Celtic Dragon Land Oracle User’s Manual Martin Vaughan-Watkin Martin Vaughan-Watkin Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 1 FOREWORD FROM THE AUTHOR The teachings of William Morgan are very dear to my heart as he was my grandfather and his teachings have helped to make me the man I am today. His teaching help me on a daily basis, I hope they help you as much as me on your spiritual path. Thanks for you purchase. Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 2 The Celtic Dragon's Land Oracle Cards are based on the Dadcu Druidcraft workshops run by Martin Vaughan-Watkin based on the teachings of William Morgan, although Martin is a Druid the cards are not exclusive for Druids but anyone interested in a Celtic spiritual viewpoint . The cards are designed to help you connect with the Divine via the land as the Celtic Shamans, Druids, Saints, etc. as they have done for thousands of years for personal guidance and enlightenment. Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 3 The images are from the land of Wales, the Celtic nation which has a dragon on its flag hence the name. With the proverbs from Dadgu Druidry and a formula on how to use them. Just like other types of Oracle cards, the formula is not exclusive and you can use them in any form you wish. There is a link to the workshops run by Martin. If you are outside the UK there is an E-Workshop as well, that can be done online. http://druidcraft-workshop.webs.com/ Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 4 Getting Started When you first get your deck and you intend to use them, it is good form a link with them become "Anam cara" with them. After all, the better you can connect with them, the easier it is to link with the message of spirit, as any experienced Tarot reader will tell you the same. They have many decks but always use the same or a select few. T he Celtic Dragon land’s Oracle are designed mainly (but not exclusive) for personal use, after all this deck can be your "mobile/cell phone" to your spirit guides so the better signal you can get the better. Phone? Bet you wondering what an earth.... when I say the cards are like a phone, they are in a way. I don't mean the technology and all that science stuff that's head territory, what I mean is, what it means to your heart, not the brand or what gizmos and tricks it can do. Think of the last time you lost your phone, needed to contact someone urgent, waiting on an important call, need some information in a hurry, etc. that's what I mean, remember that feeling of lost connection, feel the bond. If you think about it, back in the day all the people we knew all the information we ever needed was there in the village we lived in. If you needed to talk to someone about a set topic you asked the blacksmith, healer, shaman, etc. and the Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 5 spirits where there just outside the village in the field or near woods. Well most of us don't live like that anymore our "community/world" is in that little "squawking box" in your pocket. Well that squawking box is great for this world but what about the wider "spirit village." Well that’s where the cards come in. What is Anam Cara? Anam Cara is an Irish language term meaning "spiritual advisor." The term was greatly popularized by John O'Donohue's 1997 bestselling work of the same name, Anam Cara. As O'Donohue puts it,” the term is greatly misconstrued to mean soul mate, but Anam means soul and Cara means friend. ” Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 6 According to Celtic spiritual tradition, the soul shines all around the body like a luminous cloud. When you are very open, appreciative, and trusting with another person, your two souls flow together. This deeply felt bond with another person means you have found your Anam Cara, or "Soul Friend." Your Anam Cara always beholds your light and beauty, and accepts you for who you truly are. In Celtic spirituality, the Anam Cara friendship awakens the fullness and mystery of your life. You are joined in an ancient and eternal union with humanity that cuts across all barriers of time, convention, philosophy, and definition. When you are blessed with an Anam Cara, the Irish believe, you have arrived at that most sacred place: home. Origin of the Cards To the ancient Celtic people the land was divine so as to communicate with the Gods, Goddesses, ancestors, nature spirits, etc. they saw signs in the environment around them. Visit any Celtic land with an open soul and you can feel its magic. In Wales there have been 3 main faiths that have felt it such as the ancients people that built the hundreds of stone circles, standing stones like Stonehenge (but Stonehenge is not in Wales but the Blue stones are from Wales dragged hundreds to their current location). Next came the Druids, then the Celtic saints with their own take on Christianity. Also Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 7 eastern faith followers that have come to Wales can hear the song. Many others have spiritual centres in the