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neo druidism- I am stuck in a rut. HELP DX

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A Pillow of Winds

PostPosted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 6:26 pm


I never thought getting involved with a new religion would be easy.
I can't really say i've ever considered myself a christian...Only forced myself to agree with the bible because I always wanted a religion to follow. I see that it really does'nt work that way.

I recently realized however that many of my true beliefs are very similar to that of a Druid . such as some of these:
-spirits in plants, animals, land, streams, etc
-karma
-meditation
-respect for nature
-magic
etc

...note the last one yes i believe in just never was involved with it

Up until lately im starting to think of maybe neo-druidism is something I should really try

Ever since I was a little kid i've felt this strong connetion with nature...And especially when it comes to feeling the wind it's like I can hear its voices, I feel like its speaking specifically to me. Sometimes trees too, especially when the wind rustles through the branches.

I dont know why, and I never really thought much of it until lately.
My only problem is that I dont know where to begin.
I've read a little on the internet, but we all know its not always so reliable. Plus despite what ive read I am still confused about it all. Im hoping to get around to a library soon but for now I am uncapable of doing so...
I already understand a bit about ancient druidism but I need to start educating myself a little more about neo druidism too...

My main question is, WHERE IN THE NAME OF THE EARTH DO I BEGIN ?


theres so much I dont understand, im stuck in a rut, help!
PostPosted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:29 pm


Well, my best bet would be to start by not calling this druidism, even neo-druidism. The druids are long-gone.

However, for what you actually want to do, I think you are actually wanting (never mind the label) you are doing. Go out and explore nature -- learn everything you can (and not just pagany sort of things! Learn how nature works)

another approach I hear often is to take time and focus on one subject for a long time and then move on (I call this the Major Winchester approach. PLEASE SOMEONE GET THE REFERENCE). It doesn't work for me, but it might for someone else. You might choose to study meditation, finding what works. You might want to study the water cycle or s**t, disasters! Nature is vicious as well.

Its hard to find a place and start, but look at what grabs you first, and go for it. Let us know, and theres bound to be someone who can help.

maenad nuri
Captain


TeaDidikai

PostPosted: Mon Apr 07, 2008 7:52 pm


A Pillow of Winds

-spirits in plants, animals, land, streams, etc
Animism isn't universal, I'm not even sure if it was common amongst the Celts- I think that while there were objects of power within the Celts theology- these were exceptional, not common place.

That said- Eclectic Neo-Paganism doesn't have any prohibitions against belief in Animism.

Quote:
-karma

Karma is very much not a part of the Celtic world view. While Karma isn't included in most western traditions, it isn't completely unheard of- what is more common is a concept of "the law of return"- and that isn't uncommon amongst Eclectic Neo-Pagans at all.

For further reading on Karma- check out The Bhagavaghita. Here is the classic poetic translation.

Quote:
-meditation

Is there a particular style of meditation? I mean, we know that Zen wasn't used by the Druids. However- even without my tongue firmly planted in my cheek, I am not sure the term "meditation" could be ascribed to any of the traditions tied to Celtic traditions. That is to say, while there are things that in modern understandings could be considered meditations- I am not sure the Celts in the time of the Druids would identify them as such. I could be mistaken- and indeed, they may have had a tradition that is similar to meditation.

Quote:
-respect for nature

I'm not sure "respect for nature" translates as well. I mean, I am sure they respected the sheer force and devastation the elements could bring- what agrarian society didn't? But I have a sinking suspicion that what we call "respect" and what they called respect for nature wouldn't translate into modern pagan practices the same way. I mean, it wasn't like the Celts didn't offer blood sacrifices for the field.

Really- I think they were more concerned with respecting their gods and dealing with the otherlings that could effect their wellbeing.

The common idea of respecting nature isn't uncommon amongst Eclectic Neo-Pagans though.

Quote:
-magic

Magic is a completely different story all together. While we are pretty sure that there were Druid mystics, being a Druid didn't make you a mystic unto itself. There were mound builders, story tellers, law givers- a host of professions under the title of Druid.

Interestingly enough, the actual magical disciplines of the Celts isn't a popular topic.

Did you know that Eclectic Neo-Paganism has a host of magical traditions that are as varied as the people who consider themselves Eclectic Neo-Pagans? It opens up the possibility for people to find a style that suits them within the bounds of ethical cultural appropriation and personal creativity.
PostPosted: Wed Apr 09, 2008 5:40 pm


A Pillow of Winds
I recently realized however that many of my true beliefs are very similar to that of a Druid.

No, they're not. They're valid, but they're not celtic.

A Pillow of Winds
-spirits in plants, animals, land, streams, etc

Not exclusively Celtic.

A Pillow of Winds
-karma

Contradictory with Celtic.

A Pillow of Winds
-meditation

TO agree with TeaDidikai, there are no Celtic practices which you can say are "meditation". There are different names for all of them and lumping them together is like lumping gods and spirits in the same category. Offensive to Gods.

A Pillow of Winds
-respect for nature

This is not exclusively celtic.

A Pillow of Winds
-magic

Your understanding of magic is not the Celtic understanding of magic.

A Pillow of Winds
Up until lately im starting to think of maybe neo-druidism is something I should really try

Only if you want to culturally rape a people who's history is one of unforgiving attitude to people pretending their titles.

A Pillow of Winds
My only problem is that I dont know where to begin.

Pick a different title for your religion.
It's valid, it's just not of the Druids.

A Pillow of Winds
I already understand a bit about ancient druidism but I need to start educating myself a little more about neo druidism too...

What you are reading about neo druidism is in direct conflict with what anyone who has a scholastic understanding of the druids will know.

CuAnnan

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