Definitions

Some Definitions

What is a Grove?

The definition of 'Grove' differs from Order to Order. Some distinguish between those run by one or two Druids and those led by members still in training; others require Groves to perform public rituals; some require secrecy, teaching sessions for members or obligatory attendance; others are informal, being celebrations of community and tradition.

Over and above the necessities of form and practice asserted by various Orders, each Grove bears a different energy, born of the landscape and those that hold the group's energy. Furthermore there are many Groves that retain independence and celebrate their own idiosyncratic style and teachings, adding to the broad spectrum of what could define a Grove.

What is a Gorsedd?

In 1792, Iolo Morganwg, perceiving the sorry state into which the Bardic Order had fallen in Britain, held an inaugural rite for the Gorsedd of Bards of the Isles of Britain on Primrose Hill in London. 201 years later, in 1993, Philip Shallcrass, founder and chief of the British Druid Order, was asked to compose a ceremony for a multi-faith gathering to be held at Avebury in Wiltshire.

Inspired by the spirits of the place and by the example of Iolo, the resulting rite led to the formation of the Gorsedd of Bards of Caer Abiri (Avebury). For many years after the autumn equinox of 1993, the Gorsedd became host to regular celebrations of the eight main festivals of modern Paganism. Within two years, the initial gathering had grown to number more than 400. The original multi-faith nature of the Gorsedd was maintained, so that each celebration saw Druids from many different Orders gather in one circle alongside Witches, Christians, Odinists, Hindus, Buddhists, non-aligned Pagans and others.

Within each gathering rites of passage such as handfasting, blessings for children and honouring the dead are held. Space is also offered for eisteddfodau in which bards can practice their skills in the arts of music, poetry and storytelling. These celebrations have given many Pagans a first opportunity to celebrate their faith in public, inspiring other Gorseddau to be formed at sacred sites around Britain and across the world.

Each Gorsedd differs, but most include within the ritual a form of bardic initiation, offered as a means by which celebrants may link themselves to the spirit of the place, acknowledge their place within the Gorsedd community and take a first step on the path of Druidry, making an initial connection with the awen, the flowing spirit of the tradition. Many thousands of people have now taken bardic initiation through the Gorsedd at Avebury and the many Gorseddau founded subsequently.

Usually attendance at the rites is free, unless there is a charge to the site. The celebrations are open to all, regardless of age, sex, creed or colour.

What is a Druid Order?

A Druid Order usually presents a particular set of beliefs or style of practice in terms of Druidry, sometimes offering a specific service. It may be that the Order is geographically, politically or theologically defined, or formed (for example) in order to disseminate a series of teachings, or explore a particular mythology or ancestral heritage. Members of an Order sometimes do not meet face to face, solely interacting with an office administrator, or communicating across the internet. Orders can be as small as two or three people who share a vision, or can have members in their thousands.