If you would like to list an event here please send details to events@druidry.org
                 

2019

Every Monday at 8pm GMT/UTC Join Philip Carr-Gomm, leader of the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids, for informal conversations and talks about the questions that matter. Live on video on the OBOD Facebook page. See previous broadcasts on Facebook here.  Or on Youtube here.

16 November Psycon – come and take a walk on the wild side! a one day exploration of the connectivity between the occult, fortean themes, gothic culture, the curious, storytelling/myth-making and performance arts at The Holiday Inn, Whitechapel. Full day of keynote speakers, incl. Penny Billington ‘The madness of Merlin’ https://www.psycon.co.uk/ fb psycon

21,22,23 November – Performances of Missa Druidica. Missa Druidica is a five-movement choral work that sets the common elements of the eight sun and fire rites of the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids to music. Time: 2:00 pm. The Mendocino College music and dance departments will be performing concerts this Fall featuring a choreographed presentation of the Missa Druidica, composed by Joseph Nemeth (aka Themon the Bard).A final choir performance will be on Dec 9 at 7:30 pm. All performances are at the Mendocino College Theater, located at 1000 Hensley Creek Road, Ukiah, CA 95482. Joseph (Themon) has written some thoughts about the upcoming performance at https://themonthebard.org/2019/09/23/the-phoenix-project-in-mendocino-county. Performances are free and open to the public.

25 November – Practical Candle Magic – Time & Location 19:00 – 21:10, Treadwell’s Books, 33 Store St, Fitzrovia, London WC1E 7BS, UK. About The Event
Candle magic is easy to learn, and many experienced practitioners find it a favourite method. If you always wanted to know how to perform candle spells, or if you are keen to be able to work simple magic in accordance with old traditions, this class is for you. Lucya Starza  leads  you step by step, and we provide all the supplies. By the end you will know how to do your own candle spells – and you will take home a prepared candle in addition to your newly-gained expertise. Lucya Starza is a longstanding practitioner of Wicca and folk magic, and is the author of Candle Magic and other titles. Book Here.

30 November -Tarot for Absolute Beginners -Time & Location: 13:00 – 17:30 Treadwell’s Bookshop, 33 Store Street, London, UK. About The Event: If you’re fascinated by the mysterious images and symbols of the tarot cards, but don’t know where to start, this afternoon class is for you.   It starts with a look at the structure of the full tarot deck, and then concentrates on the meanings of the number cards. You’ll meet the four suits  (pentacles, cups, wands and swords), then kings, queens, pages and dashing knights, and finally your number symbolism for understanding the number cards  – also called the minor arcana.  Sue will then teach you the core technique of actually doing a tarot reading, and there will be practical exercises for everyone to try out. The full afternoon is packed with activities, providing a structured, fun interactive environment. You will go home with a solid basis for understanding this beautiful and intriguing divination system — and  you’ll be able to do three-card readings for yourself. Sue Terry teaches tarot in these tremendously popular workshop-style classes, which always sell out and which students love. You must bring your own Rider Smith Waite deck (or buy one on the day)  — all other supplies and refreshments are included. Book here.

6-10 December -WINTER STORIES WRITERS’ RETREAT -Have you always wanted to write? Are you a hidden writer wishing for community and feedback? Do you want to be inspired and encouraged? Tutored Workshop with RoMa Johnson
~~Time to Write
~~Time to Share with Other Writers
~~Suitable for all levels and genres
~~Beautiful inspiring location
Friday, 6 December – Tuesday, 10 December, 2019. Doune Braes Hotel, near Calanais Standing Stones, Isle of Lewis, Scotland All Inclusive: 4 Nights Hotel Accommodation and Meals
Workshop and Coaching Tuition. Price: £375 – £100 deposit required by 1 November. To register contact: Eileen MacDonald hebrides@doune-braes.co.uk – +44 (0)1851-63252
(To learn more about the hotel: www.doune-braes.co.uk)

