How do you bring Druidry into everyday life?

[MistyNightWind]

That is my exact question: How do you bring Druidry into your everyday life?

I know it is a belief and beliefs stay with us no matter what we do, but what do you do in your daily life if it weren't for Druidry?


Love and Laughter
MistyNightWind

[Nightfalls]

i also am interested in how i can use this more in my everyday life

[Art]

Actually I think beliefs are mutable; subject to modification and refinement in the presence of new or different information. I would hope that none of us adopt any belief unless or until we’ve wrestled with it, tried it on for size, found that it fits and even then remain open enough to know that it is never complete per se.

Druidry tends to be more like a spiritual modification which, once internalized, becomes so ingrained in the conduct of life as to be an integral part of who we are. It is not something simply to be learned or simply to be believed and certainly not something to be taken on the quicksand pathway of blind faith.
There does seem to come a time when Druidry is at the core of everything we do whether dabbling about in grove work, washing dishes, or going about our daily routine. Therein probably lays the real magic, the essence of what we’re about. I think it’s a matter of being more aware of the world around us while at the same time being completely functional in our respective families and communities. To a large extent, if you have to think about it, you have not arrived yet…so to speak.

With that said, if you’re taking the course I suspect you’ll find that the sense of integration I’m talking about occurs quite naturally in time. In that case I would suggest motoring on doing the lessons and taking whatever side roads to learning the lessons reveal to you.
Become an advocate for truth in all its various guises. Believe nothing simply because someone said it but rather wrestle with it in your mind and heart to find out if it fits. Practice the fine art of keeping an open mind and heart while challenging everything.

I wish I had a better answer for you or at least a better explanation…but I don’t. There will be small things you find yourself doing which could be considered Druidic and there will be large things you find yourself doing that are part of the trappings of Druidry. Yet the core essence of Druidry will come traipsing in on bare feet and take over without any overt intent on your part.

At the same time, I'm looking at it from down the line. For me Druidry is as much a part of who I am as my arms or legs and not a thing apart like some hat I put on for special occasions. I hope this helps.

[MistyNightWind]

i also am interested in how i can use this more in my everyday life

It pleases me that I can a question which others are also interested in

In response to Art:
I can assure you that I am not jumping straight onto this path and I am definently in the wrestling stage as we speak! I am not on the course due to lack of time as I'm about to enter my third year of a degree course.
However, your answer did help although it was not the sort of answer I was expecting. But thanks again.


Love and Laughter
MistyNightWind

[Astrid]

Hey this is such a good question I think It's certainly one I think about a lot

I'm about halfway through the bardic course and I find that Art is right to a certain extent. When you take the course there is a lot of differet suggetions to how you can do this. Some is really good and others can feel a little bit unappealing and then some other stuff makes you go "oh thats ridiculous" and 3 weeks later youre doing it with out realising that you started

But to get concrete!

I study digital design and media so as you can imagine Inspration is the currency in my field So if Awens were a person it would be on my speeddial When ever i get stuck and dont know where to move or proceed I chant awens and normally i keep doing it until I get an idea (usally happens inbetween 3 and 10 awens for me)

Im very inspired by the ancient Egyptian mythology so I belivie in one big force/spirit that then manifest itself in different gods. So when ever I'm doing somthing or about to do somthing and I feel I need a little assistance in it. I give a little offering and ask the related god for assistance. My latest example is that i burned some insence and asked the god Hu (egyptian god of the spoken word) to assist me with my oral exam at the university. It wasnt somthing complicated just improvised, lit the insence and said "Dear Hu. Help me speak clearly and deliver a good presentation tomorrow". And I certainly felt like It helped cuz it was the best exam i had so far at the university

I try a lot to do little things for nature where I can. As mentioned I'm a student at the university so money and time is pretty tight so I cant really buy 100% organic and enviorment friendly and I really dont have time for going to greenpeace demonstrations either But if I walk by some garbage in nature i try to pick whats in my patch and throw it out in the nearest garbage cans, especially the stuff animals get caught in. Or help a bumble bee back outside I find that those little things really help me feel a connection with nature.

I hope as I progress in the courses that more and more stuff will become a part of my life because I love that feeling of bringing druidry with me.

So that's what just sprung to my mind I can't wait to hear other people respond

[Aurora]

Hi MystyNightWind

The answer to this i feel is very subjective as it would depend on one's view of druidry. I'm lucky enough to be doing the bardic grade and have gotten about 4/5 of the way through so far and would have to agree with Art about it just becoming part of you as you learn and adapt yourself to the new learnings as needs be.

But i can remeber when i started and wanted to integrate it in my life more too, so here a few more concrete examples of things i do:

Be Curious and open minded, and have questions lots of questions as i feel druidry is about learning and relating to whats around you and how you are part of it all.

Know and be responsible for yourself. This has been my biggest gift from the course so far, leaning about myself and what makes me tick has helped me sooo much and makes it easier to understand why you do things and where you can do better in relation to yourself and others.

