So Where exactly do I start? It doesn't seem as if any must has flown in and hit my head with a Billy club of inspiration yet. Perhaps she is simply watching amused as I babble and type now. An interesting thought, but one I will save for further thought. Now, onto the background I suppose.
This will be incredibly brief as I don't really know what to say.
My Name is Ryan C. Sutherland, and I was born in Calgary, Alberta, Canada,
in the Month of August. I was [and still am] large by most birth
standards. I believe my parents still mention that the doctors and
nurses told them I was going to be a great football player. Little
did they know that I abhor the sport. I am not going to do any of
the early years, as I am sure you [the reader] will find them incredibly
boring. Suffice it to say that, even during my earliest memories
of playing in snowdrifts up in the woods by Gull Lake, I remember
trying to curry the favor of those spirits I believed to be around me.
My parents have always been the down to earth variety of peoples and have
never really understood my fascination with topics of the older religion,
and that of ancient history. Perhaps I still don't myself to every
extent which is possible. Beyond this however, I will not mention
anymore of my childhood. It seems though, that throughout my early
education I was always drawn to those cultures and mythologies different
from the mainstream Judeo-Christian mythos. Early on I was drawn
to native Spirituality and the mythology associated with them. I
suppose it was in grade six or seven when I got into D&D. It
seemed rather intreging and fun, as here was a world seemingly saturated
with magic and creatures from the myths and stories I had weaned myself
on. It was fun, although I have never been a serious gamer.
I still play occasionally, but it seems different as I have grown older.
I started to get into the fictional Fantasy books somewhere in grades seven
or eight, and they fascinated me as well. I think I was introduced
to the Hobbit when I was six or seven year old, and loved it.
Later on I got into the other fantasy books as I mentioned as well.
Although, still to this day, I find the Hobbit one of the best books I
have ever read. I have always been a voracious reader, and gobble
them up faster then cop in a doughnut shop. Anyway, back to the point.
Even from my early years, I was into reading about cultures from our past,
and those created within an authors mind. I suppose I was 12 or so
when I encountered my first book on Wicca. I can't remember who it
was by, but the ideas within it attracted my attention like a moth to a
candle flame. I believe I read it like 20 times. I suppose
what attracted my attention was the idea of invoking directional powers
for energies. It closely mirrored my own practices. I thought
myself to be a student of Shamanic Wicca, and my ideology was very similar
to it indeed. Time passed, as it does with all things, and as I grew
older and entered high school, I began to seriously practice Wicca, Hermetic
magic,
Egyptian, Sumerian, Et al. I even briefly was interested in the
Kabbala but it was defiantly not my cup of tea. As my path developed
from my own experiences, it seemed that a framework was being developed.
A system which was very close to Shamanism in many regards, with an emphasis
on earth based spirituality. One area in which my studies always
led my was that of Nature worship, the Fae, and the creation of Tulpa's.
It was in the beginning of Grade Eleven, some 5 or six years ago when I
began to seriously practice Druidism when I recognized this to be my path.
The majority of my Practices are based on the Ideologies of the Book of
Fferylt as presented in Douglas Monroe's Book "The 21 lessons of Merlyn",
and later "The Lost books of Merlyn". They have been the main focus
of my studies and mediations for the past few years, with other Pagan-Druidic
Authors in addition. One of the other primary influences upon my
path, not based on my own developments or those of Mr. Monroe, are those
books by Carlos Castanda. I cannot recommend Douglas or Carlos
enough. As my path and spirituality have grown over the past few
years, so has my outlook on life. It seems that as more of my inner
self has awakened, more things become apparent to me on a daily basis.
Those will be included in my mediations or perhaps a journal later, if
the page progresses enough to have a few followers. I should state
one thing here however, it is my belief that the inherent energies within
males and females are different and not meant to be interweaved with each
other. I am not saying that there should be no Female Druids, or
Male Witches, simply that the energies are not compatible. Then again,
this is in my own perception, if those of you reading the background disagree
with my assessment, then I cannot find fault with those. *shrugs*
Any ways..... Where was I again? It should also be noted that
I have never once taken Drugs not of a healing nature. I do
not believe that drugs should be used as a means of "Expanding ones mind".
I have always believed that if Drugs are necessary than the initiate's
mind is not ready. I suppose that will be the end of the background
for now, as my fingers are getting a Tad tired, and I have to make Dinner
for Kathy in another few moments. I will end by answering a question
that I would ask. Where exactly would he consider himself in regards
to his location along his path of Druidism? I consider myself
to have passed the stage of Ovate and am working my way towards bard, not
there yet, but I consider the goal is in sight. (As per Douglas Monroe's/OBOD's
classification system) or if you would prefer a ADF terminology then I
think I have attained the circle of a Druid of the second Degree.
It really doesn't make a difference to me, as how those orders would classify
me. I believe in one overall ideology that cannot be ignored, Nature
is the best teacher. When, in my own mind, I have attained the status
of Bard, I will bring myself to the New Forest Center for Presentation.
Upon attaining the rank of Druid, with do doubts on my behalf, or those
of my peers, I intend to establish a stone ring and grove for Druidic worship
within Canada.
Ps: This is Me, and my girlfriend Kathy when we were at Vegas
last year.
Please feel free to ask me questions if you feel any have not been addressed within the background.