Druid = ?

[Quintessence]

When you hear the name or title "druid" what are some words and associations that come to mind for you? If someone were to identify themselves as a Druid, what do you think that would mean?

Note that I'm not asking for a fact-oriented response here; I'm looking for personal opinions. Any and all responses are welcome and encouraged. Think of it as a survey. You can discuss and debate the meaning of the term if you wish, but this is mostly for my own curiosity.

 

[Iti oj]

celts, nature, bards, ovates. oak ivy thorn elm ash etc lower and upperworld grove ohgam(langauge divination and god).... im a bit of a druid. it was one of my first full masks after i left the church it evolved into a more anamistic shamanistic thing i blame the book the celtic shaman. i need a new grove

 

[Iti oj]

the set up of the catholic church is erily reminiscent of the druidic hiarchy. with druids and arch druids etc even how the dress xp

 

[Gjallarhorn]

When I hear Druid, I think male Wiccan idiot. I believe the idiot portion came from a particularly bad writer who identified as a Druid, but I forget the name.

EDIT: Might have been Isaac Bonewits.

 

[Iti oj]

druids are not that similar to wiccan more close to shamanism. but i might be biased because i read the book celtic shaman

 

[Iti oj]

ehh i guess i see the similarities but thats like saying Judaism and Islam are the same.

 

[Maelstrom]

Human sacrifice.

 

[Iti oj]

Human sacrifice.

indeed but i think the same can be said of any priestly class

 

[Iti oj]

the britonians and germanic tribes too
edit and the saxons and the franks too i think.
and like i already said the celts

 

[Quintessence]

LOL... getting some interesting responses so far.

I enjoy Isaac Bonewitz. His writing style is... unique... but some of his works have been a great inspiration on my path, particularly his book "Real Magick" and its categorization of magical "laws." He also has a fantastic understanding of liturgy that I've found lacking in much of the rest of Neopaganism; heard a great talk of his once with Phaedra via a podcast. It was amazing.

I confess that when I hear druid, I tend to think about dungeons and dragons. I'm a gaming nerd, I know. >_>

 

[Iti oj]

malfurion stormrage

 

[Me Myself]

You said associations so:

Generaly imagine it with large white beard, kneeled near a bonfire and a wolf skin on top of it all.

Mostly associate it with nordic stuff, runes, etc.

Cookie points if he is missing one eye and has a pair of scars

Think heavily on elements and animal spirits mostly. That and nordic stuff as said.

the images above are from the game Diablo II (cause I am a religious geek in computer games too )

 

[Iti oj]

ohh yeah changing shapes as well

 

[Me Myself]

ohh yeah changing shapes as well

totally!

I loved the druid in Diablo II !

Then again, I loved all of them except amazoness and barbarian.

Great game

 

[Iti oj]

i liked necro and druid. haha i always wanted to roleplay a necrodruid sounds sweet. talk about balance druid huh? ahahaha

 

[ChristineES]

I hate to say it, but I think of Christmas trees and wreaths. I am not sure if it's true, but I heard the druids had something to do with those.

 

[Iti oj]

I hate to say it, but I think of Christmas trees and wreaths. I am not sure if it's true, but I heard the druids had something to do with those.

ive heard that too many times and i can see why people would say that :candle:

 

[Mister Emu]

When you hear the name or title "druid" what are some words and associations that come to mind for you?

Two divergent thoughts... I think of the ancient historians, scientists, magicians, and priests. I also think of RPGs.

If someone were to identify themselves as a Druid, what do you think that would mean?

Someone who has a faith somewhat based around nature and the occult, wants to associate with the ancients, but is separated in doctrine and praxis from the roots of the word.

 

[Iti oj]

Easter too

 

[Iti oj]

Stone hedge.