Place within Druidry

[Woodfox]

I've been thinking a bit about the concept of Place in Druidry. We always, during ritual, ask for the blessing of the spirit of Place to bless our work. This is feeling more and more significant. Partly because there's so many different kinds of Place.

There's the Place one is in as they mature. There's the Place one is in mentally, spiritually, economically. When someone writes a sad poem they often say they were in a bad place at the time. They don't mean their kitchen table. But then, literally, as well, if we're in the woods doing this ritual we are asking for the blessings on whatever Beings reside in the woods, trees, sprites, animals, fae, humans, etc.

And then.... I've always been trying resolutely and nearly desperately to raise my standard of living. When I was a small child we didn't even have electricity, plumbing....walls.... etc. I had a very unique childhood. I was never ashamed of any of it except the lack of walls. I had blankets and curtains tacked onto the 2x4's that divided the house up into rooms. Then Dad went to College and got a government job so he wouldn't die young, and we had walls. I was quite proud of how much we'd progressed. I went to university, expecting to progress further. I expected to be a big shot at whatever it was I was going to do. And I keep thinking of my attitudes, my illnesses (migraines and IBS) that was undiagnosed for so long is the reason for my failure. But now I'm not so sure. And I keep thinking it's something to do with the fact that I've never known my Place in life. Not just classist - as a Canadian, the class system is something I grew up able to pretend didn't exist because anyone can raise themselves up in Canada. Social mobility, in my mind, was always a given. I was going up the ladder. And I was going to do it myself. But that's always been my focus. Perhaps that's the wrong kind of "knowing my Place".

And then of course there's the Otherworld, which has opened it's gate to me, and I found myself straddling two worlds at Avebury during the Summer Gathering. Being in two Places at once.

[DaRC]

Just look at this Place is one of English's gloriously complicated words (this is my year of being an evangelist for embracing complexity)...

place [pleys] noun, verb, placed, plac·ing.
noun
1.a particular portion of space, whether of definite or indefinite extent.
2. space in general: time and place.
3. the specific portion of space normally occupied by anything: The vase is in its place. Every item on the shelf had its place.
4. a space, area, or spot, set apart or used for a particular purpose: a place of worship; a place of entertainment.
5. any part or spot in a body or surface: a decayed place in a tree.
6. a particular passage in a book or writing: to find the place where one left off reading.
7. a space or seat for a person, as in a theater, train, etc.: Please save my place for me.
8. position, situation, or circumstances: I would complain if I were in your place.
9. a proper or appropriate location or position: A restaurant is not the place for an argument.
10. a job, post, or office: persons in high places.
11. a function or duty: It is not your place to offer criticism.
12. proper sequence or relationship, as of ideas, details, etc.: My thoughts began to fall into place.
13. high position or rank: aristocrats of power and place.
14. a region or area: to travel to distant places.
15. an open space, or square, as in a city or town.
16. a short street, a court, etc.
17. a portion of space used for habitation, as a city, town, or village: Trains rarely stop in that place anymore.
18. a building, location, etc., set aside for a specific purpose: He will soon need a larger place for his expanding business.
19. a part of a building: The kitchen is the sunniest place in the house.
20. a residence, dwelling, or house: Please come and have dinner at my place.
21. lieu; substitution (usually followed by of ): Use yogurt in place of sour cream.
22. a step or point in order of proceeding: in the first place.
23. a fitting or promising opportunity: There's a place in this town for a man of his talents.
24. a reasonable ground or occasion: This is no place for such an outburst.
25. Arithmetic .
a. the position of a figure in a series, as in decimal notation.
b. Usually, places. the figures of the series.
26. Drama . one of the three unities. Compare unity ( def. 8 ) .
27. Sports .
a. a position among the leading competitors, usually the first, second, or third at the finish line.
b. the position of the competitor who comes in second in a horse race, harness race, etc. Compare show ( def. 27 ) , win ( def. 17 ) .
28. places, Theater . a call summoning performers for the beginning of a performance or an act.
29. room or space for entry or passage: to make place for the gentry.
verb (used with object)
30. to put in the proper position or order; arrange; dispose: Place the silverware on the table for dinner.
31. to put or set in a particular place, position, situation, or relation.
32. to put in a suitable place for some purpose: to place an advertisement in the newspaper.
33. to put into particular or proper hands: to place some incriminating evidence with the district attorney.
34. to give (an order or the like) to a supplier: She placed the order for the pizza an hour ago.

