For Druids

[Nect]

For those of you who were born Druids (is there another term? i.e. when someone in your family passes down the oral tradition?), what's your view on internet courses on Druidism, as those offered by O.B.O.D. (are there other similar orgs around?)? I know little about Druidism/Druidry...and from reading the threads here I got the feeling that it is a tradition that would be hard to put down on paper (or on the internet)...certainly, with my limited knowledge of this tradition I may be wrong! But what I'd like to know is this: do you feel that courses on Druidism destroy the beauty of it? Or, rather, do you think the essence of Druidism can be known and felt through books, internet chat rooms, and video tapes?

I remember discussing the issue of "borrowing" in another pagan community (Mother's Magic)...some were strongly against the idea that people just 'claim' to follow a path that is strictly closed to those who were not born into that tradition. And the issue is not how authentic this outsider's religious identity is, but that this outsider has taken something that is sacred to that particular tradition, and unites them as a people - be it a symbol, or the teachings. Do you, as Druids, find yourselves in a similar situation with the introduction of courses, online or off, that bring in swarms of people from here and there?

As you can probably tell, yeah, I'm confusing myself, too! :huh:

Now if I didn't make the least sense...just let me know! ;)

Nect

[Twig]

my personal feelings here, not MWs! ;)


do you feel that courses on Druidism destroy the beauty of it? Or, rather, do you think the essence of Druidism can be known and felt through books, internet chat rooms, and video tapes?

Hehe, not at All. I hear time and again that people can't find enough! One of the draws to "druidry"I think is the quest for Truth and Knowledge. From traditionalist to "Neodruid" you will hear the same call. I see courses, etc. as a wy to become better informed.


Your last question kinda sums it up though, eh?


Do you, as Druids, find yourselves in a similar situation with the introduction of courses, online or off, that bring in swarms of people from here and there?

or differently, is/should the linage of druids be exclusive to those we consider "English" or celtic in heritage.


Hell no! Ooops.

First off, I'd like to see the geneology tree of anyone claiming roots back THAT far.

Then also, what I envision here is a concept. A Path toward understanding of self and betterment of this world through a closer connection to it.

Actually, anyone that claims exclusive anything makes me chomp at the bit.

Does that help ??

Peace,
Twig


Need more inpuuuuuuuut. Johnny-5

[Myst]

Originally posted by Twig
Actually, anyone that claims exclusive anything makes me chomp at the bit.

I'm with you my friend. Let wisdom guide any who seek it in honest searching and with a true heart.

[mato]

It followed me... ah well I am the guy who is strongly against the 'borrowing' of cultures/traditions... Just thought I would pop in and say that I am not against inspiration in so much as one culture or tradition inspires another to return to their roots and find/reclaim their version and expression of a spirit or philosophy, but I am against the Theft of cultural objects and instruments and their incorporation into alien practices. I am against it because it tends to create a cultureless population with no defining rituals or practices between them, it creates not the celebration of diversity but the destruction of diversity.

I should say that I am not a druid but I have met family tradition druids (and I checked) that are very much against the modern 'teaching' methods mentioned above.

I should also ad that I dont want this to turn out like the thread on mm so I will shut up riiight abouuut now.

[Nect]

Twig wrote
Does that help?
Yep, that did help! But, Twig, have you met others that have different feelings about this?

Hey mato! :wave:

Yeah, I know what you meant over in MM...I was just wondering if Druids found themselves in a similar (though not the same) situation as you found yourself in...


mato wrote
I should also ad that I dont want this to turn out like the thread on mm so I will shut up riiight abouuut now.
No! Don't shut up! Whatever else you have to share...pour! ;)


Myst wrote
Let wisdom guide any who seek it in honest searching and with a true heart.
And so mote it be.

Nect

[Brujaverde]

I find it to be true for me that all religions & cultures I have studied to have something worthy of attention &/or belief. All cultures have practices that seem to me to be misguided as do they all have some part that is of tremendous wisdom. I try not to limit my self to the wisdom of just one religion or culture. As far as what I believe in and practice, I try to educate myself on everything that speaks to me even if it doesn't match something else. I also don't read books on how to practice. I practice with my heart & mind how it feels right for me as I'm sure most of you do. That's the thing about paganism it's in general so may different ways come together as one. I think we are the only group that doesn't set specific parameters of belief. I like to be able to follow my heart not someone elses rules.

