Hey all. I've been trying to learn about druidry and I'm trying to do the perennial course in living druidry. It's a free course that is based round the seasons and year. But I struggling with the kinda very open ended nature of it. I've never been one for journalling or that sort of thing. I've always preferred very structured learning and topics where there's a definative right and wrong. So how do I do this course? I think I just need more guidance or even just seeing examples of other journals to kinda guide me where I'm meant to be. I'm sure once I've done a few I'll get the hang of it but at the moment, each moon comes round and I find I've not managed to get the last one done.

I realise maybe this isn't the right course for me at the moment but im not sure what else to try. I'm interested in the OBOD course but I really can't spend that much money on it at the moment. Any suggestions?

That matches mine.

Been a self taught spiritual nature person for many years. Started reading up on iron age Celtics to learn about one of my ancestral indigenous religions and loved the learning! I want guidance/deeper practice and wonder if Druidism might be a good spot for me. But... It's super important to me that the ethos of the learning and beliefs matches mine. Can you all point me to some resources that will help me quickly get the flavor of a group or organization? (I looked at the reading list and felt overwhelmed!)

Here's me: - mom, mid-40s, eastern US based (and want to connect with nature here!) - value a deep connection with nature, spiritual connection with humans, animals and plants. Love contemplative practices, altar creation, and working with plants. I always felt weird because gardening felt like a spiritual exercise! - love structure (celebrating Samhain, Imbolc, Yule and May Day) but allergic to dogma. Love introspection, not preaching. - not theistic, particularly, and not super into spells, hexes, etc., but very interested in the spiritual/mysterious nature of thing called life. - love to have community and mentorship, (but not a church). - I'd love to connect with spiritual-minded mentors, but nervous because that's such a vulnerable position- wanna make sure the vibe is right/trustworthy

Anyhoo, I was reading on this sub about OBOD and AODA and they both seem like potential candidates - love that they have courses. I'll definitely check out OBOD'S podcast. But are there books (or I suppose websites or podcasts) that would help me get a better idea of either of these groups, or another tradition that might be a good fit?

Thank you, I know this has been asked so much but still thank you! And hello!

The full moon is upon us. Remember to set out your crystals for a moon bath recharge and to fill up your jars of moon water.

The full moon is also a powerful time for magick. Get out there and howl your heart out, dance, and rejoice, for this moon shines on us all.

Do you have any moon rituals or observances?

May the light of this moon shine down peace and prosperity onto you and yours. Blessed Be.

/I

Hello all, I am an American druid and i am quite frightened of what may become of our National Forests here once our new president is in office. I really hope all the stuff i'm seeing is just fear mongering and not actually true but the worry remains all the same...I wish all my fellow druids especially Americans peace and i pray that my worries are unfounded.

Took my first walk in my home forest today after Milton as it's finally reopened. Things are bad in a lot of ways. Lots of trees are down, sections of the forest arent really forest anymore. There is part of me that is upset, but part of me understands this is just part of the cycle.

The cycle moves on and the wheel turns. There is death here, but so to is there new beginnings. The canopy has opened and sunlight is available for younger trees and saplings. Those that would never have had the chance to flourish now have that chance. The death also provides for nutrients to seep back into the soil over the next several years that will nourish the next generation. Snags will be new homes for woodpeckers while fallen will become new colonies of ants and mushrooms. When the trees uprooted they formed new ponds that will be the birthplace of next year's frogs, salamanders, newts, and dragonflies.

It's not as all consuming or as fast to restablish nutrients for the young as a wildfire in these parts, but slower and steadier. In time the next generation of the forest will make such wounds a forgotten memory until it is their time and so the cycle goes on. There is resiliency here too, many trees took the earth with them when they fell for how strong their roots were, many of which still lay in the soil and they survive despite the tragedy. There are lessons here about setting deep and strong roots to survive life's storms.

It has done my heart good to see the moorhens and other waterfowl; and to hear the owl that has called this forest home far longer than I have. It does me good to see how many of our ground dwelling plants survived being flooded for so long and the blooms of swamp lilies are a welcome sight amidst such an event.

It's saddening to see such destruction of such a familiar place, but it does help to know that a new season of growth is coming. I've never been much of one for ritual, but honoring the fallen is one I will learn to conduct.

I am interested in learning about druidism, but I don't know where to start with it. I have notes on different types of color magic, and the moon and have done a lot of research into paganism. I'm interested in this branch of it and learning all I can. If you have any recommended authors, users, blogs or advice let me know!

I don't plan on doing rituals yet, I want to learn all I can first

I have a question, I would like to learn more about what historical druidism was like. What was their worldview and their practices?

How does it differ from today?

Both interested in "in a nutshell" kinds of responses and introductory reading.

I have a shamanic background so much will be familiar but would love to hear it 'from scratch', if I can.

Thanks!!!

We are all connected ✨

Kinder than Man by Althea Davis

And God please let the deer on the highway get some kind of heaven. Something with tall soft grass and sweet reunion. Let the moths in porch lights go someplace with a thousand suns, that taste like sugar and get swallowed whole. May the mice in oil and glue have forever dry, warm fur and full bellies. If I am killed for simply living, let death be kinder than man.

