Druid Magazine

Druid Magazine 2
T
EDITORIAL TEAM
able of contents EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
Renu K. Aldrich
NEWSFEATURES CHIEF COPYEDITOR
Druidry & Mental Health: Parallel Pathways by Renu K. Aldrich................. 7 Melanie Herd
The OBOD Course & Mental Health Issues......................................... 11
WEBSITE MANAGER
Managing Mental Health Issues in a Seed Group or Grove.................. 13 Gary Sell
Alchemy and the Process of Transformation by Sarah Fuhro...................... 15
CHIEF RESEARCHER
Interview with Damh the Bard: Musician, Pendragon, Druid Clint Chamberlain
by David North...................................................................................24
PHOTO EDITOR
An excerpt from “A Legacy of Druids: Conversations with Druid Brom Hanks
Leaders of Britain, the USA and Canada, Past and Present”
COPYEDITORS
by Ellen Evert Hopman..................................................................... 28 Wendy Gill, Lia Hunter
A Self-Imposed Interview with Artist Sophia Kelly Shultz
by Nicole Sussurro.............................................................................32
LIVING DRUIDRY
Druidry in the Workplace
Practical Druidry
Barbara Pott
Cycling by faucon of Sakin’el.................................................................. 36
Astral Traval by Selene Blackwell........................................................... 39 Healthy Ways
Shelley Keneipp
Ritual Space
Hearth & Cauldron
Public Ritual Workshop Part IV-B: Ritual Body, “Movement” Kirstie Maylor
by David North and Nicole Sussurro...................................................42
Indigenous Ways
Magical Crafting Gail Colfax
Geomantic Dice by Richard “Skyllaros” Derks........................................45
Living Consciously
Sacred Geometry: An Evening of Sisterhood, Pointy Tools, & Pyrography Lolly Nicol
Text by Catriona McDonald, photos by Wanda C................................... 48
Magical Crafting
Hearth & Cauldron Catriona McDonald
A 14th Century Onion Pie by Kirstie Maylor.......................................... 51 Practical Druidry
Moss Magill
Healthy Ways
Forest Bathing by Shelley Keneipp............................................................53 Reviews
Sarah Disler
Questions? Submissions? Ritual Space

David North
Please send articles or editorial inquiries through the Druid
Magazine website at www.druidmagazine.com Voices of Awen
Gail Nyoka
3 Winter/ Spring - 2017
Living Consciously
Druid Magazine
Introduction by Lolly Nicol.........................................................................56
Volume 3, Issue 1
Druidry in the Workplace
This magazine is an When Work Quits You by Barbara A. Pott................................................59
independent publicaton
produced by an all- EISTEDDFOD
volunteer staff in service Voices of Awen
to the community.
Please help support it by Telling the Difficult Story by Gail Nyoka...................................................65
making a donation. Bardic Approach to Mental Balance by faucon of Sakin’el........................67
“Drinking with the Ancestors” by Dean Easton.........................................68
“The King in Exile” by Buck Marchinton..................................................70
“Bodhran” by Rosaria Marie..............................................................................71
“Star’s Reflection” excerpt by Gail Nyoka.........................................................73
Chester and the Hummingbird Fair by M.F. Harding.................................74
Children of the Forest

Songs of the Gusari: Birth Circle by faucon of Sakin’el................................85
Reviews
Book Review of Hopman’s “A Druid’s Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year”
by Sarah Disler.....................................................................................87
Join the team! AROUND THE AMERICAS

We are looking Camp News
for talented: Announcing Mid-Atlantic Gathering, U.S. (MAGUS) 2017
Copyeditors by Jason Stieber....................................................................................89
Illustrators Burn it like an Eisteddfod Fire: My First OBOD East Coast Gathering
Photographers by Loam Ananda.........................................................................................92
Researchers
Social Media/ ON BEING AN AMERICAN DRUID
PR Director Essay by Ahote Baggins....................................................................................99
Tech Support
Disclaimer
Information contained in this magazine is not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure, or prevent any chronic disease or emergency condition.
Cover photo: Druid Magazine.
© 2014–2017
Content, incuding recipes and remedies, is not intended as a substitute
All rights reserved. Click here
Purchase, NY
for full copyrght statement for advice from your physician or other health care professional.
© Renu K. Aldrich
and sharing guidelines Before consuming herbs, supplements, and/ or remedies and testing
recipes, please consult with your physician or healthcare professional,
and carefully read all information provided by the author or
Cover photo © Renu K. Aldrich manufacturer, including the label of any homeopathic remedy.
Druid Magazine 4
F rom the Editor’s Desk...
R enu K. Aldrich
Welcome to Druid Magazine!

Dear readers, here. But what about when you or a
Happy Alban Eilir! We are back from grove mate have a diagnosed psychiatric
sabbatical! And what a changed world we condition? Or if a seed group member
find ourselves in since our last issue. The begins acting in a way that concerns you?
editorial team did not know just how fitting We also provide some tips for managing
this issue’s theme of mental health would these kinds of questions. In addition,
be. It is a time of turmoil in the United Gail Nyoka discusses another connection
States, and many people are experiencing between some mental health practices and
a multitude of negative feelings. Just the redemptive and reparative aspects of
watching the news or your Facebook storytelling. faucon of Sakin’el explores
feed can feel overwhelming right now. a Bardic approach to mental balance and
We at Druid Magazine hope that we may also graces us with a special story about
bring you ideas for staying peaceful while coping in Cycling. Shelley Keneipp provides
supporting efforts to better our world. information on restorative Forest Bathing
techniques in Healthy Ways while Barb Pott
To this end, I will be the special guest
delivers a personal look at how to handle
presenter at Mid-Atlantic Gathering of the
emotional challenges such as being laid off
United States (MAGUS), the new OBOD
from work.
camp that kicks off this May, offering a
workshop on how to kindle your spiritual Sarah Fuhro takes us on a journey of
warrior. Advocacy can take many forms, instruction for alchemical transformation
and what we do should align with our illustrated in part by photographer Bruce
personal goals and mission in life. I hope Lhuillier, who brings his artistry to the
you will join us for the weekend, which will magazine beginning with this issue. We
be focused on how to maintain our Druid are also pleased to welcome two new
values while dealing with turbulent change. columnists. Lolly Nicol brings her wit and
Conscious acceptance of what role we are charm to help us all live more consciously,
able to play is essential to maintaining making better choices for our bodies and
good mental health. Jason Stieber provides the environment. Kirstie Maylor provides us
with the details on MAGUS in Across the with her mouthwatering recipes in Hearth
Americas, and Loam Ananda gives us a & Cauldron, kicking off with a delicious
newcomer’s perspective on ECG. onion pie dating back to the 14th century
that I had the honor of devouring while
Mental health and Druidry have vast
celebrating Yule with the Keepers of Dragon
connections, and I explore a few aspects
Knowledge Grove in Ann Arbor, MI this depict the sacred geometry adventures
past December. I had with an amazing group of Druid
Also in the issue, we have an women over the new year’s holiday. Sarah
excerpt of Ron Hutton’s interview Disler reviews a classic Hopman book, A
from Ellen Evert Hopman’s book on Druid’s Herbal for the Sacred Earth Year.
her conversations with Druid leaders Voices of Awen features poetic gifts
from around the Western world. David by Dean Easton on Drinking with the
North provides part one of his intimate Ancestors, Buck Marchinton on The King
interview with Damh the Bard on his in Exile, and Rosaria Marie on Bodhran.
roles as pendragon, bard, and musician. We get a lovely taste of Nyoka’s new book
The interview is available in audio for young adults, Star’s Reflection. M.F.
format, but we also provide a transcript. Harding delivers another delightful tale in
Dave continues his wonderful series on Chester and the Hummingbird Fair, and
performing public ritual in Ritual Space, faucon provides a children’s chant and
co-authoring an article with his wife Nicole tale on Birth Circle, a song of the Gusari.
Sussurro on how we use the motion of Ahote Baggins rounds out the issue
our bodies. MAGUS co-organizer Nicole with his creative exploration of being an
profiles artist Sophia Kelly Shultz, whose American Druid.
amazing photography—including of Four
We hope this magazine brings you
Quarters Interfaith Sanctuary, continues
closer to your Druid family and lifestyle.
to enliven our pages.
May we continue to support and love one
Selene Blackwell has our rapt another whether in the darkness of winter
attention with her scientific exploration or while enjoying the dawning of new life
of meeting others on the astral plane in in spring.
Practical Druidry. In Magical Crafting,
Richard “Skyllaros” Derks shows us how Brightest blessings,
to create geomantic dice while we also Renu /|\
Practicum
One-minute refresher: Take a deep breath either in through your nose if you need to be
more calm or in through your mouth if you need more energy. Slowly inhale until your
abdomen rises. Hold your breath for three seconds before exhaling. Do so as audibly
as you can. If it feels right, imagine stress, exhaustion—and anything else you wish to
release—leaving your body on the out-breaths. Shake a little to remove staleness and let
the fresh energy seep inside.
Renu K. Aldrich, M.A., LMFT, aka the Hindu Druid, has been a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids
since 1997. She is a doctoral student at Virginia Tech, where she specializes in working with developmental
trauma survivors and studies how to incorporate Eastern healing techniques into Western psychotherapy.
Initially a journalist, Renu also has served as a communications executive in the publishing world, in academia,
and on Wall Street. She launched Druid Magazine in 2015 in service to the spiritual community.
Druid Magazine 6
Druid Magazine 6
© Renu K. Aldrich
News Features
N ews Druidry & Mental Health:
F eatures Parallel Pathways
By Renu K. Aldrich
D ruidry has
resonated
with me deeply as I seek a spiritual life
is a fitting companion as I finish doctoral
work in human development. Adding
research and teaching to my professional
that complements my journey of personal life has expanded the ways in which I
growth. My connection to the experiential, am able to effect positive change in the
nature-based spirituality was fueled in world. Druidry has kept my focus on
large part by my trauma recovery; I why I went into mental health in the
explored knowledge and activities to first place; my dissertation study is on
heal my mind, body, and spirit. I also how communal activities, like ritual, can
wanted to be among like-minded people benefit spiritual minorities in healing from
with similar values celebrating equality, trauma.
upholding inclusion, and honoring the The gwers also helps keep
earth. Druidry is an accepting spirituality me grounded in my own personal
with a typically compassionate and development because the lessons for
openminded community. People at our the OBOD correspondence course often
gatherings often describe finding a true contain therapeutic interventions. That
and loving family for the first time. But should come as no surprise given that
some marginalized people, including Chosen Chief Philip Carr-Gomm, who
those with mental health conditions, face was primarily responsible for rewriting
barriers to establishing a home under the the lessons, is a psychologist. His work
oaks. has combined both mysticism and
Personal Synchronicity psychology, viewing both as crucial lenses
for understanding—and transforming—the
During the time I worked through
the mysteries of the Order
of Bards, Ovates & Druids’
(OBOD) Ovate grade, I
also earned my clinical
master’s degree and became
a licensed marriage and
family therapist (MFT). By
combining mental health
and my personal spirituality,
I tapped into strengths and
abilities to use my pain as
seeds of transformation.
Both forged me into a healer
simultaneously, working on
multiple levels to guide and
nurture me. Plus, Druidry’s
© Renu K. Aldrich
lessons kept my passion for

psychotherapy as sacred
work kindled.
Now, the Druid grade
Druid Magazine 8
human experience (Carr-Gomm, 2017). overly privilege the “experts.” It holds

the principle of equipotentiality—that all
Transpersonal Connections beings are both students and teachers
Druidry and mental health (Ferrer, 2011). Knowledge should be
seem wedded to each other, from the shared by researchers and participants
conceptual to the actual work. In fact, with little or no hierarchy. Under the
numerous Mount Haemus scholars have transpersonal view, research—whether
written on © Brom Hanks
through
psychological qualitative,
topics. My quantitative,
own worldview or mixed
aligns with methods— is
transpersonal a “journey of
humanistic transformation”
psychology and a “sacred
because of how encounter”
it embraces (Anderson,
my Druid 2015, p. 164)
values. It is a that invites the
framework that researcher to
integrates the change and
Western mindset become more
with spiritual aware through
development and the experience
self-actualization of examining
from indigenous sacred
traditions, phenomenon.
including Vedic In this
Hindu and Druid mindset, peak
philosophies. According to this theory, experiences and spiritual phenomenon
change involves self-actualization, high that cannot be fully explained are not
moral functioning, and discovery of the pathologized but captured as authentic
self’s true spiritual nature (Guest, 1989). and valid experiences to be studied.
Mystical experiences and transcending Unfortunately, spirituality is not
the warring dualities in life, such as by a typical component of psychotherapy
harmonizing inner masculine and feminine because many clinicians lack interest or
aspects, are avenues to reach these goals. training, have discomfort with existential
The theory engenders healing techniques issues, or are unwilling to seem like they
that are a combination of talk therapy are imposing their views on clients (Post
with participatory spiritual practice to & Wade, 2009). But Druids can now seek
cultivate the embodied, relational, and clergy to obtain some forms of therapeutic
experiential dimensions of spiritual co- help, such as from those who are trained
creation. to offer other services including rites
Transpersonal theory supports of passage like funerals and weddings.
the empirical study of ancient healing OBOD offers celebrancy training teaching
strategies such as mindfulness and ritual the idea that ritualists will go on healing
(Guest, 1989). But unlike the traditional journeys themselves as they facilitate
Western approaches to scholarly studies, for others. This is a humanistic concept,
transpersonal psychology does not that the psychotherapist must also be
transformed if the client is to change. experience of being in social situations.
Another connection is apparent through Trauma survivors and those afflicted with
the online celebrancy course, which helps any kind of childhood illness may not be
participants reflect on “the skills and skilled in social interactions, causing them
qualities needed to work with families at to feel isolated and unsure of how to
times of loss and trauma…and to help lay handle relationships, especially in group
the foundations for a healthy grieving and settings. Kindness and compassion go a
healing process” (OBOD, 2017, para. 2). long way to helping them feel part of the
Despite these braided ties to mental community.
health, Druidry is not always a welcoming Mental health is something we
environment for people with psycholgical all experience; it is our emotional,
issues, especially those who attend psychological, and social well-being. If
groups and gatherings alone without you have ever had anxiety or depression,
support or established relationships. then you have experienced a common
While neither OBOD’s course nor all mental health condition. One in five
therapy techniques can be applied U.S. adults, about 44 million people or
to everyone, psychiatric issues raise 18.5% of the population, have a mental
particular concerns for all sides in the health condition (Nguyen & Davis,
Druid community. 2017). In addition, one in 25 adults live
with a serious mental health condition
Fear, Stigma, & Shame including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder,
Our world has socialized us to or major depression (National Alliance on
fear mental “illness”—to stigmatize and Mental Health, 2017). Milder forms are
demean what we do not understand. Is increasingly part of modern life though
it any wonder that some keep personal they may not be classified as psychiatric
issues or diagnoses hidden from others disorders. Increasingly, people are being
out of fear they will be ostracized? We treated by general practitioners and are
often treat mental issues as if the afflicted taking psychotropic medication at record
should have easy control or even may rates without necessarily going to therapy
have caused their problems. Seeking help (Hutchison, 2011). As of 2013, one in
is seen as weakness, as if we should be six adults take psychiatric medication
capable of fixing every problem we have like antidepressants, sedatives, and anti-
alone. Sometimes, we feel that we might anxiolytics (Miller, 2016).
be unfairly imposing on others, but there Seeing a psychotherapist is no
are people who want to help and are longer an indication of psychiatric issues
trained to do so safely. and is a standard way of dealing with
On the other hand, people with emotional health, especially for residents
unchecked serious disorders may scare of the coasts. It is common to have a
others with their behavior and symptoms, therapist for many reasons from coping
which can include paranoia, mood swings, with stress at work to managing family
and decompensation of their ability to and couple relationships. Most who need
maintain daily life or cope with stress. In mental health services, however, do
rare situations, they can be dangerous. not utilize them due to lack of access,
But most of the time, they may make financial barriers, and stigma. Almost six
people uncomfortable even though they in 10 U.S. adults with a mental health
are trying to manage a difficult situation issue do not receive treatment despite the
to the best of their abilities. They may rising prevalence of these conditions and
be working on handling symptoms, the fact that nearly 4% of the U.S. adult
have social anxiety, or simply lack the population report having serious thoughts
Druid Magazine 10
© Renu K. Aldrich
of suicide (Nguyen & Davis, 2017). are disconnected from themselves and
Here, we can come full circle back reality. But others experience adverse
to Druidry, which teaches us numerous reactions from meditation that vary in
ways of being more conscious and intensity, including anxiety and panic,
present for our experience of ourselves confusion and disorientation, depression,
as well as the world around us. Therapy anger, despair, and repressed memories
does not work for everyone, and some of abuse (Perez-De-Albeniz & Holmes,
find self-help material to be invaluable. 2000).
For some, Druidry courses like OBOD’s Academic research (for example,
may serve as a way of delving into issues Klainin-Yobas, Cho, & Creedy, 2012;
that cross the constructed boundaries of Spijkerman, Pots, & Bohlmeijer,
psychology and spirituality. 2016) shows that many mental health
conditions can improve through
Between Realities and the Spiritual mindfulness practices, especially with
Aside from the intricacies of social the aid of a therapist. While the OBOD
interaction, mental health issues may mentor program is a valuable resource,
be a barrier to experiencing aspects of it does not provide in-person guidance or
Druidry. In fact, the Order’s web site counseling to maintain safety. Some of
advises those with severe mental illness the activities in the gwers can be intense
(see sidebar) that certain practices experiences for anyone. It may be helpful
can be harmful. This is especially true to process emotions and revelations with
of the activities in Druid courses like a trusted friend or therapist to maximize
the OBOD gwers that ask us to tap benefits and understanding. This is one
into other dimensions and planes. of the reasons many of us participate in
Some mindfulness-based exercises like group activities with other Druids, finding
meditation, for example, seem simple, connection and growth through sharing
but their power can impact us to the core experiences and what we value.
because they can alter consciousness.
The OBOD disclaimer specifically Group Dynamics
mentions schizophrenia or psychosis, Groups can be extraordinarily
but it could be dangerous for anyone beneficial for support and spiritual
without a grasp on reality (Brown, 2017; activities. OBOD seed groups and groves
Weinstein, 2015). For example, people are based on the idea that communal
who have depersonalization disorder connection is a wonderful, yet optional,
facet of Druidry. We develop special experiencing feelings or fears of betrayal,

bonds with other members, often coming abandonment, lack of appreciation, and
together in ritual, over food, and to disrespect. Personal family dynamics, if
work on projects. But so often after a unresolved or dysfunctional, in particular
harmonious period in a group, things can serve to break down even the
become rocky. strongest group ties. Some groups are
Strong relationships make us feel unprepared for when this occurs, while
safe enough for our psyches to work others develop rules designed to mitigate
on healing past wounds. Unresolved it. (See sidebar on handling mental
grief, for example, can play havoc on health issues in a seed group or grove.)
our emotions and relationships, clashing
References
with perhaps issues arising for another
member. Without awareness or conscious Anderson, R. (2015). Transpersonal research
behavior, this can result in unintended and scholarship: Reflections on the last
consequences. Clashes may lead to re-
The OBOD Course & Mental Health Issues
From the OBOD website: If the training was undertaken in a

face-to-face situation the exercises
Is the Course suitable for me if I could be paced and adjusted to suit
have had mental health issues? the individual, but since the course
is administered from a distance,
Many people go through difficult such adjustment and monitoring
times in their life, and the course just isn’t possible.
can be very helpful and supportive
at such times. But you should not Although the distance learning
enroll [in] the course if you have programme is not suitable if you
ever been diagnosed as suffering have had these challenges, Druidry
from schizophrenia or a psychotic can still be followed as a spiritual
condition. The reason for this is that way/philosophy/religion by making
while much of the course material use of the many resources available
can be instructive and helpful to on the web and in books. It is
anyone, the course does offer important to note that this policy
meditations, visualizations and refers only and specifically to a
rituals which are designed to ‘open diagnosis of schizophrenia or a
people up’ to their unconscious psychotic condition. We have found
states and potentially other levels of that members who have received
perception. For those who haven’t other diagnoses can benefit from
suffered from such a condition this the course. If you are thinking of
process can be helpful, but if you enrolling for the course but are not
have, these exercises have the sure if it is for you, just email us
potential to be counter-productive. at office@druidry.org.
Druid Magazine 12
twenty years and forward. Journal of https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-

