A high-ranking member of ancient Celtic culture, Druids were an esteemed bunch of literate individuals. Living in Gaul around 1200-600 BC, their membership was made up of medical professionals, lawyers, engineers, mathematicians, and politicians. Druids were divided into three sections – the Ovates who practiced medicine or foretold the future, the Bards who told stories and made music and the Druids who were philosophers, teachers and judges.
The Ancient Druids And The Practice Of Sacrifice
Most belief systems of the modern age, no matter how old they are, are devoid of any form of violence within their tenets. For thousands of years, humans would wage war, pillage, kill, and torture in the name of their beliefs, but our modern moral compass has allowed us to worship in much more peaceful ways.
Druidry is very much the same: a peaceful belief system that centres around the worship and reverence of the natural world, but it does have both a dark and fascinating past that often included the practice of human sacrifice.
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How The Ancient Druids Were Reborn
While it’s not very well documented due to how much lore and information has been lost over the centuries, it’s understood that the druids of old would undergo a specific rebirth process that would reinvigorate their souls, give them new skills, and essentially turn them into new people.
Druidism And The Importance Of Senses
Druidism is a belief system that encompasses a number of different rituals, prayers, and other aspects, each as important s the last. One that sometimes isn’t always considered by those that are new practitioners of Druidism is the importance of senses and how they can make a big difference to understanding the nature around us. Our senses are our connection to the world, to nature, and to those around us. Being able to adapt to the situation by making use of your senses, while also finding peace and solace in the world around you is a vital step when walking the Druidic path, and one that all new druids will need to try and perfect as they go forward.
The History of the Celtic Cross
The Celtic cross is one of the most iconic symbols from the region’s history. The pagans, druids and Christians have all used it as a powerful token of faith. Faith in what exactly is unfortunately unknown and what is known, is unverified. Continue reading The History of the Celtic Cross
Celebrating The Summer Solstice
Known to Druids as Alban Hefin, the summer solstice is the longest day of the year. Celebrated in the northern hemisphere around 21 June, and around 21 December in the southern hemisphere, it is a time of light, life, and the splendour of nature.
The Three Goals of the Modern-Day Druid
Suggestions as to the purpose of the successive rebirths of Druids can be found if we review the goals that play a central role in this modern religious and spiritual movement.
We can be said to seek above all else the cultivation of creativity, love, and wisdom, and the amount of times we reincarnate gives us the chance to most fully develop these qualities within ourselves.
Creating Sacred Space For Ritual
The adherents of most religions gather for rites and rituals in spaces and places they consider to be sacred or powerful.
In some mainstream religions, that may be a church or mosque, whereas in Wicca it is usually a magic circle, and in Druidry, it usually is a nemeton.
Having a Quick Look at Druidic Rituals and Ceremonies
The Druidic way of life is one that is in rhythm with the patterns of nature, as reflected in the set practices and habits that every Druid engages in. Each grove has its own unique way of conducting rituals and ceremonies, but they are all designed to align participants with Spirit, and with nature.
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The Three Main Grades of Druidism
Since the first Druidic lessons were offered by the OBOD in 1988, thousands of members have followed this path, creating a network of Druids with more than 80 groves and seed groups around the world, and providing the foundation for a real Druidic community. Although it consists of’ grades,’ they are more like’ colleges,’ each educating distinct abilities, each building on one another in interpersonal ways.