A Write Royal Rant
_JANUARY 2012 - HAPPY NEW YEAR!
_January 2012, after a successful Winter Solstice at Stonehenge attended
by an estimated 5,000 people (English Heritage stopped counting at four
and a half thousand) we move into Twenty Twelve with a sense of unity.
Many differing faiths joined us for the celebrations and many differing
walks of life were represented as can be seen on the video footage of
the event.
No longer can the differing strands of the Pagan movement be insular to either their own path or that of Paganism alone. As we march into twenty twelve with our own brand of spirituality it is time to extend the hand of friendship to members of other faiths and spirituality.
There are, in my opinion, only two types of people in this world, those that ‘believe’ and those those don’t. It is time for those that believe to unite. It does not matter to which God/ess one honours or prays to. As humanity, we are one and must face the challenges ahead together.
If organising Pagans may be likened to herding cats, how much harder can and must Multi-Faith be, but it is in multi-faith that the answers to our human condition lies. Only through honouring ALL spirituality can we as a race (the human race) move forward.
I am not interested in the age old argument “My God’s better than your God” or “We are right, which makes you wrong” We must learn to work together for the common good and in effect to ‘pray together’ for such an outcome.
The Loyal Arthurian Warband (the Druid Order I lead) has always been open to members of ALL and NO faiths and will continue to be so. I invite other Druid Leaders to do likewise and members of other faiths to join us in our quest for Truth, Honour, Justice, and enlightenment.
In one, with Spirit.
King Arthur
Senior Druid
/|\
No longer can the differing strands of the Pagan movement be insular to either their own path or that of Paganism alone. As we march into twenty twelve with our own brand of spirituality it is time to extend the hand of friendship to members of other faiths and spirituality.
There are, in my opinion, only two types of people in this world, those that ‘believe’ and those those don’t. It is time for those that believe to unite. It does not matter to which God/ess one honours or prays to. As humanity, we are one and must face the challenges ahead together.
If organising Pagans may be likened to herding cats, how much harder can and must Multi-Faith be, but it is in multi-faith that the answers to our human condition lies. Only through honouring ALL spirituality can we as a race (the human race) move forward.
I am not interested in the age old argument “My God’s better than your God” or “We are right, which makes you wrong” We must learn to work together for the common good and in effect to ‘pray together’ for such an outcome.
The Loyal Arthurian Warband (the Druid Order I lead) has always been open to members of ALL and NO faiths and will continue to be so. I invite other Druid Leaders to do likewise and members of other faiths to join us in our quest for Truth, Honour, Justice, and enlightenment.
In one, with Spirit.
King Arthur
Senior Druid
/|\
DECEMBER 2011
_It has been said in some ‘Circles’ that there is a general feeling in
the Pagan community that ‘Politics’ should be kept out of Circle. Well
this is One General that disagrees.
Paganism is a broad Church and we first have to look at the distinctions between the differing strands and how they are applied in ‘Circle’ and their differing roles.
The Pagan who joins a ‘circle’ to celebrate the turning of the season and the festive wheel, may very well be ‘A’ political and see no place for ‘politics and world affairs’ in circle, and speak solely of ‘Love and Light’ Brotherhood and Sisterhood. The Wiccan or Witch may wish to devote more time to ‘Healing and Spell-Casting’ But for the Druid therein lies a different story.
The ancient Druids were the Political force of the tribes and were always involved in the ‘Politics of the day’ It was for this very reason that the Romans put our Ancestors to the Sword.
It is in my opinion incumbent on the Druids to speak out against injustice wherever they find it and on the ‘Presiding Druid’ to do so in public. If this is not the view of the wider Pagan community and individuals in particular then needless to say they are free to express their views but it should be remembered that ‘holding such a view’ is in itself a political act.
I make no apologies for my Political stance’s over the years, for taking court cases against my Government, for Protesting against injustice, for spearheading campaigns to bring about changes where necessary, for attending and speaking out at ‘public inquiries’ for bringing Political issues to the attention of the gathered congregation or for highlighting issues that effect us all and standing as an Independent in the last four General Elections. On the contrary I am proud to ‘Stand and be counted’ and whilst I draw breath I will continue to speak out against injustice and to do so in circle.
There is a place for Justice, and thereby a place to speak out against injustice in a Sacred Circle and there always will be whilst there is a Druid presiding.