Transpersonal Psychology, 47(2), 163. Health-By-the-Numbers
Brown, N. (2017, January 3). Meditation and Nguyen, T., & Davis, K. (2017). The State of
mental health issues [Web Log]. Retrieved mental health in America. Retrieved from
from https://druidlife.wordpress. http://www.mentalhealthamerica.net/
com/2017/01/03/meditation-and-mental- issues/state-mental-health-america
health-issues/ Perez-De-Albeniz, A., & Holmes, J. (2000).
Carr-Gomm, P. (2017). Philip Carr-Gomm. Meditation: Concepts, effects and
Retrieved from http://www.philipcarr- uses in therapy. International Journal
gomm.com/ of Psychotherapy, 5(1), 49-58.
Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids. (2017). doi:10.1080/13569080050020263
Celebrancy training. Retrieved from http:// Post, B. C., & Wade, N. G. (2009). Religion and
www.druidry.org/community/celebrancy- spirituality in psychotherapy: A practice-
training friendly review of research. Journal of
Ferrer, J. N. (2011). Participatory spirituality Clinical Psychology, 65(2), 131-146.
and transpersonal theory: A ten-year doi:10.1002/jclp.20563
retrospective. Journal of Transpersonal Spijkerman, M. P. J., Pots, W. T. M., & Bohlmeijer,
Psychology, 43, 1-34. E. T. (2016). Effectiveness of online
Guest, H. (1989). The origins of mindfulness-based interventions in
transpersonal psychology. British improving mental health: A review and
Journal of Psychotherapy, 6, 62–69. meta-analysis of randomised controlled
doi:10.1111/j.1752-0118.1989.tb01262.x trials. Clinical Psychology Review, 45, 102-
114. doi:10.1016/j.cpr.2016.03.009
Hutchison, C. (2011, Oct. 19). One in 10
Americans use antidepressants, most Weinstein, B. D. (2015, February 23). RX:
don’t see a therapist. ABC News. Retrieved Meditation & contraindications: Over-
from http://abcnews.go.com/Health/ Meditated. Retrieved from https://www.
Wellness/10-americans-antidepressants- sharonsalzberg.com/rx-meditation-
therapist/story?id=14763251 contraindications-over-meditated/
Klainin-Yobas, P., Cho, M. A. A., & Creedy,

© Teri Garrison -Kinsman
D. (2012). Efficacy of mindfulness-

based interventions on depressive
symptoms among people with mental
disorders: A meta-analysis. International
Journal of Nursing Studies, 49(1), 109.
doi:10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2011.08.014
Miller, R. (2016, December 13). 1 in 6 Americans
takes a psychiatric drug: Antidepressants
were most common, followed by anxiety
relievers and antipsychotics. Scientific
American. Retrieved from https://www.
scientificamerican.com/article/1-in-6-
americans-takes-a-psychiatric-drug/
National Alliance on Mental Health. (2017). Mental
health by the numbers. Retrieved from
N ews Managing Mental Health Issues
F eatures in a Seed Group or Grove

By Renu K. Aldrich
R
eligions and call a relative or ambulance.
philosophies
ÌÌ If they cannot respond, if they
alternative to the mainstream, such
seem unaware of reality, or they become
as Druidry, can attract people who feel
unduly agitated, call 911 for paramedics.
rejected and abandoned by society. This
Explain what you are witnessing so the
is something leaders of seed groups
experts can begin their assessment of
and groves know well—many have had
the situation. It could be physiological,
experiences with members who leave
psychological, or a combination of issues.
them regretting opening their homes to
strangers. But what if the group has a ÌÌ In some situations, a person may
member or a potential member who has a decompensate. This is the rapid escalation
mental health condition? of an inability to cope and typically
People with mental health issues requires medical assistance. In extreme
should not be denied the wonderful cases, people esp. with schizophrenia
opportunities on this path we share. But or paranoia may become violent. While
the reality is that sometimes leaders this is rare, it is better to call for help for
and group members feel ill-equipped to everyone’s safety and consideration.
handle situations involving mental health
ÌÌ Remember the principles of
conditions. Here are some questions and
confidentiality. Everyone has the right
thoughts to consider:
to privacy and to share their personal
ÌÌ Does your group/ grove have a information with whom they choose.
membership process or policy? Do you
ÌÌ The stigma of mental health and
address acceptable behavior and what is
fear of rejection keeps many from having
considered inappropriate with members?
the experiences they deserve, and may
ÌÌ If someone seems to be having a inhibit them from joining groups or
hard time and cannot focus, gently try asking for help. If you have concerns
to ask them questions about what is about joining a group, how do you plan to
wrong. Perhaps they need to talk to a handle them?
friend, relative, or therapist. Sometimes a
ÌÌ If you have a mental health issue
relative can offer help and information.
or diagnosis, consider what you need
ÌÌ If the person does not get any to feel safe participating. The National
better or gets worse, ask if they have any Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) provides
condition, including diabetes, that may be information on the benefits of spirituality
causing their symptoms. Ask if you should and evaluating faith-based communities
Druid Magazine 14
ÌÌ Disclosing your condition is a very someone is suicidal, a danger to others,

important personal decision that should or needs intervention for other reasons.
not be made lightly. Would you feel Similarly, crisis hotlines (example) can
comfortable having at least one person help you determine if it is an emergency.
in the group as an ally? NAMI provides
ÌÌ Many action plans for managing
an excellent resource on the many issues
mental health conditions include providing
involved and support
doctors with peer evaluations to better
ÌÌ Leaders and hosts, do you have a gauge the person’s condition. A key
list of mental health resources for your element of healing and management is
area for emergencies and referrals? For social support and spirituality. Does your
example, some local agencies (example) group/ grove have an agreement on being
have emergency personnel who will part of such an action plan on behalf of a
come to your location to assess whether member?
© Sophia Schultz
Four Quarters Interfaith

Sanctuary, Artemas, PA
N ews Alchemy and the Process of
F eatures Transformation
By Sarah Fuhro
“Confront the dark parts of yourself, and work to banish them with illumination
and forgiveness. Your willingness to wrestle with your demons will cause your
angels to sing.” August Wilson
Chemical Alchemy is not the

© Bruce Lhuillier
subject of this article. It’s a huge and

interesting topic, but what I really
want to talk about is personal Alchemy,
deep change. When you are going
through this process, it helps to have
a blueprint of what’s being created. As
an astrologer, I often see clients when
they are in the midst of this process of
spiritual transformation.
Planets follow their cosmic
courses and come into contact with the
planets in our birth chart. Like strings
on a musical instrument, we respond
Greek figure
in ways unique
to each of us.
© Bruce Lhuillier
While the story

is particular,
the process is
universal.
Egyptian
bas relief
Druid Magazine 16
© Sarah Fuhro
In our lives, there
are periods of intense
transformation. These terrible
and fruitful times occur at
every level of our existence.
They often begin in pain, but if
we follow them through, they
bring great joy and deeper
recognition of who we are.
Death and rebirth are
partners in the process of deep
change. The photo (right) is of
a Teotihuacan funeral urn. The
journey to the Otherworld is
never without scary
© Bruce Lhuillier
Teotihuacan funeral urn
moments, demons, and chaos.

But destruction of the
Soul is not possible. Alchemy
shows us that there is a
mixture of death and life as
we learn as Ovates. ‘In the
end is the beginning, in the
beginning is the end.’ We
embrace death to more fully
understand life. Alchemy is
one way to understand these
periods of upheaval, and to
embrace the universal nature
of change.
Egyptian mask
Druidry and Shamanism follow many of the alchemical processes, but vary
from Alchemy in one very important way! Instead of working in a dark laboratory,
under a protective roof away from the seasons and elements, we take our
transformational work into Nature. There we find the dark chamber within which
is our cauldron. It is here that we are destroyed and nurtured!
© Sarah Fuhro
Druid Magazine 18
Here are the Seven

© Bruce Lhuillier
Steps of the alchemical

transformative process.
At various points in
your life, you’ve been on this
journey, or you are presently
slogging your way through
one of the steps.
1. Calcination
2. Dissolution
3. Separation
4. Conjunction
5. Fermentation
6. Distillation
7. Coagulation
Step 1: Calcination
© Sarah Fuhro
Calcination is the process of

destruction by Fire. Be assured
that this powerful force will not
occur unless you are grounded in
the First Chakra at the base of the
spine. Saturn is in charge of this
part of the process and demands
that you create structures, which
will support your journey.
You may experience this in the
form of loss or illness on the
physical plane, or it may take
place on the inner realm. Mental
constructs, the ego, and dearly
held beliefs perish. The sense of
devastation is total. You become
ash. The flames burn you to your
bones; your ego and mental
conversation are useless to save
The Fiery Furnace
you. You are released.
© Robert Fuhro
Step 2: Dissolution
The ashes that once were you,
now dissolve in Water. The
conscious mind lets go, and
the heart and unconscious are
cleansed of buried emotions,
which conceal or distort our
true nature.
You become giddy with bliss.
Creativity seems to flow from
you. This takes place in the
Second Chakra, in the organs
that dissolve and filter what
we take into our body. Jupiter
rules this process, and we are
part of a cosmic river!
© Bruce Lhuillier
Step 3: Separation
At the point of Separation, we are ready
to filter the remains of Dissolution. Only
what is genuine remains in our ashes.
We rediscover our essence, and we
can trust our dreams and visions. All
the ‘gold’ we rejected with the rational,
masculine part of our minds is now
open to the process of reintegration
and refinement. What shamed us is no
longer hidden.
We learn to follow and control the
breath as it brings us in touch with
Spirit, and we give birth to new energy
and physical renewal. Separation takes
place in the Solar Plexus Chakra. The
energy comes from the life force of
Mars. We are released from exile and
isolation! We acknowledge our animal
nature.
Druid Magazine 20
Step 4: Conjunction
© Bruce Lhuillier
Conjunction is an alchemical
process, which combines what
was retained from the work
of Separation. The chemical
alchemists said the residue formed
resembles a child being born. It
is the empowerment of our true
selves, the union of masculine and
feminine, and the sacred marriage.
The conscious and the unconscious
come together. This conjunction
creates the Child of the Sacred
Marriage. Alchemists call this the
‘Lesser Stone.’ Conjunction takes
place in the Heart Chakra, and
is ruled by Venus. At this stage
synchronicities begin to occur, which
tell us we are on the right track.
Step 5: Fermentation
© Bruce Lhuillier
In order for Fermentation to take

place, we must completely accept
ourselves. The Ouroboros, a snake
or salamander who holds his tail in
his mouth, completing a circle, is the
symbol of this level of self-acceptance.
Fermentation on the physical level
is the growth of bacteria; like those
who change milk into cheese and
grapes into wine. During Fermentation,
alchemists used stinking chemicals to
make a beautiful fragrance called ‘the
Balsam of the Soul.’ The fermentation
of our Spirit requires intense prayer,
desire for mystical union, a vision
quest. We are conscious of the grip
of personal history, and leave it
behind. Fermentation connects us to
inspiration from a source beyond us. It
takes place in the Throat Chakra. It is
Mercury who becomes the messenger
of the gods for us. Ouroboros and Hour Glass
© Bruce Lhuillier
Step 6: Distillation
Distillation is the process of
boiling and condensation of the
fermented solution to increase
purity, as when wine is distilled
to make brandy. For this reason,
Dr. Edward Bach recommended
brandy as a stabilizer in his flower
essences. This is known as the
‘White Stage’ of Alchemy.
Distillation in the spiritual process
of transformation requires
agitation and sublimation of
psychic forces. After learning to
trust our visions, dreams, and
intuitions in the earlier stages,
we must now distill them to
make sure they are free from
sentimentality and emotion,
free from our personal identity.
Distillation is the purification of
the unborn Self. Distillation brings
the creative force out of us as we
become more interested in the
greater good. This process takes
place in the third eye at the level
of the pituitary and pineal glands
and is ruled by the Sun and the
Moon.
“Your thoughts and feeling are the

feelings and thoughts of the whole
universe.” [As quoted in Newton
(Newman, 2010)].
Druid Magazine 22
Step 7: Coagulation
© Bruce Lhuillier
The final step in the

alchemical process
is Coagulation. The
image of Coagulation is
an androgynous child
emerging from an open
grave. This is the second
body of light. United with
universal reality, there is
a new confidence in us as
we feel the light coursing
through us. This is what is
meant by the Philosopher’s
Stone.
This final step takes place
Libation bowl in the Crown Chakra. As
Druids, we practice this
every day as we bring ‘the light of the earth’ through our body and release it
again to the earth!
© Bruce Lhuillier
Dear Druids,
Be patient and stalwart
in the dance of
transformation.
We know the elements
well. Fire burns us to
ash, Water takes us on
a journey to the sea,
Air releases us from
old bonds, and we land
once again, securely
planted in the Earth.
Over the last year, I
have been traveling
through one of these
‘transformative’ events.
Since I’m an astrologer,
I used astrology to
guide me. But astrology
is not easy to share in an introductory website: http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/

newton/mss/dipl/ALCH00017
article. I turned to Alchemy as another
way to describe a process we all Isaac Newton’s translation of The Emerald
experience, but can’t always identify as Tablet, from his papers currently housed
in King’s College Library, Cambridge Uni-
universal. versity.
References
The Three Initiates. (1912). The Kybalion: a study
Dinsmore, J. D. (n.d.). The 7 steps in alchemi- of the hermetic philosophy of ancient Egypt
cal transformation [Online forum post]. and Greece. Chicago, IL: Yogi Publication
Retrieved from http://www.esotericon- Society.
line.net/group/alchemy/forum/topics/
the-7-steps-in-alchemical-transformation
Newman, W. R. (Ed.). (2010, June). Keynes MS. 28 Sarah Fuhro and Bruce Lhuillier are members
(I. Newton, Trans.). Retrieved February 20, of OBOD and the Mystic River Grove in
2017, from The Chymistry of Isaac Newton Eastern Massachusetts.
© Anne Hammond-Tooke
Druid Magazine 24
Interview with Damh the Bard:

N ews
F
Musician, Pendragon, Druid, PART 1 eatures
By David North
“I think that once you have a spirituality that doesn’t look out to the stars for salvation, and
actually looks to our home as a Divine Being, you can’t have anything other than a linked
spiritual path and political beliefs.”
~Damh the Bard, OBOD Pendragon
CLick Here to Listen to the Interview*
Or Read the Transcript Below
Recorded Jan. 9, 2017 and it literally translates as “Head

Dragon,” and figuratively as “chief prince,
David North: This is David North from warrior, or ‘one wielding great power’”
Druid Magazine, and I have the pleasure …typically in the context of a kingdom,
of being joined today (through the magic tribe, or organization. So, what does the
of Skype) by Damh the Bard. As you title ‘Pendragon’ mean to you?
may know, Damh is an international
recording artist who has, through music Damh the Bard: I was initiated as the
and deed, helped define the modern pendragon in 2010, and when I was
pagan movement. Dave—which is his asked, it was an honor because of the
given name—is also the pendragon of lineage that came with it, really, but
our Order; and it’s interesting to note I didn’t know entirely what it meant.
that while he completed through the I think it probably means a different
‘Druid’ grade in OBOD, he then asked to thing to each pendragon: I think each
be re-initiated permanently as a ‘Bard,’ pendragon has had their own role to
as it was the bard—the musician and play within the Order. And I think it was
storyteller—that spoke to him the most. a couple of years in, really, that I kind
I’ve heard Damh tell a few stories and of realized what the role of pendragon
sing a few songs, and I can attest that he meant to me. Obviously, pendragon
is a master at both. means ‘head dragon,’ and it’s a role and
part of the triad of the Order of Bards,
Damh, my first question for you, Ovates & Druids; along with chosen chief
however, is about your title, “Pendragon.” and scribe. Obviously, the chosen chief is
I looked up the definitions of pendragon, Philip Carr-Gomm, the scribe is Stephanie
Carr-Gomm, and I’m the pendragon.
And what I realized is that the chosen
*If you cannot see the audio controls, either
chief, Phillip, is like, “the buck stops
click on this link instead, download the pdf, or
here.” He’s the boss if you like. Steph
see other technical resolutions here
is the engine room of the mechanics of
getting the course out. She’s the office recently featured a personal anecdote
manager and secretary, if you like, and about a recent performance you gave
so that suits the scribe. I think the way at a renowned concert hall in Britain. I
my music has worked over the years, and found that very moving. Can you tell us a
how it’s kind of shaped the way my life little bit about why that was a formative
is, pendragon to me became ambassador. musical experience for you?
It’s like having one foot
in the Order and the Damh the Bard:
© Cerri Lee
other foot out of it; Music has always
and bridging that kind been my first love.
of gap between non- Since I was a tiny
magical folk and other baby singing at the
pagan traditions and all top of my voice,
that kind of stuff—with I was driving my
what the order is, and mom and dad
Druidry as a whole—so completely mad.
that’s what it meant to You know I’ve
me. always loved music
more than anything
David North: You else. When all my
implied earlier that friends were into
you were not the first: football I was into
Have there been prior listening to music.
pendragons? I started to learn
to play the guitar
Damh the Bard:
Damh the Bard’s latest CD, his eighth when I was eight
There have. The first
years old, and
pendragon was Vera
this whole journey
Chapman. She was Nuinn’s pendragon.
started to me with those—you know—with
She was a writer and she founded the
singing along with The Rockin’ Horse and
Tolkien Society. She passed that onto
I’m singing along with The Sweet, and
Will Worthington who is an artist. He’s
Slave, and that kind of stuff back in the
the artist who has done the artwork for
seventies; and John Denver and Johnny
the Druid Animal Oracle, the Druid Plant
Cash, whom my Dad weaned me on. That
Oracle, the Druid Craft Tarot…and he then
kind of led me into finding the music that
passed it onto me and I’m a musician.
I loved, which was folk, and also heavy
So if you look at the pattern there, you
rock.
had a writer, an artist, and a musician;
all people who communicate their Druidry I saw my first ever live concert at the
and their spiritual beliefs through the kind Brighton Centre in 1978, and it was Thin
of conduit of their chosen art form. That Lizzy. And I sat on the balcony looking
again kind of made a nice pattern—a nice out across Brighton Centre and Thin Lizzy
bit of sense to me to take it onboard and came on stage, and the sound and power
to take it over. Will was pendragon for of that rock night completely changed
19 years, which is a good Metonic cycle my life forever. Over the years I’ve seen
and quite long enough I should think for AC/DC with Bon Scott at the Brighton
anybody to hold that responsibility, and Centre. I’ve seen Black Sabbath with
he just wanted to pass that on. I was Ronnie James Dio, Status Quo—I mean
asked to take over, and it’s a great honor! so many bands at that place—Motorhead,
David North: One of your podcasts all of them. John Denver, actually, I saw
Druid Magazine 26
there with my dad! And this year, there’s spiritual path. As far as I was concerned,
an annual event called Witchfest that what I was being told by my teachers
has been taking place in Croydon (near was right, and there was a Jesus and all
London) for many years, but that venue that kind of stuff. But, what happened
closed down and they chose the Brighton is, when I became a teenager, like many
Centre to play at, to hold their event; teenagers, I developed an interest in
and I traditionally play a concert in the magic and the occult. I discovered the
evening at Witchfest. writings of Allister Crowley and the
Golden Dawn, and all of that kind of
So, I found myself stuff; and so my
in December last early interest and
© John Beckett
year walking introduction to

through the back all of this stuff
stage and heading was actually
towards the stage magic—it wasn’t
that I’ve seen all the spiritual
those iconic bands path—it was
on, and then actually magic.
stepping out on And so I joined
stage and looking a ceremonial
out just as Phil magic lodge when
Lynott would have I was about 18,
done, and Ronnie and I followed
James Dio would that through for
have done, and a good number
Bon Scott would of years, to be
have done—at honest with you.
that same venue—
imagining where But then what
I was for all those I found was the
different bands, same kind of
you know. And as thing that turned
I walked on, all I me away from
could think about Christianity, which
was that little was that feeling
eight-year-old boy that it was a very
Damh and his wife, artist Cerri Lee,
who decided to at the East Coast Gathering in 2014 Middle Eastern
play the guitar, and based philosophy
there I was playing and not part of
on that same stage to nearly three- my way, and my land, suddenly pushed
thousand people. It was like—it was a me and said, “Well, neither is this!”
moment, you know. Because, most of the gods I was working
with in ceremonial magic were Egyptian,
David North: Well, considering your you know, and I suddenly wanted to look
spiritual path then vs. now, how does one for something a lot more earthy, a lot
inform the other over the timespan, that more Shamanic—let’s put it that way.
journey? I put my feelers out. I explored Wicca,
Damh the Bard: Well, in truth, when and I explored Witchcraft, I looked to the
I was eight years old I didn’t have a Northern Traditions.
But then what happened was I sent off Monsantos and Zenecas and ICIs of this
for a leaflet from the Order of Bards, world.
Ovates & Druids like everyone else does,
and when that leaflet came through As I got deeper and deeper into my
and I read about the tradition of the Druidry, I found I just couldn’t square
Bard, and the storyteller, and of Taliesin, that with what I was feeling. So, within
and Myrddin, and Amergin, and those three years or so…of following the Druid
archetypal bards—suddenly I found my course and still being part of that world, I
heart completely racing, and I just felt—I sold my company to my partner and left it
thought, “I’ve come home. This is it! This completely (laughs)—“good and evil.” You
is what I’ve been looking for.” So, I sent know, so yeah, it affects everything. It
off for the course in April, 1994, I think stops being a spiritual life and a political
it was, and, yeah, the rest is history, and life and a whatever else kind of life, and
I’m still here however many years it is just starts to be “life.”
later!
David North: So, would you say—are END OF PART ONE

your spiritual beliefs very much in concert
with your political beliefs? Do you see
them separate, or intertwined? Obviously, Join us next issue when Damh shares
you do a lot of activism for different his thoughts on music, ideas about the
causes. Modern pagan movement, and its future.
A few previews:
Damh the Bard: I think that once you
have a spirituality that doesn’t look out • “And I thought, ‘that was it!’ I
to the stars for salvation, and actually probably would never make an
looks to our home as a Divine Being, you album like that again.”
can’t have anything other than a linked
spiritual path and political beliefs. It’s • “The only thing I don’t want to see
inseparable from that point onwards. If is Paganism conform to the degree
it is separated, then it’s incongruous and that it loses its teeth.”
eventually it’s going to cause somebody
trouble. For instance, when I found • “…This is going to keep me busy
Druidry, I worked for an agricultural for at least the next four years.”
company. I didn’t just work for an
agricultural company, I owned one. Part ~Damh the Bard
of my company was working with the
In the Next Issue...
Protection & Resistance

