Meeting of the Parliament [Draft]

Meeting date: Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Official Report 1009KB pdf

Time for Reflection

Good afternoon. The first item of business is time for reflection, and our time for reflection leader today is Rev Linda Haggerstone, national interfaith officer with the Scottish Pagan Federation.

Thank you for inviting me, as an interfaith activist and representative for Scottish Pagans, to offer the reflection for this session today.

These are words that begin many Druid rituals, with one small amendment: by the power of star and stone, by the power of the land within and without, by all that is fair and free, I welcome you today, to this time for reflection.

“Paganism” is an umbrella term that has evolved over time from a slur that still lingers in the world today, and which is often met with discrimination and scorn, to a term covering a beautifully messy tapestry of spiritual paths. Modern Paganism’s greatest benefit—and its biggest challenge—is its diversity, in both belief and practice. My chosen path is Druidry, but a Pagan may, for example, identify as a Wiccan, a Heathen or a Witch. A Pagan may experience their faith as humanist, polytheist or animist, to name just three possibilities. I view Paganism as a tapestry woven with threads of many different lengths, textures and hues.

What these diverse threads have in common is generally fourfold: recognition of our interconnectedness with each other, with the earth, and with all existences, seen and unseen; the belief that we are here to consciously honour, respect, and care for the earth, to which we are inextricably connected; celebration of cycles such as the seasons, each solstice and equinox, the phases of the moon or life transitions; and valuing creativity, individual accountability and a balance of masculine and feminine energies.

As Pagans, we are continuously learning to be more inclusive of differing ability, culture, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, age and other characteristics. The Wiccan Rede reminds us of our responsibilities:

“An’ it harm none, do what ye will.”

This Druid prayer may unite us:

“Grant, O Divine Spirit, thy protection,
And in protection, strength,
And in strength, understanding,
And in understanding, knowledge,
And in knowledge, the knowledge of justice,
And in the knowledge of justice, the love of it,
And in the love of it, the love of all existences,
And in the love of all existences, the love of Divine Spirit and all goodness.”

To conclude, I share a prayer that I offer in interfaith circles:

“Deep within the still centre of my being, may I find peace.
Silently, within the quiet of the grove, may I share peace.
Gently, within the greater circle of humankind, may I radiate peace.”

Thank you.