Abstract:
In The Golden Bough Sir James Frazer gives attention to various forms of worshiping of trees and tree spirits − a phenomenon that has prevailed throughout history, in magic, religion, mythology and folklore to the present. This article will discuss modern versions of ‘tree spirits' in relation to the contemporary context of the ecological crisis, and give attention to modern Druidry in the UK, and The Order of Bards Ovates & Druids (OBOD). The OBOD relate to ancient Druids as ‘oak seers', and they characterize themselves as lovers of trees, who practice tree lore. They engage in contemporary environmental issues and are dedicated to tree lore. In 2017 they gave their support to The Charter for Trees, Woods and People which is a public appeal to protect forests of Britain. How can the ancient phenomenon that Frazer describes be set in relation to contemporary context and theoretical discourse on ecology in the Anthropocene? How can new approaches offer theoretical tools? I will draw from scholarly discourse on Eco-pagans (Harvey) in relation to the larger-than-human word, and in making kin (Haraway). In this modern tree lore, ancient mythology is set side by side with recent plant researchers, such as Wohlleben's ‘the wood wide web' picturing trees as social and animated lifeforms who are able to communicate.
