What is Druidism?

From: Lord Ariel Morgan druidh1@yahoo.com This comes from the web...thought it was very interesting.....

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A DRUID IS...

1) A SPIRITUAL LEADER OF THE ANCIENT CELTS (ALSO HISTORICAL OR ANCIENT DRUID, OFTEN LOWERCASE).

In its most basic and neutral sense, a Druid was a member of a specific caste of ancient Celtic society. Although some people will tell you that we know "nothing" about the historical Druids, we do in fact have a certain amount of reliable information about them. Scholars base their statements about these people on three main sources: archeological evidence; written records from Greek and Roman writers; and later Celtic sources, primarily from Ireland and Wales. These sources indicate that the ancient Celtic Druids were ritual or sacrificial leaders, scholars and teachers, advisors to kings and other leaders, judges and legal historians, seers or diviners, poets, and magicians or "wizards."

Some sources say that there were three classes of Druids:
Bards, Ovates, and Druids proper. Classical sources indicate that Druids underwent extensive training (a course of 20 years is mentioned) and enjoyed great prestige in Celtic society.

Some writers, such as Philip Carr-Gomm, argue for a broader use of the term, to include the spiritual leaders of the pre-Celtic inhabitants of Britain, Ireland, and Gaul whom he terms "early Druids." Sometimes called "proto-Druids," these people are assumed (though not conclusively proved) to be the builders of the monolithic stone circles like Stonehenge. In fact, it is only  by adopting this broader usage that we can make the argument that ancient Druids used Stonehenge as a ritual site, as there is no evidence that the Celtic Druids did.

2) A MEMBER OF ONE OF THE REVIVAL ERA (18TH-19TH C.) FRATERNAL OR SPIRITUAL GROUPS INSPIRED BY, BUT NOT DIRECTLY DESCENDED FROM, THE ANCIENT DRUIDS (ALSO MESO-DRUID).

Starting in 1717, a number of individuals began to revive the philosophy of the ancient Druids as they understood it. Unfortunately, their research was often speculative at best. While clearly enthusiastic and perhaps even inspired, they often lacked the scholarly rigor we expect today, and their ideas did not accurately reflect what we now know of ancient Celtic religion and culture. Most of the Revivalists were male and avowedly Christian, although their religious beliefs seem to have ranged from orthodox to highly idiosyncratic. Few if any seem to have seen Druidry (their preferred term, meaning "the philosophy or beliefs espoused by the historical Druids"--as they understood them) as incompatible with the Christianity of their time; many tried deliberately to reconcile what differences they did see. The results of their efforts were three: a renewed public interest in Druids; a number of fraternal or esoteric societies that used the word "Druid" in their names; a great number of misconceptions about the nature of the historical (i.e., Celtic Pagan) Druids (see #1).

Many of these Druid orders are still in existence. Some have become charitable societies with no appreciable spiritual goals. Others have retained the Christian-influenced ideas of their founders as part of an evolving Druid philosophy or spiritual system, often with a significant admixture of Masonic or Hermetic material. These groups have gained some modern notoriety by worshipping publicly at Stonehenge and other sacred sites.

3) A MEMBER OF A MODERN NEOPAGAN DRUID ORGANIZATION (ALSO, NEO-DRUID).

Out of Neopaganism have emerged a number of new Druid groups, many of which could also be described as moderately reconstructionist in philosophy. These groups often reject the work of the Revival era and look to the ancient Druids, as well as their own experiences, for inspiration. Such groups, like the Revival-era societies, may use "grades" or "degrees." Some reach beyond the Celtic world to the pan-Indo-European realm (ADF), while other, usually small, groups are openly eclectic and merge Wicca or other Neopagan paths with the Celtic pantheons.

4) A PERSON WHO ACCEPTS "DRUIDRY" AS A SPIRITUAL PHILOSOPHY.

At least one modern group with Revival-era roots, The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD), seems to be evolving toward a more openly Neopagan perspective, but still officially presents its teaching material as a spiritual philosophy, accessible to all and open to individual interpretation. The membership of this large group is highly eclectic in its understanding of both historical and modern Druidry, and while the majority probably consider themselves Neopagan, a significant minority retain other beliefs and affiliations, including Christianity.

