Jody has gone back to her roots and embraced Druidism
Jody Copestake was drawn to Druidism a religion which emphasises building a relationship with the natural world.

View Gallery By Jemma Walton

DRUIDISM is a religion that predates Christianity and emphasises getting in tune with the natural world.
Jemma Walton met the guardian of the Peterborough-based Druid Grove of Alban Eiler and asked her about Bardic Chairs, Eisteddfods and walking in the woods.

WHEN you're scratching your scratchcards, shopping until you drop or recovering from the hangover of hangovers do you ever think there must be more to life than this?

Most of us probably do – but can't really be bothered to do anything about it.

But Jody Williams was different. She could be bothered. Jody was drawn to a religion which emphasises building a relationship with the natural world rather than tuning into all the hollow distractions of modern life – Druidism.

As a teenager, Jody was intrigued when a friend told her she was a Wiccan white witch. "I said 'Ha ha –where's your broomstick?', but then she explained it to me and I became interested," said Jody. "I went along to a few Pagan moots, and liked what I heard."

Now 27, she has since become a committed Druid – but not a white witch, as that is more fitting with the Wicca branch of Paganism than the Druid part. She volunteers at Flag Fen, and is organising a Druid-style festival of the arts there next year.

"Druidry is basically a form of Paganism, and is all about developing your own relationship with nature," she said. "I can't really explain it too well as it's an instinctive thing.

"Basically, for Pagans, the earth is their altar. It is about paying attention to every little thing – when you go for a walk connecting with the trees, flowers, animals and birds around you."

Jody is priestess of the Grove of Alban Eiler, which basically means she is the "guardian" of her grove, or group of believers. She took on the role when the founders of the grove left two years ago.

There are about eight members of her grove, and they meet up around eight times a year to celebrate every festival in their calendar.
Druidry is a journey which encourages you to learn, to experience and build a connecting relationship with nature and, they say, helps you develop as an individual.

It keeps you in tune with your intuition, an instinctive survival mechanism which is supposed to help you make the right choices when your path forks before you.

Jody feels drawn to Flag Fen, and volunteers there each week. The site dates back to the Bronze Age, and she likes it because "it holds a very ancient energy, and not just because it's 3,500 years old. It's a very special place.

"Druidism predates Christianity, and is the native spirituality of these isles, it's all about getting back to your roots, really," she said.

Ancestor worship – recognising that you are part of a long line of genes and experiences rather than a freshly minted one-off, is a key facet of Druidism.

As the grove's website says: "Deep in the Winter depths of our souls lies the sanctuary within, a place reaching a timeless gravity where our ancestors walk, guiding and giving us strength."

How do people treat her when she tells them she's in training to be a druid? Do they think she's weird?

"I don't really tell people," she said.

"They perhaps wouldn't understand, or might not have heard of Druidism at all.

"My dad was spiritual, and my father-in-law is a Methodist minister.
"He tried to give me a sermon once, but I told him not to bother as I have my beliefs and I'm not about to change them."

Jody reads school groups who visit Flag Fen ancient tales of Irish legends and celtic gods and goddesses, dressing up in robes to do it. And why does she do that?

"Putting on the robes takes your mindset out of the mundane," she said.
"Us druids can be quite fun, you know – any excuse to dress up!"


Last Updated: 25 May 2007

good for Jody... I guess.

I'm sure she would agree. Druidism isn't a topic I see discussed on these forums that often. So I thought this would be a good article to initiate something of the kind.

You are right. Maybe Darkwind will come by and drop some lore on us. He appears to be a pretty happy fellow.

Indeed. I thought of DW when I happened upon the article. Which is what further compelled it's posting here. DW participates in many threads dedicated to other religious/faithful philosophies, and rarely are there any regarding his own. Nor, do I find, is the pagan faith represented that much at all, in matters of members, so inclined, posting topics for discussion. Perhaps that will change, if we can get this one off the ground.

Well what do y'all want to know? I guess I don't talk about my faith much. Maybe because I find it kind of private thing, as I am practicing solitary at this time. Druidry covers a lot of different ideas depending on what form of the faith you follow. It is a wonderful thing to be so linked to the Earth in spirit and faith, but everyone must seek their own understanding of the Universe. I am happy for Jody as she has found her path.

