Call yourself a Druid

Nimue Brown

Nov 2

(Nimue)

If it speaks to you, do it.

There's no official qualification that entitles you to say you are a Druid. There are all kinds of courses out there and you might feel easier using the term if you've completed one of those. It's a weighty sort of word, and it can be hard to tell at what point it is appropriate to identify with it.

If it seems too big a word for wearing, then there are other ways of handling this. I quite often describe myself as on the Druid path, and on the Bard path. That doesn't seem like an excessive claim. Sometimes I describe myself as studying Druidry, because that's central to how I do Druidry anyway. I'm always studying something.

It's important to find the words that work for you. It can make a lot of sense to use different terms in different contexts. Sometimes I just identify as 'Pagan' because it can involve less explaining.

For me, Druidry is very much about how we do things. It's not a title, a qualification or an award. It's a dedication to a conscious, thoughtful life rooted in respect for the natural world, honour, relationship and inspiration. Or however you prefer to define the path - different Druids have different priorities and that's one of the more historically accurate things about modern Druidry, so far as we know.

If the word feels right to you, then use it. If you are rooted and supported by calling yourself a Druid, then it's the right word to use. If you've been exploring Paganism for more than a week you'll already know that giving yourself names and titles confers absolutely nothing - it does not get you taken seriously. Anyone can call themselves a high priest, an archdruid, a fount of all wisdom. Some people will. Some people are so invested in having their status affirmed by others that they put a lot of work into making the case for the title.

It's a lot of work, and I can't see much point in it myself. 'Druid' is not a title that will bring you wealth, fame, riches, power or respect. Sometimes the opposite. But it is a word that carries deep resonance for some of us. Using it can help you connect with fellow travellers, and that's arguably the most powerful aspect of it.