Is Druidry all about Healing?

[wolf560]

...but, hey, if Wolf is calling, it must be important!

Interesting side note... "Wolf" is one of my Totems (substitute the word "Deities").
My usual way of noticing is that I get a feeling that I am "being called". Better description would be either a warm sense of doing something right or a nagging sense of 'wrongness' somehow. They do not control my actions but I definitely feel (in my own opinion of course, nothing that can be "proved") that they either approve or disapprove of what I am about to do.

But every time I hear of someone "sending energies" I just feel my stomach doing a flip-flop.
I get the same feeling when I hear of mass religious riots for any Pantheon or Deity.
Most politicians give me the same feeling when the begin promising things.

[Merlyn]

There have been a number of misconceptions and just as many firm beliefs about what druidry is.
We had a great amount of fun prodding Philip about the nudist camps, and even now, clothing is optional. Now, being sky clad is very much a part of spiritual freedom as many see it. Is this druidry? Then there is the idea that druidry is all about teaching, and mostly drawn from what we think the original druids did. Here again, there is little if any direction in the OBOD to teach druidry, in this light a few have gone as far as to start a college of druid learning that at first was a mirror of the OBOD way. It shortly after became quite a unique idea.

It might be best to say "all of the above" and or any of the above.
Unlike a religion, where a person's place is fairly defined, as a sheep or a servant etc. Druidry is self-empowering. Really the sky is the limit, from song, bardic tales, lore, healing, teaching and on & on I could go. The personal view of course is flavored a lot by each person's talents.

I would say the most healthy path is one that is free to explore and grow through many parts of what druidry can be and is.

Merlyn

[DJ Droood]

There have been a number of misconceptions and just as many firm beliefs about what druidry is.
We had a great amount of fun prodding Philip about the nudist camps, and even now, clothing is optional. Now, being sky clad is very much a part of spiritual freedom as many see it. Is this druidry?

I think we have been around this block before...what isn't druidry might be a better question. (I would answer anything unhealthy, that causes suffering, advances self-interest at the expense of others, damages the environment) I think "druidry" is more about an attitude towards life than a set of commandments (althouh wouldn't it be a lot easier if we had a top 10 list?) , so it could encompass an infinite number of activities...but healing activities....so if nudism is a way to express yourself and "heal" yourself of...I dunno...conformity and unhealthy inhibitions?...then sure it an expression of druidry.

Then there is the idea that druidry is all about teaching, and mostly drawn from what we think the original druids did. Here again, there is little if any direction in the OBOD to teach druidry, in this light a few have gone as far as to start a college of druid learning that at first was a mirror of the OBOD way. It shortly after became quite a unique idea.

The OBOD lessons aren't scripture, so I don't think we should comb them for "do's and don'ts"...generally they seem to promote healthy, positive living and attitudes, though...the "Druid attitude" towards life.

Druidry is self-empowering. Really the sky is the limit, from song, bardic tales, lore, healing, teaching and on & on I could go.

Exactly...and there aren't always cut and dried catagories...a song or a story could be healing...or teaching....

I would say the most healthy path is one that is free to explore and grow through many parts of what druidry can be and is.

I agree.

[Frog]

Great question... in the broadest of sense, yes Druidry is about healing.

However, I think the clarity comes in what "healing" actually encompasses. It isn't just about knowing which herbs and plants need to be boiled/steamed/cut/applied. If we consider that in order to "heal" we have to recognise what the problem is - and then we can act appropriately.

As Druids, our "patients" aren't just human - they encompass the plants, animals, minerals and the Earth in general. Consequently, like doctors, we have an understanding of what ought to be done to repair what is sick. However, like the medical profession, we cannot be expected to be expert in all fields (if you pardon the earth-related pun), so some will specialise in medicine, others more to the mind, others to reversing the damage to the planet.

I think part of this course also addresses that most fundamental of healing related quotes - "Physician, heal thyself".

[DJ Droood]

Perhaps Wolf's question is more about the specific "title" of Healer, as a catagory of specialization...in which case I would say, no, you don't specifically have to specialize in "healing" and know all about natural remedies and esoteric therapies...any more than you would expect all druids to be accomplished musicians and storytellers.

[Merlyn]

Druidry is about promoting and even giving direction toward healthy mind-body.
In this sense, yes.

We can and should promote and lend a hand in this, something today's doctors could do more of.
I remember (yes I am this old) when the family doctor came to the home and treated us there.
Long gone are those days eh?

I imagine that being this personal, and seeing the home environment gave the doctor a lot of valuable insight.

Merlyn

[DaRC]

I remember (yes I am this old) when the family doctor came to the home and treated us there.
Long gone are those days eh?

Yep when the family doctor was regarded as a family friend and knew their patients! Now all they can do is look at a list of checkboxes - but that's the price of a highly mobile, cost conscious society.

I took Wolf's question to mean about the role Healer, but agree with Merlyn, DJ Drood that the healing within Druidry has a much wider scope than that.

Personally Druidry works for me as a structure to keep my mind-body healthy, I am aware of unhealthy familial patterns (some nature, some nurture) that need healing. I'd not classify myself as a healer but feel that healing these patterns within will help heal the external patterns or at least mitigate some of their affects.

[wolf560]

Perhaps Wolf's question is more about the specific "title" of Healer, as a catagory of specialization...