Deadline: July 1, 2017
Druid Magazine 28
A Legacy of Druids:
N ews
F
Conversations with Druid Leaders eatures
By Ellen Evert Hopman
The following is an excerpt reprinted with permission from

Hopman’s book, A Legacy of Druids: Conversations with Druid Leaders of Britain,
the USA and Canada, Past and Present (Moon Books, 2016). Among the interviews
she conducted over some 20 years, Hopman talks with Philip Carr-Gomm, Mara
Freeman, and many other Druid scholars, including Dr. Ronald Hutton...
Dr. Ronald Hutton including The Shamans of Siberia (Isle

Interview conducted through the mail Of Avalon Press, 1993) a popular publi-
July 16, 1996 cation among Pagans, and has authored
more than thirty essays, some of which
Dr. Ronald Hutton is a professor of histo- have appeared in Paganism Today (eds.
ry at the University of Bristol, England. Charlotte Hardman and Graham Harvey,
He is a Doctor of Philosophy, a Fellow of Harper-Collins, 1996) and in The Druid
the Royal Historical Society, winner of Renaissance (eds. Philip Carr-Gomm and
the Hadley Prize and Dwina Murphy-Gibb,
© Moon Books
Blackburne-Daniell Harper-Collins, 1996).

Prize of the University Since 1996, Ronald
of Cambridge, and of Hutton has gone on
the Benjamin Franklin to publish eight more
Prize of the Bookseller’s books, of which the
Association of America, most recent is Pagan
as well as a member of Britain (2013).
several Druid Orders.
He will not confirm (or Can you please talk
deny) that he is himself about your religious
a Druid, but prefers to upbringing when
be regarded as an aca- you were a child?
demic who understands
I can fairly claim to
and defends modern
be a second genera-
Druidry and is expert in
tion Pagan, as I was
certain aspects of histo-
brought up by a wid-
ry which are important
owed mother who
to it.
imbued me with a view
Ronald is the author of of nature as full of
seven books including immanent divinity and
The Pagan Religions a particular love and
of the Ancient British respect for the litera-
Isles (Basil Blackwell, 1991), The Rise ture of ancient Greece
and Fall of Merry England (Oxford Uni- and Rome, which I later supplemented
versity Press, 1994) and The Stations of with that of early Ireland.
the Sun: A History of the Ritual Year in
Hers was a very romantic, unfocused,
Britain (Oxford University Press, 1996).
Edwardian sort of English Paganism, and
He has written a number of pamphlets
she did not belong to any formal or ini-
tiatory tradition. However, when I encoun- gan Federation local conferences in 1991-
tered Wicca in 1968, I regarded it easily 2, where we were on the lists of speakers
and affectionately enough as a mystery together, and I liked them. In 1993 I met
religion, drawing mainly upon Greco-Ro- both Philip Carr-Gomm and Philip Shall-
man imagery, which took its place very crass at a large conference at Avebury,
appropriately within the broader Pagan which was the origin of the Gorsedd there,
culture to which I belonged. and befriended both; as a result I was
invited by both to address events which
I have never experienced any sort of con- they organized for Druids, and came to be
version experience, and have never had very fond of their respective Orders.
any sort of personal relationship with
Christianity, which I have always regarded Over the years 1993-4 I found myself
with benevolent neutrality. My religious repeatedly in the role of peacemaker be-
‘temperature’ had always therefore been tween Druidry and Wicca, as the former
lower than that of many of my Pagan too often defined itself at the expense of
friends, and I have long taken for grant- the latter, and the latter reacted angrily.
ed assumptions like the divine feminine, This process meant that I drew a number
which they are often inclined to regard as of leading Druids much closer to the Craft,
the end product of a major shift of con- and felt it only right to show a proportion-
sciousness. ate closer interest in their ways.
How did you first hear about Druids? I lent my assistance as an academic ex-
What drew you to them? pert witness to Arthur Uther Pendragon’s
case before the European Court of Hu-
I assume this question refers to the mod- man Rights to obtain access to worship at
ern variety, the ancient kind being a nat- Stonehenge, and he knighted me into his
ural component of my British historical Order as a gesture of comradeship in late
heritage. There was very little sense of 1995. Through my frequent appearanc-
Druidry on the British Pagan scene in the es as a speaker at Druid events, I have
1970s and early 1980s, Wicca making also come to know, and to enjoy friendly
most of the running. By the 1980s writ- relations with all the other British Druid
ers like Caitlin and John Matthews were Chiefs.
establishing a distinctive, Celtic, strain of
modern British spirituality, but there was How would you define Druidism and
nothing distinctively Pagan about it. the Druid path?
Towards the end of that decade I became I would define it as the means by which
aware of the appearance of people calling certain groups of people have succeeded,
themselves Pagan Druids, but they were at various times over the past two thou-
confined to the more determinedly ‘alter- sand years, in creating a contemporary
native’ ends of British Paganism, being spirituality which draws upon religious and
concentrated around Glastonbury or asso- magical images deriving ultimately from
ciated with the campaign to reopen Stone- the Iron Age of the British Isles. These
henge at festival times. It was only around movements have been in an important
1990, with the success of the re-founded sense cumulative, as each has drawn upon
Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, that all those which have occurred before, and
Druidry began to make a real impact upon in their later manifestations they have ex-
the Pagan mainstream. tended their range of symbols and sacred
sites to incorporate those from all the ear-
What led me to get to know it? I began lier periods of British and Irish prehistory.
meeting representatives of OBOD at Pa-
Druid Magazine 30
In an important sense there can be no Here goes. British Wicca is much lon-
‘authentic’ Druidism (I prefer from hab- ger-established than British Druidry, and
it the term ‘Druidry’), because we shall its identity is far more fixed; conversely,
never know enough about the original it lacks some of the raw energy of the
Druids to use them as a point of refer- younger movement, being rather less
ence. All our earliest records of them prone to flexibility, experimentation and
were written either by Greek or Roman adaptation. It is much more strongly a
outsiders bent on demonizing or eulogiz- mystery religion, carried on in private
ing them, or medieval Irish Christians, and with only initiates present except at
who in turn regarded them in extended specific more open festivals.
retrospect, either as romanticized magi-
cians or as evil Pagans. Druidry by contrast courts public atten-
tion and involvement, holds daylight
The Bards of medieval Wales and Ire- rituals as prominently as those of night
land were, in fact, the sponsors of the and the tween-times, and (save in the
first Druidic ‘revival’. The Druids are the higher grades of the mystic Orders) is
figures who dominate the spiritual life in much more open to friends and relatives
the British Isles and neighboring parts of (including children) of members.
Europe as history begins; they are the
obvious symbolic point of reference for Ritual is central to Wicca and peripheral
those trying to rediscover or re-imagine or occasional in some Druid Orders and
a spirituality rooted in these particular costume is definitive for most Druids.
lands. Wicca normally creates a level of intensi-
ty of experience rare in Druidry, and has
You are something of an expert in a more pronounced sense of creating and
the area of Pagan history. Can you controlling its sacred space; it is also in-
compare and contrast Druidism and clined to be far more risqué and dramat-
Wicca? ic, incorporating nudity and sexuality and
achieving altered states of consciousness
Yes, I can do that, but only for Britain in a way which is also unusual among
as in the U.S.A. the context is rather Druids.
different. Druidry made an impression
upon the modern Pagan scene in Amer- Druidry has very little sense of work-
ica much earlier, and British Druidry has ing magic, and energy is only regularly
yet to produce scholars of the weight raised through the ‘awen’ chant: magic
of Isaac Bonewits and Ceiswr Serith. and energy raising are integral to Wicca.
The number of American Druids who Druidry is far more concerned with heal-
are fluent in Celtic languages (in old or ing the ills of its members, the land, and
modern forms) still far exceeds that of the planet, and is proportionately now
their counterparts in Britain; and come much more mixed up with radical politics
to think of it, only since 1989 has British than Wicca. It is also more closely allied
Wicca produced writers of the intellectu- to ‘alternative’ lifestyles and the New
al rigor of Margot Adler or the polemical Age. It is also more concerned to pro-
challenge of Aidan Kelley or (conversely) duce literature, art, and music.
Don Frew. On the other hand, the U.S.A.
still has many more real fundamentalists Although there is no doubt that Pagan
of both persuasions, with a seemingly Druidry is non-sexist, its Orders are still
limitless credulity for foundation myths, overwhelmingly led by men, with women
than Britain now harbors. increasingly self-assertive at the second
rank. By contrast Wicca is built upon the
notion of female power. I find myself con- the model of its kind and a monument to
stantly refreshed and comforted by Dru- the genius of Philip Carr-Gomm; but then
idry, and constantly exhilarated and chal- there is not much training as such around
lenged by Wicca. The intensity of affection in the other Druid orders, which just get
which each produces for fellow group on with doing things.
members is the same. If the ‘flavor’ of
Druidry is that of a fine Rhine wine, then What in your opinion does Druidry
that of Wicca is of an old Scotch whisky have to offer to society in gener-
(and Shamanism of a Bloody Mary). al, and how would you like to see it
evolve in the future?
There are a number of interesting iro-
nies in each. Wicca traditionally claims to Much of my reply is suggested above. I
be the religion of the peasant masses of would like to see it take its place along
Europe, earthy and concerned with folk with Wicca, Shamanism, Asatru, etc.,
magic and fertility, but is in essence a re- as one of a very large range of different
fined, Neo-Platonic set of mysteries which spiritual experiences, to suit very different
draw heavily upon Freemasonry and the human needs, in a new pluralist and pri-
Golden Dawn, in very creative and novel vatized world of Western religion, based
ways. upon small gathered groups working with-
in specific traditions within an atmosphere
Druidry claims to be the tradition of poets of disestablishment and mutual toler-
and intellectuals, but its modern mem- ance enforced by a secular state. I would
bership is often far more rough-edged also like to see Arthur Pendragon, Tim
than Wiccans, and it is far more engaged Sebastian, Rollo Maughling and others
in environmental issues. Wicca draws its take their place in a pantheon of English
religious imagery from all over ancient folk-heroes who confronted established
Europe, with an especial debt to the Med- authority in the name of popular liberties,
iterranean and the Near East, but is ac- using motifs drawn from deep in the Brit-
tually the only religion which England has ish folk-memory.
ever given the world. Druidry claims to
be the essentially native, British, tradition
© Ellen Evert Hopman
but although its main strength is in En-

gland its sources of inspiration are in the
other (Celtic) parts of the British Isles,
originating in languages which hardly any
British Druids either read or speak. Dru-
ids name themselves after Iron Age magi,
but hardly ever gather at Iron Age monu-
ments; instead they focus overwhelmingly
upon Neolithic and early Bronze Age sa-
cred sites which Iron Age farmers cheer-
fully destroyed. What both clearly have
in common is that they tolerate me with
remarkable good humor as I point out
such problems as these.
How were you trained in Druidry?
In Druidry, only by reading the standard Author Ellen Evert Hopman

OBOD correspondence course, which is
Druid Magazine 32
A Self-Imposed Interview with

N ews
F
Artist Sophia Kelly Shultz eatures
By Nicole Sussurro
Co-organizer of the upcoming MAGUS gathering, Nicole
Sussurro interviews Sophia Kelly Shultz, an artist on the board of directors of Four
Quarters Interfaith Sanctuary who has provided wonderful artwork for Druid Magazine.
© Coriander Focus Photography
Nicole: Can you give us a little of your the release of my new Oracle, The
background? Promethean Oracle, later this year.
Sophia: I've been working as a For the sake of convenience, I identify

professional artist for 34 years, but as a shaman, but not in the traditional
there is physical evidence that I have Northern European sense. I am a listener.
been drawing since I was old enough to I am in my 12th year as a member at Four
hold a pencil. These days my favored Quarters Interfaith Sanctuary, and now,
media are watercolor and colored pencil in addition to being Vendor Coordinator,
(sometimes, but not usually, used in I am a member of the board of directors.
conjunction with one another). I also work I spend much of my summers out at
in textiles, doing what my best friend Four Quarters, taking in the creek and
calls “insane beadwork and needlework,” the beautiful flora. This year I am also
award-winning costumes, and writing. planning Stones Rising, which will have an
My Oracle deck, The Stone Circle Oracle, ancient Egyptian theme.
(Schiffer Publishing, 2013), has been very
Nicole: What are the main sources of
well reviewed, and I am eagerly awaiting
your inspiration? of some stuff stored in the middle, it

