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Post by lorna on May 30, 2013 19:02:33 GMT -1
Hi everybody,
I have a question. I notice that you distinguish Brythonic Polytheism from Druidry rather than seeing it as a strand of Druidry. I'm wondering what your reasons are.
(I see there's some hints in the second piece on the front page but I'm not sure if this is representative of other members of Caer Fedwydd).
Lorna
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Post by Chad on May 30, 2013 22:14:38 GMT -1
Brythonic Polytheism cannot be an offshoot of Druidry, because you don't have to be a Celtic polytheist to be in a Druidic order. There are a few folks on here involved with neo Druidry, but there really isn't much relation, other than the ancients had Druids. There are a few people on here that, to me are worthy of the title Druid. I feel like it's something you earn, through years of study, dedication, service, and the ability and willingness to guide others, also a very active member in the community. That is my opinion, though. I'm not claiming to speak for Brythonic Polytheists, or Brython (especially the latter, since I'm not a member, maybe someday).
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Post by redraven on May 31, 2013 5:15:33 GMT -1
Hi everybody, I have a question. I notice that you distinguish Brythonic Polytheism from Druidry rather than seeing it as a strand of Druidry. I'm wondering what your reasons are. (I see there's some hints in the second piece on the front page but I'm not sure if this is representative of other members of Caer Fedwydd). Lorna It is probable that there were druids that were Brythonic polytheists but it is also probable that Brythonic polytheism existed without druidry also. We don't see that the two are exclusive to each other as such. Druidry denotes a priestly role primarily and we considered that Brythonic polytheism was practiced by the masses and such you didnot need to be a druid to practice it. Therefore, as a community here, we also decided that we didn't need a druid as such until we decided someone had done enough to warrant the title. This decision was taken because all the information showed that to earn the title of druid classically, you had to have done, or at least comitted oneself to, a qualifying period of time of both study and experiential experience. Therefore we considered that to self proclaim oneself as a druid without the necessary qualifying period was, to us, dishonourable and slightly egotistical as such. The title of druid was one that for us, was bestowed upon an individual as such by the community. |
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Post by potia on May 31, 2013 9:48:41 GMT -1
To add to what Redraven has written above, modern druidry is incredibly diverse in both beliefs and practices. Brythonic polytheism is much more specific in beliefs and within Brython more specific with the limited shared practices although there's still a fair bit of variation and flexibility in additional person beliefs and practices.
Those of us in Brython that are still around here have no problems with other groups, orders or individuals using the title of druid if that's what they want to do, it's just that to us it is not a title that has been used within the group and may never be.
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Post by dreamguardian on May 31, 2013 16:48:06 GMT -1
Ditto RR. Neo-druidry is so diverse it lacks cohesive substance. Anything & everything is Neo-druidry as well as neo-paganism. Harsh words maybe but ultimately obvious with much time & exposure to the like
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Post by lorna on May 31, 2013 19:52:15 GMT -1
I guess for me Druid is a word everybody knows and it brings people together to speak about their paths in a common vocabulary. But I have noticed that there are vast differences between Druid beliefs that rival those between different religions, whereas Heathens for example seem to agree on a cosmology and mythology. Here and on Brython I notice there is more cohesion. But not many people.
The term Druid Bard works for me as it establishes connection with other Bards who have honoured nature and the ancestral stories, myths and lore of the British Isles. Although I see performing poetry, running the odd workshop or leading a walk as the manifestation of my religious path it's only when I'm doing so in a grove or in the pagan community I'm seen as Bard. Other people see me as a poet. I guess I'm a small way there. Which I guess is fine for someone new to Druidry anyhow.
Interestingly I came to Brythonic polytheism way before Druidry because the gods, stories and poetry called to me. However as I also draw inspiration from Romanticism, the Celtic Twilight and contemporary eco-poetry as well as the living land around me I'd say Bard fits better to cover the overall arch of my path, although Brythonic polytheism is a part of it.
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Post by Chad on May 31, 2013 20:09:25 GMT -1
There is certainly nothing wrong with that. I do a bit of writing here and there. Not nearly as much as I should, though. I get good ideas, and then forget them! Hehe But I still break out the pen every now and then.
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Post by Chad on Jun 1, 2013 5:00:23 GMT -1
By the way, Lorna, please feel free to submit some of your writings on here. There's even a Bardic Chair section on here just for that. I've submitted a few myself.
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