Black Mountain Druid Order

Description

This is a year-long introduction to Druidry as practiced by the Black Mountain Druid Order

This course is divided into three main sections:

Earth Path: This section discusses how to draw closer to nature by caring for the Earth and understanding how we fit into the Web of Life, how to live sustainably and ecologically, and how to be active in giving back to the natural world. The basic foundation for the Earth Path section is the Celtic tree alphabet known as ogham. In learning about the ogham, we will discuss the properties of the trees and plants associated with each letter of this alphabet. We will also cover how to develop a relationship with your birth tree. The First Triad of the Earth Path is the Ogham, Deep Ecology, and Animal Wisdom.

Sun Path: This section offers an in-depth analysis of the Wheel of the Year and how to celebrate the High Days, including suggested rituals for each. It also discusses the Wheel of the Year as a metaphor for our own sacred journey through life, embracing the concepts of balance between light and dark, chaos and order. The First Triad of the Sun Path is the Wheel of the Year, Gods and Goddesses, and Rites of Passage.

Moon Path: This section focuses on the inner journey of the Druid. Just as the Moon has no light of its own, but reflects the light of the Sun, the Moon Path teaches us to reflect the divine within ourselves. Included in this section are suggestions on basic vision questing, how to meditate, and dream interpretation. The First Triad of the Moon Path is dream work, meditation, and vision-seeking (shamanism).

To use this course, read through each section prior to beginning the exercises contained in each. Some of the exercises in each section are to be completed only once, some are to be done every day, and some depend on the seasons.

If you complete the course in a year, and decide that the Way of the Druid as practiced by the Black Mountain Druid Order is the path for you, then the remaining day of the year and a day period will be used for your self-initiation rite. Complete instructions on how to initiate yourself are included at the end of the course. If you happen to be close to an affiliate Grove of the Black Mountain Druid Order, or wish to start your own Grove, you may also ask them to help out with your initiation rite.

Since the Way of the Druid is a highly individual path, as you you’re your way through the course don’t get caught up in the idea that there is a “right way” or a “wrong way” to do things. In the Way of the Druid, the right way is the way that has meaning to you. As long as you abide by the Four Sacred Pillars of our Order, the rest is just suggestions.

Welcome to the deeper world that is the Way of the Druid!

COURSE PROGRESSION

There are five levels/ranks in Druidry in the Black Mountain Druid Order. These levels/ranks are explained below.

RANK	DESCRIPTION
Dedicant	One who has not yet completed the free year-long Black Mountain Druid Order Foundational Druidry Course. This person is a member of the Order who is in the process of learning what it means to be a Druid in the Black Mountain Druid Order.
First Degree	One who has successfully completed the year-long Black Mountain Druid Order Foundational Druidry Course. This is a person who is in the process of learning the Bardic lore of the Celtic peoples and how to relate it to healing, divination, magic, and spiritual journeying in contemporary life. Such a person is eligible to enroll in the Black Mountain Druid Order Bard Course, and to start a Grove of their own.
Second Degree	One who has successfully completed the year-long Black Mountain Druid Order Bard Course. This is a person who is in the process of learning the healing techniques, meditative practices, shamanic journeying and energy work of a Druid of the Black Mountain Druid Order. Such a person is eligible to enroll in the Black Mountain Druid Vate Course.
Third Degree	One who has successfully completed the year-long Black Mountain Druid Order Vate Course. This is a person who is in the process of learning how to create and supervise a Grove, how to successfully organize and oversee groups, how to organize events, and how to be a celebrant able to conduct rites of the Druid of the Black Mountain Druid Order. Such a person is eligible to enroll in the Black Mountain Druid Archdruid Course.
Archdruid	One who has successfully completed the year-long Black Mountain Druid Order Archdruid Course. This is a person who has learned how to create and supervise a Grove, how to successfully organize and oversee groups, how to organize events, and how to be a celebrant able to conduct rites of the Druid of the Black Mountain Druid Order. Such a person is eligible to oversee a regional group of Groves.