THE CIRCLE OF THE OLD ONE'S LIGHT.

                (Dedicated to the late Robert Graves)


    Before the light of morning on the birch grove falls,
    Leaves the red lipped Lady, Her Blessing on us all.
    Night like Wotan's wooden steed over the ocean does sail,
    From Bran's high castle fairies, red, green, and brown fade pale.

    Silently thru flowing poet's branches first dawn does seep,
    Hearlding May's white flowers and the breaking day's chaste heat.
    Doors of stout golden light now swing open wide,
    Thrusting the sharp points of the green bush aside.

    Clear day does the wisdom-tree in drops of light bathe,
    Magnifying the dark sweet fruit of the ancient fayes,
    Great spirals of the twice-born God in the late sun drink,
    Now Grown long the arrow shafts of light continue to sink.

    Run full is the dying sun's course in the Druid's day.
        Together in the not-time is the holy circuit now stayed,
        Consonants and vowels on the knotted fingers are played,
        Joining life and death while hearing the Gods speak their say.

    All night the silver tree in the Virgin's moonlight stand,
    Only rest now the golden flowers awaiting first light's hand,
    Until in full grown sun the heather's red passions fan,
    Each tree and shrub protected within the great shield's band,
    Invoking the Dark Mother's ageless blessing on our land.


                                               Nestor





















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                       OGHAM LETTERS


                        Consonants

    Letter: Name:       Tree:       Month begins:

    B       Beth        Birch       Dec. 24
    L       Luis        Rowan       Jan. 21
    N       Nion        Ash         Feb. 18
    F       Fearn       Alder       Mar. 18
    S       Saille      Willow      Apr. 15
    H       Uath        Whitethorn  May  13
    D       Duir        Oak         Jun. 10
    T       Tinne       Holly       Jul. 08
    C       Coll        Hazel       Aug. 05
    M       Muin        Vine        Sep. 02
    G       Gort        Ivy         Sep. 30
    NG      Ngethal     Reed        Oct. 28
    R       Ruis        Elder       Nov. 25

                        Vowels

    Letter: Name:       Tree:       Solar Event:

    A       Ailm        Silver fir   Winter Solstice
    O       Onn         Furze        Spring Equinox
    U       Ura         Heather      Summer Solstice
    E       Eadha       White poplar Autumn Equinox
    I       Idho        Yew          Eve of the Winter Solstice


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