MAGICK CIRKLE :
THE OAK-KNOWER
The Oak-Knower is a variation on the themes from The Alchemist, included in Volume I.
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Arnold Böcklin - Le Dolmen (1847)
DRUID : from French druide, itself from Latin druida, inherited from Proto-Celtic dru-wid- to daru-wid- (daru = oak tree and wid or weyd = to see, to know), or alternatively derived from do-are-wid- (who sees beyond). On this basis, the compound has been variously interpreted as oak-knower, well versed in oaks, knower of trees, or possibly knower of the world-tree. This association was already noted by Pliny in the 1st century, who compared the first element to Greek drŷs (oak).
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“ With regard to their actual course of studies, the main object of all education is, in their opinion, to imbue their scholars with a firm belief in the indestructibility of the human soul, which, according to their belief, merely passes at death from one tenement to another; for by such doctrine alone, they say, which robs death of all its terrors, can the highest form of human courage be developed. Subsidiary to the teachings of this main principle, they hold various lectures and discussions on the stars and their movement, on the extent and geographical distribution of the earth, on the different branches of natural philosophy, and on many problems connected with religion."
— Julius Caesar, De Bello Gallico, VI, 14 (58–49 BC)
THE MAGICK CIRCLE, AND THE COMPOSITION THEREOF
“ The magick circle is more than a drawing—it is a symbol of divine order in the midst of chaos. By standing within it, the magician claims a space of authority, safety, and spiritual alignment. Without it, summoning and conjuring spirits would be reckless and dangerous. For practitioners of ceremonial magic, witchcraft, and demonology, the circle remains one of the most essential components of ritual practice. "
Diagram of the magic circle to be drawn for ceremonial magic, published in 1565 in Pseudo-Peter de Abano’s grimoire Heptameron.
In druidry, the magic circle as a place of ceremony is sometimes marked out by small stones or items to mark the cardinal directions. The directional items are often associated with earth, air, water and fire. [...] While classical druids were said to gather in woodland groves, they are frequently associated with megalithic stone circles. In British and Irish folklore and legend, stone circles are notorious for being the haunt of faeries. Some say they are remnants of people turned to stone for dancing during the Equinoxes, Solstices, or Sabbaths. Burial mounds at, in, or near them are believed to be entrances to the Otherworld or the Land of the Fae. Most stone circles, especially in Europe, have supernatural tales associated with them, with sightings of supernatural beings.
Henry Mark Anthony - Stonehenge (1870)
“ The impact of a death is like casting a stone into the water. The ripple effect of the incident has many layers and reaches far beyond what may be expected. Each circle stands alone, yet is connected to the center. The circles touch each other before they radiate outward. [...] All of you who stand in the inner circle, need to remember how close you stood soon after the death, but also must remember your need to back away and allow each other to breathe. When those in the inner circle find themselves [...] becoming too dependent or too isolated, it is time to remember those first critical moments when we reacted instinctively from the heart and from the strong survival instincts within us. Reach for the next circle. In reaching out to others who grieve with you, you are also giving the care and respect toward another human being in pain. If you listen, you will hear their need for others in other circles."
— Dr. Sandra L. Graves, Ph. D
Carlo Dalgas - Evening landscape with a dolmen. Study (1844)
Finrod Artîwelë - untitled (2014)
TO THE VISIONS OF FANCY.
Dear, wild illusions of creative mind!
Whose varying hues arise to Fancy's art,
And by her magic force are swift combin'd
In forms that please,
and scenes that touch the heart:
Oh! whether at her voice ye soft assume
The pensive grace of Sorrow drooping low;
Or rise, sublime, on Terror's lofty plume,
And shake the soul with wildly thrilling woe;
Or, sweetly bright, your gayer tints ye spread,
Bid scenes of pleasure steal upon my view,
Love wave his purple pinions o'er my head,
And wake the tender thought to passion true;
O! still — ye shadowy forms attend my lonely hours,
Still chase my real cares with your illusive powers!
— Ann Radcliffe
CREDITS
The Oak-Knower classical guitar improvisation recorded on December 7th, 2013. Originally released as An Draíodóir on Raagnarök (2014). Remixed in 2023-2025 by Sébastien Dumontier, mastered by Laurent Roussel.
Acoustic & classical guitar, flutes, Mellotron, drones, shamanic drum & other percussions played by Finrod Artîwelë. Oboe played by Melody M.