| reproduced with permission
�1992 �r nDra�ocht F�in
What Is �r nDra�ocht F�in?
The full name of our association is �r nDra�ocht F�in: A Druid Fellowship, Inc.
The first half of it, pronounced "arn ree-ocht fane," is Irish for "Our Own
Druidism," and that's what ADF is -- an independent tradition/denomination of
Neopagan Druidism. Neopagan Druids, like our sisters and brothers in the other
Neopagan movements, are polytheistic Nature worshipers, attempting to revive
the best aspects of the Paleopagan faiths of our ancestors and/or predecessors
within a modern scientific, artistic, ecological, and holistic context. Like
our namesakes the original Druids, we're people who believe in excellence --
physically, intellectually, artistically, and spiritually. We don't make any
false claims about an "unbroken line" going back to the Stone Age, nor insist
that we're the only "real" Neopagan Druids -- just (we think) the best.
Who started ADF?
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 over twenty years, having been ordained a priest in the
Reformed Druids of North America in 1969. He 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.
What is ADF doing?
We're designing and performing competent magical and religious ceremonies to
change ourselves and the world we live in, including regular public worship of
the Old Gods and Goddesses, as well as rites of passage. 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
researching and expanding sound modern scholarship (instead of romantic
fantasies) about the ancient Celts, Norse, Slavs, Balts, Greeks, Romans,
Vedics, and other Indo-European peoples, in order to reconstruct what the Old
Religions really were. We're working on the development of genuine skills in
composition and presentation in the musical, dramatic, graphic, textile, and
other arts. We're creating a nonsexist, nonracist, organic, flexible, and
publicly accessible religion to practice as a way of life, and to hand on to
our grandchildren. We're integrating ecological awareness, alternate healing
arts, and psychic development into our daily activities. We're holding regional
festivals to help our members meet, study, pray, and play together with other
like-minded folks. We're actively preparing for the day when Neopagan religions
will be part of the mainstream culture, with large congregations meeting at
temples and sacred groves throughout the Western world.
Sounds great, but what if I'm not Irish?
You don't have to be. Despite the Irish name for our organization and the use
of the Celtic term for clergy ("druids"), we're Pan-Indo-European in all our
interests. Our members come from a wide variety of ancestries, including
European, Native American, and African. We have no time or sympathy for racist
nonsense or cultural bigotry. If you're sincerely interested in any of the old
Indo-European cultures and its deities, arts, and customs, then you're welcome
in our ranks.
What's ADF's relationship to Wicca?
The Wiccan or Neopagan Witchcraft movement includes the vast majority of the
50,000 to 200,000 people involved in Neopaganism. About three-quarters of our
membership are or have been followers of Wicca, including a sizable number of
Wiccan priests and priestesses who are using our study program to improve their
clergy skills. The primary differences between ADF and Wicca are these: ADF is
polytheistic, large-group oriented, and public. Wicca is duotheistic,
small-group oriented, and private. Since the Archdruid of ADF is also an
initiated Wiccan priest, it's clear to us that the two religions have far more
in common than they have separating them (see What Do Neopagan Druids Believe?
for details). Wiccan covens can function as special interest groups within
larger ADF groves, along with bardic, healing, ecological, divinitory, and
other groups.
Do you have to be male to be a Druid?
Despite the stereotypes of the ancient Druids as having been long-bearded
patriarchs, you didn't have to be a man to be a Druid back then and you don't
need to be one now. Half of the membership of ADF is female and women hold half
of the positions of power in the organization. We have deliberately chosen to
make gender and affectional preferences irrelevant to participation in ADF. As
worshipers of the Earth Mother, we can do no less. In fact, our primary
religious symbol, "the Druid Sigil," represents Her.
Didn't the ancient Druids do human sacrifice?
Yes, it's true. But then, so did the clergy of almost every other religion in
human history, including the monotheistic ones. Neopagan Druids are forbidden
to practice human or animal sacrifice in our rituals. Instead, we offer the
Goddesses and Gods flowers, fruits, wine, music, song, drama, prayer, and --
most important of all -- our love. The deities seem to find it more than
sufficient.
Any special holidays?
