Back to School
I had one of the most unusual and heartwarming experiences of my druid journey - stepping into a classroom of sixty 8 and 9 year olds at The Twyn School in Caerphilly.
It all began when my great-nephew came home with a school project about the Welsh Druids, part of their creative curriculum. He proudly showed it to my niece, and I casually said, “Well, I could always pop in and give them a real Druid’s perspective — in full robes, of course!” The school accepted the offer and a date was set.
Preparing for the Children
Preparation, as always, was everything. As a Druid and a celebrant, I’m well-versed in guiding rituals and storytelling for adults, but sixty 8/9 year olds? That was a whole new challenge! I knew that a simple talk wouldn’t hold their attention — it had to be highly interactive, playful and imaginative.
And so, “The Secret World of the Druids” was born — a carefully crafted session that combined story, show-and-tell, movement and a creative activity, all designed to bring the wisdom of the Druids alive for young minds.
Arrival at the School
It was a rainy Welsh day, of course it was! and as I crossed the playground in my flowing white robe and long blue hooded cloak, the wind caught the fabric so that it billowed behind me. I must have been quite a sight: a Druid striding through puddles, cloak swirling dramatically, on her way to meet sixty curious children.
The Session
Here’s how our adventure together unfolded:
Who Were the Druids?
I began with a warm “Shwmae, my name is Deborah and I am a Welsh Druid.” I asked if they’d heard of Druids before, and a forest of hands shot up. Together we explored how Druids were the wise people of the land , teachers, healers, storytellers, and nature lovers — who listened to the trees, stars, rivers and seasons.Druid Treasures – Show and Tell
I shared some of the tools and treasures a Druid might carry even today:
🌿 A bundle of herbs for healing and cleansing.
🔮 A crystal of quartz, holding the Earth’s energy.
🪵 A wand — not for turning anyone into a frog, but for focus and ceremony.
The sparkle in their eyes told me these treasures were working their magic.The Four Elements Game
We moved our bodies to become the Four Elements: blowing like the wind, flickering like fire, flowing like rivers and standing tall and strong like trees. The laughter and energy in the room was wonderful.The Wheel of the Year
I shared how Druids mark the seasons with festivals, from Nos Galan Gaeaf to Gwyl Ifan, from planting time to harvest. “Have you ever been to a bonfire night?” I asked. “That’s a bit like one of our festivals!” Their nods showed they understood.Make a Nature Talisman
For the creative part, I invited them to design their own nature talisman — a little wooden disc decorated with a spiral, leaf, sun or wave, clipped to a key ring chain to remind them of their bond with the Earth. The concentration on their faces as they drew was beautiful to see.Final Words from the Forest
We closed with a simple reminder:
🌳 The trees are our friends.
🔥 The fire is our energy.
💧 The water is our feelings.
🌬️ The wind carries our dreams.
And you are part of nature too.
The Best Question of the Day
Of course, with children you never quite know what to expect. At one point, I asked, “Who knows about Welsh Druids?” A hand shot up and a boy proudly declared, “You have to get two ducks and then you sacrifice them!”
I gulped. How on earth was I going to handle that one? Thinking quickly, I replied with a grin, “Ah, I think those were the French Druids, not the Welsh ones!” The whole room erupted in laughter — including me.
Reflections
Some children were deeply inspired by the nature-based teachings, others needed a little encouragement (especially when it came to the idea of wands!). But all were engaged, curious and wonderfully open-hearted.
It was, without a doubt, one of the hardest and most rewarding “gigs” I’ve ever done as a Druid celebrant. I have no pictures from the day, for the children’s safety.
As I left, damp cloak clinging and spirits lifted, the school invited me to return next year. And so, it seems, “The Sacred World of the Druids” will open its doors once again.
