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Druidic Lore and Philosophy

Commander / EDH BGW (Abzan, Junk) Druid Multiplayer Sacrifice Theme/Gimmick Treefolk Vorthos

Ravenrose

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Creature (34)

Land (36)

Enchantment (8)

Commander (1)

Commander: Colfenor, the Last Yew

Sorcery (11)

Artifact (6)

Instant (4)

Druids. The moment the word is uttered, one's mind likely conjures up images of robed men and women, who have an intimate connection to nature - indeed, if one plays Dungeons and Dragons, images of shapeshifters, animal whispers and wildfire mages come to mind. This is mostly as a result of the Celtomania that occurred in Europe from the 18th to the 19th century, where the romanticisation and resurgence of druidic sects began. However, the druids - the real druids - have a more complex history.

They were teachers, poets, historians, lorekeepers, political advisers, priests and judges. Druids were expected to be well versed in law, ancient verse, astronomy, history, magic, natural studies (a quasi-version of science), philosophy and, of course, religion. Their studies could take up to 20 years to complete. They believed that it was a sacrilege to write down their sacred knowledge, which is why the only sources extant on them come from the Roman generals, leaders and historians who either came face to face with them or studied them and their ways. Their name is descended from an Indo-European word - "drui" - meaning "knower of the oak tree". This was because they were also the guardians of a nemeton - a sacred grove or area of land. Sacred buildings were only used by Druids on the Continent AFTER the Roman conquest of Gaul and co. At their height, Druids could be found as far as Turkey. Fun fact: there was a powerful druidic parliament in Turkey, which was based at a place only now known as Drunemeton. I can tell you now, it is the ambition of every Celtic Studies alumnus or alumna to find it.

The earliest known references to the druids date to the 4th century BCE. The oldest detailed description comes from Julius Caesar's Commentarii de Bello Gallico, "Commentaries of the Gallic Wars" (50s BCE). They were described by other Roman writers such as Cicero, Tacitus, and Pliny the Elder. Following the Roman invasion of Gaul, the druid orders were suppressed by the Roman government under the 1st-century CE emperors Tiberius and Claudius because of the fact they had so much political influence and sway over their peoples. Tiberius and Claudius saw them as a threat because of this as the druids had the ability to turn people against the Romans. The druids had disappeared from the written record by the 2nd century.

My deck is based on the historical and neo-Druidic view of druidic lore and philosophy. Like the druids of old, the new druids hold the oak tree as the King of all the trees, which is why Scurry Oak, Burlfist Oak and Battlewand Oak are included. Colfenor the Last Yew is my Commander and fittingly so - the yew tree is associated with death, reincarnation and is a symbol of everlasting life. Yggdrasil is believed to be a yew tree, fun fact.

Willow Geist is included because the willow tree is also important in neo-druidic beleifs. You see, the willow is one of the "passport trees" to the Otherworld, which is also why a lot of cards containing the word "Sylvan" have been included. The willow tree is also associated with medicine, divination and creativity; it is also known as the Tree of Enchantment and the White Lady because of its close ties to the Moon.

Seedguide Ash is my pick for the primary Ash tree representation. The ash tree is associated with healing, wisdom, knowledge, solar magic and also inducing prophetic dreams. But the ash tree is also seen as one of the trees that "challenges" those who wish to use its powers.

Other cards have been included for different aspects: Ceremonial Knife is included because I could not find a card that looks like a druidic lunellum, which is the instrument used during the sacred reaping of the mistletoe. There are also references to rituals and sacrifices - Deathreap Ritual, Druidic Ritual, Rite of Flourishing - because that is another aspect Caesar and other Romans mentioned in their writing. It is also the aspects mentioned that historians use to cite the reason to take what the Romans say with a pinch of salt. Heartwood Storyteller is not only a treefolk but he is a lorekeeper - something that the historical druids were.

So, if you have made it to the end of my little essay, I want to thank you for taking the time to read - any and all suggestions are welcome for additions to this deck. I am missing a bunch of sacred trees - rowan, pine, alder, blackthorn, hawthorn, hazel, elm, etc - and if you have any good inspirations, I would love to know them! If you also have suggestions for optimisation, I would love to hear that too.

Raven Rose

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