King Arthur Pendragon
Battlechieftain
Council of British Druid Orders
Paganism is a broad Church and we first have to look at the distinctions between the differing strands and how they are applied in ‘Circle’ and their differing roles.
The Pagan who joins a ‘circle’ to celebrate the turning of the season and the festive wheel, may very well be ‘A’ political and see no place for ‘politics and world affairs’ in circle, and speak solely of ‘Love and Light’ Brotherhood and Sisterhood. The Wiccan or Witch may wish to devote more time to ‘Healing and Spell-Casting’ But for the Druid therein lies a different story.
The ancient Druids were the Political force of the tribes and were always involved in the ‘Politics of the day’ It was for this very reason that the Romans put our Ancestors to the Sword.
It is in my opinion incumbent on the Druids to speak out against injustice wherever they find it and on the ‘Presiding Druid’ to do so in public. If this is not the view of the wider Pagan community and individuals in particular then needless to say they are free to express their views but it should be remembered that ‘holding such a view’ is in itself a political act.
I make no apologies for my Political stance’s over the years, for taking court cases against my Government, for Protesting against injustice, for spearheading campaigns to bring about changes where necessary, for attending and speaking out at ‘public inquiries’ for bringing Political issues to the attention of the gathered congregation or for highlighting issues that effect us all and standing as an Independent in the last four General Elections. On the contrary I am proud to ‘Stand and be counted’ and whilst I draw breath I will continue to speak out against injustice and to do so in circle.
There is a place for Justice, and thereby a place to speak out against injustice in a Sacred Circle and there always will be whilst there is a Druid presiding.
King Arthur Pendragon
Battlechieftain
Council of British Druid Orders
NOVEMBER 2011
_(Written in association with the letter
‘P’)
Pragmatism, nice word that, to be pragmatic. I have always prided myself on being such. Personal, another good word, meaning what is between two people, I have always tried to keep it so. Politic, another ‘P’ word, meaning what is between and/or in the interests of many, not to be confused with personal. So what does any of this mean in Practice (another ‘P’ word). Well in practice it means ‘telling it like it is’ if I disagree with say English Heritage, or the government on one issue, it does not stop me from agreeing with them on other issues. Politic and Personal to me means that I can disagree with their views as an organisation but that does not mean I necessarily have to fall out with them/or their officers on a personal level. Paganism, there’s another ‘P’ word, a place where there seems no place for Pragmatism, a place where there is so much ‘Bitchcraft’ that there is little or no distinction between Politic and Personal.
A place where if someone or some organisation holds a differing view to you where you feel somehow licensed to ‘have a go’ not necessarily at their Policies but at the Personalities that voice or implement them. Don’t disagree in principle just because it comes from ‘the other side’, a good idea, is a good idea wherever it comes from just as is a bad one whoever voices it. Don’t ‘slag off’ certain organisations or individuals just because they are viewed as ‘the other side’, there is nothing wrong with agreeing to differ and there is nothing wrong with healthy debate but there is everything wrong in judging someone by the’ hat’ they wear. Just because they work or even represent an organisation that you may be opposed to does not in it self make them a bad person.
The Authorities and the establishment often make that mistake and because I am in the public eye I expect a certain amount of public attacks to my person and belief structure but I hold no animosity towards the individuals concerned and anyone who ‘puts their head above the parapet’ has to be something of a Pachyderm (another ‘P’ word, meaning thick skinned) and believe me I am, and as I always say “ I have been called worse-by better) I do tire of the constant personal attacks on myself, but it show that we (that’s the Royal we) are rattling their cage). I will not resort in like manner because quite simply they are not Rattling mine.
Seriously though, let’s get out of this negative headspace and be more pragmatic in our approach. Tribe is one thing but ‘Gang’ is a completely different ‘kettle of fish’ and in my view a mentality better suited to kindergarten then the Political arenas we must work in. So, it doesn’t matter who’s ‘Gang’ you deem yourself to be in just what side and I know what side I’m on. The side for common decency, mutual respect and natural Justice.
Blessings from the Front /|\
King Arthur Pendragon
Pragmatism, nice word that, to be pragmatic. I have always prided myself on being such. Personal, another good word, meaning what is between two people, I have always tried to keep it so. Politic, another ‘P’ word, meaning what is between and/or in the interests of many, not to be confused with personal. So what does any of this mean in Practice (another ‘P’ word). Well in practice it means ‘telling it like it is’ if I disagree with say English Heritage, or the government on one issue, it does not stop me from agreeing with them on other issues. Politic and Personal to me means that I can disagree with their views as an organisation but that does not mean I necessarily have to fall out with them/or their officers on a personal level. Paganism, there’s another ‘P’ word, a place where there seems no place for Pragmatism, a place where there is so much ‘Bitchcraft’ that there is little or no distinction between Politic and Personal.
