I
First Voyage:
Authentic Freedom in Crìost
Read the first of three Ocean’s Song voyages in the flip book below.
Ocean’s Song tells of a pilgrim voyaging over inner-seas in communion with An Gèadh Faidhaich – a voyage through the straits between our inner and outer worlds. The composition is a tale of three voyages: First Voyage, Long-haul Voyage and Last-Voyage. Each a mosaic of poems selected from a pilgrim’s sailboat log.
Ocean’s Song is the shift in undercurrents and counter currents experienced by the pilgrim voyager. The underlying song of the voyage can only be sensed when the composition is experienced as liturgy.
Prayerfully and gradually read each voyage as a whole in a quite place if you can. Experience the depths of Ocean’s Song following the ancient contemplative way of Lectio Divina: Prayerfully read the liturgy, engage between the lines, enter into the silence between each poem, be still in the presence of Crìost.
Notes on Language
You will come across some Scots Gaelic (the indigenous language of the Scottish Highlands) in Ocean’s Song. I use them intentionally to deepen the moment of imagery and reflection. When our eyes encounter an unfamiliar word, we automatically pause a moment, creating a moment for the Holy Trinity to enter more fully into our reading. Words of Indigenous people also take our imagery back in time, allowing us to glimpse our world from another perspective. A short glossary follows with the meanings of these words.
Scots Gaelic Phrases
An Geadh Fiadhaich: The Wild Goose poetic name of the Holy Spirit.
Bi Mar Muir Fèath: Be as a Calm Sea
Curach: Small boat made of wickerwork covered in watertight material (Leather, canvas).
Dlùth-ghabh: Embrace!
Dhè: God
Dia: God
Faireadh: Act of Keeping Watch
Beum-Sgèthe: Shields Clash
Ìosa Crìost: Jesus Christ
Mar sin bitheadh: So let it be, let it be!
Righ nan Dùl: Lord of the Universe
Solas Chrìost: Christ’s Light.
Spiorad Naomh: Holy Spirit