6-8 December 2019  BRUTUS AND THE MYTH OF NEW TROY: GIANTS, CHALK HILL FIGURES, & THE MYTHIC FOUNDERS OF BRITAIN. (Glos)
We explore the mythical foundations of Britain  and London through the story of Brutus, descendent of Aeneas, looking at the guardian spirits of the land, the making of chalk hill figures, with the ritual enactment of the Masque of Brutus at this our 34th open mystery school. With John & Caitlín, & artist Charles Newington. https://www.hawkwoodcollege.co.uk/event/new-troy/

17 December Druidry. the Winter Solstice and the return of the Light.  Penny Billington, Druid author and speaker, explores Pliny’s Druid Rite of the Mistletoe, and as the longest night approaches, how Druids mark this occasion.19:00 – 20:30  Illustrated talk  Gunnersbury Park, W London http://www.visitgunnersbury.org/

21 December – Celebrate the Winter Solstice with Nickomo and Rasullah  at Wanstrow Village Hall BA4 4SX www.wanstrowvillagehall.co.uk. Take time out like our ancestors to pause and reflect on the passing of the year and the rebirth of the Midwinter Sun. We will be singing seasonal Harmonic Temple songs, including a couple of Dances of Universal Peace and having a simple ritual to honour the time of year. Bring vegetarian lunch to share. Times: 10.30am – 4.30pm Cost: £25, £20 concs Bookings: rasullah@btinternet.com 01749 850474

21 December -Chalice Well Earth Festival: Winter Solstice at the Chalice Well Gardens, Chalice Well Trust, 85-89 Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury BA6 8DD. +44 (0) 1458 831154 info@chalicewell.org.uk. This is the space between the ending and the beginning. A still point which contains not the absence of life but the presence of life. In the dreaming, life considers the regeneration and conception of itself. FREE ADMISSION to the gardens between 10 am & 12 pm. Standard admission from 12 pm (see ticket prices above) | Companions FREE. Refreshments on sale 10 am to 3:30 pm. We gather at the well head at 12 noon for meditation until 12:30. At 12.30 we invite you to join us around the fire on the lower lawn for an informal Conversation Café. We hope this is an opportunity for people to meet, share ideas, thoughts and beliefs and increase connection through understanding. FREE admission 10 am-midday. Normal admission applies from midday. As usual, you can use your ticket to come and go throughout the day. Follow the ticket link for more details. Refreshments on sale between 10 am and 3:30 pm
Winter Solstice Festivities | 2 pm.
You’re also welcome to join us at 2 pm for our Winter Solstice festivities when we gather together around the Winter Solstice fire for meditation and song. We invite all people of goodwill, whatever their spiritual path, religious belief, age or gender, to honour and celebrate nature and our part in the continuing evolution of this beautiful and unique planet, in peace, unity and co-creation with all life on Earth.Our aim is to be a place to heal mind and body through the agency of the Spirit with the co-operation of Nature. A place to nurture a growing sense of Unity, in every phase of life. To create conditions where Love can manifest in act and word.

29 December | Earth & Cosmos Medicine Wheel (Catania, Italy) (Eng/Ita) – EARTH AND COSMOS MEDICINE WHEEL Workshop. Several shamanic cultures around the world have created their own version of the Medicine Wheel. Each medicine wheel is valid, as it is a map that serves us to orient ourselves between microcosm and macrocosm, a compass that helps us to find our way, a model that maps the flow of processes in cycles, a sacred circle, a cauldron and much more.As we go through its directions, we receive its teachings, we build our “medicine bag”, we harmonize with the energies, the elements, the guides in a multidimensional geography. Walking through it helps us to understand where we are stuck, showing us what resources we can draw on when we need guidance and support. It therefore offers us different teachings at various levels and a transformative path of self-knowledge, integration and fullness. Energy exchange: 50 euros.  Where: Sala Hernandez , Via San Lorenzo 4, Catania. Timetable: 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Email: floriana.skywoman@gmail.com. For more information, please click here: https://skywomanhealing.com/events