We celebrate the turning of the Wheel of the Year by observing the solstices
and the equinoxes, as well as the halfway points between -- the great fire
festivals of our European predecessors. Some groves also celebrate the various
phases of the moon, or the beginnings and endings of various hunting, fishing,
and agricultural seasons.
What can I do as a member of ADF?
As a member of ADF, you'll be able to communicate with hundreds of others
interested in Druidism, organize or join local congregations (known as
"groves"), attend regional gatherings, and enroll (if you wish) in the toughest
Neopagan clergy training program in existence. 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 personal priorities
are, how you think ADF should focus its energies, and what sorts of related
volunteer work you're ready to perform.
What exactly is an ADF grove?
An ADF grove is any group of three or more paid members of ADF over the age of
18, who live in the same general geographical area, who gather together at
least twice a month to study and practice Druidism within the context of
�r nDra�ocht F�in, and who are chartered by the Mother Grove (the Board of
Directors) of ADF as a local congregation. An ADF grove provides open worship
ceremonies, study groups for various Druidic arts and sciences, fellowship,
hard work, and lots of fun. Any member of ADF can start a "protogrove" just by
asking. All groves and protogroves are listed in our publications on a regular
basis, making it easy for other members to contact you. See The ADF Grove
Organizer's Handbook for more details, or contact the Registrar.
What are your publications?
News from the Mother Grove comes out every other month to announce ADF
policies, local grove activities, lectures and other appearances by the
Archdruid, highlights of the Board of Directors' meetings, reports by various
committees, contact and research requests by the members, etc. It's usually
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, as well as 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. It also includes current
versions of the By-Laws and financial reports for the preceding year.
The Druids' Progress comes out twice a year (Gods willing -- Neopagan
publishing, like all small press activity, tends to be unpredictable). Contents
include scholarly articles, polytheological essays, ceremonial and satirical
songs, ritual scripts, etc., by the Archdruid, the members, and various
well-known scholars and authors; plus comments on previous issues and
occasional items of special value reprinted from other publications. DP is a
high quality magazine in looks and content, and is distributed to local
metaphysical stores throughout North America. Back issues are currently
out-of-print and will be replaced by a single anthology of issues #1-5, now in
production.
The ADF 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,
liturgical outlines, etc.
We also offer various books, lecture tapes, song tapes, ritual scripts, and
other educational materials, as well as t-shirts, sigil pendants, and other
items designed to increase each member's sense of participation.
What about higher training?
The ADF interdisciplinary study system of circles within circles was first
published in DP#2. Since then, we have expanded what was originally a program
for clergy training into one that will provide college level training for other
non-clergy leaders needed in the Neopagan community: bards, healers, diviners,
brehons, counselors, and other specialists. Our current Preceptor is
redesigning the over-all system to fit within the patterns of accredited
alternative universities, so that eventually we will be able to grant our Third
Circle clergy, bards, etc., real college degrees.
How do I join?
You join by filling out our Membership & Networking Form, giving us the
information we need to put you in touch with other Druids who share your
interests, and enclosing an appropriate donation. We have several membership
categories, with different requested donation levels:
Regular (publications sent via Bulk Mail) $25 year
Regular (First Class, Canada/Mexico) $35 year
Regular (Other Foreign, Airmail) $45 year
Family (nonsubscribing) $10 year
Exchange Editor (nonsubscribing) $10 year
Prisoner (sliding scale, FC mail) $5-35 year
Supporting $100 year
Sustaining $250 year
Lifetime Individual $750
Lifetime Family (nonsubscribing) $250
Regular, Supporting, Sustaining, or Lifetime Membership entitles you to receive
the bimonthly News from the Mother Grove, the annual Membership Directory, our
semi-annual journal, The Druids' Progress, discounts at various ADF sponsored
events, and frequent urgings to engage in hard work. Prisoners generally
receive all our publications except the Membership Directory, though they are
listed in it. Regular or Lifetime Family Members do not receive additional
mailings of our regular publications. Members who are editors of Neopagan
publications we exchange subscriptions with don't receive extra copies of the
News or DP.
Where does our money go?
Non-earmarked donations go into the General Fund. From there, regular
percentages are transferred into special funds to pay for publication costs,
postage, phone bills, office equipment and supplies, research costs, charitable
works, travel expenses, and (if anything is left over) the support of the
Archdruid. A special Land Fund was started in 1991 c.e. to save money to
eventually purchase land and buildings for our own College of Druidism. You
can, of course, send us an earmarked donation for any particular one of our
activities you would like to give extra support to.
Anything else?
ADF may be the largest Neopagan Druid organization in the world. We have legal
status from the state of Delaware as a Nonprofit Corporation and tax-exempt
status is being sought. Copies of our By-Laws, minutes of Board meetings, and
financial reports are available upon request. Groves and protogroves are being
organized all over the USA and Canada. Songbooks, informational pamphlets, an
expanded study manual and bibliography, and other Druidic publications are in
the works. In short, although our long-range approach is "as fast as a speeding
oak tree," we're growing more rapidly than any of us ever expected. So ask
yourself -- WHY NOT EXCELLENCE?
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| reproduced with permission
copyright �P.E.I. Bonewits
What Do Neopagan Druids Believe?
by Isaac Bonewits
Archdruid, �r nDra�ocht F�in
Part One: Common Neopagan Beliefs
There are many different denominations (or "traditions") within the Neopagan
community. We in �r nDra�ocht F�in: A Druid Fellowship, Inc. ("ADF") share the
following beliefs with most other Neopagan traditions":
We believe that divinity is both immanent (internal) and transcendent
(external), with immanence being far more important for us to pay attention to.
Deities can manifest at any point in space or time which They might choose,
including within human beings, through the processes known as "inspiration,"
"channeling," and "possession."
We believe that divinity is as likely to manifest in a female form as it is in
a male form, and that the word "Goddess" makes just as much sense as "God."
Women and men are spiritually equal, and "masculine" and "feminine" attitudes,
values, and roles are of equal importance.
We believe in a multiplicity of gods and goddesses, most (some would say all)
of Whom are likely to be worthy of respect, love and worship. We have a wide
variety of nonexclusive concepts as to the nature of these deities.
We believe that it is necessary to have a respect and love for Nature as divine
in Her own right, and to accept ourselves as a part of Nature and not as Her
"rulers." Many of us accept what has come to be known as "the Gaia hypothesis,"
that the biosphere of our planet is a living being, Who is due all the love and
support that we, Her children, can give Her. We consider ecological awareness
and activism to be sacred duties.
We believe in accepting the positive aspects of Western science and technology,
but in maintaining an attitude of wariness towards the supposed ethical
neutrality of that science and technology.
We believe that monolithic religious organizations and would-be messiahs and
supergurus are a hindrance to spiritual growth. We believe that healthy
religions should have a minimum amount of dogma and a maximum amount of
eclecticism and flexibility. As ADF practices it, Neopagan Druidism is an
organic religion, and like all other organisms can be expected to grow, change
and produce offshoots as the years go by.
We believe that ethics and morality should be based upon joy, self-love and
mutual respect, the avoidance of actual harm to others, and the increase of
public benefit. We try to balance people's needs for personal autonomy and
growth with the necessity of paying attention to the impact of each
individual's actions on the lives and welfare of others.
We believe that it's difficult for ordinary humans to commit offenses against
the Gods and Goddesses, short of major crimes such as ecocide or genocide. Our
deities are perfectly capable of defending Their own honor without any need for
us to punish people for "blasphemy" or "heresy."
We believe that human beings were meant to lead lives filled with joy, love,
pleasure, beauty and humor. Most Neopagans are fond of food, drink, music, sex,
and bad puns, and consider all of these (except possibly the puns) to be of
spiritual value.
We believe that with proper training, art, discipline and intent, human minds
and hearts are fully capable of performing most of the magic and miracles they
are ever likely to need. Magical/miraculous acts are done through the use of
what most of us perceive as natural (some say "divinely granted") psychic
talents.
We believe that there is an art and a science to creating, preparing and
performing worship rituals. Our worship celebrations are continually evolving
as we search for the most intellectually satisfying, artistically beautiful,
spiritually powerful, and magically effective rites possible.
