Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids
{{Short description|British Neo-Druidic organisation}}
{{primary sources|date=January 2014}}
{{Infobox religious group
| group = The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids (OBOD)
| flag =
| flag_caption =
| image = alt=OBOD's Awen Logo
| image_caption =
| population =
| founder = Ross Nichols, refounded by Philip Carr-Gomm
| religions = Contemporary druidism
| scriptures = None; influence from the Lebor Gabála Érenn, Mabinogion etc.
| languages = Welsh, Irish, German, English, French, Portuguese
| related-c =
| notes =
|website={{URL|https://druidry.org}}}}
The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids or OBOD is a Neo-Druidic order based in England,{{cite web|title=About the Order|url=http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=2&page_id=79|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-date=9 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709024312/http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=2&page_id=79|url-status=live}} but based in part on the Welsh Gorsedd of Bards.{{cite web|title=Alban Arthan - The Winter Solstice|url=http://www.druidry.org/obod/festivals/arthan.html|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927002040/http://www.druidry.org/obod/festivals/arthan.html|archive-date=27 September 2011|url-status=dead}}{{cite web|title=About OBOD - bardwood.org|url=http://www.bardwood.com/gdg-OBOD.htm|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110623031001/http://bardwood.com/gdg-OBOD.htm|archive-date=23 June 2011|url-status=dead}} It has grown to become a dynamic druid organisation, with members in all parts of the world.{{cite web|title=OBOD in Various Languages|url=http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=0&page_id=85|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709024135/http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=0&page_id=85|archive-date=9 July 2011|url-status=dead}}
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.Strabo. Geographica. IV.4.4-5. 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.Hutton, Ronald (2009). Blood and Mistletoe: The History of the Druids in Britain. Yale University Press. Page 10.
Leadership
OBOD was founded in 1964 as a split from the Ancient Druid Order with Ross Nichols as its leader.{{cite book|last=Guiley|first=Rosemary|title=The encyclopedia of witches, witchcraft and wicca| edition= 3rd Revised|date=15 December 2008|publisher=Facts on File|isbn=978-0-8160-7103-6|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=nDdcVt9-jnMC&q=the+%22order+of+bards+ovates+and+druids%22+1964&pg=PA110|page=111}}
In 1988, more than a decade after Nichols' passing, and after study in the Order and helping to further its reaches,{{cite web|title=Phillip Carr-Gomm|url=http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PostWrap&file=index&page=http://philipcarrgomm.druidry.org/|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709024248/http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PostWrap&file=index&page=http%3A%2F%2Fphilipcarrgomm.druidry.org%2F|archive-date=9 July 2011|url-status=dead}} 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".{{cite web|title=Honorary Bards of OBOD|url=http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=2&page_id=84|work=OBOD|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-date=16 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716180519/http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=2&page_id=84|url-status=live}} A good example of this is Damh the Bard,{{cite web|title=Damh the Bard Biography|url=http://paganmusic.co.uk/biography.html?mid=3&smid=6&r=0.943257917650044|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110823235535/http://paganmusic.co.uk/biography.html?mid=3&smid=6&r=0.943257917650044|archive-date=23 August 2011|url-status=dead}} who is involved in the UK groves and running the podcast. Damh runs his own website where he has just completed work on a bardic version of Branch Three of the Mabinogion,{{Cite web |url=https://www.paganmusic.co.uk/ |title=Damh The Bard official page |access-date=2020-05-22 |archive-date=2020-05-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200524011846/https://www.paganmusic.co.uk/ |url-status=live }} makes regular house concerts on YouTube, {{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRv575ICbkJABaSdadl1Juw |title=Damh The Bard YouTube channel |website=YouTube |access-date=2020-05-22 |archive-date=2020-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819215057/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRv575ICbkJABaSdadl1Juw |url-status=live }} and contributes regularly to another podcast, The Celtic Myth Podshow, {{Cite web |url=http://celticmythpodshow.com/ |title=The Celtic Myth Podshow |access-date=2020-05-22 |archive-date=2020-05-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200522193950/http://celticmythpodshow.com/ |url-status=live }} which has also dramatised the Mabinogion tales.
