Is Druidry a philosophy, a science, or a religion? Druidry is, all at once, a philosophy, a corpus of scientific knowledge, and a religion. It is one of those ancestral belief systems that, instead of breaking down the living world into discrete parts, viewed it as an indissociable whole. ~~~ Contemporary Druidry very certainly seeks to re-form this link between things and beings, thereby re-espousing the world. ~~~ The terms Druidry and Druid should not be confused. Druidry is to accept and to practice a religion served by its priesthood, the Druids. Hence, to be a Druid is to be a Priest or Priestess of this religion.
What, today, is a Druid?
Today's Druids are men and women who have sought out and re-bonded both with their earth-roots and with their airy antennæ. They have reclaimed their place once more as human beings within the universe, have rediscovered the Laws that govern the natural order of things, and strive to respect these in their own lives. By knowing these laws, they also serve the Cosmic Energies, in a sense they serve the Gods, and accordingly are at the service of the different kingdoms (mineral, plant, animal, human).
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Being a Druid today is not so very different from what it was two thousand years ago: it entails being simultaneously a Bard, an Ovate, and a Priest, that is: using art to express and to communicate the Divine, rediscovering in ourselves that portion which is the Gods' (Bard); learning to read Oracles, practicing natural and primeval medicine (Ovate); being fully familiar with the Gods and the myths, being capable of directing a ritual and of teaching (Priest). A Druid is an individual who is accomplished in all these disciplines… Many Druid groups today require that, to be recognized, one be initiated and consecrated as a Druid. This, then, presupposes that the postulant transit through a group where an officiating Druid can conduct the initiation. There are Druids, however, who are self-proclaimed.
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There is another definition that I am fond of, and for this I am citing the Dialogue of the Two Sages (9th century text, cf. under this title, the work of C. J. Guyonvar'ch / Payot), where the elder, instead of asking the younger "Who are you?", asks "What can you do, what do you know?". Thus he who claims to be a Druid must give proof of his knowledge and of his competencies.
What future for Druidry? I am convinced that Druidry and other similar religions represent the spirituality of the future. The world is ailing, people have nothing to guide by, no set of values for their world on which to build. So, more and more, they turn to anything that will bring them closer to things that are "natural," healthy, pure, as they were in the first age of the world. Man needs to find his true place once again, and his true nature; Druidry affords him this possibility. We must search out those things that lie behind the contrivances that increasingly encumber our lives… That is Druidry. ~~~ Druidry is relearning to respect, and how to respect, the Earth, our environment, and ourselves as part and parcel of that environment. It is living in the present moment whilst drawing strength from our roots so as better to build the future. Druidry is deeply concerned with that balance.   What is the right intellectual approach for becoming a Druid? That's a good question indeed, for the first approach consists in learning again that we are not just a mind, that the mind is only one tool among others. We must rediscover our intuitions, reintegrate our minds, our bodies, and our souls… Thus, intellectually, the first thing we need to do is to silence our reasoning minds a few moments!
Practically speaking, what should we do?
Paradoxically, it is doubtless easier to become a Druid than a simple follower of Druidry. There are very few open rituals one can attend, and practically no study of Druidry without the intention of becoming a Druid, or at least a Bard.
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To become a Druid, you must first seek in the great book of Nature, and then you may also seek, albeit more circumspectly, in the books of Man. But very quickly you feel the urge to share, to communicate, to learn by word of mouth, or in any case with advice from someone you have confidence in. Here, you will need to find out about the different currents and groups that exist. Some are very closed, others less so. Some have Christian tendencies, while others are totally Pagan (believing in multiple deities). Concretely, Michel Raoult's book, Les Druides et sociétés initiatiques… can be recommended, as well as various web sites… Then, according to your affinities, all you need to do is contact the group that "appeals" most to you. It isn't always easy to get accepted: certain groups impose very stringent conditions, though others do not. Concretely, also, let us mention the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids (OBOD), which proposes correspondence courses open to all comers. Soon these courses will be available in French.
Why is it so difficult to join a Druid circle?
