The Bards were, traditionally in the ancient Celtic tradition,  educated in the Druid Grove for twenty years. They were learning how to play the harp, to sing and to compose, in hundreds of Celtic forms, what was the Divine Beauty. The same idea is in the Elven Tradition and whole culture. The Elven Bards memorize songs and poems that embrace the culture and the beauty of Nature.

In those songs and poems lays its genealogies and histories, myths and epics stories, customs and laws of the Elven ways of life. Moreover, as part of what we could name an Elven/Druid Tradition, the Elven Bards sing songs in praise of Nature, Trees and spirits of the land. Some says that those spirits are the ancient predecessors of the Elves, the spirits of nature and dragons; the builders of life. Others sometime calls them the "Faeries Folks". We call them the "Blessed Ones". In either cases, they are the spirits within the trees, the rocks, the streams, the winds and seas -- the Divine World that underlies all we can see and feel. The ideal th Elven essence, is the search and the expression of beauty, of Nature and of the sacred.

This is expressed by a constant connections to Nature and creativity.

The Elven Bards sees imagination and intuition, the creativity, as the great gifts of the Gods. This can been expressed in many artistic ways. It can be in poems, music, dance, story telling, soap making, pottery, cloths, painting, sculptures, candles making, paper arts...the Bardic values are where the s'elf is connected with the Divine Powers and then concentrated in something that we can share with the world. Being Elven is being creative and connected!

The Elven Bards recognized that all languages (not only spoken words) are metaphorical. The Bardic Craft is the one of sharing ideas, being creative, doing art in all its ways of expressions, sharing visions, sharing the connection and the Divine Power of creativity. In the Bardic Craft, we are sharing stories of our kin', of the Blessed Ones too, but there is more! We are sharing the beauty of life its'elf!

 

The works and crafts of the Bards aren't about marketing, or "targeting audiences". Who wants to listen do so...The true Elven Bard express is art like the music maker who share with us a work of  personal view, a sumptuous inner travel inspired by all the deep knowledge of the s'elf. It can be of many life beings, of plants, water, fire, air, and earth, and the human soul which inspire him/her.

The Elven Bardic Crafts are the one of inner and outer travel. The Bard share an adventure, a personal and inner one, in the way he/she think it will be understand by all.

The Elven Ways
a poem by Aranelle Labigni

"I am the wind which blows over the sea; 
I am;
I am the wave of the ocean; 
I am;
I am the murmur of the billows; 
I am;
I am the ox of the seven combats; 
I am;
I am the vulture upon the rock; 
I am;
I am a tear of the song of rain; 
I am;
l am the fairest of plants; 
I am;
I am a swan of pearly colors; 
I am;
I am a dolphin in the sea; 
I am;
I am a lake in the plane;
I am.

I am a word of wisdom;
I am;
I am the spear-point that gives justice; 
I am;
I am the god who creates in the head of elves the fire of thoughts;
I am.

Who is it that enlightens the assembly upon the mountain, if not I? 
I am.
Who tells the stories of the moon and stars, if not I ?
I am.
Who shows the places where the elves goes to seek the stars if not I? 
I am.
Who calls the way back home, if not I?
I am.
On whom do the awakened ones smiles, if not I?
I am.
Why is the god that fashions enchantments ?
The enchantment of music and the poetry of beauty and truth, if not I ?
I am.�?/SPAN>

Inspired by:
Leabhar Gabhàla: The Song of Amergin