Recently Dr Rosalind Watts and I had a conversation about Psychedelic Psychotherapy and related subjects at the Summer Gathering of the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids in Glastonbury. Many thanks to Kieron Sibley for making this film. More information on Rosalind’s ACER Integration Programme.

Sancreed Well, Cornwall

The British Pilgrimage Trust have come up with a ‘how to’ template for creating a short, 1-day or half-day, pilgrimage route on foot (or horse/mule/bicycle) to any holy place destination anywhere in Britain. The general principles could also be used for creating longer pilgrimages.

1. Find a holy place within 6-8 miles of your destination (or 3-4 miles for a half-day pilgrimage on foot). The destination could traditionally be a Cathedral, Abbey, Minster or Priory, or any other holy place that you deem fit to be a destination, e.g. the mouth of a river. This start point could be an ancient tree, ancient/prehistoric monument, mosque, synagogue, temple, war memorial, parish church, chapel, cathedral, labyrinth, hermitage, cave, grave, holy well, waterfall, source, or mouth of, a river, island and hilltop. Ideally, it will also be near good transport links, e.g. a train station.

2. Once you have a start point, draw a circle 6-8 miles in diameter on an Ordnance Survey 1:25K Explorer Map, which touches both start and end points, then start searching within that circle for similar holy places of some diversity (i.e. not just churches) that could potentially become holy waypoints along the route. Churches and chapels (and sometimes wells, prehistoric sites and river sources) are easily identified on an Ordnance Survey map…To read the whole Pilgrimage Guide click here… 

Avebury, Wiltshire

I’ve been working in the Netherlands for the past week, so Matt Baker & Penny Billington kindly agreed to lead Tea with Druids sessions. Many thanks to both of them for excellent sessions! Matt’s starts 6 minutes into the broadcast:

Wishing everyone a beautiful Solstice! May the sun rise within and without, blessing you with it’s light, warmth and joy!

The lamps are different,
But the Light is the same,
So many garish lamps in the dying brain’s lamp shop,
Forget about them.
Concentrate on Essence, concentrate on the Light.
In lucid Bliss, calmly smoking off its own holy fire,
The Light streams toward you from all things,
All people, all possible permutations of good, evil, thought, passion,
The lamps are different,
But the Light is the same.
One matter, One Energy, One Light, One Light-mind,
Endlessly emanating all things.
One turning and burning Diamond,
One, One, One.
Ground yourself, strip yourself down,
To blind loving silence.
Stay there, until you see
You are gazing at the Light
With its own Ageless eyes.

~ Rumi

While we were in Glastonbury at the OBOD Summer Gathering over four days, the fantastic Children’s Forest charity presented Monday’s tea:

I took this photograph from the boat as it came towards Oban last week on its way from the magical island of Tiree in the Inner Hebrides. It almost seems as if the island ahead of the boat has a rainbow fire on it – with smoke rising up from it.

Matt Baker, who – 4 years ago – shared with us how his experience in Druidry and with the OBOD training helped him create an art school in Arizona, has just published his first book, broadcast on Tea with a Druid, and given two workshops at our recent big event in Glastonbury. It’s been a busy time for Matt! Here’s his tea session – with a great inner journey:

And here’s his book:

Find out more on his website here

Janet Munin is the editor of this fabulous anthology of nine fascinating essays on the subject of Polytheistic Monasticism. When I first read the book, even though I have no desire to lead a monastic life, I found it an inspiring read! It spoke to me, and I feel sure it will to others too. If you are drawn to the solitary life, then there is much to ponder here. However, even if the monastic life is not for you, this is still well worth a read, full of wisdom that can be applied to every life journey!

Polytheistic Monasticism: Voices From Pagan Cloisters is an anthology of writings from the forefront of the first wave of experimental monastic spirituality in the modern polytheist-animist revival.

In this groundbreaking anthology, contemplative practitioners tell their stories of exploring classic monastic disciplines such as eremitic life, asceticism, retreat, service, and simplicity.

“The essays which comprise Polytheistic Monasticism are heart-felt, lyrical, and insightful. While the contributors to this anthology have each found their own way to monasticism, and are developing their own practices, their commitment to their calling is soul deep. As monastics, they strive for divine union; through prayer and work, they seek to become a meeting place between the spirit world and human world, to cultivate both inner and outer sacred space. Their creativity, devotion, discipline, and dedication are an inspiration to polytheists everywhere. ” ~ Rebecca Buchanan, editor of Eternal Haunted Summer