The Difference between Druidism and Paganism

[WiccanGoddess]

Anyone? I have been into Paganism for 2 years now, and am now researching/learning about the Druid Path. Can anyone tell me the differences between the two paths of Pagan and Druid? Thank you.

[Morgandria]

Well, paganism is a general, broad term, and Druidism is a specific path of paganism. Do you mean you want to know more about what Druidism is, or do you want the differences between Wicca and Druidism?

-M.

[WiccanGoddess]

I'm mostly wanting to know more about the Druid path.
Also, the differences between Druid and Wicca would help. :D

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

Here are links to several threads within the druid forum where this topic has already been discussed:

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=31259
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=48833
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=43820
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=13280
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=39206
http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=38917

Hope they help. BTW, one of those threads actually discusses Celtic Reconstructionism, not Druidry, but I thought you might want to review that as well.

[WiccanGoddess]

Thank you!

I'll take as much as I can get, right now, as I don't know which one is my path. I've been into Paganism for two years now, and am now developing an interest in the work of the Druids, ancient and modern. Any way to combine the two?

[Myrddyn Emrys]

Which two? Ancient and Modern Druidry? Druidry and (?)...

You keep just saying Paganism too. Do you mean Wicca as you said in an earlier post? Need to clarify, because Druidry is Paganism, but not all Paganism is Druidry.

Combining two Pagan paths may only be a question you can answer for yourself. You need to research and see.

[Dave the Druid]

Oh to be a Druid and have all the answers! :hmmmmm:

Myrddyn, don't you think you are being a little harsh?There are as many paths as there are people and there enough people to create a forrest of infinite diversity.

I do have something I would like mulled around; Why the term "pagan?" I am a practising Druid and believer in the Goddess but I do not in any way consider myself pagan.

One resource for you WiccanGoddess, it is an overview but 'Druid Magic' might answer some of your questions on Druids. ( I can hear the groans of dismay from here)

[Myrddyn Emrys]

No groan from here. A starting point is a starting point. Although if you had mentioned that "controversial" book, it would have been more than a groan!

Not trying to be harsh, sorry if I was, just trying to get more information just like Morigandria said.

Oh, and Druids don't have all the answers, we're just in search of them...

[Dave the Druid]

No groan from here. A starting point is a starting point. Although if you had mentioned that "controversial" book, it would have been more than a groan!

Not trying to be harsh, sorry if I was, just trying to get more information just like Morigandria said.

Oh, and Druids don't have all the answers, we're just in search of them...

Hi Myrddyn! :wave:

I may have been over sensitive, sorry. (Rough couple of weeks):ugh:

I did miss the controversy about "that book" though. What did I miss?

I don't want to toot our (Druid) horn, but whom else do you know that carries the wide range of knowledge that we do and is expected to pass it on?

WiccanGoddess, if you really want to get in touch with Druids and what makes us tic keep an eye on discussions like this. They can be fun, gusty and infomative.

[Myrddyn Emrys]

Hi Myrddyn! :wave:

I may have been over sensitive, sorry. (Rough couple of weeks):ugh:

I did miss the controversy about "that book" though. What did I miss?

I don't want to toot our (Druid) horn, but whom else do you know that carries the wide range of knowledge that we do and is expected to pass it on?

WiccanGoddess, if you really want to get in touch with Druids and what makes us tic keep an eye on discussions like this. They can be fun, gusty and infomative.
Dave,

Sorry you had some rough times, hope things are on the upswing...

I was just referring to the "21 lessons of Merlyn" thread and all the controversy over Monroe and his works:bug: . Not sure if there's been any additions to that thread recently.

[Dave the Druid]

Dave,

Sorry you had some rough times, hope things are on the upswing...

I was just referring to the "21 lessons of Merlyn" thread and all the controversy over Monroe and his works:bug: . Not sure if there's been any additions to that thread recently.

Thank you Myrddyn :bows deeply:
It's nice to know someone out there cares.

Not on the upswing yet, but grrrrr I don't know.....

Yes I saw that thread and decided not to participate. I haven't read it and after reading the thread have serious doubts about it as well. Good sources are hard to find.