A place where if someone or some organisation holds a differing view to you where you feel somehow licensed to ‘have a go’ not necessarily at their Policies but at the Personalities that voice or implement them. Don’t disagree in principle just because it comes from ‘the other side’, a good idea, is a good idea wherever it comes from just as is a bad one whoever voices it. Don’t ‘slag off’ certain organisations or individuals just because they are viewed as ‘the other side’, there is nothing wrong with agreeing to differ and there is nothing wrong with healthy debate but there is everything wrong in judging someone by the’ hat’ they wear. Just because they work or even represent an organisation that you may be opposed to does not in it self make them a bad person.
The Authorities and the establishment often make that mistake and because I am in the public eye I expect a certain amount of public attacks to my person and belief structure but I hold no animosity towards the individuals concerned and anyone who ‘puts their head above the parapet’ has to be something of a Pachyderm (another ‘P’ word, meaning thick skinned) and believe me I am, and as I always say “ I have been called worse-by better) I do tire of the constant personal attacks on myself, but it show that we (that’s the Royal we) are rattling their cage). I will not resort in like manner because quite simply they are not Rattling mine.
Seriously though, let’s get out of this negative headspace and be more pragmatic in our approach. Tribe is one thing but ‘Gang’ is a completely different ‘kettle of fish’ and in my view a mentality better suited to kindergarten then the Political arenas we must work in. So, it doesn’t matter who’s ‘Gang’ you deem yourself to be in just what side and I know what side I’m on. The side for common decency, mutual respect and natural Justice.
Blessings from the Front /|\
King Arthur Pendragon
OCTOBER 2011
Another month has passed and we go into the darker part of the year. This last month, for me at least, has been taken up by the Public Inquiry into the proposed vehicle restriction sought throughout the World Heritage site of Stonehenge by Wiltshire council. I will not go into any detail here as that may be found elsewhere.
... I would like to express my thanks to those who bothered to turn up and support us throughout what was for the most part, a very tedious three weeks, and to those who offered support in other ways with words of encouragement and interest.
I would like to thank the many other Pagan and Druid Orders, Covens, and Groves for their support, I would like to, but unfortunately I can not, as any such support was not in evidence. No phone calls of encouragement, No questions as to how it was going, No ‘troops on the ground’ and the same can be said for all the other non pagan groups who regularly ‘mouth off’ about the present situation at Stonehenge, Where were you?
Like most people in this country, ‘armchair warriors’, sitting behind their computers, or down the pub, moaning about the present state of affairs, and when they get the chance to do something about it, simply can not be bothered. We are not even talking here about ‘the present state of affairs’ but a loss or reduction of what little ‘Rights’ we already have, and have fought hard to gain.
If ‘all is lost’ those few who stood with us at the Inquiry, those few who stood on the picket line with us, those few who sat through endless Inquiries public meetings and court cases, those few who like us can be bothered, they may hold their head up in pride because they did not sit back and watch as our rights were eroded, but stood to be counted.
We (the Loyal Arthurian Warband) have for some time been viewed as the Warrior/Political arm of the Druid and Pagan movement and will continue to be so. Leading from the Front and taking the Authorities head on in our quest for Truth, Honour and Justice. We will not falter in this, but a little support now and again would not go amiss.
That to one side, I hope you all had a good Equinox, quite busy for me Stonehenge dawn and on to the Inquiry and the day prior a Handfasting at a medieval castle.
So it’s back to the ‘picket’ for me and a continuance of the campaign to secure the Guardians return, if you haven’t yet signed the on line petition please do so and tell your friends to do likewise if that’s not too much to ask?
Rant over, Blessings from Stonehenge
King Arthur Pendragon
/|\
... I would like to express my thanks to those who bothered to turn up and support us throughout what was for the most part, a very tedious three weeks, and to those who offered support in other ways with words of encouragement and interest.
I would like to thank the many other Pagan and Druid Orders, Covens, and Groves for their support, I would like to, but unfortunately I can not, as any such support was not in evidence. No phone calls of encouragement, No questions as to how it was going, No ‘troops on the ground’ and the same can be said for all the other non pagan groups who regularly ‘mouth off’ about the present situation at Stonehenge, Where were you?
