Meditations on the
7-Pointed Star of Druidism
Seren Derwydd Series
Part 7: "Delfrydwr" – Idealism.

The seventh and last point of the Seren Derwydd is "Delfrydwr" – Idealism. In Western Philosophy, Idealism is a theory that states that the ultimate nature of reality is based on mind or ideas. It holds that the so-called external or "real world" is inseparable from mind, consciousness, or perception. However, the Welsh word, “delfrydwr” refers more to the dynamic consciousness of living beings that emanates from the Gods themselves; from the Awen.

In this way we are looking at the world through the eyes of the Gods, and seeing not the world the way it is but a world the way it should be.

“Some men see things as they are and say 'why?' I dream things that never were and say “why not?”
~~ Robert F. Kennedy (Quoting George Bernard Shaw) ~~

Druids aspire to a world where hunger, homelessness, poverty, sickness, crime, and war are eradicated forever. We aspire to a world where the water is clean, the air is pure, and where all the species of the Earth live protected from the ravages of human greed. Where hunting for sport is no longer tolerated. Where logging ancient trees is a crime.

We aspire to a world where, “We no longer believe that the acquisition of wealth should be the main priority in life. We believe that our work should be for the betterment of humanity."—Jean Luc Picard

It’s a different kind of wealth we seek. An accumulation not of the material, but of knowledge, and beauty. Of appreciation for all of life and all of Nature. For the Order of the Mithril Star, these ideals are enshrined in the pledge that each new Druid takes:

"In dedication to the celebration of Life in its many forms, I hereby declare my commitment to a way of life that is ethical, benevolent, humanistic, life-affirming, ecstatic and ecologically sane. I subscribe to means and methods that are creative rather than destructive, tolerant rather than authoritarian, gentle rather than violent, inclusive rather than exclusive, egalitarian rather than hierarchal. I pledge myself to harmonious eco--psychic awareness with the total biosphere of holy Mother Earth.

"Like an ancient Redwood, I would have my roots deep in the Earth and my branches reaching for the stars, the stars not only above but around me, my fellow humans, for "every man and woman is a star," and "the good of the many outweighs the good of the few," from each according to his/her abilities, to each according to his/her needs.

"I acknowledge my personal responsibility for myself, to my fellow humans, and to the whole of Nature; and I recognize this total responsibility, in each of us, as the source of our infinite freedom to become who we are and do what we will. I dedicate myself to my own inner growth and development that I may be of greater service to myself and the world around me. For these reasons I recognize Divinity both within and without, and I say to myself and others: THOU ART GOD.

"I wish to unite with others upon a spiritual path that encompasses the whole of the universe, and hereby make application to join the pantheon of The Order of the Mithril Star, and the Reformed Druids of Gaia, in order that we may learn together and teach each other ways to bring about these ends."

"So say we all!"

Back in the late ‘60s we idealized about a coming “Age of Aquarius,” age where peace, love, and justice are the earmarks of society:

“Harmony and understanding
Sympathy and trust abounding
No more falsehoods or derisions
Golden living dreams of visions
Mystic crystal revelation
And the mind's true liberation…”

John Lennon was an idealist who invited us to Imagine what the world could be like:

Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today

Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will be as one

Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world

You may say that I'm a dreamer
But I'm not the only one
I hope someday you'll join us
And the world will live as one

Oh, I can hear the naysayers, and the haters, and those who continue to profit from human suffering, and from raping the environment reject these words and scream “SOCIALISM”!!!

So? They’re not Druids. They don’t count.

At least in the ideal world, they wouldn’t. Let’s build that world. Druids can make this happen.

Next issue: I’ll summarize the seven attributes of a Druid.