verb (used with object)
30. to put in the proper position or order; arrange; dispose: Place the silverware on the table for dinner.
31. to put or set in a particular place, position, situation, or relation.
32. to put in a suitable place for some purpose: to place an advertisement in the newspaper.
33. to put into particular or proper hands: to place some incriminating evidence with the district attorney.
34. to give (an order or the like) to a supplier: She placed the order for the pizza an hour ago.
35. to appoint (a person) to a post or office: The president placed him in the Department of Agriculture.
36. to find a place, situation, etc., for (a person): The agency had no trouble placing him with a good firm.
37. to determine or indicate the place or value of: to place health among the greatest gifts in life.
38. to assign a certain position or rank to: The army placed him in the infantry.
39. to succeed in attaining a position for in an athletic or other contest: to place players on the all-American team; to place students in the finals of the interscholastic chess tournament.
40. to identify by connecting with the proper place, circumstances, etc.: to be unable to place a person; to place a face; to place an accent.
41. to employ (the voice) for singing or speaking with consciousness of the bodily point of emphasis of resonance of each tone or register.

verb (used without object)
42. Sports .
a. to finish among the first three competitors in a race.
b. to finish second in a horse race, harness race, etc.
43. to earn a specified standing with relation to others, as in an examination, competition, etc.: He placed fifth in a graduation class of 90.

Idioms
44. give place to,
a. to give precedence or priority to: The old gives place to the new.
b. to be succeeded or replaced by: Travel by trains has given place to travel by airplanes.
45. go places, Informal . to succeed or advance in one's career: He'll never go places if he stays in his hometown.
46. in place,
a. in the correct or usual position or order: Dinner is ready and everything is in place.
b. in the same spot, without advancing or retreating: Stand by your desk and jog in place for a few minutes of exercise.
47. know / keep one's place, to recognize one's position or rank, especially if inferior, and behave or act accordingly: They treated their servants well but expected them always to know their place.
48. out of place,
a. not in the correct or usual position or order: The library books are all out of place.
b. unsuitable to the circumstances or surroundings; inappropriate: He had always felt out of place in an academic environment. A green suit was out of place at the funeral.

But getting back on topic this statement leapt out at me

And I keep thinking ... is the reason for my failure.

The question then is how do you measure success & failure?
So when I emphasis you I don't mean society, your parents, your peer group, coven or nemeton but yourself. Personally I spent too long feeling a failure, with it's associated lack of self esteem because I had no personal definition of success. I've now discovered that it's at odds with the societal norm - which perhaps explains some of my addicive behaviour in the past.

So I'm not the boss who lives in the big, fabulous house with the powerful car with a stepford wife as my upbringing (and TV adverts) have suggested are important - but through work internal, external & spiritual via OBOD, my love of cycling and the Gewessi path (British based Druid-Heathenry) I have some measure of tranquility.

Finally, I've been reading about Emotional Design and how to improve design once the basics; a product has to be functional, reliable and usable, have been built. So it then focussed on what are positive Emotions, before moving onto how to include them in a design...

Positivity Definition (from http://www.huffingtonpost.com/kari-henley/what-are-the-top-10-posit_b_203797.html)
Joy
Joy happens in an instant -- a perfect moment captured when all is just exactly as it should be. Think of a wonderful holiday morning with the family, an unexpected present that delights you, or seeing the first smile on your infant's face. What brings you Joy?

