Kali Roberts
@kali active 11 months ago-
Kali Roberts posted an update: 11 months ago
Hello fellow bards! I am hoping to perform as bard at each of the cross quarter ceremonies… however its been hard to get any info on what’s happening for Solstice. Does anyone know if there’s an event at the Assembly Rooms this week?? Thanks!
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Kali Roberts wrote a new blog post: Solstice Fire 11 months, 1 week ago
Solstice Fire In deep waters of solstice beneath the sun’s fire you will bathe Between lake velvet surface and epiphany of sky lay yourself wide, like a calm sacrifice float so precisely between worlds on the hairline crack of crepuscular dusk and star shattered night. Our lady of the lake will tend your flame on this day of…[Read more]
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Kali Roberts posted a new activity comment: 11 months, 2 weeks ago
In reply to: Kali Roberts posted an update: I would love to ask people’s view on something that was keeping me up last night. I’ve been reading people’s words and appreciating how steeped they are in celtic lore. I’m aware […] ViewWow interesting. Lovely reading. I love D’zogchen…it is the buddhist buddhist lineage that feels most like home to me. So its great to hear that it shares a common essence with the shamanic lineage of Wales. And I really love the quote… ( wherever it comes from ) I have to say it sums up my feelings exactly. Respecting the wisdom of the elders;…[Read more]
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Kali Roberts posted an update: 11 months, 3 weeks ago
I’m thinking to start a bardic writing circle on 1st and 3rd Tuesday of every month – ‘Living Awen’ Idea is that each fortnight, someone different will provide the topic (and perhaps an exercise or meditation) then we’ll call in the Awen and spontaneously write on the theme. Be time for listening and sharing feedback. I also imagine some…[Read more]
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Kali Roberts commented on the blog post Sucellus 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Haunting and evocative. I love the feel of it and the way you use timeless symbols… crumbling into death, into life again. It’s somehow really humble and understated.
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Kali Roberts posted an update: 11 months, 3 weeks ago
My first poem… I was 10 when I wrote this. I find it so interesting that our first poems say alot about us! Surprised that I was so political, even at that age.
South Africa
In South Africa there rages a War
But what’s it all for?Whites think that they’re better than blacks; whites live in houses
Blacks live in shacks, whites have…[Read more]-
Wow, a very heartfelt and passionate cry against injustice in the world. I love the ending, that really sums it up- do we all have to be dead before there can be peace and harmony in the world?! It certainly makes it’s point, quite chillingly. Sometimes it takes a child’s vision to really get to the core of things
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The whole poem speaks of our frustration at the way humans treat each other but the final couplet in particular is powerful, moving and insightful; applicable to every conflict.
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Kali Roberts posted a new activity comment: 11 months, 3 weeks ago
In reply to: Wes White commented on the blog post Bridie – the bright one This is great stuff Kali. Is it really really wrong that I find the end kind of terrifying… ViewLol. It does sound abit scary on re-reading… firey self anihilation! Not for everyone
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Kali Roberts posted a new activity comment: 11 months, 3 weeks ago
In reply to: Amber LeFaye Moon posted an update: Here is the first poem I ever wrote, when I was ten. I came across it again a few years ago among some old papers, and named it in retrospect. Wish I could still write like […] ViewWow. Erm…wow!! Not sure what else to say. If we as adults could only unlock our minds this way… wild unbridled imagery.
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Kali Roberts commented on the blog post The Phoenix 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Mmmm. I love… ‘a hail of ash and murmers’ re-read this line three times. And the ending is so beautiful; the key to the door is love… somehow the repetition makes it more subtle and poignant.
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Kali Roberts commented on the blog post Brides Of Beltane 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Thanks Wes. Realise I really enjoy ‘marrying’ what I perceive as the essence of the Eastern and Celtic traditions. Probably make grand hashes with my celtic references…:) but still enjoy drawing the parallels!
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Kali Roberts commented on the blog post Brides Of Beltane 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Aww thanks Kat. It’s funny, I used to let the Awen flood me and write quite un-selfconsciously. Since winning the Gorsedh, I’m suddenly gripped with insecurities: ‘Am I good enough…bardic enough??’ ect ect. So it’s really nice to hear encouraging words. I totally resonated with your beautiful piece around the Trial. This path certainly turns [...]
