what is the difference between a Shaman and a Druid?

Question

Not the World of Warcraft shamans and druids, but the actual historical/spiritual shamans and druids?

Answer 1

A Shaman is an encompassing term for the healer and / or spiritual leader usually in the smaller village like community so think Indigenous Americans / Canadians or a tribe in South Africa...



Druids were a priest class from a certain time and place, what is now known as the UK pre 2nd century AC

Answer 2

Druid: The Druid is part of their environment. Through an intimate bond with nature, the Druid is able to move the very forces of nature to cover their tracks, defend themselves or to perform duties. The interesting thing about a Druid's ability, though, is that it is viewed as a natural extension of their unity with nature. Druids are also infamous for planting magical groves. First, a specific type of tree is chosen for it abilities, and then a lot of that species of saplings are planted into a spacious circle. The Druid then visits this grove and meditates in it, ensuring its health and channeling magical properties into the trees.

When these trees are older, they will cooperate with the druid and give what they can to their protector. For a Druid, being in tune with nature and harmonious with all things is the highest calling. This does not mean that Druids are unable to use the aggressive magicks in their arsenal, but rather that they are only to be used on those that oppose and disrupt a harmonious way of life.



As to shamans, I don't have any intimate knowledge, but this might help http://www.suite101.com/content/shamans-and-medicine-man-a41457

Answer 3

Dufonce and Bella B are right (i'm just not high enough level to vote)



The easiest way to explain it is that shamans focus on fire, water, death and lightning while druids focus on healing and nature. They are very similar in practices and such but shamans focus more on the individual elements acting on their own while druids focus on the elements working together.



for a deeper explanation, check out this link:

http://www.druidcircle.org/library/index.php?title=Shamanism_in_Celtic_Culture

Answer 4

Everyone knows Everquest and D&D beat WoW :P. For seriousness, druids afaik tend to philosophize issues more though they are in tune with nature, learners of the cosmos, help their tribe etc like shaman. I've also heard druid limited to Euro-based cultures whereas shamans can be anywhere.

Answer 5

druids worship a diety of nature and have a respect for all things.



shamans worship the spirits of the earth, everything has its own spirit and should be respected.



they are very similar and this is only a short summary of the two.

Answer 6

I believe that ancient Native American knowledge originated the Shaman, while Druidic knowledge is ancient Celtic, from the British Isles. They are both very old traditions of knowledge.

Answer 7

Actually they are based on the same principles. I find it refreshing and stable. And never boring.