Faery Druidry

[Morgaine_cla]

Hello. Is anyone else here a practicing Faery Druid? Is anyone else here interested in that path?... I've no wish to push something that's unwanted but that's my path and I am hoping to find some other folks who are interested in discussing and/or studying this. I've been on the Avalon branch of this path for almost 20 years, and seriously pursuing it for 10. In that time I've seldom found others nearby and those I found I lost through having to move. Anyone interested?

Be well and be blessed,
Morgaine

[lil'BuddhistWitch]

its sounds interesting...

any way to find out more?

-Vtori

[Chaos Hawk]

That is my chosen path. I know some about it, but I'm not an expert or anything.

[lil'BuddhistWitch]

cool.... i'm interested....

care to share more resources... like internet sites?

or is it more of a combined path?

[Morgaine_cla]

Hello!

Good to see someone else is interested...

I've been seriously working in a specific branch of this path for about 18 years now. You might want to look at our website... www.AvalonDruidOrder.org (http://www.AvalonDruidOrder.org)

I would refer you to others, but I really haven't seen else much authentic information in print about this path. That will tell you more than I can say here about what I do and where I am coming from. If you have other links please do share them. How have you both been exploring this path up to now?

Bendithion,
M

[lil'BuddhistWitch]

well, until you brought it up i wasn't sure such a path existed...

i love The Fey and everything about them... as well as certain aspects of Druidry.... I was looking into new order of druids... cause of the free Bard courses... and then... there is a local ADF grove in my area...

but i'll definately take a look at this site... thanks!

and if we could get enough ppl interested a class would be awesome!
-tori

[Morgaine_cla]

Greetings, and thank you for posting!

I am not sure that Neodruid groups such as ADF or OBOD do much with Faery. I would suggest that when inquiring about their programs you make a point of asking them. I know that we do, and that our way of working is different than that of the better known Feri/Fairie and Fairy-kin paths. For us the term 'Faery' means both the Realm (and its denizens) as well as the native or indigenous people (the 'far ancestors', as our Tradition terms them) who lived and worked side by side with them, particularly in the Isles, Western Europe, and parts of eastern North America.

I would be interested to know how these other groups answer. I know that whilst our Druid teachings do share a certain superficial resemblance, they also diverge at key points (we don't base our workings on the report of foreign cultures like Greece or Rome, or draw our teachings from the Barddas or the Masons, for example).

I would certainly enjoy sharing an Intro class on our Tradition if there is enough interest!

Be well and be blessed.

[Sage]

I would be interested in this class. I am studying with NOD, but I have a strong interest in the Fae.

Sage

[mammas_girl]

I too would be interested :-)

[Morgaine_cla]

Greetings!

Well that's three. I will look into what's required to start a class. In the meanwhile, I thought it might be nice if we each shared a little about ourselves and:
* How we came to be interested in Faery Druidry
* What we hope to bring to a class and
* What we hope to get out of it

I've only ever been on this path, and while I have a healthy curiosity about others (I've shared sacred space with friends who are Buddhists, Jews, UU Christians, Spiritual Scientists, and Wiccans, as well as other kinds of Druidism), I've never felt inclined to stop or to change paths. I've always felt that this is where I belong. And while I've been a solitary, a Grove member, and a Grove mother, I've always been happiest with small groups. How about you?

I look forward to sharing on this!

[mammas_girl]

I am looking for my path, and I am always interested in learning new things.
I hope to bring a learning mind and spirit.
A better understanding of a diffrent path :)

[Sage]

Well I became interested in Irish Celtic spirituality a while back, not I sure I could explain why that happened..... still trying to figure that out myself ;) While surfing a couple of pages, I ran across the word druid and the rest is as they say history. I have been studying with NOD for about 6 months if not longer, so far its going very well for me.

I became interested in the Fae very recently. I will be honest and say I don't know much if anything about the Fae, hence the eagerness to join the class. Again, not sure why the sudden interest but from past experience I am going to ride this wave and see where it takes me.

What do I hope to bring to the class, um hard question :) Well I hope my questions and interaction bring on more questions and interaction :T

I hope to gain a better understanding of the Fae and Faery Druidry in general.

Well as a lasp Muslim, I can safely say my current path has not been my only path. Like you I feel this is where I belong, it just fits like a puzzle piece. I do better in small groups as well.

