In a blog post this past June, I wrote about questioning our spiritual path in a piece entitled “To Be or Not to Be”. I call myself a Druid, as I follow the path of Druidry. I celebrate alone and in groups, go to festivals and work as a priest in my community. I touched briefly upon the matter of how others do not define my path for me, but lately I’ve been rethinking this, turning it over in my mind and looking at it from different angles.
As usual, at this time of year with large open pagan rituals being conducted at various sites, the media have gotten hold of any Druid or Pagan they can find to talk about what it is that Druids or Pagans do, why they do it and so on. Some journalists are there simply to mock the Druids and other Pagans, some are there to genuinely attempt to inform their readers of something new to them, to inform them of other worldviews. The media know a number of “prominent” pagans, those who regularly make the papers for various reasons: they shout the loudest, they dress up in full regalia, they only work at “popular” ancient monuments. It can be disheartening to constantly see these people being courted by the media, when their views are so different from one’s own. This is what has gotten me thinking this past week, working through issues of anger and frustration.
I wrote about sacred spaces in another blog post for SageWoman Magazine’s channel at Witches and Pagans. It was so disappointing to see Druids and other Pagans working in the midst of litter and those who were not in tune with the ritual intention of those for whom it was a sacred site and a special day. It was sickening to see those who called themselves Druid standing proud in their regalia with litter at their feet, not picking any of it up. I personally cannot imagine working in those conditions. Some may not mind, however, embracing simply the fact that they are participating at a very popular event in an ancient place, regardless of the conditions. Though there was litter all over Stonehenge this past summer solstice, Pagans were also amongst those in the clean-up crew as well as the all night celebration/party. But why should there be a clean-up crew in the first place? Would we throw litter inside Norwich Cathedral?
The media is currently rife with new articles about what is happening at popular pagan sites here in the UK with the autumn equinox just past, and people that the journalists associate with the festival and sacred sites. For the most part, the people these articles are about are so unlike myself, with such different worldviews that I question whether I do indeed follow the same spiritual path as they – how can we both be followers of the Druid Way? How can I relate myself to some people who allow litter in their ritual space, who allow others to stand on ancient monuments, whose policies on so many things (reburial of ancient human remains, etc) are so different from my own?
Some people within Druidry give themselves titles such as Arch Druid/ess, or King, etc. Many papers have recently reported on one king who they purport to be the “leader of the druids”. I sigh with frustration each time something like this is misreported. The Wall Street Journal mocks with headlines such as “Stonehenge Mystery: Will Druid King Get a Parking Space for His Kawasaki?” While I share their idea that such titles are absurd, I would argue that the creation of such titles are simply to attract media attention (amongst other reasons). I also see it as an opportunity for the media to mock Druidry and Paganism yet again, and wonder why on earth these people leave it wide open for the media to do so.
Time and again I have stated that the creation of any title within Druidry and indeed with any form of British Paganism relates only to the individual or group that has bestowed such a title. Druidry has no central authority, therefore, only a select group from a small section of Druidry support an individual who calls himself king, or a High Priestess of (insert name of town/group/goddess here). Pagans can create any title that they want, whether as individuals or as a group. This has absolutely no relevance, however, to anyone else in the Pagan community or to those outside the group. I am a Druid, and I have no king. There is not a single Arch Druid/ess that has any sort of power, rank or authority over anything that I do. They may be more prominent in the media however, and this is where the basis of the frustration occurs. They are representing a large portion of the Pagan population, yet is it at all a major consideration for them? Is it simply posturing?
As with any group of humans, there will be posturing and issues of ego, admiration, adulation, hero worship, gurus, hierarchy and anarchy. There will also be those who genuinely live a life of service to their gods, their ancestors and to the land selflessly – and by this I mean those that have no ego involvement, so no need for media attention or public fame/recognition. There is so much work being done in the Pagan community by those who are utterly dedicated, yet receive nothing in return apart from the satisfaction of a life well-lived. It is to these people that I relate to, not the image of Druidry as presented in the media. Therefore, can I still call myself a Druid?
I suppose that Druidry is multi-faceted, in one regard. There are dedicated people who work with the ancestors, for whom belief in deity is not required, and who see it as a philosophy rather than a religion. Being a religious person myself, I see deity everywhere, yet the philosophical Druids can be closer to my own path than those whose words and actions are so against my own, yet for whom Druidry is a religion. There are animists whose views are in tune with mine, and others for whom I scratch my head in bewilderment. There are fellow supporters of reburial who work with honour and integrity for our ancient and not so ancient ancestors in true relationship, and there are those who say that they want vandalise displays by certain government and charitable bodies, in their fight for rights, working with violence in words and deeds. How can one path have so many different people walking it?
I suppose that using the path analogy, it becomes a little clearer (although this path is muddy at times). It is simply a way towards the divine or a way of being in the world that anyone can access, regardless of political persuasion, ethnic background, geography, financial wealth, etc. The path does not discriminate – it simply shows a way. It may have many offshoots into different parts of the forest, and many footprints over millennia by those who seek the wisdom of the oak.
It is this that keeps bringing me back to Druid, and Druidry, even when there are those who are so out of tune with my intention follow the same path. It is this analogy that eases the frustration somewhat.
Maybe I should just stop reading the papers.
Down the Forest Path 
Well said.
