what does being a druid mean to you?

[Sequoia]

I'm personally not a druid. . . but about the only term my sweetheart can ever use is druid, though that's not really what he is. (I'll have to drag him in here to explain better, I don't know hehe)

What does being a druid mean to you? Is it different for everybody? Is there a code of druidic law? :)

[widukind]

It's a two-edged sword for me, really. On the one hand, it sets me apart from a lot of people, like my folks for instance. They can't seem to understand that Druidism - or any form of Paganism for that matter - is a real religion and that we didn't get this all from romanticised literature or fantasy books. They avoid the topic, seemingly 'ashamed' - if that is really the word that covers their emotion - that I would, to put it frankly 'Believe in that crap'. When they do discuss it, and they ask me questions about what I do as a Druid, they always refer to me being a Druid as 'playing Druid', because in their minds Druids are probably the barbarians sacrificing human beings described by Roman authors.
In a country like Belgium, where, from what I gather, most people between 14 and 34 are either agnostic or atheist, Paganism - in the minds of a lot of people - goes together with smoking large quantities of pot and doing silly dances in some forest. It's a sad thing, but it's the hard truth that people think that way here. I suppose it's a result of a high degree of scepsis versus religion regardless of denomination.
On the other hand, Druidism is my Path more than anything else. It's part of who and what I am. I don't feel it's worth fighting a war for - in the literal sense - but I do feel it's as important as my mother tongue.

[Twig]

Originally posted by Puma Hime
I'm personally not a druid. . . but about the only term my sweetheart can ever use is druid, though that's not really what he is. (I'll have to drag him in here to explain better, I don't know hehe)

What does being a druid mean to you? Is it different for everybody? Is there a code of druidic law? :)

Wow, that's a Heavy question. (Heavy- a quaint old hippy term meaning difficult or having deep implications. :) ) That is why I took time in answering.

A a Druid, I identify with the what the caste of the times did and try to live my life as I think they did. I ascribe to being a counselor, teacher, healer, advisor and priest to anyone who has need. I have butted heads with those that disagree with this philosophy and say certain other tools and rituals are needed but in the end that is the basis for this/my belief.

Unlike others I identify with certain pre-christian Gods of ancient Briton. I practice the 8 yearly festivals that are the standard for paganism and come from that place and time. In the rituals I do perform, I use the symbolism and ways I imagine they would, such as herbs,runes and other divination,crystals and stones,etc.

I really need to know more but maybe that will help a little.

Peace,
Twig
:elf: