Druidism

I’ve always felt this pull to paganism, witchcraft, and druidism without knowing what that pull was specifically. After researching those differences, Druidism appeared to fit my longing for something other than my Roman Catholic upbringing.

I never understood the notion of one God split into three (Father, Son, Holy Ghost) nor the notion Saints and the Holy Prophets until I studied the Druid pantheon of Gods & Goddesses.

Joseph Campbell and Robert Bly gave me insight into the notion of myths, the hairy old man in the forest and the notion of metaphor to explain our human condition. As Joseph Campbell once explained when asked the difference between monotheism and polytheism, he replied that it’s comparable to saying “the Lights are on” versus “the Light is on”. The difference is in perspective and not the literalness of the words.

Campbell also said that one person’s God is not another person’s God even if it’s the same image; when you are experiencing anything, you are experiencing it through your frame of reference and lifetime of memories and interpret your experience of God accordingly. If your experience is naturally unique to anyone else’s, how could anyone tell you what to believe or what to think or what to worship? In effect, “Your God is not My God so don’t try to force your beliefs onto me!”

Druidism isn’t only a cultural view or belief system; it’s as religious as the oldest recorded religions that call themselves the true religion of God; Judaism, Islam & Christianity. Druidism religious views allowed them to survive the oral traditions and some of the lost knowledge has been passed down through deep meditation and contemplation using Druid methods.

Druidism helped me to believe in reincarnation and in applying its teachings to my own belief system. Using the symbol of a Tree and each of us being a branch of the same tree, connected to the roots and connected to each other through the tree, it makes sense to think we are perpetually learning and experiencing for the sake of all and bringing light and hope to anyone that needs it. Sometimes I may need help, other times I’m helping everyone with their issues; regardless of the direction, it’s about giving and receiving love. The Tree represents our highest ideals, goals and beliefs about love, happiness, joy and peace.

In taking this course on Druidism, I was entertained and enjoyed the differing points of view yet still retained my appreciation and respect that we are all searching for our way back to the root or Source of all life, Love in its many forms.

Swami Michael-ji

*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception