Tag Archives: Identity

Becoming a Druid – Druid Camp 2025

25 Monday Aug 2025

Posted by in Druidry, Events, Following Delight, Philosophy

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

It’s been a long time since I first found myself at Druid Camp, while I haven’t made it to every camp since then it has become an important part of my calendar. This year it felt like more than a fun event, it felt like a homecoming, like finding paganism and witchcraft did all those years ago.

Which is ironic since we were on new land and the theme was “Re-birth”!

A campfire at night

Since the very wet Pembrokeshire-based camp in 2023 where we connected with Ceridwen and Taliesin (yay!) and I taught a pair of workshops working with them, the voice, inspiration, Awen… the old team led by powerhouse Mark Graham passed the baton to the wonderfully tenacious Esther (“Esther from Leicester” as she introduces herself) and a crew of talented, dedicated people. But Druid Camp had also moved away from the old Rainbow Spirit site in Gloucester and the Pembrokeshire site didn’t quite fit, so we needed a new home.

And Bear and Minx opened the doors of Dragonwood.

Over the past 18 months members of the camp community rallied and worked with the land, and this August Druid Camp settled into land that welcomed us like old friends.

Glorious sunshine, curious spirits, and whispering willows embraced us as Druid Camp was reborn.

I’m still integrating the gentle but powerful shifts I felt while there, and perhaps there won’t ever be words to tell you of the gifts I have received, and saw others touched by too, but I can tell you some things:

The team did an amazing job.

The land is used to magical folk and wants to speak with us.

And for the first time in 10 years I really felt like a part of this community, not hanging out on the edge but right in the heart of it.

A circular doorway of willow between two hawthorn trees, framing a stone altar.

This is not a criticism of previous camps, but a reflection of my journey!

I wrote about my second year here – “A Faery at Druid Camp” – and my wariness of “druids” in general in “The Trouble with Druids“. 2023 marked a definite shift for me and I shared my experience of “Being Bardic at Druid Camp” where I was feeling more at home, more recognised, and more like I belonged, but this year I was no longer asking the question “does this make me a druid?” but stating something that has become true:

“I am a druid.”

Now, I joined OBOD a few years ago and have worked my way through the grades of Bard and Ovate. As of writing this I’m halfway through the Druid Grade material, so I can claim the title on that technicality, but now, after the “Initiation into the Spirit of Camp” ritual held by the new lead ritualist of camp Jay “Beekeeper” Anderson, now I feel it. And yes…

I had studied storytelling and performance as enchantment as a Bard – and still do.

I had practiced the magic of the deep green land as an Ovate – and still do!

And I regularly lead rituals and teach (and spent 20+ years studying philosophy academically, a traditional druid past-time!)

But becoming a Druid, for me, isn’t just about knowing stuff. It’s about finding a home in a community where you can share those skills and where the land recognises you as well as the people.

Halo smiling at the camera with three golden dots of clay on their forehead and tents in the background.

I’ll always be a witch,

and I’m certainly a magician,

but now I know –

I’m a druid too.

I’m always fascinated by what people mean when they say that they’re a druid, a witch, a magician, a pagan, and so on. Sometimes the journey is quick – you find a term and it just fits. And sometimes the journey is long, and starts with a bad impression but you find yourself returning again and again.

I’d love to hear from you, please do comment below – what is your favourite word to describe yourself and the path you’re on, and how did you come to it?

Speaking of community…

The Enchanted Academy Community

Or T.E.A. for short, because tea is magic. Doors open for the free community now, join today for:

  • Magical community
  • Oracle & healing swaps
  • Magical Masterclasses & events
Join TEA here FREE!

An academy and forum for learning magic. Sign up to my mailing list to hear about upcoming courses and get my monthly news and musings.

A wide shot of Halo on a dimly lit stage at Druid Camp, in a gold shirt, with audience sat on camping chairs - singing Cryptozoologist.
Singing Cryptozoologist – you are all fabulous time keepers!

PS: Cryptozoologist lyrics here – for those that want them! New verses will be added soon!

To Be a Witch

29 Tuesday Jun 2010

Posted by in Magic

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

, , , , , ,

I wonder what it takes to be a Witch, what it means.

I feel like it is a title that should be earned, and I feel that you earn it by working on yourself, constantly working to be the best you can be as a human being; as part fey, part animal, part divine.

I feel that it represents an inner power, earned through clearing yourself and connecting to the realms beyond the physical, beyond the so called  ‘mundane’. To be a little Fey, deep down.

I feel that it involves a balancing act between the light and the dark, in yourself and in the world.

I feel that it involves a deep sense of Pride which, in its true form, includes humility. Pride is knowing your place in the world, knowing your value and valuing all other beings in the world, knowing everything has a place and a function and is sacred, including yourself.

I feel that it involves acting in alignment with your values, your beliefs, walking your talk and speaking your mind.

I feel that it involves constant attunement to the flow of nature, the flow of magic, coming back to yourself when you notice you are distracted, reconnecting at every moment possible.

I feel that it involves magic, striving to know your True Desire, True Will, who you are fundamentally, and changing consciousness in accordance with this.

I feel that it means someone fiercely joyful, deeply compassionate, righteous in their anger when necessary, powerful in themselves, truly honest  and eternally loving.

I feel that it involves doing your best, not Perfection, but a process of improvement.

I feel that to be a Witch is to do all these things, and with a particular flavour, of deep forest greens and cool nights, of full moons through starlit skies, of Northern landscapes before the snow. The emerald lands of home.

I strive, every day, every moment, to do these things, to live connected, aware, to reconnect when I find myself scattered and distracted, to know myself and act in accordance with my Self, to be passionate and compassionate and full of joy. Mine is not a path of yellows and oranges, of sand or smoke or baking sun, but of cool deep forests and winter’s rain, of the hearth fire that holds the damp at bay, and the sun which warms but rarely burns. I am not perfect, but I am in process, and so I use the title ‘Witch’.