The
latest addition to WWPN is probably one of the best we have seen yet. Daven's
Journal combines an excellent insight into modern Druidry in plainer language
that Imbas without losing any of the accuracy. In addition, to his articles on
Druidry, he has many informative and insightful articles into the ethics that
should be part of any Pagan path but are often overlooked by less serious
followers. Be sure to check out his
Druid Directory
Imbas
One of the
most comprehensive databases on Druidry and other Celtic inspired paths on the
Web. Imbas is not particularly graphics intensive, nor will you find a BOS
here, but you will find a plethora of extensively researched, well written
articles.
Witchcraft of Wales, Cymry Wicca, and Celtic
Neopaganism
This site
is fast becoming to druids, what
Witchvox
already is to Wiccans. We hope that you will agree.
What is
ADF? Courtesy of
http://www.pagansunite.com
The Irish
words, pronounced "arn ree-ocht fane", mean "Our Own Druidism", and that's
just what ADF is - a completely independent tradition of Neopagan Druidism.
Like our sisters and brothers in the other Neopagan movements, we're
polytheistic Nature worshipers, attempting to revive the best aspects of the
Paleopagan faiths of our ancestors within a modern scientific, artistic,
ecological, and wholistic context. Like our predecessors and namesakes the
Druids, we're people who believe in excellence - physically, intellectually,
artistically, and spiritually.
We're
researching and expanding sound modern scholarship about the ancient Celts and
other Indo-European peoples, in order to reconstruct what the Old Religions of
Europe really were. We're working on the development of genuine artistic
skills in composition and presentation. We're designing and performing
competent magical and religious ceremonies to change ourselves and the world
we live in. We're adapting the polytheologies and customs of both the
Indo-European Paleopagans and the Neopagan traditions that have been created
over the last fifty years. We're creating a nonsexist, nonracist, organic, and
open religion to practice as a way of life and to hand on to our
grandchildren. We're intergrating ecological awareness, alternative healing
arts, and psychic development into our daily activities. Together, we're
sparking the next major phase in the evolution of Neopaganism and planting
seeds for generations to come.
ADF was
started by P.E.I. (Isaac) Bonewits, known in the Neopagan community as an
author (Real Magic, The Druid Chronicles Evolved, Authentic Thaumaturgy),
editor, teacher, polytheologian, activist, priest and bard. He has been a
Neopagan Druid for nearly twenty years and has dedicated his life to reviving
Druidism as a modern, healthy, "Third Wave" religion capable of protecting and
preserving Mother Nature and all Her children.
As a
member of ADF, you'll be able to communicate with hundreds of others
interested in Druidism, join local congregations (called "groves") of fellow
Druids, attend regional gatherings, and enroll (if you wish) in the toughest
Neopagan clergy training program in existance. The Membership and Networking
Form that you'll fill out will give you the chance to list all the research
areas, arts, skills and interests you have that you'd enjoy sharing with other
members. You'll also be able to tell us what your concerns and priorities are,
and how you think ADF should focus energies.
"News From
the Mother Grove" comes out every other month and announces ADF policies,
local grove activities, lectures and other appearances by the Archdruid,
modifications to the study program, etc. It's kept very short and news
oriented.
"The ADF
Membership Directory" comes out once a year and lists the names and mailing
addresses of every member who has given us permission to publish his/her
information. It also includes data on who is interested in what activities,
research fields, and arts, so that the members can form guilds, research
networks, and special interest groups of all kinds.
"The
Druid's Progress" comes out twice a year (Gods willing). Part of every issue
is articles, essays, songs, and rituals by the Archdruid, and the rest is
similar materials produced by the members, including comments on preceding
issues, plus occasional items of special value reprinted from other
publications. Any member can submit from two to eight pages of camera-ready
copy, following the rules printed in each issue. At this point issues are
running 70-120 pages each. Back issues are available and are highly
recommended if you want to understand the continuing conversations, critques,
and debates between the members in each issue.
"The Grove
Organizer's Handbook" is available to all members wishing to organize a grove
in their area. It contains legal information, organizational rules and advice,
sample ads and notices you can use to attract new members, etc.
More than
400 people have joined ADF, making us the largest Neopagan Druid organization
in the world. We have legal status as a Nonprofit Religious Association,
however, donations are not yet tax deductable. Groves and protogroves are
being organized all over the USA. Songbooks, informational pamphlets, a
polytheological dictionary, and other Druidic publications are in the works.
Regional gatherings are being held at the solstices and equinoxes. In short,
although our longrange approach is "as fast as an oak tree", we're growing
more rapidly than any of us expected. So ask yourself - why not excellence?
An
application for membership and further information can be obtained by sending
a SASE (Self Addressed Stamped Envelope enclosed) with your request to:
ADF
PO Box 516
E.
