Trames Druid Lapidem Miliarium : Milestones on the Druidic Path
Once one has decided to explore the path to Druidry, the view to the horizon and beyond can be a daunting one. As one begins to realize that it continues over the horizon and ends, if ever, we know not where, it becomes even more overwhelming. On any journey, especially one so long and demanding, it is natural to attempt to gage one’s progress, usually by the use of markers passed en route. The milestones for the Druid’s journey are many, possibly countless.
Here will be found several of the earlier touchstones, along perhaps with the odd signpost to guide the traveler on their way. The ‘distances’ between them may not be regular, and indeed will vary for each individual. Some stand out like beacons; others are hidden in the tall grasses and moss. It is incumbent, therefore, upon each seeker to progress at a pace suitable to them. None may be passed by. All who choose may continue on the path, but it essential that the knowledge and experiences presented along the way be observed, understood, and, when appropriate, practiced. It avails none to rush ahead, missing the essence of the experience.
The Rule of the Order of the Sacred Oaks explains clearly what must be accomplished to achieve the various levels of advancement and is typical of most Druidic orders. These are the ‘tools and skills’ essential to a Druid. But they are only tools and in order to use them correctly, the apprentice must become the journeyman, and eventually the master craftsman, absorbing and becoming the quintessence of the Druid philosophy. This is by far the more challenging of the tasks, but when achieved, by far the most rewarding.
Let the journey begin!
Primus Lapidem Miliarium – the First Milestone
The Way of the Aspirant
As with any journey, the first step is always the most memorable. The aspiring druid will have reflected long and hard before taking it. They will have asked many questions of both themselves and others. They will not have all the answers but enough to justify proceeding further and devoting their time and efforts as well as those of their teachers.
There is, and rightly should be, a slight apprehension about embarking on a new venture. Overconfidence can lead to whimsy, indecision and wasted labours with obvious and unrewarding results. This is not a choice to be taken lightly. It is but the first of many momentous decisions.
Since Druidry is both a philosophy and a religion it appeals to those from many backgrounds. Aspirants come to Druidry from these diverse sources with varying degrees of experience and knowledge. Some come from “traditional” religions (both western and eastern); some with no organized spiritual experience; and some from the wide selection of neo-pagan traditions. What they have in common is a lack of satisfaction with what they had, a need for more complete fulfillment. This is not a criticism or condemnation of other paths, merely a recognition that there are many options, some right for one, others for another. Attaining fulfillment, of course, depends on how much effort they themselves are willing to invest. The aspirant druid will have an unquenchable thirst for knowledge, an uncompromising regard for truth and justice, and an overwhelming appetite for excellence.
The march along this first of many ‘miles’ is a time of awakening and discovery. No matter what the past experience, Druidry will be new and demanding. Old ways must be put aside and more challenging ones accepted. The customs and etiquette of ritual, the pantheon, the origins and evolution of Druidry will all be new to most. These may not be totally understood at first but will become clear as the journey continues. Those with no pagan, Earth-based, or Goddess background will have even more to learn.
The time for the second decision; to continue or not, is fast approaching. If one goes on, it is the time to make commitment and dedication, to choose community and fellowship, to accept challenge and strive for higher standards. If they have chosen correctly, the challenges will be rewarding and welcome. If Druidry is not their path, and it is not for everyone, they will soon know and take one of the many forks in the road, the one best for them. Those who continue on this course must now maximize their efforts at gaining the basic tools and skills to move ahead as they are near the first milestone.
Initiation marks the point of completion of this first of many stages of the voyage, a “point of completion” and yet a “point of rebirth”. Until now it has been mostly “I” and very little “we”. This now begins to reverse, the “we’ becoming more significant, more relevant, and more gratifying. Upon initiation the Aspirant formalizes their commitment with an oath and they are ceremonially admitted into the fellowship. Now officially a Novice, they become trusted and valued members; equal among equals. Their voices will be heard and counted at gatherings. Their well-being becomes the concern of all; their burdens, the burdens of all; their joys and sorrows, shared by all.
In return, they pledge their dedication to striving toward the betterment of both themselves and of the Druid movement. It has been a momentous journey thus far. They now press on to the second milestone: the challenges of Bardship.
Secundus Lapidem Miliarium – the Second Milestone
From Novice to Bard
Having attained the ‘white robe’ as a symbol of their acceptance into the Order and of their commitment to the path, the Novice can begin to confidently stride forward. While being confident in their own achievements thus far, they are mindful of the experience and abilities of those further along the path. These will be their primary teachers, informally through example and formally through ritual and tutorial. A wise Novice will bear this in mind and take every opportunity to observe the skills of their elders.
This would be a good time to insert a note of caution. It is prudent to remember that we are all on a journey seeking knowledge, even the most experienced among us. Subordinates would do well to appreciate that their elders are learning all the time, just as they are. While we all have a spark of the Divine within us, none of us is divine. Do not expect perfection. Do have trust, however, that those further along the path have earned their advancement and are due the respect associated with those efforts. The Novice shall soon enough become the Bard and likewise be due the esteem they have similarly earned.
