About Druidry

What is Druidry? Who are the Druids?

Modern Druidry has as many definitions as there are Druids. We are not trying to recreate a religion or way of life from the past- we are following a spiritual path that has its roots in the natural world and in the native traditions of the Isles of Britain, but which is ever-growing and changing to remain relevant to the world in which we live and work today. This poem by Austin Wilson encapsulates the feel of modern Druidry very well:

We are Druid

We are Druid that seek to know ourselves
and nature in its purest form.

We are Druid that live and walk a path of seeking understanding.
Not only of the world we live in but the countless worlds that live within each of us.

We are Druid that ask the questions no one else will ask.
Can I be more without making you less?

We are Druid that realize that the world was not put here for our use
But we are here for her care. And in turn find we are welcome.

We are Druid that know it is not the destination but the journey itself
That gives our lives meaning.

Druidry is not a religion but a philosophy and it’s members have freedom to worship as they choose. So Druids can be Christian, Buddhist, Pagan etc Those Druids who are Pagans tend to worship the Gods and Goddesses of the Celts- Lugh, Brighid, Mannanan, Arianhrod, Epona and others. All Druids reverence the Sun, Moon and Stars. They see all these as aspects and reflections of the One creator whose nature is both masculine and feminine and who cannot be comprehended except through creation. Most druids believe in re-incarnation

The symbol of druidry is the awen - three bars of light representing Truth, Love and Wisdom, all three of which must be present for justice to be possible.

Another symbol is the triskel - the three-armed spiral representing earth, sea and sky.

triskel

Druids meet in forest clearings, stone circles, gardens and anywhere out of doors, as seasonal ritual is carried on in the open air. Additional study meetings can be held indoors.

A group of people who follow druidry is called a Grove and can be led by either male or female Druids. The sexes are equal in Druidry, unlike some wiccan groups, where the High priestess has overall control. Usually a Grove is led by a triad, three being a sacred number to the Druids, but all Grove members have a say in how it is run.

The staff, wand, sword, cauldron and stone are our main ritual tools and we write in the ancient celtic ogham script. This tree alphabet is also used for divination, along with tarot, of which there are several good Druid packs.(visit our bookstore!)

Bards, Ovates and Druids

In our Order, there are three grades of Druid- the Bards, who wear blue and whose symbol is the Birch tree, the Ovates, who wear green and whose symbol is the yew and the Druids, who wear white and whose symbol is the oak.

Bards

The Bardic grade is the first grade entered when a person joins the Order, because it is considered to be so important to bring out all one's latent creativity. Bards wear blue tabards over their white robes and study the elementsof earth, air, fire and water and the Bardic arts of poetry, song and story. They may also learn a celtic language or a musical instrument

Ovates

Ovates have passed through the Bardic grade and wear green tabards over their white robes. They study the lore of plants, trees and animals as well as divination by various methods, the ogham script, and of course, chiefly...themselves!

Druids

Druids wear plain white robes and study the stars, stone circles and sacred geometry among other things. They also study the Arthurian tradition and the leading of ritual. Graduate Druids are expected to serve the Order in some way - as tutors to student Bards and Ovates, Camp Organisers, Workshop Leaders etc..

Further information can be obtained from the Order's website at www.druidry.org (see our Linkspages)