Issue: Samhain Date: 2005 Quarterly News Editorial New Articles on the Website Samhain is here once again, another cycle of growth coming to There have been a number of wonderful new articles put up on its end. As I write, although the winds have been wild and wet, the website which, if we had space, we would love to reprint howling ancient songs of the land and the dead, the days have here and send out to everyone; but this isn't a magazine, simply been strangely warm, provoking a longing for the claws of frost. an opportunity to let you know the news. There is word that this winter will be brutally cold, and a part of Among them is an excerpt from Philip CarrGommʼs me acknowledges how much the land needs that scythe of cold, new book, What do Druids Believe, due to be published by but also how powerful it could be for us individually. If the cold Granta (April 2006) on Druidry in the Future. Cathi Yarrow does come, let us use it well. has written about The Journey Back to Beauty, a short article The Network has had a good summer, a fi ne harvest, with exploring Druid vision, strength and priorities. Kevin Emmons positive changes. Nick Haynes has taken over the Environment has written about the important task of corresponding with area, Magpieʼs Learning section is growing with free course ma- Pagans in Prison. Bobcat has an article entirled, The Power of terials due to be published soon, and TDN in Canada and the Ritual - or Lack of It, looking at the validity of gentle public or US is fi nding its feet. As ever, I offer rich and sincere thanks to large rituals compared with the potential for deep ecstatic power everyone whose energy crafts the web that makes the Network. in smaller private rites. On the Ethical pages, there is also a new Emma Bobcat Restall Orr (Head) article by Kris Hughes on Ethial Dying, and one by Jan Graham- Updating the Network’s Constitution McMillen entitled Personal Truth And Public Persona. Postal members of The Druid Network can write to the Over the past six months, The Druid Network Committee has offi ce with an SAE and request copies on paper. been working on our application to the Charities Commission. For legal reasons, TDN has to register itself, and to do so as a The Silver Branch : A Bardic Network charity makes the most sense, both in fi nancial terms but also for the 21st Century because by doing so it challenges the government to recognize Druidry as a religion, allowing the tradition a stronger voice. Bard of Bath, Kevan Manwaring (aka Tallyessin) launched his As part of the process, we have updated our Constitution, bardic network at this yearʼs fabulous Bardic Camp, ʻinspired by a fascianting task for it has forced us to look carefully at every the shining example of The Druid Network – not in competition, aspect of how we work, both in attitude and in practice. The but to complement it!ʼ The Silver Branch Bardic Network is Networkʼs tenets have not changed, but we have certainly made open to all interested in the Bardic Tradition: storytellers, poets, them clearer. The new document can be downloaded as a pdf musicians, singer/songwriters, celebrants of all kinds, writers, from the website at : http://www.druidnetwork.org/about/consti- academics, audience, healers. tution.html, or sent to postal members on receipt of an SAE. Kevan chose the symbol of the silver branch as a good The way in which members can get involved, both in metaphor for an organic network and one traditionally associ- terms of contributing time, expertise and energy, and in the deci- ated with bards. John Matthews describes the silver branch sion-making processes, is fully laid out in the Constitution. as ʻan emblem of the Poetʼs Craft ... a symbol of entry to the Let us know if you have any queries! Otherworld.ʼ Kevan explains the concept: ʻThe idea basically is to keep in touch! Itʼs summed up by 3 things: community, com- Trafalgar Tree Planting - Update munication, and celebration. The Silver Branch is non-hierarchi- cal and non-competitive. There is no membership policy except Many thanks to everyone for such a huge response to the an interest in the Bardic Tradition and respect for fellow human Woodland Trustʼs Trafalgar Tree Planting. In addition to the beings. There are many fi ne practitioners of the Bardic Arts out many individuals who have pledged to attend tree planting days, there – I want to reach out and join forces with all of them. We TDN Groves are also getting involved and organising groups need not be voices in the void. We can be united in Awen.ʼ efforts: the Gorsedd of Bards of Caer Badon held an event at The intention of The Silver Branch is to: honour the Sirius Wood near Bath on 21 October, and others are planned Bardic Tradition; provide a voice for modern bards; create a (see over). community; share information & news; co-publicise events/ Thanks to generous donations to our Tree Planting workshops/publications; offer peer support; organise social Fund, The Druid Network are contributing £600 towards gatherings; run eisteddfodau & showcases; hold small sharing Woodland Trust tree planting this autumn, to new sites that are camps; acknowledge & link to other organisations and commu- owned and managed by the Woodland Trust: those called Ajax nities; raise the Awen; and use the magic of words for healing (Durham), Orion (Hampshire), Polyphemus (Lancashire) and the world and humankind. Victory (Kent). The Silver Branch Bardic Network is free to join for Keep an eye on the TDN website for updated details the fi rst year (reviewed thereafter, subject to running costs). on tree planting events near you, and of course on the Woodland Forums, journals and a whole range of events are possible in the Trust website on the initiative: http://www.treeforall.org.uk/tra- future. falgar/TrafalgarWoods/NearToYou. Remember to take a spade Register