Like most people in this country, ‘armchair warriors’, sitting behind their computers, or down the pub, moaning about the present state of affairs, and when they get the chance to do something about it, simply can not be bothered. We are not even talking here about ‘the present state of affairs’ but a loss or reduction of what little ‘Rights’ we already have, and have fought hard to gain.
If ‘all is lost’ those few who stood with us at the Inquiry, those few who stood on the picket line with us, those few who sat through endless Inquiries public meetings and court cases, those few who like us can be bothered, they may hold their head up in pride because they did not sit back and watch as our rights were eroded, but stood to be counted.
We (the Loyal Arthurian Warband) have for some time been viewed as the Warrior/Political arm of the Druid and Pagan movement and will continue to be so. Leading from the Front and taking the Authorities head on in our quest for Truth, Honour and Justice. We will not falter in this, but a little support now and again would not go amiss.
That to one side, I hope you all had a good Equinox, quite busy for me Stonehenge dawn and on to the Inquiry and the day prior a Handfasting at a medieval castle.
So it’s back to the ‘picket’ for me and a continuance of the campaign to secure the Guardians return, if you haven’t yet signed the on line petition please do so and tell your friends to do likewise if that’s not too much to ask?
Rant over, Blessings from Stonehenge
King Arthur Pendragon
/|\
SEPTEMBER 2011
Organising Pagans may be likened to ‘herding cats’, never more so than in the previous month. Talk about, something in the water; Any Senior Druid or Pagan leader has to hone his parenting skills when it comes to dealing with his or her Order, Coven or Grove. “Play nicely children, share properly, and stop pulling your brother/sister’s hair,” All the usual stuff but this past month has been way over the top.
Pagan’s it seems to me are definitely to ‘touchy’ and I don’t mean ‘touchy feely and demonstrative’ I mean, “I’m not playing if she/he’s playing” and “But he said, she said…” I mean, “why should I ? When…”
Why should you? Because you are supposed to be on the same bloody side, that’s why! Yes, even the best parents, given, the patients of Job and the Wisdom of Solomon (to borrow from the Christians) will eventually come to the end of their tether.
I am not saying, that there are not a lot of great Pagans out there who ‘rise above it’ on a daily basis and a lot of genuinely caring people in our midst but, there is and always has been a lot of ‘Bitchcraft’ out there, and it has to end here and end now. Otherwise how can we expect members of other faiths to ever take us seriously?
And where does it all start? Why, right here, on the social networking sites and the World Wide Web. What part of World don’t we understand? Let us stop ‘doing our dirty washing in public’ and learn that with the best motives in the world some Truths are simply better left unsaid, especially (shouted from the rooftops) out load on the World Wide Web…..
Blessings from Stonehenge
Arthur /|\
Pagan’s it seems to me are definitely to ‘touchy’ and I don’t mean ‘touchy feely and demonstrative’ I mean, “I’m not playing if she/he’s playing” and “But he said, she said…” I mean, “why should I ? When…”
Why should you? Because you are supposed to be on the same bloody side, that’s why! Yes, even the best parents, given, the patients of Job and the Wisdom of Solomon (to borrow from the Christians) will eventually come to the end of their tether.
I am not saying, that there are not a lot of great Pagans out there who ‘rise above it’ on a daily basis and a lot of genuinely caring people in our midst but, there is and always has been a lot of ‘Bitchcraft’ out there, and it has to end here and end now. Otherwise how can we expect members of other faiths to ever take us seriously?
And where does it all start? Why, right here, on the social networking sites and the World Wide Web. What part of World don’t we understand? Let us stop ‘doing our dirty washing in public’ and learn that with the best motives in the world some Truths are simply better left unsaid, especially (shouted from the rooftops) out load on the World Wide Web…..
Blessings from Stonehenge
Arthur /|\
AUGUST 2011
AN OPEN LETTER TO OUR POLITICIANS FROM KING ARTHUR
SENIOR DRUID.
We have (since the days of Thatcher) become a Nation of service Industries. I was born into a United Kingdom that exported Coal, that built and exported ships, a Nation that had a flourishing car and motorcycle industry, a Nation that had a world renown Steel Industry.
Now, if faced with a World War Two type blockade, we would certainly not be able to ‘dig for victory’. No land army could possible grow enough food to sustain us. We have been ‘fighting above our weight’ for far too long.