[StephanieAine]

Anyone? I have been into Paganism for 2 years now, and am now researching/learning about the Druid Path. Can anyone tell me the differences between the two paths of Pagan and Druid? Thank you.
I think I'm slightly late to this thread - and I'm also new to the druid section - *plus* I'm not a druid (I'm Celtic Christian) - but I think I know of a book that may answer your questions. Have you read The Apple Branch by Alexei Kondratiev? It's an in-depth look at Celtic beliefs and practices, primarily from a Celtic Reconstructionist point of view (IMO), but with heavy druidic leanings. Extremely different from the other neopagan and Wiccan books out there. You might find it interesting.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

I think I'm slightly late to this thread - and I'm also new to the druid section - *plus* I'm not a druid (I'm Celtic Christian) - but I think I know of a book that may answer your questions. Have you read The Apple Branch by Alexei Kondratiev? It's an in-depth look at Celtic beliefs and practices, primarily from a Celtic Reconstructionist point of view (IMO), but with heavy druidic leanings. Extremely different from the other neopagan and Wiccan books out there. You might find it interesting.

The Apple Branch is a great book to read, but it does disappoint a little. The rituals he includes are actually not a very accurate portrayal of their beliefs. They've been very Wiccanized, which I think is unfortunate. There is enough of that out there, I'd really like to see something that is more true the religion of the various Celtic tribes.

[StephanieAine]

The Apple Branch is a great book to read, but it does disappoint a little. The rituals he includes are actually not a very accurate portrayal of their beliefs. They've been very Wiccanized, which I think is unfortunate. There is enough of that out there, I'd really like to see something that is more true the religion of the various Celtic tribes.
Looks like that wish is unlikely to come true <g>... well, unless someone unearths actual *evidence* of ancient religious practices, so that modern pagans don't continue to piece things together like a puzzle. It sounds mighty tricky to me.

Would you agree that Alexei Kondratiev's book is probably the most scholarly of the available books? (And definitely Peter Berresford Ellis, IMO.) Well, at least among modern books. I'd think she couldn't go wrong if she read those.

[Mòrag Elasaid Ní Dhòmhnaill]

You're right, it would be difficult to get a real accurate description of their practices. But given the material he presented in the book, Alexie could have put together something closer than what he did.

But yes, I highly recommend the book. And like you said Peter Berresford Ellis is another great choice. I'd also suggest Jean Markale. His books are a bit dry and tough to get through, but really informative. In fact right now in his book, "The Celts" I'm reading the section on the history of Celtic Christianity and it's excellent.

[Dave the Druid]

The Apple Branch is a great book to read, but it does disappoint a little. The rituals he includes are actually not a very accurate portrayal of their beliefs. They've been very Wiccanized, which I think is unfortunate. There is enough of that out there, I'd really like to see something that is more true the religion of the various Celtic tribes.

Hello Morag!
and High Marks indeed to you!
"very Wiccanized" indeed, I think it is one of the greater issues facing modern druidry and that is where does "wiccanism"(?) end and Druidism begin?

[WolfFireShadowHeart]

I have some knowledge of the Druidic path. For that is the path that I have chosen to walk in my life. I have many friends who are Druids, and some who are Wiccans. The main difference I have noticed is that Druids give worship to Earth Mother and Sky Father. We are not to focused on the idea of the triple goddess. Some say that Druids are more in tune with the Earth (or the Great Dragon as Merlyn referred to it), but I believe that anyone can be in tune with Earth. It is a hard topic to debate. If you really want to research it, read through the 21 Lessons of Merlyn and the Lost Books of Merlyn. Your questions should be answered there.

[Morgandria]

My personal opinion is that the 21 Lessons of Merlyn and the Lost Books of Merlyn are not worth the paper they're printed on, unless you want to read about what not to do to walk a Druidic path. But YMMV.

-M.

[Myrddyn Emrys]

... If you really want to research it, read through the 21 Lessons of Merlyn and the Lost Books of Merlyn. Your questions should be answered there.
You REALLY need to read through the thread here about those books!

http://www.mysticwicks.com/showthread.php?t=3067

There isn't much of any validity in those books, especially the second one. I won't go into a long dissertation here about them, I've said plenty in the forum I put the link for. I did find, however, that those books did do one thing for me. They encouraged me to go out and find better sources to study about Druidry, written by people that weren't wrapped up in their own ego like a cocoon. Monroe is no Druid, he's a New Age Shaman who dabbles with Druidry when it suits him.

[Dave the Druid]

Well that about sums it up. Of all the possible books to read, the 21 Lessons of Merlin, should be avoided. Try something basic, Druid Magic, for instance; a decent primer.

