For my audio paper I would like to continue exploring Rituals and the idea of ‘Magic’, the latter I will discuss later. Although I do feel my paper will focus mainly on Haitian ritual and percussion, simply due to the amount of resources available on the subject I would still like to note my thoughts down regarding English Ritual.
Following the end of term last year I have undergone a sort of national re-evaluation, during covid-19 my attentions were drawn to the extremely negative aspects of the UK-be it in the news, documentaries and writings, my focus last term was on US Dance Culture, I was pretty much escaping my current enviroment. Although my love for the US scene is still incredibly strong I have began to explore my own environment and the relation the arts has with England and the countryside. I have now found myself falling down a Carrol-esque rabbit hole filled with UK Folk History, Druids, Paganism and Witchcraft. In doing this I have discovered a part of our history that has been washed away by religion and politics, a time when nature ruled and we respected her.
The following notes are from a book that researches Englands fascination with Magic/the arts. There is one particular section that discuss the Ritual of Journeying, I intend to incorporate this into a segment of my work.
The Book of English Magic- Philip Carr-Gomm & Richard Heygate
P.58– ‘Most of the information about them (Druids) and their lore comes from Wales, Ireland, Scotland and Brittany. You would expect a revival of interest in the Druids to emerge from one of these areas but in reality England, and London in particular, is the location for the appearance of all three kinds of Druids in the last three hundred years.’
The Fraternal Druid-started in a Soho Pub
The Cultural Druid-Primrose Hill
Spiritual Drudged Movement- Clapham and Stonehenge
P.59–‘Early 20th Century resident of Clapham, George Watson MacGregor Reid founded the British Nature Care Association to promote Vegetarianism, outdoor living, natural medicine and wholesome food. He also became fascinated by religion and magic, founding a group known as ‘The Universal Bond of the Sons of Men’.
Considering the above two quotations, I believe that the ideas of Reid and others at the turn of the century align with the values of many people today. The parallels between Reids world and ours is not too dissimilar at all; roughly sixty years on from the end of the industrial revolution, the country has undergone a dramatic shift from agriculture to industry, cities are bustling bleak metropolis’ spreading into the natural world. Looking to recent years we are now living through the Technological and Data revolution, a period that poses more questions than answers. Both time periods are fearful of war, they are in constant states of crisis.
It is understandable for people to explore alternative ways of life when the current outlook promises only doom and despair. My point being that in times of uncertainty people turn to magic/art whether they know it or not.
Location is interesting as well, the modern revival of Druidism and Shamanism can be located to London. This isn’t particularly surprising due to the long history of arts and culture that run through the very heart of this ancient city. Whereas outside towns and villages cater to an ‘easier and quiet’ life, London is a melting pot of people, places and ideas giving artists and creators a platform to express. In the last 10 years we have seen a massive shift in cultural and environmental thinking, groups such as Extinction Rebellion and Greenpeace have championed a greener and more environmentally conscious society in opposition to a traditional capitalist society.
One survey conducted in 2016 found that the number of people identifying as vegans rose a whopping 360 percent in the previous decade, and it appears that plant-based diets have continued to grow in popularity. The year 2020 brought more global awareness of the connections between disease and meat consumption, which may be responsible for the 40 percent increase in vegans in Britain according to one report, bringing the estimated total to 1.5 million people. From https://sentientmedia.org/increase-in-veganism/
P.66- It takes quite the leap of faith to take part in a Druid ceremony, which is aimed at creating an altered state of consciousness.