The Druidic College

I was born Jan. 1, 1959. My birthplace was Guantanamo Bay, 300 miles north of Havana, Cuba. I was an orphan, but they said I looked a lot like my father. My parents were murdered by a well known leader living in Havana. That’s where my story begins.

Three days after my birth I arrived at the Capitol. According to my family I was in search for man 6’1” wearing a camoflage outfit. He wore a long beard and runors had it that he smokes Havana cigars.

Wake up, peek out, it's light out, it's bright out.
Look and see, what can I see, from my hole, in the tree?
From my nest, where I sleep, where myself I do keep?
It's dry, it's dry; oh me, oh my, no rain falling from the sky.
Look around, all around, here and there, up and down.
Nothing there, now I dare, to venture where I might find fare.
I might find food, something good, for my brood, who need some food.
In the ground, something brown, sniff around, hard and round.
Pick it up, front paws cup, time to sup, to eat it up.

One day a young yellow spotted salamander was swimming in a vernal pond fed by Spring rains and melting snow. His family had been returning to this pond for many years. They would spend Spring and part of Summer here before they returned to the damp forests to spend the rest of Summer, and then Fall and Winter in hibernation.

May the bonfires of Beltane warm our hearts and light our future.

Firstly, I must congratulate those from both Groves who have recently advanced to the Order of the Birch. You know what was required of you to have come this far, and I am sure that you are equally aware of the responsibilities that you now take on as Bards. You have successfully passed the first milestone and there is a long, and yes sometimes winding, road ahead. But it is full of challenge, excitement and great satisfaction. Well done.

We have reached the time of year when the worst that Winter has to offer is well behind us. The wise, however, still keep an eye over their shoulder as Boreas can always surprise us with a parting icy blast. None the less, we now look forward to the growing light and the first of Spring’s flowers which always seem to pop up, no matter how hard the Winter!

If there is one thing I have learned in the dozen or so years that I have been leading this Order it is that little, if anything, is constant. That which we assume to be permanent will always finds a way to make us aware of the error of this illusion. Circumstances and people that we have come to rely on often change, take a diverging path or simply are found not to have been what they once appeared to be. While this can be disappointing and frustrating, not to say wearying, it is the very nature of life and we must accept it. After all, it would be a little boring if everything went according to plan, now, wouldn’t it. No challenge at all!

Greetings to all! Recent discussions have prompted me to write regarding the nature of self directed study and advancement in the Groves. Some really good questions have been raised and they have revealed deeper questions, which is often the case when we look closely at an idea.

In the Rule we state that one aspect of responsibility of membership is to pursue advancement. The Rule elaborates:

"Druid" is an ancient term of uncertain origins. Most believe that it means "knower of the oak", the oak tree being associated with wisdom, knowledge and strength. Some say druids were originally from Greece, some say Atlantis but the more widely accepted version is that they existed in the British Isles and spread eastward when they were accepted into Celtic society.

The bear is no longer indigenous to the British Isles, nor to Ireland. Neolithic man hunted the brown bear, and it was found in Scotland until about the end of the eleventh century. The Caledonian bear was a valuable export to Rome, due to its extraordinary ferocity. Many ancient cultures wore bearskins with the head still attached to try to become the Bear. Before going into battle with bearskins often being worn, the ferocious bear was invoked.