Neo-druidism

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The Awen; a Neo-druid symbol
The Awen; a Neo-druid symbol

Neo-druidism or neo-druidry (referred to simply as Druidry by some adherents) is a form of modern spirituality that generally promotes harmony with nature, often through the form of nature worship. It is considered to be a Neopagan faith, along with such religions as Wicca and Germanic neopaganism.

Originally inspired by 17th, 18th and 19th century romantic movements, early neo-druidism was based upon largely historically incorrect depictions of the Iron Age Celtic druids, and has no direct relation to the ancient Celts or their culture.[1] In more recent years, some neo-druid groups have adopted similar methodologies to those of Celtic Reconstructionist Paganism, in an effort to create a more historically accurate practice. However, there is still controversy over how much resemblance neo-druidism may or may not have to actual, historical druidism.[2]

Contents

[edit] Beliefs and Practices

Neo-druidic beliefs vary wildly, and there is no set dogma or belief system by which all adherents follow. The main belief is an idea that the Earth and nature is sacred, and is worthy of worship itself. For this reason many druids are pantheistic. Pantheism and direct nature worship were a part of the Celtic polytheism of the original druids.

Respect for the ancestors, particularly Pagan ancestors is another core belief. This idea of great ancestor respect or ancestor worship is common in pagan folk and ethnic religions.

Neo-druids work within a circle, much akin to Wiccans. The circle is commonly made around a altar. Neo-druids often meet and practice in groups. Sometimes they meet at stone circles and other megaliths which are pre-Celtic, but which were traditionally associated with the ancient druids. At the Summer solstice, a druidic ritual is notably held at Stonehenge in England. Whilst performing these rituals, some Neo-druids wear ceremonial cloaks and garb, which is designed to imitate that which was worn by the Celts. Many druids also use ritual staffs, sometimes with crystals embedded in the top.

A group of Neo-druids in England, dressed in ceremonial garb
A group of Neo-druids in England, dressed in ceremonial garb

[edit] History

[edit] Neo-druidism in Britain

The origins of Neo-druidism lie in the misconceptions and speculation about the historical druids in proto-Romanticist 17th century Britain. William Blake, the artist and poet, believed that the Druids had been early Christians; this was in contrast with the then generally-accepted rule that they had been pagan priests who worshipped "devils". A more positive view of the druids, portraying them as wise old men arose with the northern European Romantic movement of the eighteenth century. One of the key proponents of this idea was the Welsh Iolo Morganwg.

Several of the eighteenth century secret occultic societies in Britain had a particularly "druidic" flavour, such as the Ancient Order of Druids (founded in 1781) and the Ancient Druid Order (founded in 1716). These organisations often drew upon Iolo Morganwg for their philosophy and symbolism, including the use of the Druid's Prayer. Many of his teachings however have since been shown to have had no historical basis; later druidic sects have accepted this but nonetheless adopted his ideas as visionary, as opposed to scholarly insights.

In 1964 when Robert MacGregor Reid, Chief of the Ancient Order of Druids, died, a dispute between a group of senior neo-druids broke out over the election of Dr Thomas Maughan as the new chief. Consequently the order split into two factions and it was decided to form a reconstituted order with Ross Nichols as its Chief, and with the three grades of Bard, Ovate and Druid fully taught and recognised in a way that had not previously been done in the Order's modern cycle. Hence The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids was formed, which now represents the largest body of organised druidry in the world, with over ten thousand members.

Recent decades have seen an explosion of druidic orders and groups in Britain, including the Loyal Arthurian Warband, the British Druid Order, the Secular Order of Druids, the Glastonbury Order of Druids and so on, with the Council of British Druid Orders set up in 1989 to enable meetings and discussions between different Orders to take place. In February 2003, The Druid Network was launched; its aim is to be a source of information and inspiration about the modern druid tradition, its practice and its history.