Also remember that in every group of people there will be those who ‘click’ and those who don’t. None the less, we have taken an oath of fellowship, and one of the primary lessons of Druidry is learning how to have harmonious, productive relationships with all with whom we interact. We must guard against forming small cliques of those who are ‘cool’ and outsiders who are deemed ‘odd.’ Impatience, disrespect, pettiness and hatred are not druidic qualities.
The Novice will occupy most of their time and efforts acquiring and strengthening their basic knowledge and skills. They will observe, read, question, practice and above all listen! The sources are myriad and some are more trustworthy than others. Therefore the Novice must use discretion in what to accept and what to decline, as must we all. But even bad information can be useful, since through questioning it and applying logical argument one reinforces the skills of the mind. When in doubt, seek the advice of the elders.
Within a Grove or Order, their fellows will perhaps be the greatest source of knowledge and support. This means their elders, peers and subordinates. All can participate in assisting one another along the way. Then there are books, lots and lots of books. Here is where discretion truly comes into play for seldom do we know the real provenance of the authors. Some are or will become well respected and trusted. Others may not, but they too may make the occasional worthy offerings. Even the most stilted tome can contain some gems of truth concealed beneath the stuff and nonsense.
Questioning, in a constructive vein, is vital for two reasons. Firstly one must ascertain the validity of that which is being presented; simply put, does it ring true? Secondly, the student must be sure that they are absolutely convinced they understand and can correctly apply the knowledge presented. Thinking to the future, they will one day be expected to pass on knowledge, correctly! An added benefit to positive questioning is that, if it is done correctly, the discovery of answer to one question should lead to uncovering another, if not more. This may be the secret of infinite learning.
Listening is perhaps the most useful and productive skill we can develop. We would all do well to remember that we have two ears and one mouth; an excellent indicator of the applied ratio. Also, as a rule of thumb, we do not usually hear much while we are talking. Being capable of hearing what is being said is an equal partner in the communication process.
Although the development of basic, functional skills will take up the majority of the Novices efforts, their spiritual and philosophical growth must not be over looked. Much of this growth will come from becoming aware of the meanings behind what we do and why we do it. Again questioning and contemplation when unsure are vital. Then these must be reflected upon, digested and absorbed. The Novice must make the time to meditate and ponder that which they have taken in. It must be stressed that this is not a process of indoctrination, but rather one of stimulating the individual to develop a spiritual philosophy that, while it is very similar to that of their fellows, is unique to them.
A sure way of advancing spiritual and philosophical growth is to master the arts of the Bard. A Bard has mastery of the language; the written, spoken and sometimes sung word. And “words” are merely expressed ideas and concepts. In short, Bards have mastery of communication, all be it benevolent mastery. Through the poem, the story, the play, the satire or simple oration, the bard communicates with their audience, passing along information, stirring emotions and most importantly stimulating thought.
Mastery of words, of language, means more than just an extensive vocabulary. The Bard must be cognizant of the origins and full meanings of the language they use. To do this they are obliged to know its roots and historical development. And this, of course, results from a familiarity with the cultures, both ancient and modern, from whence it came. A working knowledge of other ancient languages (Greek, Latin, Celtic) is also most useful.
Projecting that thought, one of the signposts to be found along the journey will point in two directions. We are constantly looking forward, to the future, to where we may be going. But it is equally important to look back, back to where we began, and indeed back past where we thought we began. It is invaluable to know not only our own roots, but those of our fellow travelers. Without that knowledge we can never truly appreciate our inner selves, the first step in assisting others.
Often, ideas and concepts can be expressed through media other than words; music, painting, photography or sculpture to name a few of the most obvious. Some of the less obvious are the way in which one strokes a pet, listens to the plight of a lonely person, or even quietly smiles to a passing stranger. These communicate our hidden attitudes, often unrecognized, to others and, if we want, to our selves. Except for music, these other expressions are not seen as traditionally bardic, but if we do not restrict the definition of a Bard to purely a poet/minstrel, then they readily apply.
As the Bard continues their journey, enhancing not only their expressive skills but also developing further their ritual, spiritual and magickal arts, they advance themselves and, more importantly, all those with whom they come into contact. For the Bard was and is essentially a teacher, an educator, and a dispenser of knowledge.
The Bard now approaches the next marker, that of Ovate. Now they will begin to delve more deeply into the realms of the mystical. They will learn to use the forces and elements of nature, and indeed supra-nature, to accomplish what to some may appear as ‘the impossible.’ Again, the ‘I’ grows more distant as the ‘we’ manifests ever more strongly. The Ovate will dedicate themselves to the service of others, their own rewards becoming secondary.
