This next photo is of my great, great Grandfather Edgar P. Ravenwood. Edgar was the Apothecary of their village in Cork, Ireland. He too had the gift of magic in his healing hands, and an impressive knowledge of potions and elixirs which he used to cure the town-folk's many ills and ailments. He was also a bit of a practical joker and insisted that he be photographed with his Skeleton, Barnabas.
I also have a photo of my Mom's sister, my great great Aunt Myrtle. She too possessed the gifts of the supernatural, but she was no shrinking violet; prone to shying away from prying eyes. No, Aunt Myrtle was quite flamboyant, born with a bit of the Wyldwood Spirit in her. She left home at a rather young age, and moved off to the city where she used her love of the Dark Arts to Read Palms, Give Tarot Readings and occasionally conjure up a departed ancestor or two for well-paying customers. She gained much notoriety in her field, and quite a following of loyal patrons, including a few famous individuals quite prominent at the time. Of course the family has been sworn to secrecy on revealing their identities, but suffice it to say...you wouldn't believe me if I told you!!
As for their rumored beliefs....the Druid's held the Oak and Mistletoe in highest esteem, and often held their worship services amid the ancient oak groves in England and Ireland. But sadly, at the final invasion to quell the Druid reign in Angelesey, the Sacred Oak Groves on the isle were cut down and burned...lost to the ravages of war. The heyday of the Druid reign in Britain may have ended many many years ago...but the Druids have remained, quietly carrying on to the present day, which is seeing a revival and return to Druidism in many areas. And my ancestors have also carried forth these ancient traditions.
So the next photo is of my great, great, great Grandfather, Manogin ap Capoir with my Grandmother also a high ranking Druidess . They are wearing the traditional garments of the Druid and were photographed in their Grove.
They had a son and a daughter, but their son died an untimely death. Their daughter Gwendydd grew up to lead her own Druidic order in Wales. Here is an image of her dressed in her ceremonial robes, holding her sickle; sacred mistletoe adorning her head.
And that about does it for the old family photo album today. It's a miracle these images have survived through the years actually. I hope you've enjoyed learning a little bit about my Celtic roots, as it's something that I have just recently been unearthing and discovering. The coincidences that connect me to an ancient time, place and people have been magically enlightening to say the least. *** Disclaimer: Although there is a good bit of this post that is absolutely true, there is also a high possibility of just a little Satire! (wink, wink)
















































