When Druids Meet
Searles

Fri Nov 10 12:55:53 2000
When Druids meet, how do they recognize one another?  The answer to this question has many answers because there are many ways that a person can be a Druid.  In one of the few references available to us on this subject from antiquity, _The Colloquy of the Two Sages_, we can discover that some of these many ways are as follows:*br*  *br* 1. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by detailing the truth of the inner *nature* that caused them to seek to become Druids. *br*  *br* 2. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by providing the *traditions* of the studies that formed them into Druids.*br*  *br* 3. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by describing their *rank* of attainment in their chosen specialties of Draíocht.*br*  *br* 4. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by itemizing the *skills* in the art of Druids that they practice as Druids.*br*  *br* 5.Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by outlining the *goals* that they've set for themselves as Druids.*br*  *br* 6. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by detailing their *accomplishments* in their life as Druids.*br*  *br* 7. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by tracing the Druidic *lineage* of their teachers.*br*  *br* 8. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by performing *prophecy* that is inspired through imbas.*br*  *br* 9. Druids recognize one another through inquiry and by *acknowledging truth* when they see it..*br*  *br*These nine points of being a Druid are clearly provided to us from the Druids of the past. I think they ably provide us with three questions that we each need to answer:*br*  *br* 1. Can we ignore these nine points of being a Druid when we seek to be Druids ourselves?*br*  *br* 2. Can we afford to ignore discovering them in others who say they are Druids?*br*  *br* 3. Can we demonstrate them to the world through the truth of our own actions?*br*  *br*When we look for Druids among us or within ourselves, will we find the requisite nature, tradition, rank, skill, goals, accomplishments, lineage, prophecy and truth that is the mark of a Druid?  Will we be able to ask and answer the three questions of seeking, discovering and demonstrating? *br*  *br*When Druids meet, the knowledge of tradition, experience and inquiry are each validated through the harmony of respect, openness and imbas. *p*How do you recognize a Druid in others?  *p*How do you define your own Drai/ocht?*p*How do you support others in their own Drai/ocht?  *p*Searles