Joyful Aspen

“Hello?” the voice sounded clearly in my head. My eyes snapped open. For several nights in a row, I have clearly heard that greeting as I lay between slumber and wakefulness.

Druids are trained to work with the invisible. We’re completely comfortable in our knowledge that there are non-physical entities who sometimes make their presence known. We often purposefully connect with spirits of nature in our meditations and rituals. This spirit seemed elusive as I opened all my senses to the unseen. After a few minutes, I heard it again. “Hello?” I laughed.

The weather is changing here in Arizona, and we’ve had a few days of horrible pollution. My wife and I are both waking up congested and uncomfortable. As I lay there waiting for a bashful spirit to speak again, I heard the squeak emanate from my wife’s nose as she breathed in; it clearly said, “Hello?” Mystery solved.

I was a bit disappointed we didn’t have a visitor, but then I thought of one of the most essential skills a Druid needs to develop—discernment.

Discernment: The Guiding Star in Spiritual Realms

Discernment in Druidry is akin to the North Star, guiding navigators through the night. When we seek to connect with entities in other realms, discernment becomes our compass, ensuring that our interactions are meaningful, safe, and aligned with our higher purpose. When we think we’re being contacted by an entity outside our realm of reality, we must reflect on the situation to help us separate pure mental constructs from the otherworld. A Druid asks themselves some questions to determine their path forward.

Questions for Self-Reflection

• What is my intention in seeking this connection? Reflect deeply on the purpose of your quest. Is it for personal growth, guidance, or a deeper understanding of the natural world? Clear intentions set a strong foundation.
• Am I prepared for this journey? Just as one would not embark on a physical journey unprepared, entering the spirit world requires mental, emotional, and spiritual readiness.
• How do I feel about the energy I am encountering? Trust your intuition. If an energy feels unsettling, it may not align with your path. Remember, not every spirit or entity encountered is beneficial.
• Is this connection respectful to both parties? Mutual respect is crucial. Ensure that the interaction honors your spirit and the entity you connect with.
• What are the signs of a positive or negative entity? Positive entities often bring peace, clarity, and warmth, while negative ones might evoke discomfort, confusion, or fear.

Telling an Entity’s Intent

Understanding an entity’s intent is a delicate art. Positive entities typically emanate a sense of calm, offer guidance that aligns with your highest good, and respect your boundaries. They communicate with clarity and love. In contrast, entities with less benevolent intentions may evoke unease, offer confusing or malicious advice, and try to overstep boundaries.

The Importance of Connection for Druids

For Druids, the connection to the spirit world is not merely an esoteric practice; it’s a deeply rooted aspect of our spiritual ecology. This connection enriches our understanding of the natural world, deepens our sense of oneness with all life, and enhances our wisdom. It helps us in our role as stewards of the Earth, as healers, and as guides in our communities.

These connections provide guidance, wisdom, and a more profound sense of belonging to the more extensive web of existence. They remind us of our role in caring for all existences and our responsibility for maintaining balance and harmony.

A Journey of Wisdom and Balance

Discernment in connecting with the spirit world is a crucial aspect of Druidic practice. It is a journey that requires self-awareness, respect for both seen and unseen realms, and an unwavering commitment to balance and harmony. Through this practice, Druids deepen their spiritual understanding and reinforce their role as mediators between the earthly and the ethereal, carrying forward the ancient wisdom that has long been the cornerstone of our tradition.