Syracuse, NY
13057
The
Bard and the Poser.
by Sia
Over the
years, I have seen a set of character traits in action which effect our
community in ways that are both positive and negative. This archetypal set is:
The
Bard and the Poser.
The
strength of the Bard is that of brilliant story teller, learned advocate,
truthful historian, imaginative teacher, wise counselor and creative artist.
From song writers to programmers, within groups and as solitaries, our people
use this Companion archetype to create in many ways and forms. Bards inspire
others to reach for their fullest potential and they show us how to tap into
our creative being.
The Bard
archetype is honorable, trustworthy and truthful. This Companion has the
necessary talents and skills to perform well on a variety of Life's stages.
When in effect, the Bard shows our community to best advantage.
The Shadow
Side of the Bard is the Poser, the Con Artist, and the Liar. This Shadow
re-writes our personal and collective history so that we always appear to be
wiser, kinder and greater than we really are. This part likes to put the blame
for our bad behavior on the other person, on circumstance or on the culture at
large. It tends to give us far too much credit for what we have accomplished
and is not grateful to those who have helped along the way.
Where the
Bard sees abundance, the Poser sees lack. Where the Bard offers friendship,
the Poser uses people. The Poser is that part that excuses, rationalizes,
evades, forgets, and denies.
The Bard
takes pride in work well done. This side knows it takes effort, training,
practice, polishing, reworking and learning in order to create. The Bard sees
both the big picture and the details and knows that life and art are best
defined as works in progress. A true Bard is always willing to learn from
others who are more skilled and experienced than they are. The Bard is
original, the Poser copies. What a Bard creates, a Poser steals.
The Bard
strives towards excellence and honors it in others. The Poser is only
concerned with showing off. The Poser has an ego like a gouty toe and can only
see others as mirrors that reflects their image, thus this archetype's
dependence on the opinions of others. The Poser cannot take criticism of any
kind, no matter how well informed, positive or helpful it may be. The Poser is
full of envy for the skills and the gifts that others possess but is unwilling
to do what it takes to obtain those skills or to earn respect. The Bard wants
to learn, the Poser wants to appear learned. The Bard knows that it takes hard
work to achieve a goal. The Poser wants to wear the laurels before the race
even begins. The Bard wishes to earn the respect of peers and is not concerned
with the opinions of the crowd. The Poser is more concerned with looking good
than in being good.
The Bard
knows an essential truth about Earthwise Spirituality. It's this: "If our word
is no good in this world, then it is no good in the Other World" (1). The
Poser cannot tell the truth without embellishment or lies directly. The Poser
re-writes history to make itself look like the hero and it's word cannot be
trusted. The Poser has no real power, in either world, as a result.
When a
Bard suffers a setback, this part knows that it must learn from mistakes and
move forward. The Poser does not know the difference between making a mistake
and being a mistake. Rather than learn from mistakes, this part simply tries
to hide them. A Poser prefers to stay in a rut and whines to all who will
listen. The Bard has learned compassion and moves forward with new strength
and wisdom.
Over the
years, I've watched our community struggle with the Bard and the Poser as we
interact with each other and with the outside world. These two sides come
forward most often when we write our history, teach, form Circles or attempt
to organize. The Bard brings us together, the Poser tears us apart.
The key to
avoiding the Poser lies in being honest about our motives, our abilities and
our history. Telling our truth and listening to the truth that others might
tell us can both hurt and heal. It's risky, it's humbling and it's very
difficult. It can cost us friends and it can mean we have to say "I'm sorry".
Not telling our truth or lying to make ourselves look good or to keep those
friends, keeps us stuck in a dysfunctional tar pit of resentment, denial and
ill feeling. It's much better to deal with the muck and the mess and to pull
ourselves free of it while we can.
Remember
this: there are always three truths to any conflict: Yours, the other person's
and the real deal. You won't get up and out to the greater truth, without
knowing the other two. You can try climbing out, using only your truth as a
support, but it's like trying to climb a ladder with only one side. Sooner or
later, you'll slip and fall back into the muck.
Ultimately, what we learn from telling the truth and acknowledging these
archetypes is up to us. Thus the need for a spiritual practice that teaches
Consciousness, Choices and Cause and Effect.
A lovely
example of this comes to us in Terry Practchett's latest children's book
titled Wee Free Men (link).
A witch named Miss Tick gives a young girl named Tiffany some free advice:
"Are
you listening?"
"Yes,"
said Tiffany.
"Good.
Now... if you trust in yourself."
"Yes?"
"and
follow your star." Miss Tick went on.
'Yes?"
"You'll
still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning
things and weren't so lazy. Good-bye."
Wishing us
all the courage to look at our Shadow sides and the wisdom to make right
choices.
Sia
(1)
This wisdom comes from a Librarian Bard named Rowan Fairgrove
Bio:
Sia is Council Leader for Full Circle:
http://www.fullcircleevents.org.
She can be reached for comment at
info@fullcircleevents.org
