Order of the Sacred Oaks

The Ancient and Honourable Order of the Sacred Oaks was founded on Winter Solstice, December 22, 1998, in Portland, Oregon along traditional Druidic, Wiccan/Arthurian lines. According to the "Great Charter" of the Order, it exists "to revive and rediscover the Druidic mysteries, further the Druidic, Wiccan and Pagan communities and provide a safe and nurturing environment for its members."

As an order, it follows more structured lines than most other types of Pagan group. It is administered by a Great Council led by an Arch-Druid. An Ordination Board oversees the training and ordination of the state recognized clergy. The Druidic College directs the educational program and sets criteria for advancement. The Sacred Oak Grove was the first grove chartered by the Order on December 23, 1998. Its original membership of five quickly doubled and continues to grow. All groves in the Order adopt and follow the well-defined Order Rule and Liturgy. Emphasis is placed on both community and individual paths of learning and spiritual discovery, and every effort is made to facilitate these efforts. Grove libraries are established to help members in their studies.

In 2003, an Outer Circle was established for those who were at a distance or who could not commit to the requirements for study and ritual, but still wished to worship as Druids. A second grove, The Silver Birch Grove, was charted at Samhain, 2006. It resides also in Portland and progresses nicely under capable leadership.
Members meet regularly, usually on pre-selected evenings close to full moons (for esbat ritual), to new moons (for council meetings and tutorials) and to the eight Sabbats (for celebration). Attendance is strongly emphasized as essential to both grove and individual development. Esbats and tutorials are closed to nonmembers, but Sabbats are open by invitation to interested parties. There is also an annual Gorsedd (general meeting) at which the planning is done for election of officers, the yearly calendar and other Grove business. The groves, separately and united as the Order, participate in numerous Pagan and general community events.

The Order, through the Druidic College, has established a structure and criteria for advancement through the levels of druidic achievement. The first fully initiated level is that of the novice. After a minimum of a year-and-a-day, and upon meeting the published criteria, novices may request to be granted the Order of the Birch, as a Bard. Again after completing a required course of study and time requirement, they may advance to the Order of the Yew, or Ovate grade. The third order is that of the Oak, the Master Druid. The prescribed course of study and requirements at each level may be undertaken at each member's own pace. All that is asked is that the member continues to grow.

Grove administration is centered on a grove council that meets before each tutorial. Members are encouraged to attend. The council consists of seven officers: a chosen chief, high priest or priestess, magister, scribe, purse-warden, bard and sword-bearer. All officers are elected for a term of three years. Although the emphasis of the Order, and Grove, is on serious druidic study and ritual, the social side of life is not neglected. Nearly all gatherings are followed by a pot-luck feast. Sabbats are treated as festivals, and Grove members meet for other social events such as movies and camping trips. Additionally, the Order organizes an annual Eisteddfod, a literary and musical contests for the local Pagan community.

The Grove does not actively solicit membership. It is listed in Open Ways, in Drawing Down the Moon, on the inter-net, and known by word of mouth. Those who are interested may make inquiries and be invited to attend a Sabbat. If they then wish to make application to join as an associate member, there is a simple screening procedure. This is not meant to be exclusionary, but simply to ensure that applicants are aware of what the Order, Grove and druidry entail, and the responsibilities of membership.

The Order is incorporated in the State of Oregon and has federally recognized 501(c)3 status. It can legally ordain priests and priestesses with full sacerdotal privileges. By closely adhering to its structure and programs, the Order of the Sacred Oaks and its groves hope to provide a nurturing, challenging and exciting environment in which those who have chosen to follow the druidic path may learn, grow and enjoy life in the company of fellow Druids.

The Order and Groves welcome questions on Druidry, Wicca, paganism in general and enquiries about membership opportunities. We also provide speakers who can address groups interested in learning more about the above subjects. In addition, the Order has an ordained priesthood that can conduct handfastings, weddings, funerals, baptisms, and other sacerdotal functions.

http://sacred-oak-grove.org/