Daemion Mac Moi Tirra #49 @7352
Wed Mar 21 19:48:53 1990


        There are many paths, some divergent, some parallel, but 
        all have some points of similarity; all have some 
        validity, whether they are truly ancient ways or neo-
        pagan reconstructions.  All share an attitude of truth-
        seeking. 

        The Druidic Arts are very ancient though some of the neo-
        druidic cults, which have sprung up, in the last 300 
        years, bear only a passing resemblance, to the original.  
        This is to be expected, however, as we Druids have ever 
        been a secretive lot, hoarding our deeper lore like 
        misers not unwilling to share, so much as cautious, with 
        whom we share it for power is a dangerous thing, in the 
        hands of undedicated and perhaps antipathetic users thus 
        our long secrecy.  
        
        What knowledge we CAN share, however, we DO and such is 
        often helpful our basic beliefs are quite unacceptable, 
        at times, to more modern pagans, who have been raised, 
        for the most part, in Christian households and are, 
        therefore, at a turning point, in their lives trying to 
        be a good Pagan and learn the ways of the Craft yet 
        unable to completely overturn the strange and often 
        warped moral codes they learned, as children.  But if one 
        truly desires to walk our path one must walk it 
        straightly, with full honour, for our traditions and ways 
        we have not "adapted" to cater to modern libertarianism 
        there are certain standards which we demand, of students. 
        
        In all fairness, to the users of this bbs, I am about to 
        explain our feelings about these subjects, so that those 
        who may truly desire to learn our ways may have a clear 
        idea, as to our practices, so that they may decide, for 
        themselves, whether or not they can overcome their early 
        programming sufficiently, to dedicate themselves fully, 
        to such a complex and difficult course.  This is not a 
        prospectus, as such no deep secrets will be revealed but 
        it should explain a few things, about our attitudes and 
        motives.  Any questions you may have, should be E-mailed 
        as much of this introduction should not be shared, by the 
        younger users, here.   
        
        The first thing I believe I should explain, is the way 
        Druids perform all rituals.  In this day and age 
        especially in a heavily Christianized nation, such as 
        America, it is desirable, in the extreme, to maintain a 
        discrete profile yet our tradition demands some 
        sacrifice, from each seeker and that is FEAR.  You must 
        overcome any fear of the Christian Public yet remain 
        discrete, for the most part.  We perform all Rituals in 
        the NUDE.  Wiccan covens often call this "going Skyclad" 
        but we simply call it NAKED, or NUDE.  It means that 
        everyone involved in the ritual, does so, completely 
        naked without clothing, jewelry, or makeup.  We do this 
        for several extremely good reasons primary among which, 
        is to be comfortable.  Clothing distracts the mind..it 
        restricts the sensitivity of the skin, to the ebb and 
        flow of energy currents, so vital to the work at hand.  
        Second:  Since our groups contain both male and female, 
        clothing actually CAUSES sexual tension which can be 
        devastating,  to the overall effectiveness, of any 
        ritual. Yes, that's right NAKED bodies cause LESS sexual 
        tension, than ROBED bodies.  Why?  It should be obvious 
        everyone is WONDERING what you look like, under that 
        ROBE!  When everyone is NUDE, on the other hand..it 
        quickly becomes a natural and accepted fact of life, and 
        much less leering and ogling results.  It also engenders 
        a sense of togetherness and  trust love and sharing 
        serenity and harmony. (when such is needed, it is NEEDED)  
        This brings us to a very important point..our ways are 
        Nature-based, Nature-oriented and you might describe us 
        as a Fertility Cult, if  you were ignorant of our true 
        motives, because we are very earthy and sensual it is our 
        faith.  
        
        Druids have often been mistaken, as being those who 
        worship trees we do not worship trees but we do love and 
        care for the forest and there are certain trees which are 
        "connected" with our Gods special to them, as it were and 
        those trees we honour tho not worship for it is  our 
        belief that one may more easily make contact, with a God 
        or Goddess, by using such trees in the ritual of 
        evocation.  
        
        There are many trees and plants which have special 
        meaning, in this way but the primary varieties are Rowan 
        and Oak with Willow, Elm, Birch, and Poplar being just 
        beneath these two even Holly, which is not a tree at all, 
        but an overgrown bush and especially mistletoe, which is 
        a parasitic and destructive growth, feeding upon the very 
        trees we venerate!  The list is long and their uses many 
        it is quite safe to say that EVERY plant and animal, in 
        the forest has a place, in our Craft and our hearts.  
        Before cutting down a WEED we ask permission, from the 
        Gods and if that permission is forthcoming, we still beg 
        the plant, itself, for forgiveness.  
        
        When we hunt for meat, we ask the Gods and beg 
        forgiveness, as well.  Not because we feel what we are 
        doing is WRONG but because we value sentient life.. and 
        never harm or kill ANYTHING needlessly, or without 
        thought.  Our powers are based upon solid, proven 
        concepts and are easy to obtain not so easy to control.  
        
        For this reason, the standard training for a Druid takes 
        around twenty years of serious study and ritual work, 
        before one may truly undertake to learn the Inner Secrets 
        of our Craft.  This is not as arrogant or harsh as it 
        sounds, however we have GOOD reasons, for taking students 
        along, so slowly for one thing, by the time you finish 
        the basic training we KNOW you are dedicated, and have 
        the correct attitude.  We KNOW you will never abuse the 
        power you have been taught to  generate and use.  We KNOW 
        you understand the reasons, behind our laws and customs, 
        and believe wholeheartedly, in them for if you stick it 
        out for the entire twenty years you have earned our trust 
        and may be safely entrusted, with the more dangerous 
        portion, of our lore.  
        
        There are  no shortcuts no easy way if it's worth doing 
        at all it's worth doing right and that's the way we feel! 
        The next part of this text is going to be a bit 
        controversial, for you .inasmuch as it deals with details 
        of our ritual work which are not a deep secret but of 
        which you have likely not heard, before.  I should warn 
        you, it is NOT for younger pagans (unless they have been 
        raised, in our ways, and therefore are not easily 
        shocked)  I will describe a generic Ritual Working..so 
        you may have a better understanding, of what we do..and 
        how we do it.  If graphic depiction, of intimate details 
        offends you then you will likely be offended but as a 
        pagan, you should be open-minded enough, to see this for 
        what it really IS a sharing of knowledge.  Just because 
        WE do it, this way, does NOT mean that it is the ONLY way 
        it is merely the way WE have always done it for thousands 
        of years and the way we will CONTINUE to do it, forever 
        because it works, so bloody well!  If you haven't been 
        made nervous, by all of this, just access the next text 
        file: DRUIDRIT.TXT, which is unaccessable, by any users 
        who are UNDERAGE, according to the archaic and morally 
        warped law, of this land.