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Kali Roberts commented on the blog post My first ever poem 11 months, 3 weeks ago
Hmmm..fascinating. And I love the first poem. ‘I could tell you cwite a lot’
I bet you could! So deliciously wise at that age…totally outside the box. (Sigh…schools and colleges have a lot to answer for…) -
Kali Roberts wrote a new blog post: Bridie – the bright one 11 months, 4 weeks ago
Bridie – the bright one (written in Dearbhalie’s Awen) In the beginning there was light and only light. True light. Peace that passeth all understanding. The burning heart of the father. All that was… was all that was… and all that ever could be. The light contained alpha and omega, up and down; in and out: father mother lover sister…[Read more]
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Kali Roberts wrote a new blog post: Brides Of Beltane 11 months, 4 weeks ago
Brides of BeltaneRhiannon, blood-red Rhiannon says she’ll carry you between the worlds on her white mare of the sea but none may pass between the worlds who does not pass through me and I am emptiness The call of magic birds twined in yonder apple tree. In kissing blossom, feather-breasted caress for all to see but none may meet…[Read more]
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Kali Roberts posted a new activity comment: 11 months, 4 weeks ago
In reply to: Kali Roberts posted an update: I would love to ask people’s view on something that was keeping me up last night. I’ve been reading people’s words and appreciating how steeped they are in celtic lore. I’m aware […] ViewRe-enchantment is certainly a key word. And I feel this can be done in many ways. Through verse that pays homage in delicate words. Through humour that uplifts. And through satire that pokes at the ridiculous, and provokes honest self-reflection. (This can still honour what is true: although my zodiac piece poked a stick, it also deeply…[Read more]
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Kali Roberts posted a new activity comment: 12 months ago
In reply to: Kali Roberts posted an update: I would love to ask people’s view on something that was keeping me up last night. I’ve been reading people’s words and appreciating how steeped they are in celtic lore. I’m aware […] ViewYes, I agree. Im also just dashing through… But wanted to say I found Tim’s answer so well considered and helpful. And I would also be very interested in attending such a workshop x
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Kali Roberts posted an update: 12 months ago
I would love to ask people’s view on something that was keeping me up last night.
I’ve been reading people’s words and appreciating how steeped they are in celtic lore. I’m aware that one of the contenders was upset by the irreverance of my zodiac peice – and feels that I don’t represent the bardic path. And this is a fair point. I write…[Read more]-
I stand by what I said when we discussed this on Facebook – satire is part of the Bardic tradition. Also Druidry is a philosophy, rather than a religion, and as such is highly compatible with Buddhism – the Dalai Lama has made statements about following one’s native tradition and Chogyam Trungpa promoted the idea of ‘Celtic Buddhism’ – this is…[Read more]
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I find I have a lot I want to say about this subject… Which is presumptuous in itself given my very fringe involvement in the Gorsedh to and very limited knowledge of the traditions. I haven’t time right now but will share my tupenny-worth later.
Meanwhile I wanted to say how well I think Tim has articulated things above and that I would…[Read more]
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Yes, I agree. Im also just dashing through… But wanted to say I found Tim’s answer so well considered and helpful. And I would also be very interested in attending such a workshop x
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The workshop sounds good
Surely a bard is a voice to the modern too? Let’s not throw the baby out with the bath water..but remember the water needs changing or it will stagnate.-
Absolutely. Culture must live in the present otherwise it is nothing but a dish of mould. As I have said, Bardism is really a modern movement, however roots are important too.
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For ME the main point of bardism is to re-enchant the modern world which is rather stagnant and without culture- to bring back some meaning and magic and to re-connect us with our roots, our land, each other and the creative flow of life. So it seems appropriate to draw on the culture of a time when the interconnectedness within community and with…[Read more]
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Yes,Amber I totally agree with you there…For me it is also about re-enchantment…Everyone has their own viewpoint on what a Bard is and I’m not fixed or stagnant on this..however in order to move into the future in a positive way we should connect with an integrate the work and wisdom of our ancestors (whatever tradition they belong to).I…[Read more]
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Re-enchantment is certainly a key word. And I feel this can be done in many ways. Through verse that pays homage in delicate words. Through humour that uplifts. And through satire that pokes at the ridiculous, and provokes honest self-reflection. (This can still honour what is true: although my zodiac piece poked a stick, it also deeply…[Read more]
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I love your openness, Kali. It’s so key to being able to see, connect, research and interpret the world as an artist, a poet and as a Bard. To me, you already demonstrated your willingness to honour the Bardic Path in the new writing you added to your final performance. That you are honest enough to state your qualms and ask this question is…[Read more]
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Aye!
