So, I have been distressed by something for the last two or three years as a solo-practitioner/solitary practitioner of Druid/Shamanism. While we all know there are solitary/solo-practitioners of Wicca and the like why is it wrong for there to be a Druid of this nature? While many will argue you can't be a Druid to begin with, I'd like to put that aside for the moment and just have you all consider this.

I was recently asked by someone else who might be like myself where I was studying or what school I was attending to learn to be a priestess. I simply inform this individual that I am a solo-practitioner and that my first teacher was a, not so chance, encounter with a Druid/Shaman when I was attending school in Seattle, Washington. Now before parting Oscer, the Druid/Shaman, informed me of all the books I would want to study for certain and the ones I may wish to study that may prove of interest to me for furthering and expanding my horizons. He gave me the tools I needed to become the little green-leaflet of a priestess I am now.

The thing that troubles me most these days is that people feel you need a piece of paper from a school or something that states you are "qualified" to be this that and the other. But why? In all of this if you hear a call and you know in your heart it is the path you wish to walk and follow, how are you wrong for your own beliefs? Are you wrong simply because you don't have a piece of paper? Isn't that a tad ridiculous? In the old days you were recognized for who and what you were, not by a piece of paper that said where you came from and who educated you.

Today I still continue to read all the books I was instructed to read as well as extra curricular stuff I know that I should or feel drawn to do so. But out of all the teachers I have had/will have my greatest teacher of all, I feel, is life. And so long as I have life I will always have a teacher. You are never truly a master you are always the student as far as I'm concerned.

So what say you all about this?

i say you deserve a standng ovation for that speach.

Twilight you flatter me. It wasn't that good was it? Needless to say though, I haven't seen a reply get from the person so I can't quite assume yet they've blown me off. They haven't received quite that warm of a welcome either from the O.K. community and I was among one of the few to show kindness and understanding. I would hope this individual would realize this and be a bit more understanding themselves and respectful enough to give me a chance.

i think it is highly possible that they idn't mean to be rude, and that they simply thought that it was a helpfull pointer to mention the socially accepted belief that druidism is dead. still, when one is offended it is never wrong to make a valid argument. and yes, that was a great speech, one that would have rivalled most of the speaches made on Inauguration day just recently. (the only speach i think beats yours there is Obama's Inauguration speech itself. that one was amazing! i realy grew some real respect for him. my family were like "BOUT TIME!" and my sister's boyfriend was all "See, I told you he was awesome!" but yeah. i just hope that he doesn't screw up. i'm still a little worried, but i'm cutting him some slack for that speech.)

but yeah, anyway. i promise that the flattery is not ass-kissing, i mean it when i say yourealy articulated your feelings proffessionally and movingly, and you realy made your point clear and understandable. you made it easy to understand what happened to make you eel this way, and showed that you mean no harsh judgement, all while standing up for your feelings and your beliefs with a true warrior's passion. the subject of what you are saying is something i have alreday said all i can for now about it in th past, but still to hear you talk about it again and for you to have come so far in being able to have faith in it and know that it is not something different or new, it IS the Old Ways, and that you ARE following a path that is right for you.... that inspiring.

Well as an update, the person never got back to me. I am chopping this one up to by-the-books prude with little respect for the soloist. -.-; Very sad indeed.

oh well... i pity him realy, his ignorance will lead him nowhere.

It was a 'her' actually. A supposed professional psychic and I always show a grain of skepticism toward most psychics because I know some of them fake it completely while others seriously have the gift. XP Just a friendly correction Twilight. ^_^

ah. XD okies, my bad!

*bop!* ^.^