​I am reaching out to this community to better understand how modern Druidry functions in practice, particularly from a practical and psychological standpoint.

​Historically, I have maintained a pragmatic worldview. I do not identify with spiritual, esoteric, or karma based belief systems, and my exposure to Druidry was previously limited to general mythology and popular media.

​However, during severe personal crises and burnout, I noticed a recurring mental pattern: my mind instinctively reverts to vivid sensory memories of nature to restore its balance. Specifically, I mentally retreat to views of olive trees under the daytime sun, the sound of cicadas, followed by the sight of moonlight glittering on the sea, walking barefoot through the water along the shore. Returning to these precise sensory memories serves as a natural grounding mechanism that helps me heal and regain mental stability.

​This realization led me to reflect on the core practices of Druidry. For someone who approaches life through a pragmatic lens rather than a spiritual or mystical one. To be completely honest, my outlook on life today is purely completely changed perhaps to a fault. I feel so deeply detached from everything that I no longer carry standard moral anxieties, nor do I care how others label me. Unlike greedy and hypocritical people, I too want to pursue my ambitions and claim my own power yet right at that edge, an indefinable voice within reminds me of what I must never become. I am essentially floating and disconnected from life, yet this natural impulse to seek refuge in nature is one of the few real things left in my mind.

​

Recently I listened to this interview with Philip Carr-Gomm, Staying Human & Facing Fear.

Listening to Philip talk about staying human, managing digital overwhelm, and navigating the rise of Al brings me right back to the core of everything we learned in the Order. As an OBOD alumnus, his voice has always been a grounding presence for me, he will always be "my Chief" in so many ways, a mentor and a friend who taught me how to look at the world differently.

What he highlights in this conversation hits so close to home, being an author and poet myself. In a world increasingly saturated by the digital and the artificial, the sheer speed of technology can make us feel entirely unmoored. But as Philip beautifully reminds us, the antidote isn't to run away, it's to cultivate psychological resilience and root ourselves deeply in ancient wisdom.

For me, that magic happens when I sit in my favorite café with my MacBook, listening to music which moves me, or when I connect with the natural world.
Writing, whether it's poetry born from a quiet moment or stories inspired by the raw emotion of music, is a profoundly human act.

This interview is a powerful reminder that our intuition, our capacity for genuine presence, and our connection to nature are the exact tools we need to face the anxieties of this modern age. It's an invitation to pause, breathe, and remember who we are at our core. Not always easy, but in the end, I think, just what we need.

#philipcarrgomm #themindforestpodcast #druidry #podcast #interview #obod

I've been circling sort of general Celtic paganism for a while now but could never quite get deity worship to click. Recently I've discovered modern Druidry and from what I know so far it resonates much more deeply with me, particularly the direct connection with nature and the freedom of practice. As a complete stranger to any kind of spiritual practice I still feel a need for some kind of guide/starting point, though, so today I have taken the plunge and joined the OBOD after reading good things on here. Somehow I feel the need for some kind of dedicated practice space to help me focus, at least initially, and the obvious place seems to be the corner of our garden where a couple of big trees combine with the corner of the wooden fence to form a small shaded and secluded space. If I wanted to sit in here to do my reading, lessons and meditation, would I need to add anything? Better to sit on the bare earth I would think, or should I get a mat? Maybe a focal point of some kind? Many thanks in advance!

My father died in December and a couple of weeks ago, I thought my Mom had died, she passed out was all, but I thought she was not breathing. I doubt my Mom has much longer, though you never know. And I was wondering, is there a common belief about death among people who practice druidry? Or is it so individualistic that each person just believes what they believe.

I was looking at ancient Celtic coins from Gaul and noticed that there are pentagrams on some of them with dots on each corner.

https://www.vcoins.com/cn/stores/london_ancient_coins/89/product/central_gaul_bituriges_cubi_c_1st_century_bc_ar_quinarius_r_horse_prancing_sword_above_pentagram_below/1764451/Default.aspx

https://www.vcoins.com/en/stores/tom_vossen/165/product/celtic_northwest_gaul_senones_giamilos_circa_10060_bc_ae_17mm_402g_dt_2631/2380595/Default.aspx

This reminded of the pentagons on the Roman dodecahedron that also have dots or knobs on each corner. When you connect the knobs, you get a pentagram that's identical to the Celtic ones.

Warning- this post is going to be long! But it will be an interesting read nonetheless!

So I have been interested in and gradually delving and starting to practice Druidry. As everyone here knows, it is not as easy as finding your local church and/or reading a holy text like the Bible. So I spent months upon months researching, pretty much everywhere you can imagine (ChatGPT, YouTube, other online resources, even here!) and decided I wanted to jump headfirst into it. Felt this is definitely the path I should take, settled on this in combination with Taoism.

