The Hedge Druid

It may be as a consequence of the long hot dry spring going into summer that we’ve had this year in this land of Albion, or it could be because I’m at a particularly hippy-ish point in my spiritual path, but recently I have begun to walk around in my bare feet. I’m sure there are other reasons for this too – the fact that my feet are Size 12 (46 continental size) and getting good-fitting shoes is proving particularly difficult at the moment. Or maybe it’s something to do with me wanting to put myself through some kind of a challenge – a challenge to society (what will your reaction be to me exposing my bare naked foot flesh? ooooh!) or a challenge in terms of overcoming the pain that often accompanies trying to walk over man-made materials.

I suspect it’s all of these things together and none in particular. There’s a philosophy of freedom that begins to manifest itself when you start down the path of druidry. Philip Carr-Gomm’s latest book – ‘A Brief History Of Nakedness‘ – is perhaps a timely reminder to me that the skin loves to breathe too, occasionally.

Those who know me would be surprised at me doing this, because I have always had a “thing” about having my feet covered up. Probably because they’re damned ugly! But all that is changing. Slowly. The start of this evolutionary process is a “small step” (pardon the pun) in a long process. I am really loving the touch of the earth, the feel of different natural textures under my feet, the coolness of grass even on a hot day, the massage of soft earth and sand….the effects are wonderful, liberating, reassuring and soothing.

I was hesitant at first. I have always been of the opinion that we invented footwear for a damned good reason, and I’m pretty sure – after having walked across a long hot tarmac road – that footwear has an indespensable place in the modern wardrobe. I even considered the half-way house of the Five Fingers shoes as a means of getting myself used to it before actually doing it. But there is no substitute for simply jumping right in there and getting rid of shoes and socks when in a suitably natural environment. The rubber-lined foot, no matter how realistic the feel, is simply defeating the purpose of reconnecting with Nature directly and without interference. There’s no halfway house to freedom.

Once one overcomes the initial panic of “how will I appear” and “what if I stand on something sharp” type of questions, and abandons oneself to the care and concern of a guiding force like Nature then She is truly kind to the barefoot initiate! Recent extended jaunts through fields of nettles, thistles and cowpats have been performed without a scratch or a hitch. A walk around Glastonbury Tor’s labyrinth path was similarly trouble-free. I suspect that, done with the right state of mind (i.e. tuned into Nature and trusting to Her) then the rewards are returned many-fold and go far beyond the simple pleasure of walking naturally on the earth.

My goal is now to begin to feel through my feet. To feel the pulse of the earth through my newly awakened land-based organs. I feel like having a t-shirt printed with the slogan “Go to work on your feet” emblazoned, but frankly I work 25 miles from home so I’d be being a bit of a hypocrite if I sported that slogan. Perhaps you could suggest something more appropriate? Amusing, insulting or ingenious – up to you!

Gwas

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