Until we get back to production (Heavy and light industry) and stop relying on cheap foreign imports we will always have large unemployment and the related social problems that such high unemployment brings.
Until we ‘do something’ about the increasing gap between ‘the have and the have not’s’ and truly are ‘all in this together’ we will always be only one spark away from civil unrest. It is time our politicians woke up to the reality of Twenty-first Century Britain.
“Wake up and smell the coffee” that’ll be Starbucks or any of the other American owned or styled chain’s of course, long gone the traditional English ‘greasy spoon’. Soon to be joined by the Traditional British Pub, forced out of business by cut price supermarket sales and the ever increasing number of people who simply cant afford to avail themselves of the service.
We can’t keep juggling figures, printing money, and borrowing ourselves out of debt. We’re (like the rest of Europe, and the Free world) broke. It’s time our politicians admitted it and stopped swanking around abroad thinking that we can be the world’s policemen. Bring our boys and girls home, while there’s still a home to come back too and sort the economy out properly, Get the Nation ‘back to work’ and stop paying out vast non existent sums of money to your cronies and banking buddies.
In short, ‘Get real’ and stop living above ‘our’ means.
King Arthur Pendragon
SENIOR DRUID.
We have (since the days of Thatcher) become a Nation of service Industries. I was born into a United Kingdom that exported Coal, that built and exported ships, a Nation that had a flourishing car and motorcycle industry, a Nation that had a world renown Steel Industry.
Now, if faced with a World War Two type blockade, we would certainly not be able to ‘dig for victory’. No land army could possible grow enough food to sustain us. We have been ‘fighting above our weight’ for far too long.
Until we get back to production (Heavy and light industry) and stop relying on cheap foreign imports we will always have large unemployment and the related social problems that such high unemployment brings.
Until we ‘do something’ about the increasing gap between ‘the have and the have not’s’ and truly are ‘all in this together’ we will always be only one spark away from civil unrest. It is time our politicians woke up to the reality of Twenty-first Century Britain.
“Wake up and smell the coffee” that’ll be Starbucks or any of the other American owned or styled chain’s of course, long gone the traditional English ‘greasy spoon’. Soon to be joined by the Traditional British Pub, forced out of business by cut price supermarket sales and the ever increasing number of people who simply cant afford to avail themselves of the service.
We can’t keep juggling figures, printing money, and borrowing ourselves out of debt. We’re (like the rest of Europe, and the Free world) broke. It’s time our politicians admitted it and stopped swanking around abroad thinking that we can be the world’s policemen. Bring our boys and girls home, while there’s still a home to come back too and sort the economy out properly, Get the Nation ‘back to work’ and stop paying out vast non existent sums of money to your cronies and banking buddies.
In short, ‘Get real’ and stop living above ‘our’ means.
King Arthur Pendragon
JULY 2011
A lot has been happening this month past, to show the cracks and the disunity in the Druid movement, and most of us are familiar with the expressions “Organising Pagans is like herding Cats” and “Witchcraft not Bitchcraft” When you view the Druids as the Political force of the Pagan tribes, it should come as no surprise that they often disagree. There are more Druid Orders in this Country than there are Political Parties in Parliament. And as for ‘free thinking Pagans’ agreeing on any one course of action, some hope.
That aside for a moment, and despite all of the above, It is time for, not so much a united front as a show of support and a visible and very visual statement of intent.
Call to Arms.
Robe up “Put your frocks on”, Druid, Pagan, or Witch and take your annual leave and get down to Salisbury late September-early October. The venue is Salisbury Rugby club, adjacent to ‘Hudson’s Field’ camping site. Bring Banners. “Just say No to the TRO” or such like. Bring food, bring Music and song.
Show Pagan and Druid support for your Brothers and Sisters who are challenging the imposition of the proposed Traffic Regulatory Orders that will mean ‘NO parking in the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, save for in English Heritages ‘new’ visitors centre car park.
The Inquiry starts on 20th September and is set to ‘run’ for nearly three weeks (Excluding Weekends) The full programme and any changes will be available on my fb page.
The Pagan and Druid Objectors will be heard from 29th September, on the Thursday and Friday, and on the following Monday and Tuesday and winding up on Wednesday 5th October.
It is a non Statutory Public Inquiry and the Inspector will be advising Wiltshire Council.
We need a very visible and lawful presence outside, of the Inquiry, and we have a lovely field for a picnic to do it in.
