Druidic Faith
The Druidic Faith is the worship of and dedication to the Gods and Goddesses of Nature and Creation. Primarily practiced by Halflings, its is commonly found throughout the known world and has adherents of all races and species.
It is a faith steeped in tradition and lore, with much of its knowledge and understanding passed from generation to generation by oral traditions rather than written scriptures. In fact, a large portion of any priest's training is in their committing huge amounts of time and effort to memorize literally volumes of chants, poems and songs that communicate the tenants of the faith.
Druids utilize a very old and traditional style of temple, called a Holy House. It is, at its heart, a simple and ancient round house design, built of circular walls with a single entrance, no windows, and a peaked roof of reed or heather thatch. Inside the Holy House one will find at least one carved statue of a god or goddess of nature, and the residence of a Druid Priest or Priestess. Larger Holy Houses, called High Holy Houses, follow this same pattern and design in their construction, but are more spacious and have a larger number of dedicated practitioners living within. A Holy House, whether large or small, is where those in need of shelter, sanctuary or aid can always find it. Healing, both physical and spiritual, are always provided.
Druid communities will often form around a specific holy site. Over the centuries, these sites will have had henges, circles, or shrines erected out of natural materials. Springs are a popular holy site, especially where the water has magical or medicinal properties. Ancient trees are seen as sacred, holy beings and an avenue of touching the divine.
Culture
Beltrae is honored with a festival in the spring (May 1) wherein the lambs are brought forth, gardens and fields are planted and growing season begins. Beltrane is renowned for flowers, food, and drink. There is dancing, singing, poetry competitions, races and games, and the naming of children born over the winter.
Lug is honored on the day of the summer solstice (Jun 21), the longest day of the year. Feasting, dancing singing and games make up a day of celebration known as Lughane. Contests of skills in archery, stalking, hide-and-seek, sling shooting, obstacle races and (of course) eating and drinking make up the day. The feast has the air of a grand tournament, and is highly anticipated every year.
Samhar is honored with a festival in the fall (Nov 1) that celebrates the harvest, the change of seasons and the hunt. Feasts of wild game, exotic breads, and sweets, fall fruits and ices, and rivers of beer, cider, and wine. Days are filled with races, games, and contests while bonfires light the night for singing and dancing in the streets and fields. This festival is called Samhane in honor of the god.
Anu Mar has a feast at the winter solstice (Dec 21, the longest night of the year), celebrating the end of the old year and the “birth” of the new year and the longer days to come. This festival is called Mother’s Night, and the main celebration starts at sundown and goes the entire night. Bonfires, torches, candles, and lanterns light the night, which is filled with food, drink, dancing, and games. At sundown, images and figures of the Mother are of an old woman, stooped and draped in a long, hooded cloak. Just before sunrise, the figures and images are replaced with those of a young, beautiful (usually pregnant) figure representing the “new mother of the new year.” In the morning, gifts are exchanged and another big meal is enjoyed, then the people retire for the rest of the day.
Mythology & Lore
Druidic pantheon:
Dagdo Mar, the “great god” and creator of all
Anu Mar, the “great mother” of the gods
Lug, the warrior/protector god
Triplet sons: Gobannon, god of weapon smiths; Credenon, god of wood smiths; Luchtenon, god of gold, silver and gem smiths
Beltrae, goddess of summer and fields
Samhar, god of harvest and plenty
Neeta, god of war and combat
Florae, goddess of forests and trees
Lyr, god of the sea and of storms
Abhainae, goddess of lakes and rivers
Tenets of Faith
The Druidic Faith teaches a life of harmony and union with the natural world where cooperation with forest, field, river and sea is more productive and beneficial than domination or destruction. By understanding and following the natural ways of the world, people and community can find a prosperity and bounty unknown otherwise.
The Druidic pantheon are gods and goddesses that tend and protect specific aspects of the natural world, and are willing to teach their followers the secrets of Nature's strengths and how best to utilize them, if properly asked. For example, proper devotion to Samhar (the god of harvest and plenty) can bring visions with insight into where to find game, innovative methods of gathering fruit, or forewarnings of frost or drought. He can, with the proper devotions applied, increase crop yields or livestock fertility. He can bring improved weather, avert natural or unnatural dangers such as forest fires or floods, and he can heal and repair damage done by those disasters.
These devotions vary between the gods, but all center on a devotion to the harmony of nature when the will of the gods is followed.
Worship
The Druidic Faith celebrates the gods blessings and abundance through many holy days and holy seasons spread all throughout the calendar. Festivals, processions, feasts and competitions happen routinely in Druidic communities. Daily devotions and prayers can also define the relationship between gods and mortals. Within the faith, prayers offered at key times throughout the day ensure a close association between the believer and the gods, especially dawn, midday, sunset and the hours immediately before dawn (the darkest hours of the night).
Much daily or seasonal worship to the Druidic pantheon is done through offerings. Votive offerings given to the gods via bogs, rivers, lakes, deep caves or bonfires are the most common. The offering of "first fruits" typically means a portion of any harvest of grain, nuts, berries, etc. is given to the gods. The term "god's cut" or "god's catch" usually refers to a portion of any hunted or butchered meat offered to the gods in thanks and praise. Perhaps the most common and easily observed of these practices is that seen when a practicer of the faith raises his or her drink. In the Faith, the nearly universal phrase that is used is "Blessed be!" Many scholars have debated the root of the phrase, as it could mean the person offering the drink is blessed, or the gods be blessed for providing the drink, or please bless the drink itself, or bless the person drinking it. Perhaps all apply equally.
Granted Divine Powers
All devotees can gain the favor of the gods through proper devotion and respect. The methods and practices of these devotions are channeled to the world through the efforts and teachings of the Druid Priests and Priestesses. Offerings to the gods, prayers, meditations and proper practices in all aspects of a person's interaction with the natural world are the primary means of gaining this divine favor.
All the Druidic gods look for and accept proper votive offerings. The god Neeta, for example, looks for the sacrifice of the implements of strife for his divine attention. A sword, bent to a point of unusability, then thrown into a river, bog or lake is an excellent mans by which to gain his favor. The finer the sword, the more the divine favor shines. The Goddess Abhainae, as another example, might smile on the ritual burning of a fishing net along the shore of a lake where one might look to increase fishing harvests. The finer the net, the greater the harvest... if all the proper respects are paid.
Visions, healing abilities, improved sensory abilities, improved skills, feats of strength or speed, improved ability to communicate with animals or other beings... all are just some of the possible gifts that can be granted with the proper devotions.
Type
Religious, Organised Religion
Related Ranks & Titles
Controlled Territories
Notable Members