Modern Druidry is based on the ancient faith of the Celts, but since much of it was lost in the Christian take over we are actually creating a new religion and maybe that is a good thing. Human sacrifice is not my thing. The Druids were the intellectual class of the Celts. They were poets, musicians, judges, alchemists, and priest, like the Brahman class in India.

The Celts were the people of middle Europe, the last strong hold of the Celts was Ireland, Wales, and Scotland. I your interested in the Celts and Druids a good book to read is The Druids by Peter Ellis. For modern Druidry I liked The Mysteries of Druidry by Brendan Myers PH.D. Another good author is John Greer. There are other Druids on the site like Wolf, I am sure he has lots of ideas and books to suggestions too.

I think Ancestor Worship is a wonderful thing. A big part of us really is a product of those who came before us in our bloodline.
My dad died when I was young, but I apparently share his nearly exact height and body-type, and my mom's eyes and... I don't really know whose hair I got. They both had horrible skin, so I inherited that big time.
(^Any excuse to talk about myself. lolz )

Well, Druidry is certainly one of the more fun faiths out there.

Great article.

The more I read, the more I realize how similar everthing is. Druidry is about building a personal relationship with nature and "is a journey which encourages you to learn, to experience and build a connecting relationship with nature and, they say, helps you develop as an individual."

Substitute "Nature" with "God" and I think it describes what Christianity (and every other religion I have heard of that are based on some 'super-power' type energy source thing) is SUPPOSED to be very nicely. Dressing up in robes too, ritual, etc.... they got that part right at least.

so who is the Kwisatz Haderach?

randomhit10

All I know is the Kwisatz Haderach is from the book "Dune" and that Iron Maiden somehow got it to fit into a song called "To Tame a Land" about the book. (Yes, I'm an old school heavy metal freak.)

Since I've never really been into Dune, does it have a lot of Druid references??

To Tame a Land (Iron Maiden)

He is the king of all the land
In the Kingdom of the sands
Of a time tomorrow.

He rules the sandworms and the Fremen
In a land amongst the stars
Of an age tomorrow.

He is destined to be a King
He rules over everything
On the land called planet Dune.

Bodywater is your life
And without it you would die
On the desert the planet Dune.

Without a stillsuit you would fry
On the sands so hot and dry
In a world called Arrakis.

It is a land that's rich in spice
The sandriders and the "mice"
That they call the "Muad'Dib".

He is the Kwizatz Haderach.
He is born of Caladan
And will take the Gom Jabbar.

He has the power to foresee
Or to look into the past
He is the ruler of the stars

The time will come for him
to lay claim his crown,
And then the foe yes
they'll be cut down,
You'll see he'll be the
best that there's been,
Messiah supreme
true leader of men,
And when the time
for judgement's at hand
Don't fret he's strong
and he'll make a stand,
Against evil and fire
That spreads through the land,
He has the power
to make it all end.

This link provides some insight as well into the question: What is Druidry?

very good...some claims that it was based on Druid worship but i don't see a lot in it (but i am not well versed in Druid worship)...i am impressed that you knew that and you know of Iron Maiden...old school heavy metal is cool....

randomhit10

Rather than probe your brain for the most obscure Druid lore. I'm interested in how you feel you have benefited from being a Druid as well as your personal view of reality.

More simply, if someone came to you ans asked, "What is the nature of the universe?" how would you answer?

oo nice article! Thanks GW X)

Druidry has given me a connection with the Universe, life, and understanding I can't find any where else. The whole religion or philosophy is about seeking the true nature of the Universe. To feel the vibration of life all around you and with in you is a wonderful thing. I see the Universe as a living entity along with the Mulitverse. The Universe came into being because it was born and it grows like any other life form and we are a part of this living thing as a cell is a part of us. Life is everywhere we just don't see all of it cause we don't know what we are looking at. The vibration of energy is a life force which interconnects live. All we see and touch and feel are different forms of the energy. All is energy including us. The Magic comes in when you realize cause we are a part of this energy that comprises the Universe we are the Universe. Different Universes vibrate at levels and they can overlap in different realms or dimensions. They all have different laws, life which lives in the different Universe is govern by different laws. Some beings are trans dimensional we call them spirits or Gods.
My brain is tired, it does that which is why most of my stuff is short.