[riverchilde]

from my limited (and not entirely recent) readings of wicca and druidry, it seems that druids are/were more closely attuned to the changing of the seasons as pertains to agriculture and it's influence on everyday life, while modern wicca seems to be more concerned with ritual and dieties... but that's just me and my feelings. in essence i think most if not all "pagan" paths are a result of the common people's reliance on agriculture and the whims of the elements to provide sustenance. In that sense they are all united as far as i'm concerned... any thoughts on this?

[Myrddyn Emrys]

from my limited (and not entirely recent) readings of wicca and druidry, it seems that druids are/were more closely attuned to the changing of the seasons as pertains to agriculture and it's influence on everyday life, while modern wicca seems to be more concerned with ritual and dieties... but that's just me and my feelings.
Yes, Druids watched the weather patterns, astrological and astronomical movements to aide in fortelling the optimal time for planting and harvest, among their other duties. Yes, Wicca is quite centered on the more ritual aspect nowadays, kind of lost some of the essence of it, I think.


in essence i think most if not all "pagan" paths are a result of the common people's reliance on agriculture and the whims of the elements to provide sustenance. In that sense they are all united as far as i'm concerned... any thoughts on this?
yes, there is commonality between them. But, just like the branches on the tree, they sprouted in their own direction, still tied by the roots.

[Dave the Druid]

Yes, Druids watched the weather patterns, astrological and astronomical movements to aide in fortelling the optimal time for planting and harvest, among their other duties. Yes, Wicca is quite centered on the more ritual aspect nowadays, kind of lost some of the essence of it, I think.


yes, there is commonality between them. But, just like the branches on the tree, they sprouted in their own direction, still tied by the roots.

Hi Myrddyn and riverchilde :waves:

This I have to comment on.

Myrddyn, my sources say that we Druids were ritual hounds. One of them goes so far as to say something like, "Druids love ceremony," as if that was their only purpose in life and as you very nicely pointed out we did other things as well.

Your connection of the intertwinedness(?) of many of the paths is brilliant! And I could really take a flyer on your use of the tree metaphore but I won't. :fpraise:

[Myrddyn Emrys]

Dave,

Of course they were "ritual hounds", they had to give the clan a "show". How many christians do you think would go to church every week if all that happened when they got there and got seated was the priest looking at them all and saying "God loves you...you are blessed." and then everyone leaves? To keep the populace involved, there has to be that "devine ritual" feel to it. Plus, for the populace back then, the Rituals and the festivities following them was their communal time together, a respite from the drudgery of daily life. I guess you could acually add "Morale Officer" to the list of Druidic duties as well.

But, as we both concur on, we did other things back then as well. I see too many Pagans nowadays who, just like many of their Christian counterparts, only "practice" their religion on Holy days, not involving it into their daily life, shelving their Ritual robes until the next full moon. I personally even see what we do here as me being active on a daily basis in what I feel is my Religion. Sharing thoughts and ideas with you and eveyone here, sharing my knowledge, and learning from others in the process. Granted, I may not get up every morning and greet the sunrise as Druids of old did, but I do thank the sun for the day when I do get to see the sunset.

[Dave the Druid]

[QUOTE=Myrddyn Emrys]Dave,

Of course they were "ritual hounds", they had to give the clan a "show". How many christians do you think would go to church every week if all that happened when they got there and got seated was the priest looking at them all and saying "God loves you...you are blessed." and then everyone leaves? To keep the populace involved, there has to be that "devine ritual" feel to it. Plus, for the populace back then, the Rituals and the festivities following them was their communal time together, a respite from the drudgery of daily life. I guess you could acually add "Morale Officer" to the list of Druidic duties as well.

[QUOTE]
Myrddyn,
Did you actually say "Show?!?":jawdrop: :OhMyGoddess!!: This is serious stuff!!!!!The hoi-poli come to us because we have a closer relatiionship with the divine than they do, wait that's the point you made before...Well, that said you are right. It's so hard to take oneself seriously as a priest with you lot throwing mud at every turn. :ROTL:

[Myrddyn Emrys]

The best thing to do is be able to laugh at one's self.

We're showmen that would make PT Banram proud...

[Dave the Druid]

The best thing to do is be able to laugh at one's self.

We're showmen that would make PT Banram proud...

That's why so many people have trouble thinking of me as a Druid, I laugh too much and take many things so much less seriously than it seems to be called for.

pp
MW won't let me touch your karma again. Know why not?

[Myrddyn Emrys]

Haven't a clue...