A glimpse into the life of The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids
Druidry is a vital and dynamic nature spirituality that is flourishing all over the world
It unites our love of the earth with our love of creativity and the arts.
Flowing through all the exciting new developments in modern druidism is the power of an ancient tradition: the love of land, sea and sky – the love of the earth our home.
More About the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids
OBOD – The Order of Bards Ovates & Druids – is a mystery school, a community around the world, who love nature and want to follow a magical, spiritual way that respects and protects the natural world in all its beauty. Members work with spiritual teachings that combine the inspiration of the ancient druids and the old stories with contemporary scholarship and insights into the relationship between human beings and the world of plants and animals, stars and stones. On this site you’ll find hundreds of articles on Druidry and Druid Lore, Nature Spirituality, Gods & Goddesses, contributions from members, and much more.
Our Courses and Membership
Our training course includes membership of the Order and is divided into three stages that correspond with the three traditional schools of the Bards, Ovates and Druids. We also offer courses in Celebrancy.
Resources
The Order's physical archive contains books, papers, photographs, pictures, and manuscripts from the time of the founding of the Order, and includes many contributions from members. Our online resources include a library filled with articles about the Druid tradition, materials for teachers, and all the papers written by our Mount Haemus scholars.
Get Involved
If you like gathering together for friendship, support and exchange, the Order and its members have created a whole range of ways to fulfil these aims - there are seed-groups and groves, facebook groups, a lively message board with public and private forums, weekly live videocasts, a monthly podcast, camps, and other gatherings.
Podcasts, Videos & Blog
DRUIDCAST – monthly podcast of music, talks, and interviews hosted by Damh the Bard. Downloaded over 3 million times. More than 180 episodes to enjoy.
ADVENTURES IN NUTOPIA – Our new podcast created with Sony award-winning presenter Dr David Bramwell – launching Samhain 2022 and then weekly for 6 episodes.
TEA WITH DRUIDS – A collection of over 200 informal conversations and meditations on Druidry, spirituality and life in general. Find them on the Order’s Youtube page. New episodes live on Youtube and Facebook every Monday at 8pm UK time or watch later.
FIRESIDE CHATS WITH EIMEAR – the Order’s Chief – in-depth intimate talks with members from all over the world live on Youtube and Facebook every Thursday at 8pm UK time or watch later.
THE OBOD BLOG – Regular news updates and articles. Subscribe for updates directly via your email by joining the subscriber list on the blog page.
Find Out More About Druidry
In the Druid Way section of this site, you can find information on Druid Beliefs and festivals, and key teachings based on Druid lore.
Druid Beliefs
One of the most striking characteristics of Druidism is the degree to which it is free of dogma and any fixed set of beliefs or practices. In this way it manages to offer a spiritual path, and a way of being in the world that avoids many of the problems of intolerance and sectarianism that the established religions have encountered.
What is Druidry?
The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids works with Druidry as a spiritual way and practice that speaks to three of our greatest yearnings: to be fully creative in our lives, to commune deeply with the world of Nature, and to gain access to a source of profound wisdom.
What is a Druid?
In ancient times a Druid was a philosopher, teacher, counsellor and magician, the word probably meaning ‘A Forest Sage’ or ‘Strong Seer’. In modern times, a Druid is someone who follows Druidry as their chosen spiritual path, or who has entered the Druid level of training in a Druid Order.
What do Druids Believe?
There is no dogma in Druidry, or Druidism as it also known, so you will find a wide range of beliefs amongst Druids. But most will believe in a realm or realms beyond or in addition to the physical world; in the continuity of the soul after physical death, perhaps through reincarnation; in the interconnectedness of all life, in the great web of Being; and in the Law of the Harvest, expressed in the East as Karma, in Christianity in the idea that ‘as you sow, so shall you reap.”
What do Druids do?
Druids love and respect the natural world and celebrate eight special festival times during the year. They work to develop their creativity, to foster community and compassion, and to study spiritual teachings. They are interested in meditation, mysticism and magic as means to improve their lives and the lives of others, and are often engaged in projects to preserve, protect and restore the natural world, and celebrate the creative arts.
Is Druidism a Religion?
Some people follow the Druid Way as their religion, others see it as a spiritual or magical path, others as a philosophy or way of life.
Do Druids believe in an Afterlife?
Most Druids believe in some form of afterlife. The ancient Druids believed in the transmigration of souls, which means that after death we can reborn as humans or even animals. Just as many Buddhists and Hindus hold to this belief, so do many Druids. Others believe in reincarnation (rebirth as a human) while others will be agnostic, simply stating they do not hold to any belief, while others, particularly Christian Druids, may believe in a heavenly afterlife.
Do Druids have special Wedding or Funeral Rites?
Yes, and in the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids we have developed an online training programme in celebrancy, which shows you how to create and hold such rites. You can also find a list of Druid celebrants on this site who can help you with organising and leading these.
Do Druids use Magic?
Druidry, or Druidism as it is also called, encourages you to find the magic in life itself, and in particular in the beauties and wonders of nature. In addition, it teaches natural principles that draw on a spiritual understanding of the way creativity works, to help you change your life and create more love, beauty, healing and peace in the world. Druids are both magicians and mystics. The mystic in us seeks union with the Divine, with All. The magician in us seeks to be creative and of use in the world.
Where does the word ’Druid’ come from?
Some believe the term ‘Druid’ comes from the Celtic word for oak – dru – combined with the Indo-European root – wid – to know, making the Druid a ‘knower of the oak’, in other words a ‘forest sage’. Others believe the word comes from the pre-Indo-European roots deru, meaning ‘strong’, and weid, meaning ‘to see’, making a Druid a ‘strong seer’.
How can I find out more about Druidry?
Our home learning course, in six different languages, presents the teachings of Druidry in an accessible, direct way that is supported by a team of over 50 mentors around the world who support students as they learn about the eight festival times, the magical properties of trees, plants, animals and the Earth. We have over 200 groups around the world, and this website is full of articles and information about the Druid Way.
Celebrate the Equinox!
MARCH 20TH
In the Southern Hemisphere this is the time of the Autumn Equinox, known as Alban Elfed in the Druid tradition. It is a time to celebrate the harvest, the promise of the Spring fulfilled. In the Northern Hemisphere, it is the time of the Vernal, or Spring Equinox, known as Alban Eilir. Within the Order, we have a beautiful ceremony that members can work with, and the link below offers two simple solo rituals you can use, and more information.