This page lists people and organizations that offer their services as celebrants and priests for rituals and rites of passage.
Please Note: Whilst The Druid Network tries to ensure that the profiles of all celebrants is accurate, and their references genuine, it is up to the individual to ensure that the celebrant is appropriate to their needs. Those who are Network members are noted as such (marked: TDN);members can access their profiles through the members database of this website.
The Druid Network also keeps a list of Photographers who specialise in capturing your special day.
Individual Priests
If you would like to be listed here, please send us your name (membership number if you are a Network member), together with details of two people whom you have worked for who will be happy to give you a reference. Send a short piece about yourself and once references are cleared, we'll publish your entry on these pages. Celebrants who do not wish to share their details upon the web may prefer to list their details with the rites co–ordinator who can then pass enquiries onto them.
Please send all enquires to: Celebrants at Druid Network
Those celebrants who are able to perform legal marriage ceremonies are marked (Legal). These are either registered ministers in a tradition other than Druidry, are ministers in the USA or in Scotland. For more information the Scottish situation, click here.
All entries are written in the celebrants' own words.
listed in alphabetical order
CHRISTINE CLEERE (Vixen)
(TDN)
Working as Druid Priest, her spirituality deeply connected to the land and the environment, Christine believes in the importance of ritual in integrating and honouring the changes we all face, and offers her services to those who would wish to affirm such times on their journey. Experienced in planning and holding ritual for all life events - from births, namings and handfastings, house moves, career changes and rites of passing - Christine can help and advise on how such times can be celebrated and honoured.
Christine is Lead Priest for the Gorsedd of Cor Gawr. She is a member of the Order of the Yew, Ovate of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and facilitates courses on Druidry, spirituality and self-empowerment.
Located near to Swindon and able to offer her services within Wiltshire and adjoining counties, Christine may occasionally be able to travel to areas further afield if required.
You can contact Christine through the Cor Gawr Contact Page.
TRYW ELLIS
(TDN)
Tryw (pronounced 'true') Ellis has been a familiar face at Druid rituals for many years. He is currently a priest of the Cor Gawr Gorsedd and has also been priest of the Caer Abiri Gorsedd. Due to people approaching him directly Tryw has officiated at a number of Handfastings and Funerals and would now like to offer his services as a Druid priest to the wider public. Tryw is a member of The Order of the Yew and has served TDN on the Stonhenge Roundtable and the Avebury Sacred Sites Forum. Tryw can be contacted to discuss your idea's and requirements through his trywellis [at] tiscali [dot] co [dot] uk( email) address.
ROBIN HERNE
(TDN)
Robin is a polytheist and prefers to conduct ceremony that acknowledge the Gods, ancestors and land spirits. He is happy to conduct naming ceremonies, handfastings (straight or gay, monogamous or polygamous) and funerals, as well as rites of passage created to meet modern needs ~ such as Coming Out ceremonies, divorce ceremonies etc. He lives within Ipswich, Suffolk but is prepared to travel (by public transport, he does not drive) within Suffolk or this side of Essex. He does not charge for his time, only for travel expenses.
To contact Robin, robinherne [at] hotmail [dot] com( email)
KRISTOFFER HUGHES
(TDN)
Kris is a Welsh Druid Priest located on the Isle of Anglesey, North Wales. Kris has officiated at numerous Rites of Passage over the last 15 years, including births rites, weddings, funerals, and other unique personal rites. Kris officiates at both spiritual and non-spiritual rites, and has designed and officiated several gay/lesbian weddings over the years.
Rites of passage offer us an unique and vision filled opportunity to embrace the changes within our lives and facilitate positive transformation during both joyous and stressful times of our journey.
Funerals are Kris' forte, a qualified Mortician, he can assist with the personal arrangements of those who wish to perform their own funeral arrangements, and is qualified to advise on regulations and Coroner law in relation to DIY and green/ethical funerals.
Kris can offer a beautiful and natural location for performing any rite, or is willing to travel within North and Mid Wales. Kris is head of the Anglesey Druidic Order, and Welsh co-ordinator for the Druid Network.
To contact him, email.
SIUSAIDH AND PIET CEANADACH (KENNEDY in English)
(TDN) (Legal)
We live in Glasgow and have our own car, so travel in not a great problem. However as we both have early retirement, all our expenses would have to be covered for any work we undertake.
