The Concepts of Draoi-Heil
The Druids call it Draoi-Heil <pronounced Droy-El>, or Druids Light /
Druids Sacred Light. What others refer to as magik or energy, Draoi-Heil is
basically the same with a few twists and differences.
One of the primary differences is the way in which the Draoi-Heil is utilized.
In a normal setting, centuries ago, there were never solitary efforts on the
part of Druids. Druids were organized beyond anything Pagan now. Druids work in
groups typically over short distances. Many try to work in 'Bangors' or
'Groves', but these are not always possible anymore.
The leader, as was the Celtic custom, was chosen from the group for their
ability, not their political efforts. This leader was potentially there for the
duration, but was often replaced temporarily for special purposes. This was the
Celtic way, the best was chosen to lead and everyone else supported them
whole-heatedly.
Imagine what you might call a "Cone of Power", but rather than a
circling energy cone it is a focusing agent. Individual Druids would summon and
sew their raw Draoi-Heil into the group towards their chosen leader (sometimes
called a Brenna or a Bran-na ((the Crow's Head), a term still used by students
of Alchemy). The Leader would use their Draoi-Heil as a cone to focus and
tighten the energy to a razors edge. Imagine the cone being inverted so it acted
like a ruby on a huge laser beam. This resulted in something referred to briefly
as the Doninnin Draoi-Heil <pronounced Doo-sin-en Droy El> or the Druids
Tempest of Light.
Communities consisted of sometimes thousands of Druids and their students all
contributing their entire substance without reservation to the task at hand. The
leader not only had the use of these energies but of the massed and gathered
energies of the ward stones of the community that had been acting as storage and
balancing agents for the tribe as well.
It took quite a while for these actions to finalize, especially if a leader had
not been chosen or the exact method had not been figured out. But once one of
these things went off, the effects were beyond imagination.
The other difference is that many Druids connect like a Witch grounding and
centering, but they tend to do it constantly and continuously. Like Shamans,
they are always 'tapping' and 'charging' and 'centering oneself'. Drawing and
pushing with every breath, sometimes for days or weeks at a time. This is what
is often referred to as 'maintaining balance' and it ensures instant access to
everything if and when needed. It also ensures instant warning of anything
happening to or around you, because of the loss of that complete Balance. Any
influences can fluctuate that circle of Draoi-Heil.
Draoi-Heil has a hidden backlash though, it's use is directly tied to each
person and the land around them as well. In a purely Metaphysical way we are
bound by that Balance with everything to pay back that which was taken or used.
This can lead to some interesting situations, in Physics terminology
"...everything you do causes an equal yet opposite reaction..." This
is the concept of "As Above, so Below" and the "Law of
Return". But underlying these concepts is the Law of Accountability.
While Draoi-Heil may be a concept that is similar to 'Energy' for many Pagans it
has some distinct differences. Primarily it is in how many Druids and Shamans
feel their connection to the forces around them. By being part and parcel of the
Land Sea and Sky around them, many feel the forces of Nature as energy patterns.
By surrendering ourselves to the Balance that surrounds us we lose ourselves in
its majesty. Where as many pagans, try to work within that surrounding as if
they are a visitor to the realm.
In return, in time of need, Druids and Shamans feel that we are allowed to draw
from everything around us in the making of the effort to accomplish something.
While the Pagan, establishes the connection each time it's needed. Many of us
"pay it Forward" especially when we know there is something big coming
up. We give of ourselves completely and drain ourselves so that we can draw more
than might be possible otherwise.