PO Box 3533

Whichford

Shipston on Stour

Warwickshire

CV36 5YB

England

http://druidnetwork.org

TDNQ Editor: Dan Carpenter

danielcarpenter@talk21.com

If your address or contact

details have changed, please

let us know by updating your

details on The Druid Network

site at http://druidnetwork.org

or by writing to the office at

the address below.

The Druid Network

Quarterly news is printed

on 100 per cent recycled

paper.

Do you need this publication

in an alternative format?

For more details, please email

danielcarpenter@talk21.com.

Lammas2010

quarterly news

Roe Deer II by Emma-Jayne Saanen

Summer

With summer fully (and finally!) here, we are

reminded of the sun's strength and power. The

crops are ripening under golden rays, the wheat

growing tall and the barley yellowing in the long

summer days. What we have sown, what we have

tended so dearly to in the early spring, and

nurtured throughout a tumultuous season of

returning frosts and cold north winds is finally

coming towards a harvest. All very nearly ruined

by late frosts, many crops - both those of the

backyard self-sufficient gardener and that of larger

farming industry is showing signs of fruition.

Apples are greening on the trees, and flowers have

come out in full force, along with the bees and

butterflies, moths and beetles.

As we observe what nature shows us in the

seasons, flora and fauna, so too do we see a

reflection of that in our own lives. At Yule, we

dreamt of what we would achieve in the coming

year, blessing and dreaming over the seeds at

Imbolc, sowing them at the Equinox and, for many

of us, planting the seedlings at Beltane (and

running them back inside every night with frost

warnings!) to grow to fullness in the coming

summer months. With the sun at its full height, the

days so long and the nights so short, we ride the

tide of this high energy, where nothing can stop us

as we carry our dreams and aspirations to fruition.

But now the tide has turned, and if we have

spent ourselves at the time of high summer, we

will have nothing left to give when the real work,

the harvest-time, begins. So we must learn to pace

ourselves, to not over-commit, to nurture ourselves

as much as we are nurturing everyone and

everything around us in this season of sun-inspired

madness.

Here in East Anglia, ever since the North Wind

has stopped, the sun has been out in full force,

scorching the grass and wilting my tomato plants.

The waterbutt has run dry, and everything that I

hope to harvest needs special attention, much as I

do now.

Having just finished a crazy three weeks of

working for an international festival, I feel much

like my tomato plants, wilting in the heat of the

sun, and not as yet bearing fruit (or even flowers).

And so I withdraw, into the shade, into my

spirituality, soaking up the quiet times of evening's

enchantment, in the cool night air where my soul

can expand without withering away in the noon-

day sun. Like the deer in the forest, I retreat to

cooler climes, seeking shelter and shade. I must

Peace One Day

In 2008 we had some really exiting Peace One

Day events happening within the Network. Last

year was quiet. This year the 21st of September

falls in the week, which makes it harder to

organise events. However, if anyone is inspired to

act and would like to list a Peace One Day event

with TDN, please do get in touch - bryn.colvin@

blueyonder.co.uk

We might also be able to explore having related

peace events on the weekends on either side as

well. If anyone has any inspiration they'd like to

contribute to the website, please do get in touch

with that as well. Ideas for ritual and meditation,

ways of promoting peace and so forth all much

appreciated. Thank you.

Bryn Colvin

prepare myself for the work ahead.

And so I urge you, to take a moment and to rest

a while. Do not let all your dreams and work

earlier in the year be in vain. Let nature inspire

you to follow in its cycle. The real work is yet to

come!

Joanna van der Hoeven

http

://dru

idn

etw

ork

.org

quarterly news

2

The Pacific Northwest (USA) continues to be quiet. We need

information on upcoming events of interest as well as poetry,

activities, new groves, etc.

Aigeann

Pacific Northwest

The moon reflects on an amber coat

the sniper, - 'stealth' is her name

She crouches, haunched, perfectly still

Then....snatches yet another unwilling victim,

Unselfishly, 'stealth' gives up her prize,

Chattering, snarling jaws,

Only once more to leave her Lair,

Maybe....this time?

Heat, searing, pain, weak and cold,

nothing but feathers and lead,

'Stealth' is now her Orphans prize!

Stealth

The grass feels so parched upon this dusty cracked clay

My fingers slipping through uncountable golden seedheads

Foxtails, meadow fescues, sedge and rye for the hay

Spiders spinning old tales of summer with silver threads

Softly undulating in the warm wind upon ridge and furrow

Seas sun-sparkling with toadflax, buttercups and oxeyes

Bees in the clover, a pheasant's entrance narrated by a crow

And a woodpecker laughs as the lark reaches for the skies

And I sit, bending stalks, my head sinking into my hands

The hope of my grandmothers, as the breeze lifts my hair

The sweat of my grandfathers as they worked for their lands

Sharing warm bread and cider, their laughter filling the air

As a mouse scampers clear, the scythe slicing through

The hum of the combine harvester grumbling into view

Emma Restall Orr (2010)

A Sonnet for Lammas

This is a poem about a fox, hunting to feed her young - she

takes no more than she needs, yet in the end, becomes food

for her offspring as she gets shot and dies at their feet.

Although a little bit of a sober poem, I wrote this to

reflect the unselfish love of an animal to it's young and to

also reflect how the 'big wheel' turns.

I hope you enjoy it.

Raebeth

Deadline: 21 July 2010

I recently attended a forest gardening course at an

experimental permaculture site called Karuna in Shropshire.

The founders of Karuna are under threat from legal action

that could easily result in the end of the project.

To cut a long story short, and without going into the

background of the legal case, the founders desperately need

Request for legal advice

Morriston Tree, Morriston Park, Swansea by Sea Sparrow

Henrietta Tree, Henrietta Gardens, Bath by Sea Sparrow

htt

p:/

/dru

idn

etw

ork

.org

3

reviews

by Ellen Evert Hopman

(Llewellyn, 2010)

This is the sequel to Priestess

of the Forest, a unique Celtic

tale of love and danger. I

loved Priestess of the Forest -

it was well written, full of

nuggets of herbal lore and

wisdom, flowing in and out of

the story that held me

enthralled throughout.

The Druid Isle is an

entirely different kettle of

fish.

Review: The Druid Isle

If you loved Priestess of the Forest, then you will

probably dislike very much its sequel. Hopman leaves the

story behind and instead rams Druidry down your throat -

well, her interpretation, at least. Whereas the prequel

contained wisdoms that pushed and complimented the

storyline, here are lessons that are given in a lectured format,

forgetting that there is a story or even characters involved.

Let me explain.

Characters and storyline take second billing next to

Hopman's insistent teachings on Druidry. We never really get

to know the characters, their feelings, backgrounds, their

thoughts - this is overshadowed completely by their learning

experience of Druidry. The story essentially is of two young

adults, learning Druidry from the sacred Druid Isle. They

don't really interact with their teachers or their lessons - most

of the text in the book is the teacher talking at the student

(and the reader), which, quite frankly, became tiresome after

the initial four pages of it. The teachers talk, the student

does. That is the extent of the characters' interaction -

something which I found very unfulfilling. Hopman is trying

to disguise a lesson plan in the form of a story, but it just

doesn't work - the story is left behind. Shame - it could have

been very good. Either that, or Hopman should have just

written a book on her version of Druidry without trying to

turn it into a fictional romance.

These lessons were made even more annoying by the fact

that they really didn't contain much Druidry in them -

Druidry in the sense that I know it to be, which is a British

religion and philosophy. When I think of Druids, I certainly

One Meditates Through:

- Chantings,

- The Breath,

- And the Feet.

When on a Meditative Retreat:

- Have No TV,

- Remove All Peer Pressures,

- And Enjoy Nature.

One Can Meditate:

- While Working,

- In Water,

- And at Home.

Natural Meditative Chants:

- Sounds of Birds Singing,

- The Babbling of a Brook,

- And the Wind Rustling through the Trees.

Breath Mediation:

- Takes Patience,

- Time,

- And Correct Practise.

One Does Meditation through the Feet:

- When Walking,

- Sitting,

- Or Standing.

Aquatic Meditations:

- Sooths,

- Cleanses,

- And Refreshes.

Meditation Helps To Investigate:

- The Natures of Reality,

- Truth,

- And of Goodness.

Meditation Increases:

- Alertness,

- Awareness,

- And the Ability to Sustain Attention.

TheDruid-3X3

Meditationadvice from legal council with insight into environmental

issues. If anyone can help, either personally or by

recommending someone, please get in touch with me

urgently at m.d.fletcher@blueyonder.co.uk.

For more information see their website at

www.karuna.org.uk. The deadline for writing in support of

Karuna is 21st July. The court case is 1st September. Thank

you!

Mike Fletcher

don't think of characters sitting on clifftops chanting Om and

being given crystals as a reward at the end of each lesson.

