Druid Book.Pdf
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In 1649, English Scholars had found ancient Roman writings about the druids. When these documents were translated and written down there was only ten written pages. But the English had just finished their Civil War and was looking for a religion that was not dogmatic or materialistic. People started to investigate further to see if they could get any more information and this led to books being written by the scores. On November 28 1717, a group of twelve druid enthusiasts met at the Apple Tree Tavern in London England and they started the Ancient Druid Order which was the first Druid Order of modern times. This started the Druid Revival. Some of these modern druids came trying to change Christianity into a less dogmatic religion. Others like John Toland believed in pantheism or that the universe was alive. You had a third group like William Stukeley who believed that Druidic meditation and mysticism could be applied to Christianity. These people were called Latitudinarian Christians. So we of the Order of Drui are a Neo-Druidic Order Chapter I: Three Rays of Light Einigen the Giant, who was the first of all beings and saw three rays of light coming down from the heavens. The three rays represented the true name of the god Celi, the hidden spirit of live that created all things. In the three rays were all the knowledge that ever was or will be. Einigen took three rowan staves and carved all the knowledge on them in straight and slanted lines. Instead of reading the staves, others misunderstood and worshipped them as gods. Einigen was so mad that he burst apart. A year and a day later, Menw discovered Einigen’s skull with three rowan staves and they had taken root inside it and grown out the mouth. He learned to read the writing that was on them and became famous for his wisdom. This story is the origin myth for the Druid Revival and it represents Awen(Ah-Oh-En) which is the heart of Druidic teaching and it means illumination, spirit, and inspiration. The tale of Einigen is a myth. The two important things about myths are its meaning and what it teaches regardless of whether it happened or who wrote it. Druids have an important saying which says, “The truth against the world.” This means that individual truth is more important than what society says is true. The Three Rays also represents the first rays of the sun at Summer Solstice, Equinox, and Winter Solstice. Another meaning of the myth happens each year when the Sun comes up at its three primary positions on the easter horizon: southeast at midwinter, northeast at midsummer, due east at Spring and Fall. The Three Rays can each be defined. The first ray is named Gwron(goo- Ron) and symbolizes the sun at its lowest point at the winter solstice. Gwron also is the knowledge of Awen. The second ray is named Plennydd(Plen-nith) and it symbolizes the sun at is highest power at midsummer. Plennydd also is the power of Awen. The final ray is named Alawn(AH-lon) and it symbolizes the sun at its balance, midway through the year. Alawn is the peace of Awen. The Priestly ranks of Druidism also can be linked to the Three Rays. Ovates, which is the first rank, deals with the living power of the spiritual realms and this coincides with Plennydd. Bards, which is the second rank, keeps the knowledge of the past and this coincides with Gwron. Druid, which is the last rank,, unites knowledge and power and this coincides with Alawn. Chapter II: The Three Circles of Manifestation The Druids teach their students that the human soul goes on a journey through three levels of being. These three levels are: Abred, Gwynfydd, and Ceugant. Abred(AH-bred) is the first level. This is the realm of plants and animal life. The newly formed souls start out as single celled life forms. When the souls have mastered all the lessons they require then they move up to the next complex life form.. Us humans are the most complex life form in Abred. According to law, humans must know all, see all and suffer all. Druids are well aware that plants and animals die a painful death. The Second level is Gwynfydd(GWIN-vuth) which is the afterlife. At this level the human soul remembers its journey through Abred. Each soul learns to express its own Awen, memories, and perceptions of the universe. The soul begins to traverse the different circles of Gwynfydd and eventually be able to take it places among the Mighty Ones. No other faith goes into as much depth about the afterlife as the Druids. Gwynfyddth is not the last stage of the soul’s journey. The last stage of the soul’s journey is Ceugant(KYE-gant). This is infinity itself and it extends above Gwynfyddth and no matter how much knowledge or power you gain you can never attain this level. These concepts can also apply within a single life or moment. As human beings we are constantly making a choice between past and Present. Abred is the past, stationary and impossible to move. Gwynfydd is the Present always flowing and changing. Ceugant is the unpredictable future always being shaped by Abred and Gwynfydd. Fate is Abred, Will is Gwynfydd and destiny is Ceugant. The Druid Elements and Druid Ritual Nwyfre (NOOiv-ruh)- In old Welsh this means heaven or sky. Today this means sky to us modern druids. To compare it to the Circle of Manifestation, Nwyfre would be Ceugant. As an element, Nwyfre is the source of life and consciousness and we sometimes just call it the life force. Nwyfre exists in two different forms. The first form comes from the Sun and fills the Earth’s atmosphere and moves downward. It is the strongest at dawn and noon. At higher elevations, this energy is stronger and is the reason why monks choose to live high in the mountains. This is called the Solar Current. Nwyfre from the Earth moves up through the stone and soil. It is strong around green plants, especially trees, and wherever water flows from beneath the Earth; holy wells and springs blaze with it. This is called the Telluric Current. The nature symbol that represents Nwyfre is sky. Gwyar(GOO-yar)- Today it means fluid or flow. This is the word to represent water. It symbol is running water. To compare it to the Circle of Manifestation, Gwyar would be Gwynfydd. As an element, Gwyar is the source of motion, change, growth, and decay. Calas(CAH-lass)-It means Solidity. This is the element land. Its symbol is stone. To compare it to the Circle of Manifestation it would be Abred. It is the source of form, differentiation, manifestation, and stability. Druid Ritual 1. Walk around to the North side of altar and face South and raise your right palm and say: I am about to open a Grove of Druids. The first duty of a druid is to make sure there is peace in the quarters. Take the salt and start in the North and say: I proclaim peace in the North. Walk clock wise around the outside of the Grove and then bless everyone by sprinkling their feet with salt. Put back on Altar. Take the incense and start in the East and say: I proclaim peace in the East. Walk clock wise around the outside of the Grove and then bless everyone with the smoke. Put back on Altar. Walk to the south and light the candle and say: I proclaim peace in the South. Take the water bottle and start in the West and say: I proclaim peace in the West. Walk clock wise around the Grove spraying and then bless everyone with spray. Put back on Altar. 2. Now say: There is peace in the quarters now our working may began. 3. Have everyone present say the Gorsedd Prayer: Grant, O holy ones, thy protection; And in protection, strength; And in strength, understanding; And in understanding, knowledge; And in knowledge, the knowledge of justice; And in the knowledge of justice, the love of it; And in that love, the love of all existences; And in the love of all existences, the love of Earth our mother and all goodness. 4. Meditation about the meaning of the Holy Day 5. Invoke god/dess 6. offering 7. pass chalice 8. thanks for blessing of god/dess 9. Close the Grove by saying: I am closing the Grove of Druids. I return all energy back to Mother Earth. Namaste. 8 High Holiday Rituals Samhain Senior Druid Walks around to the North side of altar and face South and raise your right palm and says: I am about to open a Grove of Druids. The first duty of a druid is to make sure there is peace in the quarters. Druid of Land Take the salt and start in the North and say: I proclaim peace in the North. Walk clock wise around the outside of the Grove and then bless everyone by sprinkling their feet with salt. Put back on Altar. Druid of Sky Take the incense and start in the East and say: I proclaim peace in the East. Walk clock wise around the outside of the Grove and then bless everyone with the smoke. Put back on Altar. Druid of Flame Walk to the south and light the candle and say: I proclaim peace in the South. Druid of Sea Take the water bottle and start in the West and say: I proclaim peace in the West.