Introduction

Let's begin with a definition of terms.

Religion: From the Latin Re-Ligiare, meaning to link back, or to do as was done before (or at least pertaining a reference to what was done before), making Grandma's cookbook as sacred as any other text (if texts are your thing, which apperently they weren't for our Druid forbearers). Religion is the continuation of traditions, it is also in their amendment when they require it. The Druidism (if it can be properly called such,) that was practiced before the Roman advance is lost altogether, but glimers of its reflection can been seen in positive and in negative through those practices which survived, as well as those which were reviled amongst the folk customs, and in the Caoine (keener), and Wiccan traditions. Glimers of it can be seen as well as in the rhetoric of it's neighbors and it's oppressors, such as those of Ceasar's as well as the rhetorics produced by the Monks of the early Irish, Welsh and Scottish monastic scriptora. Many of the Myths and legends remain, many more are lost, all we can do is work with what we have.

For the sake of clarity, let us run under the understand that an accuate reconstruction of neolithic Druidism is impossible for a number of reasons, and rest assured that's not what's being attempted here, that does not mean we cannot strive to come as close as we possibly can . What is being attempted here is the combination of the fragments that we have from the various 'Celtic" cultures in a Canadian mosaic style in order to create an Orthodox(ical) Druidic orthopraxy. This both is and is not ancient Druidism. it is a modern adaptation based upon ancient motifs. Every religion has come from this fire, has had to pick up the pieces and start again with what they had of the fragments of the "good old days". This is a Contemporary practice though it is based on ancient structures and foundations. The Clan structure, and the britheimh laws are recognized here, as well as the descent of the lines of the ancient Kings, but we recognise that system has changed and we have adapted accordingly (attempting to keep up with the times and such contemporary developments as the Magna Carta, the Highland clearances, as well as the B.N.A Brittish North-America Act). Druidism is not a static religion (though it does tend towards localization), but it is designed to shift and change and mold itself to the populace which upholds it. As the Mistletoe to the Oak. A fresh start for an old religion in a new world. It will not be the same, though it survives intact.

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When Ir , Eber, Erimon, and Donn left their Grandfather Milesius Espana's house in what is now Portugal (Porto Gallo) they brought their customs and traditions with them, but what they set up was an amalgamation of the traditions and customs of the Tuatha de Dannan, the Fir Bolg, and Fir Domnan and indeed all the dwellers on Erin's hyperborean/ Hibernian shores. When Dal Araide (Dalriada) came to pass the Ui Neal, the Eoghainnachta, and the Tuathail i Scotii took leave of Ulaidh (Ulster) and settled on the shores of Aire geala ("her sons", aka Argyll), again they brought their customs, amalgamated them with their Pictish (Crithemaintuathai), and Norse neighbors and set up new customs and traditions with them. One of the great beauties of Humanity is our adaptability, and this was not lost on the Sons of Scota. When Alba's shining shores where darkened with the smog of Saxon industry the clearances began, this precipitated another Forced migration this time bringing the Tribes to Canada. Yes, they also whent elsewhere, but being as ArdNemeton is in Canada we will herein focus on matters pertinent to the Canadian branch of the Tribes of Scota . Taking the heavy lean towards localisation as is evidenced in much of the writtings on or about Druidism. This website is intended to address local issues, and hopefully inspire outside communities to do similar for themselves. Example being the only true way to lead.

Druidism (Draoicht) like it's cousin Brahmanism is a linguistically based tradition. What Sanskrit is to Brahmanism, Gaelic is to Druidism (as Latin is to Roman Catholicism). Though instruction is given in the common tongue,(Na Bheurla) preference is always given to the sacred tongue of our ancestors (I Ghealaich).

Many of the survivals of Druidism come to us in fragmentary form, and not always from the same people or culture. This is the essence of what attempting to be addressed here nestled in the mosaic culture of Canada, where everything old is new again. It is this very mosaic idea which spawned the idea of hybridising the various fragments of the old lore into a new, and uniquely Canadian rendition of a modern Gaelic polytheistic reconstructionist-Revivalist Druidism (Gaelic Poly-Recon-Revivalism for short, or just Ghealteachd Canadianachd), as a preserving technique, and an example for others. Maple-Mead if you will. Considering the localization involved in the traditional practice, as well as the variety presented linguistically, I am opting to make this presentable to the folk immediate to me, they being Canadian Scots mostly from the Highlands and Hebrides, and in particular those Noble Tribes of Scota to whom I am matrilinearly allied. Therefore you might notice the prodominante dialect is Earse (Scottish-Gaelic). All things must evolve and devolve, thus, in turn Bardism and Draoicht developed in the old world but with the advent of the Clearances and the Great Famine, not to mention the Great wars much of the folk ended up abroad. As the song goes,, "There's none more Scots than the Scots abroad, There's a place in our hearts for the old sod". Though still attached to their beloved customs, they found themselves in a new world, with new people and new customs and traditions to add to their own. The old wisdom was not lost, it simply evolved to its new circumstance, adaptability being among the greatest of Human traits. That bring us here, a High (Northerly) Nemeton based on old structures for a new world, a new Gaelteachd, another new landing for the noble Tribes of Scota: From Egypt to Portugal, to Ireland, to Scotland (Dal Araide), and now to Canada. Sinn-sa a dhol amach orra slighesa Dhiathan! Gum bu slan sinn oirn e, 'S air ar Daoine!!!

A Canadian attempt at re-twining a Gaelic based "Celtic" Orthodoxy, and Orthopraxy based on Welsh and Irish Documents,