Earth Spirit Service - Druid Grove Service

The Vine Grove Service

Unlike the deep-rooted trees, Vine does not stand alone. It grows by reaching outward and entwining itself around others, teaching us that life is not lived in isolation but in relationship. Vine speaks of joy and sorrow held together, of sacrifice and generosity, and of the sweetness that emerges only through patience, tending, and time. It is the sign of ripening, when what has been lived is gathered, pressed, and transformed.

Together, we will gather within the shelter of the grove. An opening blessing will mark our arrival, before we set out on a gentle and reflective pilgrimage among the trees. As we walk, we will reflect on the ways our lives are woven together, the relationships that sustain us, the loves that have shaped us, the losses that have softened us, and the shared joys that remind us we belong to one another.

This is a service of communion and shared humanity. We will be invited to consider what it means to give of ourselves without losing ourselves; to hold joy and grief in the same cup; and to recognise that vulnerability is not weakness, but the gateway to deep connection and wisdom of the heart. Vine teaches us that the richest fruit of life does not arise from self-sufficiency, but from mutual care, interdependence, and faithful presence.

Our journey will lead us to a sacred circle within the grove. Here, there will be space to rest and to sit, and at the centre, a firepit, a focal point for prayer, song, blessing, and ritual. In this quiet and reverent space, we will honour the Vine as it stands within the Ogham Calendar: bearer of joy and sacrifice, weaver of lives, and keeper of the sacred bonds that hold community together as the year turns inward.

Practical Information

• Meeting Time: 11:30am
• Service Begins: 12:00 noon
• Meeting Point: Ness Botanic Gardens Car Park
• Address: Ness Botanic Gardens, Neston, Wirral, CH64 4AY
• Service led by the Rev. Phil Waldron (07828 883484) 

From the car park, we will car-pool to the private woodlands, which are approximately three minutes away. Fewer cars entering the woodland is important, so shared travel is encouraged.

Following the service, we will return to the car park, where those who wish may gather for lunch or refreshments at the Ness Botanic Gardens Café, a gentle way to continue our time of fellowship and reflection.