Druidcraft

Who was Father Eli?

Father Eli (1916-1983) was born in a little community in one of the deep valleys of the Ozark Mountains on the edge of the White River. His parents died in the great flu epidemic of the 1920's and so was raised by his Grandmother, a member of the Cherokee Medicine Clan, and his Grandfather, the Druid Squire (or wise man) of the little village.

Father Eli was taught a unique blend of Cherokee medicine and Druidic wisdom by traditional practitioners, who taught him a similar understanding and wisdom. He offered a reason for this in an old legend he was told. Click here for this story: Druid - Wicca - American Indian

Father Eli began his own spiritual journey because of a recurring dream he began having when he was still a little child. Every night he would dream of walking into a cave in the rock cliff that surrounded most of his village. In the dream the cave was dimly lit with torches and he'd walk up to a stone table upon which sat a great book. Every night he would again return to this cave to read from the strange book, and learn about the relationship of mankind to heaven and earth, our spiritual destiny, and many other things. This was written in a language, however, that he couldn't repeat with the spoken word, and so he had no way to explain what he was learning to anyone. Finally when he thought he would go crazy from his changing perspective, he began to tell this dream to his Grandparents, who took it as a sign that he was to be their apprentice.

He spent the rest of his life trying to put into words what he had learned from those dreams, and studied many different religions, finally achieving a doctorate in World Religions. He joined the last calvary troop of the Army as a young man during the depression and found himself in Japan after the War. It was here that he found his way by a series of odd events to the Forbidden City where he was honored to be one of only 3 caucasians admitted to the temple. Here he studied with Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki, renowned Zen Master.  Upon his return home, 9 foot-lockers of notebooks full of the knowledge he'd gained on his spiritual journey, were lost at sea.  Several years later, in the mid-1960's, he suffered a heart-attack, and was "dead" for 7 minutes. During this time he found himself surrounded by white-robed old souls who told him it was now time for him to teach what he had learned, and if he would do so he could return.  This is when he began to meditate on the best way to present what he had learned from his lifelong quest to explain his childhood dreams, and when he began to write down the teachings we now refer to as The Way to Perfection.

The Druidic Craft of the Wise does not pretend to be the only Way, but it is especially for those in America who seek the inner path that leads to our core-being, our spiritual center, which is part of the great River of Life, and oneness with the Source of All. In these teachings I have learned that we are all children of the Creators, growing day-by-day into Their likeness. It is our destiny to become magical creators in our own right as we Walk the Way to Perfection via our own inner journey. Father Eli said that it is just Common Sense, which is sadly lacking in the world today.

~ Misty-Eve*

           Dedicated to Father Eli

                                                        ~*~

He's known by Prince and President,

Set foot on every continent.

From Ozark hills to Far Japan,

He's studied all the Ways of man.

 

Who is this man of hidden fame,

The keeper of the Father's Name?

Zen Master, Druid, Medicine Man,

The Teacher of our Father's Plan.

 

His knowledge spans 5,000 years

Of mirth and laughter, war and tears,

From whence he came, no one can say,

His ages varies from day to day.

 

He speaks of pirates, wars and kings

As if they were personal things

Of kingdom's rise and empire's fall,

His eyes seem to have seen it all.

 

How can one man know all these things

of which he teaches, talks and sings?

His words are those of dedication

To the Source of our creation.

 

One with Time, at-one with Love,

At-one with Father Sun above;

His path has only one direction 

Leading men to their perfection.

 

By many names, in many tongues,

His words have guided old and young.

 

To realize their own ideals 

And see how beautiful it feels

To live life with an open mind

By leaving mortal thoughts behind.

 

But now he talks of leaving soon

To let his spirit re-attune

Itself to the changes of the Age

And thus begin another page...

Poetry thanks to it's author: Brother Diogenes

In memory of Father Eli, ( 1/30/1916  to  1/24/1983 )  

A dedication by Brother Malakai

The legends recorded on the following pages are based upon the teachings of Father Eli. His wisdom and instruction has guided many thousands of people to seek a better way of living and thinking. He was raised by his Grandfather, the Squire (or wise man) of the village, and his Cherokee Grandmother, Qualli Gatoga, of the Kiloki Clan of the Cherokee Nation in Arkansas. From her he learned to see the magic of life that exists all around us. He learned that these powers can be used both for healing and achieving personal goals. She also introduced him to a family friend named Edgar Cayce.

When the Second World War was over, Eli was stationed in Japan. His quest for spiritual understanding led him to the guidance of Master Daisetz Teitaro Suzuki within the 1200 year old Zen temple at Kito Kamakura. After four years of study, he was honored as one of the first Americans to be granted the title of Zen Master.

After thirteen years in Japan, he returned to the United States and sought a means of teaching the wisdom of Zen to other Americans. When he found the culture barriers too great for the practice of Zen Buddhism, he looked into his own roots for the source of wisdom that had led him to understand the complex Eastern religion. As a Rosicrucian and Freemason, he found that the roots of Western philosophy and wisdom could be traced to the Druidic priesthood that guided the tribes of Europe for many millennia. Within this framework he found the means of teaching the principles of the "Way to Perfection" that guides all the world religions. As Grand Master of the Druidic Craft of the Wise he began to tour the country, organizing many circles of students to study the Wisdom of the Celtic people. His writings and teachings were compiled into a series of instructional books entitled "The Books of Wisdom".

In his later years, he became reacquainted with his Cherokee roots and began teaching and writing about the Native American wisdom he had learned in his youth. The same principles of wisdom that had guided the native tribes of Europe were found to be equally true within the traditions of all the Native American cultures. The herbal lore and healing methods he had learned from his grandmother was then amplified into a series of teachings that became a comprehensive course in Natural Medicine. Thus his life had come full circle, back to the roots that had initially guided him onto his quest for wisdom and knowledge.

The teachings of Eli are unique in that they present a series of practical exercises and understandings in simple terms that penetrate the complexity of the world philosophies and religions to expose the universal truth that can be found within all of them. By PRACTICING the arts of wisdom and relaxation within his teachings, Eli's students have found the true magic of changing their world into a better place. His words and teachings have guided many seekers of The Way to realize their own personal ideals and goals, and to find their part in the New Age of Knowledge.

In his memory are these pages dedicated to the New Age pilgrims who seek the Way.