Why Druidism?
Druidism isn’t a spiritual practice you hear much about. Maybe you know the druid from D&D, or some vague notion about Stonehenge, but as a modern practice, maybe not so much.
And there isn’t much written about it, so references are far and few between, so why have I settled on druidism as my spiritual practice. Simply put: It’s personal.
Druidism as organized religion
There are a few “orders of the druid” that try to organize druidism into a more formal religion1. Most of the writing and references you see online will point you to one of the two major orders. And for those who come from organized religion and want/need the structure and social support of organized religion, it might be a good fit. But not me.
Druidism as solo practice
Druidism for me is a solo practice. Most people in my life don’t know about my practice (until now, I guess). Druidism is about connecting and honoring nature who the wondrous and powerful force that it is. It’s an ever evolving practice and ebbs and flows much like the seasons do.
Practice for me means noticing the seasonal changes that happen to my environment, walks in the rain (preferably naked, but that’s harder to do in the city unless you are my friend Jesse), and celebrating the changing of the seasons. It also means getting naked in the forests, going on nature walks where I try to look for interesting nature to take macro pictures of, and identifying plants when I travel.
This personal connection to the earth is important. It literally grounds me, and I can tell when I haven’t done it enough.
Druidism as a lens to view the world
In Catholicism, during Ash Wednesday, you recite “From dust you came, and to dust you will return”2. This always struck me as a very powerful recitation. We are all of the earth, we all die, and we all return to the earth. What we do between is nothing more than what we are intended to do.
In that perspective, how important is that TPS report? Is it worth getting stressed out about? Nope. It’s easy to lose track of that though, but the connection to the earth help remind you, constantly, that you are of the earth, and you will return to the earth, so make the best of your time.
There is very little that is “forbidden” in a world that is connected to nature, it’s all view from the perspective of harm. As long as you aren’t harming others or the earth itself, then do what you will. In Wicca, you “do no harm”. In Christianity, it’s “Do unto others as you would have done unto you” (or something like that).
Druidism and consumption
Druidism is very much anti-consumption. And I try, though with my many habits and art forms, I have a higher consumption rate than I would like. I’m working on this personally, and have reduced my consumption quite a bit since taking up druidism.
Most of the druidic orders are also anti-technology, but clearly I don’t ascribe to that particular belief. I believe that the built world is as much a part of nature as the forest, but that the built world needs more connection to the natural world.
I want to see more buildings, homes, and such built in tune with nature rather than paving over it. I want to see the built world focused more on pedestrian movement and use rather than cars.
I want to see more reusable, repairable technology that isn’t obsolete and in a landfill within a year. The right to repair is a core belief of mine, and I strive to meet technology from that lens (despite having Apple products).