Druid Camp 2010 : The Druid's Path
Profiles
On this page we shall offer a little information about a number of those who will be coming to the camp to perform, or to offer workshops, talks, ritual and practical sessions.
Mark Graham has been involved in co-ordinating the Druid Camp since its inception seven years ago. Mark is an ecologist, astrologer and author and is one of the Directors of the Nature Reserves Burial Company, which owns and manages woodland burial grounds. Inspired by his 12 years of living in a tipi in the hills where Merlin strode in deepest West Wales, Mark will be leading rituals and running workshop which explore the mystic, experiential dimension of our indigenous tradition. |
Kris Hughes will lead a Druid ritual based around traditional Druidic practice, with Morgannwgian, Eisteddfodic, Gorsedd, Swords and the eye of the Sun, the truth against the world, "and modern ritualistic stuff all thrown together to create something that folk may well enjoy witnessing and being a part of." |
He is a founder member of the AYG (Ancient Yew Group, www.ancient-yew.org), an independent research group, and also of Friends of the Trees (www.FriendsOfTheTrees.org.uk), a registered charity which aims to promote modern tree sanctuaries as oases of peace as well as cross-cultural and inter-faith meeting places. He also plays various traditional harps and has composed music for various (European) tree species (see CD 'The Spirit of Trees'). Fred lives near the Black Mountains in Wales as an author, musician, graphic designer and lecturer. For other ideas in spiritual ecology, see www.spirit-of-trees.net |
Ronald Hutton is Professor of History at Bristol University and the author of many books, including The Druids, Blood and Mistletoe: the history of the Druids in Britain, The Pagan Religions of the Ancient British Isles, The Stations of the Sun: a history of the ritual year in Britain, and The Triumph of the Moon: a history of modern pagan witchcraft. His talk at this camp is on 'Fairies'... |
The Invention of Sacred Places Bob Trubshaw has been researching, writing and lecturing about archaeology, folklore and much else for nearly thirty years. He is author of Sacred Places: Prehistory and popular imagination and about ten other books. |
  Dane has been involved with Interfaith for over 8 years in which time he has held a number of posts including the National Racial & Religious Discriminations Officer for the N.U.S and the Chair of the Interfaith Forum of DeMontfort University, he is currently the Pagan representative on the Multifaiths Forum for Oadby and Wigston Council. Dane will be giving a short talk alongside Marianne where they will be talking about the Routes into Interfaith and S.A.C.R.E along with highs and lows that accompany these posts as Pagan representatives In the Community. |
 Joanna van der Hoeven will be creating and maintaining throughout camp a special sacred place, where people can meditate, place offerings, give sacrifices, etc away from the main camp area. She will also be holding a workshop where people can explore the nature of sacrifice, can create a ritual based around sacrifice to the gods, building upon it until the ritual is held in Camp at the appropriate time. |
With him will also be his ferrets and a few smaller birds of prey and will offer opportunities to say hello (within the comfort zones of the creatures concerned) - a fabulous encounter for children and, um, much older children alike, especially games with the ferrets… If facilities allow, he will also teach spear throwing techniques and talk about the use of this ancient tool / weapon. |
She is one of many British body workers now exploring our most ancient shared Indo-European animist heritage. These sessions are a challenge. Come and explore a wilder natural yoga. Be part of re-discovering a physical practice of our land and our seasons and cycles. The sessions will be exploratory, adventurous and light-hearted. The full range of ability and experience will be safe and welcome. Bring your sweat, laughter and devotion with clothes you can move in. http://www.yoga.justfluff.com/ |
The Dark Side will explore the purpose of darkness and it's role in helping us grow and mature spiritually. The Ritual will concentrate on honouring some of those Gods and taking time to listen to what they are telling us. |
Sarah Levitt: Modern Druidry and "the God of Einstein"  In "The God Delusion", Richard Dawkins wrote that "The metaphysical or pantheistic god of the physicists is light years away from the interventionist, miracle -wreaking thought-reading, sin-punishing, prayer-answering God of the Bible, of priests, mullahs and rabbis, and of ordinary language. Deliberately to confuse the two is, in my opinion, an act of intellectual high treason... My title does not refer to the God of Einstein...I am talking only about supernatural gods." This session takes a closer look at "The God of Einstein", the sense of religion which the sublime beauty of our Universe has inspired not only in him, but in many others over the last three hundred years. Mainstream faiths have been challenged and increasingly rejected in the west, but this kind of spirituality flourishes, not only amongst atheists, but also modern Druids, for whom the implicit, immanent divinity of the Universe is a fundamental concept. Sarah Levitt is a cultural historian who manages Leicester Arts and Museums Service. She is a member of Charnwood Grove whose Druid faith developed from atheism. |
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Knowledgeable in various aspects of Iron Age Britain; the clothing and jewellery of the time, his talk will bring those times to life. |
"Money and spirituality have always had a difficult relationship, the first norse rune rhyme states that money causes strife amongst kinsmen and St Paul states that the love of money is the root of all evil. Yet in our handling of money we can grow and demonstrate individual responsibility and maturity. Is money magic a reality? and who is trying to work magic on our money? Clear cut answers about money are notoriously hard to get but I will be suggesting some useful questions to start with." www.iceandfire.org.uk |
“The Druids’ way’ will explore how we progress to live as druids in the world. Are there guidelines for druids, and from what sources? What initiatory ‘ingredient x’ transforms the student into ‘the druid’? This is one druid’s take on these and related questions – to be followed by your ideas and contributions to a stimulating discussion. |
Dawn Morgan will be offering Circle Dance sessions. Check out her 5-rhythms website at www.shapeshift.co.uk. |
Born in 1962 in Hamburg, Germany, Fred Hageneder has studied trees since 1980, in conjunction with comparative religion, cultural history, mythology and archaeology. Fred has become a leading author in ethnobotany and the cultural and spiritual history and meaning of trees. 
Fox, a man of many hidden talents… He will be offering a talk on “Fur and Feather”, an exploration into the world of Raptors and Falconry.
Within this broad subject, Fox will be touching on history, folklore and hunting as well as other things.
Theo Wildcroft is a full time yoga teacher studying to become an Anusara yoga specialist - animistic and heart-focused. 
Andy lives in West Sussex and is a member of the Hearth of the Deer. He explores the Brythonic tradition and will be talking about 'The Dark Side' and performing a ritual.
Michelle Axe has been involved in the co-ordination of this years Druid camp and has been a regular facilitator at previous years camps. Michelle, who was brought up within a traditional pagan/craft practicing family, has spent much her life studying the traditions, inspiration and implementation of magical practice, particularly regarding women. She is a member of Charnwood Grove, A Priestess of the Anglesey Druid Order and is also joint head of the order of Gwyddon with her partner Jamie Blackwater. Michelle runs teaching workshops throughout the year at her cabin in the heart of Charnwood Forest. At this year’s camp, Michelle will be facilitating workshops on ‘Personal deity’, asking, who are they? Do we even recognise them and how do we, if at all, work with them? Personal deity is person specific and so will encourage those participating to look into themselves and journey to that place that lies hidden within.
Will Rathouse (Brochfael) is a research student in Social Archaeology at The University of Wales Lampeter. He has been a member of the BDO, TDN and Clas Brython for many years and specialises in Prehistoric Britain and contemporary Pagan interactions with heritage.
Graham Butcher, our resident Stav master, will be running the usual Stav sessions each morning before the camp meeting: runic stances and gentle exercises as used in Stav training to start the day. He will also offer a workshop on
what money actually is and what does it mean to us? Title: Money and Spirit, can the two co-exist?
Penny Billington is a druid in The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, editor of their magazine ‘Touchstone’ and organises ritual, celebration and workshops for them and privately. She is author of the ‘Gwion Dubh, Druid Detective’ series, and her book on Druidry will be published by Llewellyn in spring 2011.
