JJ Middleway
Typically I work with prayerfulness, stillness and a deep reverence for the Earth coupled with mirth and playfulness. My ethos is embodied in this Druid triad – which helps guide my life:
Hearth as Altar – Work as Worship – Service as Sacrament
VITAL AND DYNAMIC NATURE SPIRITUALITY
Most people’s view of Druidry has been shaped by others, since the Druid’s themselves lived in a time and a culture where people didn’t write things down, but passed them on by storytelling, song, actions and tradition. This oral tradition was largely lost and destroyed when the Romans overthrew The Druids on Anglesey in 60 AD.
Thus the history of Druidry was recorded by the victors, via Tacitus, Pliny and the like. Not exactly a favourable or accurate interpretation (the equivalent would be the way the Aborigines of Australia were spoken of by the incoming ‘conquerers’).
Yet it is possible to glean a sense of their beliefs and practices through some of the sites, myths and legends handed down through the years, along with the disrupted, yet still vibrant oral history of Celtic lands.
I am a member of The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids (OBOD). You can find out more here. If you care to listen to podcast 36 on the OBOD site podcast page you can find out more about me.
One of the things which Tacitus records from the invasion of Britain and Anglesey is this:
“A force was next sent over the conquered, and their groves, devoted to inhuman superstitions, were destroyed”.
For me this is an example of human interests being placed above a reverence and respect for the land and nature – an early form of ecocide perhaps .
It is further illustrated by the story of St Boniface, who by his destruction of pagan ways gained much fame and notoriety, and was later made a saint. This is typified through his cutting down the “Donar Oak” – dedicated to Jupiter/Thor – and the general destruction of sacred groves of trees in ‘Germania’ . This was around the year 723. Ironically, Boniface was born and studied in England (Exeter and Winchester) , before heading to Europe on his mission to fell sacred groves.
I see the call of our time and of our era, as being to now replant those sacred groves of trees – both symbolically and literally – in order to resanctify the Land – to place trees back at the heart of our culture and our belief system.
It is no accident that the origin of the word for ‘Druid’ and the ancient name for Oak – ‘Duir’ – are closely related – as is the word ‘door’ and a connection with ‘knowing’ or ‘knowledge’. Nor is it an accident that we still touch wood for good luck – to connect with and be blessed by the spirit of the wood.
Druids venerate the oak for a reason – it holds the key to mystery, self knowledge and wisdom. For one thing it demonstrates how to live an abundant and rich life: The oak is recorded as hosting over 500 species – far more than any other other tree. It shares of its gifts unconditionally and widely. There is great healing and solace to be found in the presence of an old oak tree.
I can do a lot worse than to take my model for life as being epitomised by the oak.
So, for me a key part of druidry is ‘to be of service’ – in reverence and mirth – embodying prayerfulness and playfulness.
An old Druid Triad sums it up (Threes being important in Druidry)
Encourages us to love widely and deeply. It fosters:
Heartfelt thanks to Chris Palmer for the wonderful Drum which has also inspired my logo.
If you feel you would like to support my work in service to the earth, I thank you.
These are some of my druidry related writings.
Note: I have amended this article to reflect the correct term when referring to the original inhabitants of Australia, as being ‘aboriginal people’ rather than
A story about my birthing star – what might yours be? Several months ago, whilst giving a friend and fellow Druid Grove member a lift home
Prelude: Unlike those who govern our lands these days, The Druids were reputed for administering justice and honouring truth. This is reflected in
The other night, as we sat in Druid circle, my old and dear friend Ronald Hutton said to me ” do you realise this is our
“For equanimity ( and the Equinox) to be fully understood and appreciated, so too must all shades either side of it be acknowledged and
An Interview with J.J. Middleway (Part One) December 1, 2015 end post header Interviewer: Scott Douglas Jacobsen Numbering: Issue 9.A, Idea: Outliers & Outsiders (Part
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Heartfelt thanks to Chris Palmer for the wonderful Drum which has also inspired my logo.
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This is the first volume of poetry by JJ reflecting his early work in the mid to late 1990’s. It includes classics like ‘Ode to Woman‘, ‘I am not a Christian‘ and ‘Come Dream the World Anew‘. JJ’s deep love of the Earth and of life, permeates these poems
Live Sessions via Facebook – Tuesday’s 8pm 20 minutes of Song, Silence & reflection.
I look forward to you all joining me.
Blessings JJ