Sage

[lil'BuddhistWitch]

* How we came to be interested in Faery Druidry
I became interested in this path... because i have a strong interst in the Fae...and Druidry...

I started to study NOD but found that I couldn't really get into it... and i kind of drifted... but my interests lie in learning more about the Fae and Druidry... I've looked into a couple of books, but some of them worked and some of them didnt.

* What we hope to bring to a class and
i hope just to bring my creativity and friendship and um... curious questions :)

* What we hope to get out of it

to get out of it? an understanding of faery druidry and hopes that i can enlighten myself spiritual path with new tidbits of information... all on a journey to self recongnization :)

i guess thats my take :)
~tina

[Morgaine_cla]

Wonderful!...

Well I am preparing the course outline and profile for MW's review. We are preparing to move from our apartment into our first home so it could be sometime in January before we start a formal class. In the meanwhile, our conversation is really helping me get an idea of how best to meet the group's needs. I am accustomed to teaching Avalon specific Druidry, but we might be better served by doing a sort of survey of the main Faery paths. What do you think?

We could start a general exploration here while I prep the course and get my computer moved to the new location, if that will work for everyone. There's quite a large difference between the different groups out there, actually. For instance, there is someone here in MW teaching Faery Tradition, but it does not resemble either Avalonian Druidry or any other Faery path I've ever seen. So you can see there's a lot of diversity in terms of mythos and practice.

Of the Faery paths that are out there, not many are also Druid paths -- or at least they've not self-identified as Druids before now. We might want to look at the Faery aspect first and then compare approaches to Druidism if you like... Then when we get to class, we'll all share a basic vocabulary and terms for things. It might make the class easier.

Thoughts anyone? :bundled:

[SoulFire]

I know that we do, and that our way of working is different than that of the better known Feri/Fairie and Fairy-kin paths. For us the term 'Faery' means both the Realm (and its denizens) as well as the native or indigenous people (the 'far ancestors', as our Tradition terms them) who lived and worked side by side with them, particularly in the Isles, Western Europe, and parts of eastern North America.

I would be interested to know how these other groups answer.

I'd just like to point out that your definition of "Faery" is not so different from Victor Anderson's, who used the term "Feri" to mean the realm and its inhabitants, and the ancestral race of small humans who worked closely with them. He attached other significance to the term as well: According to Victor, the term Feri mainly refers to "the more natural and wild forms of human magic and sorcery." He said it can also mean someone who is who is highly psychic and trained in powerful magic. See "The Feri Tradition" (http://www.witchvox.com/va/dt_va.html?a=ukgb2&c=trads&id=7737) by Phoenix Willow for more info.

[lil'BuddhistWitch]

Wonderful!...

Well I am preparing the course outline and profile for MW's review. We are preparing to move from our apartment into our first home so it could be sometime in January before we start a formal class. In the meanwhile, our conversation is really helping me get an idea of how best to meet the group's needs. I am accustomed to teaching Avalon specific Druidry, but we might be better served by doing a sort of survey of the main Faery paths. What do you think?

We could start a general exploration here while I prep the course and get my computer moved to the new location, if that will work for everyone. There's quite a large difference between the different groups out there, actually. For instance, there is someone here in MW teaching Faery Tradition, but it does not resemble either Avalonian Druidry or any other Faery path I've ever seen. So you can see there's a lot of diversity in terms of mythos and practice.

Of the Faery paths that are out there, not many are also Druid paths -- or at least they've not self-identified as Druids before now. We might want to look at the Faery aspect first and then compare approaches to Druidism if you like... Then when we get to class, we'll all share a basic vocabulary and terms for things. It might make the class easier.

Thoughts anyone? :bundled:


i think that is a great idea... :smile:

we could start off exploring the Faery paths like you suggested... then let it lead into Druidry?

~tori

ps: keep up posted... good luck with your move! :boing:

[Sage]

I am accustomed to teaching Avalon specific Druidry, but we might be better served by doing a sort of survey of the main Faery paths. What do you think?

Sounds great to me! As a huge Avalon fan and curious about the Fae, is a win/win in my opinion.


We might want to look at the Faery aspect first and then compare approaches to Druidism if you like... Then when we get to class, we'll all share a basic vocabulary and terms for things. It might make the class easier.

