Parting the Mists

When thinking of post topics for this new venture, defining the tradition popped into my head almost immediately. After all, we should start at the basics, the beginning, right?

Well, after outlining this a bit, I almost put it in the back of the pile. Why? Because the ways that different people and organizations define this trad are so varied and contradictory, it makes it a bit intimidating to approach. But I decided to stick to my stubborn Taurean guns and plow through it anyway.

This is a sticky topic, trying to define something like the Avalonian tradition. And frankly, I’m not comfortable saying there is one definition for it. Looking at the various Avalon-inspired groups, it is easy to see that stating an opinion on this matter is sure to bring disagreements – if not outright arguments – to the fore.

For starters, there are different names for the trad: Avalonian Tradition, Avalon Mystery Tradition, Avalonian Druidry, and others, I’m sure. Perhaps I shouldn’t be lumping all these together, but they all seem to stem from the same inspiration. Note that when I write the name for myself, I use a lowercase “t” to indicate the path in the more general sense.

Some Avalonian groups are completely Pagan, while others blend Christianity and Paganism. And though I don’t know of any, I wouldn’t be surprised to find a completely Christian Avalon group. Some of these groups are only for women, yet others include men.

So, where to start? I find the Avalon Druid Order to be an interesting group (based on their website – I am not a member). They state that their practice is based on the native – as in pre-Celtic – peoples of Britain who are referred to as Faery. The group does recognize that this wisdom is passed down through Celtic lore: “We study Celtic literature as a window looking into Avalon’s earlier, native spirituality. The spiritual ancestors who founded Avalonian Tradition are remembered in Celtic lore, but they are not Celts, and while there are many points of overlap there remain also many important points of divergence.”

Author and founder of the Avalon Mystery School, Mara Freeman offers this about Avalon: “Avalon is the Inner Temple of the Celtic and British Mysteries, a landscape of the soul, a country of the heart. . . . Avalon does not exist in the dimensions of time and space. It lies within the Otherworld, a place that the Celts have always taught us exists now and always . . .”

I do know that Freeman’s mystery school utilizes many different methods, symbols, and archetypes in her school – Pagan, Christian, and more – and offers it to both men and women.

In her book Avalon Within, Sisterhood of Avalon founder Jhenah Telyndru states that the tradition is a mix of myth, legend, folklore, geomancy, Druidry, Western Esoteric beliefs, goddess spirituality, and more (pg 8). Additionally, in a 2005 interview in PanGaia magazine, she clearly labels her Avalonian Tradition as “a Celtic Women’s Mystery tradition related to Welsh Druidism, and patterned after priestess enclaves found throughout the mythos of the British Isles.” (pg 26)

And Kathy Jones, co-founder of the Glastonbury Goddess Temple, organizer of the Glastonbury Goddess Conference, and author of several books, doesn’t appear to discuss the do’s and don’ts of the tradition, focusing instead on a very intuitive and lyrical practice. However, on the back of her book Priestess of Avalon, Priestess of the Goddess, she indicates the path is for both men and women: “A Priestess or Priest of Avalon is one who devotes her/himself to the service of the Lady of Avalon, to Her sacred land, and to Her people.”

And there are other Avalon-inspired groups, but I’m stopping for the sake of not boring you, kind reader, to death.

All of this, of course, leaves us with some ambiguity. But since when is spirituality cut and dry?

As someone who tries to be inclusive rather than exclusive, I have to admit that my personal definition might prove flimsy to some folks. I find the Avalonian tradition to be a spiritual path where one finds inspiration from the legends and stories of Avalon – most notably the matter of Britain – and from Celtic myths and symbols to develop a healing and magical practice. Tah-dah! There, that’s my definition.

Notice that I didn’t say “for women” in there. I feel that Avalon is a place where both men and women are welcome, though I agree it seems to appeal more to women. In fact, I’ve only met two men in person who seem drawn to the myths of Avalon and Arthur in a spiritual sense – one Pagan and one Christian. Perhaps the strong lunar aspect of many Avalonian groups is the reason for this. But consider that Arthur is taken to the Isle to heal, well, I doubt they neutered him first.

So what is your definition of the Avalonian tradition? How do you see it in comparison to the Arthurian or Druid trads? Or any other trad? Do you believe it is a path for men as well as women?

Well, see you on Friday, when I’ll lighten things up with a look at Google search results for Avalon.

Bright blessings,

Thistle

Sources:

Druids of Avalon, Avalon Druid Order, http://www.avalondruidorder.org/ (accessed August 19, 2011).

Mara Freeman, The Inner Realm of Avalon, Avalon Mystery School, http://www.avalonmysteryschool.net/inneravalon.htm  (accessed August 19, 2011)

Barrette, Elizabeth, “Voices of Modern Druidry.” PanGaia, September-November 2005, Issue 42, pages 22-28.

Telyndru, Jhenah. Avalon Within: A Sacred Journey of Myth, Mystery, and Inner Wisdom, second edition. Woodbury, MN: Llewellyn Publications, 2010.

Jones, Kathy. Priestess of Avalon, Priestess of the Goddess. Glastonbury, Somerset, England: Ariadne Publications, 2006.

© 2011 PJ Graham