THE DRUIDS
Who or what are the druids?
What do they believe and what is their purpose in this time?
The Ancient Druids were at one, Judges, King makers, Scientists, Magicians and Priests and their modern counterparts may be viewed likewise, The word itself (Druid) comes through both Brythonic tongues meaning either knowledge of the Oak or Wizard, or Wise man.
Druidry itself is rather 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 to 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 congregation as is the case in most systems but as Celebrants. It should be noted that Pagans tend to meet or congregate in circles.Circles of course having, (rather like the Round Table), no Head. It is also worth noting here that neither do they (Circles) have beginning or end.
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 predominately with the teaching , Poetic, Artistic, and academic skills. The Vate or Ovate grade that deals predominately with the Intuitive, and Magical skills. And of course the Druid grade that deals also with Public ritual and Judgments.
There are many differing Orders of Druids, both National, and Geographical. Some preferring 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.
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 to 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 against injustices at least as frequently as they do in Ritual.
Y gwir erbyn y byd - The Truth against the World
The Ancient Druids were at one, Judges, King makers, Scientists, Magicians and Priests and their modern counterparts may be viewed likewise, The word itself (Druid) comes through both Brythonic tongues meaning either knowledge of the Oak or Wizard, or Wise man.
Druidry itself is rather 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 to 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 congregation as is the case in most systems but as Celebrants. It should be noted that Pagans tend to meet or congregate in circles.Circles of course having, (rather like the Round Table), no Head. It is also worth noting here that neither do they (Circles) have beginning or end.
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 predominately with the teaching , Poetic, Artistic, and academic skills. The Vate or Ovate grade that deals predominately with the Intuitive, and Magical skills. And of course the Druid grade that deals also with Public ritual and Judgments.
There are many differing Orders of Druids, both National, and Geographical. Some preferring 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.
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 to 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 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 existence's,
for all things are sacred.
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 existence's,
for all things are sacred.
The Druids 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.
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
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
/|\
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
/|\
THE DRUIDS
Who or what are the Druids is explained above - this then is a tongue in cheek look at some of the Characters in their number. Names have been omitted, not to protect the innocent but to protect the writer from expensive law suits.
So who and what are the characters and personalities that make up the modern Druid movement? They can for the purpose of this exercise be broken down into three main headings or groups, Warrior, Learned and Elitist.
Let’s start with the latter shall we, as it is a fairly commonly known fact that Wizards (and that is often how Druids see themselves) live backwards. You have all seen this modern type of Druid resplendent in ceremonial regalia, marching up and down the hill like some lost army of ‘the Grand old Duke of York’, matching ‘uniforms’ and wimples, reminiscent of Pharaohs’ from ancient Egypt. Ask any of them about Stonehenge and they will tell you it’s their Temple and they have some God/Goddess given right to be there and the General public should look on in awe and reverence at their ancient proceedings.
Ancient learning steeped in mystery and antiquity will emanate from their mouths, passed down since the dawn of time, well, the late seventeen hundreds or circa the nineteen fifties when most of it was written or adapted, to fit in with the Wider pagan movement. They may be viewed as a second cousin once removed from the Freemasons. And if you are not in their ‘Gang’ you just aren’t a Druid. But they will and do, put on a ‘good show’.
Then there’s the Learned Druid, That is not to say that some of the Elitist are not also learned, but the Learned Druid really knows his or her stuff and will look down on the Lesser Druid who does not. The worst combination possible for this is the Druid who conceders Him/Her self both Learned and Elitist they will look down on all, of course none will ever admit to this Elitist attitude but it is quite apparent to all who they are. The Learned Druid may be able to quote Chapter and Verse and may know the names of every single God and Goddess in the Celtic Pantheon and beyond, they may be able to tell you the Latin name for each of the Trees, the herbs and the name of each of the constellations their knowledge may be wide and varied, their Bardic skills unsurpassed. But do they know how to live like a Druid or simply to Be a Druid? Unfortunately many do not. But they do give a good speech, talk, or recital.
Lastly we have what I have called The Warrior Druid, the natural Druid, those that are not necessarily and often not, either Elitist or Learned. They Just Are. And it is this latter group that the Loyal Arthurian Warband falls into, Druids who believe not only in the teachings, though they may not be able to quote chapter and verse but believe in living the experience. Those who in times or lives past would have been at the forefront of rebellion against the Roman Cohorts and Legions as they marched across Britain. The same Druids whose decedents would have fought alongside the Arthur and Merlin figure to unite the Tribes after Rome’s withdrawal from these Isles.
These are the same Druids who now ‘stand and are counted’ alongside the Modern Arthur, to this day in the Ancient Virtues of Truth, of Honour and of Justice, the Loyal Arthurian Warband.
Blessings from The Front /|\
© King Arthur Pendragon 2013
So who and what are the characters and personalities that make up the modern Druid movement? They can for the purpose of this exercise be broken down into three main headings or groups, Warrior, Learned and Elitist.
Let’s start with the latter shall we, as it is a fairly commonly known fact that Wizards (and that is often how Druids see themselves) live backwards. You have all seen this modern type of Druid resplendent in ceremonial regalia, marching up and down the hill like some lost army of ‘the Grand old Duke of York’, matching ‘uniforms’ and wimples, reminiscent of Pharaohs’ from ancient Egypt. Ask any of them about Stonehenge and they will tell you it’s their Temple and they have some God/Goddess given right to be there and the General public should look on in awe and reverence at their ancient proceedings.
Ancient learning steeped in mystery and antiquity will emanate from their mouths, passed down since the dawn of time, well, the late seventeen hundreds or circa the nineteen fifties when most of it was written or adapted, to fit in with the Wider pagan movement. They may be viewed as a second cousin once removed from the Freemasons. And if you are not in their ‘Gang’ you just aren’t a Druid. But they will and do, put on a ‘good show’.
Then there’s the Learned Druid, That is not to say that some of the Elitist are not also learned, but the Learned Druid really knows his or her stuff and will look down on the Lesser Druid who does not. The worst combination possible for this is the Druid who conceders Him/Her self both Learned and Elitist they will look down on all, of course none will ever admit to this Elitist attitude but it is quite apparent to all who they are. The Learned Druid may be able to quote Chapter and Verse and may know the names of every single God and Goddess in the Celtic Pantheon and beyond, they may be able to tell you the Latin name for each of the Trees, the herbs and the name of each of the constellations their knowledge may be wide and varied, their Bardic skills unsurpassed. But do they know how to live like a Druid or simply to Be a Druid? Unfortunately many do not. But they do give a good speech, talk, or recital.
Lastly we have what I have called The Warrior Druid, the natural Druid, those that are not necessarily and often not, either Elitist or Learned. They Just Are. And it is this latter group that the Loyal Arthurian Warband falls into, Druids who believe not only in the teachings, though they may not be able to quote chapter and verse but believe in living the experience. Those who in times or lives past would have been at the forefront of rebellion against the Roman Cohorts and Legions as they marched across Britain. The same Druids whose decedents would have fought alongside the Arthur and Merlin figure to unite the Tribes after Rome’s withdrawal from these Isles.
These are the same Druids who now ‘stand and are counted’ alongside the Modern Arthur, to this day in the Ancient Virtues of Truth, of Honour and of Justice, the Loyal Arthurian Warband.
Blessings from The Front /|\
© King Arthur Pendragon 2013
