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Druids
A
Elfyntodd Dwyr Sinddyn Duw
Cerrig
Yr Fferllurig Nwyn, Os Syriaeth Ech Saffaer Tu
Fewr
Echlyn Mor Necrombor Llun
There are many Druid Organizations around the world today and
it seems extremely difficult to know where to go and how to proceed upon the
Druidic path. However, in surveying many of the groups that exist, I have
selected to herein introduce the world of Druidry to you with excerpts
taken from The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids, (OBOD), (not forgetting of
course to mention the two largest Druid Orders in America,
which are Keltria and A.D.F).
However, OBOD which is probably the largest and
most definitely the oldest order of Druidism in the world today is based in the
UK, (having members from all around the globe), actually has a great heritage spanning back
well into the early 1700’s that we know of and of
course was very Masonic in its foundations at the start, but has since gone a
little more New Age if anything.
As the oldest Order of
Druids today in which members from all around the world come together in
a vast network by joining this leading group. Members can join in Grove
Ceremonies wherever there is a seed group, or indeed join in the rituals in
Britain whenever one may find themselves there. OBOD have a wonderful
correspondence course that will take any initiate from any part of the world
through the various degrees to that of Druid.
For those of you who do not wish to join a large group, or who
may find the costs involved of joining OBOD a little expensive to start with, I
have after a great deal of thought and deliberation, decided to also list The New Forest Centre, founded by Douglas Monroe, (author
of "The 21 Lessons of Merlyn" and "Lost Books of Merlyn").
Remembering these books are a "only" a story and we only wished to show differing
points of view, although we are without doubt personally attached to OBOD
ourselves.
Let me say from the outset that Monroe's work is considered highly controversial within the new-age network and perhaps
within the Druidic Revivalists. (You might like to go here
to read a response to a letter written in to me on our Chat Group about Douglas Monroe and the
merits and/or opponents to his beliefs).
But whatever the protocols, we are open minded enough to support freedom of
religion and indeed freedom of interpretation in such an ancient belief system
as Druids, where no one can ever deem to have total rights, as much of the real
customs, beliefs and practices have been lost in time and interpretation is
based on the sparse historical documentation from the Romans and other ancient
nebulous sources.
Therefore, I herein introduce what I believe to be one of the best of
what might be diametrically opposed, but still of the same nebulous essence and
very much worth the time in investigating these paths and allowing the
individual to appraise for themselves the merits and depths one can surmise by
actually experiencing and not merely reading about Druidism.
OBOD introduces the aspirant in saying that
the Druid Tradition is ancient, and
represents one of the wellsprings of inspiration of the Western Spiritual
Tradition. But even though it is ancient, it is as relevant and alive today as
it ever has been.
All spiritualities grow and change - and Druidry has changed
too - and now it is experiencing a Renaissance. Every month new Druid groups
form, new websites spring up, and new books are published. Druidry has become a
vital and dynamic Nature-based spirituality that is flourishing all over the
world.
It is a spirituality that unites our love of the Earth with
our love of creativity and the Arts. For this reason, much of the modern Druid
movement is concerned with innovation and celebration in new ways of living, of
community, of ritual, music, poetry, story-telling and the visual arts.
And flowing through all these exciting new developments is
the power of an ancient tradition - the love of land, sea and sky - the love of
the Earth our home.
In this site we aim to keep up to date with the growth and
development of the modern Druid movement, in its many different forms, as well
as conveying the timeless beauty and relevance of Druid wisdom.
Whether you're just curious about the Druids and Druid Lore,
and want to know more, or whether you plan to begin following Druidry as a
spiritual path, we welcome you on your journey of exploration!
The Druid Tradition
The ancient teachings of the Druids represent one of the well-springs of
inspiration of the Western Spiritual Tradition. Druidesses and Druids were
magicians and poets, counsellors and healers, shamans and philosophers. In the
early days, as pre-Celts, they built stone circles and worshipped Nature with
her many faces. Later the Celts blended the inspiring esoteric, mathematical and
engineering skills of these megalithic peoples with their own flamboyant
artistry and wisdom traditions to create the Druidry described by the Greeks and
Romans.