your interest now, email: the-silver-branch- along if you have one! Send questions, ideas and feedback to [email protected] or call Kevan on 01225 334204. Lisa on [email protected]. And check the winter events (see over). Lammas Games and Eisteddfod 2005 The Great Mistletoe Festival : Blessing The Mistletoe This year's eisteddfod for The Spear of Lugh was won by Tuesday 6 December Mark Graham, with his very funny and beautifully told story, Tenbury, on the Worcester / Herefordshire border ʻThe Dragon Slayer of Crimmickʼ. Before the mistletoe sets out on its journey to deck the halls and The event raised nearly £2500, allowing us to send hearths of our land, this year the Mistletoe Festival have invited £750 to each of the three charities: Wateraid, Restore, BTCV. If Druids to bless it. A quota will be kept from touching the ground you are interested in next yearʼs event, check the website http:// for this purpose. www.lammasgames.org.uk or call Rob on 07870 755 089. Bobcat and Stefan Allen have committed to attend this rite, but it is hoped others will join them, providing an eloquent The Druid Camp 2006 : Ovatic Dance and magical voice for Druidry. If you would like to be a part of the rite, let us know. Email : [email protected], or Dates for next yearʼs Druid Camp are confirmed as 14 - 17 July. The Albion Conclave, 39 Dalby Road, Anstey, Leics LE7 7DL. Check the new website : http://www.druidcamp.org. Bardic Festival Of Bath Dvd On Paganism Friday 16 December - Friday 6 January Various venues around Bath, Somerset Essentials Of Faith, a series of 30 minute programmes shown A festival of Winter Light, featuring the annual contest on ITV in 2005, looking at 7 major belief systems in Britain : for the Bardic Chair of Caer Badon (open to local residents only, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Judaism, Buddhism, Humanism but all welcome to watch) : Find out who will be the 10th Bard of and Paganism. In the programme on Paganism, Druid Emma Bath! WomanSpiritRising exhibition and talks; Winter Solstice Restall Orr, shaman Leo Rutherford, professor Ronald Hutton, Celebration; opening of Goddess Study Centre; Bath Storytelling and Wiccan Jeannette Ellis, talk about the various and varying Circle; Wassailing, Mummery. Email: [email protected], call traditions within British Paganism, practice and theology. Kevan 01225 334204; 7 Dunsford Place, Bath BA2 6HF. Cost : £15, available from Pilgrim Productions Ltd, The Old Saw Mill, Hastingleigh, Ashford, Kent TN25 5HN. The Gorsedd of Bards of Cor Gawr Sunday 18 December, Sunset (subject to alteration) Winter Events Winter Solstice Gathering at Stonehenge, Wiltshire. Tickets are available for this beautiful rite in the centre circle, The Gorsedd of Bards of Caer Abiri price £2. This yearʼs key priest will be Christine Cleere; if youʼd like to play a part in the rite, get in touch : 07843 879898. Saturday 12 November, Noon FFI about tickets/booking, contact Megan : 6 Campion Way, Samhain Gathering at Avebury, Wiltshire. Lymington, Hants SO41 9LS, stonehenge-admin@druidnetwork. Meet at the cafe by the museum. For more information, contact org. Cheques payable to The Druid Network. Kestrel on 07790 661245 or [email protected]. Bardic Mysteries Weekend Polyphemus Wood Tree Planting Day Friday 3 to Sunday 5 February 2006 Saturday 26 November Openings, Bath, Somerset Darwen, Lancashire The Silver Branch Bardic Network proudly presents its first Polyphemus Wood is one of four new woods to which The Druid Bardic Mysteries Weekend. Explore the bardic path and the Network has contributed financial support through the Trafalgar festival of Imbolc, in the beautiful city of hot springs dedicated Initiative. A community planting day has been organised on 26 to the Celtic Goddess Sulis, with Robin Williamson (of November and the Oak and Feather Grove will be attending. If legendary folk group The Incredible String Band), master harper anyone would like to meet and join our group, please contact us and storyteller, author of The Wise and Foolish Tongue & Celtic to arrange a meeting place and time. Bards, Celtic Druids (with RJ Stewart) and Kevan Manwaring, Contact : [email protected] or call 0771 722 0582. winner of the Bardic Chair of Caer Badon, storyteller, creative Wildspirit Grove Neptune Wood Tree Planting writing teacher, author of The Long Woman & The Bardic Handbook (May 2006). Sunday 4 December, 10 am This workshop explores the heart of the Celtic tradition: Neptune Wood, Wittenham Clumps, Oxfordshire the acquisition of inspiration. The workshop deals with aspects Wildspirit Grove is honoured to be taking part in a tree plant- of the bardic heritage – the sacred directions, the bardic scales, ing day at Neptune Wood. Part of the Woodland Trust Trafalgar as well as practical work with key bardic stories and their Initiative. In association with The Northmoor Trust, the Grove performance, meaning and function. will celebrate the creation of this new wood in a ceremony, hon- ouring the purpose of the The Druid Networkʼs involvement - as Silver Branch/Druid Network members price: £75/ £50 a focus of peace, and the healing power of regeneration, honour- concessions. Non-residential. FFI Kevan 01225 334204 ing our ancestors and the spirits of the tree Women’s Spirituality Weekend This date is not an open planting day, but all those Friday 24 - Sunday 26 February wishing to help through attending, in respect and honour, are Braziers Park, Ipsden, Oxfordshire very welcome to join us for this special day. For further details, A cross-traditional weekendʼs exploration with Cathi Davis, please contact Christine Cleere (Vixen) on 07843 879898. Bobcat, Jackie Singer and Emma Coats. FFI : 01491 680221. The Druid Network PO Box 3533, Whichford, Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire CV36 5YB, England http://druidnetwork.org