The Course of Nature

Primary Tenets
• Druids approach magic using nature as a basis for context and power.
• Druids consider themselves and their magic to be a part of nature, not above it, below it, or outside of its influence.
• People are also a part of nature.
• All nature is sacred, and trees particularly so.
• Druids ask instead of command when performing ritual and casting spells. This is in direct contrast to several traditions of sorcery or ceremonial magick. Again, this is a matter of respect for nature and an acknowledgment of the druid’s place within it.
• Druids get to know the forces they work with through meditation, study, ritual, and spending time in nature. This relationship can be as professional or personal as the Druid desires, although most relationships with natural forces take on very personal and direct meanings very early on. This takes time. There is absolutely no way around it… of course, your mileage may vary, but you must walk the walk.
• The primary natural forces that the Druid works with are Air, Fire, Earth, Water, and Spirit.
• A Druid is free to work with whatever god forms he deems appropriate or partial to his working.
• The Druidic path is primarily solar.
• Druidic magic taps into energy and bends or directs it.
• As much as possible, include nature in your workings. Work and meditate outside as often as circumstances permit.
• Druids do not consider their spiritual path above or better than any other. (of course, we Druids are human and do take pride in our path!). In fact, it is a Druid’s responsibility to allow each individual to grow according to the pattern nature has dictated. Helping where help is needed is one thing, forcing another sentient being to accept your view of reality is something else entirely.
A Very Basic Ritual Structure
• Opening - Open by giving peace to each quarter. (for without peace can no work be!)
• Cast the circle clockwise and consecrate the space. (Druids primary motivation for circle casting is to create sacred space. Protection is a usually a secondary consideration)
• Open the quarters.
• State your intent.
• Perform your ritual/meditation.
• State that your ritual is done.
• Close and give thanks to the quarters.
• Unwind circle. (widdershins, of course)
• Give thanks to any and all spirits who attended your ritual.
Basic Meditation Structure This varies widely. If you find something that helps you quiet and balance yourself, then do it and do it fairly regularly. As often as possible, do it outside. As you get more comfortable, sit under a tree and do your meditations. Or, focus your meditations on the qualities of Earth, Air, Fire and Water.
Use the above ritual structure, then sit in the sacred space and meditate.
It is ok to ask the spirits, gods, even the trees, for help and guidance. Nature has the answers if you take the time (and have the patience) to listen.
Basic Magical Implements: Incense Sea Salt Water Mistletoe Live plant/tree (obviously, being outside makes this downright difficult to miss) Staff, Wand, or Sickle
You can add to or take from this list as you wish. For me, working rituals in the woods tends to make me travel very lightly indeed. Sometimes all I take is the Mistletoe. (we’ll get into the magical properties of Mistletoe at a later date)
Environmental Responsibility and Your Ritual If you must leave an offering for the gods, the best is spring water. It leaves no mess. Other acceptable offers (at least in America) would be tobacco or a very small token of food, something simple like bread. Don’t leave a freakin’ Twinkie for the gods. It will be waiting for you where you left it when you come back in your next life!
Do not leave plastic, large amounts of food, crystals, finished wood products, metal or anything else that would qualify as garbage to anybody else on the planet but you. I cannot stress this too much. If you frequent stone circles where people leave this trash then you will begin to see how much damage it does. Not just to the eye and environment either, but to the spirit of the place.
Environmental Responsibility and You Start recycling buddy. This is the only planet we’ve got. You want nature to respect and care for you? It is a two way street.
The Three Keys to Mastery
• To know
• To dare
• To be silent