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Post by nellie on Dec 22, 2010 13:30:02 GMT -1
Hi all, I've been trawling through the various posts on here trying to get up to date with everything that goes on here. I was wondering if I could ask a few questions? One of the first things I noticed was the contention which surrounds the subject of druidry. Some of the threads I looked at were quite old so I wondered if anybody could maybe sum up what Brython's thinking is currently on the validity of druidry. Do you think that druidry and a Brythonic path can happily compliment one another? I don't know an awful lot about druidry to be honest as I'm fairly new to much of it - but it was taking a recent interest in it that led me here. I've looked through the threads and have seen the posts about what you believe has gone wrong in druidry (I know i'm over simplifying here but I'm trying not to let this post turn into an essay!) but I was wondering if there is anywhere you think neo-druidry has got it right? I'm really glad I had a chance to see these threads, specifically about the Druid Network. I had thought quite highly of Emma Restrall Orr from reading some of her books as they challenged me to really think about some of what I do believe, but I have a problem with paying to be a part of any spiritual organization and it's been interesting to hear some of your stories of the Network. I'm not trying to offend anybody with these questions (I'm sort of a bit worried that my ignorance might cause offence!!  ) Now on to another question (sorry!). One of the main things that has never fit for me about neo-paganism is the focus on magic. I have tried to embrace it but it just doesn't do it for me - I'm interested in the spirituality rather than the magic that seems to so integral to wicca etc. Or magick, if you prefer. I was wondering where Brython as a whole stands on this? Is it part of the 'tradition' you are working to build? I got the feeling from an old thread that this is probably not the case, but I just wanted to get some up-to-date ideas on this. And a final question that is really just me sticking my nose in! How was the Brython group formed? How did you come together? Thanks in advance for any replies! |
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Post by potia on Dec 22, 2010 14:28:24 GMT -1
Of course you can ask questions Nellie. Druidry is a tough one  The more you learn about Druidry the more difficult it becomes to pin down as to what exactly it is. I used to call myself a Druid but then I found I had more and more trouble explaining waht that meant to others. Being a Brythonic Polytheist is something I can define and explain. There's still plenty of room for variations but I know I share some core things with others in Brython and I couldn't always say the same of others calling themselves Druids. I wouldn't be where I am now without Druidry though and I still have a lot of respect for many of those walking that path. Brython as a whole agreed a statement on this issue in November 2008 (http://www.dunbrython.org.uk/2008/11/statement-on-druids/) As far as I know that still stands as a statement from us as a group. Magic is something I don't think we have a group perspective on. It's certainly not a central part of Brython's practice but some of us do use it from time to time. I'm one of those that will do spell work from time to time for others. Megli once said something about a spell being embodied prayer (can't remember exactly where though) which I have found to be a particularly useful way of explaining spell work to others. But such things are not at the core of my practice either. What little I do in these areas tends to be for healing or protective purposes. As to how Brython began I'm not exactly sure of that myself. I was invited to join Brython at the end of October 2007 and I've not looked back since At that stage Brython while small was already established and I'm not positive who was there from the beginning that might be able to fill you in a bit more. I think Brython went public at Nos Calan Gaeaf 2006. The basics are that this forum provides a public area for those that think they might be interested to get to know us and for us to get to know them. The Brython website now provides some further material about who and what we are. If members of Brython think a particular individual would fit with Brython and be able to commit to it then they are invited into the private forum. This can be a short or a long process and invitations are made once a consensus has been reached by current members of Brython. Eventually if numbers grow large enough then a third layer of a council would form but at present there's are not enough of us for that to be needed. Hope all that helps |
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Post by crowman on Dec 22, 2010 15:19:34 GMT -1
I came here via the Druid Network and OBOD as i thought at the time it was the only way for me to connect with nature, the elements and the landscape of Britain. I think the main difference between the Druidic path and Brython is that Brython are focussed on why the landscape, elements and nature is important to us and we try and experience for ourselves why they did things a certain way and what it was like to live in pre romanised Britain whilst the druids tend to be focussed more on rituals and ceremony and the early 19th century romanticism. In my opinion they try too hard to be all things to different people and come across more as new-age happy-clappers. Far too fluffy for my liking. I would never knock the Druid's path, or those on it its just not for me. Finding Brython was a revelation to me!!! As for magic (no k at the end please thats far too fluffy for my taste) if it works for you personally then who are we to deride it? Although i do like to use ritual and ceremony myself occasionally i dont go in for the whole magic routine thing. I think whats really magic is placing a seed in the soil, adding water and in a few months youve got food to eat. In the words of Paul Daniels.... now thats magic!
