“It is our aim to conduct the traditional rites, such that we all may play a part without conflict or competition as is our way, and as best serves the public and respects the spirit of the place.”
One of the many things to come to the fore in this modern age is the rise of Paganism. It follows many paths and has many adherents, and is almost impossible to classify as a religion, or that it conforms to certain rituals.
But it exists filling in that space between Christian faith and the creeping secularism that is part of our British culture, and though I am not laying aside all the other religions that exist in our multi-layered society, it is Paganism that I would like to focus the attention on.
For it is this ‘way of thought’ that has over the last few years defined a relationship with our old megalithic stones. In particular, the great stone circles, Stonehenge and Avebury. The history that has accrued round these famous monuments has brought a lot of discussion out into the open, issues such as reburial, access to the stones, offerings at sites, and ceremonies at certain times of the year. English Heritage has met this challenge and now consults with the Druidical sect that has official sanctioning at Stonehenge for some of its Celtic ceremonies.
The internet has many leads to the different viewpoints in the Pagan world, far too numerous to go into discussion about. But one organisation strikes a very sensible note – http://www.stonehenge-druids.org/aboutus.html
Frank Somer’s website offers a middle path of acceptance, a tolerance that is inspiring for those of us who do not choose a path of a particular religious bent, his words…
“Stonehenge in its spiritual and inspirational context belongs to the people of the world, with very special significance to those who follow the Celtic Pagan traditions and systems of faith, and among those, naturally, the Druids.”
It is a reasonable approach, the argument that all religious belief does, is bring strife in on its tail is true but unavoidable, faith belongs to the individual, society has to be tolerant.
Article by Moss
The Heritage Journal 
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24/03/2009 at 09:52
Willow
One or two interesting points Moss, but I must pick up on your last paragraph, ‘society has to be ‘tolerant’. In this instance, I am referring to ritualistic tat which is constantly left behind by so called ‘pagans’ etc at West Kennet. The rubbish has now become a talking point with the general public, I refer to the tat left in the trees on the approach to West Kennet long barrow, I refer to the stench of incense from inside the tomb, I refer to more ritualistic paraphernalia, again left inside the tomb, for example, a crown of thorns on my last visit was propped up on one of the stones as you enter the tomb…lovely. I don’t want to see it, the general public it would seem, don’t want to see it, so please, I say to all that feel compelled to leave this ‘stuff’ at our ancient sites…don’t, take it away with you and hang it in your own garden.
Only yesterday my partner and I visited the barrow as we often do, and were discussing ways of removing the tat from the grand old oak, which has now become nothing more than a giant litter bin. Tied in its branches were old socks, knickers, ribbons, plastic garden ties (which will eventually eat into the tree) effigies…oh terrific, and various other bits and bobs. A couple passed us, pointed up at the tree in question and remarked, “it really does spoil a beautiful landscape“, I think that just about sums it up.
What these religious factions seem to forget, is that they are in the minority, it is not acceptable to impose their beliefs on others, so please on behalf of the rest of us don’t, ‘tolerance’ is wearing thin.