was like a cave with one tiny window.
Sophia: I am continually inspired by Four
We covered the walls with brown paper.
Quarters. The Land brings out the creator
The plan was to have everyone do a little
in me, and almost all of my paintings
meditation around a fire bowl and then
have been conceived, worked on, or
process into the “cave,” where they would
finished there. The standing Stones alone
be given cascarilla (ground up eggshells—
are a source of creative energy, and I find
chalk is VERBOTEN—it does not come off
myself often having to resist their allure
of Stones so we don't have any of it) and
in favor of paying work or other imagery.
told to draw figures on the paper that
My godfather in Palo (an Afro-Caribbean would bring the sun back. Meanwhile,
religion, of which I am not an initiate—I'm two of our fire tenders were to take the
special apparently because I am already fire bowl out into the garden across the
on the right path) says that the spirits window and raise it like the sun.
love me. In his case, the spirits he's
Everything was going fine. People were
referring to are the gods of that religion,
chanting, humming, and drawing, and I
but I feel that I am inspired by all spirits,
was there in all my splendor—bells and
particularly—but not limited to—the
furs and all—encouraging everyone to
Egyptian ones.
pour their hearts into bringing back the
Nicole: What has your proudest sun. When what do I see running up the
moment to date been? road, right in front of the window, but the
two fire tenders and the fire bowl! I am
Sophia: You know, I'll talk about myself puzzled. Perhaps, I think, defaulting to
and my art at length, but I'm having a my own sometimes spotty communication
really hard time putting my finger on the skills, I had failed to describe my plan
one moment that made me the proudest. adequately. Then they stopped—RIGHT
This may be because my dad, who was in front of the window and set the bowl
also an artist, instilled in me the notion down. Clearly this was my cue, so I
that I should be humble. Can we get back puffed myself up and declared, “BEHOLD!
to this one? YOU HAVE CAUSED THE SUN TO
Nicole: Sure! So what is one of the RETURN!”
funniest things that has happened to Everyone looked up—and then the fire
you? tenders picked up the fire bowl and ran
Sophia: Yule several years ago, I away with it.
determined that we were going to do “...and there it goes...” I said weakly.
something Newgrange-ish to call back the
sun. At that time, the winery addition was I realized that my ritual was teetering
not yet complete, so with the exception on the brink of Great Little Rituals That
Druid Magazine 34
theme was
© Sophia Schultz
transformation
using the model
of the ancient
Egyptian Amduat
as a metaphor
(the way Jungian
psychoanalysts
do). She had
never done
anything like that
before, and we
were working with
a complex ritual
Weren't. I needed to DO something, so
arc, particularly for the midnight ritual
I puffed myself up again and boomed:
which was about the Sungod Re’s nightly
“THE DAYS ARE VERY SHORT THIS TIME
journey through the netherworld. She
OF YEAR!” And then, out in the garden,
was amazing. And apparently, the adults
the fire tenders raised up our sun. Nicole?
working under her said that she was just
Nicole: Hang on, I just about spewed like me, only younger. I still look back at
my coffee. There. So now, about your that and feel so proud.
proudest moment.
Nicole: Is there anything else you'd
Sophia: Crap. Quite honestly, it was like to share with us?
when my then teen-aged daughter Emily
Sophia: Nah, we’ll get plenty of talking in
stage-managed Body Tribal 2011 for
at MAGUS. I do, however, like really good
me at Four Quarters. Body Tribal is the
black licorice.
most free-form and challenging of our
events. There is always some aspect of Nicole is working her way though the Ovate
grade with OBOD. She is a founding member
it that forces attendees to face some and organizer of the Seed Group of the Oak and
part of themselves that they may have Eagle. She is the lead for the Northern Virginia
Pagan Moot and co-visionary for the OBOD
been avoiding. Sometimes it is healing Mid-Atlantic Gathering, U.S. She lives with her
via ritual, but this particular year the husband, David North, and two fur babies.
Sophia’s Links
Artwork Sites:
Oracle Deck:
http://sophiakellyshultz.artworkfolio.com
Publisher, Amazon, B&N
http://badgersoph.deviantart.com
© Renu K. Aldrich
Living Druidry
Druid Magazine 36
P ractical
D
Cycling
ruidry
By faucon of sakin’el
T
he man could not be himself. “If I had
distinguished as young or old, to select one to give away, how would I
just sitting there on the jut of damp choose without knowing the reason or
beach. Everything about seemed gray, purpose for the choice?” And he thought
as often the way of this place where long on this revelation until the tide had
the clear stream meets the fan of ocean all but buried the stones. It was only then
foam, but not desolate until he came. The that the man noticed the ancient one at
patch of sand there was alternately swept his side but sensed somehow that he had
by stretching ridge of dying wave, then been there a long while. The Druid picked
next by a surging from the narrow stream up a single stone from those the man had
in an attempt to hold back the moon. not been able to order by himself and
His life seemed to have no more purpose handed it over, saying, “This one, I think,
than to melt into the gray, to be one with would smile more in a mountain brook.”
the timeless struggle. The man’s life was changed that
“You should teach,” they all had day and he no longer tried to teach.
said. “You really have a gift. People love Instead he shared stories about leaves
to hear you speak and you know so caught in swirling eddies and thistle-down
much. Everyone needs the help you can being confused with the stars. He talked
give.” So he attempted to tell what he about the simple things he knew and let
knew and instruct people about the folly each man select for himself anything of
of their ways and the chaos in their lives. value. When pressured to instruct or give
He showed them a better way and talk- advice he would say, “Ask instead about
ed of truth and discipline and the need the smile of a stone.” Then he would
to prepare for the harsh winter of their share a tale, or ask questions as in a
intellect. Most turned away and even riddle.
laughed. Even those who became inspired “When a child succeeds to the top
lost interest when he could not give all of of a granite boulder is it not futile to point
the answers. “If they didn’t want answers out there was a surer path, or to describe
what did they want? If they have no de- how you had climbed a bigger rock in
sire to learn what is there for me to do?” your youth? Would it not be better just
Even on the shadowed beach to ask, ‘What do you see from up there?’
there were distinctions amongst the gray and share a new view of the world.”
stones and the man began selecting “When a man attempts to show
individual pebbles for their uniqueness of affection for his wife in the giving of
shape, shade, or unnamed appeal. “This a rose or the remembering of a date,
represents what I know,” he murmured to is he not trying to ‘teach’ her how to
love? Would it not be better to create an teach the way to God and learned much
atmosphere of affection and in the words when there was an atmosphere of growth
of Moses, ‘Let thoughts distill like dew’?” and search for truth, but felt betrayed
(Deut. 32:2 New International Version). when told that learning was not his choice
When questioned over the problems to make. Did not, Merton, the greatest
of teaching the youth of today and even scholar of our time, say before his death,
the impossible task of instructing adults in “What we have to be is what we already
manners of health, safety, and salvation, are?“ (Merton, 1975, p. 308). In his learn-
he would rub the stone beneath his cloak. ing the growing man taught himself many
He would question back, “Does new things and knew that it was the search for
technology that has made it possible for a suitable spot to place the ocean pebble
someone to teach themselves destroy the that drove him on. As the man grew old-
atmosphere of learning? If everyone is now er and wise he constantly asked himself,
a teacher, who is the student and what is “When Christ said ‘give up all that you
the lesson?” have and follow me’
The man is it possible this
became a wanderer instruction had noth-
in mind and of land ing to do with ma-
and always carried terial things? Is not
that stone close the failure of teach-
to his heart. He ing that it must be
came to know that combined with pride,
indigenous people arrogance, and
revered great rocks even deceit?” He
as sleeping lonely learned many things
people waiting for about himself that
someone to sing to them. He learned many could never be taught to another, but also
things but found few that were powerful knew there was no greater joy than to see
enough to teach, or risk the pain. He spent something clearly and to share that inspi-
time on the streets with the desolate and ration with another. “Is that not enough?”
helpless, and found there also people He came to listen to the whispers
waiting as great stones for a song that of yearning spirits and found profound
would teach them how to live, but who had thoughts in unexpected places. Profound
lost the ability to learn. But his own world knowledge may come from great books
became rich in color and vibrant hues with and anguished scholars, but wisdom
flickering lights and laughing children. He comes from those who have lived! Years
felt a kinship with all men and a peace that are less important than passion and inten-
comes from letting feelings “fall as gentle sity, for in fact, peace of spirit and self-
rain on tender grass.” doth strip years away. He came to listen
He came across many who would in the market place of mothers of many
Druid Magazine 38
children. He came to listen to those who shore and listened to the song of the wind
worked with their hands and molded God- that wasn’t there, but only in his heart.
dess’ gifts into tools of men. He listen to The particular spar of sand on which
the artist, the street performer, the chil- he had sat many years before was gone
dren’s minstrel show attempt, and the with the shifting time; but the mixing
poor poet in the smoky tavern. He learned of water about his feet was magic; the
simple truths like, “Never doubt in dark- salt with the fresh, the birth of life with
ness that which you believe in sunlight.” life’s renewing. The rocks that sheltered
His betraying pride and hubris slipped the cove shown in a hundred shades of
away when he discovered that, “There blue and teal and dove and black. The
is nothing noble about besting anoth- moldering sky teased with the light and
er. Nobility is wrought from being better let an occasional ray break through to
today than you were yesterday.” Long pierce a green-gray edge of falling wave.
years became reduced to appreciation of In a brief azure sharing, a tiny fish could
seasons, weeks of commitment, days of be seen trying to learn how to ride the
fulfillment and moments of joy. At length, crest. A mountain stone fell silently from
his anguished search came near to end his hand.
with the words of an aging priest at an The woman stood alone in grief and
outdoor mass: “Unless the pilgrim carry kicked at the tumbled pebbles along the
with him the thing he seeks, he will not beach. “Why, why?” she wailed. “What
find it when he arrives.” Peace! Surrender. is the meaning of it all? Can’t someone
Find innocence. teach me how to survive?” Her despair
One day the teller of stories felt was such a force that all reason and hope
courageous enough to climb to a hidden were driven from her. “Teach me. That is
glade and sing to the silent pinnacles. He all I ask. Please teach me!”
rested there in a shady glen where most A child with ancient eyes came close,
everything was green, as often the way selected a colored stone and pressed it into
of such a place where the reflected light her hand. “Would not this stone smile more
from pacing stream yearned upward to in a mountain stream?”
dance with the bright light from above.
References
This interplay created an illusion of motion
Merton, T. (1975). The Asian journal of Thomas
as if a breeze were blowing that gave life Merton (N. Burton, P. Hart, J. Laughlin, &
to every stone and fern and wayward leaf. A. Chakravarty, Eds.). New York, NY: New
Directions Publishing.
The array of subtle colors was astounding!
And then he knew! He tossed his lifelong
faucon is protector of a primordial area known
friend into the glistening pool and heard as Shernai with woods, stream, trails, deer, turkey,
its laughter above the tinkling of the fox, and more. Limited guests share the glyn for
spring. He mused again over his life and spiritual inspiration, writing, song, and celebration in
connection with North Carolina’s White Oak Grove,
selected a different stone from the tiny
affiliated with the New Order of Druids.
P ractical
Astral Travel: A Group Meditation
D ruidry
By Selene Blackwell
I
s it possible steps: the first, to identify a neutral area
to meet within the astral realm to meet. Second,
up with another person in the astral we wanted to determine if it was possible
on purpose with relatively the same for each subject to identify an object
memories of what was said and what in the realm left by the other. Third,
happened? Recently I’ve been working we tested whether both subjects could
in the Ovate Grade of the Order of meditate at the same time in the same
Bards, Ovates & Druids (OBOD), and astral location while physically residing
this question of astral travel inspired this in different places for the purpose of
experiment in practical magic. meeting up and communicating. Fourth,
I come from a scientific background, we tested whether we could communicate
so I decided to address this question in the astral plane.
through the scientific process by Results from steps one and two
identifying a hypothesis, variables, and consisted of reports from myself and Elm
outlining a methodology. I began by to our non-biased intermediary. I reported
identifying the controlled variables. In that “I swam between two pillars of
a scientific study, controlled variables stone and emerged from the water into a
are quantities that a scientist wants to cavern. There was flat rock in a semicircle
remain constant. In this experiment, and then walls on all sides like a cave but
astral location, physical location, Jasmine the ceiling was higher and there was light
blossom incense, grounding stone, coming in from an opening at the top that
and energy wards were the controlled faced the sea. The flat rock surface looked
variables. Manipulated variables are the like it had been weathered down by
things being altered, in this case objects years and years of water that had since
left in the astral during our meeting in the receded. I left a conch shell.” Elm stated,
astral. Responding variables are things “Using the name given I found a cavern,
that change as a result of changes in open on top. I flew down and it was very
the manipulated variables. Spirit energy cool, damp, and rocky. I saw a small pool
was our responding variable. The two of water. I saw a cairn, and beside it, a
subjects in this experiment were myself conch shell.”
and Elm Dealandé, an unaffiliated solitary During step three, Elm left a light-
Druid practitioner. We also solicited the brown feather above a cairn. I found a
help of Basil Greywood, who is in OBOD’s gold feather above a cairn. According to
Bardic Grade, to act as a non-biased the intermediary, both were described as
intermediary. the same size and weight and in the same
Our experiment consisted of four location and position as each other.
Druid Magazine 40
My report to the intermediary in the words “ummm… so delicious!” I

step four stated: noticed Elm only stayed in the light
and never went into the shadow.
I travelled via the ocean from my
As soon as I jumped back in the
private Astral Grove to the neutral
water, I heard: ’Selene! Get … back
Astral Cavern. I web my feet and
here!’ and that took me straight
hands and make my clothing tight
out of the water. I jumped up,
to the skin so I can swim better.
laughed, and hugged Elm—and I
After arriving, it wasn’t long until
felt her energy on my left side and
I felt an energy presence from
her wings around
the top of
me. She was
the cavern
warm. I came out
and looked
of the astral by
up to see
the same way I
Elm flying
entered.
in. She had
red hair, a Here is Elm’s
green flowing report on the
dress, and journey:
white wings.
I flew into the
My heart
cavern, but I’m a
palpitated
bit claustrophobic,
four times
so I stayed in the
because I
areas of sunlight.
was excited
It’s my police
at actually
training, too; I
sensing her
have to have a
energy. Next
way out. I’m wearing my typical
thing I know, she’s bouncing all up
green meditation dress, and I saw
and down in place. I said hello and,
Selene standing there with her
after a minute, I hear her say hello,
black wet suit leggings, a wet shirt,
too. I asked her what she did today,
webbed feet, and hands. Being
but I had to focus on her face and
an empath, I felt her energy and
yell for her to hear me. I could tell
saw her belly getting all butterfly-
she was concentrating on me just
like. Then I felt fluttering in my
as hard, but her speech was all
heart, and it was her energy. Her
garbled as if I was below water and
head just burst with excitement
she was above water. At the end
and adrenaline. I got excited and
of her talking, I heard very clearly
started jumping up and down! I
also noticed that when I focused hypothesis is that within the astral,
on her my surroundings would get the strength of each of the five senses
blurry, but when I tried to focus on may vary from person to person due
the surroundings, she grew blurry. to individual personality types and
I said hello to her and I think she neurolinguistic processing. Further study
asked something about what I was is warranted.
eating so I described my dinner to
1. Verbal communication during
her. When she talked, it was like a
Astral Travel was difficult. Did the wards,
gurgling sound as if she was talking
which were placed for safety, block us
underwater. I turned around and
from communicating? Would written
she was gone, so I called “Selene!
communication work better than verbal
Get back over here!” And next thing
within the astral?
I know, I’m in the middle of a cold,
wet hug and I feel her energy all 2. Color, as light energy, is determined
over my right side. by frequency/wavelength. Brown and
orange colors of lights are relatively
identical because no single wavelength
The result supported the hypothesis exists for brown light. This discrepancy in
that two living Druids are capable of Step Three requires further research.
purposely meeting up in the astral with 3. The results brought into sharp relief
the same memories of what was said and just how much we have yet to learn about
happened. our universe.
Uncertainties, Errors, & New Questions
Selene Blackwell, a member of the Order of
I wish to do further research into Bards, Ovates & Druids, avidly blogs her Ovate
which of the five senses is best for journey for the purpose of gaining knowledge,
communicating in the astral. The current generating balance, and fostering peace.
© Anne Hammond-Tooke
Druid Magazine 42
Public Ritual Workshop Part IV-B:

R itual
S
Ritual Body, “Movement”
pace
By David North and Nicole Sussurro
“A
s soon as you honor the space (as well as whether the Divine
present moment, all Entity is inside or outside of time and
unhappiness and struggle dissolve, and space) spans many ages and cultures,
life begins to flow with joy and ease. and inextricably intertwines physics and
When you act out the present-moment theology. In Yoga meditation (Samadhi),
awareness, whatever you do becomes viewing an object or the universe
imbued with a sense of quality, care, from outside time and space is called
and love - even the most simple action.” Nirvitarka, or “without question” (Vishnu-
(Tolle, 1997, p. 67) Devananda, 2003, p.149–150).
Let’s transition from our discussion Many rituals I’ve witnessed invoke
of the ritual voice the concept of
© David North
in the last issue being outside

to how we use the time and space in
motion (or lack some manner at
thereof) of our some point during
physical bodies the opening.
in creating the However, whether
ritual experience. invoked or not,
I like to call it: I suggest the
Movement in the notion should
time of now. This be in our minds
is an extended whenever we
“now” in which we perform ritual:
can move, think, When we ground
and experience and center, cast a
in the moment, circle, meditate…
as so eloquently and in every
described by Tolle thought, word,
Heron at Accotink
in the quote above. and movement
One popular we make in ritual
notion in creating ritual space is that space. Why? In the words of Tolle:
we are forming a bubble where time “Honor the present moment…flow with
stops, allowing the moment to sustain joy and ease…imbued with a sense of
as we step outside time and space. quality, care, and love…” (Tolle, 1997, p.
The concept of being outside time and 67). That is sacred movement, in sacred
space. as well! Gather movement inspiration

Sacred movement and the mindset from the world around you. Many of us
of being fully engaged in the current have probably been enchanted by the
moment (the ‘now’) are joined at the movement of leaves or snow on the
hip: Each feed and enhance the other. winter wind or watched a particularly
We see this exhibited within yoga, inspired dance piece. Even a Zumba class
dance, tai chi, martial arts, and many may have its moments! We are creatures
other types of spiritual, meditative, or who inhabit bodies, and those bodies
artistic movement. Think of the graceful are meant to move! Also, find time to
transitions in a yoga sun-salutation, the watch a ballet: Notice how story, mood,
subtle shift between Warrior I and Warrior and emotion are communicated through
II poses, or the even-more subtle hand movement and music.
poses and breath control of yoga mudras, I’ll also leave you with several
used to set the frame of mind and flow group exercises. Don’t be afraid to both
of energy through the body for ritual and give and receive loving feedback.
meditation. This energy flow is known
Group Exercise One: Have the
by many names: Spirit, Mana, Nwyfre,
group stand in a circle, equidistant from
Inspiration…whatever term one uses to
each other, facing center. One by one,
express the intent of ritual, whether for
take turns walking sunwise/clockwise
oneself or the benefit of others. Perhaps
outside the perimeter casting a circle—as
counter-intuitively, this flow of energy
might be done in ritual—with whatever
is not accentuated through increased
implement (if any) you normally use.
effort or force, but through relaxation
Each participant should focus on balance
and peace. As ritualists, we will be at our
and body position while moving, and
best when we are calm, centered, then
doing so with intent and deliberation. A
connected with the objects and beings
key element in being convincing in this
that constitute our surroundings.
(otherwise simple) movement is for each
caster to have a clear, concise image in
When you move in ritual, move their own mind of what they are doing:
with deliberation. Move like How is the implement used to delineate
you mean it, with both body the perimeter? What shape and flow does
and mind—with your very being. the energy take as it’s being released?
The difference will be apparent What form does the final circle or bubble
to all around you. take, and what impact or interaction does
it have with the participants? After all
have had their turn, discuss part one of
As with most things, practice will
the exercise; then go around a second
make you better and more confident, but
time—this time anti-sunwise/counter-
don’t stop with just practicing: Observe,
clockwise, with each participant un-
Druid Magazine 44
Next issue is planned to be the last installment in my Public Ritual

Workshop, although the Ritual Space column will continue. Do you
have ideas for a Ritual Space topic that you would like to author?
Perhaps you would like to share a particularly memorable ritual
experience you’ve had, ask a question, or submit ritual-themed
photos or artwork. All are welcome.
casting or dismissing the energy element ground the energy you have raised in
they contributed on the first pass. these exercises! That is responsible
magic. Then, as is recommended for any
Group Exercise Two: Have the
ritual, make sure the participants eat and
group stand in a circle, equidistant from
drink something. Some private journaling
each other, facing center. Altogether,
or group discussion about what you
visualize and create (expressing
learned may be appropriate.
physically) an energy bubble of peace
and light just inside the circle of
References
participants. Practice, with deliberate
movement inwards and outwards, Tolle, E. (1997). The Power of Now: A guide to
contracting and expanding this bubble as spiritual enlightenment. Vancouver, BC:
Namaste Publishing.
a group, in unison. After completing three
cycles of contraction and expansion, close Swami Vishnu-Devananda (2003). Meditation
the bubble to the center of the circle and and mantras. Delhi: Motilal Banarsidass
Publishers.
ground it into the earth. Then repeat
the exercise; but this time at the end,
have all participants turn outwards and David North is an Ovate Grade member
push the bubble outwards as far as the of the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids,
and facilitator of the Northern Virginia-
perimeter allows. Then, continue pushing
based Seed Group of the Oak and Eagle.
the sphere outwards to encircle the He writes, edits, and participates in public
globe, then to infinity—sending peace and rituals locally and regionally.
light in all directions.
Nicole Sussurro is an Ovate Grade member
Group Exercise Three: Have of the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids and
each participant choose an element, founding member of the Seed Group of the
then perform or express that element in Oak and Eagle. She is a graduate of the
conservatory at Otterbein University and
dance or other movement, without words
has more than a decade of experience in
(sound optional).
the performing arts. She’s married to David
Don’t forget to take down and/or North and has two fur babies.
M agical Geomantic Dice
C rafting
By Richard “Skyllaros” Derks
G
eomancy, or a shield chart (the process of which
divination is described in John Michael Greer’s
by earth, is a favorite go-to in the excellent book The Art and Practice of
Druid’s divination toolbox. Dating back to Geomancy (2009) by Weiser books). The
ancient times, and gaining popularity in shield chart uses four geomantic figures
the Renaissance, it has seen a surge in known as the four mothers to generate
popularity in recent times. For the Druid, the entirety of the chart. Those who use
geomancy is of particular interest, given the method regularly may wish to invest
that it is a form of divination so closely in creating a special tool to use in the
connected with generation
the Earthen of the four
© Richard Derks
mysteries. geomantic
There forms. One
are many ancient
ways to cast method to do
a geomantic this is the use
chart, all of of geomantic
which result in dice, a set of
the generation strung dice
of geomantic on which the
forms that entire four
consist of four mothers can be
binary lines. generated with
Figure One
Traditionally, one casting of
a box of earth the dice.
was used in which dots were made by To create a set of geomantic dice,
randomly poking the dirt or sand with a you will need the following tools:
stylus, then counting the number of dots
1. A set of wooden cubes or blank
created. This would have to be performed
6-sided dice sets; a total of
for each line of the geomantic forms.
which eight individual cubes will
Another method is to simply use a coin
be needed. These can easily be
or a set of standard dice to generate the
obtained at any local craft store.
forms.
One of the most popular methods 2. A wood-burning tool to use to
of creating a geomantic chart is to use imprint the markings, though these
could be painted on in a pinch
Druid Magazine 46
© Richard Derks
Figure Two
instead. natural and traditional look, linseed oil

3. A drill to bore holes in the wooden is a wonderful fit for this purpose. You
cubes. can apply it with a paintbrush and the
wood will soak in the oil. Leave the dice
4. A cord of some sort to string them
for about a day to make sure they are
up together. Natural fiber cords
properly dry. The linseed oil will leave a
work best; these can also be found
faint smell on the wood for a few days
in the beading supply section of any
that will eventually dissipate.
craft store.
This will leave you with a set of
The first thing you will want to do is eight dice that are identical. You will want
measure the exact center of each wooden to line them up in two rows of four die
die with a ruler or protractor. Then, drill a each and string each row die up with two
hole in each of the die. This will produce cords. Leave enough space at the ends
four usable faces for each die (see figure of each row so that there is one die worth
one). of empty space at the ends. Then, tie the
Following this, you will want to two cords together at each end and cap
imprint the following four sets of dots on them with a bead type of your choice.
to one side of each of the eight die. This Please see figure three below for the
is best done using a wood-burning tool finished product.
for a more permanent and aesthetically The dice will then be ready to cast
pleasing set of dice (see figure two their first chart. Simply hold them and
above). spin each row of dice so that all eight are
Next, if you wish, you can stain spinning, then slam them down on the
the dice or apply a finish. For a more table. The markings you imprinted on
47
© Richard Derks Winter/ Spring - 2017
Figure Three
them are such that this will produce all four mothers at once. If more portability is
desired, one can make a separate set of dice that use only individual die, as long as
each one is somehow marked for the lower or upper half, perhaps by coloring them.
Then this set will produce one geomantic form at a time.
References
Greer, J. M. (2009). The art and practice of geomancy. Newburyport, MA: Weiser
Skyllaros has been on the Druid path for about 10 years, and his own Druidry is influenced
by his memberships in the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids and the AODA. He considers
himself a Hedge Druid, and writes about his experiences at his blog Feral Druidry.
© Teri Garrison-Kinsman
Druid Magazine 48
Sacred Geometry: An Evening of Sister- M agical
C rafting
hood, Pointy Tools, & Pyrography
Text By Catriona McDonald

Photos by Wanda C
W
hat happens when you combine five talented and curious women with a raft
of art supplies, a little Greek philosophy, and a dash of fire? You get some
seriously awesome and powerful Awen flowing!
I joined Renu Aldrich, Lolly Nicol, and Madz Star at Wanda C’s home in Maine over
new year, and this is what resulted.
Everything begins
with circles
The patterns
become more
complicated
Looking for points

that aren’t yet
connected…and
rectifying that
When in doubt,
consult the oracle,
er, Internet (Renu
Aldrich with Catriona
McDonald above).
Fire sets the final

design (Lolly Nicol
right)
Druid Magazine 50
One very
satisfied Druid!
© Renu K. Aldrich
DM EIC’s final
product at work
H& earth
A 14th Century Onion Pie
C auldron By Kirstie Maylor
“I
f more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it
would be a merrier world.” (Tolkien, p. 273)
This past Alban Arthan, I had the joy to share with the Grove near my home,
the Keepers of Dragon Knowledge, a winter favorite of mine. It’s a medieval recipe
that dates back to at least the 14th century in England. This was based on an Ymber
Day tart of onion and egg, found in the manuscript “Forme of Cury” (Master-Cooks
of King Richard II, 1390). The original recipe is a bit more sweet, containing currants
and poudre douce*, a sweet spice mix. The following recipe is a more savory, modern
adaptation.
Onion Pie Recipe
Ingredients
2 very large sweet onions
6 Tbsp butter
2–3 Tbsp flour
1 cup sharp cheddar cheese
1/2 c whole milk (or cream...yum!!)
1 egg
Salt and pepper to taste
1–2 tsp herbs de Provence (optional)
2 crusts for pie top and bottom (refrigerated is fine)
Instructions
Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
Place one pie crust into bottom of a pie pan.
Slice onions into 1/8" half-rings. Place butter into large fry pan and melt.
Add onions and gently sauté, tossing frequently until they begin to become
translucent—but not brown. Might take about 5 min.
Salt and pepper to taste, and add herbs de Provence if you are using them. Add
Druid Magazine
© Kirstie Maylor
52
I place the pie pan on a

cookie sheet because it’s
easier to move to the oven
and the filling sometimes
runs over. Cover top of pie
loosely with foil. Bake at
375 degrees with foil on
for 30 minutes.
Take foil off and bake

another 20–30 minutes
until brown. A sharp knife
inserted into the center will
let you know if it’s cooked
through. Cool slightly
before cutting into.
Share with friends!
References
Master-Cooks of King
Richard II. (1390).
The forme of cury.
Retrieved from
http://www.pbm.
com/~lindahl/foc/
Tolkien, J.R.R. (1973).

