Druidic morality?

[blackroseivy]

Hi, my background for a very long time was more or less Wiccan, which is a much more accessible path in many ways. My question is this: There is the Wiccan Rede, most of us know this. Do Druids follow anything like it? How is their morality similar to Wiccan? How is it different? I need to have education - I've been following this path for quite some time now, & there is still SO much I don't know!

[domiobrien]

This varies with the kind of Druids. Some Reconstructionists use the old tales plus Brehon law to determine codes of conduct: sanctity of contract, restitution for wrongdoing, honesty, duty; the codes are quite clear on what is and isn't good behaviour. For example, rape is proscribed; if it occurs, a man cannot claim a woman who was drunk consented (though women are warned that it is unwise to go to alehouses unaccompanied); he owes the woman fines according to her honour-price, and support for any child resulting from a rape. If he continues in this sort of behaviour, he may be outlawed, and his clann assessed fines for having brought him up so badly. A woman who knowingly sleeps with a married man, not having obtained permission from his wife, owes honour-price fines to the offended wife; the man may be divorced unilaterally, and can expect to leave with nothing but his weapons and the tools of his trade. If you agree to do something, you are expected to do it. If you slander someone, you can expect to be required to pay blush-price. If you injure someone, you owe them sick-maintenance, and you can be required to do their work (or hire someone to do it) as well as your own until they are back on their feet. Sexual harassment is against Brehon law; spreading tales about a woman you allege you've slept with will cost you dearly financially (and bar you from marrying for the next three years, which will tend to make you unpopular with the ladies, who may decide to turn their attentions to more discreet men who might be better marriage prospects.) You are expected to take care of those who can't take care of themselves-- children, the elderly, pregnant women, the disabled. You are expected to keep your word. Kelly's Guide to Early Irish Law is a good
resource for beginners.
Domi

[blackroseivy]

Thanx very much, I'll look that up! I had some idea about some of it, but am still a little unclear about such things as hexes. I know that it was a common practice to hex enemies for Druids. Is this akin to the head-hunting we now eschew?

[Little Billy]

Hi, my background for a very long time was more or less Wiccan, which is a much more accessible path in many ways. My question is this: There is the Wiccan Rede, most of us know this. Do Druids follow anything like it? How is their morality similar to Wiccan? How is it different? I need to have education - I've been following this path for quite some time now, & there is still SO much I don't know!

Well, they're certainly tough on crime.

http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/t628/T628498A.jpg

[Tadrith]

The Wicker man is most likely Roman propaganda to demonize the Celts during the Roman invasion of Gaul and Albion.

There certainly is no archeological evidence that supports the claims made by Caligula.

Cheers,
Tad

[KellyP]

The Wicker man is most likely Roman propaganda to demonize the Celts during the Roman invasion of Gaul and Albion.

There certainly is no archeological evidence that supports the claims made by Caligula.

I thought it was Julius Caesar in his journal of the Gallic wars that relayed the description of the Wicker Man. Not that it matters since the point still holds that some of what was written by the Roman general may have been intended strictly as propaganda to stir the sentiment of the Roman people against the Gauls.

[Tadrith]

It could be good 'ol JC (although I thought his name was Caligula for some reason). I sometimes get confused.

Tad

[blackroseivy]

Still wondering about hexes, etc... :)

[LadyWinter]

HMMMM.....Too bad..I rather like to think of putting my enemies in a giant wicker man and buring them alive.....*looks around* what?

On a serious note....I had thought the whole wicker man concept was still being debated.....much like the idea of whether or not they practiced human sacrifice....

[domiobrien]

Still wondering about hexes, etc... :)

The word "hex" is traditionally reserved for Germanic- based magical systems, and modern folk magic systems based on them. However, I think what you mean is putting a spell, rann, etc intended to have negative results on an enemy or a rival? On a very basic level, Celtic magic is not white-light, harm none stuff-- it can be used for any purpose, for good or ill, but one thing to remember is that you can do anything-- as long as you are willing to deal with the consequences. Can a Celtic recon do negative magic? Of course. Is it moral to do so? That depends, I suppose, on why you are doing it. Domi

[Morgandria]

Do what you want; after all, it's your honour. If you don't think you can handle the afterbirth of what you create, don't do it.

[blackroseivy]

The word "hex" is traditionally reserved for Germanic- based magical systems, and modern folk magic systems based on them. However, I think what you mean is putting a spell, rann, etc intended to have negative results on an enemy or a rival? On a very basic level, Celtic magic is not white-light, harm none stuff-- it can be used for any purpose, for good or ill, but one thing to remember is that you can do anything-- as long as you are willing to deal with the consequences. Can a Celtic recon do negative magic? Of course. Is it moral to do so? That depends, I suppose, on why you are doing it. Domi

Now THAT'S the answer I was looking for. I performed negative magick on someone once, & BELIEVE me I have paid. So I know exactly what you mean. I simply wanted a re-confirmation of exactly where the Druidic community stood in such matters. Harder to find than any info on Wicca, as I'm sure many out there know! However, this does fit in very well with what I had thought, from what I knew already. Just checking, as I said. THANK you, domi! :wave: