Policies
Substance Use and Awareness Policy
Code of Ethics
- All of nature is sacred. Every living and non-living thing, every animal, plant, human, and mineral is sacred to druids. Honoring nature — including Earth’s creatures — is our highest and most important practice.
- All people are sovereign. We seek to do away with hierarchies, choosing instead to pursue total equality and communal accountability.
- Each path is unique. We practice a non-dogmatic tradition that respects the wisdom of a wide range of beliefs. Some of our members are animist, some are material atheist, some are pantheist, some blend druidry with other pagan or shaman-inspired practices, and some are theist and also follow traditional religious paths. The only fundamental requirements for belonging to our community are to honor Mother Earth and her inhabitants, and to practice kindness, wisdom, and justice. We hold skepticism toward claims that a single path is rigidly or absolutely superior to others, and we do not permit proselytizing.
- Diversity, inclusion, and kindness are beautiful. We do not exclude or marginalize anyone based on their ability, gender identity, sexual orientation, faith or no faith, race, ethnicity, or socio-economic situation. Druid College is welcoming to everyone who is LGBTQIA2+, trans, genderqueer and nonconfirming, disabled, different races and nationalities, and income levels. We reject white supremacy in all its forms and are committed to decolonization, anti-racism, and anti-oppression.
- Be wary of cultural appropriation. We seek to honor and appreciate traditions that are not our own, especially Indigenous spiritual practices and any closed tradition and spiritual path (unless expressly invited in by those communities). We will be mindful of cultural or spiritual appropriation, mindful of the words we choose, and educate ourselves to respect cultural boundaries.
- Spirit AND mind. We embrace science and intellect as wonderful gifts of humanity. As we leave plenty of space for the mystical, we are mindful that healthy spiritual practices should not run contrary to reason. We do not accept any practice that requires us to give up control of our minds or will, or embrace any practice that would goad us into denying science, psychology, medicine, or sound logic. That said, some advanced spiritual practices may occasionally run a bit contrary to common Western understandings and may push the comfortable edges of human limitations, despite being practiced by cultures around the world for thousands of years (e.g., fasting practices or sweat rituals). Such pursuits will be explored with judicious wisdom, planning, and support, and will not be practiced in such a way as to compromise the life or well-being of members or go against the advice of medical or psychological experts.
- Respect privacy. We choose to respect privacy and anonymity, therefore, we do not publicly identify other members of the College without their permission. Also, as deep work is often done in ritual, personal information shared is considered shared in confidence unless otherwise stated. We do not share personal information or stories with people outside the College or who were not at that particular gathering unless we have permission.
- Protect safety. We want all of our members to be healthy in every way possible, including being psychologically, emotionally, physically, sexually, and spiritually safe. We especially want to make sure people coming out of situations of trauma or abuse can feel protected in this gathering. To this end, we will work to ensure that culture of our College creates a haven and a healing environment for all attendees. Anyone exhibiting hate speech, harassment, bullying, abuse, cruelty, manipulation, or otherwise determined to be acting in bad faith may be either invited into a restorative justice process and/or be asked to leave the College.
- Cultivate brave space. We recognize we are all on a learning curve, and in any learning curve, there is sometimes a bit of discomfort. Within the College, we embrace the discomfort of working to create a culture of patience and courage where people are allowed to make mistakes, where we can practice being receptive to correction, and where everyone is empowered to teach and challenge each other to grow. As long as someone who makes a mistake is acting in good faith — admits the mistake and takes responsibility for the consequences of their actions — we seek to educate and restore them to right relationship before escalation.
- Each of us is responsible for our own “spiritual hygiene.” We make a commitment to try not to use the College as a substitute for therapy. Each person is responsible for our own work and energy, and we do not expect others around us to do that work for us without asking their permission and help. That said, sometimes we will need to rely on each other for support as we do deep work, such as grief, trauma healing, or journeying. When that work happens, everyone offering support needs to be able to give consent. If anyone being asked to provide support does not have the energy, resources, or desire to do so, that choice will be respected without judgment. In the same token, if someone wants to bring non-druidic traditions, spiritual practices, or traditional religions into College conversations or ritual, please gain the consent of the group present before doing so. This allows each member to retain choice over which spiritual paths and practices they choose to engage in.
- Relationships. Intimate relationships of a romantic or sexual nature between apprentices are discouraged (unless the relationship existed before the program began). If a relationship or feelings are developing, we strongly recommend that apprentices disclose this to facilitators so we can gauge how to properly support each person involved. Intimate relationships of this nature between apprentices and facilitators/mentors are strictly prohibited.
- Sober functions. Druid College is a sober organization, which means we do not welcome illicit (illegal and/or considerably mind-altering) substances during any workshop, lecture, class, or event. This facilitates deep, authentic connection with the earth and each other. It also creates a welcoming space for those in recovery. Review our Substance Use and Awareness Policy.
- Seek justice and peace. Whether resolving a dispute among the College community or serving the broader local community, justice and peace are always at the core of our practice. Words and actions that do not facilitate justice and peace run contrary to the spirit of this gathering. If conflict arises, we will seek to transform it through restorative justice practices and address the conflict’s root causes so we can work together to restore peace and right relationship.
- Authenticity matters. We do not practice performative, shallow, commercialized, or affected spirituality. We are not showboaters, thrill seekers, or tourists. We are worldwalkers and shapeshifters working from the deepest and truest places in our souls. Sometimes that work is quiet and unimpressive and shadowed; sometimes it is ecstatic and loud. We embrace natural oscillation and change, and do not demand control except to pursue balance in all things.
- Truth against the world. We seek honesty, boldness, and transparency in our program and in our community. Anyone who does not honor this principle, or whose words or actions by reasonable measures, appear to be in bad faith, will not be welcome.