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Y
Cerddorion Nyfed!

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Statement of Purpose

Cerddorion Nyfed is a group of like-minded and like-hearted individuals who have come together in spiritual fellowship to practice, pray, and learn together while trying to understand and promote Historical Reconstructionist Druidry. Cerddorion translates from the Welsh/Cymric to "Children of Cerridwen" (and even today in Wales denotes a musician). Cerridwen has long been the patroness of poets, bards, and musicians, a fact which this Grove seeks to keep alive in its pursuit of the Bardic Arts. This Grove employs this lively tradition in the education of anyone interested in learning the Old Ways and honoring the Three Worlds: of the Ancestors, of the Deities, and of the Sidhe (Bendith Y Mamau). Their motto is �Y Gwyr Erbyn Y Byd�--�The Truth Against the World�, and they seek to uphold this in all that they create, teach, and do.

Declaration

The Cerddorion Grove of Druids (Cerddorion Nyfed) attempts to be, as much as possible, a reconstructionist tradition, committed to the wisdom teachings of the Celts, particularly those of the Cymry (Welsh), but also of the Irish (as there is significant archaeological and other historical evidence linking the two). It strives to uphold what traditions and teachings are known of these two societies, while relying on a revival of the bardic arts to breathe life into them once more, making Druidry once more a living, viable path.

Nyfed in Welsh/Cymric means Grove, a small group of trees. As such groves or nemetons were sacred to the Ancient Celts--and specifically to the Druids--this Grove recognizes the central role of the trees in the teachings of the Druids, while at the same time realizing the historico-cultural debate ever-raging over the historical accuracy and correct �place� of things such as the ogham within the worldview of the Druids. We recognize, as did our Ancestors, that all of nature is divine and that the Druidic Grove (Nyfed or Nemeton) is the Temple of the Divine. By placing the ogham in this context, we relate to each tree a particular station in the Temple of the Grove, each of which embodies a particular aspect of nature and corresponds in kind to an aspect of one of the Three Worlds. All who enter this Grove hold the trees (and what they represent) in honor, and through this symbology, seek to honor all Creation.

We are committed to reviving and continuing Druid wisdom through avid and thorough research, reviving the bardic tradition, teaching, creating and performing ritual, and other practical and spiritual work. Cerddorion Nyfed holds learning circles, makes information accessible to members and to the interested public, develops reading lists and other publications, and conducts ceremonies. Whenever possible, we celebrate all eight High Days of the Old Celtic calendar, paying particular attention to how they have proven themselves historically significant. These are:
Nos Galon Gaeaf (Samhain)
Gwyl Canol Gaeaf (Yule)
Nos Gwyl Fair (Imbolc)
Gwyl Arglwyddes (Ostara; Lady Day)
Nos Galon-Mai (Beltane)
Gwyl Canol Haf (Midsummer)
Nos Gwyl Lleu (Lughnassadh)
Gwyl Canol Hydref (Mabon)

While we recognize and respect the many Orders of Druids and other groups teaching the Native European Tradition of the Celts, we choose to remain unaffiliated with them. Cerddorion Nyfed is an autonomous, sovereign grove which does not claim any governmental recognition, nor legal rights of priesthood (clergy), such as the ability to marry its members, etc., nor do we hold tax-exempt status. We are simply a non-profit organization of private citizens seeking to draw wisdom from the wellspring provided to us by the ancient Celts who once resided in what is today Wales and Ireland. We wish simply to revive, as closely to the original traditions as possible, the Old Ways.

The members of Cerddorion Nyfed prefer to view themselves within the Grove as equally-ranked individuals, each of whom is unique in their inner nature, and none of which is greater or lesser for that uniqueness. Each member stands equally in the Grove, manifesting power from within, contributing to the power of the whole. However, we do maintain a system of rank, based upon each individual�s level of learning, in an effort to maintain order in the Grove and aid in the education of its members. These ranks are based upon the structure of a tree, which as we have already stated, was an overwhelming target of veneration among the Celts, and the Druids in particular. These ranks are as follows:

Dalen (Leaf); Novishagh--Novice; someone just starting their training. May know much of magick/working systems/cosmology of another system or tradition, but not yet much about Druidry or Druidry as it is presented in this Grove (i.e., from a historical perspective). Basically an apprentice level student.

