Excellent question, my first instinct is to say, why not? Why not Druidry? For me, part of the appeal of Druidry was admittedly that it seemed to have a less flaky stereotype than some other neo-pagan traditions. Similarly it tied into my personal history and ancestry. Buut that's not enough is it? Those are surface level reasonings, initial motivators and in some cases shallow or judgmental ones at that.
So again why Druidry?
Ever since I was a child I was drawn to the myths of the Green Man, Kernunnos, and the ancient Druids. I really liked that the Druids were an integral part of their people's lives, that they were judges, sages, magicians and advisors. They didn't just sit in a pulpit, collect alms, and judge everyone. (well, okay they probably did judge people but more in a you owe Angus four cows kinda way vs the you are an immoral and unworthy wrtech now kneel and kiss my ring kinda way). Not that their societies were necessarily egalitarian (though, IIRC, many of the women in Celtic tribes had more freedom and equality than was necessarily the norm in other parts of the world.). Just the fact that they were so different from anything I'd encountered until then and yet they were a part of my lineage's past as well struck a chord in my child's mind and heart and that note has been ringing since.
When I was 18 I went to the UK to visit family, it wasn't a homecoming per se and I didn't have any zomg!myztickal! experiences but it was fascinating. Walking ancient ground where people like me, by blood and history even language, had walked for time beyond memory was amazing. I remember standing in a pub and laughing at the brass plaque stating when it was established, I don't recall the actual date but it was before the founding of the United States. It was humbling and surreal. It is one thing to know dates and timelines from books and documentaries. It is another to stand in a place that has existed for more than two hundred years, drinking beer - an ancient food - and get slapped in the face with it. Here was a land and a history that was truly and literally ancient. And part of it was mine.
I should note that I don't give a hoot who your parents etc were, if you think Druidry is for you then it is. The fact that my heritage was part of the appeal for me doesn't mean a damn thing as regards another persons' interest. Remember, if we go back far enough we're all cousins anyway.
This slow realization combined with my interest in the Druids and Celtic lore and language, myth and history, but I still didn't take the plunge.
I got another push when my awareness of and interest in the preservation of our natural world increased as I grew older. I'm studying environmental management and policy with hopes of working within the Federal system to assist in the defense and preservation of our world. Modern neo-druidry, druids, and druid groups usually have some focus on the environment as well.
Like many if not most American/Western neo-pagans my primary/birth religion was Christianity. Largely motivated by my mother, my father was and is an athiest though he doesn't mind my choices and while he isn't particularly interested in it he doesn't make life difficult for me over it. I had a good solid relationship with my mother for the most part but not with her God. I just never really 'got it' and internally was quite conflicted over what my instincts and basic morals told me was right and what the Bible told me I should do. I felt like that God was a jealous boyfriend that wanted undying ever faithful love but would 'beat' you then take you back if you didn't provide it. It just...didn't work, on many many levels.
Still, I tried. For awhile I decided I was an atheist, it seemed easier, but alas, also left me feeling like a fraud. Then I tried agnosticism but again, the siren song of my ancestry and the Celtic peoples drew me along until finally, I said, metaphorically and literally, 'Fuck it' and took the plunge.
Druidry, specifically ADF Druidry, works for me in a way no other worldview or faith ever, has and at the end of the day, that's kinda the point, right?
So again why Druidry?
Ever since I was a child I was drawn to the myths of the Green Man, Kernunnos, and the ancient Druids. I really liked that the Druids were an integral part of their people's lives, that they were judges, sages, magicians and advisors. They didn't just sit in a pulpit, collect alms, and judge everyone. (well, okay they probably did judge people but more in a you owe Angus four cows kinda way vs the you are an immoral and unworthy wrtech now kneel and kiss my ring kinda way). Not that their societies were necessarily egalitarian (though, IIRC, many of the women in Celtic tribes had more freedom and equality than was necessarily the norm in other parts of the world.). Just the fact that they were so different from anything I'd encountered until then and yet they were a part of my lineage's past as well struck a chord in my child's mind and heart and that note has been ringing since.
When I was 18 I went to the UK to visit family, it wasn't a homecoming per se and I didn't have any zomg!myztickal! experiences but it was fascinating. Walking ancient ground where people like me, by blood and history even language, had walked for time beyond memory was amazing. I remember standing in a pub and laughing at the brass plaque stating when it was established, I don't recall the actual date but it was before the founding of the United States. It was humbling and surreal. It is one thing to know dates and timelines from books and documentaries. It is another to stand in a place that has existed for more than two hundred years, drinking beer - an ancient food - and get slapped in the face with it. Here was a land and a history that was truly and literally ancient. And part of it was mine.
I should note that I don't give a hoot who your parents etc were, if you think Druidry is for you then it is. The fact that my heritage was part of the appeal for me doesn't mean a damn thing as regards another persons' interest. Remember, if we go back far enough we're all cousins anyway.
This slow realization combined with my interest in the Druids and Celtic lore and language, myth and history, but I still didn't take the plunge.
I got another push when my awareness of and interest in the preservation of our natural world increased as I grew older. I'm studying environmental management and policy with hopes of working within the Federal system to assist in the defense and preservation of our world. Modern neo-druidry, druids, and druid groups usually have some focus on the environment as well.
Like many if not most American/Western neo-pagans my primary/birth religion was Christianity. Largely motivated by my mother, my father was and is an athiest though he doesn't mind my choices and while he isn't particularly interested in it he doesn't make life difficult for me over it. I had a good solid relationship with my mother for the most part but not with her God. I just never really 'got it' and internally was quite conflicted over what my instincts and basic morals told me was right and what the Bible told me I should do. I felt like that God was a jealous boyfriend that wanted undying ever faithful love but would 'beat' you then take you back if you didn't provide it. It just...didn't work, on many many levels.
Still, I tried. For awhile I decided I was an atheist, it seemed easier, but alas, also left me feeling like a fraud. Then I tried agnosticism but again, the siren song of my ancestry and the Celtic peoples drew me along until finally, I said, metaphorically and literally, 'Fuck it' and took the plunge.
Druidry, specifically ADF Druidry, works for me in a way no other worldview or faith ever, has and at the end of the day, that's kinda the point, right?
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