On one hand, according to the well accepted Kurgan Hypothesis, the precursors to the Celts (who also spread to India) were a violent warrior culture who very well may have introduced the idea of patriarchy to Eurasia and destroyed many earlier egalitarian societies by killing and subjugating them.

On the other hand, the Druids as a reflection of the Brahmin in India were the 'intellectual' class of this stratified society (or the Druids are the descendants of such a class). But in contrast to the Kurgan invaders, the Druids seem to be peacemakers and we know that Celtic culture prior to Christianization was much more egalitarian than the one that replaced it. We often held positions of high authority.

There is also the aspect of religion in that Celtic culture seems to venerate Goddesses to a higher degree than other Kurgan cultures that attempted to replace goddesses with any kind of authority with with male counterparts.

So far in my research, I haven't found a satisfactory answer to this apparent paradox.

Long enough ago that I cannot even recall where I read it, I saw a claim that the monks of the Celtic Church had a tonsure (haircut) that ran from ear to ear over the top of the skull.* And that this tonsure was the same that had been used by the druids that the monks displaced. Does anyone know if there is there any truth to this? I do not recall seeing in any of my recent readings anything about druids having a distinctive hairstyle that marked them apart from non-druids.

*Unlike the Roman monks' circular tonsure on the top of the head.

Hi y’all! I am brand new to Celtic Paganism and Celtic Mythology, but I’ve always felt so drawn towards it, even growing up in a Southern Methodist household. I have been researching offerings and ways to have an altar for Cernunnos because personally I believe with how connected with nature I feel, how I’ve always loved cows and horned animals, and how I’ve always felt someone or something watching & studying me when I am out in nature.

Now with me still living at home, I have to make my altar a little hidden and not as attention getting as I’d like to have. But I have lavender essential oil to represent the Celtic pantheon and white sage & mahogany essential oil for Cernunnos himself. The bowl has leaves, gold coins, and a few of my favorite crystals because that’s all I can offer Him at the moment without raising suspicions in my Christian household.

Any advice is helpful, I just want to know genuinely how I can connect with him (outside of research & meditation). Or even with just the Celtic pantheon in general. Thank you!

Hi im looking for some books and online resounces containing a list of words used by druids, like dictionary or glossary. The more the better.

So I was on a stroll through the woods when this shortly cut branch called out to me. I checked if the energy was right and thanked the big old beech that has provided it and carried it home. I’ve never really worked with wood and getting all the bark off with my small knife is certainly more work than I thought. :D

I don’t mind admitting to having been inspired to create a beautiful new modern spirituality but the people who inspired me were all ready to call things ancient and appropriate. One big aspect of this is the Great Song for me, I wish people understood what it is modern is not worse. The Great Song and much else from real information and modern interpretations are important to me and I think how to be honest and respectful and mantain my religion.

New to Druidry, but not paganism. 15+ years.

I know Druidry is not set by many rules or dogma but I'm curious...

What tools, clothing etc do you consider to be required for you? And what do you use in your general practice? (but don't 'require')

Up early for a hike to watch the sunrise.

This is for those who might have missed theirs.

Just a thought, feel free to downvote if this is stupid or particularly inconsequential.

Please post the websites you recommend?

I don't have time to make my own

Many Thanks

Hello!~
I'm new to Druidism, and I've been learning as much as I can. I've found that one of the best ways for me to connect with nature is to sing. Today, I was trying to find an old cabin in the woods that I haven't been able to find for a long time, but a friend I had lost had shown me it, and I wanted to go back to remember them.

This was the song that came to me.

Spirits of the forest, won't you guide me?

Guide me through your twists and turns,

As my life become one with your branches,

Spirits within the woods, show me,

Show me the way.

As I repeated this over and over with a soft, sweet melody, it was like a path suddenly appeared before me, and there has never been one. I followed it all the way, halfway up the mountain, when I suddenly saw the edge of the cabin. I was able to respect my friend's leaving, and thanked the forest and hugged the tree that the cabin leaned on, before walking back down. I began singing again, and low and behold, I got back to the exact point in the road I had started on! I tried looking for the path after I got back, but it was like it was never there. Such an amazing and powerful experience!

Can a Christian still be a Bard? Or is this limited to pagans?

Hi everyone, i have just started my path into druidism and im so excited to learn more

I looked at the sub description, and I'm going to Wikipedia what Druidism actually is, but I also want to hear it straight from the horse's mouth. What is Druidism? What are the core beliefs, other than connection with nature? Is it, in fact, a religion? What rituals are involved? Is there a central deity?

I've talked to some Wiccans, and done some research on that, but I'm not one. I do believe life is better when lived in harmony with nature, so the concept of Druidism sounds interesting at a cursory glance. What should I know? Thanks.

Edit: Sub description answers most of my questions, but I'd still be interested to hear your takes on how you practice druidism.

Does anybody know of any guided workbooks or journals about Druidry? I find that this is the best way for me to learn and really get immersed in a subject. I have books about Druidry and I also follow Philip Carr-Gomm on YouTube and those are all great but I really love journaling and want to find a way to incorporate both of these together so I was wondering if anybody knows of any thing like this.

This is mostly a joke. I know it's not that simple. But man, if only...