Druidry - Blog Posts
Druidry is based on what we can assume from Ancient Druid traditions. Which includes the religions that were around at the time as well. Now here's a very important thing, we don't know much because the Druids would pass things down through oral tradition, and the Christianization of the Celtic nations caused it to die.
What we know about Ancient Druids: Druid was a job position and status, they did a lot of things like advise, heal, and mediate conflicts.
Modern Druidry is not Ancient Druidry. We literally cannot be like the ancient Druids because we don't know enough about them and we also aren't going to be advising kings that's just- not happening.
Modern Druidry, however, is based in what little we know. No one is claiming it is exact, and if they are, they are wrong.
What we know about the culture where the druids existed: Holidays, clothing, religion (thanks to some Christian priests who wrote myths down during the Christianization of the nations), legends and other mythology not relating directly to religion, the Fair folk (aka Fae).
With what we know about Ancient Druids, and what we know about the culture itself, we have attempted to combine into the religion/spirituality of Modern Druidry. We call ourselves Druids not because we are advisors to kings, but because we are honoring the Ancient Druids that were once spiritual leaders and important members of society. What we follow is hopefully something close to what Ancient Celts would have followed.
Why? For a lot of reasons, but let's just go with the simple answer "because we like it" just like with any damn religion.
SAMHAIN
By far the best known Gaelic festival, Samhain marked the end of summer in Ireland, when assemblies were held and the cattle were brought to winter pastures. The traditional (though contested) date is usually given as November 1st, with festivities beginning at dusk on October 31st. Like with Bealtaine, the festival of Samhain is marked by bonfires and an emphasis on protection from Otherworldly forces. Syncretism with All Hallow's Eve resulted in many traditions involving the dead or the Daoine Sidhe roaming the lands on Samhain, looking to snatch away or otherwise harm those who did not observe the proper rites. As such, the wearing of disguises and the creation of charms were meant to ward away unwanted attention. Divination games were also common on Samhain, primarily concerning matters of love and marriage. Hiding trinkets such as coins or rings in plates of food and loaves of bread was the most popular method, although apples and hazelnuts were also employed. Samhain is also the setting for many of Irish mythology's most famous tales, especially stories of wooings and conceptions. Modern Scottish tradition associates Samhain with the Cailleach, the hag of winter, who rules over the colder months. The Brugh na Boinne was particularly associated with Samhain, and modern folklore describes it as the site of battles, feasts, and games carried out by the Daoine Sidhe on Samhain night. This piece features a deer skull to evoke the deer herd of the Cailleach and the traditions surrounding death, with crossed swords and the Brugh na Boinne for the Daoine Sidhe. Loaves of bannock and barmbrack, along with nuts and apples, encompass the culinary aspects of the holiday, and the quaich cup (a common sight at weddings) and divinatory trinkets hint at its more romantic overtones. Finally, bonfire flames, a carved tumshie lantern, and a parshell cross serve as charms to ward away Otherworldly dangers. Lá Fhéile Shamhna sona daoibh!
Celtober 2023 Days 7, 8 and 9: Dream, Birds and Divination
The druid, then in his sleep, at the end of the night beheld a man stark-naked, passing along the road of Tara, with a stone in his sling.
The destruction of Da Derga's Hostel