Homecoming: Avalon ceremonial complex functions at different levels and is designed to engage participants from diverse fields of study. The Symbolic and Metaphorical: Like the sides of a triangle, myth, symbol and metaphor are interrelated and inseparable. Myth is a narrative of the origin of a symbol. The narrative myth of Brennus, the Chalice Well, Nimue’s boat to Avalon, Castle Grail, Avalon and the Cauldron of Remembrance comprise the plot of the Stones Rising 2013 ceremonies. Together they tell of the origins of the primary symbol: Memory lost and found. Between primary symbol and narrative myth are found the secondary symbols of ceremony, which is the shared ritual expression of symbol. For example, in Christian myth and symbol, the narrative myth is the Passion of Christ found in the New Testament. The primary symbols are Sin, as told in the narrative myth of the disobedience of the primal man, Adam; and reworked in the related primary symbol of Redemption, in which the sacrifice of Jesus pays for (redeems) the sin of Adam. The secondary symbol is the Cross which represents the act of sacrifice and redemption that Jesus embodied and which is reenacted in the ritual of the Eucharist. All of these symbols eventually found their way into Celtic myth becoming what we know today as the Quest of the Holy Grail. Reenacting the narrative myth of Brennus’ lost and found memory in ceremony will find ritual expression in numerous and diverse secondary symbols. Many symbols will be employed in ceremony to facilitate participant insight, and no doubt participants will find more symbolism than is directly expressed in ritual action. In addition to the primary symbol of Memory lost and found, is the primary symbol of Place both of which will find expression in a variety of ways in each ceremony. Regarding the primary symbol of Place, accompanying symbolism includes: Search/Quest, Avatar Guides, Path/Way, Otherworld/Avalon, and Embodiment. Each of these symbols includes a variety of related secondary symbols including the Stone Cauldron of altars and recumbent stones as Gateway, the Chalice Well as source, the Mirror of Cafell as capturing memories, the Forge of Volund as transformation, Homecoming as remembering, and many diverse ritual expressions regarding the overcoming of Opposition/Duality. Symbolic objects include chalices, swords, candles, wands, sand and ash. Each of the primary elements of fire, water, earth and air will find copious ritual expression. The primary symbol of Memory will be expressed in ritual symbolism of the Rising as the creation of Memory that begins its narrative on Friday evening with the search for the recumbent stone that must join its companion at the Maypole, then both are pulled into the Stone Circle on Saturday afternoon completing the Cauldron of Remembrance on Saturday evening, in order that all things are prepared for their respective roles in the creation of the Gate to Avalon on Sunday Rising. There is more…lots more.
Posted on: Wed, 17 Jul 2013 13:36:50 +0000
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