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divination
November 2009 
TREES, DRUIDS AND NWYFRE
Taikunping
Ovates
Today, those who study as Ovates within Druidry learn to work with the powers of Nature - they learn the Ogham and come to know the trees as living Beings with their own medicines and gifts. They work with the sacred animals of tradition, and with different methods of divination, and many begin a study of herbalism or other methods of healing, and in particular they learn how to encourage the flow of Nwyfre through the body. Nwyfre is the Druid term for Life-force, known as Chi' or Prana in the East.
Trees and the word 'Druid'
Some modern scholars agree with the classical Roman and Greek authors that the most likely derivation for 'Druid' is from the word for oak, combined with the Indo-European root wid - to know, giving their translation of the word Druid as 'One with knowledge of the oak' or 'Wise person of the oak'. Those who possessed knowledge of the oak possessed knowledge of all the trees. The Druid was one with 'knowledge of the trees' and was a 'Forest Sage'. Other scholars suggest that Druid is derived from the pre-Indo-European root deru - which means firm, solid, strong or steadfast, combined with the root weid - which means to see, creating a term that could translate as ‘Strong Seer'. To get a sense of how it might feel to be a Druid, try saying this: "I am strong - a steadfast seer, a knower of magic and enchantment. I am a sage of the forest. I know the secrets of the oak and the wildwood." Say it several times over, with as little inhibition and as much conviction as you can muster. It's important to say it out loud, because the voice has magical properties. If the exercise works for you, you will have experienced something of what it means to be a Druid - a man or a woman who even today.org can feel the pulse of life in the earth beneath them and the trees around them.
www.druidry.org
image Taikunping
Access: Public
I am going to say that today. I love trees and would like to learn more about druids. I have a book about them upstairs that I bought some time ago and is on my list to read. Did I read somewhere that they based an alphabet on trees? or something like that. Not sure.
Beautiful picture.
I love coming here. thank you.
I feel a deep connection with the Druids too. And of course the trees! We have a beautiful oak just outside near our house, one of the tallest and loveliest trees in the woods. I imagine it blessing our house. Thanks for sharing this.
I love the feeling of magic in your picture of the woods - the way the sunlight seems to be floating above the forest floor. Will be looking at oak trees a little differently after reading about the connection between Druids and oaks. I wish I had more time to explore the website this morning, but I have bookmarked it to look at tomorrow. I did watch the Seven Gifts of Druidry video, though, and found it fascinating - the way the words went along with the pictures and the simple clarity of the presentation.
*wink*
Hi jenni, Centria, Ingebrita - yes there is an ogham alphabet based on the trees and their characterisitics. I have read a couple of books on druidry and the elements, Merlin and magic, and the internet is great for research. I think your book is calling to be read jenni! Our house is situated in “Oakhurst Drive” - there are many Oak trees in the area, maybe that’s why I became interested in tree magic. When I look out through my kitchen window, I catch a glimpse of an oak tree and I noticed we have a small oak growing in our front garden, I would love to plant it in the woods, but not sure where yet! Is the video available on Amazon Barbara. Tree blessings to you all - I’ve been walking today and taken a few Oak photos, will post a few pictures of my walk….
Thanks a lot for this description and the link. I learned about Druids in the picture stories of Asterix. Later little by little I gathered some details . They are not enough. This type of worship and all that details are seems to be similar to Hindu and Shamanistic and also American Red Indians. There are differences too. Basically I find similarities. Oak tree also respected by North Indians and never cut them without any necessity. I want learn more over these. These are our ancients gift.
*wink* Donny!
sanmugan - I agree, I have researched different religious practices and traditions and they all link, they have common points, but differ slightly, I am drawn to many things and they all have much wisdom to offer. I am especially drawn to religions or practices which have respect for nature, man and the universe. I continue to learn every day….Taking pictures helps me to connect and feel joy. I think I will do more blogs on the Druid way
i must read that book. I shall look for it now. I have a big oak in my back yard that leans over and shades my patio in the summer. I love it.
the Oak gives us strength, it grows to a ripe old age, suffers many hardships but “soldiers on regardless” - we are blessed to have the wise old Oak in our lives. May your Oak offer you protection and strength and of course the Oak is a “wise one” too and listens to your prayers….
love Tai
Tai, the Seven Gifts of Druidry video was on the website you cited. www.druidry.org It was only about 6 minutes long and was a good appetizer, I think, for what the rest of the site has to offer.
Yes I found it today! I must have been on a different page yesterday! I’ve been on that many sites reading bits and pieces. It was last summer after doing the Native American Medicine Wheel that I thought I would look to see if there was a Druids Wheel. I couldn’t find one as such, so I made one! I used crystals, Druid Medicine Cards and made ogham letters on rounds of wood, and markers for the 4 directions on pieces of slate. Maybe it’s time to do this again on the next celebration, spring equinox this month. (mum’s birthday!) I’ve done the wheel a few times in our meditation group, slowly building up the central layers. I had a vision of a man in a white robe bending over me and wondered if he was a Druid Priest, he had a staff in one vision, I hadn’t experience a guide at such close quarters before!
Visited druidry,org and subscribed to their news letter. Thanks a lot.
A little while ago my friend Vesna (willowspirit) posted a blog about the birch tree because it is a symbol of the first month of the Druid 13-month calendar year, and my birthday falls within that month. I’ve always been particularly fond of birch trees and one of the reasons we bought this condo was because of the two beautiful birch trees in the front and on the side (we have an end unit). Birch Plain Creek runs behind our complex. Sadly when the homeowners’ association voted to renovate the buildings the trees near the buildings were removed, much to my dismay. But they said we could plant what we want now and I’ve been procrastinating for several years about it - perhaps this is the spring to get it done. Maybe it will bless us with some new beginnings…
So I was pleased to see some information about the birch on the Druidry website and have subscribed to the newsletter, too. Thank you, Tai, for this blog!
my pleasure! will go and visit willowspirits blog now - Doug has done a tree blog today, I visited there earlier this morning, think you would like it too!