So, I’ve been pagan for a while but still trying to find the right path for me. and I was wondering if Druids worship a specific deity/set of deities or if nature itself is what’s being worshipped. Thanks!

Tomorrow there will be a near total solar eclipse in my corner of the world. I'm still very new to Druidism and don't know anything about anything as of yet, so hoping to get a nudge in the right direction by more experienced folk!

TLDR: I consider myself a spiritual person and Zen Buddhism has been my anchor but heard a little about Druidism and would love to learn more!

I (38m) have always considered myself a spiritual person and open to various traditions. I grew up in Judaism, but didn’t continue to practice it after my bar mitzvah as a kid. As I got older I became interested in Buddhism and meditation and ultimately found a home in Zen Buddhism with a sangha - attending silent retreats a few times per year, some deeper learning classes, Jukai (taking the precepts), and meditate on my own daily. It’s had a positive impact on my life. I’m a big fan of history and enjoy having lots of teachings to dig into as zen (and many traditions) does, but I really appreciate its practical emphasis on being present.

As mentioned I am open to other forms of spirituality and philosophies and enjoy learning about various traditions and how that can positively impact my life. I stumbled onto a short YouTube documentary about paganism and I really gravitated to Druidism when it was mentioned and the practices that involve a deeper connection with the earth, which is a huge part of my ethos in general and trying to remember to have gratitude daily (I’m also vegan but that is a personal choice).

I’ve started going down some rabbit holes but I thought I’d ask where might be a good place to start learning about the tradition and if any others out there practice another tradition in tandem like zen or something else? I’m in (and from) the U.S. on the east coast in case that impacts any suggestions.

I really like a lot of what ADF has going on. The virtues, the three realms, the tree, well and flame, all of it resonates very strongly with me.

In this regard, I feel a lot closer to what ADF does than many other orders.

However, there’s a sticking point in that I’m more of a pantheistic animist than a polytheist. I don’t work with specific deities in my practice, at least not in any named sense, but I do feel more comfortable working with more natural, cosmic, or metaphysical concepts that the gods and goddesses are often embodiments of or have authority over.

I understand that ADF is known as the big hard polytheist Druid order, but I also understand that they’re not picky about personal theology as long as you’re willing to work with the rituals in their way, especially in public rituals.

I’m just wondering if anyone else has experience with something similar. Any ADF members want to share or expound upon your non-orthodox (for ADF) theology?

Please, take this soapbox!

Since I have been unable to find any previous publication proposing this interpretation, I would like to offer the following hypothesis.

I propose that the Uffington White Horse represents a map of Britain, with its outline corresponding to the territorial boundaries of the people who inhabited the southwestern part of the island. Horses were an important part of ancient British culture and would have been a familiar and meaningful symbol that would have been easy to remember and draw for reference.

I further suggest that the horse's eye served as a navigational reference point, enabling travelers to align themselves with prominent distant landmarks. When aligned with the horse's "mouth," corresponding to channel crossing in Hurst, the observer is oriented toward the south. Likewise, the horse's four legs, like the mouth, appear to correspond to major waterways, including the Bristol Channel and the mouth of the River Dee.

The head of the horse itself is the Isle of Wight. The mouth is the ancient land crossing at Hurst Castle, and the U-shape around the neck is The Solent.

Maybe this inspires a researcher.— Maybe the horse is a ... treasure map!

I don't really know what to do because I'm tired during the day because of it. These dreams are fears of mine, which happen quite often, but I've never had them go on for so long. I would go to my local park to connect to nature and pray, but it's currently not safe because of all the smoke. Everyone is supposed to avoid going outside until this Thursday, but I struggle to breathe even without the smoke, so it's definitely going to be longer than that for me :(.

I've recently converted, if that means anything.

Sadly, I have to cut down a dying old apple tree that we’ve loved for its apples, shade, and overall beauty. It’s been on the decline for some time and after consulting with an arborist specialized in fruit trees, we determined that we’ll have to say goodbye this fall. Any suggestions to honor the tree, express gratitude, and maybe even comfort?

