The Solitary Path of a Hedge Druidess: The Enduring Wisdom of Glennie Kindred

For those on a journey to reconnect with the Earth, the name Glennie Kindred is often spoken with deep respect. As a practicing Hedge Druid for over 40 years, I've walked a solitary, hands-on path—one that finds its deepest wisdom in nature and personal intuition. This is why Glennie Kindred's work resonates so profoundly with me; it’s a powerful echo of my own journey. Her much-loved art and writing stand as a testament to the power of personal experience and the wisdom of the natural world.

Her path is that of "Hedge Druidry"—a solitary practice that finds its own way by drawing wisdom from nature and personal intuition. This approach is evident in her books, which have historically been difficult to acquire, making them even more prized by her admirers. I have read her works that a friend had and always wanted to invest in a body of her work myself. I tried for years to acquire her material, but the only way you could order her books was through her website, and she did not at that time, ship outside of the UK. And if you look up even now, her book, The Tree Ogham, on Amazon, it goes for $94 to $199. Ouch!

Despite this, her work is now available through channels like the OBOD (Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids) store, a testament to her widespread influence. I have ordered her "The Tree Ogham," and I'm so excited to finally possess her work. I hope eventually to own all her works.

Kindred’s philosophy is deeply rooted in her childhood, where she spent her early years in Sherwood Forest. She has shared memories of climbing into the branches of the famous Major Oak and playing among "giant hollow Oaks," which instilled in her a foundational sense of being "safe and nurtured" by these ancient beings. This early, visceral connection to nature became the central pillar of her life's work. Her subsequent teachings, which emphasize slowing down and sensing the "presence" of trees, are a conscious effort to guide others toward a similar, profound reconnection.

Her journey into motherhood further shaped her teachings, making them practical and accessible. She transitioned from painting to creating black-and-white drawings that could be photocopied, a choice born of necessity but one that became a defining characteristic of her work. This grassroots, decentralized approach allowed her to bypass the mainstream publishing industry, creating "home-grown" books that are both personal and widely available.

Kindred is widely recognized as an expert on natural lore and Earth traditions. Her books, including titles like A Hedgerow Cookbook and Herbal Healers, provide practical information on foraging and using wild native plants for food and medicine. At the heart of her work is the profound concept of "relationships and inter-relationships," urging readers to see themselves not as separate from nature but as an active, integrated part of it. This focus on "the wild edges" is a key theme throughout her writing, evident in titles such as Letting in the Wild Edges and Between the Worlds. It’s a concept that directly connects to the work of Jesse "Wolf" Hardin and his emphasis on Rewilding and Human Rewilding—the idea that our physical and spiritual health are tied to our reconnection with the wild.

Another key component of her philosophy is her view on ceremony. She believes that ceremony is an innate part of the human experience and should be "simple" and "heart-felt," without "pomp and formality." She advises people to create their own ceremonies, empowering them to follow their "own personal spirituality and intuitive wisdom" rather than appropriating from other cultures. This aligns perfectly with the solitary, self-directed nature of a Hedge Druid's path. Her work is grounded in the "Wheel of the Year," the eight Celtic festivals that serve as a framework for living in harmony with the Earth's cycles.

What makes Kindred's work truly unique is her fusion of ancient alchemy with the Earth's cycles. She reinterprets alchemical concepts not as a quest for physical gold, but as a journey toward "Unity consciousness"—the understanding that all life is "functioning as one whole living ecosystem" and that the Earth is an "intelligent living being." For her, the "alchemist's gold" is this experience of "wholeness and Oneness," and the "Elixir of Life" is the "Universal Love and Inner Peace" that comes from it. This perspective transforms her practical guides into tools for spiritual growth, showing that working with plants or celebrating festivals is a means to achieve a state of unity.

Her art is an integral part of her message. She learned to draw by "sitting with trees," a deliberate process that allowed her to "sense their 'presence' and understand the many different energies of each tree species." Her intricate line drawings are not just representations of physical forms; they are a visual embodiment of the wisdom she receives through this meditative practice. The seamless union of her writing and art reflects her belief that the practical and the spiritual are two sides of the same coin.

Kindred's work is also a form of "magical activism," which is built on the belief that we are "conscious co-creators of the changes we wish to see happen." This activism is not about protest but about a fundamental shift in perception. She promotes a "rich vein of optimism," presenting it as a strategic and empowering act. She sees a "huge groundswell, a peoples movement of love, optimism, care for the Earth," emerging as a collective awakening from a mindset of separation.

In a world grappling with environmental and spiritual crises, Kindred's work offers a compelling and timely alternative. It is a testament to the power of optimism, the wisdom of ancient traditions, and the enduring truth that by reconnecting with the wild edges of nature, we can rediscover a sense of belonging and find a path toward a more creative and sustainable future.