[edit] Neo-druidism in America

The triskelion, an ancient Celtic symbol often used by Neo-druids
The triskelion, an ancient Celtic symbol often used by Neo-druids

[edit] The Mother Grove of the Reformed Druids of North America

The founding of the first congregation of the Reformed Druids of North America, or RDNA, at Carleton College, Northfield, Minnesota, in 1963 marked the start of at least one branch of neo-druidism. In terms of organisational structure this congregation is called the Carleton Grove, while in RDNA tradition it is referred to as the Mother Grove.

Carleton College's requirement that each student participate regularly in religious services was the most focused of the factors occasioning the promulgation of "the Reform". Nevertheless, Celtic mythology, spiritual eclecticism, more general counter-cultural agitation, and easy-going self-irony were also important themes by the time the religious requirement was rescinded in mid-1964, and the loss of the specific protest motivation did not obviously weaken the organization. Oversight effort in 1967 from priests no longer regularly present in Northfield probably has served as precedent for ensuring continuity of leadership at later times of ebb in local momentum.

The early antagonism between the Carleton Grove and the administration of the college has subsided if not disappeared; for instance, a campfire ring known as "the Druid Circle" is maintained by the college, and Carleton Grove activities are announced in college-published literature. The 40th anniversary year of the RDNA saw two reunion gatherings of the Mother Grove, one at the anniversary of the first service and one coinciding with the Carleton College Reunion. These ceremonies gave evidence of continuity of the early years' themes described above. For instance, besides the service continuing the free-wheeling balance of reverence and irreverence, a Qur'anic reading echoed a substantial study of the Qur'an by at least one of the early Arch-Druids of Carleton.

[edit] The Berkeley History

Robert Larson, a priest ordained in the Carleton Grove in 1963 or 1964, relocated to Berkeley, California about 1966, and eventually encountered Isaac Bonewits there. Together they founded a small congregation with affinities to various Wicca groups and to various practitioners of ceremonial magic (or Magick if they were Crowleans). Since then it has had several periods of greater or lesser activity. Currently the most visible offshoot of the RDNA is Ár nDraíocht Féin ("ADF" or "our own druidism" in Irish), with branches present across the United States, in Canada, and some other countries.

[edit] Neo-druidic liturgy

The original ceremonies of the neo-druids involved periodically gathering in a wooded area, generally referred to as a "Grove". (These gatherings were usually weekly, but some groups used astrology to calculate meeting times), for

  • the ritual consumption of "spirits" (Scotch whisky or Irish whiskey blended with water) called "the water of life" (uisce beatha, or whisky),
  • the singing of religious songs,
  • the performance of ceremonial chanting, and,
  • occasionally, a sermon.

The written RDNA liturgy calls for

  • a "sacrifice of life", reflecting the core of the Reform, namely plant rather than animal sacrifices, and
  • (for the ordination of a priest) an outdoor vigil.

Specifically in the Mother Grove, the use of Scotch rather than Irish whiskey has been an ironic tradition dating from the first ceremony, at which a partial bottle of Scotch whisky had been at hand, left unfinished at the end of a party the previous night.

The major holy days are the quarter days (solstices and equinoxes) and the solar festivals (approximately half way in between the quarter days, these are: Beltane, Lughnasadh, Samhain and Imbolc). These are celebrated with (usually outdoor) parties with a religious theme, much singing of religious songs, dancing in circles, etc. Various individuals will also have their own private ceremonies. Often, small groups will break off, and perform their own separated ceremonies before rejoining the general group - these groups are often split along initiatory lines as those of higher degree work their own ceremonies.

Individual choice is a major theme. So is ecology, though more in the sense of being sensitive to it and living lightly on the land than in the sense of a study of the interrelationship of lives at various scales.

The major gods are, in RDNA liturgy, the Earth-Mother (addressed as "our Mother"), seen as the personification of all material reality, Béal, the personification of nonmaterial essence, and Dalon Ap Landu, the Lord of Groves. The first two are sometimes referred to as the Earth and the Sun (named in Gaelic). Some individuals prefer to devote most of their praise, however, to other gods, like Health or Music (usually also named in Gaelic). And "A Druid Fellowship" has various scholastic posts and honors, though usually in the arts as devoted to religious praise rather than as formal studies.

