 The logo features the symbol forAwen - inspiration based in spirituality and nature | |
| Formation | 1964 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Ross Nichols, later refounded byPhilip Carr-Gomm |
| Type | Religious order |
| Membership | 38,000 |
Chosen Chief | Eimear Burke |
Pendragon | Damh the Bard |
Scribe | Stephanie Carr-Gomm |
| Website | https://druidry.org/ |
TheOrder of Bards, Ovates & Druids orOBOD is aNeo-Druidic order based inEngland.[1] It has grown to become a dynamic druid organisation, with members in all parts of the world.[2]
The concept of the three roles ofbards,ovates anddruids originates from the writings of the ancient Greek historian and geographerStrabo, who in hisGeographica, written in the 20s CE, stated that amongst theGauls, there were three types of honoured figures: the poets and singers known asbardoi, the diviners and specialists in the natural world known aso'vateis, and those who studied "moral philosophy", thedruidai.[3] Nonetheless, Strabo's accuracy has been called into question, as he was not actually well acquainted with Gaul and was likely relying on earlier sources whose accuracy is also disputed.[4]
OBOD was founded in 1964 as a split from theAncient Druid Order withRoss Nichols as its leader.[5] Where past druidic organisations across Britain, such as the aforementioned Ancient Druid Order or theWelsh Gorsedd, had been influenced byFreemasonry andChristianity, OBOD has established itself as anature-based religion, taking more overt inspiration from Celtic literature such as the Mabinogion.
The teachings of the Order could be seen as typical of neo-druidism[6] today, in that it teaches its followers the belief of the sanctity of nature and a belief in theOtherworld. Although its teaching draws upon Celtic sources, it also allows evolution, considering for instance several ideas from modern psychology and theHuman Potential movement, and fromperennialist thinkers such asAldous Huxley andFrithjof Schuon.[7]
Individual Druids and the groups that they practice with are allowed to decide their ownpantheons. Many members follow Celtic pantheons, usually relating to the four pre-Christian Celtic nations of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland, as well as related beliefs and practices, such asancestral worship,[8]naturism,[9]polytheism andSpiritualism.[10][11][12] The Order's official teachings, however, are presented ecumenically as a spiritual philosophy compatible with many religious beliefs, and other members hold monotheistic, pantheistic, atheistic, and other views. Many OBOD Druids identify as Pagan, but others identify as Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Hindu, or many other religions, while some follow Druidry as their primary or only spiritual path.
Central to ceremonies are the energies ofawen and nwyfre, both originating in folklore and writings of Ancient Britain, such as theMabinogion. Often chanted three times in ceremony, awen is an energy of creative inspiration and is an important element to support the bardic tradition which the Order foregrounds. Nwyfre, on the other hand, is a constant life-force, which druids believe flows through everyone and must be nurtured through mindfulness, often achieved throughmeditation.
The OBOD teachings are available principally in the form of a distance-learning course available online or by mail.[13] There is a network of mentors,[14] many using email, to support the students’ progress through the grades ofBard,Ovate andDruid. Members meet at camps,[15] at workshops and assemblies in various parts of the world, and a network of over 350groves and seed groups exists across the world. There are a number ofinternet forums,[16] a private members’ website in addition to OBOD's public-access site,[17] and a monthly journalTouchstone.[18]
Some members of the Order prefer to learn at home, solitary,[19] as opposed to other modern Druids who meet regularly in their local Groves, and to Druids of early pre-Christian Britain who are thought to have congregated to share wisdom or meet for occasion.[20] Members are sent course information and materials, and may be assigned a tutor if they wish to have someone to communicate with.[21]
Members may choose to join agrove - which can describe both a physical place (often a forest clearing or field) or a collection of druids - in order to celebrate events on theWheel of the Year, including theequinoxes andsolstices. Hundreds of groves exist across the world and members are encouraged to attend different groves, if they wish, as each group has its own approach to performing ceremonies.
It is made clear, however, that group participation is not necessary for performing ceremony; members are told how one's own house could theoretically be a grove, with materials published for individual ceremony alongside guides for group ceremony.
The Order holds two major gatherings each year, organised around theSummer andWinter solstices. These are almost always held inGlastonbury, with a ceremony sometimes performed atGlastonbury Tor, as well as a larger ceremony atStonehenge.
Nichols took on the role as the Order's first chief upon its founding in 1964, leading it until his death in 1974.[22]
In 1988, more than a decade after Nichols' passing, and after study in the Order and helping to further its reaches,[23]Philip Carr-Gomm was asked to lead the Order. Other notable members also hold somewhat senior positions in the order, often with the title of "Honorary Bard".[24] Other senior roles include the Pendragon, currently Damh the Bard,[25] who is involved in the UK groves and running the Order's monthlypodcast,Druidcast, as well as the Scribe, currently Stephanie Carr-Gomm.
Eimear Burke was installed as the new Chief of the Order in June 2020. Burke, who had served as leader of the Kilkenny Druid Grove, was named to the position two years prior.[26] Due to thesocial lockdown caused by the coronavirus, her installation proceeded without the special gathering of OBOD members that had originally been planned. The induction ceremony was broadcast on the Order's YouTube channel, with select leaders present. Burke has been a frequent contributor to OBOD's Tea With A Druid series as well as running a YouTube channel for the Kilkenny Grove.[27] Immediately prior to Burke's installation, Philip Carr-Gomm gave a short farewell speech featuring a musical contribution in the form of bagpipe playing from his friend and trusted Order member, Chris Park.[28]
These senior positions within the Order are not democratically elected by the Order as a whole; rather the present officeholder chooses their successor, which is followed by a period of training, overseen by the present officeholder. Burke underwent two years of training with Carr-Gomm before taking up the office of Chosen Chief.[29]
The Order possesses an online presence regarding Druidic teachings. OBOD has an online library which carries articles on different aspects of Druidry and topics which would be of interest to Druids, including serious scholarly work such as The Mount Haemus Lectures.[30] There is a regular podcast which is advertised through the Order's Facebook page called Druidcast which features music, lectures and an introduction by musician Dave Smith aka. Damh the Bard, this has now reached episode 158 after many years of broadcasting.[31] Subjects cover not just Druidry but a wide spectrum of paganism as well as bardic performances. The Order also broadcasts a weekly podcast, Tea With A Druid, which has currently reached 126 episodes. Each episode consists of a story followed by a brief meditation, led by a different member of OBOD each week.[32]
Quarterly journals are also published by members in various parts of the world:Dryade for Dutch-speaking members,Menhir in French,Druidenstein in German,Il Calderone in Italian,Ophiusa in Portuguese and two regional English-language magazines—SerpentStar in Australasia andDruid in North America.[33]
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| Neo-Druids | ||
| Related | ||
