Ah, thanks for clarifying. Mythology doesn't really play much of a role in my practice, so I am largely ignoring that side of things.

Yes! I think commiting to a paid course gave me the push I needed to start really putting effort into my druidry practice, but I am pretty much doing my own thing in terms of what that practice actually looks like

Thank you, my worry is that the nature aspect will be basically just herbalism and visualisations, but I guess I'll find that out if/when I get there!

Ah, that's interesting. It's a shame we're not allowed to discuss exactly what's in the courses, because I'd love to see a breakdown of what's in the OBOD Ovate grade. I've been told it's more nature-based than Bardic, but that's a low bar to clear 😅

If I was in the US I'd probably join AODA myself tbh! There's a few bits of their curriculum that don't work for me (e.g the daily SOP) , but I figure that's going to be the case for any order.

Thank you!

I was hoping for more focus on nature tbh - in fact I wish it was more like the AODA curriculum! I love AODA's focus on making druidry specific to the person's ecoregion. I'm about a third of the way through OBOD Bardic, and so far it's more psychology-focused that nature-focused.

I think commiting to a paid druidry course was good for me, and gave me a push to start actually deepening my connection with the natural world. But I get the feeling that pretty much any order's course would have had the same effect, as long as it was a formal course with fees attached.

Just realised I didn't answer my own question - the roles of Bard/Ovate/Druid don't particularly resonate for me, but I can see how elements of my practice would fit into them, especially Bard and Ovate - I do a lot of creative hobbies and am a keen walker & wildlife enthusiast. /|\

Yeah, that makes sense. One of the things I really enjoyed about reading World Druidry (great book btw!) was getting a detailed look at what other druids actually *do* in their practice. /|\

Ah, that's interesting. I was thinking about how different teaching orders see the roles, e.g. I think I've seen Ovate described as seer-like in some contexts, but as a naturalist/scientific role in others. (And then ofc there's orders like IWOD that don't use these roles at all.)

Yay, a fellow fibrecrafter! I mainly knit socks, but gloves are quite fun too - kind of fiddly on the fingers though

Yes, me too! That's a lovely leaf, what kind of tree is it from?

Also, are your gloves handknit btw? Just asking as a nosy knitter 😁

Ooh I love that Ronald Hutton book, I'd make it a required text for druid courses if I had my way 😍

Thank you! I love a good stew in cold weather.

In 2024 our practice had to be shaped by the modern world, like in ancient history their practice had to be shaped by their world. We can't do as the ancient Druids did, we must follow our own modern path wherever it takes us🙏Find & Follow Our Own Awen🙏

Ooh lovely! I've never been to Wales but I'd like to visit the Welsh coast eventually.

This is my first year really paying attention to trees, and I'm enjoying watching them change through the autumn, and taking note of how different species and different individual trees are reacting to the season. Getting to know them is a source of endless wonder!