2020

1 Feb – Chalice Well Earth Festival: First Stirring  at Chalice Well Garden, Chalice Well Trust, 85-89 Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury BA6 8DD. +44 (0) 1458 831154
info@chalicewell.org.uk. Born from winter dreaming, life stirs and the first tender shoots emerge from the earth. As the wheel turns, we feel the promise of spring and the dawning of a new beginning. FREE ADMISSION to the gardens between 10 am & 12 pm Standard admission from 12 pm (see ticket prices above) | Companions FREE. Refreshments on sale 10 am to 1:30 pm
This is the first of our eight annual Earth Festivals which mark the cycle of nature. We gather at the well head at 12 pm for celebration and meditation until 12:30.
At 12:30 we invite you to join us around the fire on the Lower Lawn for informal ’conversation’. We hope this will be an opportunity for people to share ideas, thoughts and beliefs, and a chance to increase connection through understanding. As in previous years, the side gate in Wellhouse Lane will be opened at 11:20 pm to welcome participants in the White Spring ceremony to join us for the meditation. Please feel free to join us for all or any part of the celebration.

7-8 March and 12-13 Sept 2020 WALKERS BETWEEN THE WORLDS Foundation Course in Celtic & Ancestral Shamanism (Oxon) led by John Matthews and Wil Kinghan. This is the 30th anniversary two-part non-residential course of our Foundation Course which teaches students to journey, heal, quest and arbitrate along the ancient paths of wisdom, gathering spirit allies. We ground in the ancient mysteries of our native shamanic tradition, gathering as a clan of the sacred earth. This course is essential for ongoing training with Caitlín Matthews. Contact Jane May,  janedmay@btinternet.com

20 March –  Chalice Well Earth Festival: Spring Equinox at the Chalice Well Gardens, Chalice Well Trust, 85-89 Chilkwell Street, Glastonbury BA6 8DD. +44 (0) 1458 831154
info@chalicewell.org.uk. The sun rises due east and sets due west, there is equal day and equal night. The earth greens, the sap rises and the leaves burst their buds in verdant response. This is a time of awakening, experiencing life with youthful vigour and childish delight. FREE ADMISSION to the gardens between 10 am & 12 pm. Standard admission from 12 pm | Companions FREE
Refreshments on sale between 10 am and 1:30 pm. We gather at the Well Head at 12 pm for meditation until 12:30.
At 12:30 we invite you to join us around the fire on the Lower Lawn for informal ’conversation’. We hope this will be an opportunity for people to share ideas, thoughts and beliefs, and a chance to increase connection through understanding. Please feel free to join us for all or any part of the celebration.

29-31 May Celtic Fire Retreats with accredited outdoor Instructors Jonathon Huet and Mark Lloyd hosted by Alison Martin. A unique opportunity to spend a weekend in a Sussex wood learning traditional crafts, living outdoors and connecting deeply with the spiritual traditions of the land. Each day will consist of a morning and evening fire ceremony bringing together Storytelling, Celtic folklore , Herbs and Fire-lighting followed by a deep Meditation session. During the day you will learn to weave bark baskets, identify and harvest wild foods and cook over an open fire. This unique course will give you an experience of stepping out of a modern life to learn , connect and be inspired by nature’s beauty.
All meals and camping provided, you will need to bring your own tent or tarp. The woodland is based near Eastbourne, East Sussex. Please note upon booking you will receive details of the site and workshop please get in touch if you do not receive it by email or phone 07891333780. Book here.

updated 11th November 2019

OBOD Gatherings

Glastonbury Winter Gathering 2019: 7th December. Online sales for tickets starts 22nd October 2019

Summer Gathering & Inauguration of the New Chief – Glastonbury 2020
Preparations are underway for this event. Here is some preliminary information: the official event will take place over two days – Saturday 6th & Sunday 7th June 2020. On the Saturday there will be the installation ceremony for the new Chief, and an Eisteddfod Extravaganza. On Sunday there will be the Mt Haemus Conference, with four speakers and musical entertainment. The cost of the ticket will be £60 for members and their friends, and will be on sale on November 25th 2019.
Ten trees will be planted for every ticket sold. Either side of this event – on Friday 5th, Monday 8th and Tuesday 9th June – there will be a free Fringe Festival with workshops, talks, walks, music, ritual and dance.
Details as they are finalised will be published in Touchstone.

ON THE FULL MOON EVERY MONTH
Monthly OBOD Meditations for Peace by yourself, or with a Grove or Seedgroup, perform a Grove ceremony with the central theme and focus for world peace.