I’m hoping some of my Druid readers have followed me over from the old blog, because I need your insight…
I know that on paper, at least some of the major Druid Revival-descended orders (OBOD, AODA) are not strictly Celtic-focused, and state explicitly that many personal theologies are welcome. I’m wondering, however, how that actually works out in practice?
I feel absolutely no call from or pull towards any of the Celtic deities, and the mythology only interests me to the extent that *all* mythologies do (that is to say, at least a bit, but only academically)… but I do feel strongly called to the Revival Druid tradition, for all the reasons I outlined previously. How much of a problem is this likely to be, really – or is it? My formal experience of Druidry is only of ADF, which is quite different from the Revival style of Druidry, and briefly with an OBOD seed group that did little more together (formally, at least) than perform the eightfold rituals.
Any thoughts or insights will be very helpful!
sightless among miracles 
I keep getting pulled back towards Druidry because of the “natural mysticism” that seems at home there. But then I take a couple steps back because my theology is panentheistic and Druidry seems either to be polytheistic or duotheistic.
So, though I have no input for you, I am also interested in what others say.
My definition of Druidry is a very personal reaction to the local land and nature. So perhaps druidry doesn’t have to be about Celtic deities. It can be about whatever divinity calls to you, or it can be just connected to and about the land. You can follow a formal tradition and get told what to think or you can choose for yourself what druidry means to you.
Just my two cents.
Kay,
Yes – “natural mysticism” is largely where I’m at as well.
Skye,
You make a good point – I’m not looking for a tradition that will tell me what to think (if I wanted that I wouldn’t have left the Church), but a group that is like-minded *enough* to share the journey with – which is why I’m hoping that some of my old readers (or new ones!) with experience in these Orders can offer guidance on whether there might be enough overlap to make it worth pursuing.
I know what I believe (after almost 40 years figuring it out, I hope so anyway!)… I’m just trying to find place with a hole that will more or less fit my peculiarly-shaped peg. :)
Thanks for reading!
Okay, I totally understand where you’re coming from now. Sorry for the useless comment!
Not useless! It *is* about the local land and its inhabitants, both in the apparent world and otherwise… but for me it’s also about community. As I said in a comment elsewhere recently, I believe that we exist and grow only in relationship with others…
I have some of the same questions and concerns. I feel a pull to revival Druidry, but Celtic religion is not necessarily where my focus is. And although I don;t actually have any more experience than you with revival Druid orders, from what I can glean, it looks like Celtic mythology is a sort of strong-default. Which makes sense, I guess (the real Druids were Celts, after all), but it seems like it means an awkward mismatch for folks like you and me.
I have no experience of the modern Druid orders, but I know a lot from the authentic versions of the past. They dug up a Druid in Colchester a few years ago. Since the Druid has a connection to the land and incorporates ancestor worship it is hard to envisage much success for any pseudo Druids acting outside of the Celtic lands.
“pseudo is a loaded term! It would certainly be justifiable to use it in describing someone who claimed to follow a fully historically-accurate ancient Druid path, or an unbroken line from ancient practice… but no modern Druid group that I know of makes any such claims.