Emma Orr

Emma Restall Orr, born in 1965, is a British writer, philosopher, and environmentalist recognized for her contributions to Druidry and animist thought. She was actively involved with the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and co-led the British Druid Order in the 1990s. Following this, she established The Druid Network in 2002.

Restall Orr has also organized significant Druid gatherings and founded Honouring the Ancient Dead. Her extensive bibliography includes works on Druidic spirituality, pagan ritual, poetry, and animism, with later books exploring themes of nature, ethics, and metaphysics. In 2006, she established Sun Rising Natural Burial Ground and Nature Reserve, and since 2012, has focused her energies on this project, stepping back from public life. A ritual she co-authored was featured in the 2012 Paralympics closing ceremony.

Emma Restall Orr played a significant role in the development of modern Druidry. She worked for the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids in the early 1990s, progressing to an Ovate tutor. From 1993 to 2002, she served as joint chief of the British Druid Order (BDO), contributing to its growth alongside founder Philip Shallcrass. In 2002, she founded The Druid Network, officially launching it in 2003. During the late 1990s, she was instrumental in organizing large annual Druid gatherings, including the Avebury Gorsedd and The Awen Camp with Philip Shallcrass, and later The Druid Camp with Mark Graham.

Beyond her organizational work, Restall Orr is an acclaimed author on Druidic and pagan spirituality, ritual, poetry, and animism. Her writings have evolved, with later works moving beyond strict Druidry. "Kissing the Hag" delves into female nature, "Living with Honour" explores practical ethics, and "The Wakeful World" offers a metaphysical perspective on modern animism. She also founded the organization Honouring the Ancient Dead in 2004, serving as its Chair of Trustees. Her work "Spirits of the Sacred Grove" was later reissued as "Druid Priestess."

In 2006, Emma Restall Orr established the Sun Rising Natural Burial Ground and Nature Reserve in South Warwickshire. Since 2012, she has largely withdrawn from public engagement to concentrate on her work with this project. Her influence extended to a wider audience when a 1997 ritual she co-wrote with Philip Shallcrass was recited during the closing ceremony of the 2012 Paralympics, reaching an estimated global viewership of 750 million people.