The hobbit (Rev. ed.).
New York: Ballantine
Books
flour to onions in pan and toss to

coat. Put onions into prepared pie
plate with crust.
Kirstie Maylor is a Bardic grade member
In a mixing bowl, beat egg and milk of Bards, Ovates & Druids (OBOD). She
(or cream) together. Pour over onions. loves to cook and explore the world,
meeting new friends at every step.
Sprinkle cheese over top.
Add top crust and seal edges together

well. A little water on your fingers helps Editor’s Note: Poudre douce
while you pinch the dough closed. You’ll ingredients varied from cook to
want to slit the top crust to ensure cook, akin to modern seasoning
adequate venting; a number of holes blends. Some recipes include sugar,
created by a fork will suffice, or you could ginger, cinnamon, nutmeg, grains
do as I did and cut thin lines for an Awen of paradise, and galangal. More
on the top. information can be obtained here.
H ealthy
Forest Bathing
W ays
By Shelley Keneipp
T
rees play a deeply into “forest bathing,” which means taking
important part a leisurely stroll for 20–30 minutes
in Druidry. We honour their key role in amongst the trees. This has been used
the healthy continuation of life upon our to “reap health benefits for more than 30
planet; we give thanks for the invaluable years” (Steingrube, 2016, para. 2). In the
resources they gift us with, from the United States, it has been used for the
purely practical levels of food and wood, last 10 years by employees at Microsoft
to the nourishment we draw from their and Amazon.com in the forests outside
inspiration emotionally and spiritually. Seattle.
Our relationships with them, allows us In a study (Qi, 2010) on
to feed the cells of our bodies with life the benefits of forest bathing, the
giving oxygen; the inspiration they offer author states: “The results show that
also feeds our emotions, stimulates our forest environments promote lower
minds and sparks our creativity, opening concentrations of cortisol, lower pulse
the channels for personal growth. (Carr- rate, lower blood pressure, greater
Gomm, 2013, para. 1) parasympathetic nerve activity, and lower
sympathetic nerve activity than do city
“Come to the woods, for here is rest. environments” (Qi, 2010, p. 18). The
There is no repose like that of the green researchers of this study also measured
deep woods…Sleep in forgetfulness of all natural killer (NK) cell activity in the
ill.” (Muir, 1938, p. 235) participants. NK cells target and destroy
cells deemed to be infected, damaged,
I am blessed to live in the area of or harmful to the body. This research
California where there are many coastal showed forest bathing results in an
redwood forests nearby. These ancient increase of NK cell activity, resulting in a
beauties can grow to be 300 feet tall. The higher number of NK cells. The increased
oldest is now 2,200 years old. Emerging activity lasted for more than 30 days,
from a walk through these beautiful, suggesting that forest bathing once a
magical, and giant groves, I am left with month enables the body to maintain a
a deep sense of well-being physically, higher level of NK cell activity.
mentally, and emotionally. All the
Another benefit of forest bathing
franticness, tension, and overwhelm from
comes from taking in the impression of
daily life gets erased.
the color green. A study from University
The practice in Japan’s health care of Georgia found that “The color green
system called shinrin-yoku translates attained the highest number of positive
Druid Magazine 54
©Renu K. Aldrich
responses (95.9%)… The majority of adrenal stress hormones.

emotional responses for the green color Other ancient healing practices also
indicated the feelings of relaxation value the benefits of nature. Ayurveda,
and calmness, followed by happiness, the healing science of India that dates
comfort, peace, hope, and excitement. back more to than 3,000 years ago,
Green was associated with nature and translates into the “science of life.”
trees, and thus creating feelings of According to its principals, being in
comfort and soothing emotions” (Kaya & nature increases the amount of ojas in
Epps, 2004, p. 4). the body.
Another study (Qi, 2009) shows
Ojas is the substance in the body
breathing the air emitted by plants that is believed to be responsible
and trees while in the forest also has for vitality, immunity, and a radiant
positive health benefits. Trees give off and glowing complexion. In Western
phytoncides, which are antimicrobial science, it is thought that ojas
allelochemic volatile organic compounds. may be a combination of certain
Participants were put in a room with a neurotransmitters, hormones such
humidifier infused with stem oil from a as oxytocin, and strains of highly
Hinoki Cypress from 7:00 PM to 8:00 functional microbes that support ojas-
related functions. (Douillard, 2016,
AM for three nights. The people had
para. 16)
a significant reduction of NK cells and
CONSCIOUS FOREST BATHING: A of your walk thank and bless the forest,
GUIDED MEDITATION being aware that you have received
wonderful benefits that will have lasting
Taking a few moments to choose what
positive effects on your physical and
forest of trees you would like to visit
mental health.
today. Once you have chosen the forest,
References
finding yourself at the edge of this forest.
Carr-Gomm, P. (2013, June 27). The ancient yew
Just before entering the forest, stopping
group [Blog post]. Retrieved from http://
for a moment and leaving all your worries, www.philipcarr-gomm.com/the-ancient-
frustrations, or tensions behind. Upon yew-group/
entering the forest take three deep Douillard, J. (2016, December 8). 10 simple
breaths expanding into the belly. Being protocols to calm and soothe the nervous
aware of any smells that are present in system. Retrieved February 21, 2017, from
John Douillard's Life Spa website: http://
the forest. Noticing the shapes and colors
lifespa.com/10-simple-protocols-calm-
of plants and rocks on the forest floor.
soothe-nervous-system/#
Closing your eyes for a moment imagining
Kaya, N., & Epps, H. H. (2004). Relationship
a green spiral of light descending from between color and emotion: A study of
the base of your spine into the earth. college students. College Student Journal,
Spiraling deep into the earth, imagining 38(3), 306-405.
there are green roots expanding out in Li, Q. (2010). Effect of forest bathing
trips on human immune function.
all directions providing a solid, but fluid
Environmental Health and Preventive
grounding for you. Opening your eyes,
Medicine, 15(1). https://dx.doi.
choosing a tree of your liking. Walking org/10.1007%2Fs12199-008-0068-3
over to the tree allowing your hand to Li, Q., Kobayashi, M., Wakayama, Y., Inagaki, H.,
touch the trunk of the tree. Tuning in and Katsumata, M., Hirata, Y., . . . Miyazaki,
sensing the textures of the tree trunk. Y. (2009). Effect of phytoncide from trees
on human natural killer cell function.
Bringing your attention back to the spiral
International Journal of Immunopathology
of green light. You will be moving the light
and Pharmacology, 22(4), 951-959.
back up from the earth through your spine
Muir, J. (1979). John of the mountains: The
and guiding it into your hand. Moving unpublished journals of John Muir (L. M.
the light through your hand up through Wolfe, Ed.). Madison, WI: University of
the tree as your follow it all the way Wisconsin Press.
up to top of its canopy. Being aware of Steingrube, A. (2016, April 20). Pine soul: Japan's
taking in that beautiful color of green and tradition of "forest bathing" for health may
be catching on in the U.S. Good Times
bathing your entire being in it. Bringing
Santa Cruz.
your awareness back into your body, and
becoming be aware of any sounds that are Shelley Keneipp, M.H., DiHom (UK), is a
present in the forest. Proceeding on your homeopathic author, educator, and lecturer
living in Santa Cruz, California. She is the
leisurely stroll, taking in all impressions
author of The Parent’s Guide to Homeopathy, by
and bathing in those, as well. At the end North Atlantic Books, Berkeley, California, 2015.
Druid Magazine 56
Incorporating Intention
L iving
C
into the Everyday
onsciously
By Lolly Nicol
Welcome to my new column on I make is the best I am able to offer

how to incorporate Druid beliefs and myself at that particular moment in
values into your secular world! I don’t time.
claim to live a fully sustainable life; I am But who am I? Why should you
not entirely zero care what I have
waste, nor do I to say? How did I
© Lolly Nicol
buy completely get to this place

organic, locally of conscious,
produced, intentional living
and fair trade anyhow? I’m
products. I’m Lolly, gal of many
not a minimalist, trades, ever
tiny house owner, effervescent, and
or vegetarian... always learning.
But I do live If you’re reading
consciously and this, I’ll go out
with intention. I on a limb and
put thought into say that you care
my actions, and about our planet,
I strive to make your health, and
the best choices I our fellow beings,
can for the earth which makes it
and myself based worth your while
on where I am at to take a gander
any given point. at the ideas that
Some days money I’ll share with
is a restriction you through this
while other days column. Many of
it’s accessibility the tips, tricks,
that holds me back, and yet sometimes, and information that I’ll be offering
I’m simply craving a food so much aren’t hard to find, but most people
that I can hardly stand it even though don’t stumble across it unless they’re
it doesn’t align with my overall goals. looking. It can also be hard to take
Life happens, part of our human beauty what you read on the vast interwebs
is imperfection, and so, each decision and apply it to “real” life—and it can be
even harder to motivate yourself to do disposal—of course this will be explored

so if you’re unsure whether it’s worth the in a future column!
effort or time. Should you come across There are many different takes on
something like this, I invite you to send what “Conscious Living” and “Intentional
it in and I’ll share any experience I may Living” are. For me, and the purposes
already have, or give it a try myself of this column, it comes down to
and report the results. It’s information making choices in our lives that are less
overload out there in our world these wasteful and harmful to ourselves and
days, there is so much to know, and not the environment while doing what we
enough time to know it, which is why can to help improve and support
I want to make it easy for you and ourselves and our surroundings.
share what I’ve found, right here Part of why Druidry
in Druid Magazine. sings to my soul is my
As for how I got love of the environment
here… like anything and doing my part to help
else, one step at a it survive and thrive.
time. Making conscious
My conscious daily decisions and
living choices are putting forth the
part of what led me effort to decrease
to Druidry, and then my my negative impact
Druidry fed my conscious and increase my positive
living habits, quickly creating impact on our environment
a beautiful, self-feeding circuit. It is are two of my favorite ways of
important to note that this way of life incorporating my spirituality into my
didn’t start all at once. As I learned about daily life.
different topics, from nature, food, and How does all of this translate to our
home goods to fashion, beauty, and self- lives? For me, my conscious, intentional
care, I would make choices and changes thinking spans the gamut from what
in my lifestyle. These would subsequently products I purchase, what materials
lead to other topics of interest that they’re made of, and where they come
were then adapted and edited. As life from to what my commute is like and the
is fluid, there are always changes to be purposes of the jobs I take. I take into
made. Now when I make changes, it’s consideration how the food I eat and the
become habit to analyze my options and beauty, self-care, and household cleaning
take time to consider the impact of my products I use will impact my body and
decisions. One of my most recent topics the environment. I frequently buy used
of research is fast fashion and how it items, but if that isn’t possible, I look
impacts our environment from creation to for a local vendor. I always try to make
Druid Magazine 58
a conscious choice about the quality she was making good choices by utilizing
and creation process of said item. I’ve a particular beauty brand and had no
recently realized how much of this I took idea that they were feigning “natural and
for granted in the clothing department, healthy” while still using ingredients that
thinking I was educated sufficiently on aren’t good for you.
the topic and realizing that I’m not at Throughout the progression of this
all, so I’m now digging in deeper to learn column, I hope to inspire and educate
more. you on the impact that your daily choices
There are so very many ways have on your body and your environment
to educate ourselves and make while helping you incorporate your
conscious choices in our lives, and so spiritual beliefs into your daily mundane
many opportunities to grow upon our life. I am honored to share my journey
knowledge. Unfortunately, much of the and look forward to supporting you on
power to care for our earth and ourselves yours. Remember to be kind to yourself;
is lost in the hubbub of a busy life and a instituting small changes makes a big
lack of education about what’s out there. difference as each one supports the
Additionally, the marketplace and the next until, all of a sudden, you have
media do an incredible job of marketing revolutionized your life.
products to consumers to make them Know that I speak from where I
currently stand on my path and I have
plenty to learn. I urge you to correct
me if you feel that something I share
is incorrect, engage me in a friendly
debate if you feel so moved, or suggest
a topic for future exploration. I will
never be perfect, but I will continue to
do my best to live consciously and with
intention as my way of contributing to
the big picture. I look forward to seeing
you on the path!
Yours in mindful living,

Lolly
Ceramic waste statues, India
Lolly Nicol is a Bardic Grade member of
think that they are “green,” “healthy,” the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids who
or “natural” while not always telling the enjoys incorporating various spiritualties
whole truth. Part of the realization of into her practice and is often referred to by
her non-OBOD peers as “a hippie, crunchy,
this column’s importance came from a
earth mama.” One of her favortite hobbies
conversation with one editor who thought is to smile at unsuspecting strangers.
D ruidry
in the When Work Quits You
W orkplace
By Barbara A. Pott
M
y boss the month and would be paid for my
walked remaining vacation days.
into my office and closed the door. “Am She collected my badge, office door
I leaving?” I asked. She nodded with key, Blackberry, and company purchasing
resignation. The day before I had been card. I asked if I could take time to go
quite hopeful about my position there. I find a box to collect my things. She
was a Project Manager but I envisioned said I had the choice to pack them now
more—an increase in pay if not a myself or I could let her do it and she’d
promotion. I thought about which new send them to me. I thought she would
office I would get. Not the yellow one, inadvertently omit some of my things.
that was too big. Not one of the offices
“No, I’d like to take them with me
along the south wall, those were too
now.”
small. The one with windows that would
soon be left vacant from a temporary She replied, “Boxes are in room
consultant seemed just about right. 305.” They had it all coordinated for us;
it was their third large down-sizing in the
Back to reality, I sat there and tried
past year and a half. They knew how to
not to let the tears fall. I was only partly
help us out the door, and I was actually
successful. I meekly asked, “There’s no
grateful for that because I didn’t want an
place in the company for me?” She said
inefficient or lengthy process getting out
I was welcome to apply for postings. I
the door.
rolled my eyes and said with a sarcastic
edge to my voice, “I know I can always After she left, I closed my office
apply.” door for privacy and to let the tears fall,
but they didn’t really come. I sat down
She quickly asked, “Do you know
and called my husband. “I’m out,” I said.
what’s posted?”
There was a pause. “You’re kidding me,”
Why would I know what was he said. “Nope. Can you come and help
posted? I was going to stay in my me take my things out of here?” I didn’t
department and be successful. “No, want to juggle my box walking the long
I haven’t looked lately,” I said. I just parking lot to my car. “Sure,” he said. Tim
wanted to get out of there. was very kind to me on the phone and
She handed me a couple of papers every time I started to blame myself he
and said that I was invited to participate said, “You can’t put this on yourself.” But I
in a career placement program the kept thinking of what I could have done to
following week. The severance was fair; save my job.
I was told I’d get COBRA papers within
Druid Magazine 60
I got a large box and tape and so I knew.”

assembled it for packing up the office I I don’t remember how the
spent two and a half years making my conversation ended. I probably gave her
professional home. I closed the door, not body language indicating I wanted her to
wanting anyone to see me pack because leave me alone, and she was kind enough
I felt humiliated. Then I thought, no, I to accommodate.
will hold my head high and opened the
Most of my items were wall
door. A couple of well-meaning people
hangings and couldn’t fit in the box. I
stopped by to
looked around
say goodbye,
© Barb Pott
the office to
but they were
make sure I
a little too
had everything.
gleeful for my
Then a
mood. They
secretary who
were keeping
worked close by
their jobs.
came and had
“Was the appropriate
there a compassionate
meeting that look on her
I missed?” face. She was
I asked one the only one
visitor. “How who didn’t seem
does everyone to be joyful.
know I’m She offered,
leaving?” Of even pressed a
course, it was little, to help me
obvious I was take my things
packing up on downstairs to
a day when the lobby. I
many in the kept saying yes
building were losing their job, but I felt then no, and she understood I needed
a little paranoid at that point. I thought help in making that simple decision. She
everyone must have been talking about helped me take my things to the front
the demise of my employment. door, and then she took the cart and left.
“I heard a manager say she’d give I appreciated not having to carry on a
you references, and that’s not the normal conversation.
thing to say to someone who is staying. I stood by the lobby door with my
I also saw you taking down your pictures box and posters waiting for Tim. I saw
other people leave with boxes or bags, and facing the one who will grieve the
one accompanied by her supervisor most. But silently, or not so silently, I
trying to be compassionate. Usually we know many were relieved it wasn’t them
only had a receptionist in the lobby, so they had a happy edge to their voices,
but that morning we had an additional and I didn’t need that.
three security guards. One seemed to I got in the truck and asked Tim
want to say something to me. We always to drive me to my car in the parking lot.
acknowledged each other in the hallways, When we both got home, we took my
and he always gave me a nice smile. things into the house and Tim gave me
I didn’t want to acknowledge him that a big hug. We were going to be stressed
morning. I felt on the verge of tears and without me working, yet he didn’t put
didn’t want to let them loose. Where was any of his stress on me. We still needed
Tim? for me to have an income, but we would
I saw our facilities maintenance make do for a while.
guy look down at me from the third-floor In the end, everyone lost their job
balcony. We had acknowledged each other when the whole company closed for good.
whenever we passed by in the halls, but I’m sure the downsized group I was in
this time I pretended not to see him. A included main breadwinners and single
woman from my department walked in people, including parents, with no other
and quickly looked away when she saw source of income. Who knows if any of
me. Finally, Tim came. them had savings for such an event.
I walked out with the box and Losing a job, even if you know it’s coming,
turned to go back to get my posters. The is so hard in many ways and depending
maintenance guy appeared right behind on one’s life situation, one element of it
me and carried them to Tim’s truck. Tim can be more visceral than another. I was
took them from him and loaded them. very fortunate to have moral and financial
The maintenance guy looked at me support. I also had “transition” support
and said, “You’re a good person, you’ll be from the company with workshops and
fine.” resources. Because of all that, the most
salient element to me was the rejection.
I smiled as best I could and said,
Even though I was let go when our whole
“Thanks, take care.”
department closed, and I could see the
I had wanted to say goodbye to logic and even the business necessity of
a handful of people who I hadn’t seen it, I still felt rejected. It felt personal. I
yet since I got the news, but felt too took the rest of that day simply to sit with
humiliated to walk through the halls to my loss. I would start my hunt for jobs
find them. Sometimes co-workers don’t tomorrow.
know what to say to someone who just
Job loss can hit anyone at every
lost their job. It’s like being at a funeral
level of work, in large corporations and
Druid Magazine 62
small family businesses. Sometimes we you discover your calling. Our mission
are without a job because the one we in life, and I believe everyone has one,
had was just too untenable to stay and isn’t something we create, it’s something
the need to get out overshadows the fear we discover. The author writes with a
of the struggles ahead. But there are Christian perspective, but the central
resources. (See references for a link to a exercise (which is not Christian based)
Forbes article on The 10 Best and Worst is such a gem that it’s worth working
Ways to Look For a Job.) Your state’s through even if you do not practice a
unemployment insurance, job fairs, and Christian tradition with your Druidry.
resume workshops are a few resources, Patience in finding work is difficult
but it’s also important to know a few to maintain when you are looking at
other tips: A great number of jobs are the bills piling up. Yet it’s important to
filled before they are ever posted; hiring realize that your timeline to get hired and
managers think of their wider network of the company’s timeline to get you hired
people and often call people they know follow different drumbeats. Companies
first. It’s very important to get the word often take weeks to offer a candidate
out there that you need a job and ask a job for a number of reasons such as
around, even if there is no job posting or the hiring manager went on vacation,
“help wanted” sign. One of the jobs I held routine but lengthy internal processes,
many years ago came about because I or just waiting to see the profits become
made an appointment to talk with the favorable against the budget. All of this
executive director of a non-profit simply happens while you are falling deeper into
to ask if I could volunteer. In the course concern about getting that first paycheck.
of our conversation, she told me she had This is why it is so important to save
been thinking of hiring someone to work at least three months worth of wages,
in the small office and asked if I would if at all possible, in case of a job loss.
like the job. Network even if you really Nationally, it takes just over 29 days to
don’t like it (see references for a good fill an open position (Dice, 2016). That
article on how to network). can be a long time if you have no savings
If you have the financial to dig into. Work your magic and say
wherewithal, the loss of a job may be a your prayers, for they are of real benefit;
good opportunity to assess if you want but nothing takes the place of a well-
a career change. I’m on my third career padded savings account and staying as
now and, although changing careers healthy as possible to avoid doctor trips
means starting near the bottom again, when you may have no health insurance.
it can be very rewarding in the long Finally, do not be afraid to talk with
run. A wonderful little book called “The those you trust about your sense of loss.
Path” by Laurie Beth Jones can help Chances are, they have had a similar
experience and can offer you consolation, open-positions-remains-high/