We believe in the importance of celebrating the solar, lunar and other cycles
of our lives. We consciously observe the solstices, equinoxes and the points in
between, as well as the phases of the moon. Such "rites of intensification" are
human universals, as are the various ceremonies known as "rites of passage" --
celebrations of birth, puberty, personal dedication to a given deity or group,
marriage, ordination, death, etc. Together these various sorts of observations
help us to find ourselves in space and time.
Many of us believe in some sort of afterlife, usually based on the
Spiritualist pattern: rest and recovery in a "Summerland" before reincarnating.
Thus you do not escape your obligations by dying, but merely postpone them.
We believe that people have the ability to solve their current problems, both
personal and public, and to create a better world. Our utopian vision, tempered
with common sense, leads us to a strong commitment to personal and global
growth, evolution and balance.
We believe that people can progress far towards achieving personal growth,
evolution and balance through the carefully planned alteration of their "normal"
states of consciousness. We use both ancient and modern methods of
concentration, meditation, reprogramming and ecstasy.
We believe that human interdependence implies community service. Some of us
are active in political, social, ecological and charitable organizations, while
others prefer to work for the public good primarily through spiritual means
(and many of us do both).
We believe that if we are to achieve any of our goals, we must practice what
we preach. Neopaganism, like any other religion, should be a way of life, not
merely a weekly of monthly social function. So we must always strive to make
our lives consistent with our proclaimed beliefs.
Part Two: The Vision of �r nDra�ocht F�in
What makes ADF different from other Neopagan traditions? Here is how I see it:
In ADF we believe that excellence in scholarship is vitally important. The
Goddesses and Gods do not need us to tell lies on their behalf, nor can we
understand the ways of our Paleopagan predecessors by indulging in romantic
fantasies, no matter how "politically correct" or emotionally satisfying they
might be. So we promote no tall tales of universal matriarchies, of Stonehenge
being built by Druid magic, nor of the ancient Druids originally having been
shamanic crystal-masters from Atlantis. We do not whitewash the occasional
barbarism of our predecessors, nor exaggerate it. We use real archeology, real
history and real comparative mythology -- and we're willing to change our
opinions when new information becomes available, even if it destroys our pet
theories. This approach is unique in the history of Druidic revivals and is
extremely rare in the Neopagan community.
In ADF we also believe that artistic excellence is important, both in ritual
and outside of it. The Gods and Goddesses deserve the very best that we can
give them, so we encourage our members to develop their creative skills to the
highest levels that each can attain. Our bards, painters, woodcarvers,
needle-workers, and liturgists are among the best in the Neopagan community.
In ADF we believe that excellence in clergy training and practice is vital
for any healthy, growing religion. To that end we are attempting to create a
professional clergy training program equal in difficulty and superior in
results to anything done by the world's other religions. Unlike many alternate
religions, we will never have "instant initiations" into our clergy. Nor do we
assume that every member of our religion will have a genuine vocation to the
clergy, though it's likely that a high proportion will for the first couple of
decades. Instead we expect that eventually the vast majority of our people will
be laity.
Nonetheless, everyone is expected to communicate with the Goddesses and Gods
in her or his own way -- spiritual growth is not a monopoly of the clergy.
Every human being needs to learn how to contact the divine fire within, how to
talk with trees, and how to unleash the power of magic to save the Earth. If
there is such a thing as "spiritual excellence," we need to be striving to
express that as well.
Naturally, we believe that liturgical excellence is rooted in these other
forms of excellence. Sound scholarship (especially historical and
mythological), beautiful art, genuinely competent clergy, and people who are
ready, willing, and able to channel divine energies are all crucial to creating
the powerful religious and magical ceremonies that we and the Earth so
desperately need.
We have two mottoes that we've been using so far. The first is based on the
ideas just described: "Why not excellence?" This emphasis on excellence as a
goal makes us both unique and controversial within the Neopagan community.
Although some folks think that such an emphasis "isn't democratic," we feel
that divine immanence implies that everyone has something they are good at (you
just need to contact the deities within you and channel their creative power).
However, our second motto -- "As fast as a speeding oak tree!" -- serves to
remind us all that the achievement of excellence takes time.
