From: shrdlu@willow.sdd.trw.com (Lynda L. True)
Subject: Re: Searching for a Path
Date: Wed, 14 Oct 92 21:54:01 GMT


>In article <yw8LsB1w165w@brewich.hou.tx.us> kitten@brewich.hou.tx.us
   (Kitten) writes: 
>>Hello to all. I am hoping that someone can help me by helping me define
>>the Path of Druidism. [deleted]

In article <Bw49ps.4H3@access.digex.com> corun@access.digex.com (Corun
  MacAnndra) writes: 
>Well, nobody *really* knows what the Druidic tradition was, since it was
>passed down orally, and not written. There are, however, several books on
>what the given authors believe might have been the tradition. I haven't
>read any of them, so I can't vouch for their integrity. Logic would seem
>to indicate that choosing authors/books from Ireland/England/Wales/Scotland
>would tend to be the most accurate. But this is only a guess.

Just an added note: Morgan Llewyllyn (sp) has recently published a
book (fiction) names "Druids" which tells the tale of Vercingetorix
and his chief druid from child hood until Vercingetorix' death at
Julius Caesar's hands. Most of her research is from Gaius Julius'
notes, and from other visiting romans of the time. There is certainly
a great deal of poetic liscense taken, but the book itself is
remarkable, and deals with such things as rituals and beliefs of the
druids in a very respectable and believable manner. (Yes, Corun, she
is indeed Welsh - or is it Irish?)

Lynda
===

From: erynn@milton.u.washington.edu (Erynn)
Date: Sat, 17 Oct 1992 18:03:27 GMT

kitten@brewich.hou.tx.us (Kitten) writes:

>Hello to all. I am hoping that someone can help me by helping me define
>the Path of Druidism. I have some various beliefs and think that this may 
>be the path I wish to follow, but I need more information on Druidism 
>before I can decide. I posted on another source and got no response 
>whatsoever, but hopefully some kindly soul hereabouts will take my hand 
>and lead me through the unrevealed (to me) parts of Paganism.


Hi.  I've not posted here previously, bubut I have a ffew thoughts about 
Druidism that I would like to offer.  There are several Druidic groups running
about, of various levels of authenticity (in terms of Celtic background, rather
than regarding the usefulness of their spiritual and ritual practices).

If you want to explore a Druidic path, I would suggest that you read books on 
the Celts, beginning with things like "Celtic Heritage" by Alwyn & Brinley Rees
and "Pagan Celtic Britain" by Anne Ross.  I can provide a much longer list
of books if you like, but I have been reading on and studying the Celts for
several years now and have collected a big library on the subject.

The Druids were the clergy of the Celtic establishment, rather than practicing
the religion of the people.  It would be the difference between working with
the chaplain at the White House and your corner preacher in feel.

Druidry, Filiocht (poetic magick and prophecy) and the arts of the Brehon or 
lawgiver are all intertwined.  Druids had to study an average of 12 to 20 years
before they qualified for their profession, in much the same way that a doctor
or lawyer now must study.

Poetic construction and the use of poetry in magick, hundreds of tales, over
100 forms of the Ogham alphabet, the lineages of the local nobles, and a 
history of laws and legal precedents were all necessary studies for the 
prospective Druid.

The Celtic worldview is/was very different than that used by modern Paganism.
Cosmology seemed to fit into a complex of triads -- triadic deity (like the
Triple Bridghidh), triadic realms (land/sea/sky) and wisdom arranged in triads
was common.  Directions were used, but not in the same ways as in CM or in
modern neoPaganism.  Motion is implied in direction, as the Celtic languages
do not have a concept of "absolute" direction, and one must "come from" or 
"go to" a direction in order to discuss it.

Direction is also five-fold in Ireland and Wales.  The South-west is important
as the  direction where the ancestors go when they die.  North is the direction
where power originates.

I could go on for a while, but I'm new at this posting stuff.  Any specific
questions?





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