What Do Druids Believe?

What Do We Believe?

by Philip Carr-Gomm

Druidism evolved out of the tribal cultures of Britain, Ireland and western France over two thousand years ago. In the seventeenth century it experienced a revival, which has continued to this day. Contemporary Druids can now be found all over the world, and Druidry's appeal lies in its focus on a reverence for the natural world, a belief in the value of personal creativity and of developing a sense of communion with the powers of nature and the spirit. Druidry's startling recent growth lies in its broad appeal: some treat it as a philosophy, others as a religion, still others as a path of self-development. Druids can be Pagan, or can be followers of other faiths, and a Druid ceremony might include Christian and Buddhist Druids alongside Pagan and Wiccan Druids.

Philip Carr-Gomm explains the practical value of following Druidism today, and examines its core beliefs and relevance to the contemporary issues that face us all.

Genres: Paganism, Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction

132 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 1, 2006

About the author

Philip Carr-Gomm was born in London, raised in Notting Hill Gate, and educated at Westminster School and University College London.

He met his first spiritual teacher, Ross Nichols, the founder of The Order of Bards Ovates & Druids, when he was 11. He began studying with him when a teenager, and joined the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids at 18. He studied meditation with Olivia Robertson in Ireland, who later founded the Fellowship of Isis, and in his twenties he founded The Esoteric Society in London, which organised journeys for members to Bulgaria and Egypt, and hosted talks by well-known authors such as Gareth Knight, W. E. Butler, and Arthur Guirdham.

In 1975 his Druid teacher died, and he followed a Bulgarian teacher, Omraam Mikhael Aivanhov for seven years, giving talks on his teachings and helping with the translation and publishing of his books into English. He also travelled to Bulgaria and studied the work of Aivanhov’s teacher, Peter Deunov, visiting Sofia annually for fourteen years, teaching Deunov’s Paneurhythmy dance in England and at Findhorn in Scotland. In his thirties he turned to a study of psychology, taking a BSc degree at University College London and Jungian analysis, with plans to become an analyst. On discovering Psychosynthesis, he trained instead as a therapist at the Institute of Psychosynthesis in London and began a private practice.

In 1988 he was asked to lead the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids. He organised the Order’s teachings into a distance-learning course, and edited his teacher’s book with John Matthews [1]. Since that time, the Order has grown to become the largest Druid teaching order in the world.

Reviews

[John Anthony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I first became aware of the Druids as a kid; my grandmother used to pay money into a ‘friendly society’ (?) which went under the name of “The Ancient Order of Druids”, I seem to recall. Oddly interesting, my diddy self thought at the time; hence my picking this little volume off the shelf in a local charity shop.

An interesting and useful little book which gives something of a history of the Druids, as far as is known. One of the major contributors is Julius Caesar as he writes about them as they were going strong in Britain when he was there, aeons ago. Boudicca/Boadicea appears to have been a Druid and she was a bit of a thorn in Caesar’s side, I seem to recall. Druidry may have begun in ancient Egypt but it is now associated more with the Celtic world. Nature is at the centre of druidry with a reverence for her and all her works and a commitment to protecting her domain.

It seems to have lain dormant until the eighteenth century when interest was re-awakened in Britain. It ought to be doing well now. The British order/movement seems to be rather laid back – whiffs of hippy and new age about it, whereas the American version seems more structured and churchy.

This ancient creed seems made for our times and it should be doing well now. It appeals to people of other faiths and none, including Wiccans, Buddhists and Christians. Worth exploring further methinks.

[Katie Daniels · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was much fluffier than I expected it to be.

[Jaida · Rating 5 out of 5]

Clear and concise with a brief but detailed history on what we know of Druidry from ancient history, to the revival and then rebirth of Druidry in the modern day pagan practice. Loved it, and very helpful to give to people who have more questions than you have answers. Thank you.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

A brief, clear overview of Druidry. It may be too brief for some (it was for me), but it makes a good starting point if you're totally new to the subject.

[Ines Norton · Rating 3 out of 5]

Eu sempre tive curiosidade em o que significaria ser um druida, se calhar desde que li as brumas de Avalon, quando conheci a Juliet Marillier e sabendo que pertencia à OBOD (The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids)mais curiosa fiquei. Contudo, apesar da sua simpatia e disponibilidade em responder a todas as questões dos fans, e apesar da relação especial de amizade que a Juliet mantém com os fans portugueses, achei de mau tom e inconveniente, em qualquer dos encontros com ela colocar questões tão pessoais e intimas quanto a religião, pelo que aguardei por uma outra fonte onde beber a informação... Como a internet tem simultaneamente tanta informação válida como inútil, achei que esse veiculo não era o melhor para me informar, assim quando na feira do livro de 2013 vi este livro considerei-o uma melhor fonte de informação, pelo que não resisti e comprei-o e hoje terminei a sua leitura. Quanto ao livro em si, gostei bastante, não só me sinto mais instruída como também percebo melhor não só o que significa ser druida como também consigo perceber os traços da sua religião na sua obra... Recomendo a curiosos de espírito aberto...

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Since Mists of Avalon (probably) I've wonder what it meantto be a druid, and that curiosity only grew when I meet my dear Juliet Marillier, knowing she belonged to OBOD (The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids. However, in spite of her disponibility and sympathy to awnser any question of her fans,

[Tommy /|\ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Philip Carr-Gomm's book is an excellent and very short read on the basic aspects of Druidry. The book reads like an extremely extended pamphlet, but this is a good thing. As a Druidic student, I am constantly asked by co-workers and friends just what Druids believe. In this 100-page (not including the Notes, Glossary, Further Reading, and Resources and Contacts sections), I have a short reader I can hand to them to answer the typical questions. Then, when they return with more questions, I have them on a solid footing of the basics, which I can build from in discussion. This is a great book for establishing that precious area known as "common ground" with other folks. The book also serves as an excellent primer for the individual seeking more information about a practice that they are potentially interested in.

[Ana Catarina Dias · Rating 4 out of 5]

Para quem nada sabia sobre o Druidismo, muito aprendi com esta leitura. De forma clara e objetiva, o autor explica, organizando-se por temas através de capítulos, a origem desta religião, quem a pratica, como a pratica, em que consiste, etc... dando fontes no final para quem quiser saber ainda mais sobre este tema.
Por vezes tive sensação de que se repetiam algumas ideias já desenvolvidas, e por isso não dou a classificação máxima.
Recomendo a quem se interessa por esta religião pois aqui está uma bela maneira de aprender mais sobre ela.

[Danny]

This is a fun little book. It's very short (100 pages) but a great little introduction to Druids. If you have a family or friend who is a Druid or has expressed interest in the faith, I would recommend this. It gives you a nice overview of what it is that Druids believe, their history and practice.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Small book, but packed full of great information.

[Bibi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative. Read it as part of my research for a fiction-book in a setting involving druids.

[Hazel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Concise yet thorough, the author offers a good overview of what it means to be a Druid.

[Robert · Rating 5 out of 5]

A superb introduction to modern druidry.