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Q: Do Reformed Druids have scriptures?
A: Not really. We are a living experience that cannot be en-
compassed with pen & ink. We do have some reflective
writings from past members, but most people ignore
them as silly. Instead, most Druids seek inspiration from
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various philosophical and religious writings that they
The “Big River Grove” of the
Reformed Druids of North
America (RDNA) at SCSU
.Initial Flyer for the Fall of 1995 at St.Cloud State University
What is Reformed Druidism? 1995
Definition
The Reformed Druids are a club of students from all back-
grounds who are interested in exploring the beliefs of reli-
gions and philosophies. They also have a reverence for
the importance of the Earth in our daily lives. We join
together to enrich eachother by sharing insights and point-
ing out good resources. This is our first year at SCSU.
Common Beliefs:
There are only two Basic Tenets which we, as a group, agree
with:
1) The object of the search for religious truth, which is a
universal and a never-ending search, may be found
through the Earth-Mother; which is Nature; but this
is one way, yea, one way among many.
2) And great is the importance, which is of a spiritual
importance, of Nature, which is the Earth-Mother;
for it is one of the objects of Creation, and with it do
people live, yea, even as they do struggle through life
are they come face-to-face with it.
Everything beyond that is up to you, as far as we are con-
cerned. We don’t like dogma.
History
The first grove of the Reformed Druids was founded at Carleton
College in Northfield Minnesota in 1963. Some students
wanted to protest mandatory chapel attendance, and they
learned of a loophole allowing students to alternatively
attend services of their own religion. They decided to make
up their “own religion” and created the Reformed Druids
as a hoax, based on the image of the ancient Druids of
France & Britain. When the chapel requirement was
dropped by the college, they found that they were enjoy-
ing the Druidical activities too much to quit. Many had
found that the eternal search for religious truth was too
important to abandon and that Druidism was the vehicle
for that search. As they graduated from Carleton, many
Druids founded new Druid groups, called “groves” and
continued to help other students explore their own be-
liefs.
Structure
Being a creation of the 1960s, Reformed Druidism doesn’t
really like hierarchy. However, three basic officers of the
group are necessary to maintain club status and to make
sure activities DO happen. We elect them every year in
the first three weeks of Fall term.
1) Arch-Druid. This is the titular head of the grove. She
or he is responsible for organizing activities and lead-
ing seasonal services.
2) Preceptor. The right-hand Druid of the Arch-Druid.
find attractive. Some Druids find that events in their
everyday lives provide plenty of inspiration No two Dru-
ids have the same background of ideas, which makes
our interactions all the more productive & unpredict-
able.
Q: What do Reformed Druids think about the Earth?
A: Most of us agree that the Earth is good; so much so that we
affectionately refer to her as the “Earth-mother”. Every-
one today realizes that we have to be environmentally
aware of the earth’s cycle and the Druids often go a step
further. While many of us find spiritual fulfillment in
the lofty aeries of theoretical theology, we also realize
that the material world can also teach us spiritual les-
sons. We can find truths in the eternal cycles of life and
death and in the passing of the seasons. We recognize
these lessons by marking the seasons with rituals to ex-
press these lessons.
Q: Do I have to abandon my previous religion to become a
Druid? Do I have to be Pagan?
A: We welcome people of all religions and philosophies to
the group, provided they can interact respectfully and
maturely. Reformed Druidism does not require (nor does
it desire) that you change religion. It only asks you to
examine your beliefs and expand your understanding of
alternate systems. It is far better to be able to expand the
understanding of one’s own religion than to wander aim-
lessly, although for some members, such wandering may
lead them to new religions or philosophies that they
may find better suited to their life.
Q: What kind of activities do Druids do?
A: Most of the time it’s just talking together, sharing ideas
and telling each other about good courses to take. Other
times we may meet to quietly meditate or go for nature
walks. Occasionally we get together for a service to mark
the passing of the seasons and pause to reflect how simi-
lar cycles of ebb and flow also occur in our daily lives.
Some members prefer to do Druidical activities on their
own with only the occasional interaction of the group.
Many members drift away after they find that they don’t
need the group anymore, others stay behind to help fu-
ture members in their searches.
Q: Are you guys a cult? I mean, do you do animal sacrifice or
brainwashing?
A: Nope, No and No. We’re a club for people looking for
truths and who are willing to share their insights. We
do offer up the occasional vegetable or oak-branch at
our services, but then again the Christians often offer
up bread and wine.
Q: So what’s the point?
A: “The Search is it’s own reward.”
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Time Line of Reformed
Druidism
1963
First ritual of RDNA April,
Basic Tenets April,
Carleton Grove founded May,
Hierarchy up to Third May
First Beltane May
Carleton Constitution June,
First Samhain November
Predictions come true November
1964
First Third Order ceremony, April
Fisher resigns Archdruidcy, May
CoDAL begins, May
Nelson is ArchDruid, May
Higher Orders 4th to 6th, May
Chapel requirement gone, June
First missionary groves, Summer
Druid Chronicles (Reformed), Summer
Vermilion SD, Summer
Ma-Ka-Ja-Wan WI. Summer
First non-Carleton priest at MKJW.
Frangquist is Archdruid Sept
1965
7th Order
1966
Green Book produced, May
Initial legislative period ends, May
Frangquist resigns Archdruid, May
1967
Hiatus at Carleton
1968
Berkeley Grove founded
Isaac enters RDNA
Smiley Affair begin
1969
Shelton is Archdruid May
Codex of Form proposed
Priestess Vote Returns
1970
Stanford Grove Begins July?
Smiley Affair ends [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]