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February 2004

As an aside to deep philosophical thought on life perhaps this article can add another aspect. It seems lighter than most articles here on life but is it a light subject or is it profound?

As we move through modern life and try to follow a Druid path, do we need reminding how difficult this is to achieve? We all know that it is difficult to adopt a lifestyle; we need to evolve into it?

Many people following conventional religions chop their lives quite literally between religious practice and every day life. In Druidry we try not to be religious but rather we treat Druidry as a lifestyle. How do we do this? Our ancestors had dedicated and experienced tutors of great knowledge and commitment. We can never regain this training and few would commit so much of their lives to a training scheme. Is there a link to our ancestors that we may use as a bridge?

Our ancestors in Druid practice may be separated by millennia for most of us, and whatever has leaked through the generations, we know little of the ancient knowledge of our Druid forefathers. We may be able to touch our ancestors and glean knowledge but often we strain at whispers.

Modern Druidry is in itself different anyhow from ancient Druidism and most of us accept the wisdom in this as we live in the Space Age, not the Bronze or Iron Age. Yet surely there are prized gifts that could benefit us as modern Druids. Not least of all, augury via nature.

Birds were revered in Celtic Culture and not least by the Druids for whom the birds offered gifts from the Awen. Inspiration is an essential part of augury.

Can the birds form a link to our ancestors?

Sit on a quiet day, not necessarily summer (but nice weather helps). Even in town, can you hear birdsong? In the country or woodland this is an easier task.

Close your eyes. Breathe slowly.

Even if you cannot identify one bird from another you can tell differences in the tunes so melodiously offered. What training did the bird receive for such beautiful rhetoric?

Their parents led by example. And so did the parents' parents.

For how many generations do you think?

Are these the very birdsongs heard by our great ancestors in Druidry many thousands of years ago?

You don't have 20 years to learn the art of Druidry so open your heart to the gifts that Grandmother Nature gives. Does the birdsong differ on different occasions? Does a change in the weather occur then? What differences can you log?

With your eyes closed, attune to the birdsong. Ask for knowledge from the pleasure; ask the ancients who shared this beauty with you for guidance on your Druid path. You will be surprised when the inspiration hits you.

Thank you to the birds that enrich our lives.

Stop poisoning them with insecticides and lawn feed. Protect our ancestral tutors.

And feed them all year round with high-energy seed mix (no peanuts in the mating season - March to September in the northern hemisphere).

More birds starve to death in summer than in winter due to destruction of habitat and prey.

Long may they train us.

Long may we respect their teachings and their lives.

Kevin J. O'Reilly