by Rob Wilson
Self Published (2006)
Review
Review by Hawthorn
This short (75-page) booklet,
self-published by Rob Wilson earlier in 2006, provides an excellent overview of
modern pagan Druidry as well as describing some of Rob’s own journey into and
on this path.
Rob is a Druid Priest who lives in Kent and runs
the Greenwood Grove. Although he is still relatively young, he has been working
within the tradition for over fifteen years, currently offering year-long
courses on Druidry.
In the booklet’s introduction, Rob
describes how he first connected with the path as an eleven year-old on a
school field trip to the Coldrum Stones. This was re-activated ten years later
when, during a difficult time in his life, he came across the stones again. He
movingly describes the sense of having “come home” and how he then began on his
path by joining with others in druidic and pagan organisations.
The booklet consists of 10 short
chapters, discussing topics including what a modern druid is, sacred space,
ancestors, the gods, groves, and ethics. It’s not a “how-to” book, being more
descriptive and poetic in tone, somewhat like Emma Restall Orr’s writing style.
Rob, does, however, offer some precise and useful definitions. He describes
Druidry as being “a spiritual connection
that is wholly experiential, vibrant, raw, and importantly, very relevant to
our lives today” and as being “ultimately
a quest for understanding your inner self and your relationship to the world
around you, to the ancestors and the divine”. He is clear about
terminology, explaining why he prefers the term “Shamanic Druidry”, and
explaining the difference between Animism (“seeing
the spirit in all things”) and Polytheism (or a belief in many gods).
There’s a lot of passion in this
small book. Rob emphasises the importance of honouring our earthy sensuality,
and of having a passion and zest for life (“which
burns soul deep”). He writes of the need to embrace the reality of death,
of the inspiration that comes from aloneness, and of the importance of
balancing solitude with a vision of community. As he says Druidry is “a religion that sings to the wild soul”.
I think that most people interested
in (or committed to) the druid path would find this little book interesting and
useful. I would recommend it to someone who was new to the tradition – Rob
explains himself clearly, covers the main important areas, and makes it easy to
relate to by describing his own experiences. I would have liked more of these,
in fact, and wonder whether Rob might have an autobiography lurking!
Paperback booklet
Publisher: Self published
ISBN: None
For details of how to purchase this booklet please contact Rob Wilson at info [at] woodspirit [dot] org [dot] uk
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