Personally, I am all for the Faery aspect first. Since I am studying Druidry and getting my hands into it, I don't know how different Faery Druidry is from the Irish Celtic Druidry I am studying. But I think it would be less confusing for me to start with the Fae aspect, and then add on the Druidry learning. I think it would also make the class easier having a basic vocabulary :)

Sage

[Morgaine_cla]

Thanks, SoulFire,

Actually, our definition (which has not been printed here in its fullness) probably has much more in common with RJ Stewart's once you get further into it. I've nothing against Feri Tradition, mind you, but there are some substantial differences. For the purposes of this comparison, I suggest we proceed on the assumption that these differences are important -- even where they may seem slight or subtle -- since every difference directly affects the quality of our experience.

Different Faery traditions have different ways of defining what a 'Faery' is, and whether the Faery realms are the realms of the Dead (human ancestors), the realms of a different order of being, or a parallel reality. Neither do they all agree on what an ancestor is. Are they those in our blood lineage, those in our spiritual lineage, or are all things kin to us, by virtue of being emanations of one Source?

Perhaps a good place to begin might be by comparing the answers to these questions as they are given in Fairy Wicca, Feri Tradition, and the Faery Tradition of RJ Stewart? These are three of the best known Fairy paths (though of course being Druids, my own Way will differ from all three!) :deviltail

Sage, I'm glad this approach will help you. I do appreciate how confusing it could be learning two very different forms of Druidry at the same time! Hopefully when we are ready to roll up our sleeves for the Druid part of things, you'll be well grounded in your present studies and practice and it will be less confusing. If it helps, imagine that what we're doing here is unrelated to Irish Druidism, with any similarities arising from what is Universal to all paths.

So to recap, I'm suggesting we explore how the following questions are answered in Feri, Faerie Wicca, and RJ Stewart's Faery Tradition:

(1) Who or what are the ancestors?
(2) How are they the same or different from the Fae?
(3) What is Faery?
(4) How are the Fae the same or different than the Gods?

Ready? ... Off you go!

[Shawn Blackwolf]

As I have told SoulFire , in the past , and Morgaine
recently , my tradition , is not Feri , nor her tradition...

However , being far older than either of them , it does
incorporate both , and is the source for both , whether
they choose to see it , or not...I respect both , and all
other Faery Paths , but ours is also , a Druidic Path
of Faery , and we know the Land of AV - Al Oinn ,
later , Avalon , very well...things change , are thus all
forgotten , or covered up with the new , and that is the
way of things...there is a core underlying them all...

Ours also , is Faery Druidry...as well , the core of every
other world tradition...but one would have to study for
years to see this...which sadly , in our present time frame ,
and sad standards of show me , rather than deep study , is
not likely to happen...

I wish you well , Morgaine , and hope your class , comes to
fruition...as far as R.J. , no , he does not know the Irish , or
as we say , Aerr - Ash , Faery Tradition , and never will...

He is a Scottsman...and not a Druid...only a Bard...though ,
I shall admit...a great Bard...bless his path...

Great success on your path , and your ventures...

[lil'BuddhistWitch]

As I have told SoulFire , in the past , and Morgaine
recently , my tradition , is not Feri , nor her tradition...

However , being far older than either of them , it does
incorporate both , and is the source for both , whether
they choose to see it , or not...I respect both , and all
other Faery Paths , but ours is also , a Druidic Path
of Faery , and we know the Land of AV - Al Oinn ,
later , Avalon , very well...things change , are thus all
forgotten , or covered up with the new , and that is the
way of things...there is a core underlying them all...

Ours also , is Faery Druidry...as well , the core of every
other world tradition...but one would have to study for
years to see this...which sadly , in our present time frame ,
and sad standards of show me , rather than deep study , is
not likely to happen...

I wish you well , Morgaine , and hope your class , comes to
fruition...as far as R.J. , no , he does not know the Irish , or
as we say , Aerr - Ash , Faery Tradition , and never will...

He is a Scottsman...and not a Druid...only a Bard...though ,
I shall admit...a great Bard...bless his path...

Great success on your path , and your ventures...

Shawn,

you confuse me. care to explain?

blessings,
Tori

[Morgaine_cla]

I am confused too...

Your path is not mine, SparrowFire, I can see that from the posts in your ongoing class. Nor is my path Feri. Nor have you described your path as Druid until this post.