Although partly suppressed with the coming of Christianity, Druidry continued to
live through the work of the Bardic schools and the folk traditions and customs
of Ireland, Scotland, Wales, England and Brittany. The 18th century saw a
revival of Druid practice which continues to this day. The Order of Bards Ovates
& Druids, which traces its origins to 1717, is dedicated to presenting the
Druid Tradition in a way that is totally relevant to the needs of our time, and
yet which is firmly rooted in its ancestry and heritage.
Druidry and Wicca are the two great streams of Western Pagan tradition.
Both traditions are experiencing a renaissance all over the world, as more and
more people seek a spirituality rooted in a love of nature and the land.
Druidcraft draws on the traditions of scholarship, storytelling, magical
craft and seasonal celebration of both Druids and Wiccans, to offer inspiration,
teachings, rituals, and magical techniques that can help you access your innate
powers of creativity, intuition and healing.
Journeying the Druid Path is a personal voyage of Discovery,
in which you will find contains secrets, doorways to other worlds, events and
places. To discover these secrets you must explore. Open your mind to all
possibilities; use your imagination and use the ancient magick of the Earth and
Ancient Powers. Do not assume the path is static, for the 'real' world of
the Druid Path constantly changes and evolves. As it grows, you too will
grow...To learn more about the The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids, go
to their site at http://www.druidry.org/
If you are not interested in joining such a large and
organized order, then continue to read on after this..
As I have said earlier, for those others, who do not wish to join an order, but
practice alone to start with and who are interested in following a Course in Celtic Druidism - or who feel that the lore of King Arthur touches
them personally, they can follow the "highly" controversial way of, The New Forest Centre, founded by
Douglas Monroe, and should first buy his two books, ("The 21 Lessons of
Merlyn" and "Lost Books of Merlyn"). The books take you
through an engrossing storybook adventure and a psychological journey into history and
magick. Here is a rather 'masterful' reconstruction of Celtic Mythology and
Arthurian Legend combined into a packaged programme of practical instruction in Mythical
Thinking and Magical Techniques.
It is not for me to attempt to duplicate or summarize any of
the teachings here, (as many historical mistakes really do abound the pages) but merely direct interested searchers of
spiritual truth to follow
both of the books' instruction and walk the walk themselves, remembering it is
the 'journey' that counts......
We remain committed to OBOD however, and urge seekers to contemplate
joining the Order, if they are serious in joining a Druidic Order. OBOD have
Groves and contacts all around the world with which to write, visit or join in
ritual. A truly worldwide order.
Even though there are many OBOD groves in the USA, it
wouldn't be fair not to mention the two other largest Druid Orders in America
which are The Henge of Keltria
(a Neopagan Druid Tradition devoted to the study and
practice of modern Celtic Druidism).....
and the A.D.F. (Ár
nDraíocht Féin - A Druid Fellowship, (also an Order of Neopagan
Druids: ADF is also an international organization devoted to creating a public
tradition of Neopagan Druidism (Druidry).
I also might urge all people however, whether Druids, Wiccans, occultists and of course those interested
in serious life quests to see for themselves and make their own decisions on the
discussions, sometimes arguments, on the old religion directly by reading, then
perhaps practicing the teachings introduced by Douglas Monroe. Then to visit his site, at www.newforestcentre.com
or http://members.aol.com/newforestcentre/home.htm
for more details.
For an interesting ending
You can go here to read a
response to a letter written in to me about Douglas Monroe and the merits and/or
opponents to his beliefs.
TA GRAIH
AYM
ORT
Always..
The
Veil of Isis or Mysteries of the Druids By W. Winwood Reade
[1861]. 277,613 bytes
This is a book about the Druids, the ancient Celtic Pagan religion, which
influenced the modern Druid movement. This book is fairly typical of the 19th
Century literature about Druidry. Note that we now know that the builders of
Stonehenge preceded the historical Celts by many centuries. It is added
here purely for interest sake and research.
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Azaz Cythrawl
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Revised: July 13, 2004
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