I've been studying the Arthurian legends and romances for nearly fifteen years.
It's a subject that has captivated me since I was a very small child and it's what I want to get my PhD in, in a few years. I've written a dozen papers on the subject. I even wrote my master's thesis on what I call the "decaying hero" archetype that I found in many of the major texts that make up the body of the literature, focusing on Sir Kay in particular. So when I came across the concept of Arthurian Wicca, you better believe that my ears perked up like Gizmo!
What seems to be the most popular incarnation of this type of Wicca is the worship of many of the figures from the legends, the most common of these being Merlin, Morgan, and Nimue (The Lady of the Lake). These are the primary and most obvious practitioners of magic within the texts, and their names are often adopted by modern witches, a tribute and testament to their long-standing association with the Craft. Morgan, specifically, is the subject of a great deal of debate among many Wiccans, since there are several theories regarding her origins, etymologically and mythologically speaking, as the Morrígan. Although, there are also those who've put forth the argument that she is a Goddess aspect in her own right, separate from her Celtic counterpart, but possessing many of the domains and traits associated with Mórrígan.
http://www.angelfire.com/journal/ofapoet/morgan.html
Merlin and his association with magic has been sensationalized by modern media and recently, he and Morgan have come to forefront of famous practitioners. He has been linked to the Druids, Stonehenge, and of course as the court magician in Camelot. One of my favorite quotes concerning him is made by Christopher Penczak, who states,
Indeed, Merlin is just as infamous for his prophetic abilities as his role as the architect of Arthur's ideal kingdom. There are a number of witches who believe him to have never actually been a single person, but rather a representation of all the knowledge of the prehistoric shamans of ancient Britain. As with Morgan, the debate regarding how he is, and should be, perceived continues. Most agree, however, that within the Arthurian tales and romances resides a great deal of Celtic mythology, many of the stories and characters plucked right out of the Celtic pantheon....[T]he traditional lore of Merlin is that of an inspired wildman--melding many characteristics of the magician with the Druid, witch, shaman, and mad poet.
http://www.uiweb.uidaho.edu/student_org ... eltic.html
Well regarded scholars and academics such as Roger Sherman Loomis, Jean Markale, and C.S. Lewis have traced the Celtic roots of the texts many times over, and their books are excellent references for in-depth analysis of the concept.
Sadly, there is little other information concerning the actual practices of those who call themselves Arthurian Wiccans. There are a handful of sites that advertise themselves as such, but offer little insight into what they actually think in connection to either the literature or the possible history. Much of what they claim to be their tenets is no more than the traditional Wiccan Rede, with perhaps the optional Skyclad rituals thrown in for spice. Books also seem to be scarce on the links between Arthuriana and Wicca.
So, here are my thoughts, as they are, about what I think could or would work when trying to incorporate elements of the Arthurian tradition into one's practice. Please feel free to discuss and debate!
First, I would consider the symbolism that lies at the heart of the myths. Camelot represented, to many, the ideal kingdom of mankind. What made it that way? Chivalry, Honor, and Courage were the three core values of the Arthurian world. There existed a symbiotic relationship between the High King Arthur, his knights, and the subjects that resided under his rule. The common people, and the King, depended on the knights to not only keep order, but also to maintain and enhance their reputation as the pinnacle of human civilization. This was accomplished through feats of strength, such as duels, tournaments, and quests. In many of the cycles, one's arm was only as good as one's word. It was the honest, righteous man who stood victorious over his enemies, the man whose word, when spoken, could not be refuted.
As such, I think that these values would make up the core of the Arthurian Wiccan's beliefs. It would make sense, to me, that they would actually then worship more than just the popular magical figures. Knights such as Gawain, Perceval, and Lancelot embody the very best that the kingdom had to offer, in many ways. Even more importantly, one should consider the fact that even though Camelot was deemed the perfect kingdom, it failed. What was the reason for that?
The answer is of course, that it was made up of people, none of whom are capable of being perfect, no matter how hard they strive towards an ideal. This alone brings the figures of Camelot closer to us, and allows us to connect with them. Even though great knights like Lancelot populated the realm, they possessed fatal and tragic flaws, Arthur included, and which ultimately doomed the enterprise from the start. Remember, even Arthur's conception was based on deceit. As such, Camelot was, in a figurative and literal sense, built on a lie. Thus, it couldn't last. This fact not only provides Arthurian Wiccans with a means in which to gain a closer connection with their chosen deities, but also gives a relevant moral or ethical lens with which to examine their actions and motivations. Is this action to the benefit or only me or to everyone involved? What values do I uphold? How much weight does my word carry?
This final question has particular significance in regards to spellwork. Language, in my opinion, is the framework on which a spell rests, with intent being the backbone. One of the most important aspects of medieval life, and thus their literature, was the idea of "trouthe". Geoffrey Chaucer, author of The Canterbury Tales, was especially fascinated by the concept, which put simply, is the value and integrity of one's spoken word. In the time of Arthur, and immediately following, there were few people with the ability to read or write. Contracts, transactions, and most importantly, vows, could only be enforced and consecrated by the personal honor, or integrity/sincerity, of the individuals directly involved. In spellwork, I see a direct similarity. I truly believe that the energies we use to create a spell know just how much of our intent is sincere when casting. Honesty, in some cases brutal honesty, is not just a virtue. To me, and to the Arthurian Wiccan, I think, it is a requirement, in order to even approach working with the Craft. In addition, it would naturally follow that contacting the energies or divine spirits that one wants/needs to work with would also demand a level of honesty about our desires and our true intentions. Although, I would absolutely think that this kind of consideration can be applied to all types of practices and faiths.
I hope you all find this helpful and interesting, it certainly has been occupying me for the last few days. As much as I adore the Arthurian mythos, I'm surprised that I haven't stumbled across this topic before somewhere in the vast pit of the interwebs. I'm going to ruminate on this some more, I think, and see what else I come up with. If I come across any more information, I'll certainly post it here on this thread. If any of you do the same, I'd love to see what you have to say or find.
~Heartsong~
