~ from the First Level ~

Keep an ongoing copy of tapes you make to listen back at other times as you go through the series of exercises. The exercises are meant to do over at other times and to be used as tools for knowledge.

*As these questions and exercises are meant to guide one along the Eldritch Path, write a paragraph which describes your current views of what a Bard is.

*What do you believe Bardic power to be?

Ex 1) Make a tape of yourself and, perhaps, a few others, intoning (intoning is the elongation of a word, such as when one chants om. You shall be effectively chanting your own name.) your own names several times. Do it enough times that you are able to relax and listen to the sound with some sense of gaining an impression. Listen to the tape and write out your impressions of each person's intonations and try to become aware of what this may be telling you about each person.

Ex 2) Listen to one or more versions of a chosen chant from some type of tradition or system. Write out your impressions, remembering that the Chant contains threads of energy weave that helps builds the astral web of this especial system you have chosen.

Ex 3) After working the first two exercises a few times, get drawing paper and crayons to set before you as you listen again to the tapes. Close your eyes the first time and, without thinking, grab up crayons and color. DO NOT try to draw a picture - one should let the sounds move your hands, whether in circular motions, quick darting lines, scrubbing motions, etc. As you feel comfortable with this, open your eyes and chose colors, though quickly and without any real thought.

Ex 4) Describe what would take place if we were to all join in a Circle, hold hands and chant. How would it feel? Have you ever experienced this? What could be accomplished with this energy and in what way would you suppose a Bard might use this energy? In other words, would a Bard use the energy the same or differently and in what sense?