INTERVIEW
A Modern Day Druid: Allen ‘Badger’ Gittens
Spirituality, healing, ceremony — the druids in Britain have it all
An interview, as told to me by Druid, Allen Badger Gittens…
“Come on Mr. Badger,” giggled my ex, who had decided that my beard looked like a badger when it started to turn grey. The name stuck. As Druids, we often adopt animal names to help us leave our mundane life behind and put on a magical self or persona. ‘Badger’ however, was just a bit of fun!
I was interested in mythology and folklore from a young age and explored different aspects of paganism — an umbrella term for all earth religions. Druidry is a solar religion based on the seasons, whilst Wicca is a lunar religion based on cycles of the moon.
I began my Druid journey over 20 years ago when I lived close to Avebury Henge. Walking around the stones, I encountered Druids holding ceremonies and one day there was a gathering for a handfasting — a pagan wedding — so I stayed to watch.
“Join us!” they said, and minutes later I found myself standing in a circle holding hands with them. It felt very comfortable.
Over the following months, I spent more time with the group — the Loyal Arthurian Warband — and attended their ceremonies, but I…