tips that worked for them, or even help Jones, L.B. (1996). The path. New York, NY:
in ways of which you might not have Hyperion Books.
thought or for which you are too reticent Vest, A. (2014). How to network the right
to ask. Good luck! way: Eight tips. Forbes. Retrieved
online at http://www.forbes.com/sites/
References theyec/2014/07/28/how-to-network-the-
right-way-eight-tips/#3da138c44595
Bolles, R.N. (2016). The 10 best and worst
ways to look for A job. Forbes. Retrieved
online at http://www.forbes.com/ Barbara Pott is a human resource professional
sites/nextavenue/2016/09/05/the-10- working full time at an automotive engineering
best-and-worst-ways-to-look-for-a- firm. With former careers in non-profit and for-
job/#27a421977d5d profit industries, she exercises her training as
a member of the Druid Grade in the Order of
Dice staff. (2016). Time to fill open positions Bards, Ovates & Druids and her pastoral ministry
remains high. Retrieved online at http:// background to integrate her spirituality with the
insights.dice.com/2016/07/26/time-fill- seemingly non-spiritual workplace.
© Brom Hanks
Druid Magazine 64
EISTEDDFOD
V oices of
A
Telling the Difficult Story
wen
By Gail Nyoka
T
aking departure for
Storytelling Circle
in this issue, I am writing mostly about
themselves to find and examine their
most painful moments. Yet, all stated
that in presenting their experiences, they
books that deal with telling stories. These must tell their emotional truth without
stories are not in the oral tradition, but in maliciousness, without the intention of
written form. hurting another person, even though
Personal storytelling in its oral this may be a side effect of their story.
form has become popular at storytelling However, they feel that in telling their
events, such as The Moth, which now stories, they must do so without regard
has a radio hour on National Public Radio to what others may think of them–it
stations. Oral and written stories have is the process of telling their personal
something in common – they must both truth that gives their story its power. The
be shaped in order to make art. My own memoirists felt that writing their stories
repertoire of personal stories is first helped, not only themselves, but others
written down and then spoken out loud who could identify the pain and struggles
and shaped for oral telling, which takes that they had gone through.
a slightly different form than a written In the afterward, Brooks (2017)
work. states that “The worst story that we can
In Writing Hard Stories: Celebrated tell ourselves is that we are alone” (p.
Memoirists who Shaped Art from 208). She goes on to quote author Allan
Trauma, the authors, when interviewed, Hunter, who describes pain as a little
talked about the redemptive aspect stone: “If you put it in your pocket, it
of telling their stories, and spoke of weighs nothing at all. If you put it inside
the necessity of going deeply into your shoe, it will cripple you.” Hunter
© Guy Eddy
Druid Magazine 66
views the telling of our stories as a way is happening to a person in the midst
to shift the weight of the pain. “You are of a crisis. Yet Frank believes this type
moving the grief from where it is doing of story is worthy of witness, even so.
no good, to a place where you can carry Chaos stories, he says, remind us “that
it more easily.” some situations cannot be risen above”
“The more stories I heard the less (p. 135).
space my own suffering seemed to take The value of storytelling is,
up. I felt less alone,” states Arthur J. therefore, about finding a place for both
Frank (2013, p. 185) in The Wounded storyteller and listener; it is the sharing
Storyteller (Preface, xi), when writing of experience that can often lead to
of storytelling as it relates to physical solutions and acceptance.
illness. Yet, the physical and the mental Before her death in 1992, poet
are intertwined and what is true in Audre Lorde (1997) advocated an
dealing with physical illness can also end to silence in The Cancer Journals,
be true in dealing with psychological declaring, “I am not only a casualty,
pain. Frank continues, saying that the I am also a warrior” (p. 19). She
wounded storyteller ”is a moral witness, chose not to wear a prosthetic breast,
reenchanting a disenchanted world.” although she was actively encouraged to
Frank sees storytelling as a moral do so by health professionals. To Lorde,
imperative: the prosthesis is a form of silence that
Storytelling is for an other does not allow those who have had the
just as much as it is for removal of their breasts to find each
oneself. It is the reciprocity other and form community. She states
that is storytelling, the teller that “silence and invisibility go hand
offers herself as guide to in hand with powerlessness” (p. 62).
the other’s self-formation. She stresses the importance of telling
The other’s receipt of that your story in order to ‘remain present’
guidance not only recognizes to yourself. Survival and teaching go
but values the teller. The hand in hand, and telling the story is an
moral genius of storytelling is important part of both.
that each, teller and listener,
References
enters the space of the story
for the other. (pp. 17–18). Brooks, M. (2017). Writing dard stories:
Celebrated memoirists who shaped art
from trauma. Boston: Beacon Press.
Frank categorizes stories into
restitution, chaos, and quest stories. The Frank, A. W. (2013). The wounded storyteller,
restitution story, a return to full health, 2nd Edition, Chicago: The University of
is the one preferred by the medical Chicago Press.
establishment, and is the most societally Lorde, A. (1997). The cancer journals, special
acceptable. Yet Frank feels that this is edition. San Francisco: Aunt Lute Books.
not necessarily the type of story that
fits many illnesses, and that the illness
as quest narrative is more often more Gail Nyoka is a Druid member of the Order of
Bards, Ovates & Druids. She is a storyteller,
useful, especially for chronic or terminal playwright, and author, living in Ohio. Her
illness. The chaos story is not really a new young adult novel, Star’s Reflection, is
story at all as it follows no coherent set, in part, in a temple in Ancient Egypt,
narrative, but it is an expression of what and it makes use of her long-time study of
ancient Egyptian practices and philosophy.
V oices of Bardic Approach to

wen
faucon of Sakin’el
©
A Mental Balance
I have heard of Earth an ancient call I notice the brook beguiling there,
unto Mind and Heart and Spirit all, Mindful to offer a Goddess prayer
that only two of these four may join for Earth’s cycling of misted tears,
at once in balanced view of life’s pain. filtered by sands of toils and fears.
Yet, each bound Element of Being
must have its moment of knowing, I whistle a tune of Heartfelt joy
that mem’ries, values, and character to call hidden Spirit forth to play,
blend amalgam of what may matter. that song and shadow might now reveal
the texture of soul ephemeral.
Of this I wander through murm’ring
wood and all of you, dear friends
to embrace the marriage as I should can verse the rest
of twenty-four views of things unknown, in silent journey
found each to all in faire proportion. as ye may.
Druid Magazine 68
V
oices of
A
Drinking with the Ancestors wen
By Dean Easton
This poem ain’t no teetotal ritual:

let’s raise each cup, now, individual,
every mug and glass fill up now
and start drinking with the Ancestors.
Chat ‘em up — don’t merely greet ‘em;

the Dead are chummy when you meet ‘em.
This good liquor in your tummy
gets you thinking: toast the Ancestors!
By and with the spirits near us —

“Don’t invoke us if you fear us” —
good advice, if we lose focus,
glasses clinking with the Ancestors.
A few more rounds, more pints and glasses,

may find us falling on our asses.
We strive to heed old voices calling
though we’re blinking at the Ancestors.
Yes, when morning comes, perhaps uncertain

if we dreamed or drew some curtain
on a world where it truly seemed
that we were linking with our Ancestors,
good liquor works its own true magic,

so never blame it — downright tragic,
if “hung over” is what we name it:
feel like sinking toward the Ancestors?
They come in all shapes, and in all sizes:

some are heroes, some no prizes
(they’re like us in all our guises)
familiar patterns — star or rose
tattoos we’re inking for the Ancestors.
69 Winter/
Winter/Spring
Spring- -2017
2017
Listen: they are singing, they are all these stinking, damned
cussing, Ancestors!
they can advise us if we’re sussing
out the paths our lives might take (Ah, do please remember ... )
or leave shivers in their wake
that have us shrinking from our we’re their consequence, not moot —
Ancestors. we got their genetic seed and root,
and we’re the payoff, crown and
Before a soul decides to curse them, fruit,
mutter charms that will disperse we’re their future, “built to suit,”
them so cheers to drinking with our
foil their harms and then reverse them, Ancestors!
Dean is an Ovate in the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids, learning the land in the Southern
Vermont Hills where he also blogs, conlangs, and teaches high school English.
Druid Magazine 70
V oices of
A
The King in Exile wen
By Buck Marchinton
I am a Chestnut. My ilk were kings,

ruling the slopes, for summers beyond counting,
from summit stronghold to sunlit valley.
Then ignorant man – lamentable fool –
loosed a plague, a lethal blight
that swept o’er our realm like raging wildfire,
strangled our trunks, toppling snags,
leaving our bones to bleach on the slopes.
Our mountain kingdom, claimed by our cousins,

the oak and the ash, the elm and the birch,
is green again. Forgotten are we,
but we remember, and make for the sky,
defying disease, the doom of our kind.
From roots yet quickened, we rear skyward,
stealing the sunshine, the solar tithing
that was our due, in days gone by.
Then sickness returns, scything young trunks.

We sleep for a winter, then gather our strength
for spring’s rebirth, the season of hope.
We rise yet again, an echo of greatness,
throw shade o’er our bones, til blight strikes again.
Though often I fall, fail will I never.

So long as there’s soil to steady my roots,
and thirst-quenching rain, I’ll rise yet again.
© Buck Marchinton
For I am the Chestnut, and my ilk are kings.
Buck Marchinton is a wildlife biologist in the Bardic grade of the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids.
V
oices of
A
Bodhran
wen
By Rosaria Marie
I feel the skin of the drum

Taut with ageless anticipation
And walk my fingers along it
Making a sound like pattering rain,
Preparing the parched ground for growth.

I brandish the beating stick
Grasping it lightly, letting it dance,
Helping the wood to remember its roots.
Once it sprouted from the heart of the earth;
Now it will sing earth’s holistic hymn.

My wrist is quick, like a snake’s tongue,
Flashing in and out, up and down,
Sinking into rhythm and running free,
Like a wild horse or a water fall,
Hoof-beats thunder and rapids rush

An intuition takes command,
Borne from the Soul of the Universe –
Mystical Mathematics swirl
In harmonies unleashed.

Truth cries out in every beat
As energy pulses through earth
And life is broken from its shell.

Skin to wood and wood to skin,
Spiral song goes ever on…
Druid Magazine 72
It mirrors every story told,

A reflection of some deeper plain.
It forms a well-worn path,
The constancy a comfort.

Then hear the click of wood on wood –
The common elements are wed!
A passion punctuates the lay
With changing force that brings new life

I rest my head against the frame,
A circle, like eternity.
Oak wisdom vibrates off its curves,
Long since imbued by Ancient Magic
And Magic’s Source, Who Is What Is

Though distance stretches long,
Nearness hums within…

Some echo of the ocean waves,
Of lion’s heart, of humming bird’s wings,
The essence of the surge of life,
Each spark of flame and drop of blood,
So strong it flows, the pulsing tide…

And yet, hear now:

The gentle beat of Mother’s Love,
The cradle of life’s dawn
So intimate a lullaby,
So magical a drum
Encapsulates the meaning
Of all that Is and Is to Come
Avellina Balestri (aka Rosaria Marie) is a freelance writer whose musings on matters of world
history, popular culture, current events, and universal spirituality have been featured in over
25 magazines. She is also the editor-in-chief of The Fellowship of The King, an online magazine
exploring the arts through a spiritual lens.
V oices of
A
Star’s Reflection
wen
By Gail Nyoka
E
ven in ancient times, the magic that made the mirror
had been a mystery. The mirror is handed to the chosen
successor of each High Priestess of the temple
of Het Heru.
© Vanguard Press
In Star’s Reflection (2016), my new
novel, two Toronto schoolgirls are pulled into
the world of an ancient Egyptian temple to Het
Heru (Hathor). On both sides of the mirror,
there is danger. An excerpt:
I have the spacey feeling of being in the

mirror, but I feel that I am walking in a
courtyard at sunset; the sun sinking into red
in front of me. Under my feet is hard-packed
earth. I can feel it warm on my bare soles. I
am walking towards a low, flat-roofed stone
building which has a wide door. As I draw
nearer, I see that there is a vulture carved
into the stone above the door. Its wings are
outstretched. The vulture is painted in vivid
blues, and muted yellows and browns. I feel
the earth under my feet turn to flagstones,
cool as I walk. I am walking purposefully
towards that doorway. The door is very big
with a large gold ring as a handle. As I approach, a man steps in front of the door.
No. Not a man, exactly. He is wearing a kilt, like the one I’d seen on the priest, Horeb,
in the mirror. But this man has the head of a jackal. He folds his arms over his chest,
blocking my way. His fierce black eyes dare me to come closer. (pp. 44-45)
From Marsha Stonehouse’s review: “Just finished reading it and loved it.
Romance, intrigue, magic, ancient and modern settings. Definitely recommend it!”
Nyoka, G. (2016). Star’s reflection. New York, NY: Vanguard Press
Watch the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImFIE3pJFT8

Available from Amazon and Barnes & Noble
Druid Magazine 74
V oices of
A
Chester and the hummingbird Fair wen
By M.F. Harding
C
hester was White. I know what Now this
you’re thinking. That is an might have been the end of our story
awful way to start a story. Most days I had it not been for a curious series of
would agree, but not today. Chester was events. While hunting for grubs, crayfish,
White, and for Chester, that was a bad and sweet roots, he happened upon two
thing. You see, Chester was a Raccoon. very strange looking creatures. One was
Once, a passing Fox called Chester a Man. The man sat quietly against the
a ‘Moon Dog.’ No one was ever sure if trunk of an ancient Red Cedar tree. He
that was an insult wore a green
or not. Chester shirt, a pair
didn’t react to it of dark pants,
one way or the and a wide-
other. All Chester brimmed hat
knew was that with a Blue
he was white, he Jay feather
was a Raccoon, stuck in the
and none of the brim. The hat
girl Raccoons was pulled
would have down over
anything to do his eyes and
with him. he appeared
to be fast
As time
asleep. The
passed, nothing
other was a
seemed quite
Hummingbird.
right. The grubs
He also
he hunted
perched
began to lose
quietly on
their appeal.
the top of the
The crayfish he
man’s hat drinking a liquid out of a tiny
snagged off the bottom of Colton Creek
battered tin cup. The bird wore a hat of
were too crunchy. The sweet roots he
his own. It was a dark grey tam set at
dug up were not so sweet. Even the blue
a jaunty angle. Chester blinked at this
of the sky was watery and pale-looking.
unusual sight. That’s when it happened.
Chester was very sad. Chester was
always alone. Chester was White. The Hummingbird suddenly flew
straight up into the air. “There, you see Leon, he is not a

“TICK! TICK-TICK. T-TICK-TICK,” Moon Dog.”
exclaimed the Hummingbird in alarm. “What is he then?” Leon flew back
He vanished up into the branches of the and looked closely at Chester. “Are you
cedar tree. Hummingbirds are very fast sure you are not a Moon Dog?”
creatures. They fly fast, they eat fast, and “Pretty sure, yes,” answered
they talk fast. They can disappear faster Chester.
than Fairies can. In fact, each TICK was
“What are you then?”
a complete hummingbird sentence. You
have to listen very carefully if you are “I am a Raccoon.”
going to understand what a Hummingbird “You’re not a Raccoon!” exclaimed
is saying. The man did not move, but his Leon. “You’re White.”
slow musical voice filled the tiny clearing. “LEON! That is no way to speak
“There is no such thing… as a Moon to our guest.” Frederick was frowning.
Dog, Leon.” He was also speaking to empty air. Leon
“Yea there is, Frederick,” Leon had vanished back into the tree branches
contradicted. “Oi can see him right there.” above.
Leon flew directly at Chester then veered “Is he dangerous?” Leon called down
away at high speed. from above.
“It’s a Moon Dog all right, an’ that’s “No, he is not dangerous,” Frederick
a fact, or Oi’ll eat me own tail feathers, answered. “You’re not, are you?”
Oi will.” Leon was from somewhere called Chester shook his head.
England. No one knew where that was,
“See. Do you have a name?”
but it did explain why everybody, except
Leon of course, talked funny. “I’m Chester.”
The man lifted his head and looked “It is very nice to meet you Chester,”
at Chester. He had blue eyes and white said Frederick.
eyebrows. “How do you do? I have not seen a
“Hello there,” he called to Chester. Man before.”
He spoke perfect Raccoon. “Oi! He’s not a Man. Frederick is the
“Hello,” said Chester. Earth Pilgrim,” Leon announced. He settled
back down on Frederick’s hat and began
“Perhaps you can help me settle a
to drink again from the tiny tin cup.
small argument with Leon here. Are you a
Moon Dog?” “A White Raccoon. That is a rare
sight to be sure,” said Frederick. “Looking
“I… I don’t think so,” said Chester.
at you, I am reminded of something. I just
Although, a Fox once confused me with
cannot remember what it is. Not to worry,
one.”
Druid Magazine 76
it will come to me.” was glowing.