If these Traffic Regulatory Orders are passed. Future Generations will be denied the ability to access Stonehenge in the way we have been able to, as ALL the By-ways will be closed to traffic.
Let the Authorities see, we will not stand idly by, and let them see also a ‘peaceful demonstration’ of support for our objection to any such imposition as is proposed by Wiltshire Council and English Heritage in and around Stonehenge.
Take a day out and come to Salisbury, let’s show them, we mean business. E mail me direct for more information and details k.pendragon@yahoo.co.uk
‘Tis time to Stand and be counted. Or stand by and let ‘Big Brother’ tighten his grip.
King Arthur Pendragon
Objector TRO Inquiry Stonehenge.
That aside for a moment, and despite all of the above, It is time for, not so much a united front as a show of support and a visible and very visual statement of intent.
Call to Arms.
Robe up “Put your frocks on”, Druid, Pagan, or Witch and take your annual leave and get down to Salisbury late September-early October. The venue is Salisbury Rugby club, adjacent to ‘Hudson’s Field’ camping site. Bring Banners. “Just say No to the TRO” or such like. Bring food, bring Music and song.
Show Pagan and Druid support for your Brothers and Sisters who are challenging the imposition of the proposed Traffic Regulatory Orders that will mean ‘NO parking in the Stonehenge World Heritage Site, save for in English Heritages ‘new’ visitors centre car park.
The Inquiry starts on 20th September and is set to ‘run’ for nearly three weeks (Excluding Weekends) The full programme and any changes will be available on my fb page.
The Pagan and Druid Objectors will be heard from 29th September, on the Thursday and Friday, and on the following Monday and Tuesday and winding up on Wednesday 5th October.
It is a non Statutory Public Inquiry and the Inspector will be advising Wiltshire Council.
We need a very visible and lawful presence outside, of the Inquiry, and we have a lovely field for a picnic to do it in.
If these Traffic Regulatory Orders are passed. Future Generations will be denied the ability to access Stonehenge in the way we have been able to, as ALL the By-ways will be closed to traffic.
Let the Authorities see, we will not stand idly by, and let them see also a ‘peaceful demonstration’ of support for our objection to any such imposition as is proposed by Wiltshire Council and English Heritage in and around Stonehenge.
Take a day out and come to Salisbury, let’s show them, we mean business. E mail me direct for more information and details k.pendragon@yahoo.co.uk
‘Tis time to Stand and be counted. Or stand by and let ‘Big Brother’ tighten his grip.
King Arthur Pendragon
Objector TRO Inquiry Stonehenge.
JUNE 2011
As the Solstice approaches and my thoughts are drawn to the coming gathering at Stonehenge one is spoilt for choice whilst ranting. Who to upset this time? The Serious Druids, The not-so Serious Druids, The Armchair Pagans, The Authorities, The Warriors, who go off ‘half cocked’, The Church, in it’s pomposity, all or none of the above, well let’s see.
This month just gone, for me has been all about finance, well the lack of it anyway. So any fund raising activities you can come up with to keep the campaigns going will be very welcome. The main campaigns centre on Stonehenge at present, the up-coming Judicial review (don’t write it off just yet, I have lodged an appeal) and the Public Inquiry over access to the Droves.
Two very different films have recently been given an ‘airing’ on our sites, one by Carrie Kirkpatrick filmed in 2000 and one by Celestial Elf ‘filmed’ this year. Both short pieces are about me and both tell the story of the Solstice at Stonehenge, both brilliant in their own way.
This year we, the Loyal Arthurian Warband hope to settle by the hele stone throughout the night and will welcome any who come with ‘good heart’ to join us, it is hoped that many will bring a song or a poem to share, acoustic instruments only, and that we may make something of the atmosphere of Eisteddfod.
In ten days time, on 11th June I will have ‘been Arthur’ for twenty five years. This is not a time to Rant, but a time for thanks and I would like to thank all those friends old and new who have helped me along the way. All our Officers for their self sacrifice and diligence along the way, All our Brothers and Sisters who have given aid and support to the causes we have fought for, and most of all, All our Priestess’s (aspects of the Goddess) who have assisted along the way. This is starting to sound more like an acceptance speech than a Rant. But that’s what it is, I accept who and what I am, and my part in the Universe.
Let us look forward, not with pessimism and gloom, but with wonderment and awe as the universe unfolds before us and we each find our place within and surrounded by our tribe.