Yes, my question was directed at the idea that "Druids had to be Healers" (then or now).

I can do a lot to keep someone alive regardless of the tools at my disposal.
But this is not my "Skill of or in Druidry"... it is merely something I know how to do.

My particular 'Druidic Skill' is that I am a Historian and a Teacher.. I am also very good at getting people together and organizing Pagan gatherings.

I don't see this mentioned for some reason as we discuss modern Druidry...

[DJ Droood]

I don't see this mentioned for some reason as we discuss modern Druidry...

(modern) Druidry is still a baby religion...haven't had centuries yet to hash things out in detail..patience!

[Muddy Fox]

"A Baby religion" to quote DJ there. But I'm not good at cutting and pasteing and remembering things in detail, like what thread did I read that on there? Because I don't know, I was just reading this and that and this is a big forum with lots o stuff going on here and there.
Now a religion in my opinion is defined as a common belief system, a community adhering to that common belief sytem, working for the common good.
If in Mark/Wolf's post you can be this that and the other and still come under the same name, ie believe in peace, believe in violence and so on, there is in actual fact no common belief system. So what is the unifying factor or force? It is everyman is for himself and his needs and wants first and foremost? A common belief system must mean that you consider another viewpoint to be effective and in a bit of an agreement with your own. A kindred spirit.
I read some posts earlier about Pagans getting hot under the collar about being persecuted at work for their beliefs which I found quite surprising, and they could order an ennamel broach and get a free lawyer if such shannigans was ever to occur. Frankly I would just say F off and get another job cos that job and those sort of people are not worth working for or with, in my eyes, which is why I am destitute.
But you would have far worse to worry about if you face discrimmantion and abuse on a daily basis because you are physically or mentally disabled. The ignorance out there is unF******* b elievable. Then you know if you are able bodied and fully mentis compis you should go and fight for somebody who isn't, I would say. People won't like it. But up theirs anyhow.

[wolf560]

"Baby Religion" (LMAO)

A far as a common belief here is the one that most of our Pagan friends seem to have.
"I believe in the veneration of the Ancestors".


When we remember our Ancestors and what they did, we bring their memory alive even for the slightest moment in time. My real life Pagan community has gatherings several times each month where we three toasts; one to the memories of an Ancestor, one to someone or something in present day and finally one to the Deities (one or many or all).

We believe ourselves to be honorable and we strive to act in a balanced way within our codes of society. We try to hold to these values at work as well as at home. We all support each other and have pulled together almost every month to gather funds due to several deaths over the past few months. We do not see this as "Healing" but of supporting our fellow Pagan community members and acting in a Noble and Honorable manner towards one another.

Some of us work in an effort to put food in the mouths of our children and cannot afford to lose the meager job we have. I do not hold that against them and encourage them to think of their family unless they feel they can afford to lose that job for their beliefs. Some of us have pensions and are financially secure so we can be more vocal about things without fear of jeopardizing our income.

[reilz81]

i think the druids of old had there fingers in many pies, they knew healing, they knew curses, they were fighters,they knew many crafts, and could weave a story so it was lifelike. They were teachers, scientists, doctors, blacksmiths, and healers.

[wolf560]

I agree wholeheartedly Reilz..!!

Isn't that what modern Druidry should be striving for as well?

[DJ Droood]

I agree wholeheartedly Reilz..!!

Isn't that what modern Druidry should be striving for as well?

and I think we succeed...most of the druid-folk I meet irl are accomplished, educated, creative and community-minded peeps.

[wolf560]

Yes, I do too...

Almost all of them describe themselves and "Book Nerds who love cuddling up to a new book"

[Heddwen]

Yes, I do too...

Almost all of them describe themselves and "Book Nerds who love cuddling up to a new book"

Now that's hardly healing, where's the fun in that W560?

[Bart]

An old fashioned encyclopia gives a nice anaesthatic

[wolf560]

... "Book Nerds who love cuddling up to a new book"

Now that's hardly healing, where's the fun in that W560?

That is my point.... I know of very few Druids here that would say you have to be a Healer to be a Druid. But every one of them agree that you must be knowledgeable to be a Druid.

The "Healing" is something Druids and Witches and Shamans do... it is not define all of what they are however.

The "Knowing of things" is something that Druids, Witches and Shamans are... and if some of that knowledge is Healing good, but we can also choose to specialize on History, Ancient Songs, being wood carving craftspeople...

...and still be Druid

[kornelia]

hi,

As a reply to your post id like to say that in my personal oppinion and view...
Noone has to be anything specific to become a druid, I think that genuine focuss and interest in nature, spirituality, ancient forefathers or however one puts it is most important to have druidry as a path, as an interest, as a way to self exporation...

Remember that in the old days, to become a druid one uses at least half a lifetime.
Actually i think there are links to gods, goddesses, other worlds in all of us, at least those interested in obod

so far, so good

Kor Nelia

[Oakmyst]

Personally I don't think Druidry is "all about healing"-however-as it has been stated earlier in this thread many paths of spirituality and self discovery include these teachings. I think it is possible to be a Druid and not specialize in this area of service-I originally did not consider this aspect to be important to me personally, but not as I've deepened and continued my walk-I find myself more actively interested in these aspects. I feel that there is many different ways to practice and specialize as there are practitioners.

I could go on, but unsure if I could add to what has been said.