As for whose path is 'older', it is not age that validates a path. You are welcome to your views about Faery, but we are not here to study your views. I do not try to impose my views on you or define you to your students; I certainly hope you will show us the same courtesy and let us discourse in our own way here.

There is no "One Way", or even a best Way, SparrowFire. There are many valid Ways and all Ways are not right for all people. Ultimately, the true test of a path lies with the individual in the moment of experience -- and I think we can each judge that for ourselves.

Blessings on your journey,
Morgaine

[lil'BuddhistWitch]

I am confused too...

Your path is not mine, SparrowFire, I can see that from the posts in your ongoing class. Nor is my path Feri. Nor have you described your path as Druid until this post.

As for whose path is 'older', it is not age that validates a path. You are welcome to your views about Faery, but we are not here to study your views. I do not try to impose my views on you or define you to your students; I certainly hope you will show us the same courtesy and let us discourse in our own way here.

There is no "One Way", or even a best Way, SparrowFire. There are many valid Ways and all Ways are not right for all people. Ultimately, the true test of a path lies with the individual in the moment of experience -- and I think we can each judge that for ourselves.

Blessings on your journey,
Morgaine

Morgaine?

i think you confused me with Shawn.... i think its cause I quoted him... I'm still learning how to use the features on MW...but i have no idea what he was talking about.

i'm looking forward to taking your class, Morgaine... and I've already started on the little assignment you gave us.

sorry for the confusion8O
~tori

[Shawn Blackwolf]

Sorry I was not around earlier today , to answer your
question( s ) , Sparrowfire , or to answer your concern
Morgaine...

Sparrowfire...if you have any questions , why don't you
pm me...I would be happy to address those , or any with
you...there was no intent to confuse anyone , here...

As for your concern , Morgaine...

You should have no worries...the only reason I posted ,
was actually twofold...in your December 15th post , you
mentioned my class...and I wanted to acknowledge that ,
and it's differences , with your , and Feri path...as you stated...

As far as mentioning it's Druidic relation...I did , via a
communication...and I wanted to state that ours , also , is
of that line , though different from yours...there was no ill
intent...please see my well wishes , for your success , and my
hopes you got the class going...

As far as R.J. , you mentioned him , and how your Druid
Path of Faery , was different...I was agreeing , stating he
did not know the same path as me , nor as you stated , your
path...

No one is stating there is " One Way " , nor even a " Best "
way...they did all branch from one source , long ago...that was
my statement...and sorry if you took offense...none was meant...

I agree with you , I wish you well , again...and it was only
because you mentioned my path , and that it did not resemble
yours , or any other form of Faery Tradition , that you had ever seen...

that I posted...we are all kin...kin to kin...Good Fortune

[SoulFire]

Thanks, SoulFire,

Actually, our definition (which has not been printed here in its fullness) probably has much more in common with RJ Stewart's once you get further into it.

Ahh. I did not know that.


I've nothing against Feri Tradition, mind you, but there are some substantial differences. For the purposes of this comparison, I suggest we proceed on the assumption that these differences are important -- even where they may seem slight or subtle -- since every difference directly affects the quality of our experience.

I agree wholeheartedly.

B*B,
SF

:reindeer:

[SoulFire]

I am confused too...

Your path is not mine…, I can see that from the posts in your ongoing class. Nor is my path Feri. Nor have you described your path as Druid until this post.

As for whose path is 'older', it is not age that validates a path. You are welcome to your views about Faery, but we are not here to study your views. I do not try to impose my views on you or define you to your students; I certainly hope you will show us the same courtesy and let us discourse in our own way here.

There is no "One Way", or even a best Way… There are many valid Ways and all Ways are not right for all people. Ultimately, the true test of a path lies with the individual in the moment of experience -- and I think we can each judge that for ourselves.

Blessings on your journey,
Morgaine

Well-spoken. Kudos.

B*B,
SF

[SwordsFlameSong]

I am confused too...

Your path is not mine, SparrowFire, I can see that from the posts in your ongoing class. Nor is my path Feri. Nor have you described your path as Druid until this post.

As for whose path is 'older', it is not age that validates a path. You are welcome to your views about Faery, but we are not here to study your views. I do not try to impose my views on you or define you to your students; I certainly hope you will show us the same courtesy and let us discourse in our own way here.

