Last updated: August 7th, 2003
"Deep within the center of my being may I find peace.
Quietly within the silence of the Grove may I share peace.
Gently within the greater circle of humankind may I radiate peace."
~Druid Peace Prayer~
My Lessons My Writings
I am a Druid. That truth has been shown to me over the events of past months. And though I am wary of many things, I cannot deny the longing of my soul towards this path. Like a moth to a flame, I am drawn towards truth and knowledge. Not without error, and not without trial and tribulation. For many years, I struggled under the hold of Christianity, and some of my earliest thoughts of church as a child concern the thought of God being a selfish child playing with a dollhouse, manipulating things that would be better left alone, shifting things towards His own, oft-malevolent will.
Christianity is not the path for me, and it holds no prospect of truth, nor grounding in reality for me. This is an undeniable personal truth, though I respect those that follow that path. Each person has a right to their own personal beliefs, though I feel that many believe them simply because they know of nothing else. Which is why the pagan community is growing, as it grew when I walked out of church for the last time, fed up with hypocrisy and the undeniable feeling that every word that slipped from my pastor's mouth was a shameful lie.
I was Wiccan, or I tried to be, for several years. I was led astray, by circumstance and by people, from the truth and beauty of that path. Though I hold respect for that path, and still in many ways practice the beliefs of the Wiccan people, it is not the path for me. Circumstance has made me move away from that road, from that walk of life, never to again return. Wicca, though a beautiful system of belief and magick, will never be the same for me as it was when I opened my first circle three years ago.
I was Agnostic for many months. I felt that there was something up there, some higher power that resided beyond the capability of my sight, that cared for me and missed my presence in the magickal walk...but I didn't care. I lived an empty existence, devoid of growth and progress. Empty of spirit and mind, I moved through the motions of work, eat, and sleep like a body without spirit or a will of is own. Animated, but not living. It wasn't until I reached out for companionship in my discarded pagan beliefs, catching wind of and attending a Pagan Meetup in my city, where I met with the man who is now my mentor, and my brother in the Tribe.
I have only recently joined the Ancients Grove of Tulsa, and the Tribe Dragondark. On August 2nd, 2003, I took on a year and a day commitment to the Grove, and to the Tribe, a time of learning. A time of growth, mentally, physically, and, most importantly, spiritually. I aspire now for many things, things that have come to me in mediation and dreams.
I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma in the USA. I am seeking other pagans, not just in my area, but across the nation and even across the world, so feel free to email me if you wish to, and I will be glad to return your letter. Only through the sharing of knowledge shall any one of us become wiser, more aware of the world and of the roads that we travel.
I look forward to my journey, to my year and a day commitment, and to all that shall come after it.
Please Email to JonLaughter@hotmail.com for any questions/comments.