Gorgo: Regarding the Pouring out and Pouring of Beakers - what material should we use for the Beakers? Here in Mellstock we prefer Tupperware, which is hard-wearing and practical, and bounces if dropped.
Archdruid: It is, I think, fair to say that the ancient Beaker People did not have Tupperware, which is in any event an American invention. Beakers should be made from clay which has been hand-dragged from a brook, stream or other running water, thrown on a foot-powered wheel and then baked in a druidically approved kiln. If the people of Mellstock have any problems with any of this, then I will be happy to post you some of the Husborne Crawley beakers at a very reasonable price plus handling charge.
Argle: Can the Archdruid advise us on the finer points of the ceremony for making an Archdruid?
Archdruid: I don't think there's any need for such a ceremony at this point, or indeed in the forseeable future. Next!
Brampton Valley: Can you please advise on the order of procession for druids at the Great Ceremonies?
Archdruid: We are of course a non-hierarchical, deeply democratic people. So I recommend that the Ovates process at the front, followed by Novitiatives and Lesser Druids. The Druidic Council, or Drayton Parslow as we know him, will then (if he attends) be followed by the Executive Assistant Arch-Druid. At Husborne Crawley, I will then be at the back of the procession, flanked by Acolytes, Helpmeets and Flunkies according to the solemnity of the Occasion.
Archdruid: We are of course a non-hierarchical, deeply democratic people. So I recommend that the Ovates process at the front, followed by Novitiatives and Lesser Druids. The Druidic Council, or Drayton Parslow as we know him, will then (if he attends) be followed by the Executive Assistant Arch-Druid. At Husborne Crawley, I will then be at the back of the procession, flanked by Acolytes, Helpmeets and Flunkies according to the solemnity of the Occasion.
Bogle: Could the Archdruid advise on who put the ram in the ramalamadingdong?
Archdruid: I don't personally know the man responsible, but when I meet him I'd like to shake his hand.
Gorgo: When celebrating Full Moon, is it two steps back and one step forward or the other way round?
Archdruid: Wouldn't like to give a full answer to this question, as clearly it depends upon the season. I normally make two steps back and one step forward in the spring and autumn, as these are times of change, and the opposite in summer and winter. Except July when it's two steps back and one to the side. And Christmas when we just stay inside and hold the ceremony in the conservatory. Hope this has made it all clear.
Regwald: What about gnarling?
Archdruid: Still temporarily suspended. We will revisit gnarling at the appropriate time but definitely not this side of a General Election.
Archdruid: Still temporarily suspended. We will revisit gnarling at the appropriate time but definitely not this side of a General Election.
Ingulf: On the subject of cutting mistletoe - why does my golden sickle keep bending?
Archdruid: Golden sickles should not be made of pure gold. As a metal it's far too soft to cut the stalks of mistletoe which, as you have discovered, are very tough. I recommend that you send me the sickle you have been using for further investigation, and I will send you by return of post a gold-lacquered stainless steel sickle, which I think you will find to be perfect for the job.
Olaf: When processing for the Ritual of Untying, should we rotate clockwise or anticlockwise?
Archdruid: I think to answer this we need to go back to the basis of the Ritual of Untying. At the Ritual of Tying, the tying was done left-handed in support of our left-handed siblings who have such trouble in this modern right-handed world. Therefore the Ritual of Untying should be carried out clockwise, to counter the anticlockwise rotation of the original Tying. Unless you're south of the equator, in which case all these directions should be reversed.
Hnaef: I've been much taken by the Catholic tradition of lay people kissing the hands of newly-ordained priests when receiving a "first blessing". Do you think there is potential for this kind of ritual in Beakerdom?
Archdruid: Thanks for this suggestion, Hnaef. I think we may be able to extend the idea - rather than kissing, perhaps the receiver of the blessing could lay some money in the Druid's hands for the use of the Druidic Support Fund? Of course, in these days of increased allergies, we'd want to ensure it was in the nature of the folding stuff rather than nasty allergenic metal.
Archdruid: Thanks for this suggestion, Hnaef. I think we may be able to extend the idea - rather than kissing, perhaps the receiver of the blessing could lay some money in the Druid's hands for the use of the Druidic Support Fund? Of course, in these days of increased allergies, we'd want to ensure it was in the nature of the folding stuff rather than nasty allergenic metal.
Ogbald: Can the Archdruid comment on the correct length for Hi Viz at Beltane? We in Lower Mellstock stick to the green vests but it appears that our friends in Sarum tend towards a much longer, heavier material although keeping the general colour scheme.
Archdruid: Your "friends at Sarum" are the Salisbury Cathedral choir. You can tell they aren't real Beaker People as their "Hi Viz" clothes are actually cassocks.
I would like to thank the Archdruid for this wonderfully informative post, especially the clarity she brings to the order of prescedence in the procession, Beaker folk are so obviously no-hierachial!
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