Is this an important element of Druidry ritual? If so, why? What do you know of its history?
Kris Hughes : Taken from the insipration of Iolo Morgannwg, it is the heartfelt call for peace. At each cardinal direction we call for peace ending with the statement “A oes Heddwch?” (Is there peace?) to which the circle announces “Heddwch” (There is peace). However, each memeber of the grove is encouraged to find their pwn peace within themselves, extending and expressing that into the world.
Emma Restall Orr : For me, the call for peace is a reminder about need. Where there is noneed, there is peace. Where there is true need, there is a focus for our work. Where desire is mistaken for need, there is unnecessary conflict and unease. When we call ‘Let there be peace’, I remember what peace means.
Phil Ryder : In group ritual we call for peace. It is a call for us to put aside conflict, forget personal wants, to come together in one purpose. We define a space and declare it sacred for our ritual, that space to be effective must be a place of peace. When we call to the cardinal directions it isn’t a simple request or hope for peace, it is a declaration that therewill be peace: “Let these be peace”.
Michael Eric Berube : We don’t always make a Call for Peace. We should. People have probably always said this through every age, but in our time particularly, we should be able to achieve Peace and need it more than ever. We cannot achieve that which we don’t aim for, so if we don’t make a heartfelt declaration calling for Peace with a determination to make it manifest, how will it ever happen? The responsibility is ours as much as anyone else’s.
Louise Sutherland : I rarely say aloud the call for peace because my rites are usually alone and I have no need to remind those present to find peace or to be it. But I begin my rites and meditations by finding and honouring peace within me. To me, peace is one of the oldest gods, maybe she existed in the darkness before life and time. To me she is pure existence, existence without need, a god whose presence sweeps away the other gods. Peace doesn’t need or crave expression, but my way of honouring her is to feel her within me. Letting go of everything and just being is for me the perfect way to start a rite. To spend time in stillness, just being, my soul filled with peace, and then to step out from that centre, taking ‘usable peace’ with me, gives me clarity about the situation or the intention of a rite.
Ximena Eduarda : Through the question, I realized that I did not consider ‘peace’ as part of my rituals nor in any other practice. Possibly it is because before peace I seek balance, returning to the paths, my life to flow without blockings; although that can also be another way for ‘peace’.