Thanks, Gerri. x
This has always bothered me as well. I simply do not see how one can hold a ritual or ceremony in the midst of litter, clutter and mess, any more than with rowdy attendees and surrounded by those whose energies are miles away from that one is attempting to cultivate for the stated purpose.
As for the gaudy shouters who claim to speak/represent all of us who are Druids and Pagans. Well it seems to me like it is about them, since what they do is so attention getting and self referencing and ego enhancing. And the media loves egos. It creates the climate that feeds them. It renders them indispensable for ratings/views/readers.
It does appear to be the case for all those who quietly live in adherence to their truth and values, principles and beliefs without the need to convince anyone else, without the desire to show their path is the best, the only, the right one for anyone other than themselves, are too boring for the media. There are no fraught dynamics to exploit. The media lives off exploitation of stories, events, circumstances, good and bad, honourable or horrific and the people caught up in them.
All we can do is live with honest integrity. Those who really want to know more will a find a way to connect with those who are sincere in a gentle way, and will one hopes one day wonder about the shouty gaudy folks in due course.
I just worry that some might just give up the pursuit, but yes, your words have wisdom! x
I gave up for these very reasons! Better to lead a solitary spiritual life, than to be seen to be associated with such people.
But then again, people like those at TDN who worked so hard to communicate with the Inter Faith Network and the charities commission, these are the people of my community. These are the people who inspire me. This is Druidry, and I’m happy to be associated with them. I just have to remember this more often when others just bring on the faceplam 😉
Oh, you’re not alone. I get frustrated when *certain* druids are always wheeled out by the press to say daft things, look silly and make loud angry noises. I know why the media do it, it makes a far more eye-catching headline than ‘nice sensible person does good thing for the environment’ but it is irritatinng I agree.
In a way, it’s the price to pay for not having a central authority who can say who is/is not entitled to call themselves a druid or a king or a priest or whathaveyou. I think a few nutters is probably a price worth paying for the freedom to define our own paths. At least that WSJ article also quoted Philip Carr-Gomm as an alternative voice.
As it is, I’m definitely more of a ‘druidry as philosophy’ type of person myself, so I already feel some distance from mainstream druidry (if there is such a thing). If the word druid still holds meaning to you, then I wouldn’t worry how other people (mis)use it or how the media misrepresent it. In the world of news, it will all be forgotten tomorrow when they find a new easy target.
Only too true – thanks Ryan! x
Druidry is the path but it is not as defined as a physical path. Therefore, different people will interact with it in different ways at different points, they will leave at different points along with those who keep on it for the remainder of their lives. The growing numbers will help define the path better as it, and us, evolve with and through each other. BTW, I haven’t brought a newspaper since 1991 😉
LOL! x
I am bewildered. I am connected to this land deeply where on I ramble and roam. I’m terrified of ( pictures of the Middle East and wars) and distrust most organized religion. I feel holy wholly connected to places, trees plants, faces, birds, animals, insects, Brooks, oceans stars clouds herbs planets the moon. I go outside and am amused, stunned, awed by the most trivial things. I read, read, read, and try to find a path, a place I fit. I know from reading this blog, and a couple others I feel I’ve found a place with folks like me. I know there are lots of us. Lots of us that don’t voice it.
I’m on a different continent yet I feel for you on your sacred places being so popular. I see it similar to my own plight of seeing a whale. The way the whales are chased around by the whale watch boats sickens me. I look from shore with my binoculars, read my field guides and listen to their wonderful voices on my CD player. I’ve vowed not to ever chase one on a whale watch boat. I can visit them in my mind, in art work and hold them in reverence and love.
I had a very public and stressful job. Internally I am proud of my take on my duties. After I retired from it I spent six years wandering in the woods. I live in a very remote place. Roaming filled me with something that I’m trying to communicate. I remain solitary as I don’t know where to turn, I don’t want to be disenchanted.
Thanks Joanna and commenters. It’s heartening to read your thoughts. I’m going to my little grove to think. Maybe, I’m just a loner. I appreciate having this space to read and speak. I’m glad to be here.
Sometimes we just have to retreat from the world in order to better engage with it – to each their own. Good to have you here. xoxo
In all things, fame depends a lot on willingness and aptitude for media whoring, and those inclined to blow their own trumpets always do best at this. People quietly doing their own thing, with awareness and integrity are not news. Its as true for politics and authors as it is for Pagans. Having taken up the role of pimping others to the media… it is a bloody strange business. There is a lot of money in it – selling papers, selling whatever the individual does/is. People working quietly and with integrity do not have the same need to sell themselves. Anyone who wants a platform will either do what they think the media wants – and that’s often not a happy way forward, when you consider the invasions of privacy for example. Or you go the slow, less showy, doing the good work route and run the risk of never achieving visibility. Sometimes the cause or the work seems to validate any kind of media-chasing, but we often end up defeating our own interests that way.
Well said! x
I’ve often thought that the least suited to lead are often the ones most eager to do so. We only need to look to our politicians to see how easy it is to get caught up in the glitter of self promotion.
As for loud, litter-filled celebrations, I seriously wonder how many attendees actually try to live spiritual, let alone pagan/druidic, lives away from these party times. In many ways perhaps their Paganism and Druidry are put on with the robe and face paint for the party and then kept in a cupboard the rest of the year.
I do think in general however that druids are well served by some of their organisations. Those who run OBOD and TDN, for example, seem to me to be much more concerned with druidry than personal advertisement and image. Those with the grandest titles tend to have little else
You could be right, Steve! Thanks for your words. x