Q & A – Pt 2 – 20 Questions!

The following 20 questions have been compiled over quite a period of time – we hope our answers are clear, interesting and insightful!

1 – Why do you use Druid names?

Many years ago, when I first personally started looking into the way of the Druid, I found that one common thread stood out amongst my years of research, learning and experience, and that was the idea or the concept of a Druid name.

Here at our Grove, we recognise and understand the value of the Druid name and its importance. If you are new to the way of the Druid or more experienced but are yet to settle on a name, we believe that by taking a year (or Sun-Wheel) we call ‘The Pathfinder’s Year,’ to encourage your Druid name to let itself be known and almost find you, it will then give you a more personal connection, both with your Druidic persona and to the self. Sometimes it can take longer to settle on and feel comfortable with a name but usually over the course of the year, with its seasons, celebrations, inspiration, and experiences, it allows us to identify with the natural world around us and connect with what inspires us and our life journey moving forward.

Your Druid name could be inspired by a particular connection to nature or one of the many creatures that we share our path with. It could be inspired by a personal creation from within, a natural phenomenon, an experience, or even a place you share an affinity with and are happy to be associated by within the Grove.

Modern Druidry and our personal beliefs can mean different things to different people and although many of us are rightly proud of our pagan roots, some much prefer to keep their personal beliefs to themselves in the wider world, while keeping the freedom to follow their own personal Druid path.

A Druid name also lends itself to a sense of anonymity and can be shared with everyone or no-one, giving you a private and personal connection to your Grove and your beliefs.

Although we tend to keep our Druid names, we occasionally find that our Druid name can evolve with time and experience and usually works best as either a single word or a couple of words, however, you can call yourself whatever inspiration decides, if needed it can be shortened for ease of communication purposes, as long as it is a name you can identify with and feel comfortable with.

Hawk Elderin

2 – I have noticed there is no mention anywhere on your website regarding payment costs for your apprenticeship?

The Sunwheel Grove Apprenticeship is free!

The Sunwheel Grove has always been financed by limited personal contributions and donations, for which we are always truly grateful and goes toward both our Ceremonies and the general upkeep of the Grove!

Because of the way our Apprenticeship works, we believe it shouldn’t come down to finances and whether you can afford it or not, we are here to encourage our Apprentices to learn and grow for themselves and expand their horizons in a way they find most inspiring, relevant, and interesting.

Each Apprentice is allocated with a Mentor, the Mentor is not there to tell you what to do or what to think, your Mentor is there as a friendly connection to the Grove, for support and advice as a sounding board, to help you make your own decisions and understand your own options in learning from your own research and inspiration.

For more information on the Sunwheel Grove Apprenticeship, please visit the following link to The Book of Apprenticeship, also found on our Roundhouse Reading Room Page.

Hawk Elderin

We are not a profit-making organisation; knowledge should be free.

Glentaowen

3 – How do you pronounce the Ceremony names?

All over the British Isles, as well as the rest of the world, there are many different Druid Orders and Pagan groups. Depending on language, local dialect, teachings and influence, each group will use their own personal interpretation for their Ceremony names.

Here at the Sunwheel Grove Druid Order, we honour the year or our Sun-Wheel, with 9 Ceremonies on 8 different occasions, please visit the following link – The Sunwheel Calendar!

We celebrate 4 Sun Ceremonies – Winter Solstice (in 2 parts) – Spring Equinox – Summer Solstice and Autumn Equinox.

And 4 Earth Ceremonies – Imbolc ( Pronounced – Im-olc ) – Beltane ( Pronounced – Bel-tane ) – Lughnasadh ( Pronounced – Lu-naza ) and Samhain ( Pronounced – Sou-in ).

For more information about our Ceremonies and a brief description for each Ceremony in turn, please visit the following link – Our Ceremonial Year! – Also found on our Ceremony page.

Hawk Elderin

4 – What makes your Grove Unique?

We have never seen ourselves as unique or different. When we set out on our early Druid path, we were inspired by the concept and a connection with Modern Druidry, sharing in the natural world and honouring the Ancestors.

We found it difficult to find a connection with any Druid Order and those we did, saw things differently in their teaching and structure.

Unlike some Druid Orders and Pagan groups who end their year with Samhain, at the Sunwheel Grove we follow the yearly life cycle of the seasons of the Sun as laid out by The Sunwheel Calendar originally drawn up by Morien Ravenstone one of our founders, beginning, and ending our year at Winter Solstice.

The Sunwheel Grove Druid Order was founded out of this in the hope that we could help others who found themselves in the same situation. We never meant to be a large collective with high numbers all gathering in one place, although we are open to local people, we like the private and personal touch. We offer the opportunity to share access to our framework, Ceremonies, and experiences, encouraging like-minded people to join us by gathering in their own locality and forming their own Seed Groups with friends and the like-minded to work and celebrate within their own community.

