Does the nature part of Druidry matter?

[Frog]

Throughout the OBOD training we are exposed a whole host of ideas, concepts and specialities - the arts, healing, divination, psychology. We are also exposed to recognise that we don't have dominion over nature, but are indeed part of it.

So is it possible, as a druid, to focus on the storytelling, the psychology of man... and ignore (or have a lesser concern) with the other aspects? I recognise here that my involvement with nature isn't as all encompassing as someone who effectively lives in the woods.

For my own part, I would suggest that this is possible as it's just a shift within the scope, but would be interested in other views on this.

[Merlyn]

Hi Frog,
Yes, the nature issue is really not a part of the journey directly. I agree that the question "Is a druid an ecologist?" comes to us indirectly.
The core lesson of the Oak brings in an ecosystem, a way to focus on this, and a reverence to trees, and then we see the support for the tree planting program, and some satisfaction that tree ecology is a part of druidism.

Does it matter?
I would say the majority answer to this will be yes, on a number of levels.
Is it a factor in the teaching directly? that can be debated.

So is it possible, as a druid, to focus on the storytelling, the psychology of man... and ignore (or have a lesser concern) with the other aspects?

I have to say yes to this for a few reasons.
First, druidry is not "just about ecology". And there is a void in many ways that should be filled.
The new-age obsession over ecology is fully understandable. However the many aspects of druidry and the other human aspects of life are many.
It could be argued that the eco-neo-thing makes druidry a "anythingyouwant" irrelevant path.
However it could also be argued that every lesson of druidry has an association to ecology.

But I say yes, because poetry is a very druid thing, so is our connection to the arts, music, dance and much much more.
For sure we do not need to be exclusively an eco-path.

But I do see some reasons people might become concerned. The ways of coping with our disconnection from nature, are not all just about one direction.
Many dismiss druidry as just another eco-group. Frankly this has been a subject I have pointed out.
Truly Druidry should mean more, more socially involved drui.
How about Druids who are involved in the human aspect?
Druids in politics? Druids in local care for the poor? Druids in the arts? Druids in legal professions? and on I could go.

[White Star]

Hi, I suspect that the brevity of my answer will show my inexperience on this path but I felt a need to provide one too so here goes, in a word, yes; I think that although Druidry is in many ways a nature based spiritual path it is perfectly possible to lean towards other aspects as well. For me that is the beauty of druidry, this freedom to explore and perhaps prefer other avenues.

Blessings.

[Aylyn]

And we should not forget that ther druid training is focused in three parts: Bard, Ovate and Druid, with emphasis on a different item in each part. Also, I would assume that the druids of old specialized in what was their best field - some would become seers, some politicians, some healers, some bards. Why not follow a similar path for us?

And in general, for the nature part of druidry: I do feel an affinity to nature without which I would be incomplete. That does not mean I want to give up central heating, electrical light and my computer. There are different levels of being close to nature, and everybody should choose the one that suits them best.

[Tyriell_Whisperwind]

And we should not forget that ther druid training is focused in three parts: Bard, Ovate and Druid, with emphasis on a different item in each part. Also, I would assume that the druids of old specialized in what was their best field - some would become seers, some politicians, some healers, some bards. Why not follow a similar path for us?

And in general, for the nature part of druidry: I do feel an affinity to nature without which I would be incomplete. That does not mean I want to give up central heating, electrical light and my computer. There are different levels of being close to nature, and everybody should choose the one that suits them best.

i couldnt of said it better

[treegod]

I came to Druidry through a very nature-based Paganism. It was the "fundamental" thread guiding me when all human systems failed. And I carry that with me today.

Now I think nature is a very important part of modern Druidry, and Ecopsychology forms a very important part of what I think being a Druid is. Modern humanity is mostly disconnected (psychologically, not physically) from its ecological context. And I think much of modern Druidry, directly and indirectly, is in a place to help facilitate some of the ecopsychological healing that is needed today.

[Argenta]

Since I am very new to all this, I can only offer my own perspective, for whatever that's worth.

I would say that, for myself at this point in my life, nature is a more "idealistic" part of druidry. A better knowledge of its ways is something I believe is worth striving for, and I definitely have a strong but mainly immaterialised love for trees (which I can thank Tolkien and not a druid course for).The realistic part of it is that I recycle glass and plastic, and get a walk in the nearby woods and fields every now and then. And no, I would not change my computer for a deeper connection to nature.

