Do Druids cast spells?

[Doodlebug]

I was looking at the Wikipedia article on Neo-Druids and didn't find the answer to this question. do Neo-Druids cast spells? Also, do Neo-Druids have any moral standard by which they always follow such as how Wiccans have the Wiccan rede?

[Myrddyn Emrys]

I was looking at the Wikipedia article on Neo-Druids and didn't find the answer to this question.

#1) Don't trust Wikipedia.

#2) Although the phrase "Neo-Druid" was coined by Issac Bonewits (who is a member here), not all of us who walk this path prefer that term. "Modern" Druid is a bit more accurate in my oppinion. There's a kind of running joke on several forums I am on;
"If you're a Druid, and it's today, you're a Modern Druid"


do Neo-Druids cast spells?

Some will tell you yes, some will say no, some will not answer. It's up to the individual. Personally, I prefer ritual workings.


Also, do Neo-Druids have any moral standard by which they always follow such as how Wiccans have the Wiccan rede?

Again, it depends on who you talk to as what the answer will be, usually according to what particular Modern Druid path that the individual is on.

Some use such as the tales from the Irish Mythological cycle as their standards. "The Intructions of King Cormac" and "The Testament of Morann" are two examples and can be found on the Internet Sacred Texts Archive.

Also, I believe that you'll find most will agree that "Following the Laws of the Land" (in otherwords, the laws where you live) is highly important.

Probably poses more questions than I answered, but I hope that helps.

[Gwenhwyfar]

lol - and that's what you get when you ask a Druid a question! :s I love it!

[Doodlebug]

#1) Don't trust Wikipedia.

#2) Although the phrase "Neo-Druid" was coined by Issac Bonewits (who is a member here), not all of us who walk this path prefer that term. "Modern" Druid is a bit more accurate in my oppinion. There's a kind of running joke on several forums I am on;
"If you're a Druid, and it's today, you're a Modern Druid"



Some will tell you yes, some will say no, some will not answer. It's up to the individual. Personally, I prefer ritual workings.



Again, it depends on who you talk to as what the answer will be, usually according to what particular Modern Druid path that the individual is on.

Some use such as the tales from the Irish Mythological cycle as their standards. "The Intructions of King Cormac" and "The Testament of Morann" are two examples and can be found on the Internet Sacred Texts Archive.

Also, I believe that you'll find most will agree that "Following the Laws of the Land" (in otherwords, the laws where you live) is highly important.

Probably poses more questions than I answered, but I hope that helps.

Thank you for this answer. It helps quite a bit! :thumbsup: I'll ask my boyfriend what kinds of rituals he practices when I see him next. :)

[Myrddyn Emrys]

lol - and that's what you get when you ask a Druid a question! :s I love it!

Gimme a little bit and I'll come up with two aditional sets of answers that vary from the first, then we'll get two others to give three answers...trinary thinking, gotta love it!:smileroll

[Gwenhwyfar]

ha - A question today, gets you 3 answers tomorrow....all different of course ;)

My answer to the question "do druids cast spells"....it depends what you are considering a spell? Praying to the one for a desired outcome may be considered a spell by some, or setting wards... while so might throwing fire balls from your fingers...:)

[Doodlebug]

I asked Chris if he casts spells or not and he said that he doesn't. :) I, on the other hand, while being an Eclectic Wiccan, do cast spells. I use incense magick primarily though.

[odubhain]

I asked Chris if he casts spells or not and he said that he doesn't. :) I, on the other hand, while being an Eclectic Wiccan, do cast spells. I use incense magick primarily though.

Everyone casts spells. We do it when we use letters, names, words and expressions to communicate our will to others or we determine truth in what we sense around us.

A spell is a shaping or changing of reality through the personal attributes of personality. will and understanding. Setting the mood through incense or music (or any other tool) is definitely a spell as you've indicated in your remarks about incense.

Every spell has a mechanism or characteristic that creates change in the world around us. Some of these mechanisms are physical; some are mental and others are spiritual.

The Druids have always believed and taught that truth is the central power that sustains everything. A spell is anything that changes the ways that truth creates, sustains or is perceived (by one's self or by others).

The teachings of the Druids can be summed up in these three sentences reported by the classical historians:

Honor the gods.

Do no evil.

Uphold the laws of personal accountability.

As you've already seen, modern Druids have a wide and varying interpretation and understanding on what it means to be a Druid. That's why IMO, it's best to start with an understanding of what the ancient Druids taught, believed and practiced before one attempts to be a Druid in the present day. Using that knowledge as a center helps one to find truth even in modern times.

Searles

[KellyP]

I think my learned colleagues have documented well enough the great diversity of beliefs within the range of modern Druid practices. To offer yet another example I will explain the phrase I use most when describing my religious inclinations: "praying, not practicing".

Rather than frame my religious duties in terms of spells I focus on meaningful prayer sessions, quality meditation exercises, frequent offerings and a pious observation of holy days. In doing so I find a strong connection to The Land, The People and The Gods which is the central point of my spirituality.


While at their heart there is little significant difference between my intent or my actions and those people who choose to cast spells I use my little phrase to help people understand the nature of what I do.

[Myrddyn Emrys]

I would have to agree. No matter how you define it, it does all come down to the basics of shaping through empowerment and intent. Ritual, Enchantment, Prayer, Spells, they're all variants on a theme.

[daphnerose]

I do not do *spells* persay, tho I do direct my will in specific areas. Not sure if that helps or not. I suppose one could consider it a spell as I think of the necc. function, and send my thoughts/ energy toward that goal. I just don't use the tools some do.
daphnerose

[kblackthorne]

do Neo-Druids cast spells?


I don't know. Define what you mean by "spell", and I'll answer the question! :thumbsup:


Also, do Neo-Druids have any moral standard by which they always follow such as how Wiccans have the Wiccan rede?

Depends on the specific Druidic group, I'd say. For example ADF Druids follow (or attempt to follow) the Nine Virtues (http://www.adf.org/training/action.html):
Nine Pagan Virtues

* Wisdom: Good judgment, the ability to perceive people and situations correctly, deliberate about and decide on the correct response
* Piety: Correct observance of ritual and social traditions; the maintenance of the agreements, (both personal and societal), we humans have with the Gods and Spirits. Keeping the Old Ways, through ceremony and duty
* Vision: The ability to broaden one's perspective to have a greater understanding of our place/role in the cosmos, relating to the past, present and future
* Courage: The ability to act appropriately in the face of danger
* Integrity: Honor; being trustworthy to oneself and to others, involving oath-keeping, honesty, fairness, respect, self-confidence
* Perseverance: Drive; the motivation to pursue goals even when that pursuit becomes difficult
* Hospitality: Acting as both a gracious host and an appreciative guest, involving benevolence, friendliness, humor, and the honoring of "a gift for a gift"
* Moderation: Cultivating one's appetites so that one is neither a slave to them nor driven to ill health, (mental or physical), through excess or deficiency
* Fertility: Bounty of mind, body and spirit, involving creativity, production of objects, food, works of art, etc., an appreciation of the physical, sensual, nurturing

[childofbast]

I agree in that first "magic" and "spell" have different definitions to different people.

However, in many of the stories I've been reading, such as the invasion myths of Ireland, there seems to be a clear use of magic.

I don't do a lot of spell casting, really, unless I feel a desperate need for something and feel that augmenting it with a spell would be helpful. I do prefer rituals and sacrifice, but I also consider many things we do to be acts of magic though not really spells per se. I think music is one of the most powerful forms of magic, along with many forms of writing, and art.

And as an ADF Druid, I rely on the 9 virtues posted above as well as my own common sense.