THE FAQ
v2.0

A collection of frequently asked questions regarding Druidry and its presence in Ontario.

We have made every effort to address the most common questions regarding Druidry, both in a general context and regarding the Province of Ontario, Canada. This FAQ also addresses questions about this website and its purpose. Should you have a question you would like to ask us, please read through the FAQ to ensure that we have not already answered it, and if we haven't, please drop us a line at glainneidre@erithan.net and we will do our best to give you an answer.

Please keep in mind that all answers are from the knowledge and viewpoint of the site's creators, and thus, may not correlate with the viewpoints of other individuals. We do our best to provide accurate, objective information though. Also, when we say Druid, we are also really including Celtic Reconstructionist, I just don't want to type both over and over!

So, without further ado, the FAQ:

SECTION 1: DRUIDRY IN GENERAL
SECTION 2: DRUIDRY IN ONTARIO AND CANADA
SECTION 3: GLAIN NEIDRE - ABOUT THIS SITE

SECTION 1: DRUIDRY IN GENERAL [top]

• So what is Druidry anyway?
  A: Druidry is an earth-based Pagan religion. Because the answer to this question is so complex, we've provided the answer to it in the Introduction to Druidry section of the site.
  
  

• Q: Wait a second, how can you guys be Druids? Didn't they die out long ago?
  A: You're right, they did die out. Though a little information about them was recorded, most of it was by outside observers, such as the Romans, as the Celts had an oral tradition. Druids today actually practice Neo-Druidry or Neo-Druidism, and some even prefer the term Celtic Reconstructionism, which use what we do know of the ancient Druids as a framework upon which the modern version of Druidry can grow.
  
  

• Q: Wicca? Druidry? What's the difference?
  A: While Wicca and Druidry have some things in common, they are two different Pagan religions. Wiccans believe in the Wiccan Rede and the Threefold Law. Druids generally do not have these as a part of their belief structure. Wiccans see the threefold goddess as Maiden/Mother/Crone. In Druidry, the threefold goddess is made up of sister-sets. The number four is prevalent in Wicca whereas in the Celtic tradition the focus is more on the number three. Wicca tends to be a more outwardly focused path, Druidry more inwards. Both religions have areas of interest in herbal and associated healing lore. Unlike Wiccans, Druids do not cast spells. Either may work within sacred spaces, but they are used differently. Wiccans tend to cast a circle for protection while working, whereas this is not done in Druidry - you do not need to protect or segregate yourself from nature/the world.
  
  

• Q: Can only men or people of Celtic descent be Druids? Do I have to worship Celtic gods?
  A: Of course not. Anyone of any race, male or female, can be a Druid. There is some evidence that suggests that even with the original Druids, there were females in their ranks. At the very least we see reference to female seers in mythological works like the Táin Bó Cúalnge. Women in Celtic society were afforded quite a few rights legally within society. Druidry involves much more than just religion - it is more like a total life philosophy. It isn't something you do once a week.
  
  

• Q: Is it better to be a member of a grove or association, or to be a solitary practitioner of Druidry?
  A: In the end it really depends on what feels more comfortable for you. There are those who choose to work in groups, feeling more at home and able to work with a group dynamic and prefer the structure that the group offers, whereas others are more inclined to practice Druidry alone, as it allows them the opportunity to cater to their own thoughts and preferences. Whether you choose to work with a group or not, make sure you are making the choice for yourself and your own spiritual needs, and not simply for socializing purposes.

SECTION 2: DRUIDRY IN ONTARIO AND CANADA [top]

• Q: Is there some sort of order of Druids in Canada?
  A: To our knowledge, there is no order in Canada that is Canadian in origin and specifically for Canadian Druids. There are, however, some groups and groves within the provinces that are associated with some of the International orders. The same applies for the provinces. There are no province-specific orders of Canadian origin.
  
  

• Q: I've been looking everywhere for other Druids in my area, but I can't find any! They aren't many at all listed online, and sometimes when I do contact one they don't respond!
  A: We too have found that there are very few Druids listed online for the Ontario region, and that was a big part of the reason for why we created this site. As for those you do contact not responding, Make sure that you are polite when you do contact them, and do not ask them right out if they will be your teacher unless they have offered their services as a teacher online. Most Druids will be happy to answer any questions you may have about the path, but remember they don't spend their days in front of their email application, so it may take them some time to get back to you. You may also want to contact any local groups that are of interest to you, or their larger international counterparts that can in turn put you in touch with local members.
  
  

• Q: I refuse to believe there are no Druids near me! What can I do besides search the Internet to find others in my area?
  A: You may want to try contacting local general Pagan groups and becoming involved in some of their events. Examples may include attending the local Pagan Pub Moot if there is one, or attending the annual Pagan Pride Day held in Toronto every year. You never know who you may run into at these events, and even if there are no Druids present, someone may know of some. If you attend a university or college, see if your school has a pagan society and participate in their events. Remember, networking is an important thing in the Pagan community.
  
  

• Q: Where can I find Druid-related reading materials, etc. in the Ontario region?
  A: There are a number of stores throughout Ontario which specialize in Pagan supplies, literature, and the Occult. You will probably be able to find some of what you are looking for at them, or they can probably at least special order for you any published materials you would like. Please see our Pagan Business Listings for more information on stores near your area. Also, there is some good information online, BUT you have to be very careful and research what you do read there, for there is much material on the Internet which is potentially misleading or inaccurate. If you are a college or university student, check your library for books of interest. Online booksellers like Amazon.com and Abebooks also carry a lot of titles.

SECTION 3: GLAIN NEIDRE - ABOUT THIS SITE [top]

• Q: So what exactly is this site anyway?
  A: This site was created to provide a resource hub for Druids in the province of Ontario, though it may well extend to include all of Canada in the distant future. For more information on this website's history and its creators, please see the Site History section of the website.
  
  

• Q: What does Glain Neidre mean and how does it relate to Druidry?
  A: Glain Neidre translates to "adder’s stone", from the Welsh words
  "glain", meaning gem, jewel, or stone and "neidre" or "naddair"; the snake, or adder.

• Q: I have a personal listing/business listing/event listing/group listing/website link etc. that I would be interested in you having on your site. How do I go about sending this information to you?
  A: Its pretty easy really, in most cases you simply need to email us some information. For more details on how to get your listing on our site, please see the Get Listed page.
  
  

• Q: I have an article/letter/editorial etc. that I would be interested in you having on your site. How do I go about sending this information to you and what guidelines, if any, do you have for my piece of writing?
  A: Like submitting a listing, it is relatively easy to send us a piece of writing. We do, however, have a few guidelines regarding content that we would like you to be aware of before submitting. Please see the Contribute page for more information on our requirements and how to submit your creations.