ADF's liturgy is considerably more complex than that of the RDNA, though its roots in the older group are obvious, based on Bonewits's theories of a common pattern to Indo-European worship.

Neo-druidism is considered a Neopagan religion. It is important, however, to realize that the founders of RDNA intended it to complement or supplement "organized" religion, not to supplant it; most of the founders were practicing Christians. They were very surprised when RDNA continued after the college repealed the religious attendance requirement. As someone put it, "Apparently our disorganized religion appealed to those who couldn't stomach organized religion!" Present-day adherents range from those who are exclusively neo-druids to those for whom it is, indeed, a complement to another faith.

[edit] Differences between historical and Neo-druidism

See Druid

The historical druids were the priestly cast of the ancient Celts and were important in their role in their historical pagan religion of Celtic polytheism. They were eventually wiped out by the Roman army who considered the druids to be a threat to their political dominance over the Celtic tribes.

There are many differences between modern and historical druidism:

  • Historical druids worshipped only Celtic deities; however modern druids may honour Anglo-Saxon, Norse or even Christian deities.
  • Historical druids committed animal sacrifice and possibly human sacrifice, whereas modern druids do not.
  • Historical druids were secretive about their beliefs and practises, teaching them only to other druids, however modern druids are open about them, even publishing them in books.

Another major difference is that the historical druids pursued a long path of extensive learning and learning skills. In modern day terms, any Druid could be considered to have at least one (and often more) PhD degree. In modern Druidry the "knowledge" aspect is often ignored and any form of titles and full membership positions are normally given based on seniority or small courses. This is partly because of moral reasons, partly because of practical reasons and also based on ignorance (knowledge aspect of Druidry now well known).

Three neo-druidesses at Stonehenge on the morning of summer solstice 2005.
Three neo-druidesses at Stonehenge on the morning of summer solstice 2005.

[edit] Neo-Druidry today

[edit] Neo-druids in Ireland

In Ireland, neo-druids staged public gatherings for the Midsummer Solstice on the Hill of Tara, intermittently from 1996 to 2005. Currently, a number of Irish neo-druids are working with the various Save Tara heritage campaigns to preserve the Tara-Skryne Valley from the potential environmental impact if the M3 motorway that is planned for the area goes through. The proposed construction would place a large, 38 acre, eight-lane motorway interchange within a mile (1.6 km) of the Hill, making it clearly visible from one of Ireland's most sacred and historic sites, and irreparably damaging important archaeological evidence of Celtic and pre-Celtic history.

A number of small orders and groves exist in Ireland, with varying practices and beliefs; most of these have come into existence in the 1990s or later. Neo-druidism in Ireland is still relatively young, is still in the process of establishing links between groves and orders, and so a stable neo-druidic community does not yet exist.

[edit] Other European druid organisations

In 2002 The Order of Bards Ovates and Druids, which already had considerable numbers of members in the Netherlands, began offering their distance learning courses in Dutch, French and German, with local groups soon forming.

The New Order of Druids was opened by David Dom in Belgium in January 2003. It is an online organisation, offering a free alternative for people to learn through the means of the Internet, with three main goals: to learn, to grow, to exchange. The New Order of Druids opened the first of its local groves, the Mother Grove called Nervii Nemeton, on September 2, 2005 in Antwerp, Belgium. It may possibly be the first Dutch druid organisation of modern Belgium.

Another Belgian druid organisation is the Druidic Seat Glastoratin, founded on November 30, 2003, and the Albidatla Druidion Arduina or Assemblée Universelle des Druides d'Arduina, a French druid organisation in Belgium founded by Raphaël Zander in 1998.

On November 1, 1980, Gwenc’hlan Le Scouëzec became the "Grand Druid of Brittany In France", of the "Fraternité des druides, bardes et ovates de Bretagne" (Fraternity of Druids, Bards and Ovates of Brittany). Gwenc'hlan is sometimes also considered the "Grand Druid" of France.

