Before I step up in writing these blogs and sharing with you fascinating and insightful articles, memoirs and interviews with you all on this page, I asked myself how can I do this when you, the readers don’t know who the writer is or my background in Intrafaith, so who am I?
I’m Daniel and this year it has been my honour to step up into the role of Deputy Manager for the Intrafaith Team here as part of the wider Pagan Federation Community. One morning while sitting in my caravan overlooking the Guisborough Moors, I saw an advertisement for a member of the Pagan Community to join the Intrafaith Team and I knew that this role was perfect for me as Intrafaith has been close to my heart and spiritual practice for over 10 years.
So here begins my story into Intrafaith.
Ever since I can remember I have loved Celtic, British and European myths, legends and ancient civilisations especially Greek and Egyptian cultures. As a child I loved the legend of King Arthur, Merlin, Avalon and the Knights of the Round Table, when I was nine, I visited Stonehenge for the first time and found a book on Druidry which opened me up to a whole new world, back then I was naive to think I was the last Pagan from the Old Religion.
Fast forward nine years to being 18 and stepping out to my first Pagan Picnic at Elvaston Castle in Derbyshire where my initiation into the Pagan community began, from then on I went to many different groups and communities within the Derby and Nottinghamshire area getting to know fellow pagans and spiritual people opening me up to a whole new way of thinking and living, for the first time I no longer felt like a weirdo or an outsider, I felt at home here with people that understood what I was thinking and how I felt.
After taking a spiritual pilgrimage one Summer Solstice, I entered the inner circle of Stonehenge, meeting and speaking to leading Druids, spiritual advisors and wonderful hippies, from there I went on to Avebury and ended in Glastonbury where my next chapter began.
From reading and listening to the tales of King Arthur, I arrived in Glastonbury, the ancient Isle of Avalon where I fell in love with the Goddess Temple and connected with Priestesses of Avalon, and decided that I wanted to become a part of this community and I did three years on I dedicated as a Priest of Avalon, becoming part of a new community filled with members from all around the globe, leading international spiritual leaders, I now call friends and I look forward to interviewing some for this blog. From here I went on to set up The Nottingham Goddess Temple and create a community for Goddess Loving People in Nottingham and the surrounding areas where people gathered to share in that same feeling of light-hearted conversation.
In my experience I’ve learned that spiritual teachings never end and some years later I decided to enrol on OBOD, The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, joining another international group of like-minded people that all share the same thoughts and beliefs in nature, ecology and spirit, yet each member is completely equal, unique and diverse, creating a truly authentic community.
Four years ago, in 2019 I left Nottingham and moved to Scarborough following my dream of living by the sea, moving home, moving town or city meant connecting to new groups and tribes and the first thing I always do is find my nearest Pagan/Holistic shop and see what’s going on, seeing if there’s a pagan or spiritual community in the area, finding the people that understand me. And now I’m part of that community, helping develop and grow Spirituality and Paganism along the Yorkshire coast.
I often ask myself what is community? The answer to me is Friendship.
So, when I come to sit and write these blogs this is the place where I’m coming from, over the last 15 years, I’ve had the joy to meet so many of you in the community, to share in your groups, rituals, ceremonies, events and celebrations.
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for the support you have all given me over the years. I want this blog to be an offering and gift back to you the Pagan Community.
If you have a topic, interest or would like to be interviewed then please contact me at deputy2.intrafaith@paganfederation.co.uk.
Intrafaith is the bridge that helps link communities and groups together. This blog is a way of sharing our individual communities, groups, thoughts and feelings with our wider pagan family.
Many Blessings
Daniel Le Fey