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Cat Treadwell — professional Druid and nature-mystic - gives us a perspective from the English countryside.

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A Normal Druid

Posted by on in Paths Blogs

One of the questions I get asked the most about practising Druidry - or Paganism generally - is how to merge that spiritual practice with daily life. I've been pondering this today, as I get on with my chores on a rainy October day.

This morning, I went to the shop for food. I walked the dogs in the rain, chatted to neighbours at the bus stop. I've sorted laundry and washed up pots, made breakfast and rested for a minute with a cup of tea.

All very mundane. Then come the 'Druid-y' bits, you might say.

My next job is to write several articles (including this one), so wracking my brains to ponder what might be interesting, then how to word things appropriately, get over the usual author-angst about the final product not being good enough... ;)

I'm undertaking several Tarot readings for folk today, as well as sorting work for my students. I'm preparing for a Samhain ritual tomorrow as part of my Prison Chaplaincy role, then a Handfasting on Saturday, and of course my household's own private ritual that evening.

 

All of these tasks need doing. Some may seem more glamorous than others. But as I go about my day, I consider how my ancestors would understand them - and I doubt they'd see the difference between the necessary 'household' jobs and what I do 'professionally.'

I wash up dirty dishes, that most mundane of household drudgery. I don't actually mind it, but I'm cleaning rather nasty deposits on the pots left from Sunday's lovely dinner.

That dinner was a celebration, of my wee family coming together after a hard week of work. My husband and I were so glad of it, and there were hugs and laughter as we dished up, settling down together over a lovely meal.

I remember, as I wash up, a similar time from my childhood. I would sit on the worktop next to my Mum, back in the 1970s (a decade so far away now that the latest generation see it as almost mythical history). She would clean the Sunday dishes and we'd sing along to the radio. The station has changed, it's a different kitchen, but the task is the same - as is the rewarding cup of tea afterwards.

I've no doubt that my Grandmother did this is well, in the same way. While the situations have changed, the tools varying slightly, we still do the same chores.

I travel to the shop in my Japanese-made hybrid car, fuelled by imported petrol, to buy goods from far away. Or I nip to the local shop to find a friendly welcome and goods from the farmers who live in the same village.

But how about the 'mystical' work? OK, yes - my next task is the Tarot readings. Some are for friends, some for strangers, but all connect via this magical Internet, as I tap the stories I see onto my laptop to send. Sometimes this happens in person, more often not, but the job is the same. It still takes energy and effort, to provide a service and hopefully help another person.

No matter what I'm doing, I'm still both a Druid and part of my ancestral line, part of my community... doing my thing, living my life. The connection and relationship with those around and those who've gone before is easily recognised by everyone, I think - we all do the household tasks as part of our routine, but they keep us alive and happy. My professional job might be comparatively unusual, but whether it be prophecy or conducting a ritual, I know my ancestors would nod and see the usefulness in what I do.

I'm imagining an ancestress now, with some aspects of my face and form, working bread as I do, gathering her family, knitting, telling stories, laughing... life hasn't changed that much, not really.

And so it's not about making effort to combine spirituality with daily life, but trying to separate them that I find hard to explain. Because what we do every day is infused with who we are as physical and spiritual beings. Our ancestors are with us in our genetic makeup, our blood and bones. At this time of year we remember that, but they are always there. And we pass their gifts on, adding our own unique touch to the tale.

No part of life can really be taken for granted just because it's boring. Think what you do, about how others do the same, and have done before you (and probably moaned about it too!). Then think about how your work helps, serves a purpose, makes others smile. Be proud. And keep honouring yourself and those who made you, you.

Samhain blessings, my friends. May your creative fires burn brightly and inspire you through the months ahead.

 

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Cat Treadwell is a Druid Priest living in Derbyshire, England with her partner and animal family. She is a professional ritual celebrant and multifaith worker, travelling throughout the East Midlands and beyond. Her first book, 'A Druid's Tale', is out now. Cat is a Trustee of The Druid Network, as well as Regional Coordinator for the East Midlands Pagan Federation and member of OBOD. She is a regular speaker on BBC Radio, and has appeared on BBC News representing The Druid Network and East Midlands Ambulance Service. Cat welcomes questions and comments - please feel free to get in touch!

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  • Joanna van der Hoeven
    Joanna van der Hoeven Wednesday, 28 October 2015

    How funny, Cat, I saw this post just as I was about to put up my own Druid priest post! Thinking on similar lines today, lovely! Samhain blessings to you. xoxo

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