5) A CELTIC RECONSTRUCTIONIST PAGAN.

With the advent of Neopaganism in North America and Europe, some people have undertaken to reconstruct, as authentically as possible, the religion of the Iron Age Celts. While necessarily conceding the need to adapt this religion to modern society, these Neopagans base their beliefs and rituals on historically verifiable precedents, supported by personal or communal spiritual experience. One of the terms used for these individuals and groups is "Celtic Reconstructionist Pagans."

Some Celtic Reconstructionists would balk at using the term "Druid" to describe themselves, but it is not uncommon for outsiders to assume that Celtic Reconstructionists are all would-be Druids, or that the two terms are interchangeable. This is complicated by the fact that there is a significant overlap in membership between CR and Druid groups, so that some CR Pagans do indeed call themselves Druids as well.

6) A PERSON WHO HAS ACHIEVED THE GRADE OF DRUID IN AN ESOTERIC OR SPIRITUAL SOCIETY.

Some of the Revival era Druid groups adopted the grades of Bard, Ovate, and Druid from Classical sources. In this scheme, one might describe oneself as a Druid only when one has been initiated into that grade or when one has completed training for that grade. This is in some ways comparable to the "degrees" of ceremonial magic or academia.

7) A PERSON WHO CLAIMS A DRUID FAMILY LINEAGE.

Particularly since the enormous Internet boom, individuals have occasionally come forward to assert a hereditary claim to the term "Druid." These people usually claim to have been initiated into Druidism by a relative and to be part of a long chain of Druids reaching back into the Middle Ages or even earlier. Most of these people are also disdainful of modern Neopagans who call themselves Druids, arguing that being a Druid is like being a Catholic priest: if you're not ordained within a legitimate line of succession, your title is invalid.

To my knowledge, no one has ever been able to conclusively prove (or disprove) these claims.

8) A WANNABE.

Skeptics, as well as those who use the term "druid" (always lowercase!) exclusively in the first sense described above ("historical" or "ancient Druid"), scoff at modern people who apply the term Druid to themselves or their contemporaries. These people usually espouse a materialist perspective and reject any hint of esotericism in discussion of Druids. The result is that they treat anyone whose views differ with scorn.

9) WHATEVER, DOOD.

Occasionally people will claim the title of Druid or Archdruid for themselves for no apparent reason, other than they think it sounds "kewl." Sometimes they are gamers who have inadvertently wandered into a religious forum, or they may have read a popular book, like the 21 Lessons of Merlyn, and believe that this qualifies them for the title. While some are just plain silly, others may also have a sincere interest in the subject and are more than willing to learn.

Leaving aside the definitions that exist only to aggrandize individuals (#9) or to belittle others (#8), we're left with seven possible definitions of "Druid." I'd like to suggest that writers make the effort to qualify the term to make their meaning clear. Here are some ways to do this:

When referring to pre-Christian Druids, consistently use the terms "ancient Druids" or "historical Druids." Refer to later Druids as "modern" or "contemporary Druids," as appropriate. If you accept the hypothesis that the Druids were the indigenous religious leaders of the pre-Celtic inhabitants of Britain and Ireland, write "pre-Celtic Druids" or "proto-Druids." Ex.: There is archeological evidence that the ancient Druids may have performed human sacrifice; of course, modern Druids do not. When referring to a member of a modern Druid order or group, past or present, reference the name of the group: "OBOD Druid," "ADF Druid," "Druid of Mount Haemus Grove."
Ex.: I am an OBOD Druid, and I should say that my order understands Druidry as a philosophy, not a religion. If referring to one who claims status as an hereditary Druid, use the term "fam-trad Druid" (short for "family tradition").
Ex.: I have never seen any evidence that fam-trad Druids exist, but neither have I seen the notion conclusively disproved.  Do not confuse modern Druids with Celtic Pagans generally. Some modern Druids are Celtic Reconstructionist Pagans, while others are not.
Ex.: My Patron Deity would slap me upside the head if He caught me calling myself a Druid!
If referring to grades within an order or society, use the term "Druid
Grade" (or Bardic Grade or Ovate Grade) or specify the order's name.
Ex.: Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Bardic Grade
or Sincerely,
Jane Doe
Druid, OBOD

© 1998 Andrew Campbell

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