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Beautifully put about the “dark mirror” Kat! It can be a lonely path being able (and compelled) to look into the dark depths that most people would rather ignore, so to have such a community of artists who can perceive beyond the veil is a wonderful thing- as long as we can each see past our own “fire in the head” and understand that in our…[Read more]
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…see past our own ’fire in the head’ and be compassionate and tolerant of each others! Very essential in Avalon, methinks.
I do like how you think, Amber. (And your lyrical expressiveness.)-
Thanks Kat, your writings and comments always strike a deep note of recognition and artistic appreciation with me too! x
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Sorry for being such a tease and saying I felt I had a lot to say and then not saying it.
There are so many considerations here for me I don’t know where to start. I hope I can articulate it half as clearly as others have done above. I must preface everything by repeating what I have said on my profile, that I can only describe myself as a keen…[Read more]
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To come back to this fascinating discussion, I read something today in an article about the Gwyddoniaid-the original hereditary shamanic lineage of Wales- that seemed very relevant to Kali’s original question. There are several people I am aware of in town who are very serious about the bardic path and are also Buddhists, feeling that these paths…[Read more]
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“We respect, support, and honor the culture of our elders, but do not hold the growth of the esoteric hostage to it. In this way, we share a common path with the Buddhists (D’zogchen in particular), who hold that nothing exoteric (that which is based on outer trappings or ritual) should interfere with the esoteric (that which allows for the…[Read more]
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Thank you for this Amber. As you say, it pretty much says it all. But who said it?
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Oh sorry, here is the web page- http://home.newwavecomm.net/gwyddoniaid-druids/sgp1.html
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I think that says it all really!!
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Wow interesting. Lovely reading. I love D’zogchen…it is the buddhist buddhist lineage that feels most like home to me. So its great to hear that it shares a common essence with the shamanic lineage of Wales. And I really love the quote… ( wherever it comes from ) I have to say it sums up my feelings exactly. Respecting the wisdom of the elders;…[Read more]
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Kali Roberts posted a new activity comment: 12 months ago
In reply to: Tony Atkinson posted an update: My piece on this year’s theme, ”12 Giants: The Glastonbury Zodiac”. The first half is poetry, the second half (beginning ”The Babe in the Boat…”) is a song. <> I stand before you […] ViewBloomin eck… he did as well (and wrote ’second half is a song’ above
) I heard the words sung in my head and thought…oooh great idea, this should be a song!! -
Kali Roberts posted a new activity comment: 12 months ago
In reply to: David Reakes wrote a new blog post: 2009 I entered two poems in 2009 on the theme of “All that glisters is not gold”. Here they both are: Crystallization Now don’t get me wrong, I love where I live, But […] ViewBlooming bravo! Crackling with life and savy wisdom…love them!
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Kali Roberts posted a new activity comment: 12 months ago
In reply to: Tony Atkinson posted an update: My piece on this year’s theme, ”12 Giants: The Glastonbury Zodiac”. The first half is poetry, the second half (beginning ”The Babe in the Boat…”) is a song. <> I stand before you […] ViewI loved reading this Tony. Your poems are such a wonderous interweave of words, it can be hard to drink them in whilst listening. But in reading, there’s so much richness. I especially like the refrain:
WHEN THE TIDE’S IN,
THE STARS ARE REFLECTED,
AS ABOVE, SO BELOW
WHEN THE TIDE’S OUT
THE MAP CAN BE INSPECTED
THE WHEEL OF THE YEAR IS ON…[Read more] - Load More
That sounds like just the sort of thing I’ve been hoping someone would do! I heard about Dearbhaile’s workshop and how good it was. As long as we don’t absolutely HAVE to share what we’ve written on pain of death or anything, some bardic subjects my knowledge is not great as yet, and I’d rather take time and be able to do research, but it…[Read more]
I would really like to join in but I am not normally able to come on Tuesdays. But if it was okay to only come when I could, I would.