by Gwen Edwards

Created on: March 14, 2010

The Druids Role in Modern Society

Just what is a Druids role in today's modern technological society? This is an interesting question. Because Druidry's origins are in prehistory many people in modern society consider it if not an extinct form of spirituality, irrelevant and quaint. Oh look at those silly druids in their robes play with their swords, don't they know this is the 21st century?

What these people fail to understand  is  this this is a spiritual tradition, or perhaps I should say a way of living in this world that honors ancient traditions but is well aware that it is the 21st century. While druidism roots are lost in the mists of time it is a living tradition that adapts as required. Yes, some druids do dress in robes and use swords in ceremony, but it's teachings and traditions go much deeper than that. So while so much about the ancient druids has been lost, we still honor the memory of our ancestors by using our limited knowledge of our predecessors ways in our modern tradition.

The first historical mention of the Druids was in association with the Celtic culture. Now some will say that the tradition predates the Celts and this may be true, but what we can say for certain is that the the Greeks and and Romans both clearly stated that druidism was central to Celtic culture. The Celtic people in ancient times were a tribal people and were scattered across much of Europe. So despite where you may find yourself today, many people have at least a small amount of Celtic ancestry. The last stronghold of what is consider Celtic culture in this age is found in Ireland, Scotland,Wales,England, and Brittney, these lands still echo with the traditions of our druid ancestors.

A Celtic heritage is not a prerequisite to follow the druid's path, although having some Celtic ancestry brings more authenticity to your journey. In Greywind's The Voice within the Wind: Of Becoming and the Druid Way 1 he states that Druidism is composed of nine dimensions, the first being that of the tribal dimension. As modern druids we immerse ourselves in the history and culture of the Celtic people so that we may better understand our beginnings, and who we are today. It is this connection with the tribal culture of the Celts is what gives today's Druids their unique identity.

The second dimension is the distinctive artistry of the Celts. This art embraces the sacred in its stylistic patterns and prose. Celtic art expresses the link between the spiritual and physical

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