Chris Park on Druidry, Folk Mythology and Bee Keeping - E141 | all that we are with amisha tala oak (fka the future is beautiful) podcast

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Episode description

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Episode description

How can we embrace folklore wisdom traditions as life teachings and nourishing life strategies for the creation of a thriving world?

In this special episode entitled Nature’s Tapestry Of Life, Amisha shares time with Chris Park, an active member of the order of ‘Bards, Ovates & Druids’ for nearly 25 years, a prolific beekeeper, enthusiastic storyteller and folklore wisdom keeper. He lives on an organic farm, and as a druid priest, he has worked as celebrant and teacher with schools, wildlife trusts, local authorities, mental health projects, communities, families and more, aiming to strengthen our connections to the natural environment and each other whilst building knowledge, skills & thriving community. Chris hosts ceremonies and gatherings around the U.K. and within a sacred grove at home. Most recently he co-created a bee-themed podcast ‘Living Beeing’ interviewing artists, musicians, bee-scientists, beekeepers and apitherapists together with friends Verity Sharp and Patrick Randall.

Chris takes us on an insightful journey into the nature-based spirituality of Druidry, a tradition that survives in folklore and the stories of our landscapes, and evolves with generations. Being a priest and active member of Bards, Ovates and Druids’ has inspired Chris’ unique lifestyle and enables him to share inspiring creative strategies for creating thriving communities living in reciprocity with our natural world.

Chris shares a flow of folk tales, song and mythologies taking us into ‘the other world’, the imaginary realm, where we experience magic, symbolism, mischief and exceptional power reminding us of the rich tapestry of life. Every traditional folk tale gives great traction into the natural world with themes, mottos and symbolism, trees, plants and animals, stars, rocks and spirits of nature. He believes such stories can be cathartic and restore our separated sense of connection to the natural world, to oneself and one's ancestry and bring forth a sense of well-being and belonging.

Together they explore his work as a sustainable beekeeper and apitherapist. Chris shares that bees are ancient teachers reminding us of the cycles of life and the interconnectedness of our world with nature. In exchange for keeping them well and thriving, we receive their medicines of honey, pollen propolis, royal jelly from time to time, bee venom, wax and beehive air.

We learn that putting down roots and drawing closer circles around our communities inspires a village sufficiency that is vital for our greater communities to thrive and keep on growing. And if we are not growing, then we must start growing food or plants or gardens, as they will bring us happiness.