The Quest of a Druid

The quest of a modern Druid is an internal one, to find the self and understand the connection we share with the rest of the universe. There are many spiritual and religious paths, and there are just as many techniques and methods for attaining what each perceives as the "ultimate goal." There is no ultimate goal or prize for Druids, other than that we are constantly seeking to gain a greater understanding of our world and ourselves. We begin our quest by learning to understand the self and begin to glimpse how we fit into the web of life. We strive to understand our place in the world.

It is ultimately the breath of the spirit that enables us to learn our place in the world. Through the breath of the soul we are able to reach out with our senses and touch the world around us. By interacting with our world we not only add to the knowledge and experience we have collected through our countless lifetimes, but also add to the experience of the whole of creation.

Through ritual and learning we work in two directions simultaneously–delving into the depths of the soul and at the same time working to understand the outer world. Because everything is interconnected we reach understanding of the outer world more easily if we understand the inner world. This is what we work toward as Druids. When we have learned how our own inner universe operates, we come to a better understanding of how the world outside and around us exists and functions.

Druid ritual takes many forms; it can be simple or very ceremonial. It can involve one solitary Druid or a whole group of like-minded Druids working together to reach a common goal. The learning of a modern Druid attempts to mirror the subjects that our ancient forbearers would have studied. We know that Druids filled many roles in ancient Celtic society and our studies attempt recreate those roles, preparing the student of Druidry for a lifetime of growth and service to their tribe. The Druids of old were lawyers, poets, theologians, philosophers, magicians, healers, craftsmen, and much more.

Those who walk the path of modern Druidry call ourselves Druids in honor of those who taught and maintained the knowledge of our Irish ancestors. We understand that we cannot reclaim or recover most that these ancient men and women believed and taught, but we can attempt to mirror their duties in our modern society and build upon the knowledge they did leave us.

Druidry needs to be interpreted and made useful and available to modern people. We cannot be the Druids of old, but we can try to be like them and use the knowledge and wisdom left to us for the betterment of our society and the world at large.