Was what I experienced ... druidry?

[Eris Lobo]

Greetings, one and all. I've been interested in the druidic path for some time, and finally discovered this wonderful font of information (and friendship) today, thanks to a very nice person who pointed me the way. (*smiles at Sarah, wherever she might be*)

I read a bit on here in some of the forums, particularly the one about "What is Druidry?" (as answered by members), and while I get a good idea of how wide and varied the druidic path can be for each person, I'm still not fully sure what to think about something I experienced, and where it fits into everything.

I decided to seriously explore the druidic path about two years ago, and after some study I performed a binding ceremony connecting my spirit to a grove of trees near where I lived. I expected the spirits of the grove would provide me energy as a result, but what I didn't expect were the reverse repercussions -- that I would become essentially part of the grove, and that therefore my spirit would be transformed to become a tree spirit as well. I researched afterward to determine if the mental and spiritual sensations I experienced during and after the ritual were normal, and I found that they were -- and that perhaps I had taken my decision to spiritually join to the grove a bit too lightly (not that I regret it in any way, mind you). In fact, from what I could tell, it seems the word "druidess" has its roots (pardon the pun) in the word for "dryad," with the point apparently being that a druidess is actually a woman who is both human and a tree spirit simultaneously (which makes me think the expected fate upon death being for the druidess's soul to be reborn as a tree within the grove where she dedicated herself). If you had asked me a few years ago what I thought of the idea of becoming a tree someday, I would have been horrified at the idea, but after the effects of the ceremony flowed through my mind, I knew in my heart the pure peace and comfort that being a tree could be, standing still and silent for years with kindred spirits.

In the grove I joined, I find I’m able to connect intrinsically to the trees there, to talk to them directly, to hear their spirits, to feel them and truly become one of them. One of them is the “mother” spirit of the rest, and she is the central caretaker and foundation (more or less – it’s hard to describe her role in words). Other trees seem to be the guardians of the grove. And the trees have male and female spirits, with one of the males ones apparently particularly interested in me – not in a sexual way (naturally), but in a very tender fashion, and I’ve gotten the impression that he is especially looking forward to the day I can join them in plant form.

I’m 48 years old, and talking with spirits is something I’ve done all my life, despite the fact I was initially raised to be Southern Baptist in a small Texas town. After searching spiritually in college and trying numerous paths, I finally let things go and decided to not worry about it that much – and about that time is when Coyote spirit came to me in a series of very vivid dreams, followed by him talking to me while I was driving a car through the New Mexico desert countryside. Instead of discounting my experiences I decided to explore them, and I’ve been a Native-American-based shamanic practitioner ever since, with most days spent talking more with my spirit guides than with any human friends I know.

Sooo … back to my original question. Is what I experienced in the grove a form of shamanism or a form or druidry or both combined somehow? I’ve read that druidry might have been actually, at heart, western-European shamanism (a concept that is given at least a brief nod in the introduction page for the OBOD), and if so then my experiences make perfect sense. Whether or not they can be neatly packaged, though, I know my experiences were valid, and what I’m now wondering is whether I should attempt to follow a formal druidic set of training (like what you offer), or follow the training I’ve pretty much always followed – which is to let the spirits of nature talk to me directly, and guide me and teach me what I most need to know.

Thank you very much for any insight and opinion you might have.

Take care, and enjoy yourself!

-- Eris Brianna Caver
-- Broomfield, Colorado

[DaRC]

Is what I experienced in the grove a form of shamanism or a form or druidry or both combined somehow?

As with all things Druidic you'll probably get a different answer depending upon which Druid you ask!
Essentially that binding and communication, for me, with trees is at heart a Druidic one and yet also a Shamanistic one. Druidry may well have grown out of a North Western European Shamanism, although there is much discussion about the root of the word Druid - dryad is a Greek word whilst Druid comes from the Celtic, however, the word certainly seems to relate to tree-knowledge.

Certainly I've had similar connections with tree's - although I've not bound myself to them nor them to me.

