Sometimes hyphenated as Neo-Druidism, or known as modern Druidry, Neodruidism is a modern spiritual movement characterized by a reverence for the Earth and the environment.
Historically, the Druids were the priests, teachers, and judges of the Ancient Celts. They are believed to have had political as well as religious functions and were among the nobility. They played a part in the election of kings, served as ambassadors, and took part in battles. Their teachings were preserved orally only, and could not be learned without a long period of training in religion, magic, the movements of the stars, and other matters.
References to the Druids in early literature suggest that they engaged in speculations of the end of the world, including a doomsday scenario that would overwhelm both men and gods, with fire and water swallowing up the earth, the sky falling, and humanity perishing, all to make room for a new heaven, a new earth, and a new race of people
The Ancient Druids saw divinity in nature, worshipping the sky, the mountains, the stones, trees, lakes, rivers, the sea, and all of nature, including the animals that inhabited the world. Their gods include some who appeared to be part animal and part human.
The Druids were suppressed in Gaul by the Romans under Tiberius, and in Britain a little later. They lost their priestly functions in Ireland when Christianity became dominant, although they survived for a time as poets, historians, and judges.
Other than legends found in ancient literature, little is known of the first Druids and nothing from original sources. For this reason, although modern Druids often look to the Iron Age Druids for their origins, Neodruidism is actually a modern religion or a group of religions with many characteristics in common.
Today, many of the modern Druid sects are Pagan religions, but the first modern Druids were identified as Christians. Some Christian Druidic groups hold that the ancient Druidic wisdom and traditions were preserved through a distinct brand of Celtic Christianity.
In 18th-century Britain, Druidry was more of a cultural movement than a religious one. In the late 18th-century, modern British Druids created fraternal organizations similar to Freemasonry. In the early 20th-century, some of these groups absorbed the elements of naturism.
Beginning in the 1980s, some modern Druid sects have been making an effort to adopt practices modeled after Celtic Reconstructionists. Their successes are in doubt, largely because everything that is known about the Iron Age Druids comes from archaeological evidence and Greco-Roman literature rather than from anything produced by the Druids themselves. Nevertheless, some modern Druidry groups have incorporated everything that is known or believed about the Iron Age Druids into their practices.
Druidry can be described as a new religious movement, a spiritual movement, a nature religion, and as a form of contemporary Paganism. Some Neodruid sects are heavily influenced by New Age spiritualism, as well as by local indigenous or folk religious traditions, such as Native American or First Nation traditions in North America, or Aboriginal religions in Australia.
At its core, it is Celtic-based, even when practiced in non-Celtic regions of the world, and by people without Celtic ancestry. Some modern Druids identify as Pagan, others as Christian, and some have merged Pagan and Christian traditions in their spiritual practice. There are even Zen Druids and Hasidic Druids. However, in the 20th century, Druidry has been increasingly associated with Neopaganism.
There is no prescribed dogma followed by adherents of all of the Neodruid religions. Common characteristics include a veneration of nature and of ancestors.
Many Druid groups view the Earth and nature as sacred, alive, and dynamic. Because of this, many Druids are involved in environmental activism, and strive to create a way of life that is more natural than that of mainstream society.
Many Druids the ancestors as a shared group rather than as a set of named individuals, the idea being that they are ancestors of the land, rather than ancestors by blood.
Groups of Druids are commonly known as Groves, symbolizing Druidic associations with trees and nature, as well as a reference to the belief that Ancient Druids performed spiritual rituals in groves of trees. Larger organizations of Druids are known as Orders, and their leaders are Chosen Chiefs. Some British orders have three levels of membership: Bards, Ovates, and Druids.
Druidic ceremonies and rituals are designed to align participants with the spirit that is within nature, but the nature of rituals are unique to each grove. Most Druidic rituals are performed outdoors, and in daylight, however. Many Druidic rituals are based on the changing seasons.
