A New Beginning for an Old Idea.

So we meet again, internet.

I used to be really into blogging before Google acquired Blogger.

Don't remember a time when Google didn't own Blogger?

That's because I'M OLD!

Anywho, I decided to start this blog as a halfway point between journalling and typing out notes/thoughts/miscellanea into some formless Word document. I believe there's great value in actually handwriting a journal, but I also type about a billion times faster than I actually write (and at least that many times more legibly as well). So, here goes.

My purpose for this blog is to explore my newfound spirituality/religion/whatever called "Druidry". By newfound, I mean like, three years ago. But believe me when I tell you that it is no easy task to convert from a seemingly opposed viewpoint (AKA Christianity). I've had times over the past three years where the task was simply too great, and the very best I could do to improve myself in this way was to do nothing at all. I feel now that I am on the cusp of a big transformation, and, for the first time in a very long time, I feel I have the wherewithal to muddle through it. Hence, the blogging! Hopefully I will be able to share my ideas in a coherent manner (always good to be coherent, y'know), and this will serve for me as a place to see where I am, as well as where I've been.

So. A short introduction. For the purpose of all things Druidic, my name is Tara Loughborough. I get the Tara from the place I stood in Ireland and marvelled at the beauty and rich history of that land, and felt, though I am Canadian, that I had come home for the first time in my entire life. I get the Loughborough from the place I did a lot of growing up. My name is an amalgamation of the two "births" I've had in my life. One literally, and one spiritually. Also, it just sounds pretty.

As far as my Druidic path goes, I consider myself to be of the Celtic/Vedic persuasion. I am a member of both the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD), and Ar nDraioct Fein (ADF), and both for very different reasons. OBOD served as a launching pad for me as its material is very complete for the initiate. OBOD tends to like their secrecy though, and I respect and understand that desire, but I felt it was holding me back a little. So I stumbled upon ADF. Where OBOD states that "The first rule of OBOD is: you don't talk about OBOD", ADF is more of the mindset that, you know, "Come on in! Be a druid with us! Want some cider?" and is far more inclusive in its beliefs. OBOD is mainly Celtic, though it doesn't dissuade anyone from having other leanings, whereas ADF is more of a giant Indo-European buffet of belief systems. I was holding back on joining ADF, because, well, isn't one Druid group enough? Then I met a lovely person by the name of Grey Catsidhe that convinced me for certain. OBOD unfortunately doesn't have much of a presence in my area, and ADF definitely does. Sold. They both have their pros and cons, but so far, the combo has been particularly useful for me.

I've recently added Vedic culture studies into the mix as well as Celtic. (Hence the strange blog name... Namaste Om Shamrock? Get it? Maybe that's just my own brand of nerd humour... :P) Turns out, all these stories and teachings I love from the yoga world actually have a place in ADF. Who knew? I was pretty happy to learn that I could integrate them into my Druidry. Not that before I thought... I couldn't... really. It just never occured to me. Strange how sometimes you need permission from someone else to allow something that feels so natural to you...

Currently I am working on the Bardic Grade with OBOD, and the Dedicant Path with ADF. I pretty much lately have been completely focused on all things Druidic, and the more I learn, the more I love it. It feels like a homecoming. Nothing about Christianity to me ever felt familiar. I most certainly understand that it is a completely valid path for some... just... not for me. I'm trying to find answers as to how I am going to live this new life with a spirituality rooted in the earth, instead of one rooted in a church. It's been difficult to navigate, as my family is very much Christian, and... I don't really imagine them reacting well to my conversion. So I'm trying to decide whether this is something I share to be honest and open with them and myself (most importantly), whatever the consequences, or whether it is something sacred that is just for me. We'll see. Stay tuned.

If you've got this far, thanks for reading! :) I promise my next posts will be much shorter! :) LOL