Three weeks into my explorations of ADF, I find a need to better understand what these Indo-European myths and traditions are all about, so picked up and and started reading one of their recommended texts for their Dedicant Path studies, Comparative Mythology by Jaan Puhvel.
Just when I thought my studies of myth were over, I find myself now seeing connections I had never noticed before, namely related to the links between, across, and amongst various traditions spanning the European and Asian landmasses.
What would possibly bring me to an academic book like this, beyond my proclivity to things academic anyway? Well, ADF (Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship (ADF)) styles itself as a Pagan church based on ancient Indo-European traditions expressed through public worship, study, and fellowship, and thus its focus on Indo-European traditions is somewhat central.
May as well know more about what I am thinking of getting myself into!
For those who may have no idea what this means, myself amongst them only a week ago, I propose this basic understanding — the languages of Europe, Iran, and India have certain similarity, and this history also speaks to related myths and cultures that somehow connect in ancient times. That ADF faith traditions form from that broad galaxy of interconnected worlds means that I need to at least holistically grok how they relate.
One initial area of learning that I think I always knew but has become more informed through my reading — Celtic traditions are far from being only in Ireland and the UK. In fact, the Celtic peoples stretched from there across France (Gaul, my spiritual home!), much of central and western Europe, and even into Italy, Greece, and Turkey. How, in my former days as a Christian, could I have not noticed that Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians was just that — a letter to a group of Celts in Asia Minor?
Nothing like learning new things to connect many formerly disparate pieces of knowledge!
