What do they believe and what is their purpose in this time?

The Ancient Druids were at one, Judges, Kingmakers, Scientists, Magicians and Priests and their modern counterparts may be viewed likewise.  The word itself (Druid) comes through both Brythonic tongues (Cornish and Welsh) meaning either knowledge of the Oak or Wizard, or Wise man.

Druidry itself is more of a philosophical viewpoint than a Dogmatic religious view, although it would be fair to say that many Druids view themselves also as Pagan Priests.

So what is a Pagan Priest and how does a Priest differ from the rank and file? To answer this question we have to first look at other belief systems and the way in which they differ betwixt believer and Priest, then look to the Pagan belief system to see how it differs.

The Druid or Pagan Priest in this context may be seen as the Celebrant and the believers, not as a congregation as is the case in most systems, but as Celebrants. It should be noted that Pagans tend to meet or congregate in circles - the importance being that they have no head, nor do they have beginning or end (rather like the Round Table).  Thus, the circle mirrors the turning of the wheel, and the cycle of the seasons held in such reverence by the Pagan community

There are three basic grades or types of Druids.

The Bardic grade, which deals predominantly with teaching, poetic, artistic, and academic skills.

The Vate or Ovate grade that deals predominantly with the Intuitive and Magical skills.

And of course the Druid grade that deals also with Public ritual and Judgements.

There are many different Orders of Druids, both National and Local.  Some prefer only to work within their own Sacred landscape, whilst others are equally at home in many different locations. Some Orders concentrate on the teaching side of Druidry, whilst others will concentrate on the Magical and Intuitive, and yet others, the Ritual.  It is up to the individual as to which type of Druid Order they join, bearing in mind how he or she prefers to work.

Tradition has it that Druids, as opposed to other branches of the Pagan faith, work with the Sun and the Solar Festivals. This is because ...

"All we do. we do in the eye of the Sun and before and in the presence of the assembled congregation"

It is this Spirit of openness that has led to the spectacle of Public Ritual.

Responsibilities of the Druids

There is an inherent responsibility for those involved in the first type Bardic orders to pass on such knowledge and understanding as they have received, for generations yet to be.

Likewise, there is a responsibility for the use of such knowledge by those of the Vate or Ovate grade and that such knowledge should be used for the benefit of the planet and our environs.

Those Orders and individuals who perform ritual in the public eye, and are therefore themselves in the public domain, have likewise a responsibility to the public as a whole and therefore should speak out publicly against injustices at least as frequently as they do in Ritual.

Y gwir erbyn y byd - The Truth against the World

The Druids Prayer
Grant O God /ess thy protection
and in protection strength
And in strength, understanding.
And in understanding, knowledge.
And in knowledge,
the knowledge of justice
And in the knowledge of justice,
The love of it.
And in the love of it, the love of all existences,
for all things are sacred.

The Druid Oath
We swear
By peace and love to stand
Heart to Heart and Hand in Hand
Mark O Spirit, and hear us now,
confirming this, our Sacred Vow.

Three essentials of Druid Learning
To Worship the Gods.
To do no Evil.
To exercise fortitude.

Three foundations of Bardism
Peace, Love and Justice.

Three signs of the Bard
To believe nothing and to believe everything.
To hold the Truth in opposition to the World.
To believe everything supported by reason and proof, and nothing without

Blessing
Power of Raven be thine
Power of Eagle be thine
Power of the Fianna
Power of the Storm be thine
Power of the Moon be thine
Power of the Sun
Power of Sea be thine
Power of Land be thine
Power of the Heavens
Goodness of Sea be thine
Goodness of Earth be thine
Goodness of the Goddess
Each day be a joy to you
No day be sad to you
Honour and Tenderness
/|"