Druids in Discussion - our rule is always open to discussion
The Rule of Life 2010 edition
- Take these rules of life and meditate upon them. It is wise to discuss them and develop interpretations from them. Nothing in this life is perfect and these rules are not perfect but with careful thought and application we can live a just and honourable life.
- Monastic Druidry – The Rule of Life.
- Druidry is a way of life. -It has to be lived on a daily basis to have any impact upon our world. This rule calls us to a life of action. Our beliefs need to be manifested in the world
- The rule is not binding to all. - All ordinances and rules of our lives as monastic Druids are binding to no others. The rule and style of life we choose is binding only to us. We have no right to place this burden on others. In this way we will not engage in attempting to make converts to our way, yet we will make any outsider welcome in our group and give access to all our public literature at any time.
- Like the natural world the rule can change. -All Ordinances and customs may be modified for reasons of health, livelihood, the avoidance of incarceration and survival. We accept our path is not a path of Dogma but open to growth and change. We are willing to make all changes needed based on necessity. This does not allow for changes to be made based on laziness or personal comfort unless for the reasons already stated.
- The Rules are like unto an oak tree, not a stone monument. - A stone monument is fixed and can only crumble and break away. The Oak tree grows and changes in response to life. We must be like this and respond to the natural currents of life. We also acknowledge that an Oak only grows at the call of the Gods and any attempts by man to control it results in little growth and deformity. In this respect it is vital that for us to grow, we are fully attentive to the Gods and make ritual the centre of our community life. The Oak tree only grows in specific soils and so our community will only grow if we have consensus of worship and pantheon. This in no way says other pantheons are less than ours, just as we could never say one tree is of less value than another. All grows in the correct place according to the guiding hands of the Gods.
- The Multiverse is very large and diverse - Our chosen way of life is but one way to express a relationship to the divine. It is no better or worse than any other path. Yet we acknowledge it is the right path for us. Just as we have chosen to enter we can choose the leave at any time without pressure, unless we have taken permanent vows.
- The diversity of the multiverse should be reflected in our practices in that we should be willing to acknowledge all new ideas and incorporate them into our work and worship, as the community as a whole sees fit. To this end each house will hold a weekly community meeting to discuss relevant business and each member has equal say in these meetings. We acknowledge a diversity of ideas but accept that within one community there has to be consensus. Therefore each community will only follow one Pantheon and worship will be confined to that Pantheon. To fully understand the will of the Gods takes a lifetime, so imagine how much more difficult it would be if we worked in multiple pantheons. The daily office and high day rituals will be available to all members and open to anyone who wishes to be present. This rule does not include any rituals of an initiatory nature if the person has not been initiated.
- Lifestyle is more important that credo. – The Gods are real and not archetypes or figments of our imagination therefore we must try and live with that knowledge and reflect that to others. We can accept many things as a belief but they only truly have value if they are lived in daily life. This is a call to avoid hypocrisy. It is a call to active truth. If you truly believe then this should be clearly visible in how you live. By this rule it has to be clear the way we lives comes from our held beliefs and if those beliefs change then your lifestyle will change. Do not be a hypocrite be clear, be honest. The daily office and ritual are the centre of our life together, and as such, must be recited without fail except in unavoidable circumstances. The daily office will call on the Gods of that house's specific pantheon. Each house has the right to design its own horarium to fit in with local needs, once established it should be kept. Any work we undertake should honour our Gods and not create an artificial need or pollute unduly. Be proud of what you do.
- Discipline is more important than control. – It has to be noted that self discipline is of the highest value as it is through the exercise of self discipline that we create and grow in honour. Therefore in all your dealings be honest and fair. When you say yes it will be a yes and a no shall be a no. Your word is your bond and it is the thing of most value you possess. Always hold this truth in your mind. Remember true honesty begins with you. Be always honest about your abilities and skills and accept no one can do all things. Accept responsibility for your own actions and failings. Make amends when you fall and do not ever get caught on the futile road of guilt. Our Gods are not vengeful unless you directly insult them. The Gods are more likely to let you reap the rewards of your own actions and therefore all our actions should come from a place of Knowledge and wisdom. In order to grow in Knowledge each community member will devise and follow a personal study plan each year. This individual nature of study allows us to follow our own distinct paths within the community. Study should be an important part of every community’s life. All study undertaken should be of some value to the community and world at large. Knowledge like material goods should be shared and teaching shall be held as highly as learning. They are two sides of the same coin. We should always be willing to seek out experts when needed. Yet we should never sacrifice our own personal growth just because the prevailing idea is different.
- Act with Mercy and Justice and always try to find the path to peace. Try to be loving in all exchanges but remember sometimes the most loving act is to avoid. Do not get pulled into hate, it is a dead end. It is best to try and understand why than to waste energy on hate.
- Each house will have an appointed Guardian. This person will be chosen by election and shall serve for a term of 1 complete ritual year. The handing over of the office shall occur after the Samhuin celebration and retreat. The Guardian is a first among equals and has no higher status than any other member but has the added burden of the running of the community. The Guardian will run the weekly meetings. The Guardian can appoint an advisory group of 3 more members to help him develop the community. All ideas must be placed before the community meetings for a vote.
- Survival is more important than comfort. – We as druids have to take an active role in ensuring the survival of our clan or tribe. We need to be proactive in the ecological movement and these concerns should be reflected in our daily lives. Each house should try and become self sufficient where possible. We should try and grow our own food and leave as little an ecological footprint as possible. We should avoid the rampant consumerism that is plaguing our world. Be mindful of your needs and not your desires. Remember we know the earth as a Goddess therefore we should treat her as one.
- Diet is a matter of personal choice but we should be mindful of those around us. Within our chosen diet the food should be simple but well prepared in order to provide the body with what it needs. We should not dishonour the great earth mother by polluting our bodies with artificial living. This has no place in our lives.
- This is not a call to asceticism we are people of body and spirit and as such both should be celebrated. We must listen to our bodies at all time and be willing to act accordingly. Again be honest with your needs and do not use this as an excuse for laziness.
- Each house should have regular celebrations and times of fasting to help us see the normal cycles of nature and to live them. The world moves in a continual cycle of production and rest, plenty and scarsity and this should be reflected in our living. Also Fasting is beneficial for health. The communities will not be against modern developments in technology and medicine unless these developments run contrary to our other rules.
- We are all called to transparency in our relationships truth and honesty and honour should be our watchwords. Communication is key and we should be clear in our speech and never engage in word play in order to achieve our own goals
- In terms of sex and sexuality we are not called to celibacy unless that is the path you wish to take. We are all called to a purity of sexuality. This does not allow us to judge the sexual lifestyles of others but calls us to enter any act of sexual desire with full mindfulness of the consequences. What causes an unhealthy sex act is the effect on the people involved. Be honest and be honourable.
- Interact with hospitality. – Be hospitable to all who come to your door be that person, animal or spirit. Never allow hospitality to become a cause for stupidity. All things must return hospitality to the best of their ability and should be judged accordingly.
- We see our chosen path as having two options one as a contemplative monastic order living together in a spiritual community observing the daily ritual of meditation, ritual, work and prayer. They shall be known as the first order. The other, being a group who wishes to incorporate our spiritual discipline into their daily lives. They shall be known as the second order. Membership is interchangeable between these groups based on the spiritual needs of the individual.
- Each member will take the fourfold vows of Simplicity, Honour, Self Discipline and Truth. All must live the life as written in the rule, to study and to try and fulfil our ways in all their actions. The vows are temporary and can be renounced at anytime. Only after careful consideration and a minimum of 6 years of practice can a person choose to make permanent vows. This is not a path which should be taken lightly. Only those in permanent vows can sit on the general council and make changes to the Rule, and have a say in the running of the Order as a whole. All house level decisions are made at the weekly meeting and voted on by the whole house as stated in the rule.