r/druidism

I'd like to get an idea of the range of beliefs people have about Deity on here, though it won't be a scientific survey. Soft and hard polytheism, pantheism, animism, agnosticism/atheism, deism, monotheism, or other?
How many of these fit within Paganism?

I've long leaned toward some form of polytheism and pantheism, but lately also feel inclined to think that there may have been a first or ultimate cause for even a cyclic Universe. I don't interpret that Source as a personal god, so it's more like deism. This would help me to explain an origin for Awen, Nwyfre, souls, consciousness, and the Otherworld.

Hello!

I have scottish and Welsh ancestery, but I grew up in Yorkshire in the North West of England. I would like to know if anyone has any book reccomendations linked to the folklore and practices of these places.

I have also read a few beginner books like Earth magic by Scott Cunigham and the Green Witches Handbook. I've watched some Youtube channles also and historical documentaries on the celts and druids. But I wondered if anyone had any books they could reccomend for going abit deeper into the craft, about spellcrafting and especially circle casting would be a great help.

Let's get in sync with what's going on outside. What's blooming—or down for the season? What birds are active? Do you have any gardening going? Let's chat about it!

Reddit suggested that I share a post I made where I explained that I redefined my belief of lycanthropy while introducing myself.

So I am here to ask and introduce myself here as well and see what happens and what people say and stuff.

I don't understand druidism or know if it is more of a set pagan religion or is an open term like animism and theist. Is it?

I won't go into it too much but lycan in a more realistic sense to me would just be a person who can kinda "shift" their mindset and be more in touch with their animal side n stuff. There's obviously more to it but yeah. What are we thinking?

It's okay either way, and I'll take comments with a grain of salt.

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to better understand where the idea of soul contracts, soul agreements, or pre-birth planning comes from, especially in relation to Druidic and shamanic beliefs.

By “soul contracts,” I mean the belief that before birth, the soul in some way pre-selects or agrees to certain life experiences, such as suffering, family, trauma, relationships, challenges, or major life lessons, for the sake of growth, healing, karma, or spiritual development.

I know that neither Druidry nor shamanism is one single unified religion with one universal creed, so I’m not assuming everyone believes the same thing. But I wanted to ask people who are actually part of these communities:

Is there any universal or widely accepted belief among Druids/shamans that the soul chooses its major life circumstances before incarnation?

Or is this mostly a modern New Age idea that later became associated with some Druidic, pagan, animist, or neo-shamanic circles?

I’m also curious about the historical development of the idea. Does it come from:

1. ancient Druidic belief in reincarnation/transmigration of the soul?
2. Indigenous or shamanic beliefs about spirits, ancestors, reincarnation, or soul journeys?
3. Eastern religious ideas like karma and rebirth?
4. Theosophy, Spiritualism, or modern New Age movements?
5. Or some combination of all of these?

I’m asking respectfully because I’m trying to understand the difference between:

traditional beliefs about the soul surviving death or reincarnating, shamanic beliefs about soul journeys, ancestors, spirit worlds, or multiple souls, and the more specific claim that the soul intentionally chooses its suffering and life lessons before birth.

For those of you who practice or study these traditions, how do you personally understand this idea? Is it part of your path, rejected by your path, or treated as optional/speculative?

Thank you for any insight.

Hi all!

I have a question about welcoming in guidance from ancestors or spirit guides. I recently went to a Litha Faire and had a great Druid reading by a helpful and wonderful friend. She recommended that I speak with my ancestral guides, the Tuatha Dé Danann and call them in. Basically letting them know "hi I'm here and I'm ready to learn", and last weekend I knelt down in prayer and did just that.

I asked for guidance and told them I'm willing to hear them. That I want to know what they have to say. But.... I haven't heard anything. I will say I think I've had some animal signs! Like a hare and an endangered tortoise literally walking up my driveway and hanging out in my front porch. And a strange looking kitten. I've also been feeling a lot more rejuvenated by the nearby trees, and have wonderful conversations with them. I haven't had any earth shattering dreams, just my usual craziness that makes no sense. Like last night after a nightmare involving getting stuck in a three house culdesac with people approaching, I dreamt of a wild boar with a mohawk eating piglets, and a woman trying to rescue them. I told her to stand aside and let the boar do as it was meant to do. And then I spawned piglets like in Minecraft and dodged the boar. I literally don't see any symbolism there.

