I'm not sure whether a discussion on this subject belongs within the format of the Bardic College, but it certainly warrants consideration. The 'Fonn' is a form of mantra; a short sentence or small collection of 'power' words used before a major prayer or ritual. The Fonn is recited, chanted or intoned with a careful ebb and flow rhythm to harness the body and soul into a spiritual perspective. Perhaps in this respect the Fonn is symbolic of that shady area of liminality between worlds, evoking the existence of powers beyond the mists of time and space;

Ta Tir na n-og ar chul an ti - tir alainn, trina cheile (The land of eternal youth is just behind the house, a beautiful land, fluent within itself)

Fionna Davidson (Fion Tulach) of the Ceili De tradition uses a Fonn as a prequel to contemplation or meditation, and in combination with 'paidrean' or 'prayer beads.' In her tradition she has adapted short phrases taken from the Carmina Gadelica and transformed them into beautiful chants that evoke the ancient spirit of the Celtic people:

"Tar a thighhearna... tar a thi" (pron. dar a heena dar a hee) - Come, O thou Lord, Come O thou Being."

"Sireadh thall" (pron. shiree - d'thall) - "Seek beyond."

In many of the Western Isles of Scotland this chanting tradition continues to this day, with the recitation of Biblical psalms, and it is assumed that before Christianity that similar sacred song patterns existed amongst the Druids and Celtic peoples. However, the fonn-form is seen to cut through religious distinction and address the very core meaning and inner power of language, expressing the spirit of the macrocosm through voice... and on and on.

In creating and expressing a personal Fonn a great deal of inspiration and guidance can be derived from old Gaelic spiritual texts, poetry and illuminating literature. My opinion is that the traditional Gaelic should be used rather than modern English, since it is partly concerned with connecting with the primal roots of ancestral origins. I found my own Fonn in a poem translated by Prof. Kuno Meyer:

Brigit buadach (Victorious Brigit)
Buaid na fine (Glory of kin)
Siur rig nime (King of Heavens sister)
Nar in diuine (Noble person)
Eslind luige (Dangerous oath)
Lethan breo (Far rising flame)
Ro-siacht noibnem (Holy heaven she reached)
Mumme Goidel (Fostermother of the Gael)
Riar na n'oiged (Support of the strangers)
Oibel ecnai (Wisdom's spark)
Ingen dubthaig (Dubhtach's daughter)
Duaine uallach (High minded person)
Brigit Buadach (Victorious Brigit)
Bethad beo (Lifes living one).

This is in essence a prayer, and often the distinction between a poetic composition and an invocation lack a boundary which is evident in modern versification, but which is common in the old Gaelic. So, in identifying with Brighid - either as Goddess or Saint I found a strong spiritual connection, the words spoke deeply to me and when I found myself slowly reciting them over and over their inner nature became revealed. I began to use the last two lines as a fonn 'Brigit Buadach Bethad Beo'... Bri as the bright piercing arrow of flame, Buadach as the inherent power or life force, Bethad as birth - life growth and accumulation of extra power, and beo as vision, and in pronunciation it became:

"Breee... Boodaaa... Beetaaa... Bee-oooh."

This evokes many mental images within me, one for example is the 'birth of an eternal flame of power in my spirit.'

This, un-suprisingly is strong stuff and ideal for focussing the mind on difficult tasks ahead, and helps a great deal with concentration and just for spiritual fortification. For more information on the Ceili De, Fionna Davidson and the fonn goto:

http://www.ceilede.co.uk/the_fonn.htm

Brightest Blessings

Draoi.