Yours in The Heat of Battle, The Peace of The Grove, and The Sacred Space Between,
Your Brother, Friend, Servant and King, Arthur /|\
This month just gone, for me has been all about finance, well the lack of it anyway. So any fund raising activities you can come up with to keep the campaigns going will be very welcome. The main campaigns centre on Stonehenge at present, the up-coming Judicial review (don’t write it off just yet, I have lodged an appeal) and the Public Inquiry over access to the Droves.
Two very different films have recently been given an ‘airing’ on our sites, one by Carrie Kirkpatrick filmed in 2000 and one by Celestial Elf ‘filmed’ this year. Both short pieces are about me and both tell the story of the Solstice at Stonehenge, both brilliant in their own way.
This year we, the Loyal Arthurian Warband hope to settle by the hele stone throughout the night and will welcome any who come with ‘good heart’ to join us, it is hoped that many will bring a song or a poem to share, acoustic instruments only, and that we may make something of the atmosphere of Eisteddfod.
In ten days time, on 11th June I will have ‘been Arthur’ for twenty five years. This is not a time to Rant, but a time for thanks and I would like to thank all those friends old and new who have helped me along the way. All our Officers for their self sacrifice and diligence along the way, All our Brothers and Sisters who have given aid and support to the causes we have fought for, and most of all, All our Priestess’s (aspects of the Goddess) who have assisted along the way. This is starting to sound more like an acceptance speech than a Rant. But that’s what it is, I accept who and what I am, and my part in the Universe.
Let us look forward, not with pessimism and gloom, but with wonderment and awe as the universe unfolds before us and we each find our place within and surrounded by our tribe.
Yours in The Heat of Battle, The Peace of The Grove, and The Sacred Space Between,
Your Brother, Friend, Servant and King, Arthur /|\
MAY 2011
Another month has gone by in the Druid and Pagan community and the summer Solstice at Stonehenge is another month closer. I went to a meeting yesterday with the Authorities to discuss the plans for this year and hardly any of ‘us’ turned up. Thing is, as I keep saying, there is no ‘Them and Us’ and ‘they’ are just ‘us’ who don’t know it yet.
Pity the same can not be said for the Pagan community, we are still ‘Bitching’ among ourselves at every opportunity. What gives him/her the right to speak for us, being the most often way of dismissing, those who do. Well if yesterdays’ meeting was anything to go by. The fact that they made the effort and turned up when no one else could be bothered is probably the answer to that. It’s exactly the same when someone like me, takes a court case, or puts themselves in line for arrest, or attends an Inquiry, the web is awash with armchair activists and would be advisors ready to decry anyone’s actions and right it off as nothing more than ego.
The Council are hassling me for ‘round two’ in the ‘picket office’ saga at the moment, once again trying to remove me from my lawful protest at Stonehenge. I will challenge any application for a possession order through the courts. I will continue in my fight for a Judicial review for the return of our Guardians and I will attend the Public Inquiry to try and stop the imposition of the Traffic Regulatory Orders in and around Stonehenge and if the ‘fluffy bunnies’ wont to put it all down to my ego, let them, and if the would be activists and armchair advisors think I’m doing it all wrong, fine. But until they are prepared to do it themselves they are going to have to put up with me and my ego.
To that end I expect that you will probably see a lot more of me in the press in the coming months, “That’s just Arthur and his ego again” Well, if I can use my ego to highlight the cause and ultimately to win battles, what’s so wrong with that? What’s wrong is that I get all the glory and they get none, but wait a minute, isn’t that because I get off my arse and do something about it, and they don’t? There will be plenty of our Pagan Brothers and Sisters who say. I shouldn’t be talking to the Authorities, and/or I shouldn’t be challenging them. Shouldn’t get arrested, Shouldn’t do this, shouldn’t do that. Should I suppose, be more like them and ‘shouldn’t do anything’. But hey, that’s not in my nature is it? In the words of my muse and joint leader of our Stonehenge Grove-Onwards we Charge…..
Pity the same can not be said for the Pagan community, we are still ‘Bitching’ among ourselves at every opportunity. What gives him/her the right to speak for us, being the most often way of dismissing, those who do. Well if yesterdays’ meeting was anything to go by. The fact that they made the effort and turned up when no one else could be bothered is probably the answer to that. It’s exactly the same when someone like me, takes a court case, or puts themselves in line for arrest, or attends an Inquiry, the web is awash with armchair activists and would be advisors ready to decry anyone’s actions and right it off as nothing more than ego.