Tertius Lapidem Miliarium – the Third Milestone
Ovate, Master and Beyond
As a Bard, the traveler mastered the magick of communication. Now, as an Ovate, they will delve into the mysteries of nature that surround us all. They will discover the powerful use of herbs, minerals and oils, wisely using their positive qualities and avoiding their many dangers. This requires much study, practice and experimentation, and is best done under the tutelage of an accomplished elder. Attention must be paid to precision and accuracy. When used correctly, herbs and tinctures can have wondrous results. Many have been in use for literally thousands of years. But a slight deviation from a tried-and-true “recipe” can have disastrous results.
Divination, in all its many forms, is the other dominion of the Ovate. This is not as totally separate from herbology as it may seem. Herbs and minerals are part of nature, as are springs, crystals, clouds, animals, and the stars. Are these not all tools for divination?
The Ovate must become cognizant of the many methods of divining and then select one or two in which they are most proficient. The tarot is widely used, and misused, as are runes, divining rods, ‘talking’ boards and pendulums. These can be very effective if used correctly, and very destructive if not. The Ovate must know, must feel, the difference. They can seldom master all the tools of divination, natural or manmade, but they will have innate aptitudes in some of them, and these talents can be developed and reinforced.
Throughout all of this activity, the Ovate will continue the charge they assumed as a Bard, that of teacher. The knowledge and skills of the Ovate, as shall all druidic wisdom, must be passed on to those following behind, all the more reason to stress accuracy. Similarly, the insight acquired can be put into practical use in ritual and spirituality. For example, many forms of meditation and manifestation can be enhanced through utilizing various herbs and incenses. When employed appropriately they will greatly increase the meaning and effects of ritual practice.
While cultivating the arts of communication, the Bard was required to look to the past to discover the origins of language. At the same time, consciously, or unconsciously, they were slowly becoming aware of their own origins, history and past travels. They were uncovering the transmigrational roots that had sustained them this far. This may produce what would appear to be a strange dichotomy. As we have recognized, those advancing along the druidic path are putting the “I” behind them and emerging as the “we,” focusing on their role in the greater community of man and nature. Coincidental to this opening up, they are looking deeper within themselves than perhaps ever before. To make one’s best contribution, one must know their strengths and talents. It now becomes a conscious effort. The journey inward is as endless as that toward the horizon, indeed, it is worth considering that they may in fact meet at some point!
The prime responsibility of the Master Druid is to ensure the continuity of excellence that is Druidry. If that level cannot be successfully maintained in its purest of forms, mutations will evolve that will deprive it of its identity and authenticity. This is not to say that Druidry can or should not adapt to the times and environment that they occupy. That would be organizational suicide. But principles and standards must be sustained at a constant, uniformly high level.
To reach the plane of the Master, one has traveled many miles and probably taken several years, traditionally nineteen. Now a major challenge presents itself, that of leadership. A Master is responsible for facilitating the endurance of Druidry. This can best be accomplished within the group environment. There will be much hard work, numerous setbacks, and many frustrations in assuming the leadership of a grove, but that, none the less, is the role of the Master. They will be looked upon for guidance, direction, assistance and adjudication. They will be expected to watch over the grove, collectively and individually, caring, nurturing, coaxing and occasionally prodding. Any slight misstep or misspoken word will immediately be challenged. As the ultimate authority within the organization, they are seldom allowed to be ‘wrong.’ Often decisions the Master makes will not be popular, yet they must be made, and made with the impartiality and sense of justice that have long been the mark of the Druid. And, in spite of this, the rewards now become exponentially greater. The “we” has almost entirely supplanted the “I” and the benefit of others, be that grove, Order, community or the entire planet, are paramount.
Once again, the Master must continue their own inner and outer quest. Insights gained as a Bard and Ovate now become focused and engrossing. They will converge, as a rainbow striking a prism, to produce a clear, intense white beam of knowledge, only to diverge again at some distant point. Rather than having emerged with the answers to the many questions with which they first started out, and which they may well have discovered, the Master has now opened up a whole incalculable myriad of new queries. And, they will be uncontrollably excited about it!
Let us also recognize that the advanced levels are not for everyone. While all must be cognizant of the proficiencies and responsibilities of each level, some may have no wish to advance beyond where they are. However, whether they be a Bard, Ovate or Master, they retain the commitment to continued improvement. The Rule can only establish the benchmarks for advancement. To totally and completely understand and make the most of them is an entirely different matter. Individuals cannot and should not advance to levels for which they are not fully prepared. This would be a disservice to them and to the position to which they aspire. Patience is necessary to accept this and to recognize when the individual is ready to move forward.
No matter at what pace we have hiked down our path of discovery, we have dedicated a great deal of our energy in remaining true to our commitment. It must have been a revealing and rewarding passage otherwise one would not have persevered this far.
But to those who believe they have passed the last milestone, hold on a moment. We have only reached the end of the beginning. And those who are truly meant to be on the druidic path will again be overjoyed at this revelation. The horizon that we were chasing has mysteriously moved farther away. What new discovery, what amazing knowledge awaits?
“And miles to go before I sleep.”