This work began as a personal Lenten devotional discipline. It is a rendering of Julian's 14th century work into English contemporary with 21st century North America. I use the term rendering rather than translation, because it is not a scholarly work. There are a number of the latter extant, especially The Complete Julian of Norwich, by Fr. John-Julian, OJN, published by Paraclete. This rendering is a work of simple devotion for the benefit of average folk, Mother Julian's even-Christians and their contemporaries. It is based upon the Sloane Manuscript, No. 2499 from the early 17th century, in the British Museum, with reference to Marion Glasscoe's 1976 edition of Sloane, and Fr. John-Julian's Paraclete translation of 2009. The text of this rendering is my own, however, based upon my own encounter with Julian's writing. I have attempted to render the text in the most modern English possible. Sometimes I have retained an earlier cadence or syntax when it helps better to portray Julian's own style. But it is designed to have the same simple impact upon the modern ear that Julian's earlier English would have had in her day.

This is a compilation of some of the more important of the Old Charges of Freemasonry. These documents witness to the growth and evolution of the Craft from its earliest historical memories. Yet they are not histories; rather, the stuff of Masonic myth and legend, often recalling memories more ancient still. As such, they tell us more about the nature of the Craft than about its objective history. The older the Old Charge, the more this is true. They are presented here in the original English, often quite archaic sounding to modern ears. But this is in keeping with their legendary nature, which would be distorted by presenting the seeming objectivity of modern language. Those who are not well versed in Chaucerian English need not despair, for even occasionally recognized words or phrases will give dramatic insight into old Masonic thought. The Halliwell Manuscript, however, is provided also in updated language. The range of Masonic literature includes documents of greater or lesser importance, of more or less reliability. This volume contains eight of the more important Old Charges out of scores of known documents. This collection of several of the more important Old Charges of Freemasonry, compiled as the Worshipful Master's gift for 2012 at Springfield-Hanby Lodge No. 767 in Springfield, Pennsylvania, and is not for general sale.

Second Edition This story is not true in the sense that most people use that word. It emerges out of the mists of time, rooted deep in the heritage of Britain and western spirituality. It is a weave of mythologies, theologies, traditions, and histories. The story stands upon the traditions of two mythical characters: the Lady of Avalon, and Joseph of Arimathea. But the land is itself a living character in the tale, as is the surrounding marsh, the invading Roman legion, and a very special cup of blue glass that unites them all. The legend of the Lady emerges from the great body of Arthurian literature, but predates and underlies the story of Arthur by some four hundred years. Vivian is a Lady who is already the stuff of myth by the time Arthur meets the Lady of the Lake. She is the sovereignty of the land itself, the spirit of the mud and dark water of the marshes, seer of an ancient people, priestess of the Isle of Mist, and keeper of the apples. She clings to the ancient earth for her people at a time when the old Druids are finding new connections to a Roman culture they are no longer able to defeat. At the time of the tale, which we would today name as circa 45 CE, the Roman invasion under Emperor Claudius is two years old. Vespasian is leading the II Augusta Legion across the southwest of Britain, fast approaching the great inland sea, which is the realm of Avalon. Ancient Britain will soon be Roman. Into this ferment comes Joseph of Arimathea, great-uncle of Jesus of Nazareth. Traditions of Joseph abound in the Cornwall and Somerset regions of England; Joseph, the Cornish tin and lead merchant, mine owner and supplier of metals to the Roman military across the Empire. In this tale we make use of one particular tradition that says Joseph was indeed born in Cornwall, a Jew of the Diaspora, and only later went to Palestine in his capacity of trader in tin. There he became Minister of Mines for the Roman army, a worldly-wise merchant who knew the Mediterranean world, and much of the Roman leadership. In this tale, he is known by a Cornish-inspired name, Eosaidh (Yaw'-sheh) of Cornualle, or Eos (Yawsh). According to tradition, Eosaidh made many trips from Palestine to the mines of Cornwall and the Mendip hills north of Avalon, and on some occasions brought his nephew with him. Eosaidh, Vivian, and "the lad" have all met before, years before this tale begins. And Vivian has already had profound, but different, influence upon them both. The underlying images in the tale are the Cup of Life, later to become known as the "Holy Grail," the Apple trees of sacred and fertile Avalon, and the Hawthorn staff of Eosaidh's tradition. It is a tale of the coming of the Jesus tradition to the ancient world of Avalon, and what happens when these worlds collide. But there is unexpected conflict, too, when Eosaidh is confronted with the new "church," bringing a cult of Jesus that even he cannot accept. In the end, Eosaidh must chose between Avalon and Jerusalem, between two loves. And this is truly a love story, for the worldviews that meet, and clash, and dance and clash again do not do so in the abstract. Eosaidh and Vivian are flesh and blood. Their struggle to understand one another, and indeed themselves, takes them out of the realm of theological debate into the whirlwind of human emotion. What would be a work of theology becomes instead the most powerful of love stories. And this is as it should be. This second edition contains no changes in the story line. But numerous typographical and formatting problems in the original have been corrected. The reader will find this edition an easier read, especially in discerning the shifts in time and space. The original edition contained an epilogue, which does not appear here. Upon consideration, we felt the epilogue did not add to the original tale, and indeed tended to detract from it. In this edition, the tale ends where it should.

