Re: What is a Druid?
Michael the Watcher
michael.kriesch@studentmail.newcastle.edu.au
Tue Nov 30 08:45:57 1999
Searles wrote,*br*: I answered a survey that was posted on another net service *br*: and thoughtit would be a good topic of discussion here as *br*: well:*br*:*br*: 1) What IS a druid?*br*:*br*: A Druid is a person who has experienced a rebirth of the *br*: spirit to the point that they realize that they've lived *br*: before in many times and places. This re-establishment of *br*: their spiritual connection to themselves allows them to *br*: connect more fully to the spirit that exists within *br*: everything.  Along with the increased spiritual connection, *br*: there is also a realization that the ego must be transcended *br*: and the mind disciplined. This discipline of the mind is *br*: manifested in several ways: increased memory capabilities, a *br*: better perception of truth, a more cosmic perception of *br*: reality. The work of a Druid is to uphold the truth of *br*: cosmic order, to preserve the traditions of the people and *br*: to foster harmony within Nature.*br*:*br*: To add to this answer to the question what is a Druid, I would also venture as far as to say that Druids are mediators, teachers, instructors and guides. Another aspect of their role, in my humble opinion, is to foster harmony within their community and their people, and to work for the betterment of all. This work may take many forms, be it simply leading a good and truthfull life which benefits all around them, or be it more actively involved in community service or fighting for issues such as human rights and the environment, even taking a greater role in clan and family life.*br*I agree throughly with what Searles said and commend his response to what can be a tricky question to answer in one lifetime!*p*Under the Oaks and from the Stone,  the Watcher and clan, Australia.*br*Bye for now.*p**br*2) Do Druids work magik? If so, do the use any tools? (i.e. *br*: wands,*br*: swords, rag-dirks, etc.)*br*:*br*: Druidic magic is called Draíocht.  Druids use wands, staffs, *br*: herbs, draughts and knives (of all sorts) in their work. *br*: They also use symbols and effigies. They also use nothing *br*: and everything in their magic as is appropriate to getting *br*: the job done. Magic is a form of spiritual energy that is *br*: directed by *will* and worked according to the laws of *br*: creation.*br*:*br*: 3) What is the ultimate value of druidism?*br*:*br*: The ultimate value of Druidism is that it fosters truth in *br*: reality.*br*:*br*: 4) Is druidism a religion? If so, how does it differ from *br*: other*br*: religions?*br*:*br*: Druidism is a religion and a way of life. It differs from *br*: other religions in that it is the religion that serves the *br*: Celtic people. It also has been long associated with *br*: esoteric wisdom that is worked for the general good (as *br*: opposed to other forms of magic). Druidism is also the art *br*: that the gods of the Celtic people were said to have *br*: mastered.  The Dagda (father of the gods) is the God of *br*: Druids.*br*:*br*: 5) Were druids sought out to be burned at the stake like *br*: witchs?*br*:*br*: Druids were not burned at the stake as Druids or Witches.  *br*: Some may have been burned as heretics, since any science or *br*: art that was not acknowledged to be in the Bible was *br*: considered a reason to persecute a person during the *br*: so-called "Burning Times."  Hundreds of Druids *br*: were slaughtered by the Romans in 61 CE by troops commanded *br*: by Sueltonius Paulinius at Anglesly or Mon. It is thought *br*: that some Druids may have chosen to die the "threefold *br*: death" in order to more fully work magic against their *br*: enemies in the spirit world.*br*:*br*: 6) What role do druids play in today's society?*br*:*br*: In today's society, Druids minister to small groups of Pagan *br*: and Celtic folk.  They write books and treatises on magic, *br*: religion and philosophy.  They conduct rituals and other *br*: special rites to allow individual spirit to realize a *br*: connection to other spirits in the *Three Worlds* (Land, *br*: Sea, Sky).  Druids also help to protect people who have run *br*: afoul of spirits that are destructive to their lives.  In *br*: short, Druids do much the same things that priesthoods in *br*: other religions do for their own people, tribes and *br*: congregations.*br*:*br*: 7) Where do the druids live today? Are they limited to *br*: Europe?*br*:*br*: Druids today live all over the world but most often they *br*: live within their spiritual connection to everything.  Many *br*: are found in Europe and America.  Some are found in *br*: Australia and other countries.  Mainly, they are found in *br*: areas that have been settled by people of Celtic descent.*br*:*br*: 8) Are druids somehow different from other people?*br*:*br*: Druids are as different from other people as other people *br*: are different from one another.  That is to say, that Druids *br*: are people like everyone else, though they may well have *br*: been awakened to more of reality than most. Everyone has the *br*: potential to be a Druid. Once a person has had the second *br*: birth experience of becoming a Druid, the clarity of their *br*: existence is expanded beyond ordinary reality.  This means *br*: that they may behave strangely at times, since they are *br*: experiencing a wider range of sensory inputs and spiritual *br*: stimuli.*br*:*br*: Searles O'Dubhain*br*
What is a Druid?
Searles
553
Mon Nov 29 23:34:46 1999