It's like no place on earth. And in a way it isn't on earth. OBOD camps happen in that magical in-between-time and place-outside-place. A lot of magic happens there.

One reason why OBOD camp is not on earth is that it's invisible. For 48 weeks in the year, there is just a field, with cows or sheep grazing in it. And then suddenly, for the other 4 weeks, it is a hive of activity, with up to 200 people at a time living their lives in this one field, in the knowledge of justice and the love of it.

It is acknowledged as a magical place by the people who go there. They pass in through the gate, a special place of transition held by a priest of amazing patience and integrity. He welcomes all who pass through the gate with a hug and a cup of tea, and a little time to leave the 'real world' behind. And when they leave, people go through the gate the other way.

This makes camp a protected place. I am safe there. Everyone's uniqueness is honoured and encouraged. Everyone's beauty is allowed to shine. And because of that protection, most of us soon find our strength. The great thing is that you are allowed to expand and take up all your natural space there, and nobody will tear you down. In my case, my natural space is hundreds of times bigger than the space I usually take up in the 'real world'. But people understand this. And they also understand that most of us, however brightly we allow ourselves to shine in this magical community, most of us are still carrying around that small, vulnerable part of themselves that is so fragile. And that, too, is protected.

We learn a lot from each other. Workshops give us the opportunity to explore ways of working with spirit that are new to us, and increase our knowledge. But they also give us a chance to work closely with each other. This is what makes the week of camp into a spiritual journey, and it is amazing how a thread runs through it, from workshop to fireside conversation to shamanic work and back again.

OBOD camp was the place where I first learned the meaning of the words in the druid prayer: "and in knowledge the knowledge of justice". The first time at camp I only went for a few days, not knowing what to expect. And for the first time in my life I found that I wanted to be with people. Even after three whole days, I still didn't want to be on my own. I wanted to be sitting around the fire chatting with people. I wanted to be part of the community. And sitting around that fire, I saw how everyone was valued for their own sake. I saw how we were all connected, and how we were all connected to the land we were living on for that time. That web of connections and interdependencies is, to me, justice in its truest form. And I love being in that connection. In fact, I need to be in that connection all of the time, especially out here in the 'real world'. It keeps me in my true shape and size.

Oh I know it isn't all ideal. This year I saw more of the politics that I would like. We're all human after all, and we have our conflicts. And none of us are that great at dealing with conflict, when it comes down to it. But still I felt held in that web of people, and in the web of connections with all things. On the last day, a little spider crawled up my arm and across my chest. I left it to its journey: I felt I had become part of the land, a patch of earth just like the land.

For a brief time, at OBOD camp, we see Spirit and goodness in each other. And for a brief time after we get back to this place which allegedly is the real world, we manage to see Spirit and goodness in all beings. I hope that this time I will be able to carry all of that with me, all the cuddles and the compliments and the validation. And remember one of the best compliments I have ever received: "You are a superbabe".