We work together and are High Priestess and High Priest of a small Wiccan Coven, we run a Druidcraft teaching group called, ‘Tuatha De Bridget’, and are also active members of Caer Clud, an open Druid Group/Grove in Glasgow. We are also ‘Ovate’ members of OBOD, and a Druid member of S.O.N.G. Siusaidh is a member of The Druid Network, and the Pagan Federation (Scotland) Interfaith Rep. for Glasgow.
We can write or help write any rite of passage, from the cradle to the grave for people and have also officiated in passing rites for much loved pets.
We would describe our approach to rituals as perhaps a blend of Craft and Druidry, although we are quite happy to officiate at rituals that are pure Craft or pure Druid. In fact we are very flexible and have helped write and officiate at Ceremonies that have had a large number of non-Pagan guests.
We can offer a time framework for the planning of the Handfastings we officiate at and on request we can also assist with printing rituals, orders of service and we will give the couple a signed ‘Handfasting’ certificate as a keepsake of the event.
Contact us by SiusaidhC [at] aol [dot] com( email)
Clare Long (Cat)
(TDN)
Cat has been working with Druidry for 10 years, both privately and with public Groves. She has recently been increasingly called upon to create unique and heartfelt rituals for personal situations, marking the inevitable changes as we go through life.
With experience of both weddings and funeral rites, as well as the simpler turnings of the seasons, Cat is happy to travel from her home in Derby as needed. Originally from Sussex via London, she has worked deeply in both urban and rural areas, tailoring ritual to personal needs, beliefs and locations.
For more involved rites, Cat works in partnership with her fellow Grove-member Jimmy, combining skills to provide balance within larger public work. They are also able to undertake private solo work as necessary, specifically that needed to overcome personal times of darkness and trauma.
Cat is currenly undergoing formal training with Kristoffer Hughes as Awenydd, and is a member of the Order of the Yew.
Email: bardic [at] hotmail [dot] co [dot] uk">bardic [at] hotmail [dot] co [dot] uk
Mobile: 07740 477762 (with voicemail)
BILL MELNYK (OakWyse)
(TDN) (Legal)
OakWyse is a Druid Priest who also has 25 years experience as a clergyman in the Episcopal (Anglican) Church, USA. He has experience in designing and conducting Druid, Wiccan and Christian rites of passage, and eclectic rituals. He lives in Southeastern Pennsylvania, near Philadelphia. He is able to perform legal weddings/handfastings in the U.S. and currently has a flexible schedule. He is able to travel, if required. He is a member of The Druid Network, Order of the Yew, and a Druid member of OBOD.
Contact him by OakWyse [at] att [dot] net( email) or by post at : PO Box 65, Gradyville, PA 19039.
LOUISE PARK
(legal)
Louise is an eclectic Pagan/hedgewitch (she dislikes labels!) who has been learning and practicing for some 18 years. She takes her learning from every path she comes across that has something new to teach, and particularly from the natural world. She feels very strongly that we need to reclaim our rites of passage, as it is these which celebrate outwardly the changes in life that are most important to us. She is co-ordinator of the Pagan Federation (Scotland) celebrants register, which aims to match enquirers up with celebrants who can best meet their needs.
Louise is resident in Tayside, works in Fife as a midwife, and is willing to travel anywhere within Northern Scotland and out to the islands to perform ceremonies. She is happy to tailor her services to the needs of the client, and can integrate elements from both Pagan and non-Pagan traditions as appropriate. Louise has experience in most rites of passage, including birth, namings, weddings and funerals. She is happy to conduct celebrations for civil partnerships and will consider requests for any other type of ceremony. She is particularly keen on making ceremonies accessible and meaningful to all those present.
medionemeton [at] blueyonder [dot] co [dot] uk( Louise's Email)
Louise's Website
POTIA
(TDN) (Legal)
Potia lives and works in Glasgow. She is married with one young son and currently has one cat.
She co-ordinates Caer Clud, an open Druid Group in Glasgow with a friend and fellow Druid and is one of the organisers of DruidCon, an annual conference on Druidry held in Glasgow. She is a member of the Druid Network, Order of the Yew and a Druid member of OBOD.
While Potia is a polytheist Pagan, she is happy to work with others of different faiths or no faith who simply wish to have a more personal celebration than those usually available through civil ceremonies. Potia also knows a number of Pagan chants and hymns and is willing to sing at rites for clients providing that what they would like is within her capabilities.
Potia works full time so usually only requires that all expenses are met for any rite of passage she is asked to be celebrant for. As she does not have a car she is also dependant on public transport for travel and this can also affect availability.
Website: http://homepage.ntlworld.com/pauline.kennedyallan/
Contact her by email: potiaka [at] gmail [dot] com( Potia)
EMMA RESTALL ORR (Bobcat)
(TDN)
Druid priest and ritualist, Emma has been conducting rites of passage for over ten years. Marking every transitional gateway, from conception to death, she believes such rites to be an essential part of living healthily, personal growth, freedom and integration.
Though working within the Druid and Pagan traditions, she also offers rites that are accessible for those of other traditions and religions, where the sensitivities of the moment require such inclusivity. Based in south Warwickshire, she travels all over the world to perform ritual where appropriate.
Contact her by emailing bobcat [at] druidnetwork [dot] org( Bobcat), or by post at The Druid Network, PO Box 3533, Whichford, Shipston on Stour, Warwickshire CV36 5YB, England.
PAUL SANDFORD
(TDN)
Paul Sandford is a Druid Ritual Celebrant and has been conducting rites of passage for over seven years, which includes Hand-fasts to full Druid ceremonial weddings, tree burials and Pagan funerals held at Crematoriums. He has conducted themed weddings in medieval style to interfaith blessings as well. Paul is keen to work with you to bring couples spiritual and personal touches to rites of passage, regardless of your faiths or sexual orientations.
Paul is a volunteer Pagan Chaplain, covering various hospitals in the Hertfordshire, Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire area and offers spiritual pastoral care such as bedside vigils for the dying.
Paul co-leads the Chiltern Nemeton Grove that was founded by himself on the Summer Solstice 2000ce. Paul is a Druid Graduate of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids and is currently training with the Interfaith Seminary as a Interfaith Minister and Spiritual Counsellor.
For more information please feel free to contact email Paulsandford28 [at] yahoo [dot] co [dot] uk( Paul) or TEL: 07767 075 490
SCREECHOWL
(TDN)
Whether supporting individuals to create their own ritual, holding focus in ritual as a Druid priest or accompanying the dying through vigil, Screechowl is available to work with those who seek to affirm and mark, publicly or privately, the moments of transition within their lives.
From conception to death, adolescence to eldership, handfasting to parting, rites can be created to help individuals face and honour the challenges that the ebb and flow of life brings to us all.
Based in the North West of England, Screechowl can be contacted by email on screechowl [at] btconnect [dot] com( Screechowl) or by telephone on 01204 397 705
MARK TOWNSEND
(TDN)
Mark has over ten years experience of creating and performing special ceremonies for people. Even when working as a christian priest he never saw them as opportunities to push religion or evangelise. Rather he met people where they were and, whether it be a celebration of birth, a relationship or a life lived, enabled them to truly express what they needed to through these important rites of passage. Mark remains an ordained C of E priest.
Mark is now a member of the Association Of Independent Celebrants and is available to perform rites of passage. He sees what he does as bridging the gap between strictly religious ceremonies and those offered by Secular Humanism, and sees them as spiritual yet not overtly religious. He draws upon his own Christian heritage but is also happy to use readings, music, prayers and blessings from outside the boundaries of the Church. He is a member of OBOD and TDN.
Over time Mark has realised that many people see themselves as spiritual/believers in God yet cannot aquait their natural inner faith with official religion. When such people are faced with (for example) the trauma of having to plan a funeral for a member of their family, and are wondering who to invite to perform the ceremony, they often think there are only two alternatives: a formal Minister of Religion or a Humanist. Some opt for the latter but, during the planning of the funeral, realise that they do in fact want some prayers or even a hymn. It is for these folk particularly that he offers his services.