“Is he coming to the Fair?” asked “Thank you, Leon. I would be
Leon. delighted to attend,” said Chester. “I have
“Leon, you know the rules. You never been invited to anything before.”
have to invite him first,” Frederick pointed His whiskers trembled with
out. excitement.
“Oh yea, that’s right, Oi do.” “It

is high
Chester’s pink ears perked
time
up. “There’s a Fair?” he asked.
“Have you never heard
of the Hummingbird Fair?”
© Whitney Mortensen
asked Leon. Chester
shook his head.
“It is
called the ‘Hummingbird
Fair’ because only a
Hummingbird can invite
you,” said Frederick. “You
see the Fair is magical. If you
are invited it is easy to find. If you
have not been invited, you will never
find it. It is all run by the Fairy Folk.”
Leon flew over to Chester and
stopped a mere whisker away. He
bowed to Chester with a sweep of his
tam.
“Chester the White Raccoon,”
Leon began formally. “It is my honour
and privilege to invite you to the
‘Hummingbird Fair.’”
There was a sudden and noticeable
change in the small clearing around
Chester. The air smelled fresher and
sweeter. Colours were brighter and
even the broad, fringed, scented cedar
branches looked more defined – smelled
more aromatic. Every feather on Leon
indeed,” Leon remarked. lifted in a halo about his head, was not
“Well then, I suppose it is time to the most interesting feature of this tiny
get going. The Fair won’t wait for us,” man. What captured Chester’s attention
said Frederick. and held it were the man’s beautiful
transparent butterfly wings.
The Earth Pilgrim stood. To Chester,
he was impossibly tall. In the world This was a real Fairy!
of men, however, he would have been The Fairy lifted into the air until he
looked upon as somewhat short and a bit was face to face with the man.
round in the vestibule. The crown of his “Frederick! You’re late!” he
hat actually brushed the lower branches accused. He poked Frederick in the nose.
of the Cedar tree. He turned and strode
Frederick’s face darkened. His
off into the depths of the forest with long
frown grew deeper and more dangerous.
loping strides. Chester hurried after him.
It was like a thunderstorm was building
It was never clear to Chester and racing towards the cheery meadow.
afterward if they walked for a very long
“Albrecht Fafnir Puck! An Earth
way, or a very short way. Everything felt
Pilgrim is never late. Nor is…”
fresh and new. One thing he was sure of
was that for the first time in his life, he “Yes, yes, yes, I know. Nor is
was happy. he early. He arrives precisely when he
means to. I read that book too.”
Then he thought he began to hear
music. It was faint and far away, but as “Oh well, it was worth a try,” said
he got closer the music grew louder. He Frederick sheepishly. Another Fairy
could begin to see shapes, colours, and landed on the forward brim of his hat. He
movement through the low underbrush. bent way over to look under the brim at
Suddenly he stepped into a sun-dappled Frederick.
meadow filled with wild flowers. “Frederick, you’re late. Everybody
They were stopped by a has been asking about you.”
magnificently dressed little man not “I am here now.” There was a
much taller that Chester. There was white pause while the newcomer looked over
lace at his neck and cuffs and he wore at Albrecht. “Umm, yes, we know,
a bright red shirt with a simple leather Frederick. We can see you.” Fairies were
vest. His pants were bright green and very literal creatures and they never
they came down to just below the knee. understood the need to state the obvious.
Below that were white stockings and “I would like to introduce our
black shoes with a silver buckle on each. newest companion…” Frederick began
His belt was also silver and covered in again.
tiny bells that tinkled sweetly every time
“Yes, we know. Hello Chester, and
he moved. Even his fine, white hair, that
Druid Magazine 78
welcome to the Hummingbird Fair. Today one of their classics. Once they were
is your day. Look around and enjoy finished with their last refrains of ‘Ya Ya
yourself.” Ya,’ one of the Beetles looked up.
“Wait a minute, you know my “Good to see you, Frederick. I see
name?” asked Chester. you brought Leon with you again.”
“Of course we do. You’re on the “Yes, I did John, we are on a
guest list.” Albrecht gestured, and mission of sorts. This is Chester, the
a shimmering parchment magically White Raccoon.”
appeared out of thin air. It was covered “Nice to meet you Chester. Meet
with curious marks.” me band mates, Paul, George, and
“Oh,” said Chester dubiously. The ummm. Oi, what was your name again?”
parchment faded away. The drummer looked up past a prominent
Albrecht suddenly turned and nose.
pointed at Leon. “You! You behave “Emmett,” said the grasshopper.
yourself this year. I will be keeping my “Yea, that’s right, Emmett.
eyes on you.” Hmmm… John, Paul, George, and
“Me?” Leon looked hurt. “What did Emmett?” John shook his head sadly.
I do?” “What happened to Ringo, your
“Hrumph!” Was all Albrecht said. regular drummer?” asked Frederick.
The Fairies flew off. “Dunno,” admitted John as he
Leon was about to say something adjusted his round wire-rimmed glasses,
when Frederick held up a finger. “Leave it “Couldn’t make it. He says he caught
alone Leon.” some kind of a bug – he did.” Leon
Chester was fascinated by all the snorted suddenly and started to giggle.
colours, sights, and sounds. The music “Find that funny do you Leon?
he heard earlier was very clear now. That Ringo’s sick, and you’re laughing.
would be his first stop, so he followed his He probably caught sommat from a
ears. hummingbird,” said John, somewhat
He came across a small wooden annoyed.
box set so that one flat side rose “Yea. Oh come on, you have to
above the grass. On it were three admit that’s a bit funny. I mean you’re
Junebugs, with high black shells, beetles, and Ringo says he caught a bug?
playing instruments. Behind them was Don’t you get it?” Leon tried to resurrect
a grasshopper banging away on tiny the joke.
drums. On the big drum was written two The four band members looked at
words: The Beetles. They were singing Leon in stony silence.
“Yea, right then. Hey Chester,” Paul of the fairgrounds.

said with a wink, “We’ve got just the song “I still think that was funny,” Leon
for you, mate.” pouted.
Emmett got the beat going with his “We know you do Leon,” said
drum sticks Frederick in
and they a soothing
launched voice.
into “I Saw
The
Her Standing
trio nearly
There.”
stumbled
Chester
onto the
sat on his
track where
haunches
the Snail
to listen. A
races were
small crowd
underway.
of Ladybugs
Chester
began to
looked
arrive and
at the
they all
contestants
screamed in
carefully,
their high-
but even
pitched
after a long
voices.
time, it was
They shook
difficult to
their heads
tell if any of
back and
them were
forth and
actually
waved their
moving or
antenna. It
not. They
was all very
each had
curious.
a number
That’s painted
when something distracted Chester. on their shells. That number was 47.
Something pale was moving through the The snail who painted these numbers
trees at the far end of the fairground. obviously didn’t realize there were rules
As quickly as it appeared it was gone. associated with his task. He later claimed
Chester waved at the band and they he had simply picked number 47 at
smiled in reply. He headed in that random. As it turned out, it worked out
direction. It took him towards the middle
Druid Magazine 80
just fine. When Ferris. Are

the winner, they good?”
number 47, was “Best
announced, each ever, Leon.
snail happily Those Bees
claimed victory. really know
Snails were very their honey
vain. Nobody scones.”
knew why. But
Leon
then, nobody but
waved and
the other snails
flew back to
really cared.
Frederick’s
It hat. He
happened again. dipped his bill
Chester saw a back into the tin cup. Ferris started up
flash of white just out of the corner of his the wheel again and soon the tiny Mice
eye, but once again when he turned to where whirling around at an alarming
look, it was gone. He could have sworn it speed.
was the flick of a fuzzy tail.
Chester asked. “Hey Leon, what is
Next, there was a large wheel that in your cup?” Leon looked down at
powered by a Hamster. Small baskets Frederick. Frederick looked up at Leon.
made from woven grass were attached
“Mead,” Leon said.
to the outside of the wheel. Each basket
contained a baby Mouse. The wheel “What’s mead?”
whizzed around. When it stopped, the “Sweet,” replied Leon,
baby mice crawled out of the baskets noncommittally.
and were very dizzy. They wobbled away Presently, an odd sound could
unsteadily as the next group of baby Mice be heard. A large swarm of bees were
in the queue scrambled to get into the buzzing busily. They were making honey
baskets. scones. Frederick, Leon, and Chester
Leon flew off Frederick’s hat and stopped. They all watched the bees work.
hovered above the wheel. There was a large plate piled high with
“Ello Ferris,” Leon called down to dripping honey scones; although, how
the Hamster. they were being made was a bit of a
mystery.
“Hello Leon,” Ferris called back.
“Have you tried the honey scones yet?” Frederick drew a long pipe from his
jacket and brought it up to his lips. He
“We’re heading there right now,
sucked on it for a moment and slowly it
began to smoke. He bent to blow some of he did, he fell like a stone onto the
the smoke into the swarm of bees. Most ground. Luckily, he landed in soft grass.
quieted down a bit and many landed in Unluckily, he landed on a bee. It stung
the grass. Frederick selected two scones him on his backside.
from the pile and replaced them with a “OWWWWW!” exclaimed Leon.
small, flat jar of honey. One scone he
“OWWWWW, yourself!” exclaimed
set on the brim of his hat. Leon hovered
the bee.
over the scone and licked it with his long
tongue. The other he handed to Chester. “You stung me!”
The Raccoon looked around for a “You landed on me.”

moment and found there was a shallow “LEON!” Leon turned rubbing
bowl of water sitting next to the scones. his backside. It was none other than
He took his scone and dunked it in the the Fairy, Albrecht Fafnir Puck. He was
water rolling it over and over with his shaking his head. “Tsk tsk tsk! I told you I
paws. would be keeping an eye on you.”
“Chester? What are you doing “Are you causing trouble again?”
washing the scone,” Leon asked. asked Albrecht.
Chester looked up somewhat “No, I am not causing trouble
confused. “Washing it? I am not washing again.” he stated indignantly.
it. I am feeling it with my paws. I am Albrecht turned to the bee. “Why
tasting it before I eat it. My paws need to did you sting the Hummingbird?”
be wet for me to be able to do that.”
“No kidding?” Leon exclaimed.
“That is quite true Leon, said
Frederick. “It is a common misconception
that Raccoons wash their food. They
don’t. Their paws are more sensitive when
they are wet. They wet them to tell them
what is food and what is not. Saves a lot
of time too, if you ask me.”
Leon flew down to stare Frederick
right in the eye. “You’re a human, not
a Raccoon. How is it you know this so
exactly?”
“I know because I am an Earth
Pilgrim, Leon. You’re a Hummingbird. How
is it that you did not?” Leon folded his
wings in avian indignation. The moment
Druid Magazine 82
“He sat on me.” curious now. He walked toward it. He was

Albrecht turned to Frederick. about to cross a soccer (football) pitch,
“I told you Hummingbirds were but was suddenly stopped by a Marmot
trouble. I told you we should dressed like a referee.
have had a Water Buffalo Fair, “You will have to go around. Can’t
instead.” you see there is a
“Now calm match underway?”
yourself, Albrecht, Chester
Leon is a bit refocused his
impulsive attention on the
perhaps, but game.
he means It was a
well. Besides, championship
imagine what match between
cleaning up after the Red Squirrels
Water Buffalo and the Grey
would be like.” Squirrels. A
“Sigh. I suppose Marmot was
you’re right, as always, the referee and
Frederick. Just see to it he had a small
he behaves himself, would whistle in his
you? This is all so tiring.” mouth. The game
consisted of each
“I will Albrecht. You
team trying to roll an
have nothing to worry about.”
acorn with their noses
Albrecht brightened. “So, towards the opponents’ goal.
Chester, are you enjoying yourself?” It was a fast-paced game until
Albrecht looked around. Leon looked the acorn suddenly vanished.
around. Frederick looked around. Chester
‘Tweeeeeeet!’ The Marmot blew
was no longer there. He was walking
his whistle and held up a paw. All the
towards the far end of the fairground.
Squirrels stopped, sat up on their
“Chester!” Leon called. haunches, then turned towards the
“Let him go Leon. This is why we Referee. The Marmot hurried over to the
are here, after all. Just watch.” site of the infraction.
While the three were arguing, “Delay of game!” he announced in a
Chester saw that odd white flash again. loud voice. All the players looked at each
This time it was on the far side of the other accusingly. The Marmot struck a
fairgrounds. He was becoming very pose in front of one of the Red Squirrels.
his brow furrowed in thought. His eyes

and nose twitched. He scratched his
head. He thought and he thought. He had
nothing.
“Don’t!” the Marmot reminded him.
“Don’t what?” asked Edwin.
“Don’t eat the ball.”
“What, me? Eat the ball? Don’t be
daft.” Edwin turned and walked away.
“I have never heard of such rot,” he
mumbled. “Eat the ball indeed. What do
you think I am?”
The Marmot blew the whistle and
yelled, “Grey Ball!” The game resumed in
the blink of an eye.
Chester began to walk around the
pitch and saw the flash of white again.
Now he could see a nose, whiskers, and
“Alright Edwin, spit it out!”
a pair of black eyes peering at him from
Edwin looked around innocently.
under a log. He walked toward them. In
“EDWIN, spit it out!” the ref the background, he heard another whistle.
demanded again.
“Edwin!”
Edwin shook his head no.
“What?”
“EDWIN McMONIGAL SQUEAKTAIL, I
“For pity’s sake, spit it out!”
said spit it out!”
“What?” Chester had stopped
*Ptui*
listening.
He spit the acorn out of his cheek
Chester stopped at the log and
pouch. He looked positively astonished at
peeked under it. Sure enough, a small
its sudden appearance. His tail twitched,
furry face peeked back at him. He hopped
he put his paws up against his cheeks
over the log and could not believe his
in mock surprise, and let out a short
eyes. It was a pure White Raccoon, just
‘squeak.’ The other Squirrels groaned and
like him. This was the only other White
turned away.
Raccoon he had ever seen. It had small
“What have I told you about eating ears, a delicate inquisitive nose, and long
the ball?” eyelashes.
Edwin shrugged his shoulders and She was a girl Raccoon.
Druid Magazine 84
“Hello,” she said with a sweet crayfish you have ever tasted and the
Raccoon smile. huckleberries are so ripe and sweet. Let
“Ummm, hello?” Chester replied. me show you. Come on Chester, follow
He suddenly felt very shy and clumsy. me.”
She smiled at him again. “I am And follow her he did. She was
Feather; Fea for short. What’s your wonderful.
name?” It did not take long for Chester
“I’m Chester.” His heart leapt with to forget about the Hummingbird Fair.
joy. The memory of Leon and Frederick also
faded. That was as it should be, too.
“Nice to meet you Chester. Where
Chester and Fea started a family of their
did you come from?”
own. They lived in a cosy hollow tree.
“Oh, I was at the Fair.” They had many little raccoons and some
Fea looked around. “Fair? What of them were even white.
fair?” Chester never thought of himself
“That one over there…” He turned as White again. He was just a Raccoon.
and motioned past the log. Fea stepped Chester was never alone again either.
up and looked over the log. Chester Fea was always by his side. When Fea
joined her. He blinked twice. He found he looked at him, she always smiled.
was staring at a large open field of tall Chester was finally happy. He was happy
grass. It was quite empty. Gone were like he had never been before in his
the Squirrels playing soccer, the Bees whole life. He was happy for the rest of
and their honey scones, Ferris and his his days.
wheel; even the band with John, Paul,
So, if anyone you know is sad or
George, and Emmett was gone.
feels left out, or alone, just remember
His new friends were also gone. Chester, Leon, Frederick, and of course
Leon the hummingbird, Albrecht Fafnir Fea. Somewhere out there, there is a
Puck the fairy, and Frederick the Earth Hummingbird Fair for each and every
Pilgrim were gone—gone, as though one of us. We just have to be patient.
they had never been there at all. The Fair will find us when we need one
the most.
“A moment ago, there was…” Fea
was looking at him with her beautiful
eyes. Her nose wrinkled with joy just M.F. Harding is a practicing Druid, and for the
being near him. past five years his pilgrimage has brought him
to Campbell River, B.C. For the last 27 years,
“Would you like to see my he has made a detailed study of the Coastal
little creek? It is full of the sweetest Rainforests of Western Canada and Vancouver
Island. He lives there with his wife Barbara.
C hildren
of the Songs of the Gusari: Birth Circle
F orest
Chant
Seek refuge from the seven Beasts.
Gather moonbeams within your heart.
At distance by three filled circle,
Toss a stone and search in about.
Endeavor ever small the great,

And practice ignore shadow tall.
Find instead entwined timeless kiss
Of dragon fly and thistle down.
The young shaman repeated the Kiyan rolled his Lupo cloak that
words of his Grandfather again and had served as a blanket and ate spar-
again, but still did not understand. With ingly of his oat cakes, jerky, and ber-
departing breath, the seer had given a ries. Licking his pouch slaked his thirst,
final gift—or so he said—“the secret to though he could hear a stream gurgling
your inner peace.” Kiyan had no peace nearby. One end of the grass rope
now, only niggling dread and sleepless was secured to the stone and leg-spike
nights. A universe of dreams shattered thrust into the dark earth. A great cir-
by Tangri Demons; the grumbling skies cle was then defined at the end of the
and flashing eyes gave warning. His spirit line, three-filled strides around (27),
was lost. and staked out with twigs and pebbles.
Within this domain he would live for
Yet, in the forbidding land of three days. His universe folded in.
half-sleep, there creeps visions, some
with tiny claws, and others with fairie By fortune or brush of Silver
wings. He leapt to his feet with shaking Goddess, his new world touched the
form and sweated brow. He had seen! He edge of the brook. A warm cedar smiled
knew! It was as simple as that! down, but he dared not look up or at its
shadow. An unknown berry bush shad-
It took a morning to braid the ed a group of granite boulders. A bar-
chain of snake grass and rosemary, the ren fruit tree rose above its last year
length of three of his shadows at sun- crop of fetid mush, uneaten by fur-
rise. The stone he selected was of var- ry things skittering through the grass.
iegated hue with many rills and niche, Grass…grass. The rest was grass—and
confused like himself. He did not feel sand—and windfall branches. It could be
like a shaman as he wandered aimless- worse.
ly until dusk, but the breeze blown rain
seemed to wash more than the dust from Inch by inch, foot by measured
his feet. The drizzle stopped and so did foot, Kiyan explored his realm. Each
he. The stone arched high into the mist- blade of yearning grass a mystery. Each
ed air and it took a while to find. With pebble and branch a hiding place for
the dawn, the search would begin. For teaming life. Each unearthed nut and
now, sleep. seed a promise of life. His nozh blade
Druid Magazine 86
probed down and through the decay of Fall to find the kiss of Spring.
Father sun was hot on his neck—draw energy from the heavens. The stream pro-
vided tinkling laughter to accompany his chuckled blessing over each new treasure found.
Myriad curious and friendly birds sang unseen by the youth with nose only inches from
the cool upturned earth. Ah, Mother, breathe with me! Insect companions joined in the
search, while worms and beetles were set carefully aside. He feared there would not be
time to see it all. Feel the tiny roots glide toward the single drop of morning dew. Listen
to the clouds teach the new sparrow how to fly. Cry for the flower carelessly crushed by
yesterday’s foot. Lie still while the dragon wings fan your slumbering brow.
Know that the Great Spirit that made you, made even these.
Know that birth and death are one—and eternal.
Know…
Gone is yesterday with careful nurtured memory.
Prepare for the new day’s draw on dream and purpose.
Today…
Dance in the rain. Roll in the blessed earth such that each blade, and stone, and seed
and twig presses deep impressions into your naked flesh. Smile as the night mistress
sweeps away the scudding clouds to allow the stars to wink in fine applause.
Listen to your spirit laugh—and laugh—and laugh.

