic Hernunnos (Hern) and Gallic Carnonos. cairns or herms (Hermes-Pan), human – (Proto-Germanic) hurnan – horn-man (German)- hern-mon-os (latin hermanos “brother”) humanus (homo) (Persian Sanskrit) sur = horn, Berton kern = horn, herds

*

For My Friends to Summon Me

A Conjuring Spell to Evoke my Spirit

*

First, let me advise the potential readers. To my strong and wise friends, you will understand this completely, and will not need this explanation. To my more timid friends, do not be afraid. To my enemies, I warn you not to abuse my good will. To lame idiots that will never get it in this lifetime, i reflect their own negativity back at them, and say “no you get a life of your own worth having jackass, and stay out of mine” (in response to insults they say to me). This is not a suicide note. Nor is this fiction. This essay is meant to explain to people how I prefer to be addressed. That being said, this is certainly not the only spell to call me, there are other methods. While I am alive “in body” there are many existing methods of communicating with me, that may not be available when my body is dead. However, as I have stated before, I intend to be around as a spirit before moving on entirely (from ghost to reincarnation or other realm entirely). I know this spell will work, because I use it to summon myself all the time (regular meditations). So this spell works for my spirit even while my body is still “alive”, so it should work better when my spirit is more free, and not contained.

*

Now I have dealt with many types of spirits, good and evil and neutral; in various amalgams. Sometimes I have conjured other spirits by accident, sometimes by choice; and often a little of both. I have even been possessed, and banished spirits. However I prefer to use common nature magicks; I like to work with spirits (and gods), and make things better; rather than use dangerous powers that I may not be able to control. That is why I do not intend to publish many spells about summoning other spirits, as they may not want to be bothered by strangers. So it is fair enough that the first conjuring spell for a human spirit that I publish, be one to summon I.

*

Spell to Summon Drogo Empedocles

This spell may be performed in haste with emergencies, or best in a prepared setting with ritual relics and additional pageantry. Other names for Drogo Empedocles may also be used. After the spell is conducted, Drogo may appear as an apparition, or you may simply feel his presence. If you do not sense Drogo, it does not necessarily mean that he cannot be summoned at that time; he may be present, but you may have a reception problem on your end in temporal existence (technical difficulties). Another possibility is that he might just visit your dreams.

Begin with basic ritual, light a candle, and play Pagan Music.

Next hold a Celtic talisman, and speak these words:

 

“Upon this day, upon this night

to my left, or to my right;

I call upon Drogo Empedocles,

if you can, if you please, or if you might.”

 

Then bow your head and Drogo will be there, bowing his head in return.

Communicate with Drogo directly.

Upon ending the summons, simply thank Drogo for coming, and properly close communications with a “good-bye”. The spirit of Drogo will bow and leave.

END

***

*