Preparation for death

[Fox of the Oaks]

Hello,
I hope everyone is enjoying either the Summer or Winter Solstice.

The influence of the Winter Solstice has brought a question to me, so I thought to share it with others here also:

Do you feel your practice and lifestyle of Druidry has prepared you for your own death, and what may be beyond it? how so?

[Hennie]

I don't think there is any way of learning how to actually die.

I think the OBOD course gives you a lot to ponder death and perhaps an afterlife or reincarnation and such; I feel however the course doesn't give any definite answers and I feel that is how it should be.

[Heddwen]

I think that my life experiences have paved the way towards some insight of the dying process, having been with many people at the end of life and having the privilege of being with them during their time of death.

I used to be a Marie Curie Nurse providing care for the terminally ill at home and in the community and have seen many people die both peacefully and not so peacefully. It never ceased to amaze me to watch the inner strength and the total hopeless that impending death can bring. I've had some strange and often humorous end of days requests, I think that the whole experience has lessened my fear of dying on the whole.

As I consider druidry to also be our 'work' then experiencing this often uncelebrated (if that's the right word) part of the life cycle is part of druidry and OBOD too. Perhaps there is something about serving our community further along in the course.We certainly need more midwifes of the soul, to offer support in those final days and afterwards. We didn't do bereavement visits very often,which was a shame after spending so much time with the bereaved family.

I think that what happens after death is down to your UPG.

[Hennie]

I am actually terminally ill with heart failure. Two weeks ago the doc advised me not to take any strolls anymore, as my pulse rate drops to about 35 p/m after 2 minutes of walking.

Druidry has provided me with a lot of insight in my mind and soul, and has brought me a lot of possibilities to ponder.

Indeed being of service is an important thing to OBOD druidry, as might be expected.

But it hasn't taught me how I can say goodbye to my wife, sons and dearest friends, and how to cope with feelings of not having lived 'like I should have' etc.

I agree with you that there should be more attention for those who are left behind.

[Heddwen]

Hennie, I hope that you have some good support there. I heard that the Netherlands have an excellent service for the terminally ill. I'm glad that your path in druidry provides some help.

[Hennie]

Thank you.

I am well taken care for and over here there is always the option of euthanasia if things really get unbearable. But still no other person can think or feel for me, but that is alright, of course.

[Arcanum]

My practice of Druidry has given me a vision that we will live again in the next cycle of the universe. In fact this could very well be the 1000th time I have typed this...

So, I do not feel sad when people close to me pass - I will meet them and enjoy their company all over again!

[Fox of the Oaks]

Thank you everyone for your responses so far. I will offer my response.

I think that by living well, we are able to die well. I think the best use of life, since it will not last, is to make something lasting of it, to sow the seeds of Eternity in the rhythms of the temporal. Who I am, how I grow and learn and develop, relate to others, and act in the world - how I shape my character - that to me is most precious. I understand we carry this growth with us beyond our death, so I see it as being most important in life.

So I honour the ever-present Existence, which I know nothing can take from us, not even the gateways of death. I feel every moment is equally precious regardless of the circumstances. I am quite certain something of us survives after death, otherwise I wouldn't be druid. I feel a natural understanding of things beyond this life, I have since before I can remember.

Druidry fits for me; it is not that I have adopted its beliefs, but they fit what I have always understood. So I feel Druidry has, and can continue to, prepare me for my death, firstly by my own self-transformation, and also perhaps through working with the Otherworld. It clarifies a way that feels natural to me.

Death does seem to be ultimately a mystery though, as it should, yet I don't believe Nature is blind to her ways, everything happens according to a Great Truth. I shall one day see how I fare I suppose, that is the test of life is it not?

But as you say Hennie, perhaps there is no way of preparing; I appreciate your honesty, acceptance and wisdom, and wish you well in the here and hereafter.

Peace,
PineRaven.

[shirley mclaren]

Whilst druidry has not given me any real answers as to life after death, it has most definitely brought me close, and keeps me close to the goddess, i.e. the earth to which I will one day return.

I too wish you a safe journey when the time comes Hennie.

BB

Shirley