Other European druid organisations are:

  • Le Cercle de l'Ambre (France)
  • La Taverne du Sidh (Switzerland)
  • The Kengerzhouriezh Drouizel an Dreist-Hanternoz (Compagnonnage Druidique d'Hyperborée) founded in 1982 (France)
  • The Kredenn Geltiek Hollvedel (World-wide Celtic Creed)or Kevanvod Tud Donn (Assembly of the people of the Goddess Ana), founded in 1936 by Raffig Tullou (France)
  • The Order of Clochsliaph - Nemeton Clochsliaph in Hamm, Germany, founded by Uwe Eckert in 2002.
  • The Order of Belle Vue Neo-druidics (Builders of neo-druidic henges, comprised of an assortment of household items, arranged in accordance with the wishes of the moon.)

[edit] Popular Neo-druidic organizations

Since the RDNA's creation, several other neo-druidic organizations have been founded, including the Ovates, Modern occultists, Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF), the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD), British Druid Order, The Druid Network (TDN), and Keltria. They all have similar, but distinct beliefs and practices. OBOD is based in the UK, while ADF and Keltria are based in the US, though all three have international reach. ADF is something of a descendant of the RDNA since its founder, Isaac Bonewits was a member of the RDNA before founding ADF. Keltria (see below) came about as the result of disagreements between several ADF members and Mr. Bonewits on the focus of druidry.

According to the neo-druidic Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, the druid teaching is traditionally split into the following three "grades", with acceptance into each grade requiring an initiation by those of equal or higher grade:

  • Bard - who was taught how to read and write, but more importantly was taught the poetry and lore of the time. Bards were the keepers of lore and were expected to know by memory all the myths, legends, history and even bloodlines of the land.
  • Ovates - one who was taught herb-lore and the "deeper secrets"
  • Druid - one who has learned much lore and begun to use it to teach others, counsel and function as a judge in the affairs of others.

The ancient Irish druids, however, had somewhat differing grades in drui, faidh, fili and baird (corresponding to druid, ovate-druid, druid-file and bard)[citation needed]

Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF), however, holds that druidic practice is a less-structured Indo-European spiritual practice and thus leans more toward contemporary Neopagan practices, though it does attempt to integrate them with research on Indo-European cultures (a practice known as reconstructionism). Instead of "grades", new ADF members study basic druidry as "Dedicants" and then move on to the ADF Study Program by joining various Guilds, e.g., Liturgists Guild, Healers Guild, etc., to specialize. Advancement within the Guilds and Special Interest Groups is awarded through passing various "circles" of study culminating in the equivalent of a Master status in a particular pursuit. ADF also has a clergy training program for those who aspire to priesthood in particular, though completion of the Dedicant level is a prerequisite for both Guild and priest work. ADF differs from other neo-druidic groups in that it aims to provide structure and services more similar to major organized religion, e.g., a paid clergy, permanent places of worship, etc., than most Neopagan organizations.

Keltrian Druidism is a Celtic Neopagan tradition dedicated to honoring its ancestors, revering the spirits of nature, and worshiping the gods and goddesses of its members' Gaelic heritage. Focus is placed on personal growth through the development of mind, body, and spirit. The group is an initiatory tradition who place special emphasis on the development of spiritual relationships through study and practice of the druidic arts or draíocht. Their national organization, The Henge of Keltria, publishes various resources and acts as a registry for members.

There are also a great number of other druid groups in Britain, Europe and America, with varying claims to (and interest in) the historical traditions.

[edit] See also

[edit] References

  1. ^ "Modern Druids have no direct connection to the Druids of the Iron Age. Many of our popular ideas about the Druids are based on the misunderstandings and misconceptions of scholars 200 years ago. These ideas have been superseded by later study and discoveries." [1]
  2. ^ Bonewits, Isaac (2006) Bonewits's Essential Guide to Druidism. New York, Kensington Publishing Group ISBN 0-8065-2710-2. Chapter 9, "Solitary Druids and Celtic Reconstructionists" pp.128-140.

[edit] Additional readings

[edit] External links

[edit] American

[edit] British

[edit] Canadian

[edit] Irish

[edit] Scottish

[edit] General

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