My Studies in Druidry

Celts and Druids... Druids and Celts..Not one and the same? I have had people look at me stunned when I tell them no. It's like when people automatically think all pagans are witches... Ummm, no... Witches are pagan but pagans are not generally witches... and there are definitely Celt's that are Druid, but not all Celt's are not Druid... and today all Druids are not Celts either, depending on your definition of Celt! 

Now that I am not sure what even I'm talking about. Do not advise blogging at 5:10am because you woke up early and you are hoping for a job today. :-) 

Anyway, Chapter 9 talks about what these authors and what their research tells them a Celt is. It talks about the history of the people in middle and western Europe. I liked the fact that it mentions that these people did not call themselves Celts, that was the name given to them by the Graeco-Roman people who wrote about them. They probably called themselves by whatever their tribal or clan names were at the time. Sorry, of the subject a little. It makes me think, in how a people comes and in decides what to call "indigenous" people of an area regardless of who they are. Here in the US there is a tribe of Native American people who were generally from the area around middle Idaho, eastern Washington etc that are now called the Nez Perce. The original name for this group was the Nimi'puu (pronounced Nimipu) and they were renamed by the French settlers who came to the area. Where am I going with this? Well, Nez Perce refers to Pierced Noses... That was actually a tribe further east of the Nimi'puu tribe... This tribe did not have pierced noses or anything else for that matter. Kinda funny, right? Anyway, moving on. 

The activities at the end was kinda neat... I did not really do it though as I am a solitary and practice here on my own so I thought I would add them here to see what responses come up as I have no one here to do this with myself. :-)  

For Chapter 9, What is a Celt, it says:

Sit with a friend. Alternately finish these sentences. Repeat abot ten times.

• A Celt is ...
• A Celt is not ...

Try to avoid reversing what you said one time when you give an answer for the alternative. Instead originate something new each time and you will go much deeper into your current undemanding. Take you time. 

 Yes, I know you have not read the chapter but i would love to see what comes up with what we here already know. :-) 



Chapter 10 is much the same format except it talks about What Is A Druid. Does that mean I will get pointy ears and carry a magic staff? Will I have a long white beard and wear robes and tell people what will happen in their lives?

It discussed what their research turned up about the ancient Druids and and their roles in society and how it changed. It talked about Druids as healers, counselors, Power-brokers, and magicians. It also talked about how the roles changed when they started to move into society to work with the leaders and governments. It points out how woman probably stayed back working with the common people as mystics and healers while the men worked with the government as advisers and such. 

This chapter also talks about what being a Druid might look like today. Culture is so different in so many ways. Druidry has gone back to being equally women and men oriented as it probably was originally. There is a great reverence in caring for the earth and generally speaking a pantheistic belief system (I am sure how true that is, taken from the book). However, with so many people from so many different cultures around our world practicing, it is really difficult to note any further similarities in Druidry across the globe. 
Now there were several activities at the end of this chapter but one was similar to the last. Would love to see if anyone has input. It looks like this. 

Personal Myth: Joseph Campbell suggests that we each find the song of life, which tells us how to find our own way. Nobody can give you this personal mythology, but in it, you'll find the key to putting your talents into the world. You'll find guidelines for living the best way you can. You'll find your code of ethics, which all Druids live by. Mediate for a while and then complete these mythic lines:

• I come from a people who ...
• My gifts are ... and I pass them on by ...
• I carry the bloodlines of he Aes Dana because ...

I suppose I should probably mention what the books says about Aes Dana:

The Challenge facing Druids today is to emulate the Aes Dana, the gifted people. At the time of the Celts, the Aes Dana were a learned class that included Druids - poets, healers, judges and law keepers- as well as blacksmiths, and other craft workers. Their gifts and  unusual skills were given in the service of the Celtic Society. Druids who associate themselves with the Aes Dana are blessed by Danu, the most ancient Celtic Goddess from whom the magical Tuatha De Danann descended.

Anyway, that is that. Chapters 9 and 10. Haven't read 11 yet but it's titled What is Druidry... Will tell you about that one as soon as i finish it up and ponder it a bit... Blessings to you... :-) 

the drawing above, while i could not find an illustrator or artist, was borrowed from http://carmichaelwatson.blogspot.com/2011/07/druidic-lore-in-hebrid...