The Ancient
Druid
Celtic spiritual leaders, healers, poets, teachers, mystics, judges. 3 grades - Bard,
Ovate, Druid. Sometimes includes proto-Druids that were pre-Celtic, the group that built
Stonehenge, etc.
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The Fantasy
Druid
Featured in many fantasy novels and role-playing games. Lives in the woods, casts
fantastical spells based on nature and healing, shape shifts into animals. Typified by
Merlin in kiddie stories.
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The Fraternal
Druid
Beginning in 1717, Ancient Order of Druids was founded. Since then, several more British
revivalist groups formed, often to this day acting more as a fraternal or charitable
group, such as Masons. Usually only men, often Christian. Members have included Winston
Churchill to British royalty.
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The Neo-Pagan
Druid
The majority of American druid groups, including ADF and Keltria. Neo-pagan. Polytheistic,
usually based on Celtic pantheon. Sometimes merge Wicca with Celtic deities. Druidry as
earth religion.
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The
Reconstructionist Druid
These groups don’t always call themselves “Druids”, and try to recreate the
ancient Celtic religion as closely as possible based on the limited historical
documentation of the era. Includes IMBAS.
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The Spiritual
Druid
Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids, in particular. Druidry is seen more as a spiritual
philosophy than a religion. Based on ancient teachings and values learned through
meditation. Very ecological in orientation. Members include Pagans, Christians and people
of other faiths.
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The Hereditary
Druid
Family tradition groups. Claims Druidry has been passed down through the generations of
the family. Members of these groups must often prove lineage.
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The Goth Druid
Read too many fantasy books or played too many role-plying games. Thinks it’s cool.
No serious study.
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For a more detailed
look at the different kinds of druids,
read What Is A
Druid? by Andrew "Bear" Campbell.
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