Druid conversations
(David, Nimue)
Nimue: David and I talk most days, and we often share things about what we’re doing in the Pagan parts of our lives. As I’m not involved in any regular groups at the moment, I really value having someone to check in with about what’s going on for me spiritually. These conversations often go to interesting places and are frequently the jumping off point for blog posts. I thought it might be interesting if I share a recent exchange.
David: Reminded to focus on simplicity in my practice, which I’m pretty sure is a subconscious response to my interest in pursuing knowledge of Qabalah. It’s a hugely complicated magical system, pretty much diametrically opposite mine. So while I’m interested in learning a bit more, I will do so as an interested reader rather than a practical learner sort of thing.
Nimue: I get what you mean about studying things lightly with curiosity rather than as a practitioner – that’s mostly been my relationship with witchcraft. I only dabble occasionally.
David: I’m more witch than druid, strictly speaking. Nature witchcraft, really, and I’m quite comfortable with the notion that my hedge druidry helps to shape it. Intentional simplicity is at the core of my practice, along with seeing magic in the mundane and communing with land spirits. Ceremony doesn’t feature.
Nimue: I’m honestly not sure how to draw a line between that and Druidry. For me, magic seems like a way of participating cooperatively in the world.
Having agreed on that sense of participation, we went on to discuss the suitability of this for blogging. For me, one of the key things here is a sense of dialogue and exchange. I’m not trying to wield power over anything else. I’m an animist, so any magic I might enter into is an act of negotiation with the rest of the world. This is something I approach through a prayer-like process. You can engage with anything in a prayer-like way, it doesn’t have to be deity oriented. So I try to start conversations about things I want to change, and to ask about what I should be doing and what would be helpful.
