Common Beliefs

ArkOkla Druids

Common Beliefs

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Because many of us who belong to ArkOkla come from a variety of Druidic disciplines, including the British Druid Order, The Henge of Keltria, Llys Don, The Order of White Oak, The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and others, it is appropriate to focus on our commonly held beliefs. Each order or organization has its own philosophy and specific rites, but Druidism in almost all its forms is characterized by these elements:

1. Polytheistic approach to Deity

(Most orders worship a Celtic pantheon, however, there are

some exceptions.)

2. Three Realms ... Land, Sea and the gateways of Well, Tree and Fire

3. The Sovereignty of the Land

4. Veneration of Nature and the Spirits of the Land

5. Animism: the belief in the Spirits within all things in Nature, and communication with them.

6. Veneration of Ancestors (genetic and/or spiritual models)

7. The celebration of the ancient Celtic seasonal festivals and holy days. (There is considerable variation of practice in these celebrations, even within disciplines.)

8. The ability to mediate Otherworlds to effect change in this World.

9. The Aos Dana, "the gifted people" and the talents of the stations of Druids, Bards and Ovates (Again, there are variations in these titles.)

10. An afterlife in the Otherworlds or Realms.

11. The adherence to principles and ethics believed to be honored by our ancient Ancestors, particularly Truth and Wisdom

12. A practical application of responsible scholarship to Celtic Reconstruction, whether viewed as religion or practice

Contemporary Druidism, in most disciplines, is founded on what is believed to be the religion of the ancient Celtic peoples. The subject of what is appropriate universally to Druidism is a matter of great debate, and cannot be addressed here. There is only a limited amount of historical evidence to point our way in reconstructing our faith, but since Druidism certainly was devoted to the diverse Gods of the Celtic tribes, it is safe to say that most contemporary orders include the veneration of the Celtic pantheons. There are orders that include the Gods of other cultures, but they are unusual.