O.D.C.L. Christian Druidry
Christian Druidry
A thirty six part, online, personally tutored and certificated course in Christian Druidry through the grades of Bard, Ovate and Druid.
In each monthly lesson of each grade students will be presented with the lore concerning one sacred plant or tree and one animal or bird, with particular attention being given to any connections with the Celtic Saints. One saint will also be discussed in each lesson. There will also be an "Inner Planes Pilgrimage" (guided visualisation) to a sacred site of significance in each lesson and some teaching of either a historical, theological, or philosophical nature. Following tradition the grade of Bard shall chiefly concern itself with orientation within the circle and learning the basics of Druidic history, theory and ritual practice.
In the second grade of Ovate more attention shall be given to the work of healing and divination whilst in the Druid grade the mature student will be led onto the path of service, as a teacher of the mysteries and/or a celebrant, with relevant training for those who might wish to serve their community as seasonal festival leader or officiant at Rites of Passage. The student shall also receive training in the three levels of Ogham Healing (Celtic Reiki) and will be attuned to each level by distance attunement towards the end of each grade. Each student shall receive rituals for the eight festivals of the Celtic year which may be practised either individually or with a group. In addition to reading the monthly lesson and practising the recommended exercises the student will be required to comment intelligently on each monthly lesson before passing to the next grade. The yearly fee also inclides up to four oracular consultations if so desired. The Initiations to each grade may be practised individually or with a group and are largely inspired by rites coming to us from Fraternal Druidism.
£100 per grade - £8.33 per lesson (concessionary fee £75)
Bardic Grade
Lesson 1: The Truth Against the World
"Cead Mile Failte" - A hundred thousand welcomes to you, pilgrim brother or sister, as you begin the Trinity Grove Course. I am looking forward to sharing this journey with each of you, sharing with you the fruit of over a decade's research and practice of Druidry from a Christian perspective.
Lesson 2: Bardic Initiation
"Dear Student and soon-to-be-Bard!
It is the season of Samhain as I sit down to begin writing this lesson, and so naturally my thoughts turn to Christmas. Therefore, part of the theme in this lesson will be the “Birth of the young Sun-God”, or the Incarnation of Christ if you prefer! I also hope to expand a little on the discussion of the Bardic tradition begun in the first gwers and to introduce you to the Pine and the Stag, our tree and animal of the month. "
Lesson 3: Power Animals
Dear Student, In this gwers we will look at the Bear as a “power animal” and the druidic lessons of the Beech tree. We will meet St Mungo or Kentigern, founder of the diocese of Glasgow, and we will further develop our understanding of the circle, pondering the worlds above and below as well as all around.
Lesson 4: The Four Elements
Dear Bard
Welcome to Gwers 4! This month we shall be taking a first look at the elements and the four directions, before moving into a detailed study of each of them. The tree of the month is Aspen and this month we will be looking at the Badger as a power animal. This month we will also begin a study of St Brigid and the Brigidine tradition and because Brigid is such shining example of Pagan-Christian-Cross-over there will also be sections on her, with accompanying rituals in the Ovate and Druid Grades.
Lesson 5: The Element of Earth
Welcome to Gwers 5! This month we shall be considering the element of earth and one of the saints who had a strong connection with this element, St David of Wales. The tree of the month is Alder and we will be looking at the lore and magic of the Raven.
As there are four winds, four seasons and four cardinal points to the compass it is perhaps not surprising that ancient peoples throughout Europe, parts of Asia and north America all have something like our Celtic Cross or Celtic Medicine Wheel and for each of these different cultures there is great commonality when assigning elements to each of the four directions. In the Celtic system the place of the element earth is in the north, as beneath the surface, the earth is dark and mysterious, just like winter.
Lesson 6: The Element of Fire
Welcome to Gwers 6! This month we shall be considering the element of fire. Our saint of the month is St George. Our tree is Gorse and our power animal is the Dragon. Enjoy!
In Druidry, as in the western mystery tradition in general, the element of fire is associated with the direction of south, the season of summer when the sun is at its greatest strength and with the Archangel Michael who has a strong connection with the Sun and this particular element. Fire is the element of creativity, for the first thing the Creator said was “Let there be Light” and it is also the element of spirituality for in Druidry, traditional Christianity, Hinduism, Zoroastrianism and many other spiritual traditions the element of fire has huge spiritual significance.