Go outside sniff, touch, feel, explore the world, I also like to do my best for the environment by cleaning up rubbish when i can, i've cut down the amount of meat i eat and if i can afford it i buy organic, I also try to avoid buying stuff too.

hope this has been useful and helpful

[Golden Eagle]

I try to go through life with my Druid specs & Witches hat on.

Thinking and looking at the world in a certain way has been the best way for me to bring everything together into everyday life. Actions naturally follow the thoughts. The challenge is to think the right way, and yes it's a big challenge that I don't always meet!

[MistyNightWind]

Astrid-

Yes that was very helpful the things you do for nature I also do- without thinking about it so maybe that's a part of it. I guess asking other engergies for guidence or assistance would be benifical- may make things easier when trying to work things out! I got to say I'm very impressed that you can do the OBOD course and a degree at the same time! I'm currently doing a degree but there is no way I could do that and the OBOD course at the same time!

Aurora-

Be Curious and open minded, and have questions lots of questions as i feel druidry is about learning and relating to whats around you and how you are part of it all.

Know and be responsible for yourself. This has been my biggest gift from the course so far, leaning about myself and what makes me tick has helped me sooo much and makes it easier to understand why you do things and where you can do better in relation to yourself and others.

Go outside sniff, touch, feel, explore the world, I also like to do my best for the environment by cleaning up rubbish when i can, i've cut down the amount of meat i eat and if i can afford it i buy organic, I also try to avoid buying stuff too.

Yes that was helpful, likewise with Astrids example these are things I also currently do- however the second one is one of my main reasons for wishing to study Druidry!

Golden Eagle-

Also, Thank you


Love and Laughter
MistyNightWind

[Astrid]

Astrid-
Yes that was very helpful the things you do for nature I also do- without thinking about it so maybe that's a part of it. I guess asking other engergies for guidence or assistance would be benifical- may make things easier when trying to work things out! I got to say I'm very impressed that you can do the OBOD course and a degree at the same time! I'm currently doing a degree but there is no way I could do that and the OBOD course at the same time!

Well I do work it in a very swinging pase here in the exam period I'm on an average og ½-1 gwers per month I think but for example in a weeks vacation I might do 4 gwers.

I find that the course is actually a very nice break for me. At the university it's all about academics and facts -up tempo and so forth. So sitting down with the course poping in some Lorrena Mckennitt and a hot cup of tea and then spending 30-60 minutes just dealing with what I'm feeling and with no wrong answers is quite liberating as you can imagine

Before I discovered druidry I was very involved in witchcraft so i guess that gives me a little headstart aswell, as some of things overlap at a certain point.

If you have the money I would say that you can just start receiving the course if you feel like doing the course, and then think of it as a no deadline thing! Make it cozy for yourself! Cuz reading about druidry is also a very good way of connecting with it in everyday life

I heard some people spending 3-8 years on finishing the bardic course with several breaks. I'm about halfway and I'm already close to have spend a year on it.

The OBOD courses are more spiritual journey than the are a course and it's a very pressure thing where you just take things as they feel right. But if it ends up being another thing to feel quilty about then probably it's better to wait

[MistyNightWind]

Yes I can imagine it is very liberating, and I have often craved this during my degree course which is why during the holidays I get the chance to submerge myself in reading about druidry and practicing, although before this I was practicing Wicca.

This is another reason for this topic, so I can find a way to bring it into my every day life while doing the degree, which is why I feel the need for something concrete so it actually feels like a break. I have thought about beginningthe course but I'm going to read as much as possible on here first then get the intro pack as I want to be certain.

Love and Laughter
MistyNightWind

[FoxPhantom]

Well, how I go on is by doing a lot of philosophy. and researching since I don't have the money to start the bardic coarse. and the money transaction is in another currency that I don't know how I can get past that. (since I live in the US)
(Edit: found out how much it cost, for the text, about 300 dollars, which is something I really can not do since I don't get paid that much.)
even though I also draw and play music (on a ocarina) and that also is apart of my life.

[Argenta]

Well, how I go on is by doing a lot of philosophy. and researching since I don't have the money to start the bardic coarse. and the money transaction is in another currency that I don't know how I can get past that. (since I live in the US)
(Edit: found out how much it cost, for the text, about 300 dollars, which is something I really can not do since I don't get paid that much.)
even though I also draw and play music (on a ocarina) and that also is apart of my life.

That's what I figured, too. It's simply too much for something I'm not (yet) convinced in.
However, I find there are things that are really useful and can be done with the least cost, such as investigating through the internet, putting questions on this board, emailing or talking to people who have been into druidry longer, borrowing books from the library, reading and writing, finding local groups/groves, and, perhaps best of all, going on long walks, trying to silence the blabbering mind, and just observing the world and nature around ourselves.