I am glad you didn't ask about obscure Druid lore as much as I love history some of that stuff can get boring and complicated. A lot of the stories are morality tales. I like the Irish ones cause there are lots of them.
Here are some sites of interest.

http://druidnetwork.org/
http://www.jackiebarrett.ca/DisabledDiscrimination2.htm
http://wildideas.net/cathbad/
http://www.thefluiddruid.net/
http://www.adf.org/core/
http://www.sacred-texts.com/neu/celt/cml/cml13.htm
http://www.shee-eire.com/Magic&Mytholo...Dagda/Page1.htm
http://altreligion.about.com/library/gloss...sceltictree.htm

Have fun y'all poking around those sites.

You're most welcome Cougar.

And DW, I like how you see things. Thanks also for the links, to keep me busy.

edit.nothing like transposing a few letters to keep the night lievly.

Right on man. Sounds a little complex for me, but that is why there are so many choices on the menu eh?




Now that you put it that way bro, I'm glad I didn't ask as well.

I have the 21 Lessons of Merlyn. I read really bad reviews on it. It so far is all that I have read on Druidism. Have you read it? If so, what did you think?

First,thank you GW for posting the article.It's nice to hear about others who are taking up this path in life.



You think those choices are a menu unto themselves,try delving into the choices as a Druid on which subjects you would prefer to study the most.

As Darkwind mentioned,the ancient Druids were poets,musicians,judges,alchemists,and priests...but were also philosophers,engineers,advisors to kings and queens,astronomers,healers...etc.Some even taught the warrior classes how to fight.They were truly the intellectual class of the Celts because they studied everything they could,not only about the Earth and Nature...but also the stars,the mysterious,the spiritual,and the human mind.So...there were a whole lot of different subjects one should be at least proficient in,as well as one or two that one should excel in (specialities).




A friend gave me a copy about 7 years ago.It is a very horrid book filled with a lot of nonsense.I would burn my copy,but it still has a use...as a bad example.

...

A very good book filled with a lot of information (not only on the subject of Druids) is Nikolai Tolstoy's "The Quest for Merlin".It goes through a lot of background on Merlin,the Druids,the Celts,and the Arthurian tales.

A decent book is Stuart Piggott's "The Druids".It gives a decent amount of information about the Druids.

...

Truthfully,I do not read a lot of books about the Druidic ways,since I find that most are quite lacking.Most tend to dwell upon the Roman writings about the Druids...and not much else.The exception is Tolstoy's book,which goes through a decent amount of Celtic history.The man definitely did a lot of research before writing the book.It's not something that could be called "light reading" either,for it is a thick book.

As for myself,I am a solitary practitioner.I learn by doing my own studies into what interests me,as well as what Nature teaches me.I am by no means a master of any subject,yet I do what I can.In time,I may become specialized...but for now,I am learning all that I can of many subjects...which can be a bit mind-boggling when you begin to notice how so many things connect to each other.

That is a good lead in to my next question...ok actually it is the inspiration for my next question.

Since the historical Druid was the intellectual and cultural elite (much like India's Brahmin class) of the ancient Celts, where do you see the Druid in today's world?

To few to make much of an impact on the world. I would like to see Druidic Universities like Christians have seminaries and universities. But it takes money and I don't see the Druid community shelling out that kind of cash, it's just to small and wide spread.

I would love to see a Druid seminary or University. Or any higher learning institution effected, that is specifically for pagan religious education. Of course, one can imagine the heat, if they dared such a move. Which may also help to explain their absence today. For some, "religious tolerance" only applies to those that think like they do. I think it may be said, thats why the Alexandrian library was destroyed. Because, for some, knowledge is a dangerous thing, to the survival of those that thrive feeding on the gullible.

Trying to get Pagans to do something jointly is like herding cats, just a lot of hissing and spitting.

The problem I see is that exactly how would one define a curriculum in pagan religious studies. I've seen pagan forums blow up faster than a Creation vs. Evolution thread over the mention of Scott Cunningham. A belief as diverse as paganism doesn't lend itself well to the trappings of organized faith. Probably better to leave well enough alone with the idea of Druidic/ Pagan "seminaries", and stick with each path being personal.

As for the non-spiritual knowledge preserved by Druids, nothing a little reading wouldn't fix.

In answer to Rev's question...all over the place.