area, along with the 3 with general spiritual centres, so it does not matter what tune you whistle it’s the song that counts. Known to the followers of Dadgu Druidry as "Cân yr Tir" translated from Welsh means, ‘The Song of the Land ’ The Divine sends Omens or signs from God etc., to answer the questions asked. Think of "red sky at night shepherd's delight ”,” 1 for sorrow 2 for joy ” which relates to magpies, etc. These are general "one size fits all" interpretations of Cân yr Tir. Cân yr Tir is more personal thing a relationship with the self and the Divine. A more exact example of this is the old legend of Robert the Bruce and the spider. William Morgan taught in an area of Wales that is extremely special, and the cards in the deck are images from this area. Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 8 Robert the Bruce and the Spider H undreds of years ago there was a king of Scotland and his name was Robert the Bruce. It was a good thing that he was both brave and wise, because the times in which he lived were wild and dangerous. The King of England was at war with him, and had led a great army into Scotland to drive him out of the land and to make Scotland a part of England. Battle after battle he had fought with England. Six times Robert the Bruce had led his brave little army against his foes. Six times his men had been beaten, until finally they were driven into flight. At last the army of Scotland was entirely scattered, and the king was forced to hide in the woods and in lonely places among the mountains. One rainy day, Robert the Bruce lay in a cave, listening to the rainfall outside the cave entrance. He was tired and felt sick at heart, ready to give up all hope. It seemed to him that there was no use for him to try to do anything more. Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 9 As he lay thinking, he noticed a spider over his head, getting ready to weave her web. He watched her as she worked slowly and with great care. Six times she tried to throw her thread from one edge of the cave wall to another. Six times her thread fell short. "Poor thing!" said Robert the Bruce. "You, too, know what it's like to fail six times in a row." But the spider did not lose hope. With still more care, she made ready to try for a seventh time. Robert the Bruce almost forgot his own troubles as he watched, fascinated. She swung herself out upon the slender line. Would she fail again? No! The thread was carried safely to the cave wall, And fastened there. "Yes!" cried Bruce, "I, too, will try a seventh time!" So he arose and called his men together. He told them of his plans, and sent them out with hopeful messages to cheer the discouraged people. Soon there was an army of brave men around him. A seventh battle was fought, and this time the King of England was forced to retreat back to his own country. It wasn't long before England recognized Scotland as an independent country with Robert the Bruce as its rightful king. And to this very day, the victory and independence of Scotland is traced to a spider that kept trying again and again to spin her web in a cave and inspired the king of Scotland, Robert the Bruce. Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 10 The images used on the cards are within a 20 mile radius (a day’s walk as the crow flies ) of the town of Ystradgynlais, a small Welsh town in the shadow of the Sleeping Giant Mountain. To the north are the mountains of the Welsh highlands, to the East is an area known as "Waterfall Country," to the South is the city of Swansea and its bay and coast line, and to the West is the Amman valley rich in the legends from the The Mabinogion. The whole area is steeped in legend, with holy sites and places of power dotted about. Its set in a landscape of high mountains, wooded valleys with veins of mountain streams, snaking rivers with lakes and pools here and there. With a sprinkle of stone circles, standing stones, ancient chapels and castles thrown in for good measure. Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 11 How to use Each card has an image, a subject, a roman numeral and a proverb on it. Then using manual or the website (full in depth meaning page) you can get a more in-depth reading for each card. One card readings Shuffle the cards, close your eyes have your question, troubles or situation in your mind and then feel which card you are drawn to. Pick that card to help you find your answer from the image, proverb and if needed the extended meaning from the manual. Or "Full in depth meanings “page on the website. Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 12 If you have no question as such, you can use the one card reading for daily inspiration. In the morning draw a card using the same method and then spend 5 minutes thinking about it. 3 or 5 card readings With 3 or 5 card readings you need to think of them as steps, the higher you climb the clearer the view, in this case to the answer, do not look as such feel it. If you have to come back down the "steps" to make it more clear, then do so, remember there is no fixed rule, go with your instincts they serve you best. Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 13 Example Readings David asks his deck in a 5 card spread. QUESTION....... Is there a special purpose for me? XL Cyfathrebu XIV Meddwl LIV Camau Gweithredu LXI Newid XLVII Dyngedfennol What I get from your spread is a sense of what is now, after the main focus of your life for donkeys years is gone and your grieving for it, but the legacy is still casting its shadow, it may have been a job but my money is on a person. It was love and vocation now is a time to look at your life in a new way, from a different angle, I get a sense of "wasted years" this is far from the case, ok you not be in any major history books, Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 14 who is, for us masses, the world of the past is a richer place from what you put in to it. The 2 cards are going into the future with the other 3 with the text are the past and foundation, the 2 cards say, find yourself again explore the new, you have earned it OK it’s scary but what was , is gone and cannot be found in the present. Steph asked her deck ... QUESTION....... Where do I go from here? LXVIII Gythreuliaid V Cyson LXVII Hunan Dryc XLV Meddwl Cadarnhaol XXXI Twf Top 2 cards, you stay with the status quo, keep everybody else happy, better the devil you know things like that, but it’s not your path to happiness and fulfilment, but the middle card is your heart crying out for change. Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 15 And you don't have to change yourself fully just some minor adjustment to go for your heart’s desire. The bottom 2 cards say there may be some small pain with any adjustment and growth but the hidden part of yourself needs the feel the sun and see how it grow fail or not it need a chance to grow because not ever exploring it, in the long will hurt your soul tenfold more than possible failure. Patti asked her deck QUESTION.... Is the musician true? XXV Greddf LXXI Aros LVII 57 Ystyfnig LV 55 Teulu XXX Gwersi Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 16 Simple answer on "face value" yes but there is more to it than face value bit of an iceberg more under the water, but like an iceberg it does not hang around wanting to sink ships so take the musician at face value but proceed with caution and slowly and respect warnings of family. If you pick not to take the word the musician take elements of it on board it is a transection event. For example a hippie folk singer tells you, you are great flute player you should come and tour with him and his band, but he is a stoner does not grasp the fact you have commitments he is honest no malice intended you may stay to hell with and go but if not take on board you are good player so dabble when your commitments get you down go to an open mic night or the like. Stick with it.. OK it’s no easy to grasp at first but it’s not a straight forward thing. This not the world of man, it is the call the wild, where instincts guide not the rules of man. Think of it this way each week, you go to a crowded room and try to talk to a person you need an answer from across the room you cannot hear each other, but as each week passes you develop a sign language system and learn each other mannerisms and the like and over time you learn to communicate it is same with the cards. Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 17 William Morgan Now you have learn how to use the cards are becoming familiar and bonding with them, the images are from the Swansea Valley area and the Proverbs are from the teachings of William Morgan and Dadgu Druidry. Has with his forefathers and descendants the knowledge is passed down and we would like to share with you each card is a board outline of the subject matter. Next to each image is the original Welsh tittle, number, edited version the original proverb, an example and general similar quote from popular culture or otherwise persons. As stated before there is no "by the book" method with these cards the "rules" are only for guidance you use them as you feel best suited to you. Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 18 1 I Hunan Self Proverb...... Bend a little to live with the average, but do not fully straighten, for our bends and depths define us. Example........ You are not a clone, the way you are is you, unique and special....those services who treat you as a number or an unit are not worthy of you. ”This above all; to thine own self be true". William Shakespeare Celtic Dragon Land Oracle U ser’s Manual 19 2 II Caredigrwydd Kindness Proverb.... A small kind deed or word can be as the first spring sun ray to the forlorn heart, as the spring sun is to winter's grip. Example..... That homeless man that asks if you want a "Big Issue" you may not be homeless but you are not driving a Rolls Royce either, smile at him and say "No thanks this time" money is good and would help him but to acknowledge him as a fellow human is valued as well. "Kindness gives birth to kindness." ~ Sophocles