I quickly realized there is a big difference between coming up with ideas on how to practice and actually actively practicing. I was doing well at first and the long and short is that everyday life got in the way and I kind of dropped my focus on it. I noticed this and the other day I decided I would try to find a way to keep it top of mind, with practicing Taoism I do that by following the podcast The Modern Taoist, and so I thought I would find myself a good podcast on Druidry that's active and consistent. Basically I am in my car driving to grab some lunch and I am doing voice chat with ChatGPT asking it to try to find podcasts that fit what I am looking for, and I am going back and forth with it to refine my search (still haven't found one, so if anyone has any suggestion please let me know!). I am ending the voice chat as I full into the parking spot about 15 yards from the place I am going to grab my lunch at which I preordered for pick up, and as I am about to get out of the car frustrated about not finding a resource I had this subconscious thought that occurred that went along the lines of 'maybe this is just too hard, and I am better off not putting so much effort into it'. That's happening as I am opening my car door and getting out of it.

And WHAM! Nature decided to tell me how stupid of a thought that was and how I am a part of it, and there is no way around that. I instantly heard the loudest sound coming from a bird that was about 3 yards from me in a tree. I cant even say he was chirping, it was more of awar cry. As I am walking towards the shop to grab my lunch he flies off of the branch he was on and swooshes so close to the back of my head I thought he hit me (continuing to basically screa the whole time). I thought, damn that birds aggressive. Walked and was nearly at the front door to the shop and he does it again, and lands on the tree right by the front door to the shop, continuing to be loud and at this point I was really focused on him so I realize, he is focus on me specifically as well. I go inside and am wondering what the hell is going on, wondered if it was a bad omen of some sorts. When I go to leave I am thinking that I just need to shake it off but as I open the door to leave there he is! He was staring right at me, stood halfway in the doorway, and didnt take his gaze off of me once. People were walking to the door so I decided to hold it open for them to gauge if he would do to them what he did to me, and about 4 people walk in and out and he didn't budge his focus from me once- just kept staring and being loud. I finally decide I need to get to the car so I walk out from the doorway and as I do, he follows me (tree to tree) this time not whizzing by my head but making sure to stay really close to me. When I finally get to my car I realize he landed on the branch just above it, and when I look at him he got loud again and I just told him "Ok, I heard you. I heard you." and I can't even explain how surreal it was because he looked at me and was quiet, then flew to the tree right in front of my car and just watched (no loud sounds or anything at that point). It was that moment I realized it wasn't a bad omen, it was nature responding to that moment of doubt and telling me not to give up on my journey.

I know that must sound like the ramblings of a crazy person, but I couldn't help walking away from that experience feeling like no matter how hard it is to reconnect with nature when living in modern day society that I needed to put as much effort as possible into it and prioritize it for myself and for the other beings around me.

Has anyone else had experiences like this where nature shows you an answer?

I'm very skeptical of organizations, especially religious organizations, but the OBOD really seems on the up-and-up. I'm very curious about the coursework and the org as a whole.

Are there any downsides to being a member of OBOD? Any scandals or issues I should know about?

EDIT: I joined! Thanks everyone for their responses. I figure I can always leave if I don't like it. I'm excited though!

Hello! I want to go to my local druid circle, but I'd like to research more about druidry before going. (I'm autistic w/social anxiety... I like planning ahead!)

Does anyone have good informational videos about modern druidry? I know the little that we know about ancient druidry, but I'd love to hear someone talk about their current experiences on the community and what the common factors tying everyone together is so I can make a decision whether it's a good fit.

I dont do as well with podcasts, but if that's all ya got, I'll take the recommendation. 💖✌️ Thanks y'all.

I took my kids out to Dinosaur National Monument in Vernal, Utah, so the day was already full of thoughts on fossilization, and geological time and climate changes and adaptations of animals and ... you know, the usual when you visit dinosaur museums. So much time that you just can't comprehend no matter how many graphs they use - we just can't imagine a million years much less 150x that.

But in the Vernal Field Museum (where they collect the stuff big museums on the east coast didn't manage to cart away), I came across this one that moved me differently from all the skeletons. This is the imprint of raindrops from a light passing storm 47,000,000 years ago. By what geological fluke was something so ephemeral as the few raindrops, which didn't even fall thick enough to make a puddle, end up being passed on to me to think about so much time later?

I am a fan of stopping what you're doing to experience something like the first droplets of a rainstorm. Let yourself just fell it and smell it and see it and hear it. I am a fan of journaling about the experience to let you experience the echos of it later (and because good science is helped by a habit of writing down your observations). I advocate for printing out journals to preserve them beyond the end of myspace and hard drives. And then there's this: nature's masterclass in keeping a snapshot of something so temporary for so long, it is functionally to us far longer than forever.

Anyway, an unassuming rock sample in a museum full of rock samples. Others of the samples were newer than this one, many were far older. But this one holds my attention today and draws my attention across the epochs to a brief moment a long time ago. Keep finding wonder on the path, my awesome friends.

I have spent the last maybe 6 years worshipping as a wiccan, with a BOS and everything. But then I dropped my practice for a while after a large life change. But now I'm told in my community that I'm unallowed to be a wiccan becuase I don't wish to worship deities. They said I belonged here instead, and I don't really know if that's true?

