This web page has been on the net for nearly twelve years. Although I get
only about a dozen or so messages from web surfers each month, the large
majority of them are asking the same things...
What are your future writing plans?
As of Thanksgiving 2006 (which is in October for us Canucks!) I have two finished
two manuscripts which I'm trying to get published.
One is a novel, the other is another non-fiction work, on the topic of Heroic and
High Classical Virtue. I'm also about half-done a third book on the topic of Wicca.
(Note to prospective publishers: I have a professional proposal
and a writing sample for each of these books which I can send out at any time.)
I'm preparing to contribute a regular or semi-regular column to the newsletter
of the Pagan Federation / Federation Paienne Canada.
I hope that some day I'll be able to make a living as an author! Of course, for that
to happen, I have to write the highest quality books that I can. And, of course,
I may also have to seek medical advice concerning the mild carpal-tunnel I occasionally
experience in my hands, due to all that typing.
I'm doing a paper for my high school/college/university class on
religion. Can I quote your web page?
Yes, of course. The standard means of citing a web page is to indicate
the author, title of page, web address (URL), and the date you accessed it.
Of course, you would be better off to go to the books that I used when
researching the content of this site.
What books should I read to learn more about Druidry?
Naturally I recommend my own books. But I also recommend that those who
are interested in learning more about Celtic and Druidic spirituality should read mythology,
especially books like Lady Augusta Gregory's Gods and Fighting Men and Cuchullain
of Muirthemney. One should also find a copy of The Mabinogion, and The Carmina
Gadelica, and a few works of history, archaeology, and folklore. Among pagan writers I
would recommend the work of Emma Restall Orr, Philip Carr-Gomm, Isaac Bonewits, Erynn
Laurie, and John Michael Greer. But before buying a new stack of books to read, I recommend
that you spend a day or two walking in a forest. You can learn a great deal from trees...
Why should anyone care about religion anymore? Isn't it a thing of
the past now? Why do old mythologies matter?
Books about religion are also books about society, humanity,
spirituality, peace, war, adventure, death, tragedy, comedy, history,
love, sex, growing up, growing old, happiness, suffering, thought, work,
dreams, politics, imagination, mystery, psychology, music, art, poetry,
health, time, reality, ethics, truth, magic, and life.
Do you really worship the old gods?
Words like "worship" or "devotion" or even "belief" really don't describe my spiritual
life very accurately. I think it is perfectly
possible to be a Druid, or a Witch, or even a Christian, without it.
Well then, are you a Druid?
I am not the inheritor of a received oral tradition or family lineage
of ancient and authientic Druidism. The historian in me strongly doubts that such a tradition exists anywhere at all.
But are you a Druid?
But I do a lot of the same things that ancient Druids did: teach
philosophy, write philosophy, write poetry, attend Celtic community events,
play Celtic music, wear long hair, oppose the current incarnation of the
Roman Empire (that's globalized capitalism)...
But are you really a Druid?
Well, what do you think?
Can you teach me to be a Druid/Witch/Shaman?
You should pose this question to one of the main Druidic organisations, some of whom
have training or apprenticeship programmes; if not then they almost certainly can
point you in the direction of someone who does. I was once a member of an American group called the
The Henge of Keltria for a short while, but quit for
personal reasons (and nothing to do with any of the Henge staff, who I think are lovely people).
Other American
groups include ADF and
Reformed Druids of North America. Three American friends of mine who provide a training
programme of sorts include Searles O'Dubhain, who runs a web-based
Druidic community called The Summerlands,
John Michael Greer who is head of Ancient Order of Druids
in America, and Erynn Laurie who is co-founder of the
Inis Glas Hedge School.
For a British, or International druidic society, look for The
Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids, or
The Druid Network.
I am also a member of
a private Celtic society that sometimes takes on students, but you will have to
meet me in person to find out more! :-)
Will you attend our event/festival/conference/convention and give a
seminar/workshop/ritual/lecture/etc?