Hawk Elderin

5 – Fees?

Not only is our Apprenticeship free of charge, but there are also no other fees or payments, the Sunwheel Grove is kindly financed by both limited personal contributions and welcome donations, which are always gratefully received.

Hawk Elderin

6 – Accessibility / Parking?

At present with the Grove nestled away in its own private vale, parking and accessibility are limited, however we are hoping to rectify this in the future with a small carpark for limited numbers, we are also looking at the accessibility of the site.

Hawk Elderin

7 – Are children allowed to accompany parents? (Safety etc.?)

Children are welcome on the understanding that they are accompanied with a responsible adult and will respect the Grove as a sacred space and a living eco system.

Hawk Elderin

Yes, as long as they understand what is happening.

Glentaowen

8 – Can pets join in / anywhere nearby to let them have a wee – if not allowed?

Throughout the history of our Grove, we have always tried to keep the Grove, domesticated animal scent free, encouraging the wild spirit of the natural world to find its own place. There are places for dog walking outside of the Grove, but we are not keen on the idea of pets being left unattended in vehicles.

Hawk Elderin

As the Grove is a wildlife haven and frequently visited by Foxes, Badgers, Deer etc, the presence of a Dog could disrupt their habitat.

Glentaowen

9 – Is there a limit to how many people can join at once? (Friend / Family etc?)

We do not set a limit-on numbers, it has more to do with genuine interest, whether you be an individual interested party, two or more friends or family members, or a group looking for guidance and a connection with a like-minded network.

For more information, please follow the link to Seed Groups.

Hawk Elderin

There are only 9 people involved in the Ceremony, but others could join in with certain parts of it.

Glentaowen

10 – What personal benefit could be realised by following a Druid / Pagan path?

 Beyond noting the seasons with lights and rituals, which are in themselves pleasant and develop relationships to nature. Wisdom and insights can evolve by seeing that nothing remains the same in nature and, by realising that we too are part of nature where change is natural, can point us in a direction to letting go of unobtainable fixed views and expectations. Nature is a great teacher when we observe it with an open mind.

Skydrift Moon & Merlin-Shadow

We hope that by following a Druid path, we will each develop a deeper understanding with nature and the connection with the self within the natural world. One thing we like to encourage is this connection with the self and our propensity for creation and self-expression and the passion that we put into it, expanding our personal horizons with a sense of fulfilment. We also believe in the importance of knowledge and learn from our understanding of the natural world and our relationship with it, we believe that we have evolved to care for the garden, as the garden of the natural world sustains us To not merely abuse and exploit the earth for profit, but to share in the harmony of this way of life and find the calm amongst the storm and find a little personal peace and belonging.

Hawk Elderin

We teach people to live a simple life following nature and to be stress free and non-materialistic.

Glentaowen

11 – Is Druidism categorised as a Religion and does it have beliefs to adhere to?

No, it is not a Religion in the accepted sense. It is a way, a path that each must find for themselves. In the sense that the Sun, Moon, and our Earth make our lives possible, it could be said that our gratitude and respect for that is a Religion of sorts that adheres to our connection to the natural turn of the seasons.

Skydrift Moon & Merlin-Shadow

In September 2010, the Charity Commission for England and Wales agreed to register ‘The Druid Network’ as a charity, effectively giving it official recognition as a religion. As a result, ‘Druid’ can now be selected as a religion option on official documents, such as the census, should you wish.

Although there is a structure to our Druid Order, we are all free to explore our own interpretation of belief and it is our similarities and shared understanding that bring us together for gatherings and Ceremonies.

Hawk Elderin

I feel that Druidism is more of a philosophy, and you only do what you feel comfortable with.

Glentaowen

12 – What made you decide to become a druid (multiple examples can be given)?

For me, I have always been interested in native cultures, i.e., Australian Aboriginals and Native Americans. It seemed a logical choice to follow a path native to this land.

Glentaowen

Since childhood, I have felt a deep connection with the natural world and its flora and fauna, its healing qualities, and its influence on my personal connection with the Earth.

Over time I have found that with the aid of research, inspiration, and experience, I have felt a real comfort in finding my Druid path and has given my life focus.

Hawk Elderin

In 1976, I visited Stonehenge with friends where we witnessed a Summer Solstice ceremony performed by the druids and indeed, have continued to visit ever since, where this was possible, and other locations when not. This kindled my curiosity about the purpose behind this and other ceremonies and I wrote off for more information. Many years elapsed being an observer rather than a participant finding out more through archaeology about their prehistory plus what little history was recorded by the Romans. Eventually I was to meet up with Hawk Elderin and Glentaowen where we discussed the subject around Summer Solstice campfires and Winter Solstice retreats. Gradually, a pathway evolved through modern Druidry with both SWG and, through another druid friend, with OBOD. Friendship, developing a close link with nature and our ancestral past and a respect for our environment has guided my choices.

