The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids or OBOD is a Neo-Druidic order based in England,[1] but based in part on the Welsh Gorsedd of Bards.[2][3] It has grown to become a dynamic druid organisation, with members in all parts of the world.[4]
The concept of the three roles of bards, ovates and druids originates from the writings of the ancient Greek historian and geographer Strabo, who in his Geographica, written in the 20s CE, stated that amongst the Gauls, there were three types of honoured figures: the poets and singers known as bardoi, the diviners and specialists in the natural world known as o'vateis, and those who studied "moral philosophy", the druidai.[5] 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.[6]
A group of Neo-druids from the Sylvan Grove of the OBOD at Stonehenge on the morning of the summer solstice 2005
The teachings of the Order could be seen as typical of neo-druidism[8] today, in that it teaches its followers the belief of the sanctity of nature and a belief in the Otherworld. Although its teaching draws upon Celtic sources, it also allows evolution, considering for instance several ideas from modern psychology and the Human Potential movement, and from perennialist thinkers such as Aldous Huxley and Frithjof Schuon.[9]
Some members of the Order prefer to learn at home, solitary,[10] 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.[11] Members are sent course information and materials, and may be assigned a tutor if they wish to have someone to communicate with.[12]
Individual Druids and the groups that they practice with are allowed to decide their own pantheons. 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 as ancestral worship,[13]naturism,[14]polytheism and Spiritualism.[15][16][17] 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.
Participation
The OBOD teachings are available principally in the form of a distance-learning course available online or by mail.[18] There is a network of mentors,[19] many using email, to support the students’ progress through the grades of Bard, Ovate and Druid. Members meet at camps,[20] at workshops and assemblies in various parts of the world, and a network of over 350 groves and seed groups exists across the world. There are a number of internet forums,[21] a private members’ website in addition to OBOD's public-access site,[22] and a monthly journal Touchstone.[23]
Groves
Members may choose to join a grove - which can describe both a physical place (often a forest clearing or field) or a collection of druids - in order to celebrate events on the Wheel of the Year, including the equinoxes and solstices. 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.
Gatherings
The Order holds two major gatherings each year, organised around the Summer and Winter solstices. These are almost always held in Glastonbury, with a ceremony sometimes performed at Glastonbury Tor.
Leadership
Nichols took on the role as the Order's first chief upon its founding in 1964, leading it until his death in 1974.[24]
In 1988, more than a decade after Nichols' passing, and after study in the Order and helping to further its reaches,[25]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".[26] Other senior roles include the Pendragon, currently Damh the Bard,[27] who is involved in the UK groves and running the Order's monthly podcast, 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.[28] Due to the social 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.[29] 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.[30]
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.[31]
Media
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.[32] 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.[33] 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.[34]
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 and Druid in North America.[35]
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