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.{{Cite web |url=https://druidry.org/people/eimear-burke |title=OBOD biography on Burke |access-date=2020-05-22 |archive-date=2020-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512040845/https://druidry.org/people/eimear-burke |url-status=live }} 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, including the Scribe, Stephanie Carr-Gomm, and the Pendragon, Dave Smith.[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mqGiekuDB0M# Ceremony of Installation of a New Chief of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids] 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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETxvelOvB4s |title=Tea With A Druid 112 February 11th 2020 |website=YouTube |date=11 February 2020 |access-date=2020-05-22 |archive-date=2020-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201205150736/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ETxvelOvB4s |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_dSN777__0 |title=Farewell Speech |website=YouTube |date=5 June 2020 |access-date=2020-06-07 |archive-date=2020-07-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200715001421/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V_dSN777__0 |url-status=live }}
Dissemination
The OBOD teachings are available principally in the form of a distance-learning course available online or by mail.{{cite web|title=OBOD Membership|date=21 November 2019 |url=https://druidry.org/our-courses/train-in-druidry|access-date=20 September 2022|archive-date=24 September 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220924164942/https://druidry.org/our-courses/train-in-druidry|url-status=live}} There is a network of mentors,{{cite web|title=Further Information On Courses|url=https://druidry.org/our-courses/train-in-druidry|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-date=12 May 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512043407/https://druidry.org/our-courses/train-in-druidry|url-status=live}} many using email, to support the students’ progress through the grades of Bard, Ovate and Druid. Members meet at camps,{{cite web|title=OBOD Gatherings and Camps|url=http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=2&page_id=80|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-date=16 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716180430/http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=2&page_id=80|url-status=live}} at workshops and assemblies in various parts of the world, and a network of groves and seedgroups also exists. There are a number of internet forums,{{cite web|title=OBOD Forum|url=http://www.druidry.org/board/dhp/index.php|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-date=8 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110608011236/http://www.druidry.org/board/dhp/index.php|url-status=live}} a private members’ website in addition to OBOD's public-access site,{{cite web|title=Training In Druidry - OBOD|url=http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=0&page_id=64|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-date=9 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709024556/http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=0&page_id=64|url-status=live}} and a monthly journal Touchstone.{{cite web|title=Touchstone OBOD Monthly Journal|url=http://www.druidry.org/obod/intro/touchstone.html|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927001924/http://www.druidry.org/obod/intro/touchstone.html|archive-date=27 September 2011|url-status=dead}} 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.{{cite web|title=AODA Journals|url=http://www.druidry.org/about-us/journals|access-date=26 October 2015|archive-date=5 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905093234/http://www.druidry.org/about-us/journals|url-status=live}}
Teachings
Image:Druids, in the early morning glow of the sun.jpg
The teachings of the Order could be seen as typical of neo-druidism{{cite web|title=OBOD Beliefs|url=http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=1&page_id=30|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-date=17 July 2007|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070717202430/http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=1&page_id=30|url-status=dead}} 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 incorporates ideas from modern psychology and the Human Potential movement, and from perennialist thinkers such as Aldous Huxley and Frithjof Schuon.{{cite web|title=Druidry & Other Paths|url=http://www.druidry.org/druid-way/druidry-other-paths|access-date=15 November 2013|archive-date=10 November 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110172459/http://www.druidry.org/druid-way/druidry-other-paths|url-status=live}}
Many members of the Order prefer to learn at home, solitary,{{cite web|title=Training in Druidry|url=http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=0&page_id=64|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-date=9 July 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709024556/http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=0&page_id=64|url-status=live}} as opposed to recorded Druids of early pre-Christian Britain that would have congregated to share wisdom or meet for occasion.{{cite web|title=Druids of Old|url=http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/rhagor/article/1937/|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120117120901/http://www.museumwales.ac.uk/en/rhagor/article/1937/|archive-date=17 January 2012|url-status=dead}} Members are sent course information and materials, and may be assigned a tutor if they wish to have someone to communicate with.{{cite web|title=Teachers in OBOD|url=http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=7&page_id=47|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-date=27 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110927001609/http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=7&page_id=47|url-status=live}}
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,{{cite web|title=Ancestors and OBOD|url=http://druidry.org/obod/ancestors/index.html|access-date=19 June 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110516125345/http://druidry.org/obod/ancestors/index.html|archive-date=16 May 2011|url-status=dead}} naturism,{{cite web|title=Naturism in Druidry|url=http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=6&page_id=22|access-date=2011-06-19|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606023114/http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=6&page_id=22|archive-date=2011-06-06|url-status=dead}} polytheism and Spiritualism.{{cite web|title=Tree Lore in OBOD|url=http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=1&page_id=72|access-date=2011-06-19|archive-date=2011-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709024601/http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=1&page_id=72|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Plant Lore in OBOD|url=http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=1&page_id=152|access-date=2011-06-19|archive-date=2011-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709024338/http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=1&page_id=152|url-status=live}}{{cite web|title=Animal Lore in OBOD|url=http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=1&page_id=71|access-date=2011-06-19|archive-date=2011-07-09|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110709024612/http://www.druidry.org/modules.php?op=modload&name=PagEd&file=index&topic_id=1&page_id=71|url-status=live}} 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.
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.{{Cite web |url=https://druidry.org/resources |title=OBOD Resources library |access-date=2020-05-22 |archive-date=2020-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512041147/https://druidry.org/resources |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |url=https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/druidcast |title=Druidcast The Druid Podcast |access-date=2020-05-22 |archive-date=2020-11-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201124102350/https://directory.libsyn.com/shows/view/id/druidcast |url-status=live }} 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.{{Cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSX-C6cOFbqYV-7Kr6k2sKA |title=Philip Carr Gomm YouTube channel and Tea With A Druid episodes |website=YouTube |access-date=2020-05-22 |archive-date=2020-08-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200819225402/https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSX-C6cOFbqYV-7Kr6k2sKA |url-status=live }}
References
{{Reflist|3}}
External links
- [https://druidry.org/ The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids]
- [https://druidry.org/resources/druidcast-the-obod-podcast Druidcast - A Druid podcast by the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids]
{{Neo-druidism}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Neo-druidism in Britain
Category:Modern pagan organizations established in 1964
Category:Modern pagan organisations based in the United Kingdom