The Modern Practitioner: Druidism vs. Paganism

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Druidism and paganism are two belief systems that have historical and cultural significance. While both can be considered forms of nature-based spirituality, there are several differences between them. Druidism, also known as Celtic Druidry, was practiced by the ancient Celtic peoples in Europe. The Druids were the religious leaders and scholars of their communities. They held great reverence for nature and believed in the interconnectedness of all living beings. The Druids conducted rituals and ceremonies in sacred groves and stone circles, and they had a deep understanding of astronomy and the natural world.

Druidism vs paganisn

The Druids conducted rituals and ceremonies in sacred groves and stone circles, and they had a deep understanding of astronomy and the natural world. On the other hand, paganism is a broad term that encompasses a wide range of belief systems. Paganism is often associated with polytheism, the worship of multiple deities.

Paganism, part 2: how does one become a druid? You ask nicely

W hat do pagans actually believe in? GK Chesterton's famous quote is frequently invoked: "When a man stops believing in God, he doesn't then believe in nothing – he believes anything." Unfortunately for easy analysis, the issue with pagans is more that they believe in lots of anythings, but what those anythings consist of is open to substantial debate.

I remarked in my previous article that currently pagans are realising that they don't really have much in common with one another. You'd think this would have been apparent from the get-go, and I'm sure in ancient times it was, but both wicca and, to a lesser extent, modern druidry, were set up in part as a reaction to prevailing Christianity and culture, and thus you have alliances that are somewhat artificial: more of a question of defining something by what it is not, rather than what it is. The demographic is changing these days, but a number of pagans came out of repressive Christian upbringings and fled as far as they could towards one of the principal opposites available to them.

Many pagans do believe in deities, or figures from mythology that are now treated as deities with little or no theological justification. The Welsh magician/trickster Gwydion is a case in point: mentioned in the Mabinogion, he's a dodgy anti-hero figure, now treated as a minor deity, whereas his rapist brother Gilfaethwy (happily) is not, and nor is his uncle the master magician Math. Why choose one and not the other? There's a randomness to the current Celtic pantheon, which is best explained by reference to cultural and literary factors – WB Yeats, we're looking at you – than to any theological underpinning.

Lacking much direct reference from the ancient Celts themselves – Roman reference to Celtic gods is patchy and many deities have dropped out of contemporary worship entirely – the history of current Celtic paganism emerges from the Celtic twilight of the late-19th century onwards. In wicca, the "goddess" Aradia stems from Charles Leland's 1899 novel, The Gospel of the Witches; whether Leland took her practices from old Tuscan folklore, or simply made much of it up, is in some question, but scholarly opinion tends towards the latter. Followers of Egyptian, classical or Norse pantheons are in a slightly more secure position as regards names and natures, but not necessarily where authentic practices of worship are concerned.

But it isn't necessary to worship any deity in order to be a pagan. It isn't really a set of theisms per se; rather, a way of interacting with the cosmos via a varied set of practices: following the ritual year, for example. We do count agnostics and atheists among our number, and there are a lot of people who regard deities as Jungian archetypes – facets of an entirely human psychology – rather than as anything real and "out there". There is debate about this, but it tends not to slide into anything recognisable as fundamentalism: we're not text-based; don't have a set dogma; and thus any argument is dependent on factors that are opinion-based and aesthetically or socially dictated.

What you don't tend to find in paganism are arguments as to whose god is more powerful – or more existent. Ontologically, the movements and organisations beneath this very broad banner are fluid and hyper-eclectic. You might be a follower of Horus, but that doesn't mean you're going to declare all-out war on worshippers of Baphomet. Nor do there tend to be the "angels on a pinhead" kind of disputes that arise between members of religions that have a text that is open to multiple interpretations.

This does not mean, of course, that we're an argument-free zone. Principal disagreements tend either to be much more petty (the precise timing of so-and-so's wiccan initiatory lineage, for instance); broadly political (no nice pagan likes a Nazi, and there are a handful of Aryan nation types in some traditions); or deriving from the assumption made by pretty much every practitioner of ceremonial magic that no one amongst one's peers knows what the hell they're talking about. And since pagan clergy tend to be self-appointed, or sanctioned through a usually short initiatory line, there's a dearth of authority to which appeal can be made. In many ways this makes the pagan traditions more transparent than other religions: with recent spiritualities, it's obviously easier to document their emergence and their history, plus the personalities that created them are known to a large number of individuals still living.

A friend of mine once asked a contemporary druid how one might become a druid. "You ask nicely," he replied, which more or less sums up entry into modern paganism.

Many pagans do believe in deities, or figures from mythology that are now treated as deities with little or no theological justification. The Welsh magician/trickster Gwydion is a case in point: mentioned in the Mabinogion, he's a dodgy anti-hero figure, now treated as a minor deity, whereas his rapist brother Gilfaethwy (happily) is not, and nor is his uncle the master magician Math. Why choose one and not the other? There's a randomness to the current Celtic pantheon, which is best explained by reference to cultural and literary factors – WB Yeats, we're looking at you – than to any theological underpinning.
Druidism vs paganisn

In ancient times, paganism was commonly practiced by various cultures around the world, including the Greeks, Romans, and Norse. Paganism often involves the worship of gods and goddesses associated with different aspects of nature, such as the sun, moon, and earth. While both Druidism and paganism have a strong connection to nature, there are differences in their practices and beliefs. Druidism places a special emphasis on wisdom, education, and the role of the Druids as intermediaries between the spiritual and human realms. Druids were seen as guardians of knowledge and were responsible for preserving the oral traditions and mythologies of their people. In contrast, paganism is less structured and often involves individual interpretations and practices. Pagan rituals and ceremonies vary widely depending on the specific traditions and beliefs of different pagan cultures. Paganism can also involve the use of magic and divination as means of connecting with the spiritual world. It is important to note that modern forms of Druidism and paganism exist today. Many people are drawn to these belief systems as a way to reconnect with nature and find spiritual meaning outside of traditional religions. These modern practices often incorporate elements from ancient Druid and pagan cultures but also adapt to the needs and beliefs of contemporary practitioners. Overall, Druidism and paganism share a common reverence for nature and a belief in the spiritual world. However, Druidism has a more structured and specific cultural context, while paganism is a broader term that encompasses various beliefs and practices. Both offer unique ways to connect with the natural world and explore the mysteries of spirituality..

Reviews for "Healing and Herbalism: Ancient Practices in Druidism and Paganism"

- Sarah - 2 stars - I was really excited to read "Druidism vs Paganism" as I am interested in exploring different belief systems, but I was disappointed with this book. The author seemed to have a biased and narrow-minded perspective, only highlighting the negatives of Druidism and Paganism without providing a balanced view. Additionally, the writing style was dry and lacked engagement. Overall, I was left wanting more from this book.
- John - 1 star - I found "Druidism vs Paganism" to be incredibly misleading. The title suggests a fair comparison between Druidism and Paganism, but what I got was a one-sided argument against both belief systems. The author seemed more interested in promoting their own beliefs rather than objectively discussing the differences and similarities between Druidism and Paganism. It was a disappointing read and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone looking for an unbiased exploration of these topics.
- Emily - 2 stars - This book started off promising, but it quickly turned into a repetitive rant against Druidism and Paganism. The author's bias was incredibly apparent and it made it difficult to take any of their arguments seriously. I was hoping for a balanced discussion that would help me better understand both belief systems, but instead, I felt like I was being preached to about why they were wrong. I would caution anyone interested in learning about Druidism or Paganism against reading this book.

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