introduction/ interview request

[Scholar]

Hello everyone,

Firstly, I'd like to introduce myself and explain why I am here. My name is Meghan and I am a student at University of Wisconsin-Madison. I have studied Celtic paganism academically for about 8 years now and am working on a research paper comparing and contrasting modern Druidry with the ancient practices (or what we know of them). For my paper, I want to gather a few interviews of modern practitioners of the Celtic pagan faith (mainly modern druids). If anyone is interested in being interviewed simply over the forums, please drop me a PM I will also be floating around on a boards to learn more. Even with 8 years of research under my belt, it's amazing how much you realize you don't know.

Thank you much

[Astrid]

Hello meghan is a belief in the celtic gods required or do you just have to define yourself as druid?

[Gwiwer]

What Astrid is hinting at is that folks who call themselves "Druids" draw inspiration from the ancient Druids but may not actually "worship" the Celtic Gods and Goddesses. Is that a key part of your survey? The main American Druid group ADF has worshipers from pantheons across the Indo-European diaspora. OBOD is even more diverse -- viewing Druidry more as a spiritual path rather than a religion, and hence has Christian Druids, Buddhist Druids, even Atheist Druids, as well as those who also happen to worship the Gods/Goddesses of a particular pantheon. And that may not necessarily be Celtic -- I know of a number of Druids who focus on the Norse Deities

You might want to back off keying on the term "Druid" which may prove to be a distraction. Better terms to "Google" might be "Celtic Paganism", "Celtic Wicca", or "Celtic Reconstructionist".

Good Luck!

Gwiwer /|\

[treegod]

Yes, I wouldn't call myself as part of any modern "Celtic pagan faith" though I do describe myself as a modern druid. If that's alright I'd be happy to be involved.

[Scholar]

Im sorry, I should have been more specific.

Actually, I wouldn't mind either one. It would be nice to get perspectives from both! The paper itself will be specific to Celtic paganism, however, because that is what I am more familiar with personally. If you do not follow a Celtic pagan path, that is fine. I would love input either way.

If there is a Celtic Reconstructionist on the boards, that would be another person Id love to talk to as well. My paper is to compare and contrast modern vs. ancient so a Reconstructionist's view with someone with more of an eclectic view would be great.

Sorry if I am being so vague. Anyone who wouldnt mind sharing with me their beliefs and how they view the ancient traditions would be welcome. I could even just post the questinos on here and you can fill them out and send them to me in a PM. Let me get them organized and I will get on that.

[treegod]

Anyone who wouldnt mind sharing with me their beliefs and how they view the ancient traditions would be welcome. I could even just post the questinos on here and you can fill them out and send them to me in a PM. Let me get them organized and I will get on that.

Cool, sounds good

[Scholar]

Wow so sorry for the very late response. I just walked out of a final exam that I have been studying for all week which is why I wasn't able to get these questions to you until now. Here are the questions. If you could please send them to me via private message, I would really appreciate it. I ask for it in a private message because I don't read these questions with much of a vested interest religiously so I want you to be able to answer them exactly how you believe without worrying what other members of the board might think. All answers will remain with me. Remember: Anyone can answer and I would LOVE to get answers from a variety of different kinds of people.

-What religious tradition to you follow?
-How long have you been a practicing Druid?
-Do you consider yourself a Bard, Druid, or Ovate (if any)? Which one and how so?
-How long did you study Druidry before you decided to become a Druid?
-In your own words, define what a Druid is today and what they were historically.
-How do you think modern Druidry and ancient Druidry are related? How so?
-Is Druidry centralized to one group of people (example: Celtic people) or is it a global concept?
-Do you belong to the OBOD? How long was your training?

If I think of some more questions, I will post them as well. Thank you all very much for helping me with my research.

[treegod]

Nice question. I'll get to work on those

[Scholar]

are people still interested in giving their answers?

[Oakapple]

Still interested, I expect you have a deadline for this work. Do you have a date in mind when you would like to have all replies in?

[Ade Sundog]

I'll have a go Scholar .

[Scholar]

Still interested, I expect you have a deadline for this work. Do you have a date in mind when you would like to have all replies in?

I do It's officially due the week after Thanksgiving...so by Thanksgiving or the day after would be ideal.

[treegod]

What date is Thanksgiving?

[Scholar]

If I could please have the answers by November 26th

[Kima]

I'll try to answer your questions; it's good to do research on paganism.

[Oakapple]

Finally got round to sending you that pm Scholar. Hope the work goes well.

[Scholar]

Thanks so much to all of you who sent me answers. They will really be a nice addition to the paper

[fulbert-avebury]

This seems like some interesting research you are doing, Scholar. Can you tell us a little about your class / course / program for which you are doing this paper / research (I think this is more a paper, rather than actual research, as you did not mention IRB approval for this).
Jeffrey

[Panas]

Hi Scholar

I'll send you my answers. Always good to be of service

Love & Blessings Phil

[Islamicelt]

Hey everyone! Just wanted to let you know that this is me, Scholar, on a permanent username. I decided to stick around instead of just stopping by for interviews. I feel there are things here that I can learn that will also enrich my own path.

I also wanted to thank everyone who sent me answers to the questions. They were wonderful to read and they will really strengthen my paper.

See you around the boards

Salaam.