Three goals of Druidism: Wisdom, Creativity and Love
The Three Goals of the Druids are wisdom, creativity and love. Wisdom is symbolized by the salmon in Ireland and in Wales, the three drops of inspiration. An annual bard event is the Eisteddford where three poetry competitions are held. Training to be a bard was an apprenticeship. On the sixth year of training, the student was known as a Pillar (Cli). Over the next three years they were known as a Nobel Stream (Anruth) and could recite up to 175 stories and received a silver branch with bells attached. This served to silence the audience to prepare them to listen to the story.
Creativity was achieved by craftspeople and ovates, the healers, who were highly valued as a means of surviving and celebrating life now as well as life in the Otherworld. The legendary sword Excalibar was believed to be a druidic forged sword imbued with magic of a higher purpose. The dyeing of cloth was another important skill. Woad was used to dye cloth and was also a natural antiseptic that Celtic warriors painted their bodies in before a battle.
Love included the love of history and honouring ancestors and justice as a means to restore balance. The Druids philosophers administered Brehon law and lead ceremonies. Stonehenge was used as an astronomical calendar for the Summer Solstice. Trees were particularly sacred to the Druids as a source of medicine and sharing in Nwyfre the Druid term for life-force. Ogham was the tree alphabet of the Druids. Modern day druids are often involved in reforestation efforts. The concept of love also involved personal relationships and love of the community and above all the love of life.
Druid Tree Lore
Celtic Tree Calendar consists of the thirteen moon months. The Ash Moon, February 18th- March 17th, is called Nion. The Ash, Oak and Thorn are the three trees considered sacred by Druids. Ash was used to make magical tools and regular tools as it was believed items made from ash were more productive. The Hawthorn Moon, May 13 - June 9, Huath, was a month associate with conceiving a child. If it grew in tandem to the Ash and Oak, it would attract fairies. The Oak Moon, June 10 - July 7, Duir, was seen to rule over the summer months and was connected with protection, strength, fertility, money and success.
Druid Ceremonies and Meditations
Druid ceremonies begin with a call to Peace towards each of the Four Directions. In the Druid circle the sword is placed in the South, the wand is placed in the East, the cup of water in the West, and the stone in the North. A common Druid meditation is “I am strong - a steadfast seer, a knower of magic and enchantment. I am a sage of the forest. I know the secrets of the oak and the wildwood.” Letters of Druids are often signed, “Yours in the Peace of the Grove”.
Cara Moore - Cara E. Moore is an author, poet, playwright and writer who has written for internet sites, newspapers, magazines, theatre and ...
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