Paviland

For many years I had recognised that everything on earth derives from nature whether in ‘natural’ state or ‘man-made’, where man-made uses naturally occurring materials to produce artificial materials. Recognising this I accepted Nature as my guide.

Merlin-Shadow

Rambling off the beaten track in all seasons becomes a way that roots, in the heart, to plants, trees, land and animals. That is comparable to the Druid tradition.

Skydrift Moon

13 – Where did members of the grove practice before The Grove site was created?

Personally, I had several quiet, out of the way places where I could take shelter and just be, to appreciate the wonderful healing power of the natural world in my own way.

In our early days of the Order, when we first started celebrating our Ceremonies, we were a Grove free collective and we found all sorts of places, either within the woods or at all sorts of ancient historical sites and special places.

Hawk Elderin

Various sites such as Rollright Stones, Wayland Smithy, and Avebury.

Glentaowen

14 – How was the site for SWG chosen?

Purely by accident! – Some land was offered up for rent, and it was the ideal spot (for it.)

Glentaowen

We had been keeping our eyes open for a proposed site for several years, with varying levels of success, with nothing either available or suitable. When out of the blue we were offered the perfect place, it was meant to be and is now owned by the Sunwheel Grove.

Hawk Elderin

15 – Do you engage in night-time celebrations and activities (e.g., astronomy, drumming from dusk till dawn)?

 We do, more so in the past as we have been more hampered in recent years by lockdown and general circumstance.

Hawk Elderin

Yes, we tend to stay overnight for Summer and Winter Solstices as well as Samhain.

Glentaowen

Yes, both at our Grove and at other sacred sites, including stone circles, long barrows, and caves.

Paviland

16 – I am a Christian, but I have always been interested in Pagan beliefs. If I were to become a Druid, would I have to stop being a Christian?

No, you wouldn’t, but you would only experience a diluted version. It would be like having a glass of lemonade and pouring Beer into it – you would not get the full taste of the Beer.

Glentaowen

If you are a Christian, the biggest problem I could see is the whole creationist argument, we believe that the Earth, life, and nature has evolved naturally over millions of years, influenced by the Sun and Moon, and their relationship with the Earth and the elements, more recently through the ages, influenced by the lives and history of man.

There is always going to be a certain amount of inner conflict and I find it difficult to see how the two viewpoints could be compatible, I suppose it really is a case of either or and is down to our individual interpretation and belief.

Hawk Elderin

It depends on whether Christianity is used for growth of the Spirit or an adherence to Rites & Rituals.

Skydrift Moon

17 – Are the things you teach a closely guarded secret?

No, they are things we should know.

Glentaowen

We have nothing to be secretive about, that is the beauty of Modern Druidry, there are no secret signs, hidden meanings, or religious dogma and is all about thinking for yourself.

Hawk Elderin

18 – How old do you have to be to join in a Ceremony?

18 or over. If you are younger you would have to be accompanied by a parent or carer.

Glentaowen

19 – Would I fit in? – What type of person joins a Druid Group?

From all walks of life, of varying ages.

Merlin-Shadow

For many years the subject of Druidry and Paganism has been seen as something a bit shady and eyed with suspicion by the influence of Christian values, often portrayed on TV and in the Newspapers as something dark and cloaked in secrecy, usually because they haven’t taken the time to find out about what they are talking about. Preferring to look for what they see as the weird and portraying everything from some kind of Hippy misfit aspect.

Modern Druidry is a growing alternative to a world of either old and outdated religious dogma or a blinkered eye for profit and general indifference or ignorance.

Here at the Sunwheel Grove we are a friendly bunch and believe that anyone and everyone has the right to follow a more, sympathetic, naturalistic, and personal path, to make their own decisions and think for themselves. To appreciate their natural surroundings, to discover oneself and our connection with the natural world and celebrate its inspiration. We believe strongly in the healing power of creativity and personal growth, finding a structure throughout the seasonal changes of the natural year and the turning of the Sun-wheel.

If you spend any time looking through our website and can identify with us, we are more than happy to welcome you, we have members from all walks of life, ranging in ages and differing locations, sharing in the pool of personal knowledge and experience, with a like-minded understanding and outlook on life.

The Sunwheel Grove is also a good way to introduce you to like-minded people and share in a close and friendly Grove collective and a sense of belonging and understanding!

Hawk Elderin

Beards are optional!

Glentaowen

20 – How do I get involved with the Sunwheel Grove?

If you think that you would like to know more about us and you would like to get in touch, to ask more questions, get in touch for a friendly chat or are looking to find out about becoming more involved, you can email us at [email protected] or fill in one of our comment slips!

Hawk Elderin