Founded in 1998, by Raphaël Zander, the ADA is a druidic college of pantheistic and pagan orientation. We study all the aspects of druidism: history, mythology, beliefs, symbols, sciences.
We issue a seasonal newspaper: ‘Derwydon’.
For all contacts, we speak in French, English, German, and Dutch. Our ritual language is French, and Old Celtic for sacred formulas and certain orations.
We celebrate Samonios, Imbiolca, Belotenia, Lugonasatis, as well as Geimros (winter solstice), Esracos (spring equinox), Samara (summer solstice), Vogiemos (autumnal equinox), in our Nemeton in a forest of oaks.
These rites are reserved to the admitted members of the Assembly.
The ritual dress is the white robe for all. A colour strip distinguishes the various offices: red for the Marcassins, green for the Ovates, blue for the Bards, yellow for the accomplished Druids.
The apprenticeship is oral, written, and experimental. It takes the apprentice through rites of admission in 3 cycles. Men and women benefit from the same training and the same qualifications without distinction: the first cycle consists of the discovery of the Celtic civilization and druidism, by the means of lectures and of 4 basic workshops. In the 2nd cycle, the neophytes become Torcogena / Torcogenos (women / men) – “Marcassins” [young wild boars]. The Marcassins receive teachings by series of papers that they must assimilate: they contain experiences to realize, works to complete.
An Atravos / Atrava – “guardian” - teaches them the basic matters and the basic usages of their future office. The Marcassins take part in the rituals. At the end of this instruction, the length of which varies according to the work invested, the Marcassins enter into the 3rd cycle, by rite of admission: they become then Ovate or Bard. The full title of Druid/Druidess is achieved later by merit and wisdom.
Training by correspondence is possible for distant and isolated members, with previous agreement on the training, and the obligation to assist in 2 rituals per year.
Druidism is inscribed in a body of traditions. That is why, next to permanent study, we insist a lot on exercising the arts, techniques and sciences proper to the Bards and to the Ovates: the practice brings realism and experience to the Knowledge, as well as the sense of the sacred to the everyday. Our philosophical teachings, techniques and traditions, are themselves authentic and respectful to the druidic heritage: they all are attested by history, archaeology, and the Celtic mythological texts.
