by Murray Barton
"In Druidry it is understood that, where-ever
we walk, we take with us all that has made us what we are, our ancestors
of blood and of our spiritual and cultural heritage; at the same time,
we must always acknowledge and honour the land beneath our feet, and
all those who inspirit it." -Emma Restall-Orr
In the ancestral homes of Druidry there is a long history
of people courting and naming the spirits, celebrating the land and
its bounties. Over the millennia the holy places have been named, temples
created, and the stories of place have become part of the common lore.
Here in Australia it is the same for the indigenous
people. For those of us though who are relative new-comers it can seem
a daunting task to establish a spiritual relationship with the land
which is honouring of both the land and the tradition which calls to
our hearts.
Druidry is an animistic tradition, everything is seen
as being imbued with spirit, from a beach pebble to a wombat or a sky
scraper, from an abandoned car to an emu or a forest. Nothing is devoid
of, or cutoff from spirit. In Druidry we are never far from a source
of spiritual relationship and it is the seeking of right relationship,
spirit to spirit, that is at the heart of the Druid tradition.
We are surrounded by spirit and yet we are left with
questions. Which spirits should we honour? Which tree, river or hill?
What places are sacred and how do we find them? Is it appropriate to
worship a deity from the tradition, and if so how do they fit this landscape?
Should we consult the Aboriginal elders, seek what they know? Finding
the answer to each of these questions is a personal journey which I
propose no answers for; rather I invite you to go into the landscape
and seek for yourself.
In any relationship there is a flow of energy and when
this energy is from a deep soul level it is called in Druidry, 'Awen',
meaning literally flowing spirit. To form relationships with the spirits
of the land we seek the Awen and join its flow. If the Awen is a river
we are not a dam, a bridge or a tree on its banks, we are a leaf, sometimes
floating quietly on the still surface, sometimes wet and bruised, elated
from the wild ride through rapids and white water. This is what we seek
when we seek relationship with spirit; the three drops that will leave
you mad, dead or a poet.
Creating a relationship with the spirit of a hill or
valley, river or tree is the same as beginning any new friendship. It
is a courting akin to a mating dance. We introduce ourselves, we spend
time getting to know the other, allowing time for the relationship to
grow and develop naturally. Just as you would with a new friend, tread
gently, be willing to give more than you take, show thanks for all that
you receive.
No special paraphernalia is required beyond your willingness and patience.
The spirit of a place has its own concerns and interests, experience
and wisdom, don't expect instant answers to all your questions or solutions
to your problems. Set your expectations and concerns aside and approach
with an open heart, allow yourself to be as receptive as possible.
Fostering our relationship with the spirits of a place
requires a devotion on our behalf. The energy of a place changes over
day and night and through the spiral of the year. Allow the time to
get to know a place at different times of the day and in each of the
seasons, learn its moods and its humour. Learn about the plants and
the animals, both their physicality and their energetic presence. Talk
to people who live nearby and hear their stories of mishap and adventure,
joy and failure, each story has been coloured by the place and colours
it in turn.
You are weaving a three dimensional tapestry of the
place and, to begin with, much of it may be distorted and out of focus
or unreachable because you have not discovered the bridges. As you practise
your devotion you will find the hidden pathways and learn the secret
names. Your weaving will become richer and more vivid and it's spirit
will set aflame your passion for all of life.
If you make sacrifices they should be environmentally
friendly, within a day or two no traces of your presence should remain.
Be careful when working with herbs and flowers not to introduce non
local seeds. Sacred smoke has a long and honoured tradition but it is
wholly inappropriate
in the Australian bush, especially in summer, so avoid using fire or
be extremely careful and abide by local fire regulations. Always leave
a space better than when you found it, this is the greatest respect
you can give the spirits of a place. Allow time in your visits and rituals
to clean up, the spirits will love you for it, and in a busy world a
sacrifice of time is always a welcome one.
When you are inspired allow that inspiration to manifest
as creation. The form is not important, it could be poetry, song, dance,
or sculpture. Your creation is a gift to the spirit that inspired you
and an acknowledgement and honouring of them. As you share your creation
with others they may in turn be inspired. This is the flow of spirit.
Awen wishes to flow and blocking it is dishonouring and potentially
damaging. Allow the flow, experience it, create from it and know that
it is available to you again and again through soul to soul relationship.
Inspiration is a currency which has value only in its flow, if you try
to hang on to it you will be left with the pot of faery gold which becomes
leaves, mud and twigs in the morning.
If meditation is a process of emptying out, stilling
the mind and becoming present to the moment, then in the Druidic tradition
the circle is completed. When we come from that empty space and open
to another soul the vessel can become full again. For it is when all
pretense is
set aside and we bare our soul to another that the delicous Awen flows.
This sacred union is the basis of worship and devotion, be it with the
spirits of this land, or any other.
Murray Barton http://www.insubstantial.com.au/
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