Читать книгу 366 Celt: A Year and A Day of Celtic Wisdom and Lore - Carl McColman - Страница 28

Neopagan (“new pagan”) druidry is a creative spiritual force, combining knowledge of myth and folklore with a body of ritual designed to honor the earth and celebrate community. Leaders of neopagan druids speculate on the spirituality of polytheism and pantheism for today, and consider the implications of deep, nature mysticism for today’s urbanized society. Of course, not everyone with an interest in Celtic matters will embrace the new druidism, if for no other reason than the ongoing vitality of the Christian faith, especially in Ireland and North America. In some ways, the druids of old really are lost—druidism has not been an independent and socially influential intellectual or philosophical movement for at least 1500 years. But the attempts at reviving druidism, even as a minority cultural or spiritual movement, speak to the ongoing need for Celtic wisdom—even if its influence is marginal rather than mainstream.

In thinking about druidism for today and tomorrow, bear in mind what the word druid probably means: “oak wisdom.” Whether you see druids as a long-lost priesthood, or a symbol for Celtic shamanism, or a doorway into a nature-based spirituality, keep wisdom in mind as the essential element for the druids. You don’t have to join a druid group, wear a white robe, or collect mistletoe in order to celebrate the spirit of the druids. All that is required is a commitment to wisdom.