There are lyrical poets among them, whom they call bards. These, with instruments similar to lyres, evoke those whom they praise as well as those whom they mock.
(Diodorus of Sicily, Historical Library, V, 31, 2)
The image above is a Bardos Inscrîbatus (Sigil, Mark). This Inscrîbatus is found on a coin from Northwest Gaul in the territory of the Coriosolites tribe. This particular coin is thought to be from around 100-50 BC. The image is speculated to be a stylized Lyre – one of the reasons I picked it.
Whether this image was truly a lyre matters not – it is now. This image resonated with me in the Bardos sense. The circle represents the Bardos. The stems growing outward represent the power of the Bardos, inspiring and resonating with the people. Just as they sprout from the circle, a Bardos connects with us and transcends our mundane space into something more. The stems, or strings, are the magical flow of poetry, song, storytelling, and the arts in their many forms. What it represents goes beyond just music but inspiration as a whole. So in all, the Lyre is the perfect Inscrîbatus for the Bardos.
Bardos (Praise Poet)
These are the Poets and singers.
A Bardos will be devoted to the creation of prayers, myths, songs, and incantations. They are praisers of the just, and mockers of the wrongful – always following the Trirextoues. By connecting with Auenâ srourâ (flowing inspiration), a Bardos will strive to learn or establish fundamental lore for their personal practice or tradition. A Bardos will strive to learn elements of reconstructed Gaulish or Brittonic, as language preservation is crucial part of their role.
Music and performance arts are encouraged for the Bardoi, as is reviving or participating in an oral tradition. They are truly connected with Bitus (Earth), and help us understand the beauty of this world- singing praise of heroes, ancestors, and the Deuoi.
The Bardos connects with Auenâ srourâ and dives deep into the otherworld, bringing back with them the spark of creativity. They have a love of learning– the myths and history of the Senogalatis (Ancient Gauls), the wider gnosis of the Nouiogalatis (New Gauls), as well as World Mythology. For the more a Bardos knows, the more they can then speak of in poem and song.
A Bardos will learn the reconstructed Gaulish Inti Edoni (poetic forms) such as the Brixtu and Sulabaros Tritanuos. They may, at this time, also contribute to reconstructing further poetic forms or styles.
They may also help guide and mentor people in the making of such things.
Within Bardobessus (Bardic customs), there are two sub-customs:
The Molatucerdoi, who will allow for the modern form of visual arts, and the Scletosaigoi, who focus on storytelling, so as not to take away from our Recon of the Bardos. So think of them as a branches that evolved from the Bardos tree into the modern day.
Scletosagios (storyteller)
These are the Storytellers
For those who are called to the Bardoi path but are more drawn to storytelling and myths, this sub-custom allows for that focus. Like the Bardoi, they strive to learn the history and lore of the Senogalatis and Nouiogalatis and may employ the poetic forms. However, rather than the bardic arts of praise-song and incantation, Scletosaigoi concentrates on reconnecting with the art of storytelling and keeping of lore surrounding the wider Gaulish and Brittonic realm.
Molatucerdos (praise artist)
These are the Artists
All the same Bardoi concepts apply to the Molatucerdos but in the form of Visual Art. Little ancient Gaulish art has survived to the modern day, so a Molatucerdos can be thought of as re-connecting with lost material culture. Creating forms of Gaulish art that tell a story, using old forms of art and making that new, or adding to old art styles found around Gaul are some of the paths which the Molatucerdos can take. There are many magical forms of art to explore. This is currently being worked on and may take time.
No Initiatory required
- The keepers of Lore
- Entertainers
- Holders of the Words
- Archivists
- Teachers, through the words
- Gaulish Language
- Connecting to people and using the magic of their form to influence.
- Making Incantations
- Invoking feelings within the people
- The making and playing of Music
More to come as this role is more forged out.
Criteria to help the Building of Bardobessus
You must have provided an essay of what you know of Gaulish things; this is a must.
This is truly the only Bessus under Drunemeton that is of top priority and one of the most important Bessus. At the moment, this is one that you can be actively building and doing at the same time.
- One has to be a Storyteller
- Have poems or stories published
- Have a site where you share your words
- Have finished school with Mythology studies
- Have finished school with Language studies
- Have gone to school for art
- Have art that you can show
- At the least, show us, you know, and have a deep passion
- At least one of the above should be crossed off.
Drunemeton 