I guess these things, as many about our practices if not beliefs, are specific to circumstances and prone to change when the circumstances change.

[treegod]

I'm rephrasing the question "Does the nature part of Humanity matter?"

In other words, if nature is important to one person, it is important to us all. The term "nature-based" is what humanity is, we emerged and evolve from and within an ecological context. And we depend on healthy balanced ecosystems to live.

The question doesn't just embrace Druidry, it embraces all human activity. It embraces humanity itself, because we are part of nature.

When you ask "does the nature part of Druidry matter?" I have to ask what part isn't nature?

"Concern with the environment is no longer one of many "single issues"; it is the context of everything else - our lives, our business, our politics." Fritjof Capra

[Aurora]

I feel that nature aspect of druidry shouldn't be ignored as it is important to be connected through it to the world around us. But that doesn't mean it should have to be ones sole focus either, especially if one feels drawn to any of druidry's other aspects, I feel an effort should still be made to respect nature as much as one is able though, whatever that ends up being as every little bit helps. That's just my two cents

[Bracken]

Hi Frog.

From where I'm sitting humans are nature. Some of us druids are going to be drawn to working to keep the seas clean. Some will want to support organic farming methods. Some of us will donate time and money to hedgehog rescue. Some of us will work in refuges with women and children fleeing domestic violence. Is there a difference between those four things?

Nature, if viewed as a holistic entity with all parts affecting all others, is affected positively or negatively by all actions. You write a poem. That poem affects the mental health and well-being of the reader and fosters love in their heart. They turn to their children and smile. The children grow up to be groovy-types who feel happy and confident enough to write to the council for better recycling facilities. You get the picture, I know.

[DaRC]

We are also exposed to recognise that we don't have dominion over nature, but are indeed part of it.

I think this is the key point - as a part of nature everything we do is informed by nature. We are a product of our environment and our environment is a product of nature.
The muse of Nature, used by the early Celtic poets through the Romantic movement and into more modern poets such as Ted Hughes, is essentially a Druidic theme.
It as been widely accepted that nature is the basis of our healing; herbs are used to make potions and many modern medicines are rooted in ancient herblore. Then there is the benefit of being in nature, particularly woodland, on the psyche.
What divination doesn't come from nature? From the types of wood used in the ogham staves to the actual lore itself the basis is within nature and it's cycles.

Finally let's consider the word nature and it's many meanings:
na·ture
–noun
1.
the material world, esp. as surrounding humankind and existing independently of human activities.
2.
the natural world as it exists without human beings or civilization.
3.
the elements of the natural world, as mountains, trees, animals, or rivers.
4.
natural scenery.
5.
the universe, with all its phenomena.
6.
the sum total of the forces at work throughout the universe.
7.
reality, as distinguished from any effect of art: a portrait true to nature.
8.
the particular combination of qualities belonging to a person, animal, thing, or class by birth, origin, or constitution; native or inherent character: human nature.
9.
the instincts or inherent tendencies directing conduct: a man of good nature.
10.
character, kind, or sort: two books of the same nature.
11.
characteristic disposition; temperament: a self-willed nature; an evil nature.
12.
the original, natural, uncivilized condition of humankind.
13.
the biological functions or the urges to satisfy their requirements.
14.
a primitive, wild condition; an uncultivated state.
15.
a simple, uncluttered mode of life without the conveniences or distractions of civilization: a return to nature.
16.
(initial capital letter, italics) a prose work (1836), by Ralph Waldo Emerson, expounding transcendentalism.
17.
Theology. the moral state as unaffected by grace.
—Idioms
18.
by nature, as a result of inborn or inherent qualities; innately: She is by nature a kindhearted person.
19.
in a state of nature,
a.
in an uncivilized or uncultured condition.
b.
without clothes; nude; naked.
20.
of/inthe nature of, having the character or qualities of: in the nature of an apology.

[DJ Droood]

Sometimes people as me why I live in the city. Don't you like nature? I tell them, for me, the best part of nature is human nature.

Michael Franti

[treegod]

Does the nature part of a city matter? (nice quote Droood BTW )

[DaRC]

All cities have a nature and nature is within the city, so I would say of course it matters. Often it is nature that is the cause of the city - usually becuase they are powerful places to trade.

Otherwise we'd just have a generic city which at a highly abstracted level we do, but nature is in the details.

[treegod]

All cities have a nature and nature is within the city, so I would say of course it matters. Often it is nature that is the cause of the city - usually becuase they are powerful places to trade.