Gratitude
Gratitude is a moment of realizing someone has gone out of their way for you, or simply feeling overwhelmed with your heart opening, after being moved in some way. With gratitude comes a desire to give in return or 'pay it forward' in some way. When did you last experienced deep Gratitude?

Serenity
Serenity is like a mellow, relaxed, or sustained version of Joy. Serenity is a peacefulness that comes on a cloudless day, when you realize there's nothing you have to do. Serenity is indulging in a favorite luxury, and being mindful enough to take it in. Serenity is the moment on vacation when you finally let go. Has Serenity crossed your door lately?

Interest
Interest is a heightened state that calls your attention to something new that inspires fascination, and curiosity. Like a shiny new toy to capture your imagination, interest is alive and invigorating. Interest wakes you up, and leaves you wanting more. What Interests you these days?

Hope
Dr. Fredrickson describes it best: "Unlike other emotions that arise out of comfort and safety, hope springs out of dire circumstances, as a beacon of light. Deep within the core of hope is the belief that things can change, turn out better. Possibilities exist. Hope sustains you and motivates you to turn things around." The inauguration of President Obama brought me Hope. What brings you Hope?

Pride
Ever done something really well that took a little time and effort? Maybe you reached a goal you never thought was attainable? Then pat yourself on the back with unadulterated Pride. Stand back, take that deep breath and let it in -- you earned it. What have you done that made your proud?

Amusement
Think of amusement as those delightful surprises that make you laugh. It's those unexpected moments that interrupt your focus and crack you up. It's a great feeling to have amusement sparkle out of the doldrums and instantly change your perspective. Have you had any amusement in your life recently?

Inspiration
Inspiration is a moment that touches your heart and nearly takes your breath away -- or takes in your breath, as the word literally translates. Inspiration whispers between the strands of your hair, as you watch a perfect sunset, witness academic or athletic excellence, or observe unexpected triumphs over adversity. What brings Inspiration in your life?

Awe
Awe happens when you come across goodness on a grand scale, and you feel overwhelmed by greatness. Awe is triggered when we are faced with the vastness of Nature, or the cosmos. Gazing at the Milky Way and counting the stars, or standing at the top of the Grand Canyon triggers awe. Have you had a moment of awe lately?

Love
Guess what? The list is rigged. Actually, the #1 most frequent positive emotion is here at the bottom. Love encompasses all of the above: joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride, amusement, inspiration and even awe. Love is all that and more. When we experience love, our bodies are flooded with the "feel good" hormones that reduce stress and even lengthen our lives.

How did you make out on your list? Are you experiencing these emotions on a regular basis, occasionally, or hardly any at all? Most importantly, how can we experience them more often?

Let's try an experiment together. All you need are some sticky notes.

Put each of the ten positive words above on a sticky note. For the next ten days, peel off one at a time, and take that word with you, wherever you go, as your daily "flourishing mission." Put your daily sticky note on your dashboard, in your pocket or on the bathroom mirror. Take in the essence of each word, and try to bring it out in others.

[skydove]

Hi Woodfox,
Good topic, all the different ways we relate to Place and 'my' place in the Place, where I am in the great scheme of things. I think what you seem to be saying is that it encompasses memories of how we were in the past, what we are now in our environment and the choices we are making on a day to day level and what we wish for our future - what we would like our place in the world to be like and how we relate to it on many levels. I think there maybe an individual progression in this, when we are small we are in the place that is our personal environment, our home with our families. We grow and strive to change our place hopefully through our own efforts or circumstances, we learn our place is also the place of others and that they are each sharing our place, the others being people, animals, plants, trees, non humans etc. We learn to connect and with that connection not feel isolated and maybe though responsible not so responsible as we are a but small part of a much greater thing. There is more going on here than the individual self. That's as far in thought as I've got myself, I think after years of striving you can allow yourself to relax and enjoy who you are and your place in the place - be it ever so humble!

[Woodfox]

Thanks for replying, both of you. I'll respond in more detail soon. I've been working like a madwoman over the summer because we're so short staffed.