There is no "One Way", or even a best Way, SparrowFire. There are many valid Ways and all Ways are not right for all people. Ultimately, the true test of a path lies with the individual in the moment of experience -- and I think we can each judge that for ourselves.

Blessings on your journey,
Morgaine

Morgan-cla,

I look forward to seeing your class outline. I think there are many who would be most interested in learning about this path. When all the details are hashed out, I would like to announce - say a week before you wish to officially start - in the MW announcements.

[Morgaine_cla]

Thank you, SwordsFlameSong,

I would be honoured to have it announced there!... I should have something worked up just after the holidays.

Many thanks and blessings,
Morgaine

[Morgaine_cla]

Dear Tori,

My apologies! It appears that I did somehow mix up your names. Not sure how that happened, but my remarks were actually addressed to the member who posted here as Shawn Blackwolf (though this was not the name I remembered being used in our brief private correspondence). My mistake entirely, Tori. I'll try to be more careful in future.

I trust you are all having some peaceful time with family and loved ones and look forward to *seeing* you back here after the holidays.

Peace and blessings,
Morgaine

[Morgaine_cla]

Dear Shawn,

Thanks for clarifying. Your goodwill is much appreciated, and I wish you the same.

Be well and be blessed,
Morgaine

[lil'BuddhistWitch]

my holidays are okay!


how's the class outline going?

im really looking forward to this class.


be well,
-Tori

[RoseRhythm]

I would love to take this class and look forward to it!

[lil'BuddhistWitch]

any updates on this possible class?
-tori

[Morgaine_cla]

Greetings, And my apologies in being late responding. I've not forgotten about this, but we did close on our new home after all and are now up to our elbows trying to get it ready to move in before our lease is up. It looks as if it will be closer to end of March or possibly (at the latest) mid-April before we'll be settled and re-organised to teach. I'm sorry about the delay, but I think it's better to wait until we're moved in, instead of risking being interrupted just as we're beginning to get things going. I hope this isn't too off-putting and look forward to getting started soon. Thank you all once again for your interest and I look forward to sharing wisdoms with you all very soon. I will update you on our progress. Since we've got to be moved no later than 15 April, at least we know things won't just keep sliding along. Be well and be blessed, Morgaine

[Morgaine_cla]

Greetings, Just a quick note to say I've not forgotten you!... Ran into some problems of late. Wrecked our car, and house renovations are behind schedule so we're not yet moved in as I'd hoped. This means a further delay of about a month (hopefully less) before I can start teaching anything organised. An annoying delay, but I am happy to discuss here with those who are interested or who have questions. I notice some posts from those who know something about the path also. I'd be interested in knowing how you are pursuing your explorations. Are (or were) you in a group? If so, which one? If not, are studying under a mentor?... Looking forward to hearing from you all.

[RubyRose]

Is the class still going ahead? I'd be interested in participating.

[Morgaine_cla]

Greetings,

My deepest apologies!... All I can say is that I did post back in the early summer, and the post appeared to go through immediately after sending, though I can't find it now. But you have not waited entirely in vain... Please allow me to make up for some of your inconvenience and to reward your patience. Though circumstances have left me in over my head for months and I don't know when I will be resurfacing, I do have an alternative to propose for those who remain interested...

:ballonsmi I have opened a public thread at the ADO Forum (http://www.adoadmin.proboards51.com) ("Events-Forums" page of the ADO website) where you can explore your questions about Avalonian and/or Faery Druidry with me andAccess is free and there is no requirement to join ADO in order to participate. You are invited to visit us there!

I expect this public thread to remain fairly intimate (it's not widely publicised and is not off a most visited website page), so you will need to screw up the courage to post even if things appear quiet,

So again, my apologies, and I hope you will consider visiting us at the Forum! with other ADO Elders and members. and be clear about when you are asking about Avalonian Druidism specifically versus Faery Druidism generally. (Our members are used to focusing only on Avalon's Druidism and it may take them awhile to remember that they are now in a wider discussion.) However, the advantage is that you will be able to engage in a wider exploration than you could with me alone, in more of a laboratory setting (less of me *telling* you things and more exploring possibilities and sharing our results together, which is more closely aligned with traditional learning methods).

Hope to *see* you there!

Bendithion Afallon,
Morgaine