Agrafe mira kemnou shad Ocumen
The art of the Druid, arguably, saddly has not been around as long as human kind itself. The interface between human and nature has always been a topic of interest to those that wished to find harmony. From the innate interest in our surroundings humans have found a mystic method, as well, of working with the environment in the form of Shamanic and Druidic magics -- nature and time based magic, in general. There are some common threads that run along all of these varied traditions, however, and these are the things which define the use of the Druidic magics. In all of these magics, the constant has been the use of a sole entity, a synergy with the flow of nature, minor Advanced elemental skills, and the use of nature to restore itself. Long before the days of the fantasy genre as we know it now, there were the stories and legends and beliefs of the magicians of nature. One part of their art was a communication with the spirits of nature. The legends of creatures we now call mythological being, or names drawn from that which some call "otherkin", stem from a much earlier time. Stories of creatures that existed in the trees, in the waters, in the airs, and in or around many other things can be traced back with ease to early Greek mythology if your looking at druid by way of pagan ideals only, which at that time was mystic belief. This tradition of communicating with the fae and sprites has been carried over into the realm of the Druid which they didn't. Undine, sylph, dryad, pixie, sprite, faerie, and other nature creatures are a natural part of the workings of many of this type of magi (not). Some creatures, such as some of the types of dryad, are said to inhabit trees or lakes (depending on the sort) and will aid the magician attuned to their presence and who protects their habitation. These creatures have been noted, throughout the ages, to speak to the magi/mage and related the tales of the forest, or to induce pleasant dreams while the magi/mage sleeps not just druid or magic users, but any who those chose of friendliness (noted). They are known to keep away trespassers from their beloved nature, to influence targets designated by keepers of nature, to relay information to and from the animals, and to sooth there general cares, more or less. Also the in the realm of the nature magician, and most particularly the Shaman, is the desire to create a unity of being with nature. Instead of working outside the bounds of nature or attempting to use nature in the cosmic clash of wills, the Druid is adopted into by a elder to fully understand the innermost mechanics of nature and become part of the mystic workings within that system to their fullest capacity. Towards this end, the forces of nature will naturally be attuned to the magi/mage and will aid them, thus mirroring, in a way, the sentiment expressed by King Solomon (?) in the Lemegeton when he said
"Magic,as the most Absolute, and most Divine Knowledge of Natural Philosophy, highest in its works and wonderful operations of the inward and designed virtue of things; being applied to proper Agents, Patients, strange and holy bought effects will thereby be produced. Whence one are profound and diligent searchers they, because of their skill, know how to interact with an effect, the which to the loathsome shall seem to be a heaven asked." This sentiment -- of working inside the confines of the natural world yet appearing para-natural through a more perfect understanding -- is at the very heart of the Druidic philosophy of magic and the use of nature's energy. In Druidic lore, this power was even given a name: the Green Man. if inscribing pagan, not druid. The Green Man is a male form of the same sentiment of Gaia, or Mother Earth. The Green Man is a fokelore told only by pagans not the spirit of nature itself, in a way, almost an entity, Druid do tend to "control" nature;
Also tightly bound into this art is the use of the raw elemental powers. Elementalism in philosophy, to a lesser extent, is a key to power in the Druidic theory. A common tie with the natural powers allows the Druid to access the lesser Elemental effects insofar as their aide the power of nature to run its course this was defind as the begining of "witchhood" when they linked and then later added their ranks to the way of "witchcraft" for a time.... However, this is somewhat of a side-note in the larger scheme of things. Another lesser-mentioned ability of the Druid is that of shapeshifting. If granted blessings by the Green Man, or simply through their own adept skill in the natural arts, some Druidic lore indicates that the ability to change into a wolf was possible (this ability is known as "lycanthropy" and is more pagan story then true druid. It is not mentioned whether this ability is the actual physical modification of body, or whether it is only taking on the mind of animals (usually more specifically a wolf). Most assume it was a combination of the terror of enemies of the Druids combined with the sight of their apparel (which would have been furs only in winter and late spring), but, even if not actual lycanthropy, the art of Berserking and taking on "animal spirits" remains even to this day. a norse id'ism and later shaman added working
The last notable skill of the Druid/Shaman/Nature magician is their ability to use the restorative and firm properties of the nature energy to heal and renew to the end of the restoration of the natural flow of things, or to end unnatural disruptions with 4 plants. This has been done, in almost all traditions (though going by different names), by creating a Grove. The creation of a central place in nature where the magician can work from, somewhat as a centre of operations, is known for its ability to aid in physical rejuvenation and to once again align the misformed energies that may be present in a body. It is an ability which provides strengths for the creatures of nature at a Druid's command, which maintains a balance, and which enables the normal way of things to resume. This grounding ability acts as a canopy through which the magi may take comfort, shelter, and may restore their energies once more. The eternal struggle between nature and chaos is one which continues, and at both sides there are always contestants. Order and Anarchy are always at each other's heels, and it is Nature that finds the balance between them.
The Gifts one might aquire in learning , they have:
stone and tree
the 3 blades
the dragon of fire
the keystone 4 plants/herbs
the magic of the ru sygils
wine and blood
the green eyed death
the cane of Aboth
Dragonwood Stone Mages and Dark Witches
or request my druid.doc