Also I've requested a natural burial where I will be planted under a tree and thus my physical essence will provide nutrients for the tree, becoming part of the tree.

[skh]

Welcome to the board, Eris!

Sooo … back to my original question. Is what I experienced in the grove a form of shamanism or a form or druidry or both combined somehow? I’ve read that druidry might have been actually, at heart, western-European shamanism (a concept that is given at least a brief nod in the introduction page for the OBOD), and if so then my experiences make perfect sense. Whether or not they can be neatly packaged, though, I know my experiences were valid, and what I’m now wondering is whether I should attempt to follow a formal druidic set of training (like what you offer), or follow the training I’ve pretty much always followed – which is to let the spirits of nature talk to me directly, and guide me and teach me what I most need to know.

I believe they are not mutually exclusive. In fact, I could imagine that it's impossible anyway to keep you from learning and experiencing as you always did, directly from nature.

We have a long-running thread about the OBOD course which you may or may not have already found:

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10059

For me, the course is less "formal" training, and more exposing myself to experiences, situations and thoughts that wouldn't have occured to me otherwise. I believe it is rather modern in that regard. Some kind of change is probably inevitable, some call it learning, some something else. Personally, starting the bardic course a few years ago was one of the better decisions I made in my life, but there are also other druid groups with different approaches which might be worth looking at.

peace /|\
Sonja

[Explorer]

I’ve been a Native-American-based shamanic practitioner ever since, with most days spent talking more with my spirit guides than with any human friends I know.

I will give you an honest answer, but you may not like it.

Druidry is mostly a holistic world view, and the idea is to become an empowered balanced human being, living a firmly rooted life in the here and now, capable of making your own choices based on experience, insight and wisdom. Druid practise is certainly not devoid of the spiritual experiences that you describe, and part of druidry is a form of shamanism. But it is not just about that, the idea is mostly to find balance, meaning and power in your life here and now on this planet. These 'otherworldly' experiences should not overwhelm you, or drag you off into a sort of permantent state of fantasy. If you are really talking to voices in your head more than to real people, then it may be time to find something to do that grounds you a bit more into the real world.

[Zylah]

Hello, Eris

I'm going to make myself a little ridiculous at first, by saying I agree with everyone. Seriously, though, as DarC pointed out initially, you'll have as many answers as Druids. I agree with skh that shamanic and druidic experience are by no means mutually exclusive. Determining an exact label for a deep spiritual experience is probably needless effort, because it is meant for you, and no one else can interpret subjective information so particular to you. It certainly *sounds* Druidic; I echo DaRC that I do experience a deep sense of connection with certain trees, though I have never believed it necessary to perform a binding ritual. That doesn't seem relevant to my Druid experience, which tends to be more practical.

Please do not think I'm making a judgment on you in any way; this is merely expressing my thoughts upon reading your post. I agree with Nico as well - you're here now to walk a path. It's important not to drift into stagnation; a tree is meant to stand still and silent, as you eloquently describe; humans are not. Please understand I am not implying anything; I don't know you, I am only basing my thought on what I have read here - and it's always good to get the perspectives of others.

It is a brave act to share deep spiritual things with others; I admire your courage in so doing.

[Explorer]

I'm going to make myself a little ridiculous at first, by saying I agree with everyone.

And your response is better than all of ours together. Balanced and kind.

[reilz81]

i think its at the core of druidism when i connect with my grove i feel the trees, i feel the insects, i feel the worms moving in the earth under me, and it spreads out its like the trees are connected to everything i feel my family, and i feel those that live near me, and those across the street its a weird but good sensation last night i poised some questions and i heard the answers in my head.

[Myrde]

The REAL question that you should be asking is: "What would Freud say?"

I kid, I kid. But honestly, from what I've been reading... dowsing, talking with trees, shamanistic practices...

Eiether there are ALOT of crazy people on this forum, or I got the short-end of the stick when it came to doling out mental prowess. That or I need a [bleep]load of practice...