I've already officially declared the first Druidic dogma: the Doctrine of
Archdruidic Fallibility. No one in ADF, not even the Archdruid, has all the
answers. We make no claims of handing down an "authentic" unbroken tradition
from the past, and have very strong doubts about any other group that makes
such claims. Thus we are free to evolve our systems within the organic
structures already created, adapting them as necessary to suit the needs of
coming generations. We're also free to make a lot of mistakes in the process (a
freedom we've already taken advantage of). Every member of ADF has both the
opportunity and the obligation to contribute her or his best to the adventure.
I believe that Neopaganism is eventually going to become a mainstream
religious movement, with hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of members,
and that this will be A Good Thing, both for the individuals involved and for
the survival of the Earth Mother. Neopaganism is riding the crest of the "baby
boom." Many people who grew up in the 60's and 70's are discovering us at about
the same time that they are realizing both the desperate state of our planet
and the eternal relevance of our youthful ideals. Membership in the Neopagan
community is quietly growing at a geometric rate, both through word of mouth
and the many do-it-yourself books now available, giving us an ever-greater
impact on the mainstream culture as a whole.
All these Neopagans are going to need publicly accessible worship,
teaching, counseling, and healing. Within thirty years I expect to see indoor
temples and/or sacred groves throughout North America and Europe, staffed by
full-time paid professional clergy. They'll provide the full range of needed
services to the Neopagan community, with no more "corruption" than the
Unitarians, the Buddhists, or the Quakers experience. I see globally televised
Samhain rites at Stonehenge, and Beltane ceremonies attended by thousands in
every major city. I see Neopagan clergy taking part as equals in international
religious conferences with clergy from other faiths. I see our children wearing
pentacles, Druid Sigils, and Thor Hammers to school as easily as others now
wear crosses, Stars of David, or Hands of Fatima.
I see talented and well trained Neopagan clergy leading thousands of people
in effective magical and mundane actions to save endangered species, stop
polluters, and preserve wilderness. I see our healers saving thousands of lives
and our bards inspiring millions through music and video concerts and dramas. I
see Neopaganism as a mass religion, changing social, political, and
environmental attitudes around the world and stopping the death-mongers in
their tracks.
This vision is very different from that of most current Neopagans, who are
focused on small groups as their ideal. Those small groups will always be an
essential part of the Neopagan religious community, operating both within and
apart from larger organizations, just as their equivalents have throughout
human history. As I see it, the future of Neopaganism will require a wide
variety of different group sizes, structures, and ritual styles. To lose any of
the currently existing approaches risks impoverishing our spiritual "gene
pool." So we're not out to "replace" other Neopagan traditions, even though we
think that we have something unique and wonderful to share with the world.
Doing that sharing requires "going public," something that many Neopagan
traditions have been reluctant to do. Granted, it may remain necessary for
another decade or two for some Neopagans to remain in hiding wherever
fundamentalist hate is rampant. Even for those of us in publically-oriented
Neopagan groups, it will take courage and caution for us to safely "come from
the shadows." Yet if we can follow the lessons learned by the civil rights
movements of our generation, we can eventually have full freedom to practice
our beliefs. Accepting and encouraging our community's growth while avoiding
missionary fever will be a vital tool in achieving that task.
I believe that ADF has an important role to play in the future of Neopaganism
and the survival of the Earth. Already, other Neopagan traditions are imitating
our training program, our liturgical techniques, and our emphasis on the arts.
If we can attract enough people who are willing to dedicate their time, energy,
and money to achieving these goals, the vision can be manifested. We can save
the Earth Mother, create a global culture of prosperity and freedom, and usher
in a genuine "New Age."
Membership in ADF means supporting and working towards the vision. We believe
that together we can do it. But we're going to need as many co-conspirators as
possible. If this vision excites you, share it with your friends and family.
Then become part of our future. WHY NOT EXCELLENCE?
The first part of the above material is condensed from an article that appeared
in The Druids' Progress #1, the semi-annual journal of A.D.F., and was itself
the result of fifteen years worth of revisions. The second part is from an
article in D.P.#6. Both parts are �P.E.I. Bonewits.
For more information about Neopaganism, read Margot Adler's classic book:
Drawing Down the Moon.
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