How Does One Become a Druid?

[odubhain]

How Does One Become a Druid?

The simple answer to this question is that one is accepted as a Druid by another Druid or a group of Druids.
Another answer to the question could be that one is born a Druid.
A third answer to the question is that one defines being a Druid according to one’s own requirements.

I’ve seen all three types of Druids in my life and have pretty much determined that all three ways are valid only when they include the other two.

In my best Druidic fashion, I am now questioning if there are ways that I've overlooked.

What say you?

Searles O’Dubhain

[Moswen_Canidae]

How does one know if they are born a druid? My entire family that I live with is christian, but I do have celtic ancestry. My journey to be a druid is limited to what I can find out on the internet and a book I have procurred from amazon. Many of its practices I have unknowingly done since I was a child, but there is also a /lot/ that I did not know. My beliefs and practices are still developing, but it is my aspiration to be a druidess. =3

Then again, my mate loves a lot of the theology of the druids and we have had many conversations about it. But, he does not like the idea that he /must/ practice certain habits or rituals to belong to a group. He is not a big fan of labels of any sort. I find that they give one a sense of belonging as long as the ideals of the group are similar to your own beliefs.

[odubhain]

How does one know if they are born a druid? My entire family that I live with is christian, but I do have celtic ancestry. My journey to be a druid is limited to what I can find out on the internet and a book I have procurred from amazon. Many of its practices I have unknowingly done since I was a child, but there is also a /lot/ that I did not know. My beliefs and practices are still developing, but it is my aspiration to be a druidess. =3

Then again, my mate loves a lot of the theology of the druids and we have had many conversations about it. But, he does not like the idea that he /must/ practice certain habits or rituals to belong to a group. He is not a big fan of labels of any sort. I find that they give one a sense of belonging as long as the ideals of the group are similar to your own beliefs.

I think that you already know the answer to that question if you've searched within to know yourself. One is born with a questing mind that looks beyond the ordinary and a single life to encounter previous lives or teachers from other lives. It's quite possible to be initiated as a Druid by teachers who are purely spiritual and who no longer inhabit bodies. Often these teachers come to one in dreams and visions though it seems they also use the hidden hand approach. This means that obstacles are placed in one's way when not addressing the Druid way while unforeseen rewards appear on more positive occasions.

Nature calls to a Druid heart. Tradition appeals to a Druid mind. Occult wisdom challenges a Druid spirit. IMO, if these three marks are upon you, then most likely you were born a Druid. One never quits questing on the Druid way however so birth is only the beginning (or a beginning out of many beginnings). There is a lot of work and study involved in shaping one's self in each lifetime.

Searles O'Dubhain

[Nyxchik]

Nature calls to a Druid heart. Tradition appeals to a Druid mind. Occult wisdom challenges a Druid spirit. IMO, if these three marks are upon you, then most likely you were born a Druid. One never quits questing on the Druid way however so birth is only the beginning (or a beginning out of many beginnings). There is a lot of work and study involved in shaping one's self in each lifetime.

Searles O'Dubhain

Very interesting notion, how one becomes a Druid. Judging from your (beautifully defined) 'marks' above, I was definitely born a Druid. However it has just been within the last three years that I started using that label to define myself, and began the official journey with the blessing of other Druids. So... if the other two categories are needed (besides being born a Druid), when did I become a Druid? at birth? or three years ago? I'm struggling with the paradox but perhaps it's only in my mind. Makes perfect sense to my heart. Thanks for the "things that make you go hmmm" post, as always!!

~nyx