To contact Mark please use the form provided on his website www.magicofsoul.com or you can phone him on 01568 610886
KATE WARD
Through her organization, Green Rites, Kate offers an opportunity to celebrate Rites of Passage in a non-religious format or in an individual way, incorporating any spirituality that may be appropriate. Kate aims to assist people to write their own ceremonies, or will write one for them. She can help with namings and blessings of children, with weddings, or funerals.
As a qualified funeral director, Kate is a member of the British Institute of Funeral Directors and a member of the Funeral Ombudsman scheme. She can work to assist people, if they wish to arrange the whole thing themselves, or in association with another funeral director. Her great love is burials in woodland settings and she has several years experience in arranging these.
Kate says, "I believe we all have the right to reclaim our rites of passage, and to participate as fully as we feel appropriate, with no reference to the established "norms".
Green Rites is based in Cornwall, England. She can be reached by email at : kward [at] greenrites [dot] fsnet [dot] co [dot] uk( Kate)
ROB WILSON
(TDN)
As a Druid priest Rob has performed many rites of passage to mark transition changes in peoples lives. Such rites of passage give us the opportunity to explore and express these points of major change in our life journeys, and so Rob holds them of high importance as a way of integrating and acknowledging the natural process of change that occurs in our lives.
Rob conducts rites for people from both the pagan and non-pagan communities; from birth to puberty, to marriage and death, rites of elderhood for both men and women. Each rite is gently and careful created for the individual or couple, to allow them to express in a safe, profound and sacred way the nature this phase in their lives.
Although based in North Kent Rob is able to travel where necessary.
Rob can be contacted via rob [at] woodspirit [dot] org [dot] uk( email) or by post at Woodspirit, PO BOX 217 Gravesend, Kent DA13 0TW, England
Organizations
LIFERITES
... cater for the increasing number of people who wish to celebrate the important times in their life, and ultimately their death, in their own individual way. Our aim is to enable them to do this.
LifeRites is dedicated to serving the needs of those individuals who follow Nature based spiritualities and all who seek to affirm their life and death in a personal and individual manner by providing practical advice and guidance on Rites of Passage and Life Celebrations.
LifeRites has a network of registered Celebrants and Officiants available to conduct and advise on Ceremonies where the individual does not wish to conduct these themselves.
LifeRites provides secular or spiritual pastoral care and non medical support to the terminally ill where requested.
LifeRites sees death as a natural part of the life cycle celebrations, and believes that a funeral should be a reflection of a life and thus meaningful to family and friends.
LifeRites respects the individual's spiritual beliefs without judgement.
Contact : Life Rites, Gwndwn Mawr, Trelach, Carmarthenshire SA33 6SA, Wales
Tel : 01994 484 527
Email : info [at] liferites [dot] org( Liferites)
Website : http://www.liferites.org
Starbright Celebrants
Greymoor : Druid Priest and Celebrant. TDN and OBOD member.
Luna Vixen: Druidess, Witch and Celebrant. OBOD member
Active in the Herts , Beds and Bucks and surrounding areas. (UK) We are able to facilitate celebrations for many important times of transition, passage and celebration. Originally formally trained for the Christian priesthood (Greymoor), I feel I am able to assist to make rites more inclusive for non-pagan guests and those who may not have experienced our ways before, but without loss of integrity to our pagan way. I have recognized pastoral experience. Luna Vixen is a Healer, 2nd degree witch and a druid deeply committed to the Old Ways. We both honour Native British Spirituality and run a Druid Grove where people of any or no religious affiliation may join to celebrate the turning of the year.
Contact details: paganmagick [at] hotmail [dot] co [dot] uk or 07821666019
Druid Grove of Bega (DGB)
We are an independant druid grove with an eclectic Celtic pantheistic focus, loosely based on the teachings and the legend of St. Bega. These teachings and the legend were re-discovered and researched in 1989 by the groups founder, Alex Langstone. Alex wrote a booklet about his miraculous discoveries surrounding St Bega, which was published in 1992. We are primarily dedicated to healing and offer rites of passage for all, regardless of ethnic origin, sexual orientation and/or religious belief.
Our email is info [at] alexlangstone [dot] co [dot] uk and our website "SPIRIT OF ALBION" can be found at www.alexlangstone.co.uk. The grove is currently based in West Cornwall and is a chartered group of the Fellowship of Isis. Email us for details. We also encourage
interested parties to contact us through our website.
