This is to be an article on Druids and Druidism for the Beginner. A good place to begin is a definition of terms.
The term Druid seems to mean something different for every Druid. I will speak for myself. A Druid is one who consorts or communicates with trees, with an emphasis on Oak Trees. Druids are worshipers of Nature and all of Her Works. Druids are the Priests both male and female of the Earth Mother the Ever-Changing All Mother, Be She Danu or Don. The Druids are the Protectors of Nature in all its forms but they are most known to be protectors of the Great Sacred Trees.
In ancient times the Druids were the Priest-craft of the ancient Celts. Wherever you would find the Celts you would find the Druids. The Druids were the Lawgivers, the Priests, the Magick-Users, the Diviners, the Bards and Poets, the Crafts-people, the Healers and Storytellers. In point of fact, the Druids were the Intelligentsia of the Celtic Race. Druids were also warriors in times of war. Both men and women fought together. They were not master warriors but they could hold their own in a fight. In the Celtic myths, the Druids had their role to play. In the Celtic myths the Druids were seen as counselors of Kings and High Kings.
The word Queen is a term from the Anglo-Saxon tongue, not the Celtic tongue. The word King was used for both sexes, male and female. However, there is no evidence of a female High King. All I was able to find was males, sorry about that. If any of you has found references to a female High King, please let me know.
In the myths, Druids were also seen as Magick-users and shape changers. They were also seen as great bards and Poets. In fact bards and poets are one of the orders of Druidism. In the myths, the Druids also played the role of great and Magickal craftsmen. They would fashion wondrous and magickal tools, weapons, and other magickal objects of all shapes, sizes, and properties. Druids were seen as diviners in the myths. In many of the myths, they would give prognostications to a new-born who would have a heroic future in their adult years. They would predict the outcomes of great battles that were yet to be fought. All and all, the Druids played a major role in the Celtic myths.
Now let's look at Druids today. Druids today are quite different. Like other Pagan groups there are many different orders of Druids. Some are just religious in orientation but others like myself also believe in performing Magickal Rituals. Some focus their energies on research and study. I do this myself.
I always want to learn something new. There is much hidden knowledge, if you know where to find it. Some Druids use many gods and goddesses and others do not. I myself use many deities in my rituals. Some like to be robed and others do not. I prefer being robed myself. Some like to use Bardic poetry and musical instruments in their rituals, while others do not. I use them in my rituals for I am a Bard. Some use Magickal circles, and others do not. I use them in my rituals, for I am also a Ritual Magician. Some use Magickal tools and objects and others do not. I use them in my rituals. So I hope this helps you to understand more about modern Druids.
Now to end this article for now, let's talk about the terms Druidism and Druidry. These terms are closely allied. Druidism is seen by many modern Druids as being the philosophy and religion of the Druids. Druidry brings out the Magickal side of the definition we have given for Druidism. Now this is only my opinion. There are many ideas on this subject. Let's hear from some of the rest of you on this topic. We have now come to the end of this article.
If you want to reach me you can do so by e-mailing me at the following address: AbbottsInn@gmail.com.
Take Care All And Blessed Be.AD(arch-druid) Stephen W. Abbott McCaully.
Peace! Peace! Peace!
