The relative position of men and women in Druidry is quite clear and quite unambiguous. In all aspects of Druidry, both men and women are seen to be fully equal. Men and women follow the same course of study, achieve the same grades, conduct the same ceremonies and are accorded the same respect and deference.
Druids regard the idea of distinction or discrimination in spiritual matters being based on physical differences of gender incomprehensible, offensive and ludicrous .
There are three specific reasons for this. Firstly, there is a long tradition of female Druids: they are recorded by the Roman writers Tacitus, Lampridius and Vopiscus.
Secondly, Druids regard the male and female aspects in Nature and the Spiritual Realms to have equal weight and worthy of equal respect as they both proceed from the one Divine Source wherein ALL Nature is subsumed.
Thirdly, the Druidic belief in reincarnation suggests that we have been, and will continue to be reincarnated in such physical forms as will best aid our spiritual development and eventual return to the One Light. There is a clear presupposition that the gender of our physical bodies is for this incarnation only, and for the purposes of past and future incarnations, our bodies have and will assume the appropriate gender, male or female. As we occupy bodies of both genders from time to time, any form of sexual discrimination clearly becomes self-inflicted and pointless.
Coifi