Notes and Additions to Chapter Three
The Spectrum of Druidry

1. The original text says that we are at the eve of the twenty first century.  Clearly, we have now passed that point and are wading towards the second decade of that century. Instead of updating the original text, I simply remind readers that it was written in 1997, and to be awake to what has changed since that time.

2. That the darker sides of the old traditions are carefully put aside has been challenged, and indeed perhaps my words here are not sufficiently clear. It is true that some strive to reconstruct ancient tradition while leaving out that which is too muddy or bloody for modern society; this doesn't negate the value of the work, but simply acknowledges the changes in what is relevant - and therefore reverent.

3. My use of the word 'faith' has been questioned in this chapter. It is a useful challenge; for what is a faith and is it an appropriate word to use with reference to Druidry? I would encourage the reader to consider this point and be aware of when and how they use the word, whether about their own or other spiritual or religious traditions. That I use it in the book is worth explaining.

Druidry, for me personally, is not a faith in that it does not require me to believe in an intangible god that transcends nature. However, I am aware of some in the tradition who do maintain such beliefs in deities that are beyond their experience or perception. Their reverence is based upon the old tales, stories told them, the strength of community and importance of respect.

Furthermore, I use the term in a more general way, in order to bring Druidry into the fold of 'faith communities', or accepted and established mainstream spiritual and religious traditions. This is based on my convictions that Druidry is a religion (a language of reverence for the gods) and must stand with confidence amidst other religions.
 
4. This exercise uses the word 'nation', a term that has been questioned and is certainly worth exploring. The concept of the nation-state is a relatively modern one, and has been at the root of some of our most terrible wars. Indeed, in part the challenge I present in this exercise is for the seeker to be aware of what tribal and political loyalties lie in their soul: how do these enrich and how do they limit? How old is the nation or tribe that inspires such loyalty? How different is that loyalty if given to a landscape or environment instead?

5. Neil Pitchford suggested that it would be useful to update the feel of the book with some modern images. His contribution is a beautiful expression of Druidry in practice, responding to the land, its spirits and regenerative powers, with respect, wonder and sure steps.

He writes, Where I live on the Nottinghamshire/Derbyshire border, the coal indusrty has left its scars on the natural landscape. Most colleries have been shut in the early 90s leaving a legacy of spoil heaps, etc. Now the local authorities have spent time and money in landscaping the remains of three colleries. The spoil tip created from these colleries, which took over 100 years to reach its final size, has been forested; paths are routed around the tip and, at the top, is a magnificent bronze statute of a miner called Testing for Gas, showing a miner from early last century with a davey lamp, in full industrial clothing. The top of the tip is now the highest manmade point in the county, the view at the top is 360 degrees overlooking Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, South Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, where eight stones mark the compass points. There are silver birch groves too, lining the railway lines that used to transport coal, which I find to be truly magical. This is a very powerful place for me; for the last four years, I have spent sunrise and, this year, sunset at this location at the solar festivals. The important point is this, that the landscape is being transformed by local efforts,and I see part of my tasks is to try and help heal this damaged landscape. I spend as much time there as possible. With a growing positvity in environmentalism, maybe a word would be useful about how these damaged landscapes can offer people the chance to make a positive contribution to what could be a turning point in the history of the earth.