If I'm available, then Yes. I have several
workshops aready prepared, as I used to do this fairly frequently. I do not
normally charge a fee for workshops, but I do normally ask to have
my accomodation and transportation covered, and of course I will want to be
able to sell copies of my books at these events.
Contact me directly
for more information.
Is there a place on the web where these things can be discussed with you or others?
Yes. I run an email group called The Nemeton. Subscription information is available
here.
Will you interpret my dreams/curse my enemies/find me a lover/etc?
(I hate this question.) I can't do this for
myself, let alone anyone else. See above.
Is Druidism/Wicca/etc. devil worship?
No. (What a sad thing to believe!) Read the Guide again.
Have you found Jesus?
Have you found The Great Goddess?
Why is it that people who want to share their religion with
you almost never want you to share your religion with them?
I don't know. The world is just funny that way.
Are you single?
Just kidding. No one ever asks me that. ;-)
I'm visiting Ireland as a tourist, what places do you reccomend I should
visit?
All the places that I photographed on my web site, and a few others as well. Visit the Hill
of Tara in particular; it is probably my favourite place in all Ireland. I would also reccomend
Knock Na Rae (co. Sligo), Emhain Macha / The Navan Fort (co. Armagh), Killarney National Park
(co. Kerry) and Skellig Michael (also co. Kerry). Avoid Dublin where possible. In fact,
avoid any of the major cities--except Galway!
Can I use some of your articles/photos/etc. on my own web site/web log/email group?
Normally I do not grant permission to re-post my stuff elsewhere on the web.
This web site is already accessible to thet whole world, and repetition is unnecessary.
Also, since I am pursuing a career as an author, there are certain copyright issues
which arise. I prefer to be able to work on my own stuff without tracking down multiple
mirror-sites elsewhere on the web. But feel free to download anything for personal use,
so long as you do not distribute it to others.
I am an authentic Druid who holds the True Ancient Teachings, and I
demand you change this, that, or the other feature of your web site.
About a dozen times a year I recieve letters from people claiming to be
authentic Druids and demanding recognition. I hold a doctoral degree in
philosophy from a world-class university, and am not easily impressed nor
intimidated. If you wish to dispute any of the facts given on my site please
do so with evidence that I can research independantly, and with sound
reasoning. I would expect no less from an "authentic" Druid.
Can you send me an autographed copy of your book?
This question doesn't get asked very often, and I'm thrilled when someone does.
However, since I live in Ontario, and since one of my the publishers is in America,
and the other in Britain,
and most potential buyers are also in America, an autographed copy of the book
would have to cross the border twice before reaching you. If not the ocean as well.
I would have to pass
on this cost in the price of the book, and even if I did not include a profit
markup for myself, the price could easily reach as much as $40 US dollars. You
are better off buying a copy from Amazon.com or directly from the publisher.
Your copy will reach you a lot faster and at much less cost.
With those books of yours, you must be on your way toward becoming one
of those big-nose Pagan "leaders"...
I don't make enough money on book sales to pay the rent, let alone live as
lavishly as people believe Pagan authors do. I know a few other Pagan authors
and leaders who have to scrape to survive, even with 30 years of leadership
experience under their belt and a dozen books to their name on the market. The
Pagan community just isn't ready or willing to support its leaders, perhaps
because of a fear that community-supported leaders will inevitably become
corrupt, or a belief that one must be poor to be virtuous. Both beliefs are
false, but widespread, and I think that there is little that good-willed folk
can do about it except ignore it as much as possible and get organised
to take care of each other. (Oh yes, and buy the books, so that our pagan
leaders and creators don't have to scrape to survive! ;-)
Can you help me design a Druid ritual?
You should probably pose this question to a representative of one or
other public Druid order or organization, of which there are many.
Members of ADF, the British Druid Order, Order of Bards Ovates and
Druids, Henge of Keltria, or IMBAS, should not be hard to find using any
search engine or directory.
Where the heck is Galway?
On the west coast of the Republic of Ireland.
What is the meaning of life?
Forty-two.
