Faery Gold
The Tylwyth Teg Files: Example 3
Mike Nichols' Essay On The Watchtowers
Update
As of this morning, 8 Aug 2001, a reader reports that YTT's page referenced below is now calling the material an "adaptation".
To YTT - Sorry guys, you cannot call it an adaptation when 1) you did not ask the author's permission to "adapt" it, and/or 2)you did not write your own article incorporating footnoted or otherwise attributed quotes, giving credit to the author of each cited quotation. If you like this material so much, link to the original or write an appropriately footnoted piece of your own, or ASK THE AUTHOR for permission to reproduce their work, and be sure to get it in writing. Blessed Be... FG
Background
This essay, titled "Re-Thinking The Watchtowers: or 13 Reasons Air Should Be In The North" dates to 1986 in its current public form, although Nichols had taught this material to his students from personal notes since the early '70s. It was taught to some 6000 students through his Witchcraft classes at the Communiversity, from 1970-76 in Columbia, MO, and from 1976-1989 in Kansas City, MO, and at his shop, the Magick Lantern, during the 1980's. It is well known among elders of the Craft, particularly in the Midwest, where Mike Nichols resides.Notice how YTT takes this material point for point and idea for idea in their own "Book of Shadows". Mr. Nichols' article may be found online at http://www.geocities.com/Athens/Forum/7280/rethink.html.
As of 4 Aug 2001, the plagiarization was located at http://www.tylwythteg.com/lesson1/thirteen21.html.
The Comparisons
NICHOLS' original essay:
"If one accepts the insular British origins of elemental directions, then one must imagine living in the British Isles. To the West is the vast expanse of the Atlantic Ocean (i.e. water). To the East, the bulk of the European land mass (earth). South has always been the direction of fire because, as one travels south (toward the equator), it gets warmer. Which leaves North as the region of air, home of the icy winds of winter. (These last two associations would be reversed for cultures in the southern hemisphere, for whom north is the direction of the warm equitorial region, and south is the land of ice.)"YTT:
"To understand the relationship of the elements with the directions, you must first imagine living in Wales. To the West is the vast expanse of the Ocean (Water). To the East, is the remainder of Britain, the Scandinavian countries and the European land mass (Earth). To the South is the equator, and as one travels south (toward the equator), it gets warmer (Fire). This leaves North as the region of air, home of the icy north winds of Winter."NICHOLS:
"In fact, an ancient name for the British Isles was 'Hyperboria', which literally means 'behind the north wind', thus associating north and wind (air) once more. The inhabitants were themselves called 'Hyperborians', and the phrase 'at the back of the north wind' (the title of one of George MacDonald's faery romances) is still current. Of all the winds of the compass, it is unquestionably the north wind (Boreas), bringer of winter, which is perceived as the strongest and most influential (cf. Robert Grave's goddess fantasy 'Watch the North Wind Rise')."YTT:
"In fact, an ancient name for the British Isles was "Hyperboria", which means "behind the North Wind". In the Welsh Tradition, it is Boreas, bringer of winter, ruler of the element Air, and source of the north wind, who is the strongest and most important elemental."NICHOLS:
"Many occultists associate the four seasons with the four cardinal points, as well. Hence, winter = north, spring = east, summer = south, and autumn = west. (To be precise, it is the solstice and equinox points which align with the cardinal points.) Again, in most folklore, winter is associated with air and wind, as the icy blasts that usher in the season. In spring, it is the earth which arrests our attention, with its sudden riot of blooms and greenery. Again, south relates to summer, the hottest season (fire), and west relates to autumn."YTT:
"The Welsh Tradition also identifies the four seasons with the four cardinal Quarter points: Spring with the East, Summer with the South, Autumn with the West and Winter with the North.The solstices and equinoxes are also aligned with the cardinal directions. Air is associated with Winter and the icy blasts of wind that usher in the season. The Earth captures our attention in Spring with the sudden profusion of blooms and new life. South relates to Summer, the hottest season, which also corresponds to the element fire. And finally West relates to the Fall rains of Autumn."
