I felt in a spiritual no-man’s land. Have you ever had that feeling inside, that certainty that there is something more? That life is more than the human construct we have created around us? I had that feeling too.

I had subscribed to a magazine called ‘Prediction’ for many years, and always enjoyed reading the small ads at the back to see what weird and wacky idea someone had dreamt up that would allow me to obtain lots of cash/get the partner of my dreams/see into the future (delete as appropriate), but there were also a few gems there that I had resisted exploring, but on this particular day, something had changed.

I sent off for information on the Guild of Pagans, the Pagan Federation, Fellowship of Isis and also noticed a small lineage ad asking if I was ‘Interested in Green Spirituality’ and that if I was I might be interested in the work of the Druids. What did I have to loose, so I also sent off for information about the OBOD.

As leaflets began to thud through my letterbox I gradually began one of the most spiritually rewarding times of my life thus far. In the Guild of Pagans’ literature I saw a drawing of Pan, and fell in love with the Horned God from that moment. And who was this Goddess they were talking about? I immersed myself in this new direction, and every day brought new ideas, new ways of thought. Then another leaflet arrived, this one was yellow, and had the image of a trilithon on the front page. As I read the leaflet from the OBOD it was as if a part of me was remembering something, as if some misty image was stirring within my subconscious of another time, of another life maybe?

Needless to say I sent off for the OBOD intro pack the next day. That was in April 1994.
After a short time the intro pack arrived. I packed it into my bag and headed off to work. I was lucky enough to work near a local nature reserve called Ditchling Common, so at lunchtime I took the OBOD package off to the reserve, sat in the early Spring sunshine on the banks of the pond, and began to read.
Images ran through my mind, I pondered the question ‘What do the Druids and Druidry mean to me?’ and I saw mystics, tree wizards, storytellers and harpers, poets telling of the beauty and wonder of nature. I saw circles of stone, sacred mounds, dark tombs of death and rebirth. I saw a hand touch the green earth, and I heard the Earth respond to that touch. Deeper into the journey I went, until I could only see one path before me, the Path of the Druid.

I sent off for the rest of the course in September of the same year. Like others before me I loved the course, and thoroughly enjoyed reading it each month, but I was, at first, rather laps when it came to performing the rituals. Having previously had four years of training within the Hermetic Tradition I felt I already understood much of what the course contained. All of this changed when I went to the OBOD Summercamp in 1995.
The camp was held in Sussex that year, so was only a little way from my home. I couldn’t stay for the full week, but decided to go for the first weekend. When I arrived I pitched my tent and sat to play a bit on my guitar (I had been taught Irish folk since I was 8 years old, but that was about the limit of my repertoire!). People arrived and some began to set and decorate the centre ceremonial circle. As the Sun began to set a piper began to play his pipes across the field. Then, seemingly from every tent stepped a figure robed in white. From all over the field the Druids walked towards the centre circle. I’ll never forget that image. Tears welled up in my eyes, and I simply couldn’t stop smiling. When we had all gathered in the circle the opening ceremony began, and the magic and drama I felt then changed the way I thought about the Gwersu and the OBOD itself. These people had all learnt their Craft using the same teaching materials I had at home, yet look, feel, experience what they could do! What incredible magic was being worked here! I vowed from that moment to begin the Bardic grade again, and this time I would throw myself into it utterly. I would explore the Bardic tradition and all of the magic it contained.

It was also at the OBOD Summercamp that I saw my first Bard, and first played the Celtic harp. The person who played the bagpipes to draw people to the opening ceremony, also played the mandolin, told stories, poetry, and sang songs, holding the audience spellbound. The Bard’s name was Andy Letcher and those who know him will now be nodding your heads remembering his gifts. As I sat there watching Andy work his Bardic magic I swore an oath to myself that within a year I would be able to do what he did.

On that same evening, as I sat under the stars beside a fire, an angel appeared holding a Celtic Harp and began to sing. Her name was Siggy, and I use the word ‘angel’ purposefully. After she had finished she said that if anyone would like to have a go playing the harp the next day she would be there. Needless to say I spent the majority of the following day sitting in the sunshine exploring this magical instrument, and talking to Siggy. Another oath was made – I would also have a harp within the year……

The rest, as they say, is history, but this is how I began with the Order. Over the years I completed (if we ever truly complete) the three courses. On finishing the final Gwersu of the Druid grade I realised where my heart lay. So in November 2002, on the night of the Hunter’s Moon, the Anderida Grove re-initiated me as a Bard, and here I shall stay.

I now work in the OBOD office, answering emails and letters, and sending out the Gwersu to members all over the world. Sometimes, when I send out an intro pack, I look at the envelope, and wonder what direction the receiver of this seemingly simple package will take upon reading the words it contains. And then I remember sitting beside the pond, on that Spring day in 1994, and the journey I have taken since then, and I smile.