[Twig]

Welcome to the Druidic forum! :wave:


That's the thing about paganism it's in general so may different ways come together as one. I think we are the only group that doesn't set specific parameters of belief. I like to be able to follow my heart not someone elses rules.

Aptly put. That echos what I have in my sig.

Peace,
Twig
:elf:

[Nect]

:thumbsup: Brujaverde, I completely agree with you.

It's always interesting to read old posts...I can now answer what I had originally asked back then...so glad I'm still growing! :lol:

Nect

[thefluiddruid]

For those of you who were born Druids (is there another term? i.e. when someone in your family passes down the oral tradition?), what's your view on internet courses on Druidism, as those offered by O.B.O.D. (are there other similar orgs around?)? ...............
Nect

As a Fam Trad Druid I thought I would put my 2 cents in.
Please note that the terms I will be using Druidism and Druidry apply to 2 differant pratices.
Druidry is the study of Druidic Beliefs.
Druidry can and is praticed as well as taught over the internet, and lends it's self to written launguage.

Druidism is more the personal pratice of individual Druids.
This is something that develops over a period of time and comes only from personal experance.
Druidism does not lend it's self to the written word because there are no words for many mystical experances.
I can describe an experance to you all I want but I can't make you experance it through words.


I guess you could say that Druidry is the culmanation of wisdom while Druidism is the exploration of wisdom.


That having been said, I believe that Druidism is is a living changing path.
Religions, like everything else in this world grow and change over time. To be stagnent is to die or ossify.
Wisdom is constantly added to, new truths are found.

This is not to say that old wisdom is to be tossed aside, in fact the more we learn the more the old wisdom shows it's value.

[Myrddyn Emrys]

Druidry, as it has always been, is a living, changing, growing, adapting entity.

Way back when, when the "world" was smaller, it was very easy to have the "one-on-one" teaching. In the civilisation we live in now, how easy is that? Way back when, the Druids comitted everything to memory, using an Oral tradition. If that were the case now, we wouldn't even be using this forum.

Now, what I am about to post is merely my own viewpoint, not backed by extensive research nor sprung from clairvoyance. It is just this one Druids viewpoint. Nothing more, nothing less;

Druidry is cyclic, just as nature itself. It has gone through the wheel just as we have, being born into a new form, but retaining its "spirit". These "rebirths", I feel, can be marked by the significant "deaths" that preceed them.

Start with the "Battle of the Trees" in circa 400 BCE and go to the desrtuction of Anglesey by the Romans in 61 CE, call that the "First Age".

Go from that "death" to the Christianization of Ynys Glas (Glastonbury Tor) in 563 CE. Call that the "Second Age"

Now, go from there to when Druidry came back out of "hiding" (so to speak) in the early 1700's when William Stuckeley was Chief of the Order. Call that apropriately the "Third Age".

One could say we are still in that "Third Age", but I feel we have had another incarnation. We have moved into a "Fourth Age" now, away from the strict tenets of singular teaching, and the giesa (taboo) of no written records. We have adapted, changed, evolved, to meet the society we live in. As the saying goes, "what cannot change, ceases to exist.". We utilise the tools available to us to teach, confer, learn and sicialise with one another.

Hence, we are in the "Fourth Age" of Druidry.


As I said, merely this Druid's oppinion...

Myrddyn Emrys

[Twig]

Well....Merdyn, meet the The Fluiddruid. :lol: My Friends! We be back together from the mysts of LD. Which I might add has suddenly sprang back into action and Awen was asking about ya'll. :farmerjoe Please go say howdy cause I told him I would make sure you did! I'll PM you the addy.

Everyone forgive me for going off topic but a circle has just closed!!! The 3 of us initially met in another club but 3 years is a long time in internet terms and I was just reaquainting these 2 old curmudgoens!!!

Peace ya'll!
Twig
:elf:

[Myrddyn Emrys]

Like Twig said...off topic, sorry!

Yes, bro, I saw that FluidDruid was here! AND IT'S ABOUT TIME!!!!!!
And you thought it was hard to get ME here!!

Anywhozits...welcome to MW, FD! And I have dropped in on LD lately.