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Post by arth_frown on Dec 22, 2010 16:12:55 GMT -1
I see magic like Megli, embodied prayer to a suitable god or ancestors. I usually follow it with offerings. What I'm trying to do is carry favour with the spirit and change something.
I don't do it very often as I can sort out most things myself.
How you do it is up to you.
Maybe we could put something together for the Dun Brython web site?
The history of Brython use to be on the old web site, maybe Brochfael can help with the history.
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Post by dreamguardian on Dec 22, 2010 16:20:31 GMT -1
Hi all, I've been trawling through the various posts on here trying to get up to date with everything that goes on here. I was wondering if I could ask a few questions? feel free to ask any questions. this isn't your average pagan forum & debate is encouraged. our threads can very heated at times. There's no need to be at all passive so speak your mind |
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Post by dreamguardian on Dec 22, 2010 16:25:04 GMT -1
The history of Brython use to be on the old web site, maybe Brochfael can help with the history. I'll chase him up |
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Post by arth_frown on Dec 22, 2010 16:28:18 GMT -1
The history of Brython use to be on the old web site, maybe Brochfael can help with the history. I'll chase him up I found the old website, but there is no date when Brython was formed. |
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Post by dreamguardian on Dec 22, 2010 17:32:25 GMT -1
Just phoned Broch & he informs me that the Brython Project formed organically in the late 90's Hope that answers your question.
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Post by redraven on Dec 22, 2010 20:11:48 GMT -1
Hi all, I've been trawling through the various posts on here trying to get up to date with everything that goes on here. I was wondering if I could ask a few questions? One of the first things I noticed was the contention which surrounds the subject of druidry. Some of the threads I looked at were quite old so I wondered if anybody could maybe sum up what Brython's thinking is currently on the validity of druidry. I don't believe our position on neo-druidry has changed. If people find solice through it, fine. But modern neo druidry is tied more to nineteenth century romanticsm than actuality. Thats not to deride some very gifted and thoughtful people who use the title, but for us in Brython, the fact that the historial druids had a 19 year apprenticeship means that no-one here would appropriate the title for themselves. Do you think that druidry and a Brythonic path can happily compliment one another? I don't know an awful lot about druidry to be honest as I'm fairly new to much of it - but it was taking a recent interest in it that led me here. I've looked through the threads and have seen the posts about what you believe has gone wrong in druidry (I know i'm over simplifying here but I'm trying not to let this post turn into an essay!) but I was wondering if there is anywhere you think neo-druidry has got it right? I'm really glad I had a chance to see these threads, specifically about the Druid Network. I had thought quite highly of Emma Restrall Orr from reading some of her books as they challenged me to really think about some of what I do believe, but I have a problem with paying to be a part of any spiritual organization and it's been interesting to hear some of your stories of the Network. I'm not trying to offend anybody with these questions (I'm sort of a bit worried that my ignorance might cause offence!! ) Ignorance doesn't cause offence here, but we are more direct in our questioning and some have found our style to be intimidating as we demand evidence if unsubstantiated statements are presented as fact. I am still a member of TDN, though as you may have guessed, I don't use the title druid for myself. The druids were the priestly caste, no-one here would profess to harbouring aspirations to appropriate the title or role for themselves. Now on to another question (sorry!). One of the main things that has never fit for me about neo-paganism is the focus on magic. I have tried to embrace it but it just doesn't do it for me - I'm interested in the spirituality rather than the magic that seems to so integral to wicca etc. Or magick, if you prefer. I was wondering where Brython as a whole stands on this? Is it part of the 'tradition' you are working to build? I got the feeling from an old thread that this is probably not the case, but I just wanted to get some up-to-date ideas on this. The magic you refer to here is more tied to personal egotistical pandering (IMO). It is self centred and appeals to the ego. I think people here are grounded enough to see the real magic, the forces in, through and part of nature and the magic humanity through the ages have appropriated to better understand it. And a final question that is really just me sticking my nose in! How was the Brython group formed? How did you come together? Brython was the creation of a few individuals for whom the vagueries of neo-paganism and a strong personal connection to and through this land needed better defining through demonstrable facts. It's a "work in progress" status likely be appropriate for the life times of quite a few of us! RR |
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Post by nellie on Dec 23, 2010 13:13:23 GMT -1
Thanks for the replies all.