Seriously,there are a lot of us out there.Unfortunately,the Druidic community is as scattered in style and method as the Wiccan community.You have the members of O.B.O.D.,you have the members of the A.D.F.,you have the solitary practitioners,you have those who mix things,and of course...you have the "wannabes".Darkwind is correct that there would be a lot of hissing and spitting if anyone ever tried to get all of one or both communities to work together.I think that's both a blessing and a curse.But eventually there may be enough of us all to put us on a more even footing with other religions (even though I see the Druidic ways as more of a life science than a religion).I've seen a lot of folk start returning to the older ways,taking time to learn more about the Earth and Nature and learning how to live with Nature instead of against it.In time...who knows...we may be able to help change the way people see the connection between themselves and Nature.

I would however caution against the idea of a seminary or University.That would be the cause of a lot of trouble.

There is,however,another idea that is similar...but wouldn't raise too many eyebrows from those who would like to cause trouble...at least for a while.If anyone were to take over an old summer camp area,it would be possible to advertise in only the appropriate circles for a while to get campers to come out to learn.It would also be a more appropriate setting to learn in for both Wiccans and Druids,since it would be out in Nature.There the basics of woodcraft,astronomy,natural healing,and so many other subjects could be taught.The campers would also have the opportunity to form discussion groups where they could learn from each other's experiences regarding different subjects.There would also be the opportunity for some to work on music and poetry,learning the Bardic ways.I think this would be a much better option for all.

It's unfortunate that infighting amid the diversity of pagan thought , makes one think a university atmosphere would be just as contentious. I have no experience with the pagan community atmosphere, on-line. However, the very few number of gatherings I've attended, at wiccan friends invitation, were magical in every sense of the word. Some of the most friendly, happy people I've had the pleasure to spend a weekend with, quite frankly. I'd go again in a minute.
And , come to think of it, what about covens and gatherings that already go on across the country?! Circle Sanctuary, one of the foremost wiccan activist circles, has a gathering every year. And its conducted much the way that Wolf suggested. On private property, in the nature and secure from trouble makers. Besides the legal rights and protections that insure trouble makers do not enter in, so as to make trouble.

And yet there are Universities that offer goddess studies. So at least there's something of the old religions being taught somewhere. So I think there's hope in that, that maybe one day the problems with setting aside petty differences, so as to come together and learn from one another, is alive in that. For one day, when the pagan communities can stop being as, what you describe, fractured as the non-pagan, mainstream ones.

In our Pagan community we have such a place. A man and his brother has built many circles on five acres, but the community doesn't seem to appreciate it. It is under used and people don't seem to want to put the work in it. I think there is a Wiccan coven using one of the circles now. Right now it is pretty much close down for the summer. Florida sketers can be deadly.

What I'm thinking of would cover far more than 5 acres.It'd be more along the lines of at least 500 acres...most of which would have to be at least sparsely wooded.An accessible lake would be a plus.Basically it would have to be like those "summer camps" you see in some movies.A common hall,pavilions,cabins that would fit at least 6 persons,nature trails...etc.

Since many Pagan types do attempt to learn a bit about Nature,it would be best to teach and learn in the appropriate environment.

I know there are some groups that have their own little spots they go to when they want to be out in Nature,but remember...we are talking about a type of school here.What better place would there be where those attending the school could not only learn in Nature...but also be able to relax and have fun while enjoying Nature?True,it would take a lot of work and money in order to get anything like this started...but it could be done...if enough people got involved.That is the major problem though...getting enough Pagans to work together to do something good for all,without any one type attempting to control every aspect.

I am quite fond of Druidism, being of Irish descent. While I don't worship my ancestors, I certainly involve them in my life and respect them for having already endured being embodied. Having a relationship with the natural world seems essential to me. Without the relationship we humans have managed to screw things up pretty good, imo.

Druidism makes much more sense to me than mainstream Christianity.

Peace,

RadicalGnostic

Florida skeeters can fly off with you!

Peace,

RadicalGnostic

That kind of land isn't cheep. It has to be maintained. I think there is one in Wisconsin. Ya that is the problem is the control freeks who are usually want-a-bees who despite years in the craft don't understand what is about and are looking for what they can get out of it.



You can be a Christian and a Druid, it not so much who you worship as much as it is a philosophy of study the true nature of the Universe. If it includes the Christian teaching that is your path and you should explore it.

PEACELOVEHOPE,
Darkwind.