[MistyNightWind]

The thing I was really curious about was the more esoteric practices people do due to naming oneself a Druid or Druid in training etc. Something that brings a sense of magic to a persons life, as many things mentioned here, for one example looking after the environment- although very important and something I always do, for me- I cant say for others- but would do this regardless of whether Druidry was present in my life or not.

Love and Laughter
MistyNightWind

[Argenta]

The thing I was really curious about was the more esoteric practices people do due to naming oneself a Druid or Druid in training etc. Something that brings a sense of magic to a persons life, as many things mentioned here, for one example looking after the environment- although very important and something I always do, for me- I cant say for others- but would do this regardless of whether Druidry was present in my life or not.

Oh, right, sorry about going a bit OT there...

Well, as I am currently on my own -- except for the internet connection that is -- I focus on myself, although it might not be very esoteric

What I mean is, I try to figure out what makes sense to me, and one thing that helps is keeping a diary about whatever ideas I'm pondering at the moment. I also write my prayers there, try on various ontological structures, or just rant about pieces of interesting information on druidry or philosophy that I've come across lately. Another thing that goes in there are tidbits such as meaningful dreams, or resonant words and concepts, or synchretisms that I notice. Perhaps not what you mean, but I find it helpful in this beginning stages.

I also draw a lot, not in any artistic sense, but more like exercise in my own archetypes, so I am building a personal sense of sacred space.

Another thing I like to do is enjoy the morning while everyone's still asleep: take an early shower, greet the sun as it rises, light a candle, meditate, or simply clean the house and think about whatever takes my interest, perhaps with some soft music in the background. Not much, but it gets me into a great mood for the rest of the day. It also may not seem very "druidic", but that's just my way and if can't fit it into druidry, then I'll have to find a new label

[Argenta]

P.S. From my earlier experiences, I would also say that it isn't (always) about what you do, but why you do certain things, and also how you do them.
For example, I used to hate housework while I considered it divorced from my spiritual and intellectual life. But when I began to use it as a sort of a meditation, and to see it as bringing order and cleanliness into my tiny corner of the universe, it started making more sense, and I can now use it to relax and/or tidy my thoughts as well.

Perhaps that's somewhere in the line of Art's post?

[Astrid]

P.S. From my earlier experiences, I would also say that it isn't (always) about what you do, but why you do certain things, and also how you do them.
For example, I used to hate housework while I considered it divorced from my spiritual and intellectual life. But when I began to use it as a sort of a meditation, and to see it as bringing order and cleanliness into my tiny corner of the universe, it started making more sense, and I can now use it to relax and/or tidy my thoughts as well.

Perhaps that's somewhere in the line of Art's post?

The housework thing is true - I use at as a kind of mental space clearing - but probably thats more feng shui than druidry

[Astrid]

oops double post sorry

[Argenta]

The housework thing is true - I use at as a kind of mental space clearing - but probably thats more feng shui than druidry

OK, but is there any rule that says feng shui can't be a part of a person's druidry?

And btw, I'm not claiming that I practice druidry, because I'm too ignorant about it. However, it is a path I'd like to explore in time, and until then, I just count all these little things as practices which I would not drop because of druidry, but connect them to it, as a personal touch. Does it make any sense? Feel free to correct me.

[MistyNightWind]

I can see where Astrid is coming from, although wouldn't this only be more like feng shui if you were moving things to a certain place in accordence with energies or to bring about positive outcomes?

Your use of the book seems druidic, but then like you said in a later post this is what you do regardless but I guess it just so happens to fall under druidry...possibly!?

It seems like then, so far, that people live their lifes as they see fit and for some individuals how they do this seems to fall under the category/idea of Druidry.

I just count all these little things as practices which I would not drop because of druidry, but connect them to it, as a personal touch. Does it make any sense? Feel free to correct me.

I haven't got a comment for this but I am interested in what others have to say to this.

Love and Laughter
MistyNightWind

[Aurora]

I've found druidry to be pretty expansive when it comes to other beliefs, and i find that they tend to integrate together very well.

I love to read so have put this to good use by reading about druidry, Celtic, Norse, anglo-saxon mythologies and history to give inspiration for my daily life. Also trying to find ways to express my creative side as i've found the course encourages this which is something anyone can do. I really enjoy cooking and sewing and have explored these and how they can reflect my druid side. Cooking with foods that are in season helps to get in touch with natures cycle and I've made a quilt for my niece to celebrate her arrival in the world and our family, I've done a bit of poetry too and have found it a good method for self expression and to unload emotional burdens too (the good part is no one has to see it but me if i don't want them too). Lots of small little things basically helping you to celebrate and be involved with the world and life that is around you. That's part of what druidry is turning out to be for me

If you'd like to i found these 2 books by Grahame K Talboys very helpful in getting my head around the Druid World view, have to tell you that they have a very Celtic leaning to them which may or may not be helpful to you if your not that way inclined:

The Path through the Forest and Way of the Druid

Blessings

Aurora