Guide to Modern Druid Groups

What comes to mind when you hear the word Druid? White-robed, sickle-carrying, bearded men or tree-hugging hippy types? Modern Druidism is as diverse as the many other Neo-Pagan paths and includes men and women from around the world from various backgrounds.

Below is an introduction to some of the largest Druid organizations in the world to help illustrate the differences and commonalities of practice and belief of Druidry.  The groups don't claim to practice ancient Celtic religion but to varying degrees are inspired by the Druids of the past.

Based in the USA, the group's name is usually shortened to ADF. The Irish words are pronounced "arn ree-ocht fane" and mean "our own Druidism." The ADF was founded by author Isaac Bonewits and is a Neo-Druid, polytheistic Pagan organization that has been growing for the last 25 years.

Although the name is of Celtic origin and the term Druid is used in their terminology, members may choose from religious practices of all of the old Indo-European cultures. One offshoot group of the ADF is the Henge of Keltria which concentrates on the Irish Celtic branch of Druidism.

They combine scholarly research with modern spiritual concepts. There are elements of reconstructionism. However, as they encompass religious practices from regions that were from outside of the Celtic areas where the Druids were known to have existed, they aren't generally considered a strictly reconstructionist organization.

They have a well-defined ritual structure that focuses on honoring the gods and goddesses, ancestors, and nature spirits. Rituals are open to the public and focus more on religion rather than shamanic practices like trance work, though individual groves may incorporate such practices into their rituals.

A shamanic, animistic Druid group open to everyone. Connecting with the spirit imbued in all life is encouraged and celebrated. The BDO was founded in the 1970s by artist and writer Philip Shallcrass also known as Greywolf. He is credited with pioneering shamanic Druidry as he has been heavily influenced by shamanic traditions as well as ritual magic.

Based in England, this is an initiatory order open to people of any faith. The OBOD was founded by Ross Nichols and members of the The Ancient Druid Order. Prolific author Philip Carr-Gomm trained under Nichols and leads the order today. They claim to be the largest Druid organization in the world with members from all walks of life.

Their goal is helping members in developing their innate creativity in order to more fully express themselves and relate to the world in harmony. They study psychology, art, history, and mythology as a tool for this creative expression. There are three levels of initiation which include the bard, ovate, and Druid, all of which can be performed in a grove or in a solitary setting. Much like the BDO, there is a strong belief that all life is interconnected.

The RDNA started as a protest against mandatory religious service attendance at CarletonCollege in Minnesota in 1963. They pride themselves on their lack of organization and the simplicity of their main tenet, which is <i>Nature is Good.</i> One of the original members of this group was Isaac Bonewits who later paradoxically founded the ADF, one of the most well-organized Druid groups in the United States.

These groups don't represent everyone who considers themselves to be on the Druid path, and there are many people who are solitary in practice. However, they are a good representation of the different strands of Druidry out there. Each group has its own flavor, and as you can see, some of them have very different philosophies. But one important thing they all share is a reverence for the earth and cycles of nature. All of them work in their own way to promote religious harmony and reverence for the earth as the sustainer of life and nurturer of the spirit within all things.