The instant appeal when I discovered the Brython site was that is was so specific to these lands. One thing I don't understand is why it took me such a long time to stumble across it. The Brython group has existed for quite a long time but I'd never even heard of it. Is it just because I've been looking in the wrong places?
Something I was also wondering about is the place of UPG here? I have read the statement on the Dun Brython site, but it's not quite the same as hearing individuals offer their thoughts here on the forum. Where there are gaps in evidence how much do you trust to UPG? Something else that I've been giving a lot of thought to which is sort of related to this, is how you stop the tradition stagnating? I get the feel that Brython is not a re-constructionist tradition - correct me if I'm wrong? In which case how do you decide what is relevant to us in the 21st century? Have there been cases where you've felt it has been more appropriate for the Brython group to beat out an entirely new path?
Another question concerning the Brython group. Does the group have any structure? Are there people 'in charge' as it were? Older threads seem to indicate that the group is moved forwards by the consensus of all of the individuals within it?
Again, thanks everyone for taking the time to reply to all my questions!
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Post by deiniol on Dec 23, 2010 13:31:31 GMT -1
The instant appeal when I discovered the Brython site was that is was so specific to these lands. One thing I don't understand is why it took me such a long time to stumble across it. The Brython group has existed for quite a long time but I'd never even heard of it. Is it just because I've been looking in the wrong places? No, it's probably because we're small and keep a low profile! To a degree, it is: among our aims are to reconnect with the religious impulses of pre-Roman Britain. However, the degree to which our personal practices are "typically reconstructionist" varies: some of us are strongly recon, some of us aren't. We're not a group that insists on one approach or another. What we do insist upon, however, is fairly rigorous scholarship and openness of debate. This is pretty much it, although there's not really anything like a formal decision-making process. |
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Post by dreamguardian on Dec 23, 2010 13:58:02 GMT -1
Deiniol sums it up really Thanks for the replies all. The instant appeal when I discovered the Brython site was that is was so specific to these lands. One thing I don't understand is why it took me such a long time to stumble across it. The Brython group has existed for quite a long time but I'd never even heard of it. Is it just because I've been looking in the wrong places? Brython has only recently become more public & open. We have a private members only where we discuss in detail matters concerning & relating to the brython project. No leaders & it is by gemeral consensus. |
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Post by nellie on Dec 23, 2010 14:19:37 GMT -1
What made the group decide to have more of a public presence?
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Post by potia on Dec 23, 2010 15:55:52 GMT -1
What made the group decide to have more of a public presence? We always intended to move that way and we've never really been a secret as such. We just take things slowly and carefully |
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Post by Sìle on Dec 23, 2010 18:48:44 GMT -1
Something I was also wondering about is the place of UPG here? I have read the statement on the Dun Brython site, but it's not quite the same as hearing individuals offer their thoughts here on the forum. Where there are gaps in evidence how much do you trust to UPG? There was some discussion in various threads about UPG: UPG; Historical 'authenticity' in a spiritual context; and Feral Involvement. |
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Post by nellie on Dec 23, 2010 19:29:11 GMT -1
Sile, thanks for pointing me towards those threads, they've really helped to clarify where abouts the other members of the forum are with all this. I wasn't sure it was possible, but now I'm actually even more glad that I stumbled upon Dun Brython |
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The more you learn about Druidry the more difficult it becomes to pin down as to what exactly it is. I used to call myself a Druid but then I found I had more and more trouble explaining waht that meant to others. Being a Brythonic Polytheist is something I can define and explain. There's still plenty of room for variations but I know I share some core things with others in Brython and I couldn't always say the same of others calling themselves Druids. I wouldn't be where I am now without Druidry though and I still have a lot of respect for many of those walking that path.
