First Steps
I am starting here with: The Path of Druidry.
"We are all here to learn how to be human"
The foundations are built upon the idea that everything is part of a general energy. It runs through all of us, from earth to sky. This running current is far too expansive and wild for us to fathom it, so we bring into ourselves a chalice of this energy current to work with.
Within the chalice we may imagine three rays of light eminating from three sources. These rays represent the three pillars of the study described in this book:
- Nature: Study of the natural world
- Knowledge: Study of the esoteric and inner world
- Devotion: Outward expression of the practice
The practice appears simple, but completing these tasks in the modern world can be difficult. And at times we must do our best in a difficult situation. Each practice is individual, it is important to find your own way. What is described is a starting point.
- Journal each day
- Find time each week for a visualization session
- Perform acts of devotion where appropriate
Journaling is a part of the self reflection process. It organizes thoughts, feelings, weather, surroundings, esoteric readings, and more.
The journaling involves noting the weather, the day, the time. To note which elements are most abundant outside. To note how it affects you. To do this three times per day.
Additionally, one should journal following the visualization sessions. To note what was observed internally, how one felt about it, and so on.
It is imperative that we get out into the world. We must experience nature, feel our place, observe with full awareness and attention. It is important that we walk where it is safe for us to do so, in groups if need be. In order to fully be aware of our surroundings in a relaxed way. Any landscape is a sacred space, the perspective can shift entirely what is seen.
Consider your surroundings and what they mean to you
- The home
- The area surrounding your home (garden, etc)
- The locality
While we must be aware, we must also approach nature as it is. Recall that the energy of the world is like that of a winding and fast flowing river. We do not need to give back to nature
We approach the process as an invisible observer.
We must utilize the five senses in ways that we are probably unaccustomed to.
- Sight: the sense that most are overly reliant upon
- Smell: strongly useful in arousing memories
- Taste: can be overused in terms of appetite
- Hearing: polluted by mechanical noise
- Touch: easily misunderstood, often underused and with too much caution
We do not need to wander the world at the same time every day. In The Path of Druidry, Penny describes it this way:
... The whole point of interaction is what's good for you and the other "person"- which in this case happens to be the natural world. Seeing the "person" at differing times and in differing circumstances is part of the process of understanding them and their habits, and the weather can issue interesting challenges... a challenge to your commitment, or a clear message to wait until later?
We bring ourselves into awareness at the start of our walk. We do so through different techniques common in various meditative practices.
- Bring about awareness of your breathing. Notice how the muscles move in and out
- Bring awareness then to the feet, feel the ground beneath
- Bring the awareness up, to the limbs, neck, and head, the movement of your clothing along your skin
- Imagine moving energy touching things as it passes
- Change focus between things near and then far, and back again
- Try walking with unfocused eyes, let your ears and nose lead
- Attempt to only look at the ground, does your awareness of the surrounding energy increase?
Change your field of vision regularly. Look at the horizon. Turn around and look from the other direction.