The Council are hassling me for ‘round two’ in the ‘picket office’ saga at the moment, once again trying to remove me from my lawful protest at Stonehenge. I will challenge any application for a possession order through the courts. I will continue in my fight for a Judicial review for the return of our Guardians and I will attend the Public Inquiry to try and stop the imposition of the Traffic Regulatory Orders in and around Stonehenge and if the ‘fluffy bunnies’ wont to put it all down to my ego, let them, and if the would be activists and armchair advisors think I’m doing it all wrong, fine. But until they are prepared to do it themselves they are going to have to put up with me and my ego.
To that end I expect that you will probably see a lot more of me in the press in the coming months, “That’s just Arthur and his ego again” Well, if I can use my ego to highlight the cause and ultimately to win battles, what’s so wrong with that? What’s wrong is that I get all the glory and they get none, but wait a minute, isn’t that because I get off my arse and do something about it, and they don’t? There will be plenty of our Pagan Brothers and Sisters who say. I shouldn’t be talking to the Authorities, and/or I shouldn’t be challenging them. Shouldn’t get arrested, Shouldn’t do this, shouldn’t do that. Should I suppose, be more like them and ‘shouldn’t do anything’. But hey, that’s not in my nature is it? In the words of my muse and joint leader of our Stonehenge Grove-Onwards we Charge…..
APRIL 2011
The World wide web and social networking sites in particular are awash with ‘Bitchcraft’ I said to someone recently that it was likened to ‘Peyton place’ or ‘Coronation street’, they replied yes, but Coronation street has better dialogue. Well sit-coms and TV drama have script writers, so that is only to be expected.
Take face book for instance, it’s part of the World wide web, does the rest of the world really wish to know what goes on behind closed doors? I think not.
And as for the Pagan community using it as a means to do their dirty washing in public, it’s about as tacky as the day time TV shows, yes you know the ones, cheap TV, let the public ‘bitch’ it out for free, saves paying actors.
Well I for one am not interested in who said what about whom and I’m certainly not interested in the latest crop of face book Drama Queens or their penchant for reporting each other to the police and other authorities, showing my age and class here but in my day we had a code of Honour and we called them ‘Copper’s Nark’s”
Let he/she who is without sin etc. Where do we as Pagans get the God/ess given right to judge and to make pronouncements? Don’t answer, it was a rhetorical question.
Let’s have less ‘Bitchcraft’ and more unity and let us include those of other faiths in the equation, for as I see it, there are only two types of people in this world, those that believe, and those that don’t. It doesn’t matter what you believe in, if you believe, you have part of the puzzle, a piece of the jigsaw.
A Rabbi once said that religion was like a pyramid, many faiths at the base but only one god at the apex. The closer you get to God/ess the apex, the closer you come to each other. So let’s stop the ‘Bitchcraft’ now and pull together for our mother earth. We The Loyal Arthurian Warband will. We shall fight for peace and guess what, as warriors, if we ever get it, we’re out of here. Until then, well. Onwards we charge…..
Take face book for instance, it’s part of the World wide web, does the rest of the world really wish to know what goes on behind closed doors? I think not.
And as for the Pagan community using it as a means to do their dirty washing in public, it’s about as tacky as the day time TV shows, yes you know the ones, cheap TV, let the public ‘bitch’ it out for free, saves paying actors.
Well I for one am not interested in who said what about whom and I’m certainly not interested in the latest crop of face book Drama Queens or their penchant for reporting each other to the police and other authorities, showing my age and class here but in my day we had a code of Honour and we called them ‘Copper’s Nark’s”
Let he/she who is without sin etc. Where do we as Pagans get the God/ess given right to judge and to make pronouncements? Don’t answer, it was a rhetorical question.
Let’s have less ‘Bitchcraft’ and more unity and let us include those of other faiths in the equation, for as I see it, there are only two types of people in this world, those that believe, and those that don’t. It doesn’t matter what you believe in, if you believe, you have part of the puzzle, a piece of the jigsaw.
A Rabbi once said that religion was like a pyramid, many faiths at the base but only one god at the apex. The closer you get to God/ess the apex, the closer you come to each other. So let’s stop the ‘Bitchcraft’ now and pull together for our mother earth. We The Loyal Arthurian Warband will. We shall fight for peace and guess what, as warriors, if we ever get it, we’re out of here. Until then, well. Onwards we charge…..