Eastern mysticism and New Age fluffiness abounds. The

author tries (unsuccessfully, in my opinion) to validate her

use of chakras and other things in a chapter at the end of the

book entitled 'What is that doing there?'. It didn't answer the

question.

So, the earthiness, the romantic love story and wisdom of

the first book is sincerely lacking in the second. If you loved

Priestess of the Forest, then don't read this book. You will be

sorely disappointed.

Joanna van der Hoeven

PO Box 3533, Whichford, Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire, CV36 5YB, England.

http

://dru

idn

etw

ork

.org

events

4

Bath clouds by Sea Sparrow

July

Sunday 25 July 2010, 12pm Gorsedd of Rhiannon and the White Horse Beltane Rite The White Horse at Uffington. Meet in the main car park at the White Horse around noon and then proceed to the area where the Gorsedd will be held. For those who are unable to manage the walk we'll lay on cars to ferry you to the site. The format will be very much the BDO/TDN style of Gorsedd with Bardic initiation and handfastings offered if required. Contributions welcome for the informal eisteddfod (songs, poems, stories). Information: email Rainbow at htarrant_sun@hotmail.com. Sunday 25 July 2010, 10am to 5.30pm Megalithic Portal Ancient Site Hunt North and East Kent. Part of the Festival of British Archaeology. On the day we will be exploring fascinating and little-known ancient sites in North and East Kent. There will be teams of us exploring the area on the day - full itinerary to be posted nearer the time. If you would like to take part please let Andy B know so we can plan for locations and numbers. Information: www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=2146413846. Wednesday 28 July to Sunday 1 August 2010 Glastonbury Goddess Conference 2010 - �Celebrating the Goddess of Love Glastonbury. Participate in inspiring workshops, listen to fascinating presentations, see beautiful artwork and stalls, performances, music, song, poetry and dance. Information: www.goddessconference.com or via email at goddesconference@ukonline.co.uk. Sturday 31 July 2010, 9.30am to 5.30pm Megalithic Portal Ancient Site Hunt The Brecon Beacons. Part of the Festival of British Archaeology. Use the Megalithic Portal to discover prehistoric sites near you, and visit some wonderful locations near Brecon. Talks, displays and demonstrations throughout the day. We will also be at Brecon Library on the morning of the 31st. Information: www.megalithic.co.uk/article.php?sid=2146413847.

Sunday 1 August 2010, noon The Gorsedd of the Bards of Caer Abiri Lughnasadh Gathering Avebury, Wiltshire. Muster at noon beside thecafé before making the God and Goddess walks to the Sun Circle. Feel free to bring your songs and poetry, contributions of bread and mead, but most of all bring your heart. Information: phone Morgan on 01458 835518. Saturday 28 August 2010, 11am to 3pm Growing and Preserving Herbs Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. Growing herbs will include the seasonal activities of growing herbs - preparing the ground, sowing seeds, taking root cuttings, moving and dividing plants, potting seedlings, weeding and harvesting what’s appropriate. Information: contact Sarah Head on 0121 707 8269 or email sarah@headology.co.uk. Saturday 28 August 2010 Pooka'S Pageant 2010 Oddfellows Hall, Ipswich, Suffolk. A day to celebrate polytheism through storytelling, poetry, chanting, song and other performing arts. Tickets are £3 in advance, £5 on the door. Information: see www.freewebs.com/pookaspageant for more details. Friday 10 September to Sunday 12 September 2010 Herb Festival Cheltenham, Gloucestershire. There will be talks and demonstrations on all aspects of herbs from medicinal, culinary to craft and arts. If you would like to exhibit something herbal or crafty, please let me know to book a table in the craft tent. Information: contact Sarah Head on 0121 707 8269 or email sarah@headology.co.uk. Sunday 26 September 2010, noon The Gorsedd of the Bards of Caer Abiri Autumn Equinox Gathering Avebury, Wiltshire. Muster at noon beside thecafé before making the God and Goddess walks to the Sun Circle. Feel free to bring your songs and poetry, contributions of bread and mead, but most of all bring your heart. Information: phone Morgan on 01458 835518. Sunday 26 September 2010, 3pm to 6pm Way of Awen Taster Bath. Kevan is a former Bard of Bath and author of The Bardic Handbook, The Book of the Bardic Chair, and The Way of Awen. Come and meet the tutor and fellow participants, find out about the Way of Awen, and try some of the activities before committing to the twelve weeks course. Information: phone Kevan on 01225 334204 or visit www.wayofawen.com.

August

September