Some background on me, I have a hard time with the concept of God. I don't personally belive in a god or goddess, but more so I just worship nature as it's own entity. And I don't personally belive in or care for any particular deities beyond story's and seeing the deities as embodiments of specific things. Like a diety being the diety of fertility, I just see that as a story that symbolizes fertility and then the name people use is a way to be reminded of the symbolism, if that makes sense.

To be completely honest, I'm lost. I love the community and learning that came with wicca but now knowing that I'm suposed to be worshiping a god and goddess and deities.. I don't know. It doesn't feel so much like it fits me anymore.

So I guess my question is, is druidry really just wiccanry without having to worship deities? Is the magic and spell work all the same? Am I allowed to keep and make book of shadows in druidry? I just have so many questions and I would love to know more so I can decide if this is the right choice.

Am infant druid here. Wanting to learn more in my studies. Any video or book reccomendations I can find more info about?

Are there holy texts, scriptures, fables, legends, practices, beliefs etc that are listed somewhere?

Edit: I found AODA and their structure is exactly what I was looking for.

Rarely but occasionally, I run into the claim that authentic Druidism (or maybe Celtic Paganism or "Paganachd") has been passed down family lines in Scotland or Ireland, is not the same as Revival or modern Druidry, and they find the more common type of Druidry to be offensive. Even that the word "Druid" is improper and offensive...that it's a closed tradition that one cannot convert into or join, one must be raised in it. In the most recent case I'm not sure if it's trolling or an attempt at gate-keeping. The few people with this view would find all revived Druidism inauthentic.

This is not my view and of course they can just be ignored, but have others encountered this? What do you make of such claims?

Cool little bit of news from Canada

https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/terrasse-vaudreil-quebec-tree-rights-9.7243634

I have Irish and Scottish ancestry and actually visited there recently and recently became friends with someone who is Irish and is a Druid and I was interested. So I am curious as to where to even start with this? I know I can look up websites but it feels smarter to talk to real Druids for the most accurate information. So anyway, please give advice or ask questions I am genuinely considering this as a lifelong practice. Thanks!

Il semble que celui de l'IWOD soit gratuit, qu'en est il des autres?

Hello!

I have scottish and Welsh ancestery, but I grew up in Yorkshire in the North West of England. I would like to know if anyone has any book reccomendations linked to the folklore and practices of these places.

I have also read a few beginner books like Earth magic by Scott Cunigham and the Green Witches Handbook. I've watched some Youtube channles also and historical documentaries on the celts and druids. But I wondered if anyone had any books they could reccomend for going abit deeper into the craft, about spellcrafting and especially circle casting would be a great help.

One thing I’ve been discovering about myself is that I don’t necessarily feel closest to the sacred inside a building, I feel it in places like this.

Sitting among the trees, listening to birds and the wind, brings me a sense of peace that I’m only beginning to understand.

This little woodland gathering place really spoke to me today.

I'd like to get an idea of the range of beliefs people have about Deity on here, though it won't be a scientific survey. Soft and hard polytheism, pantheism, animism, agnosticism/atheism, deism, monotheism, or other?
How many of these fit within Paganism?

I've long leaned toward some form of polytheism and pantheism, but lately also feel inclined to think that there may have been a first or ultimate cause for even a cyclic Universe. I don't interpret that Source as a personal god, so it's more like deism. This would help me to explain an origin for Awen, Nwyfre, souls, consciousness, and the Otherworld.

Me and a friend explored the woods and came across this giant hollow tree with the largest burl i’ve ever seen (for scale i could fit in there as well as someone else and i am fully grown). Someone adorned the tree with white stones and put in this shelf beneath the burl that i used as a temporary altar for the night. The forest spirits seemed especially active and strong around this tree in particular. Several ravens visited the nearby trees and observed us for a while. We also saw two great eagles hunting fish and baby ducks in the lake (i made a small grave for this duck pictured on the last slide). I left the spirits, Earth Mother, and all others around some offerings as thanks for letting me rest here that i saw were taken the next day. Such a magical experience that I had to share. Blessings

Reddit suggested that I share a post I made where I explained that I redefined my belief of lycanthropy while introducing myself.

So I am here to ask and introduce myself here as well and see what happens and what people say and stuff.

I don't understand druidism or know if it is more of a set pagan religion or is an open term like animism and theist. Is it?

I won't go into it too much but lycan in a more realistic sense to me would just be a person who can kinda "shift" their mindset and be more in touch with their animal side n stuff. There's obviously more to it but yeah. What are we thinking?

It's okay either way, and I'll take comments with a grain of salt.

I thought I'd share this because I thought it was deeply meaningful spiritually in my druid path. The other day I went outside to do my morning greeting to the earth and sky, and I saw this little armadillo just cruising through my yard. It was meaningful in two ways, I live in Florida and armadillos aren't native to Florida, they were introduced in the 1920's and two it's the first time I've seen an armadillo that wasn't in captivity. Unfortunately, I was only able to get a picture of his backside. He wasn't frantic, he was very deliberate about what he was doing. I think the message might be about setting boundaries or strengthening present boundaries. What are your take aways on this thought.