More Secrets of the Celtic Triads!
More Secrets of the Celtic Triads!
“A good life is never lived without a bit of risk, and this battle is well worth every one.” ― Erin Forbes, Fire & Ice: The Kindred Woods
Did you ever think that you knew everything about everything?
When I was a teenager, I sure did. What teenager doesn’t think they are always right? Ahh, the traits of adolescence.
My problem was that my innate skills of analysis and logic were pretty advanced for an obnoxious teenager like I was. So even if I were completely wrong, I would expertly manipulate the illogical to seem logical and correct. If I didn’t win the argument, I would at least so confuse the other person that our discussion would end in a draw, regardless that I was wrong.
These abilities greatly added to my ego and led me to the conclusion that I was indeed the great wise adolescent. It was improbable that I could ever be wrong.
I was the wise superhero known as “Ana-logical Man!”
No other superhero could match me!
Batman. No problem. I could easily defeat him, wielding my powers of analysis and logic. He would be running home crying to Wayne Manor.
Obviously, now I know better than teenage Mike. In all fairness, teenage Mike was very analytical and logical. However, he had not yet refined or learned to control those skills.
A question to ponder, can a teenager be wise?
I think it depends on the definition of wisdom that you are using.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about the Celtic Triads. I encourage you to check out that newsletter if you have not yet done so.
“Each Triad generally consists of a subject and then three attributes of the subject. Although a few of the Celtic Triads I skimmed through seemed a bit antiquated, I suspect much wisdom is contained within the hundreds that are known. Perhaps, some Triads may prove helpful with mental health issues. Stay tuned.
In addition to wisdom, the Celtic Triads may provide an opportunity for deep self-reflection.”
For example, I provided the following Triad and an analysis of how it applies to me.
There are three foundations of wisdom: discretion in learning, memory in retaining, and eloquence in telling.
I think the only foundation that Ana-logical Man had was a memory in retaining. Especially of late, I have been working diligently to improve my discretion in learning and eloquence in telling—a true work in process.
The other day I was flipping through the first few lessons of the Bardic course of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD). One of the first Celtic Triads they presented is an excellent follow-up to the Triad from a few weeks ago.
Three followers of wisdom: imagination, purpose and endeavor.
OBOD’s brief analysis of this Triad is as follows:
"As wisdom grows in your heart, so too do your powers of imagination, your sense of purpose and mission in the world, and your ability to work hard to achieve your goals."
I certainly believe that wisdom is growing in my heart, so let’s dive into the followers of wisdom.
Powers of Imagination:
Over the last year or so, I have been learning about many things, such as ancients, Druids, Celts, Pagans, ogham, philosophy, history, religion, productivity, etc. The things that I learned and analyzed have definitely increased my imagination. And that imagination has manifested itself in the form of this newsletter and my YouTube channel and Podcast.
But most of all, my imagination convinced me to pursue my theory of ancient Druid, Celtic, and Pagan ways and practices providing some natural relief to mental health issues such as anxiety and depression.
Sense of Purpose and Mission in the World:
Clearly, my growing wisdom has shown me that my purpose and mission in this world is to research and find the previously mentioned old ways and practices that may be useful for mental health treatment.
Due to this sense of purpose, I quit my full-time job and dedicated myself to learning, researching, and sharing with you via this newsletter and my YouTube/Podcast.
Endeavor:
Well, I am indeed working hard to achieve my goals. My endeavor is this journey to past ways and practices for the benefit of mental health.
My Conclusion:
As I continue to improve my foundations of wisdom, I am indeed experiencing the three followers of wisdom!
Maybe the writers of these old Celtic Triads really knew what was going on… I know that I said in my first newsletter about Celtic Triads that some seem outdated, but maybe I was wrong. I just skimmed them without doing any deep dive.
These first two Triads I have written about have withstood the test of time.
I encourage you to do some self-exploration with the Celtic Triads.
That is all I have to say today, except for “Long live Ana-logical Man!”
I have a favor to ask!
Many people read my newsletter, but very few click the like button.
So I humbly request that if you like a particular newsletter issue, please click the like button (the little heart).
More likes translate to more exposure for this newsletter and my research.
Don’t Forget About My Upcoming Interview…
Paraic Donoghue - January 2023 - (Interview Temporarily Postponed From December)
Paraic is a native Irish language speaker. He was raised on the Connemara Gaeltacht in County Galway, Ireland. Paraic is committed to the preservation and growth of the Irish language, along with the culture that is inextricably linked to it. He currently provides private Irish language lessons to students all over the world.
We will be discussing what it was like growing up and living on the Gaeltacht, his views on the Irish language and its importance, and the customs and traditions of his Gaeltacht that may have derived from the time of the Celts or earlier.
The interview will be published on my YouTube channel and Podcast approximately one-week post-interview.
Have a great weekend!
My name is Mike, and I am a skeptic and recovering accountant just starting to make my way through the world of the Druids, Celts, and Pagans.
Join me on my journey as I use an analytic eye to extract what I believe to be golden nuggets of truth from these fascinating topics. My goal is to find valuable ways, practices, and insights to make your life better today.
If my content speaks to you, please subscribe to my newsletter! Also, feel free to leave a comment to let me know what you think. I am here to serve what I hope will be a great community of curious and like-minded individuals.
“May the Road Rise to Meet You!”
With a skeptical mind and an analytical eye,
Mike Guarneri
(the former Ana-logical Man who is now trying to earn his Beard of Wisdom!)
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P.P.P.S. - If you enjoyed reading this piece, I’d like to ask a favor of you. For an extended limited time, I will be conducting 1-on-1 Zoom calls with select members of my SubStack subscribers.
Think of this call as a Discovery Call. The goal is to discover your vision, goals, and challenges as they may relate to the Celtic way of life, druidism, and pagan practices. This call will be beneficial to both of us.
My goal with these calls is to discover a common thread so that I can best add value and serve you. It will help me focus my content and research to ensure I cater to your true vision and goals.
These 1-on-1 calls are free, of course. And everything you share on the call will be private between you and me.
If you’re interested or want to introduce yourself and say hi, I’d love to hear from you.
You can reach me directly via e-mail at mike@guarneriny.com.
The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (Cairdeas Mor Shaoghal Nan Druidh). “Gwers of the Bardic Grade, Introductory Gwers One, page 12.” OBOD 2011.