Scandal

Scandal

"Fionn, Prince of the Fianna,
Shall deliver me from the lie,
The son of Cumhail of the sharp blade,
And Goll of the strokes shall be my shield."
   __ Scots Gaelic charm against ill-report (trans. CM)


  In this Scots Gaelic charm, the speaker invokes the help of Fionn mac Cumhail (FINN mak KOOL), the great champion of the Gael, and one of his heroes, the hard-hitting Goll. When our own good name is brought into disrepute through the spiteful words of others, we need strong heroes to champion us against a world of back-stabbing gossips.

  Ill-report and scandal are like forest fires, sweeping through a circle of acquaintance faster than the wind. For anyone, regardless of prominence or anonymity in the world, the assault of scandal is the most difficult to parry or refuse. When the rights of livelihood or marriage or parenthood are stripped away as a result of false report, the injustice rankles to the core.

  Every person alive has a responsibility to those in his shared circle of life. If by one unregarded word of ours we cause pain or hurt unjustly, if we endanger the public exteem of someone without warrant, we are not better than the armed assailant who mugs people on the streets. To steal someone's good name is theft, however we wrap it up. Scandal flourishes only because there are willing ears to receive it. If we close our ears to unjust gossip and restrain our tongues from passing it on, its muddy outpourings will cease to foul our lives.

"How have you entertained gossip? How can you cease to be the exponent of ill-report?"
[From: "The Celtic Spirit" by Caitlin Matthews]

Earth Energy

  The Celts sited their temples carefully to exploit the energies of the earth. For example, a shrine to Manannan, the Lord of the Waters, might be built near a river. Certain places held certain kinds of power, depending on factors such as the stone underlying them, the kinds of vegetation growing, and
the positioning of nearby hills or waterways. Some places are healing, some energizing, some conducive to contemplation; while some have an uncomfortable or uncanny atmosphere.

The art of dowsing:  Dowsing is an ancient method of detecting subtle currents of earth energy, such as underground water. A common technique involves holding a forked rod, usually made of hazel, in both hands with the single end pointing towad the ground. You should feel a reaction when you walk across a channel of energy - it might be a tingle in your hands, a twitching of the rod or a light vibration.
   It's important to feel relaxed, so prepare by stretching your muscles, and breathing deeply. For practice, find a bridge over a river and familiarize yourself with the change in sensation when you move from bank to the bridge.
[From "Celtic Inspirations" by Lyn Webster Wilde]