The Scripture Passages from the Masonic Journey, for study and meditation

This Saint Brendan's Missal is offered for the use of the community of the Parish Church of Saint Brendan of the Ninth Wave, in Chester County, Pennsylvania. It presents an inclusive, non-hierarchical, and gentle Christianity, gathered from several worshipping communities in the Celtic and Anglican tradition. The liturgies contained herein are presented for the guidance and convenience of the congregation, but their use is suggested only, not required. Members may revise and amend them as it seems good to them to do so. There are two special features in this Missal. First is the offering of rites for the celebration of the Sacrament of Holy Communion by family members or individuals at home or elsewhere. It is the duty of the Church to teach and encourage the faithful in the celebration of this Sacrament, the hearth being the oldest of altars, and the leaders of households being the earliest priests. It is reasonable for a Christian to celebrate as an individual, being always in the presence of angels, archangels, and all the company of heaven, and therefore never alone. Secondly, different Eucharistic Prayers are offered for each of the liturgical seasons, honoring the many Eucharist Meals found in Scripture and Tradition, and providing a much broader and deeper understanding of the Eucharist than does the image of the last Supper used alone. Anyone who wishes may use or adapt the forms found herein.

Volume II in the Tales of Avalon Series The long-awaited sequel to "The Apple and the Thorn," This is a novel of ancient Avalon in which the thirteen Marsh Tales are recounted. It is the story of a priestess of Avalon who has survived the Roman massacre of the druids on the Isle of Mona, and the Celtic tribal Healer who brings her back to health. Woven into this story are the thirteen "Marsh Tales," the ancient Wisdom of Avalon, original myths by Melnyk, based upon traditional Welsh fairies. Fianna, called to return to Avalon before it is enclosed forever by mists to protect against the Romans, teaches the Tales to Cethin the Healer. The unique and intriguing format is that of a novel containing thirteen short stories, in which the timeless quest of the human spirit is brought vividly to light. From a Reader: What I can only call the pervasive mood of the book is really strong in your writing - far more so than most other novels. It feels like reading history, full of sounds, smells, and tastes . . . did you intend to have such a pungent atmosphere? It certainly adds to the tale, drags you in and stays with you. -- Cat, United Kingdom By Brynneth Colvin for The Druid Network There are tales within tales, delving further into the realms of history and myth. There are a number of different voices in this book, and they come through well. Melnyk shifts between the realms of more real, historical seeming people, and the landscape of myth in some very effective ways. Added to this, he has a lyrical writing style, giving the work flow and vitality. I loved the Marsh Tales, and very much recommend them.

Ukraina is a western transliteration of how the name sounds in its own tongue (oo'-krah-ee'-nuh.) In English it means, "Borderland," and rightfully so, for it lies across the borders of continents. The largest country in Europe, Ukraina blends into Asia as it stretches eastward. One end is west of Athens, the other end is east of Moscow, and the great Dnipro River divides the land nearly in two. West of the Dnipro, the land and people look to Europe. East of that river, Ukraina looks to Russia, the Caspian Sea, and the vast stretches of Asia beyond. When one sets out upon the adventure of writing poetry about Ukraina, three great themes are quickly discovered: the struggle for freedom, the agony of war, and the celebration of the land and her people. While this volume has elements of all three themes, its focus is upon the last. The political reality that is Ukraina has shifted and changed over the centuries. But the land and the people remain always the same. Traveling south on the Dnipro, from Kyiv to the Black Sea, is to pass through the deep heart of the land and people. Ancient marshes, quiet farmland, and bustling cities line the banks. Only a day's journey separates the wooded hill of Shevchenko's tomb above Kaniv from the belching smokestacks of Dnipro-petrovsk; the Mediterranean atmosphere of modern Odessa from the turbulent past of the Crimea. This volume is a record in verse of that journey, that land, that people. We hope you will enjoy these Songs of a Beloved Land.

A weekly devotional for use by Freemasons or those interested in the spirituality of Freemasonry, based upon the Working Tools of a Mason. Centering on a different tool each day, with prayers and meditations for morning, noon, and evening, this devotional takes you on a spiritual journey throughout the week, connecting the events of daily life with these important symbols: The Compasses, 24" Gauge, Common Gavel, Plumb, Level, Square, and Trowel. "Hope you don't mind, but one statement I plan on making, and I only say what I believe, "In my opinion, this is the best piece of Masonic reading since Joseph Fort Newton's 'The Builders' " -- A Pennsylvania Mason