NICHOLS:
"Occultists also often associate the cardinal points of a single day to the four compass points. Thus, midnight = north, sunrise = east, noon = south, and sunset = west. (Please note that we are talking about TRUE midnight and TRUE noon here, the points halfway between sunset and sunrise, and between sunrise and sunset, respectively.) These associate nicely with the seasonal attributes just discussed. It is easy to see why sunrise should equate to east, and sunset to west. And, once again, from the prespective of the British Isles, the sun rises over land (earth) and sets over the ocean (water). South is related to noon because it is the moment of greatest heat (fire). Leaving the 'invisible' element of air to be associated with the sun's invisibility, at midnight."YTT:
"Welsh Witches also associate the Quarter points of a single day with the four compass points. Thus, midnight equates to the North, sunrise equates to the East, noon compares to the South, and sunset compares to the West. This is the point halfway between sunset and sunrise; and the point halfway between sunrise and sunset.Sunrise compares to the East, and sunset compares to the West because the sun rises over land (Earth) and sets over the ocean (Water). South relates to noon because it is the moment of greatest heat (Fire). This Leaves the element of Air to be associated with the disappearance of the source of heat, at midnight."
NICHOLS:
"In Celtic mythology, north is invariably associated with air. The pre-Christian Irish gods and goddesses, the Tuatha De Danann, were 'airy' faeries (later versions came equiped with wings, relating them to sylphs). The Book of Conquests states their original home was in the north, 'at the back of the north wind'. And when they came to Ireland, they came in ships, THROUGH THE UPPER AIR (!), settling on the mountain tops. (It has always struck me as odd that some modern writers see mountains as a symbol of earth. The crucial symbolism of the mountain is its height, rising into the air, touching the sky. Virtually all Eastern traditions associate mountains, favorite abodes of gurus, with air. A CAVE would be a better symbol of earth than a mountain.) In Welsh mythology, too, Math the Ancient, chief god of Gwynedd (or NORTH Wales), is specifically associated with wind, which can carry people's thoughts to him."YTT:
"In Welsh mythology, Math the chief god of Gwynedd (or NORTH Wales), is specifically associated with the Wind, which carries people's thoughts to him. The Irish Book of Conquests states the original home of the Tuatha De Danann was "at the back of the north wind". The legend goes that when they arrived in Ireland, they came in ships that flew through the upper air, settling on the mountain tops. The significant symbolism is the mountain, rising into the air, touching the sky. Virtually all Eastern traditions associate mountains which are the abode of the gods, with Air."NICHOLS:
"Many occultists believe that the four elements have yin/yang connections. Both air and fire are seen as masculine, while earth and water are seen as feminine. If air is associated with the north point of the magic circle, and earth is east, then one achieves a yin/yang alternation as one circumnambulates the circle. As one passes the cardinal points of east, south, west, and north, one passes feminine, masculine, feminine, masculine energies. This alternating flux of plus/minus, push/pull, masculine/feminine, is the very pulse of the universe, considered of great importance by most occultists. That it was equally important to our ancestors is evidenced by standing stones in the British Isles. At sites like the Kennet Avenue of Braga, the tall, slender, masculine, phallic stones alternate precisely with the shorter, diamond-shaped yoni stones."YTT:
"The four elements also have masculine/feminine relationships. Air and Fire are seen as masculine, while Earth and Water are seen as feminine. Air is associated with the north quarter of the magic circle. Earth is associated with the East. Thus you experience a Masculine/Feminine/Masculine/Feminine switch as you travel around the circle. As you pass each Quarter point, your energies from feminine to masculine to feminine to masculine.This alternating change from masculine to feminine is the very essence of the universe. It was important to our ancestors, is evidenced by the standing stones and stone circles in Wales and throughout the World. At sites like the Kennet Avenue of Avebury, the tall, slender, phallic stones alternate precisely with the shorter, diamond-shaped vaginal stones."
NICHOLS:
"This argument flows out of the previous one. Practicing magicians often think of the magic circle as a kind of psychic generator. Witches in particular like to perform circle dances to 'raise the cone of power'. Hand in hand, and alternating man and woman, they dance clockwise (deosil) around the circle, moving faster and faster until the power is released. This model has an uncanny resemblance to an electrical generator, as man and woman alternately pass each of the four 'poles' of the magic circle. These poles themselves MUST alternate between plus and minus if power is to be raised. This means that if the masculine fire is in the south, then the masculine air MUST be in the north. If the feminine water is in the west, then the feminine earth MUST be in the east. If any adjacent pair were switched, the generator would stop dead."YTT:
"Welsh Witches think of the magick circle as a psychic generator, and dance in the circle to "raise the power". Hand in hand, alternating man then woman, we dance deosil around the circle, moving faster and faster until the power is released. This activity resembles the operation of an electrical generator. As each person passes each of the four points of the magick circle, Red Dragon power (sexual energy) is generated which alternates between feminine and masculine.These quarter points must alternate between positive and negative. This means that if the masculine fire is in the south, then the masculine air must be in the north. If the feminine water is in the west, then the feminine earth must be in the east."