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Recommended Resources
Also known as Ár nDraíocht Féin, the ADF is a non-profit religious organization formed to research and foster education in the development of modern Neodruidism. General information about Druidic beliefs and practices, and of the ADF, is put forth, along with its membership policies, clergy and Archdruid blogs, training programs, rituals, and a list of member groups. An online store and discussion forum are included.
https://www.adf.org/
Founded in 1781, the AOD is the oldest known neo-druidic group based on the iconography of the Iron Age Celtic Druids. Although the AOD was an influence on the neo-druidic movement, it differs from most of them in that it is not a neopagan religion, and does not consider itself to be a religion at all. Its site includes a history of the Order and its lodges, museum, and other facilities. A gallery of photographs, and downloads of several newsletters, pamphlets, and other publications.
http://www.thanetdruids.co.uk/
Unaffiliated with any specific Druid association, group, or order, Druidic Dawn is a non-profit platform for druids and other earth-based communities throughout the world. Registered members of the site may participate in its interactive discussion forums, events, and other discussions. Included is an information archive covering Celtic and Druidry topics, Druid festivals, and book reviews. A photo gallery is included.
http://www.druidicdawn.org/
Druidical Order of the Golden Dawn
Originating in part from the Druidic revival of the 18th and 19th centuries, and from the Hermetic Order of the Golden Dawn, a 19th century magical order, the organization uses symbolism from Welsh rather than Irish sources, and does not claim to descend from the Ancient Druids. Both the Ancient Druids and the Druidical Order of the Golden Dawn are outlined, with differences emphasized. Recommended books are highlighted and made available for purchase online.
http://www.druidical-gd.org/
Created by Ivan McBeth and Fearn Lickfield in 2006, the GMDO is based on seventy acres of land in Worcester, Vermont, and serves as an umbrella organization for the Green Mountain School of Druidry and the Druid community that has grown up as a result of GMDO’s training programs. Its organizational structure, training programs, membership policies, and a schedule of events are published to the site, and a book written by Ivan McBeth may be purchased from the site.
http://greenmountaindruidorder.org/
Moon, Oak, and Sickle Druid Group
The free-form Druid group in Denver, Colorado practices the sabbots and arranges for study in Druidry, as well as Western Pagan thought from Celtic and Norse traditions, working under a charter with the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids, but also drawing from other groups, such as the Ancient Order of Druids in America, The Druidical Order of the Golden Dawn, A Druid Fellowship, and others. Its projects are outlined, and contacts are put forth.
http://www.moonoaksickle.com/
The NOD was formed as an online Celtic Community for those who are interested in seeking the Druid path, but it has since implemented an online Druid college known as the Grove of Dana, which is highlighted here, and course books may be ordered through the site. Other resources include a map showing the locations of member groves, which are sometimes referred to as NOD Nemetons. An online shopping area offers books and other resources for purchase.
https://www.druidcircle.org/druid/index.php/en/
The OSC is a fraternal revivalist Druid Order with roots in the 18th century revivalist Druid orders and traditions, splitting off of the United Ancient Order of Druids in the 1990s, differing from its parent organization in its tendency to incorporate neo-pagen beliefs. A profile of the group is set forth, along with its policies for participation and membership, member chapters, and a calendar of events. A private are for members is included.
http://www.orderofthestonecircle.org/
The RDG is an independent group that was formed by students at Carleton College in Northfield, Minnesota in 1963, originally in protest of the college’s mandatory attendance at religious services, but members continued to participate in the group, starting groups in other states. Answers to several questions about the RDG’s origins, relationships with other neo-druidic groups, and its beliefs and practices are put forth.
http://reformed-druids.org/
The BDO is an international order of druids that was founded as a religious and educational organization in 1979, making it one of the first neo-pagan druid orders. The origins, organizational structure, beliefs, and practices of the Order are summarized, and its Bardic, Ovate, and Druid courses are outlined. A directory of member groves, a calendar of events, and links to other associated online resources are presented, along with a blog and an online store.
http://www.druidry.co.uk/
A registered charity in England and Wales, The Druid Network is not a Druid Order. Operated by volunteers, TDN promotes the spiritual, philosophical, and ethical practices of Druidry. Its site offers general information about the ancient and modern Druid religions and facilitates interactions between Druids and others who have an interest in Druidism. Its constitution, membership benefits and policies, and an online shopping area are included.
https://druidnetwork.org/
A Hedge Druid is a reference to a druid who is not a member of any order, brotherhood, or grove. Written and maintained by Chris McDermott and Kal Malik, the site records the experiences of two people learning modern Druidry and ancient dowsing techniques. Several articles on these and related topics are set forth, along with guides focused on specific topics, book reviews and recommendations, and a glossary of terms.
http://www.hedgedruid.com/
Prepared by one member, the unofficial site has not been updated since 2016, but includes information about the Reformed Druids of North America, the largest Druid organization native to the United States. The site also features spin-off groups, including comparisons of various Druidic organizations, and a guide to memberships, orientation handbooks, magazines, and other publications. A map shows the location of Reformed Druid Groves in the United States.
http://www.rdna.info/