Maggie's question

[Maggie]

Would any of you be interested in an 'overview' so to speak, of what I've found about different paths in Druidry, Wicca, etc? I don't want to get too academic but on the other hand, with a little more focus questions would be easier to answer! <G>

Maggie

[Twig]

I for one would love it Maggie. Academics of druidry is one of my soft spots,dry old dusty druid that I am. Hehehe.
Peace,
Twig

[Maggie]

Originally posted by Twig
I for one would love it Maggie. Academics of druidry is one of my soft spots,dry old dusty druid that I am. Hehehe.
Peace,
Twig


Just remember you said so!


Right here I tell everybody that this is just the information that I've found. There is no judgement, bias, or statement of infallibility here.

The first thing I would recommend is to read the book __Drawing Down the Moon__, by Margot Adler. This is an academic overview of contemporory paganism that has become a classic--and she covers everything. One common thread I've noticed is that everyone is interested in earth-based religions. The problem here is that just about ALL pre-technology and pre-Christian religions were earth-based, that's a given for most indigenous peoples including European. That's what started me wondering if people might like a little more information about what's available, I think Druidry and Wicca are simply the most well known at the moment.

Paganism is a blanket term, much like Christianity. Under that umbrella are standing an awful lot of different paths, even one based on Heinlein's __Stranger in a Strange Land__. I'm gonna stick with just a few.......

Maggie

[Maggie]

Okay dokey,

Over the last 10+ I've looked at a LOT of stuff, these are pretty much my impressions here, NONE are intended as insults.

A lot of groups have been described as earth-based in one form or another.....

Druidism, Wicca, The Craft, famtrads, Asatru, witchcraft, Magick, and various forms of these.

Asatru is NOT just (or even mostly) neonazi skinheads, media coverage notwithstanding. It is based on the Norse pantheon, and a good site for more information is Raven Online--even has an article about why Asatru and Wicca don't mesh!

Family Traditions (fam trads) are tradtions that have been passed down along family lines, and each is usually unique. They are generally limited to each family and invited friends, I don't know a whole lot about these, obviously.

The Craft *seems* to be a mix of witchcraft and a form of wicca. I'm not entirely sure if all those claiming this mean the same thing, some seem to be basing their practices on the movies Practical Magic and The Craft.

The practice of Magick also seems to include a variety. There is a practice called Ceremonial Magic, a practicioner can also be religious or an atheist. CM by itself has very little to do with religion per se.

Wicca is generally considered to have started with Gerald Gardener in the UK. The practice can run from the really traditional Gardnerian and Alexandrian to something called Klingon Wicca and everything in between. The first two are called British Traditional Wicca (BTW), and are very, very formal.

[Maggie]

continuing on.....

BTW's are usually choosy about who they take in, it's a group for the really serious. I can get a good site from a BTW I know if anyone is interested. Moving on from there the circle widens out considerably. It might be fair to say that modern wicca sometimes seems to be defined by a very informal set of characteristics. Some forms can overlap into celtic paganism and druidism.

Druidism has also rather spread out, and the meanings seem to be changing. Celtic paganism is becoming popular too, along with celtic wicca. Now, it depends on how strictly you want to follow this as to what you might find right for you. Strictly speaking, druid refers to a person, a function in a pre-Christian celtic society. ADF here in the States, and the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids is the most well known in the UK, both have websites. Isaac Bonewits is the founder of ADF, although he's no longer active. His web page has a good explanation of the druid groups founded at different times, and a cult checklist, also worth a look. Celtic Reconstructionism is another path to the same goal that is becoming more popular. IMBAS is a very good site for this. The main idea here is to 'reconstruct' the old society and religion for today.

Keep going.......

[Maggie]

Now, under celtic paganism is where we find druids.

Generally, the Celtic Nations are held to be Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Isle of Man, Brittany, and Cornwall. Sometimes Galacia is included. These days when referring to druids the speaker generally means Irish druids, because we have the most information about them. It is assumed, however, that all of these areas did have druids or their equivalents, and there was supposed to have been a sort of college on the Isle of Anglesley. Each of these areas, however, had their own forms of common myths, and sometimes myths were unique to the area. That's why when speaking of 'celtic gods and goddesses' I ask what area the poster is asking about. Another point that isn't always clear is that the celtic pantheon was not as formal as some others.

Folks, some of these distinctions can start flame wars. When entering an unfamiliar board watch the posts for awhile to see what the attitude of that particular board is. A witch war is just finishing up on one I belong to, between eclectic Wiccans and BTW's. There are also articles out there (URLs on request!) about how Wicca is not celtic and Wicca is not Asatru.

Any questions? <WEG>

Regards,

Maggie

[widukind]

Hi Maggie,

I thought most Pagan boards didn't allow bashing of any type? Or do you just mean really intense discussions? If it's bashing, I'm sorry things can't be discussed calmly on that board... but then again, I'm not a member of that board, so I probably have no clue wht's going on, =]

Brightest Blessings!

[Twig]

I'm glad you brought that up my friend because it won't be allowed here. As druids,I expect intellectual debate about relavent topics and encourage it,as it helps foster growth. But when someone says "They're a bunch of a******* because they don't belive this or that!", I will hit the delete key so hard I'll crush my keyboard.

Why? because there is enough hatred in this world and I for one will not let it infect this wonderful community.

Peace to All!
Twig

[Maggie]

Originally posted by widukind
Hi Maggie,

I thought most Pagan boards didn't allow bashing of any type? Or do you just mean really intense discussions? If it's bashing, I'm sorry things can't be discussed calmly on that board... but then again, I'm not a member of that board, so I probably have no clue wht's going on, =]

Brightest Blessings!


Paga boards vary A LOT--that why I said to just lurk and check out the attitude on an unfamiliar board first. In addition, what you call 'bashing' someone else can call 'setting you straight'! <G>

Maggie

[BrightStar]

Hi all!
Good info Maggie.Keep on going.
I know what you mean about Witch Wars and flameouts.It can happen anywhere.I love discussions though.
I read DDTM by Adler and I really liked it.I think some of the info might be a bit dated now,but I only read it a year and a half ago.I was surprised by The Church of All Worlds based on Stranger in a Strange Land by Heinlein.It is a book that intrigued me as a teen.What surprised me is the book takes place in the "future"(He wrote it in late 1950s).This future is about manned missions to Mars in the 1990s I believe.Yet people still are influenced by this book.The main character,Valentine Michael Smith,becomes a sort of prophet who has learned to open up his mind.Interesting story,if you can "grok".I especially liked the communal lifestyle shared by the main characters."A pot of money at the door."They had a pot of money at the door and people took what they needed on the way out,put in when they came in and the pot never ran empty.
Peace and Love
Rain BrightStar

[Maggie]

I think there's been a new edition of DDTM, it may not be as outdated as one would think.

I was a little surprised myself about Stranger in a Strange Land. I actually prefer Heinlein's earlier works though, even if only for sentimental reasons--his juveniles were the first science fiction I ever read!

Maggie

[BrightStar]

Hi all!
Duh!I must've spaced out a bit.The copy I have of DDTM is a '97 update,the appendix III is updated.I just meant that some of the groups she describes in the text aren't around any more.Just some,though.It's a good book.
Anyway,back to the overview?
Peace and love
Rain Brightstar

[Maggie]

Originally posted by BrightStar
Anyway,back to the overview?
Peace and love
Rain Brightstar

Sure--is there anything so far you have questions on? It's kinda hard just to babble on! <G>

Regards,

Maggie