Myrddyn Emrys

[Angharad Goldenhand]

Hello everyone :)

I wouldn't want to stop anyone studying Druidry, no matter what their ancestry.

Thing is with faiths like Druidry, which emphasise ancestors and heritage, you do find some folks who try to be exclusive, and wish to keep out people with no 'Celtic' background. I say it doesn't matter one bit - for me, ancestors are not only those of your blood, but also those of your spirit - people who have inspired you, or with whom you feel a connection.

[Myrddyn Emrys]

- for me, ancestors are not only those of your blood, but also those of your spirit - people who have inspired you, or with whom you feel a connection.
It was very common practice for Clans to "adopt" people not of their blood. It strengthened relations with their neighbors, often keeping families from warring with one another.

Myrddyn Emrys

[Angharad Goldenhand]

Yes - the custom of fosterage, which was very common, especially in Ireland.

[Bansheekisses]

Druidry is ever changing. But blessed is the heart that is open to helping those who seek to better self. Teach them to learn, be open to the world and be open of mind.
I dont think that there is a difference with those willing to learn and those born to..
My gram is born to, i am not.. my mom never went into the same path as her mom.

[was]

do you think stone henge has a druid origin also do you think merlin was a druid?

[Morgandria]

do you think stone henge has a druid origin also do you think merlin was a druid?

Personally? No. Stonehenge was not built by druids, and we still really don't know who did erect the stones there. I also (personally) don't feel that there's much basis for Merlin as a historical figure, or as a druid. But YMMV.

-M.

[reqq]

i like may things about druidry- that is why i chose it when i was looking for a path -- i think anyone can follow this type of path even if it is not what you were raised with or even if it is not what your family was-- i am leaning toward the OBOD variety-- but, there are other types out there- it is individual choice -- and it is nice to also find like minded people- and know that they are out there-
welcome and remember to be true to you and your spirit-- merry meet!

[Dave the Druid]

Druidry, as it has always been, is a living, changing, growing, adapting entity.

Way back when, when the "world" was smaller, it was very easy to have the "one-on-one" teaching. In the civilisation we live in now, how easy is that? Way back when, the Druids comitted everything to memory, using an Oral tradition. If that were the case now, we wouldn't even be using this forum.

Now, what I am about to post is merely my own viewpoint, not backed by extensive research nor sprung from clairvoyance. It is just this one Druids viewpoint. Nothing more, nothing less;

Druidry is cyclic, just as nature itself. It has gone through the wheel just as we have, being born into a new form, but retaining its "spirit". These "rebirths", I feel, can be marked by the significant "deaths" that preceed them.

Start with the "Battle of the Trees" in circa 400 BCE and go to the desrtuction of Anglesey by the Romans in 61 CE, call that the "First Age".

Go from that "death" to the Christianization of Ynys Glas (Glastonbury Tor) in 563 CE. Call that the "Second Age"

Now, go from there to when Druidry came back out of "hiding" (so to speak) in the early 1700's when William Stuckeley was Chief of the Order. Call that apropriately the "Third Age".

One could say we are still in that "Third Age", but I feel we have had another incarnation. We have moved into a "Fourth Age" now, away from the strict tenets of singular teaching, and the giesa (taboo) of no written records. We have adapted, changed, evolved, to meet the society we live in. As the saying goes, "what cannot change, ceases to exist.". We utilise the tools available to us to teach, confer, learn and sicialise with one another.

Hence, we are in the "Fourth Age" of Druidry.


As I said, merely this Druid's oppinion...

Myrddyn Emrys

Sorry to be only quoting Myrddyn here but what the Fluid said is important as well.
I feel that the thread between traditional and historical is very thin. I have found in my research that you could choose to be a Druid and then go through the Druidic schools for 20 years(if we trust J. Caesar) to become a Druid. There are very few who have 20 years to spend in this day and age. I came to being a Druid by livig as a Druid before realising that was in fact what I was and just to add another log to the fire I was in no way aware of any Druid communities in existance then. We have such a great opportunity to learn from each other and pass that on to those who come after us. I think that is one of our highest duties, to teach what we have learned.
As a Druid, I am what I am and can be no other.
Peace and Harmony to You
Dave the Druid

[Myrddyn Emrys]

As a Druid, I am what I am and can be no other.
Huzzah.