The training of the Novishagh should include: a basic primer of Historical Reconstructionist Druidry including cosmology, what is historical fact and what is new age nonsense, etc.; a basic introduction to "everyday magick or ritual use" such as protection, offerings, etc.; a basic introduction to the bardic arts as they are necessary in the creation of ritual within the Historical Reconstructionist Druidic context.

A student is ready for advancement to the next level when: they readily express a need to continue their studies at a higher level AND can prove knowledge of all of the above.

Cangen (Branch); Doltanagh--Initiate; someone who has completed the Novishagh level and shows preparation to continue their studies towards practical use of that knowledge. The Doltanagh is prepared to attach themselves to Druidry as a life path by taking on a Grove name and preparing to focus their studies in a particular direction, as defined by the Druidic Paths set up by this Grove based upon historical record. In the most basic sense, a Doltanagh is almost a Druid, but not quite.

The training of the Doltanagh should include: reinforcement of those things learned at the Novishagh level; proof of an ability to use that knowledge on a practical level (i.e., through the composition of ritual, performance of ritual, participation in group rites, etc.); in-depth study of the Druidic Paths as they relate to historical fact concerning our Ancestors the Druids, and as they relate to the student him/herself; a move towards focusing on one or more of those Paths with an explanation as to why this/these Path(s) was/were chosen.

A student is ready for advancement to the next level when: they readily express their need to continue their education at a higher level AND there is proof of practical knowledge (as explained above), they have taken a Grove name and dedicated themselves to Druidry as a life path, AND they have fully explored the Paths and have chosen their area(s) of specialization and can explain why.

Boncyff (Trunk); Druid--Full Druid; A full member of the Grove. The Druid should possess enough practical knowledge to be able to participate in, or even run, whatever rites become necessary. At this level, students continue their education with an Ollamh in their chosen area of specialization. They may choose to make this pursuit of knowledge lifelong (and remain forever a Druid), or they may at some point wish to take on students of their own, once their own teacher thinks they are ready, at which point they will become Ollamh.

Druid training should include: study towards mastery of their chosen Path(s).

A student is ready for advancement to the next level when: they express the desire to take on a student of their own AND their own teacher believes them to be fit for this challenge. Once their own pupil has graduated to the Doltanagh level, the Druid may then become Ollamh.

Gwreiddyn (Root); Ollamh--Leader; Head Druid; Teacher. The Ollamh has studied and mastered each of the Paths listed as a part of their title, and has fostered students through each of those Paths to at least the Doltanagh level. The Ollamh make up the primary leadership of the Grove, as well as keeping things together as a teaching Grove.

Every level of learning in our Nyfed concentrates not only on the magickal/ritualistic aspects of Druidry (which have become well-nigh the sole concern of Neo-Pagan and Romantic Druids), but also heavily concerns itself with the historical background of all aspects of what is being learned, and with the revival of the bardic tradition.

As stated on our sigil, Cerddorion Nyfed upholds the pursuit of Truth--�Y Gwyr Erbyn Y Byd�, �The Truth Against the World�. We also teach the sanctity of the Self, natural virtue, self-responsibility, and earth veneration. We support civil duty, social diversity, and feminine-masculine balance. We respect the right of all peoples everywhere to their own spiritual paths.

Cerddorion Nyfed studies the traditions of the Celtic past while being aware of the romance attached to them. We understand that much of what is known as �Druidry� in the modern world is an invention of recent centuries. We hope that through careful and thorough research we may find some of the Truth of what our Celtic Ancestors believed and lived and revive it in the present time, aided by our own gifts of Awen (inspiration), yet remaining true to the source material. We hope to remember and rebirth the past, not live in it.

�We seek the wisdom of our ancestors
Not so we may walk where they walked,
But so we may travel further.�

--Live Oak Oracle, Winter 1996