The first reason, I believe, is that there are actually not many viable groups, which makes them hard to find. Furthermore, Druidry does not proselytize, it is not out to "recruit"; one must therefore display firm intent and genuine motivation when approaching them. Certain groups, considering themselves to be an elite, are unwilling to open their doors, but I think that for most this reticence is more a protection and stems from the desire to be discrete. Druidry is not an idle pastime, an activity to round out Saturday's tennis game and the Sunday movie: it's something one must sincerely want to do, with a commitment that is robust and well thought out. The attitude aims to protect the group from air-heads and mischief-makers who could destabilize it; it protects the postulant as well. Here, truly, one must differentiate between Druidry and Druids. It is quite unfortunate that there are not more open ceremonies held, that is, where all could come and observe, pray, communicate. For the moment, the rituals tend to be closed ones, work between Druids and aspiring Druids. Could we imagine entering a Carmelite convent at will? Of course not. What we lack, in fact, are "masses" open to all.
What does a Druid ritual consist of?
Some parts are common to all Druids, such as casting a circle in which to hold the ceremony, a call for peace in the different quarters, a call of these four quarters, the Druid prayer. Then each, according to his affiliation, will celebrate the moment of the cycle or the event being observed.
A brief description of the Nemeton Gaulois It's what the English term a "Grove" (or a "Clairière" in French) that is, a group of people, aspirants, Bards or Ovates of various levels, that holds eight rituals a year (the solstices, the equinoxes, and the four Celtic "fire" festivals) and organizes workshops under the direction of one or more Druids (male, or female as with the Nemeton). ~~~ Actually, I worked a long time by myself, for it was then very hard to join one of the existing groups if you didn't live in Brittany, and were Breton… Then I joined OBOD, and this was a very valuable experience. But OBOD represents thousands of members in England, the USA, Australia, and precious few in France. So I felt quite isolated. I figured that once I had reached the Druid grade it would doubtless be easier for me to set up a Grove on the spot than to travel to England eight times a year and more-the adventure had begun. ~~~ I also said to myself, there must surely be other folk in France…   What rôle does the Bulletin play? To a certain extent, the Bulletin takes the place of those famous ceremonies open to all that are difficult to organize for the moment. It is accessible to all, speaks out on themes dear to Druidry, makes it possible to connect. It allows us to share what we take to heart, and the reader to approach Druidry freely, congenially, and more or less anonymously.
How did you become a Druid?
There was, first and foremost, a protracted and patient personal effort. I was fortunate in being raised in a family strongly inclined in that direction. My great-grandfather was president of the Société Théosophique of a major French city. As to my program of initiation, I have completed the Bardic, Ovate, and Druid grade courses offered by the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids.
Your motivations and your itinerary?
To find myself, to find my roots, not only my Gallic roots, though dear to me they are indeed, but also my roots as a human being. To rediscover my belongingness to the world, my own portion of Earth, of Air, of Water, of Fire. To find my own equilibrium and my health-physical, moral, spiritual, to participate in the great cycle of Life, to do my share in respecting the Divine Laws.
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And what was my itinerary? A Christian childhood with influences colored by Brahmanism-Hinduism, Buddhism… An adolescence turned towards American Indian religions and Shamanism… But why always seek afar what we have close at hand, could we have been less clever than the others? And hence an encounter with Druidry… My quest actually began as early as 1980, but it was in 1986, when I began work on my novel, "Les saisons gauloises", and the historic meeting with my ancestors, that it all came together.
What, in your opinion, are the cardinal qualities for becoming a Druid? The first is without doubt humility, the second, curiosity, and the third is patience, or courage perhaps, actually, a quality that confers the strength to stick it out to the end, while being aware that Druidry has no end, for the more you learn, the more there is left to learn…   What advice would you give to someone who would like to become a Druid? First of all, to beware of wrong turns, and then prepare to live one of the finest adventures of ones life… and to plunge into it more with ones heart than with ones mind.
What do you mean by "a wrong turn"?
I mean to be on guard against sects, fanatical groups, with extremist political agendas. Sects are recognizable the moment there is a cult of one or more individuals: no human being deserves to be adored or worshipped, and no exception to this rule should be tolerated. A Druid may be a teacher, a guide, a tutor, but never anything else. Respect should not be confused with worship. Also, shun an organization the instant someone asks you for money, or to give up your everyday life (home, family): any bona fide religion should bring you closer, not alienate you. As to the rest, a few words will soon tell the tale, if a skin color is required, or a nationality…
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Let us be clear. The Druids are indeed Celtic Priests, and yes, the Celts can be regarded as the "inventors" of Druidry, but a Druid is a being who knows how to connect with the Earth, and Earth does not mean Nation (incidentally, they were not even familiar with the notion)! It is a way to live with ones Gods and to rediscover ones place in the Universe, and it can be shared with all! Druidry is a non-revealed religion, and the Nature of its Essence is accordingly universal.
The website Le Nemeton Gaulois.
To contact me