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Forget the mud of Glastonbury or the earache of Banicàssim, and head for the hills to experience a Druid’s view of the summer
WORDS BY ANDREA WREN
 August is the time of year, it seems, to be drumming in circles and hand-making dream catchers (you know, those feathery things you received as a condolence present from your mate who went to Glastonbury—when you didn’t get a ticket). But while some people choose to have their brains pulped by head-banging beats at the summer music festivals, others choose to go back to their pagan roots.
Lammas (or Lughnasadh) is the first of three harvest festivals on the Pagan calendar, beginning on 1 August, which will mostly take place near ancient sites and stone circles. While these slightly eerie, ancient sacred sites are revered and celebrated in Pagan traditions, the different faith systems, including Druidism, that come under this umbrella term are not quite as sinister as the 1970s cult classic The Wicker Man may have us believe.
“Paganism is a belief system and spiritual practice, which is based, for most adherents, on a profound respect for nature,” says Daniel Carpenter, organiser of Pagan Camp and a follower of the Druid tradition. “Many Pagans practise a spirituality that is entirely modern in origin, while others attempt to reconstruct or revive historic and indigenous belief systems.”
 So. are all Druids, like Daniel, Pagans? “Druidry is not exclusively Pagan. Many Druid organisations that have come into being since the 17 century have been secular or even Christian. Pagan Druidry, however, is the most widespread. It is based on what little we know of the practices of the ancient people of Britain and mainland Europe.”
As would seem only natural, Pagan followers live their lives in very ethical ways. Emma Restall Orr, aka “Bobcat” is head of The Druid Network (www.druidnetwork.org), a resource for Druids or anyone interested in learning more about the tradition, which links with Europe and across the world to form the International Druid Network. Emma says: “Many Druids are vegan, as am I, and that inspires a constant watch on what I buy, what I support, what I am complicit in regarding violence towards other animals.
“We don’t use supermarkets but buy local and organic foods or buy cheap clothes that are made by underpaid workers. Neither do we use medicines unnecessarily, instead finding strength and healing more naturally. We also support creativity within the community, sharing stories, poetry, art and music.”
But as well as Druidry, Daniel describes other common forms of Paganism including Wicca, Witchcraft, Animism, Asatru or Heathenry, Hellenism, Santeria and some forms of High Magic and Kaballah, as well as Pagan Camp, which is inclusive to all Pagan beliefs. It was founded in 2004 by a small group who met on an internet forum and has grown steadily since—this year running from 30 August until 2 September, and located at Blackland Lakes Nature Reserve, in Wiltshire.
 Activities each year at the camp are varied and changing, depending on what attendees offer. There is only a nominal cost for the actual camping, with the expectation that attendees contribute something that others will benefit from. “Contributions are hugely varied,” says Daniel. “They range from simple things like providing hot tea, right up to a series of guided meditations or an evening of folk music.”
A practising Pagan herself, Jane King, from Somerset, attended Pagan Camp last year with her partner and thoroughly enjoyed it. She says: “As a teenager I was fascinated by North American Indians and their history and shamanic beliefs. At the time I didn’t realise similar traditions had existed, and continued to exist in most areas of the world. Paganism appealed to me because it embraces the wonders of nature, the seasons, and a spiritual pathway, which is based on self discovery.”
For the curious-minded, non-Pagans interested in the events are welcome at all the gatherings. “I don’t think that everyone who attended the camp last year was Pagan,” adds Jane. “I certainly had the impression that in some couples only one member was Pagan, but everyone I met was very tolerant and nonjudgemental about each other’s faith.”
Ginny Appleton, from London, doesn’t practise Paganism or any of the “earth-focused” religions, but this year she is going along to the Lammas Games, a popular South Oxfordshire celebration attended by locals and Pagans alike, held on the 4 August in 2007 at Braziers Park, Ipsden. Ginny says she is interested in learning more about Druidism and the spiritual ideologies that are open to nature, but is also looking forward to the activities. “I’m excited about going to the Lammas Games,” says Ginny. “I’ve heard there is a drumming tent and I’d very much like to try that, and getting involved with the Celtic art and crafts activity is very appealing. I’m also interested in experiencing a sense of fellowship and unity, and would like to be with people who have a less materialistic sense of the world.”
So what else is popular for punters at the Lammas Games? According to Suzanne Evans, spokesperson for the Games, the Eisteddfod (pronounced Eye-Steth-Vod) is a big draw—this is a bardic contest of music and poetry with entrants coming from everywhere. And for Druids themselves, says Suzanne, the Lammas ritual is an important part of the day. She adds: “I suspect many interested locals come to see and participate in the games such as cheese hurling, Thor’s Hammer throwing, hobby-horse, three-legged racing and the wife-carrying races!”
So, if you’re seeking summer sights and sounds of a more spiritual nature, then a teepee for two might be the answer for you.
4 August
The Lammas Games, South Oxfordshire Tickets from £5-£12. www.lammasgames.org
12 August
The Gorsedd of Bards of Caer Abiri Lughnasa Gathering, Avebury, Wiltshire. kestrel@kestrels-nest.org.uk
30 August–2 September
The Pagan Camp, Blackland Lakes Nature Reserve, Wiltshire.
8 September
Caer Clud DruidCon (Druid Conference), Strathclyde University Union, Glasgow. siusaidhc@gmail.com
22 September 2007
Alban Elfed, Amsterdam. webmaster@amsterdamseedgroup.nl
The Netherlands
Amsterdam Seed Group www.amsterdamseedgroup.nl
France
Le Nemeton Gaulois www.druides.org
Germany
The Comardiia Druuidiacta www.keltia.de
Mountain Warehouse Festival range, £6.99-£49.99. You can easily spot your pitch with the two-person animal print tents while staying dry (and visible) with the camouflage print ponchos.www.mountainwarehouse.com
Eco-Camp Kit, £155. You can’t get much greener than the One Solar heated reusable shower included in this kit and the organic cotton roll-up bed. www.biomelifestyle.com
AeroBed Active, from £49.99. Being Pagan doesn’t mean being uncomfortable and it self-inflates in less than 60 seconds. www.aerobed.co.uk
One Earth Teepee, £69.99. Extremely eco-friendly, fits a family of four and with the Teepee style, you’ll be very much at one with nature. www.millets.co.uk/oneearth
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