Re: Recognizing Druids
Aicerno OCathasaigh
akiernox_ocasey@hotmail.com
Mon Oct 26 17:32:37 1998
: 1 X 2 Willows wrote,*br*:      First, I'm not so sure that the ancients held quite the *br*: same *kind* of reverence for the earth as the people in *br*: today's "earth religions" do...but that is another *br*: topic for another time. Let's just say it had a different *br*: flavor. :-)*p*Well... I think a look at the classical authors would be providing some insight to this issue: If I remember off-hand correctly, both Caesar and Strabo say that the Druids were skilled in nature studies, it does not show their attitudes towards the earth. In order to adapt to changes that occur over time, one must change their opinions to fit that which must be done for the benefit of all. As that is concerned, it would not be remiss for those who carry on the torch of our ancestors to have a greater concern for the earth, and putting such concerns into action, for that, now, is what is needed for the greater need of all concerned.*p*: : To me, it's like anybody with a cross on the wall, a bible *br*: : in the drawer and some knowledge about baptizing- and *br*: : wedding rituals would go and claim they're all Bishops...*br*:*br*:      I agree with you, Dan. I get sick of it too. While I'm *br*: not an extremist like some who say you can never be a Druid *br*: if you don't live in a Celtic language speaking area, I do *br*: think you can't be a Druid without the knowledge base of all *br*: those Celts who came before us. And when I run into someone *br*: who doesn't know the first thing about the Celts and yet *br*: claims to be a Druid...well, that is one type I know is not. *br*: I mean, at the *very least* the Arthurian literature, which *br*: is still archetypal, is easy enough to find!*br*:      If you don't have the knowledge base, if you aren't *br*: familiar with the symbols and archetypes of the Celtic *br*: cultures (if a Raven comes to you and you have no idea what *br*: she means in a *Celtic* context, for instance, but you do *br*: have a New Age definition, well, you might misinterpret the *br*: sign, eh?), then how could you build a Druidism that follows *br*: in the footsteps of our forebearers? And if it doesn't, well *br*: -- can it be considered Druidism?*p*Considering the viewpoint that it is beneficial to look at something beyond one's own perspective, one could, if in such a situation, be able to define the omen from multiple viewpoints... in the case of the raven, one could use the definition as given in native american traditions, nordic traditions, and the Celtic traditions. But then again it would require effort on the part of the individual to research said definitions... That is, on a technical level, what we do at Sassafras Grove.*p*:      I have a problem with the "self-proclaimed" *br*: as well. As I said elsewhere and I'm sure you read it, your *br*: *community* has to honor you with the title before you can *br*: go telling people you're a Druid. And if one is not doing *br*: all those things for one's people that the ancients did, can *br*: one really think that one deserves to have that ancient *br*: title bestowed upon them? It is the epitome of arrogance to *br*: bestow that title upon oneself, IMO. Doesn't a person have *br*: to be accepted by his/her peers to be a Druid? I mean, you *br*: can call youself a Druid, but if no other respected Druid *br*: recognizes you as such, are you a Druid? *p*Speaking for myself only, I am recognized by my peers at Sassafras Grove, ADF as a student in druidry with hopes of attaining higher rank. Also, the very definition, and requirements for being considered such, of who can be considered a "druid" (nowadays) depends upon the organization one belongs to, and I've noticed the above answers range from the very loose definitions of ADF (which are being revised as new information is worked into the system), The Henge of Keltria; The Order of Bards, Vates, and Druids; and even into the smaller individual groves/organizations that are just local affairs, and remain such. As to what should be required, I have some thoughts on that, please read my comments to Searle's post.*br*:*br*:      I could learn all my life (and I will!) and still not *br*: know everything there is to know about being a Druid. It *br*: really irks me when some upstart gives himself on a whim an *br*: instant title that others of us have struggled and studied *br*: and worked for for years and years and *know* we still *br*: haven't even touched the tip of the iceburg. What then the *br*: value of the term?*br*:*br*: Just some thoughts,*br*: Leigh*p*Amen to that...*p*Bright blessings...*p*Aicerno OCathasaigh
Re: Recognizing Druids
TopazOwl
234
Mon Oct 26 09:50:58 1998