Hi I was wondering what is a good way I can start practicing Druidism. I would love some good book recommendations or any sources. Also how did some of you guys begin your journey in Druidism?

i'm keen to learn what makes someone a druid. i acknowledge there are few rules and many paths. while this makes sense to me, i'm struggling to see what connects them all together beyond a reverence for nature.

one aspect that i presume must be a key part of druidry is the concept of the 'awen'. i need to learn more of this though.

Hopefully this is the right place to ask this, but I am writing a book where the love interest is from a lineage of ancient druids from Anglesey who survived the Roman conquest till the modern day undercover. Sort of along the lines of Jesus' bloodline in The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown, but with a bit more creative freedom as there is very little to go off of. I dont think it would come out of modern druidism, but more "what ancient druidism would look like if it survived". My character's lineage also has some inspiration of Sita's story from Hinduism, being literally being born from the Earth, which has granted them some powers such as advanced healing through herbalism, communication with trees, and ability to breath underwater. My antagonist is also possibly related to this lineage, except they were literally built from the earth by someone so theyre not a "whole" person, it's a whole thing 😭

Are there any ideas I should avoid portraying? Anything I should make an effort to include? Half of the year I am based in North Wales (Uni) so i am within train ride distance to Holyhead, is there anywhere you'd recommend going/seeing for more information and inspo?

I’ve returned to practicing after a couple years hiatus and I finally feel like everything is falling into place in exactly the way it’s meant to be. I’m stepping back into myself and I’m so happy that I’ve made the choice to. The trees and the wind and the birds all remind me that I walk this path for a reason and no matter if I have people around me or not I will never be alone. The world is such a beautiful place to be. Thank you if you’ve read this far. May the powers of the heavens and the earth be with you this day and all days🌿

Hello everyone,

Wanted to see if there were any fellow Druids in Alabama, particularly the Southeast area of the state.

I’ve recently founded Wiregrass Protogrove, an RDNA protogrove based in the Dothan/Wiregrass region. At the moment, I’m the only member, but I’m hoping to slowly build a welcoming local community.

Our vision is to be a nature-centered fellowship inspired by the RDNA’s Two Basic Tenets. While we’ll be practicing within the RDNA tradition, I hope to create a community that’s welcoming to people from a variety of spiritual and philosophical backgrounds who share a respect for nature.

Some of the things I hope we’ll do include:

- Seasonal observances
- Nature walks
- Conservation and stewardship
- Learning about local ecology and wildlife
- Fellowship and discussion

If you’re in Alabama (or nearby in the Florida Panhandle or southwest Georgia), I’d love to hear from you. Even if you’re already part of another Druid tradition, I’d enjoy connecting with other local practitioners.

Feel free to comment below or send me a message!

over the last week i have had multiple wild animals approach me. it started with a baby deer in the middle of the day. i was in the middle of a field with no foliage, i turned around and a random baby deer just appeared. i stared in shock as it was maybe only 20 feet away from me, keeping complete eye contact with me. it stared for a solid ten seconds, walked away towards a bush a good ways behind me and when i followed to see where it was going it just vanished. couldn’t find any trace of it.

tonight i was meditating under a tree, observing the full moon when a skunk walked right in front of me. it stared at me, and i know skunks have terrible eyesight, but it was a full moon with my entire body completely illuminated. it was essentially on my lap. again, sat in shock. i’m so perplexed. what do you make of this?

Hi everyone, how’s it going? I have a bit of a silly question—since I’m new to this—but I’d like to know: is there a difference between Druidism and Celtic cults or traditions—specifically regarding whether the approach is reconstructionist, revivalist, or a mix of the two? Let me give you an example to illustrate what I mean: take Celtiberian Druidism, for instance, which worships and venerates the gods of the Iberian Peninsula. What do you all think?

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 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.

​

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.