Raising Old Crockern - Protecting Our Right to Connect with the Land

Of all the wild places that we have in these isles, Dartmoor has always had a special place in my heart. It's a place where I have gone on countless adventures, walked in the footsteps of the ancients, and found a deep, sacred connection to the land. Over 10 years ago, I spent a "lost weekend" on Dartmoor, camping wild and fasting, taking the time to connect with the tors, trees, and stone circles. Since then, I have returned to Dartmoor time and time again, both for my own personal journeys and for retreats and workshops with others.

It's a place where the spirit of the land is alive and well, and where we can find a sense of grounding and connection that is increasingly rare in our modern world. That's why it's so sad to see that once again, our access to these wild places is being restricted for the benefit of wealthy landowners.

On January 13th, the High Court abolished the right to wild camp on Dartmoor, the only place in England where it was legal. It's a blow to all of us who cherish our right to connect with the land and find a sense of belonging in the wild places that are left.

But there is hope. Campaign groups like Right to Roam and The Stars Are For Everyone are fighting back, organised a mass trespass on Dartmoor to raise Old Crockern, the ancient protector of the moor, and oppose this decision. On January 21st, over 3000 people marched to oppose this ruling, with music and dancing, and a deep sense of connection to the land.

Old Crockern is a figure from the folklore of Dartmoor, an ancient protector of the moor who watches over its wild places and the rights of people to access them. According to legend, Old Crockern would appear to stop those who sought to exploit the land for profit or riches. The name "Crockern" is believed to have been derived from "Craig Ern", meaning "rock cairn" in Cornish. This figure has become a symbol of resistance for those fighting to protect the wild places of Dartmoor and their right to access and connect with the land.

It's heartening to see so many people coming together to protect our right to access and connect with the natural world, but it's also a reminder of how much work still needs to be done. Our right to roam and connect with the land is fundamental to our sense of well-being, our connection to the natural world, and our ability to fight back against the forces that are destroying our planet.

At a time when we need to change our relationship with the natural world more than ever, we need to be able to get out and connect with it, to feel a part of it, not apart from it. We need more access, more opportunities to connect with the land, not less.

That's why I'm proud to stand with Right to Roam, The Stars Are For Everyone, and all the other campaigners who are fighting for our right to connect with the land. Together, we can raise the spirits of the land and protect the wild places that we cherish. Together, we can work towards a future where our relationship with the natural world is one of respect, harmony, and reverence.

If you're passionate about connecting with the land, I encourage you to join this campaign, to get involved with Right to Roam, and to stand up for our right to connect with the natural world. It's a vital part of our Spiritual Rewilding journey, and one that we cannot afford to neglect.