© Bruce Lhuillier
R
Book Review: A Druid’s Herbal
eviews
for the Sacred Earth Year
By Sarah Disler
Hopman, E. E. basics of how to prepare plant/ tree parts
(1995). A Druid’s Herbal for the for herbal remedies. This chapter is great
Sacred Earth Year. Rochester, VT: for people who are new to using herbs.
Destiny Books. For experts, it might be a little tedious.
For this issue, I took a look at Ellen What follows are lists of trees, plants, and
Evert Hopman’s A Druid’s Herbal for the their uses. They are grouped by seasonal
Sacred Earth Year. Hopman is a master festivals, which is a refreshing departure
herbalist and has been active in multiple from the encyclopedia-like format of
Pagan and Druid communities for many many other herbal books. That makes
years. this book a little less useful as a straight
reference book but in some ways more
Before we get into it, a quick
practical. I rely on some things happening
disclaimer: I think we are all
during particular times of the
© Destiny Books
(mostly) grown-ups. Yet I still

year such as getting a nasty cold
feel obligated to suggest that
every fall. What do you know—
before you go eating/ drinking/
there are a bunch of great ideas
etc. herbs, talk to a doctor or
for just that in the Samhuin
professional. This book has a lot
section.
of great ideas, but it is not an
expert on your body. For many of the herbs,
Hopman addresses both their
Hopman starts out by
homeopathic and their magical
giving a brief history of Druidry
(some might say spiritual as
in general. Her approach to
well) uses. Some days you want
Druidry should be taken with a grain of
to honor your spiritual path, some days
salt as it seems to speak to a specific
you really just want that cough to go
path. Druids are a small (but growing!)
away! It was helpful to have both uses in
group to write a book for, and it seems
one place. Later on, she groups herbs in
she limited her audience even further
yet a different way: according to purposes
by writing this way. For example, she
such as purification, death rites, and
states that Druids always celebrate
rituals of marriage.
around sacred trees. I doubt I am alone
in celebrating in such places as in my Serious herbal experts might not
bedroom with my plastic flowers (thank get a lot out of this book. Once I got past
you, Dollar Store) or in my treeless yard. the at-times pedantic tone, I was happy
to have an herbal reference that also
The book then launches into some
speaks to my spirituality.
Sarah Disler has been in the Bardic Grade in the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids since early 2015.
She has a stellar career looking at pictures all day, which required years and years of intense
training (not really). Most of her energy goes into animal sound mimicry and chaos management.
Some would also call it 'raising toddlers.'
Druid
DruidMagazine
Magazine 88
88
Around the Americas

C amp Announcing Mid-Atlantic
N ews Gathering, U.S. (MAGUS) 2017
By Jason Stieber
A
s the Druid and Eagle is thrilled to announce the first
community annual Mid-Atlantic Gathering, United
of North America continues to grow in States (MAGUS). MAGUS will take place
numbers, spirit, and energy, the need at the enchanted Four Quarters Interfaith
for opportunities to come together has Sanctuary on May 4–7, 2017 near
also increased. The gatherings on the the town of Artemas in southwestern
East, Gulf, and West coasts have played Pennsylvania. With its labyrinth, massive
a vital role in this regard, bringing Druids stone circle, and lively Sideling Hill Creek,
from diverse backgrounds and ecological Four Quarters is the perfect venue for a
© Sophia Schultz
Four
Quarters
Interfaith
Sanctuary,
Artemas,
PA
niches together to learn from one gathering of Druids. MAGUS co-organizer

another, renew our connection to nature, and Oak and Eagle board member David
and enjoy Eisteddfod. They have also North said how lucky he feels that Four
improved our access to prominent OBOD Quarters said yes to a proposal for the
leaders in the UK and abroad, knitting gathering: “We didn’t think 4Q, who host
together an exceptional international large events, would be interested in a
family. When registration for ECG and gathering of about 80 Druids, but when
GCG began to fill within days of opening, we submitted our proposal they not only
however, it became clear that demand said ‘Yes’ but ‘Hell yes, and where have
was outstripping our current capacity. you been!’’
In response to this need, the The theme for MAGUS 2017 is
Northern Virginia Seed Group of the Oak “Kindling the Fire,” an acknowledgement
Druid Magazine 90
of the energy of Beltane when the Inner and Outer Planes,” Dean Easton’s
gathering will take place, but “Kindling Our Sacred Fires,” and DM
also to the foundational work of Editor Barbara Pott’s “Yoga for Druids
ECG and GCG organizers. “Dave II—Beltane Style!”
and I make ECG a centerpiece In addition to opening, high,
of our annual calendar, and closing rituals, the
but we know that isn’t organizers are preparing
possible for everyone,” rituals of initiation for
said Nicole Sussurro, any OBOD grade. Tent
another MAGUS co- sites are the primary
founder. “Everything accommodation
we are doing is standing on the shoulders available, but Four Quarters does provide
of these other gatherings. The fire has access to hot showers and savory meals
already been lit. This is the third fire in to keep us on our feet for the duration of
© Sophia Schultz
Four
Quarters
Interfaith
Sanctuary,
Artemas,
PA
the eastern United States, the third ray, the gathering. Limited bunk and double
if you will. We think that’s going to be occupancy private rooms are available.
magical.”
Join us! Slots are already filling up,
There will be a lot to do and and registration closes April 12, 2017.
see at MAGUS. Featured guest Renu Find out more about MAGUS and register
Aldrich, editor-in-chief of Druid for the event at www.oakandeagle.org/
Magazine, will present a workshop midatlanticgathering.
entitled, “Kindling the Spiritual Warrior.”
Other presentations include Wanda C’s Jason Stieber (aka Ambrose) is a gardener in
“Awakening Your Beltane Sensuality,” Washington, D.C. and a co-organizer of the
Dana Driscoll’s “Land Healing on the Seed Group of the Oak and Eagle.
© Sophia Schultz
91 Winter/
Winter/Spring
Spring--2017
2017
Four Quarters
Interfaith Sanctuary,
Artemas, PA
Druid Magazine 92
Burn it like an Eisteddfod Fire:

C amp
My First OBOD East Coast Gathering
By Loam Ananda N ews
T
he day before I left for the With the help of my husband (I
2016 (7th Annual) OBOD East am NOT a morning person), I was on the
Coast Gathering (ECG), I was working road by 5:45 the next morning. The drive
on a writing project. And I was stuck. to Camp Netimus from Cincinnati was a
Like, super stuck. Like I’m going to solid 10 hours, and I wanted to be there
build a bonfire when I get back and in time for the opening ritual. The long
burn everything drive gave me
© Bruce Lhuiller
I have ever time to mentally

attempted to prepare. I
write stuck. I thought about
was nearly 20 creativity. I
hours and two thought about
beta readers community.
into a 1,500- I thought
word creative about music.
nonfiction essay, “Wouldn’t it be
and I was ready nice,” I thought,
to throw in “if I could find
the towel. My someone to
goal had been make music
to finish the with?” That
blasted thing drive became
before leaving its own kind
for ECG and of ritual, my
make the final thoughts and
tweaks after I Author Loam Ananda desires spinning
returned. I wrote a spell around the weekend.
until the last minute, giving myself a A couple pit stops and wrong turns
short half-hour to pack for the ECG. I made me miss the opening ritual, but
was totally unprepared, both mentally I arrived early enough to spend some
and logistically, for the gathering. Luckily, time getting to know my cabin mates.
I had enough sense to realize it was There were four of us, one a second year
probably colder in the Pocono Mountains “veteran” and the other three attending
of Northeastern Pennsylvania than it was our first ECG. I had been intentionally
in Southwestern Ohio. grouped with others who were attending
on their own and were also relatively formal Eisteddfod would be a friendly
new to the gathering. In that first hour, competition, that 10 performance slots
fresh from the road, as I bonded with my would be available each night Thursday
cabin mates, I felt the care and attention through Saturday, and that three winners
that camp director Lorraine Soria, the from each round would advance to the
Louisiana Contingent, and all the ECG final round on Saturday evening. I had
minions put into this gathering. thrown my guitar in the car, thinking I
After setting up our bunks, my cabin might enter, and enter I did.
mates and I made our way to the Pavilion We gathered at the Friendship Fire
to attend the first workshop of the Circle just before dusk. If you have never
gathering—“The Faeries of Earth, Air, Fire seen a fire built by Derek Batz and Brom
and Water.” Gale Park guided us through Hanks, you are missing works of art—art
the large and diverse realm of faerie with in the stacking, art in the burning. The
the elements as our map and traditional Eisteddfod Competition started shortly
Celtic faerie lore as the medium. We after the bonfire was lit.
learned about the Gnomes (Earth), the Sitting on the benches, listening to
Sylphs (Air), the Salamanders (Fire), and the offerings of my Bardic companions—
the Undines (Water). Gale’s workshop singing, harp, poetry, storytelling,
reminded me that we walk the land with comedy routines—I felt connected, deeply
the faeries beside us and that elemental connected, to this tribe that celebrates
faeries can aid us in our mundane and the bardic arts. It was cold that night, so
magical work if only we approach them cold that my guitar wouldn’t tune. But I
properly. Maybe, I thought, they can help didn’t care. I had already been welcomed
me with my writing. by the community with such care and
That night at dinner—a meal (like compassion that I was determined to offer
all ECG meals) that offered delicious my song as a gift, no matter how off-tune
options for omnivores, vegetarians, it might be.
and vegans alike, something this dairy- Remember my drive-time wish
intolerant writer is extremely grateful that I meet someone to make music
for—I connected even more deeply with with? Well. Be careful what you ask
my cabin mates. The things I had been for—the gods are listening! On that very
thinking about on my drive became topics first night, I met Evangeline, another
for conversation. Turns out, I had some Eisteddfod competitor. She and I both
soul mates on this OBOD journey. advanced to the final round, and we
Then came the announcement: pledged to sing harmony for each other’s
“Don’t forget to sign up for tonight’s final entries.
Eisteddfod Competition!” I knew from Merriment and more Bardic “stuff”
the ECG web site that this year’s around the fire commenced following the
Druid Magazine 94
Eisteddfod as scheduled. We enjoyed After lunch, I basked in the sun

mead from Dragonfire Meadery. We sang. with my cabin mates, feeling warm for
We danced. We cavorted. the first time since arriving at camp.
That night, as I layered myself We took turns drawing cards from the
in shirts, sweaters, and coat, hat and Druid Plant Oracle. When Selene drew
mittens under my three-season, goose- the Nettle card, I told the story of how,
down mummy sleeping bag and wool years ago, a friend of mine had swatted
blanket, I could see the nearly-full moon me with nettles in the woods during a
climbing the sky from my cabin window. medicinal plant walk, and the phrase
I was ridiculously cold, yes, but I was meet me with some nettles in the woods
© Hex Nottingham
content—two adjectives that rarely sit birthed a silly ditty that I would hone and
next to each other in my life! craft for the final Eisteddfod competition.
In the days to follow, all these beautiful
Friday morning, I snatched a quick
bards came out of the woodwork and fed
breakfast before my Bardic Initiation, a
me creative fodder for the Nettle Song.
special experience that left me feeling,
in many ways, reborn and even more While we basked in the sun and
deeply connected to the other bardic laughed about nettles, Lorraine gathered
initiates. Following the initiations, Cindy children and parents together for an
Bertsch led an elemental ritual for peace. Animal Journey, introducing our younger
members to the art of creating a grove moon and stars and learn the lunatic
and “imagining” an animal companion— wisdom of Sarah Fuhro’s workshop, “Moon
an important first step for visualization. Wisdom.” We stood under our Harvest
Even though my own daughter is grown, Moon teacher, opening to change, the ebb
I remember how important family and and flow of tides mirroring that of our
youth workshops were to me when I emotions. We traced our relationship to
first began walking a pagan path nearly the Moon, gathering in groups according
20 years ago with a toddler, and I was to the astrological sign she occupied at
pleased that ECG welcomed families. our birth, seeking to learn how our moon
Gabby Roberts led us on a journey sign sets the rhythm of our life.
through the world of crystals, their On that second night of Eisteddfod
properties and uses in her workshop, “The and bonfire, the Mari Lwyd made an
Art of Crystal Jewelry.” We learned about appearance. The Mari Lwyd is a Welsh
the energies of the stones and crystals, wassailing folk custom, involving a horse’s
and to trust our instincts in choosing skull mounted on a pole. Our Mari Lwyd,
stones. Instinct involves an element of created and presented by Nicole Sussuro,
playfulness, I thought. My ECG experience had bright glowing eyes and dancing
was presenting me many opportunities ribbons for a mane. Nicole told us that the
for playfulness, and in that playfulness, Mari Lwyd would be carried from house
intuition and creation. to house, requesting entry through a
Wrapping up Friday’s workshops, song. The householders were expected
and rekindling any energy lost through to initially deny it entry, again in song,
the day, Hex Nottingham presented his until eventually relenting and inviting
workshop, “Spiritual Drumming.” From the Mari Lwyd inside for food and drink.
drum circle etiquette to deep listening, I imagined creativity, the Awen, was the
and from dynamics and volume to sending Mari Lwyd herself, knocking on my door,
and sensing energies, Hex engaged us singing to me. How many times had I
with his passionate and inclusive approach turned her away without food or drink? As
to ritual drumming. I had not brought we attempted to sing the Welsh call and
my drums, but I slapped out my rhythm response verses that Nicole taught us, I
on the Pavilion picnic table. Some people imagined opening my door wide for the
used their chests and legs as drums. Awen, inviting it to sit down for tea and
Others stomped their feet. Each of us cake. Maybe a little mead.
discovered our individual beat and wove That night I felt warmer and slept
it into a polyrhythmic tapestry in an without my hat and mittens.
impromptu, ecstatic, drum circle. Saturday morning, we prepared for
After dinner, we gathered around the Alban Elfed ritual. After lunch, Cathryn
the bonfire—not yet lit—to gaze at the Bauer and Kris Foster armed us with a roll
Druid Magazine 96
in the morning were presented in ritual

by the guests, families, children, Bards,
Listen to the Nettle Song Ovates, and Druids, each one beautifully
rendered. I was touched by the sacred
esteem with which we held our guests.
of white butcher paper and two boxes Here, in this space, they were not merely
of marking pens. We created a banner spectators; they were vital threads
expressing solidarity and support for woven into the fabric of our weekend
the Standing Rock protesters, posing tapestry. Again, I thought of the Mari
for a photograph with the banner to be Lwyd, the Awen, the sacred guest. Would
posted on the Facebook page dedicated I make creativity my Sacred Guest when
to the protest. Some of us attended I returned home?
a “Beekeeping Basics” workshop, led
That night, as I approached the
by Todd Bertsch and Jim Hutchings.
fire, I heard someone say, “Loam is
This covered the beginning steps for
here,” and then, right there before my
becoming a beekeeper, hive types,
very ears, 100 or so Druids burst into a
the colony and its organization, and
chorus of Happy Birthday—Druids from
beekeeping equipment. Todd and Jim
Georgia, Florida, and Louisiana. Druids
shared how to get started keeping bees
from New Hampshire, New York, and
as well as how to manage the colony.
New Jersey. Druids from Michigan, Ohio,
Evangeline and I met in the and Pennsylvania. From North Carolina,
woods to practice our “set” for the final Virginia, and California. From Vermont,
Eisteddfod competition. I expressed from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and
concern that my Nettle Song was Rhode Island. And from Canada and
unfinished, and she encouraged me to Greece. As an adopted person, my
share it as it was. Everywhere I turned, birthday is usually a tough time of year
I was reminded that things don’t have for me. Now I have another “birth”
to be perfect or finished to be shared. day—my Bardic Initiation—and the deep
I was reminded to play—and enjoy the connection I felt with my Druid family.
playing. I was reminded that community “Soooo…we’re going to do this every
is an important catalyst for my creative year on my birthday, right?” I joked.
process. The gods said, “Are you getting
The fire burned hot that last
this, Loam? Are you taking this down?
night. Evangeline and I presented the
This is your lesson. Will you remember?”
Nettle Song to a generous audience,
By the time we gathered for and it felt to me like both a gift from
Alban Elfed, the main ritual of the and to the gods. The Nettle Song won
weekend, I was totally enamored with the Eisteddfod competition, and in
this community. The gifts we prepared winning, a great gauntlet had been laid
down. Would I accept the challenge to burn, and enjoy the burning. I must build
keep writing? To keep creating? Would I it all again the next day, and the next. I
get out of my own head and engage my must remember that the excuses I make
community? to the Mari Lwyd, barring her entry, are
On the long drive home, I mentally meant to be nothing more than playful
picked up that gauntlet. The Eisteddfod banter—that what Creativity and I both
bonfires offered an alternative to my really want is to sit together around a
pre-ECG pledge to burn everything I had fire, sharing food and ale.
ever attempted to write. I realized that I
needed to burn away not my writing, but Loam is a massage therapist, writer, and
the resistance within me, the obsession composer of silly herbal ditties. She was first
with perfection and completion, the introduced to paganism in the late 90s as part of
the San Francisco Bay Area Reclaiming Tradition.
assumption that the creative process was
She discovered Druidry in 2011 and became a
a lonely one. Every day, I must artfully member of the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids
stack the wood in my creative heart. in April 2016.
Every day I must seek out the spark of
community to light the fire. I must let it
© Brom Hanks
The KDK Grove in Michigan facilitated the opening ritual with a little help from friends.
Druid Magazine 98
On Being
An American Druid
O n Being An
A merican By Ahote Baggins
D ruid
“I salute the light within your eyes where the whole

universe dwells. For when you are at that center within you
and I am at that place within me, we shall be one.”
(Crazy Horse, 1877)
© Ahote Baggins
Druid Magazine 100
© Ahote Baggins
From the moment we hit the light, we find ourselves bombarded with stimuli
and awash in emotions; experiencing constant change and nagging uncertainty, we
live our lives earnestly searching for contexts through which to contain ourselves
and (paradoxically) set ourselves free. Being an American Druid provides me such a
context …
Thoughts are like dreams
in that when you “awaken” within them
you suddenly realize where you actually are,
flickers of lucidity.
I am an American Druid,
basking in all the Elemental splendor of this Mother Land.
She is verdant, resplendent, nurturing and seductive,
and living along the wheel of Her year; I am transfused with Her energy,
enchanted and emboldened.
I cherish the communion between Her and I,
the strong connection She makes with me.
I surrender my heart and mind to Her.
Like a Native American flute, She plays me,
slow, deep, moaning,
ecstasy.
© Ahote Baggins
Druid Magazine 102
© Ahote Baggins
As an American Druid, my life with Her is more magical …
Along the woodline,
we walk, together, forever,
planting and nurturing and harvesting,
manifestations, never-ending,
contemplation.
And my connection with Her is more meaningful …
I am at the bottom of the Great Mountain;
through the mist, I sense it looming over me,
ahead of me, and from its summit,
I hear her calling my name.

© Ahote Baggins
Druid Magazine 104
© Ahote Baggins
I am an American Druid,
walker of the Path, seeker of Truth,
chalice of Nwyfre, stream of Awen,
one of the Tribe.
I am not Mother, I am of Mother;

Mother is the Source of all things.
As I learn to love Her,

She guides me to Myself,
then to You, then to Us,
then back to Her.
balance, harmony, and inner peace to all beings :-)
Ahote Baggins is an American Druid currently residing in Northeast Pennsylvania. An Ovate grade
member of the Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids (OBOD), he is a romanticist, spiritualist, poet, photo
artist, and lover of books, music, tarot, yoga, and candlelight. When not at home enjoying the company
of his cat Ari, dog Jackie, and houseplants Chloe and Sophie, he can be found in the neighboring woods
consorting with trees and other forest creatures (both mundane and otherworldly).
Winter/ Spring - 2017
Voices of the ancestors

Sacred storytelling from west Africa
**
Half a world away in Ghana and Togo, West Africa, the sacred stories of the Ancestors are being lost.
Stories of the Gods and Goddesses. Stories of the Land and Sea. Stories of the People and their
History. The elders are forgetting – and soon these ancient stories will die.
Help us preserve the ancestors’ ancient voices

In November 2017, our team will traverse eastern Ghana and western Togo, home of West African
Voodoo, meeting traditional storytellers, and recording their stories.
We are:
Gail Nyoka, storyteller and award winning playwright, Druid – Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and
Priestess – Fellowship of Isis
Godfried Agbezudor, Voodoo priest and traditional elder of the Ewe tribe of Ghana
Sara Corry, Druid – Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids
Your sponsorship will help us save these stories

In exchange for your sponsorship, your name or business name will be acknowledged on our website
and in the forthcoming book VOICES OF THE ANCESTORS
Donate $500 and also receive a signed copy of the book!
Your tax deductible donation will help keep these stories alive
Contact us at: healthyvillagesgh@gmail.com
Read more and donate at: http://healthyvillages.weebly.com/voices-of-the-ancestors.html
Healthy Villages, Inc. is a 501c3 non-profit organization
**All photos and material provided by Gail Nyoka and Sara Corry
Druid Magazine
106

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Questions? Submissions? Ritual Space

Children of the Forest

Join the team! AROUND THE AMERICAS

F rom the Editor’s Desk...

Welcome to Druid Magazine!

N ews Druidry & Mental Health:

F eatures Parallel Pathways

lessons kept my passion for

human experience (Carr-Gomm, 2017). overly privilege the “experts.” It holds

facet of Druidry. We develop special experiencing feelings or fears of betrayal,

The OBOD Course & Mental Health Issues

From the OBOD website: If the training was undertaken in a

twenty years and forward. Journal of https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-

Klainin-Yobas, P., Cho, M. A. A., & Creedy,

D. (2012). Efficacy of mindfulness-

N ews Managing Mental Health Issues

F eatures in a Seed Group or Grove

ÌÌ Disclosing your condition is a very someone is suicidal, a danger to others,

Four Quarters Interfaith

N ews Alchemy and the Process of

Chemical Alchemy is not the

subject of this article. It’s a huge and

While the story

Teotihuacan funeral urn

moments, demons, and chaos.

Here are the Seven

Steps of the alchemical

Calcination is the process of

In order for Fermentation to take

“Your thoughts and feeling are the

The final step in the

is not easy to share in an introductory website: http://webapp1.dlib.indiana.edu/

Interview with Damh the Bard:

CLick Here to Listen to the Interview*

Or Read the Transcript Below

Recorded Jan. 9, 2017 and it literally translates as “Head

year walking introduction to

David North: So, would you say—are END OF PART ONE

In the Next Issue...

Protection & Resistance

The following is an excerpt reprinted with permission from

Dr. Ronald Hutton including The Shamans of Siberia (Isle

Blackburne-Daniell Harper-Collins, 1996).

but although its main strength is in En-

How were you trained in Druidry?

In Druidry, only by reading the standard Author Ellen Evert Hopman

A Self-Imposed Interview with

Sophia: I've been working as a For the sake of convenience, I identify

your inspiration? of some stuff stored in the middle, it

My report to the intermediary in the words “ummm… so delicious!” I

Public Ritual Workshop Part IV-B:

in the last issue being outside

space. as well! Gather movement inspiration

Next issue is planned to be the last installment in my Public Ritual

M agical Geomantic Dice

instead. natural and traditional look, linseed oil

Sacred Geometry: An Evening of Sister- M agical

Text By Catriona McDonald

Looking for points

Fire sets the final

C auldron By Kirstie Maylor

Onion Pie Recipe