Of Elders and Druids

A tribal elder is a member of a tribal community, recognized for their accumulated wisdom, experience, and spiritual or cultural knowledge, not simply because of their age. 

Elders serve as vital knowledge-keepers, community leaders, and teachers who pass on traditional teachings and values often playing significant roles in spiritual practices and community decision-making. 

Elders are repositories of a community's history, traditions, spirituality, and practical knowledge providing guidance on important community decisions, serving as spiritual and moral leaders, embodying traditional principles and living by example. 

While many are older, the title is earned through experience, character, and service to the community and is not solely based on chronological age. The process often involves years of life experience, learning, and demonstrating a deep connection to heritage and faith. Elders are expected to live according to traditional morals and values, serving as a living example for the community. 

A druid was a member of a high-ranking class in ancient Celtic society who served as priest, teacher, judge, and advisor, who focused on nature and spiritual wisdom.  Druids were responsible for teaching philosophy and religion, settling disputes as judges, and acting as political advisors to leaders. They were custodians of extensive knowledge, passed down through oral traditions. Their spiritual beliefs centered on nature and the divine essence of the natural world, the power behind nature. 

Enjoy this insight of what it is to be an elder of the community:

I am one who has sought out ways to be of service throughout my life, who desired to be "older" than I was, and who has trained in, and has experienced some of the ways of strategy (spreading out the big picture).  

I strive to use strategic thought to deal with my environment, avoiding conflict where I may. 

I utilize experienced wisdom rather than inexperienced force. 

I serve as a knowledge-keeper, community leader, and teacher who passes on traditional teachings and values often playing significant roles in spiritual practices and community decision-making. 

I am a repository of the community's history, traditions, spirituality, and practical knowledge providing guidance on important community decisions, serving as a spiritual and moral leader, embodying traditional principles and living by example. 

I have served as priest, teacher, judge, and advisor, focusing on nature, natural and spiritual wisdom. 

I teach the love of wisdom (philosophy) and religion (exercise of faith), settling disputes as judge, and acting as political advisor to leaders. 

I am a custodian of extensive knowledge.  

My spiritual beliefs are centered on nature and the divine essence of the natural world. The power behind nature. 

I want to be a useful teacher to lay a foundation of the truth upon which people can grow spiritually and make their own correct decisions.