Thinking About – Labels

badgeI’m a modern Druid.

What does it bring to mind when you read those words?

Do you have an image of what that is, the kind of things I like, the way I behave, what I wear, who I am?

Some would say that I have just ‘labelled’ myself, but have I really? I would suggest that we look at little deeper.

I have to be honest, I don’t like the way the word label is used in this context. It is restrictive, inaccurate, and quite pointless. In truth we relate to many things and one of the things I relate to is modern Druidry. I am in relationship with it to the point that I identify with being one myself.

I also go crazy at Download Rock Festival to Slipknot and Slayer, and sing along to classic folk songs at my local folk club.

I care for the environment, recycle, buy as ethically as I can, but I also love Formula One and have to use air travel to go and play at overseas concerts.

I’m a pacifist who loves horror movies and books.

I believe in reincarnation, and I have no idea what will happen to me when I die..

My music is my life.

My kids are my life.

My family and relationships are my life.

My spirituality is my life.

I love company.

I love to be alone.

So I am a modern Druid, but this is not a label. None of them are labels. They are the things I love and enjoy, the roadsigns of my life, the things that, all together, make up who I am. Individually not one of the them defines me, together they make up my life.

I don’t use labels.

I couldn’t afford the bill from Avery…

8 responses to “Thinking About – Labels”

  1. I prefer to think of it as ‘tags’ which infers a list of adjectives not a fixed label. Mostly though I prefer to see us all as unique multi faceted beings of light and contradiction. As far as the term Modern Druid goes it suggests to me one who is focussed in the here and now and is forward looking and not overly tied up in the beguiling nature of the uncertain past.

  2. I love your definition / non-definition. To label something is to limit it and humans and spirituality are unlimited. So many groups, sects pigeonhole themselves and by doing so limit the very power they are seeking to make special. Long live modern druidry, going with the flow, heavy metal and traditional folk!! xx

  3. I love this post. Far too much emphasis in our modern culture on identity and tribal belonging. I am me, I like what I like and in the above I agree whole heartedly. Bb

  4. I think that is what is so special about paganism today, we are free to define ourselves how we want or not at all and it hides us from those people who try to define us, which I think is just as important. this is a lovely post and got me smiling Damh, thank you 😉

  5. Love this post, Damh. I do believe I’ve made a similar point recently 🙂 I like the concept of tags that Shaun mentions above, as it offers the possibility of showing a range of interests without being pigeonholed into just one. I dislike being labelled. ‘Oh, she’s Wiccan’ or whatever. Actually, I’m Marie, and I have many interests, and many ways of exploring and developing my spiritual path, some of which might appear contradictory. And that’s ok.

  6. If more people thought like this, the world would be a better place. There is only one label that we all should recognise and that this that we are all human.

  7. I love this post, and all the comments. Kev hit it on the nose though…we are all unique, diverse, extraordinary humans. How we evoke our humanness is just one way…our way!

  8. I agree whole heartedly with this post and all the comments. Why should we label ourself? It might be easier to define yourself with “Labels” but they do restrain you. I must agree and say that I also don’t like the word label. It has such a negative feel about it. Do like the idea of tags from above. Less negative and it implies that it’s just a part of you. Not all of you.
    What would even be better is that it would be enough to be human. Like Kev said. Only one label, we are human.
    Otherwise the “labels” or “tags” can become quite a long list..

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