Otherwise we'd just have a generic city which at a highly abstracted level we do, but nature is in the details.

Totally agree. And to paraphrase because I think it perfectly illustrates the topic...

Druidry has a nature and nature is within Druidry, so I would say of course it matters. Often it is nature that is the cause of Druidry (- usually becuase they are powerful places to trade? ).

Otherwise we'd just have a generic Druidry which at a highly abstracted level we do, but nature is in the details.

[MistyNightWind]

I have learnt from Druidry that we should be responsible for ourselves and our environment. So through this, is where we- as ones following a druidic path (I use this phrase lightly), would be concerned with nature.
Also I've been lead to believe in the Druid philosophy that we shouldn't be afraid to look back, to return to our roots, and thus surely for humanity this would be within nature? As well as our childhoods, which would then involve psychology. And our ancestors.

Love and laughter
Misty

[Merlyn]

Druidry has awakened nature within, and thus opened insight to nature as a family to me.
We are a part of this family, and the saying becomes very real; If you want to be treated like family, then act like family.

I don't accept limitations like I did before, or the notion that there is little I can do. Rather I see each daily step as a cumlative whole and the seed to what is to come.
Druidry brings a connection that makes me realize what I do does matter.

The nature of druidry is a calling, a contacted awakening from and to every part of the family of life.

Merlyn /|\

[Frog]

Throughout the OBOD training we are exposed a whole host of ideas, concepts and specialities - the arts, healing, divination, psychology. We are also exposed to recognise that we don't have dominion over nature, but are indeed part of it.

So is it possible, as a druid, to focus on the storytelling, the psychology of man... and ignore (or have a lesser concern) with the other aspects? I recognise here that my involvement with nature isn't as all encompassing as someone who effectively lives in the woods.

For my own part, I would suggest that this is possible as it's just a shift within the scope, but would be interested in other views on this.

Thank you everyone for your comments. It certainly is interesting how the word "nature" has been picked up in this thread.
When I wrote this I was looking at nature very much from the ecological aspect rather than the more encompassing aspect; looking across the board one could be forgiven for assuming Druid=ecologist. Whilst I know that isn't necessarily the case, I started to explore a little more - especially as my tentative steps into studying Taoism are making me think just a little more.

My thought was (as Aylene noted) we have the ability to specialise in certain aspects depending upon our grades / learning - if we were to pursue (say) Tarot divination, there would still be an area to enable us to connect, live, love nature - but that isn't our main specialistion.

Once again, thank you friends, it has been an enjoyable thread.

Frog.

[Zylah]

So is it possible, as a druid, to focus on the storytelling, the psychology of man... and ignore (or have a lesser concern) with the other aspects? I recognise here that my involvement with nature isn't as all encompassing as someone who effectively lives in the woods.
.

I apologize, I know I'm coming very late to this thread, and Frog, you seem to have brought it to a conclusion; but I just saw it, and thought I would add my two cents.

What initially struck me in this post (understanding you to mean 'nature' as being 'the woods/outdoors/the wild',) was that I think it very possible and even totally appropriate for some druids to have a 'lesser concern' with being outside and connecting with trees, rocks, etc., but I wouldn't really think that could carry over into totally *ignoring* nature. As I understand it - and I realize there are severe limitations to my understanding! - the ideas of druidry, whether applied through the arts, healing, divination, farming, gardening, or whatever, have their basis in oneness. We have a responsibility to the earth, to the rest of nature (which we are part of, as has been pointed out many times here), and that will express itself in our poetry, art, dance, architecture, cooking, or whatever else we do on our journey.

So I would say, I think, that there is no question that each human being regardless of philosophy does interact with nature in some fashion. Druidry is about the *way* we interact, whether we are urban, suburban, or rural dwellers. We approach life (nature) with respect and take thoughtful care what we do, knowing it has an effect beyond this moment.

[Attila]

I think there is a level of druidry which is actually a rejection of nature, things being improperly formed like children and also all life. It is as if animals etc are somewhat ‘awkward’ as if trying to escape their form, their visage as if to be a mask. On the other hand there is also a respect similar perhaps to that of the ancestors, that there is a spiritual progression. Maybe even that spirits move up through evolution to more advanced forms, and also through the species once evolution has got to a level I.e. a spirit may be born into this world on the lowest level and move rapidly through each life to human or whatever they are destined to be.