Interview
Druidry - Philosophy for Life By Freya Savitri Sampson - Custodian Eartheart What is paganism to you? “I see it as an umbrella term that encompasses various spiritual paths, religions and philosophies, often falling outside of the Abrahamic religions, which explore a relationship to the natural world. These paths look to embody and ground a sense of Spirit within the physical rather than transcend it. Seeing the Sacred and our experience of the Divine reflected within nature.”
I met Pete Blake at Tamara Lampard’s home, around six years ago. I instantly felt like I’d just bumped into an old friend. Over the years we’ve shared meditation, sound healing, a love of animals, photography, and healthy food. One thing that we hadn’t yet begun to explore is his experience in the nature of Druidry. This is a snippet of Pete’s journey. 24
Supernal Magazine
What is your path within that umbrella? “My spiritual path is largely my own. I draw from various threads, inspired by many wisdom teachings, woven together into an expression that reflects my Self. I need to be able to feel I can evolve beyond labels and definitions rather than be held back by them, but for the most part, Druidry forms the grounding to my spiritual practice.
“I needed an earth centered practice that wasn’t appropriating from Indigenous cultures I had no lineage to.” “I was initiated into a local Druid Order and Grove in the year 2000. Currently I’m a Druid of the British Druid Order, joining them in 2012 and completed their program of study. I’m also a member of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.”
What drew you to that path? “I needed a spiritual framework that was ethical, was inclusive, and that treated me like an intelligent adult who can make my own decisions. “I needed an earth centered practice that wasn’t appropriating from Indigenous cultures I had no lineage to. “Druidry gave me the spiritual language I needed and a structure from which to expand from. “Druidry flows from three main streams: the Bard, the Ovate, and the Druid. Within these I found most the elements of a spiritual practice that I needed.