Anyways, I don't know what to listen for. It's not like I'm expecting words in my ears, but I don't know - I guess I'm expecting something more outward than my higher self? They say intuition whispers and anxiety screams. I've been working to unlock my psychic gifts, and it's slow going. Does anyone have any recommendations? I just sort of quietly prayed. Is there something I'm missing?

Came home from doing laundry to find a crow thrashing around my backyard with an injured wing and my favorite neighborhood cat ready to pick a fight it wasn't going to win easily. I managed to prevent the cat from getting to it, but the crow holed up in a bush and even with the help of a friend we just couldn't scare it out to grab it and get it to a care center, and it turns out it's actually very hard to find any sort of animal control help in NYC that doesn't cost more than I can afford to spend.

I really wanted to help this crow, but I feel like I can only leave it to the world's devices, and I fear the cat is going to get hurt too before it's all over.

UPDATE: I appreciate the words here. Even knowing what's been said before I posted, it is comforting to hear it said all the same. The crow is still alive, still in the yard, and still to wily to be caught. I've left out food and water and made a little sheltered tower which so far it hasn't used. Nothing much left to do but keep monitoring it, and maybe an opportunity will arise to catch it and bring it to a care center.

Most of my life, i felt felt this calling to nature and this sort of recognition of the inherent cycles that affect night everything in existence. Recently, i have grown spiritually as well, having recognized this sort of pull that i experienced as something more than mere enjoyment.

Now, I am looking for places I might connect more strongly, groves and community, though the monetary manner of many online groups seems a tad disconnecting to me. Ive enjoyed reading many resources, but now i seek to learn more from others.

Does anyone know of any groups or groves/nemeton in Michigan USA? Or perhaps any areas you have felt a specifically strong connection?

Hi everyone, I'm getting passionate about Druidism and, more than anything, I'd like to study to become an Ovate. Not through an online course, but perhaps through books and sites. Can you recommend some? Thanks in advance.

Hello Beautiful Souls! I hope all of you are doing well. I have been dabbling in photography to capture the birds I see. Going through my pictures I realized that the Cardinal has been making himself known the past few weeks. This is not an uncommon bird by any means, but it is not common for them to sit and pose while you awkwardly take pictures.

One big thing that the Cardinal represents is the Ancestors. It is common the southern United States for someone to connect seeing a Cardinal after a loved ones death, as that loved one coming to visit you. I have been focusing a lot on ancestor work and veneration along side my very folk magic based practice.

The Ancestors are letting you know that they are here and watching over you. You are not alone. They are on your side and the more that you honor and connect with them the stronger that relationship is.

Have you been seeing Cardinals? It could in your waking life, your dreams, or even in media. Let us know in the comments.

Hello everyone,

I recently came to Neo-Druidry through reading a book by John Michael Greer.

I am a solitary practitioner and consider myself very much at the beginning of this path.

Last night, my mother passed away at the age of 88, and I would like to understand how I might honor her passing with a ritual.

What struck me most is that she passed shortly after her birthday, which fell exactly on the night of Alban Heruin. I find that particularly meaningful and magical.

I know that our path is non-dogmatic, but I would be grateful if any of you, my brothers and sisters on the path, could offer some advice or inspiration.

I would be deeply thankful.

For now, considering the role of the Bard, I am thinking of writing a poem in her honor and then burning the paper on which I wrote it.

Thank you to anyone willing to share their thoughts or guidance. /|\

Hello all! I’m curious, does anyone have any experience with the Anglesey Druid Order, and if so, could you describe how it is similar or different to other Druid orders? I’m aware that the founder, Kristoffer Hughes, is part of OBOD, and am wondering how similar or different the two training programs are.