Emma Restall Orr - Spirits of the Sacred Grove

First published by Moon Books, 2014

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Text copyright: Emma Restall Orr 2013

ISBN: 978 1 78279 685 5

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The rights of Emma Restall Orr as author have been asserted in accordance with the Copyright,

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A CIP catalogue record for this book is available from the British Library.

Design: Stuart Davies

Cover image from a painting by Stuart Davies

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A week ago the manuscript of this book arrived in my in-tray. In a twenty first century way, its arrival was almost silent but for the small soft bell that ushers in the inkless words of digital post. It should have landed heavily on the doormat, half a ream of paper, weighted with memories, for since its arrival I have felt its presence, acutely.

Published first in 1998 as Spirits of the Sacred Grove, a few years later its multinational corporate publisher re-titled it Druid Priestess and released it into the American market. Of course, any writer is grateful to have a book distributed more widely, but the new title was a little awkward: had they not read the note about Sexes, written for the first edition, and re-printed below? Each time I had to explain the contradiction, I laughed! It is with pleasure, then, that through Moon Books I offer this edition under its original title. That it is now published as a Classic makes me both chuckle and sigh, and wonder at the 17 years or so that have somehow trickled by.

While the heart of the book remains vibrant and valid, still reflecting many of the colours of my soul, some of the images and anecdotes may now feel dated. In some respects a good deal has changed over what is effectively nearly two decades. To start with, Druidry is far better understood and accepted within British society than it was in the late 1990s, and in turn that has facilitated its acceptance in other parts of the world.

Furthermore, books like this have made a significant impact on how Druidry has evolved, challenging the dominant male, middle-class, liberal attitudes that so pervaded the tradition when I was seeking it out a decade earlier. Others have followed me since, encouraging teachings that are wilder and freer, more female and fluid, presenting a practice of Druidry that could be seen as a shamanism of Britain.

However, the other day I heard a respected speaker describe Druidry as a nice white wine. It was a wry and affectionate comment, but it provoked me to recall why I have always been a provocative voice in the tradition. Within every organisation or community there is a tendency towards conformity: to belong, we are guided to behave in a certain way, to agree with a certain set of beliefs. Even where such a pressure is not asserted or intended, there is still the risk that seekers may in some way acquiesce, compromising to fall in with the norm. And wherever such conformity exists, the result is bland and uninspiring. When I wrote this book, part of me was still exploring the territory of what was defined and delineated as Druidry, and in doing so I encountered a good deal of white wine.

In offering this book, I am pleased to be able to write a new foreword, not least because, in welcoming readers to these pages, I can emphasise the lack of need to conform. Indeed, I would hope that in my words, written so long ago, readers will find the inspiration to refuse the white wine wherever it is offered whenever they wish, without thinking that in doing so they are refusing Druidry. I hope readers will instead find streams of icy clear water to quench their thirst, and old flagons of rough homemade gin, and bitter dandelion root coffee, and the dripping juice of freshly picked apples, or whatever is the appropriate drop in each and every circumstance as it arises.

For if it can be defined at all, Druidry is surely about immediacy: the ability to adapt and honourably respond to each changing moment within nature as it rises before us on the paths of our lives. That is what nature teaches us, and being awake and willing to be taught by nature is the essential practice of this ancient British tradition.

I would like to thank Trevor Greenfield at Moon Books for typing the manuscript, and all those who have expressed delight at the prospect of it being re-published. Your encouragement is appreciated.

May you drink life in deeply.

Emma Restall Orr

Autumn Equinox 2013

This is not a how to book. It is my strongest advice to anyone wishing to know more or to follow the path of the Druid to find themselves a well respected teacher or training course. This can take time and patience. But it will also save time and potential confusion.

Before we know anything at all, we are free. When we have begun to discover, we each carry away with us for some time the burden of thinking we know everything. True magic is about empowerment. Empowerment is about personal creativity, not control. Competition is the game of the ego. A good teacher will never appear superior. It isnt a race for enlightenment; it is a journey towards balance and perfect peace.

There is no Holy Grail which holds all the answers. There is only our own freedom of spirit

I dont like esss. To me they make a word overly ornate. Always ensuring that when the ord priest is used it is accompanied by the or priestess (or vice versa) puffs out the text in an excessive way. The same applies to gods or to godesses. On the whole, I consider lurals such as gods and priests to signify either or both genders, though in the singular, if need be, I do differentiate with the horribe ess. I never use the term Druidess, unless specifically to differentiate, considering Druid to mean someone of either gender, as to Witch, Wiccan or Christian, et al. I apologize if this is offensive to anybody.

The characters portrayed in this book are partly fiction and partly taken from life. However, no one character is entirely based upon any one person; all are amalgamations of different people. In the same way, scenes other than those where I am alone are also a mixture of various events, different years, different places. The book was written in this way to allow me to write extensively and truthfully about the life of a priestess without worrying about misportraying any individual or situation.

I give thanks to every soul, every creature, every horizon, for their various inspirations.

In the course of my life, I have received some exquisite gifts. I have known love that melts your very bones, leaving the soul a shimmering pool of aching serenity. I have tasted death, I have seen its landscapes, and I have given birth. I have felt the pain that skids the mind in an endless crushing thrum; I have tumbled with the laughter of its release. I have known the warmth of my parents, the teachings of my blood line. I have worked with, prayed and danced with, some extraordinary people, priests of different gods, performers, healers and hermits. In so many ways I seem, in this lifetime of mine, to be forever landing in the most singular places, gazing about me amazed.