Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is a nemeton?
2. What is Druidry?
3. What does it mean to be a Druid?
4. Do I have to have Celtic ancestry to become a Druid?
5. Is Druidry the same as Wicca?
6. Do I have to adopt a particular set of beliefs to become a Druid?
7. Do I have to be a Pagan to become a Druid?
8. I'm a Christian. Can I be a Druid, too?
9. Do you accept teenagers into your group?
10. How can I join Highland Oak Nemeton?
11. What are the categories of membership within the grove?
12. Is there a fee to belong to the grove?
1. What is a nemeton?
From Wikipedia: "A nemeton was a sacred space of ancient Celtic religion. Nemeta appear to have been primarily situated in natural areas, and, as they often utilized trees, they are often interpreted as sacred groves."
Highland Oak Nemeton was named after our first meeting place, a lovely secluded swale surrounded by magnificent live oaks in Highland Road Park, Baton Rouge. Unfortunately, the local parks commission routed a Frisbee golf course through our sacred grove, forcing us to find other locations for our meetings and rituals. Although we no longer have the physical nemeton we once had, wherever we meet to honor the natural world and celebrate the Wheel of the Year becomes a sacred grove for us.
2. What is Druidry?
"Druidry is a spiritual tradition that takes its ethics from the inspiration available in the natural world around us. It does not only listen to the language of humans, but also those of the trees and wind, the pack and the herd, the moss and the fungi. It looks to the wider web of interconnectedness in order to live a life that is peaceful and attuned to the natural world, with a focus on sacredness and harmony at its very core." — Joanna Van Der Hoeven
3. What does it mean to be a Druid?
The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids works with Druidry as a spiritual way and practice that speaks to three of our greatest yearnings: to be fully creative in our lives, to commune deeply with the world of Nature, and to gain access to a source of profound wisdom. Each of these yearnings comes from a different aspect of ourselves that we can personify as the Singer, the Shaman and the Sage. In Druidry, Bardic teachings help to nurture the creative self: our inner singer, artist or storyteller; Ovate teachings help to foster the shaman, the lover of Nature, the healer within us; while the Druid teachings help to develop our inner wisdom: the sage who dwells within each of us. (For more on this, see The Druid Way on the OBOD website.)
4. Do I have to have Celtic ancestry to become a Druid?
No. The Druid path is open to everyone, regardless of ethnic origins.
5. Is Druidry the same as Wicca?
No, Druidry and Wicca are two entirely separate and distinct spiritual paths. If you follow Druidry there is no requirement to study or be involved in Wicca, and vice versa. But there are a number of similarities between the two paths, and some people do combine Druid and Wiccan ideas or practices, just as others combine other spiritual ways with Druidry. This combination of Druidry and Wicca is sometimes called Druidcraft. (For more on this, see Wicca and Druidcraft and The Harmony of Wicca and Druidry, both on the OBOD website.)
6. Do I have to adopt a particular set of beliefs to become a Druid?
No. OBOD's philosophy is to encourage people to believe and practice only those things which they feel are true and right for themselves, and we in Highland Oak Nemeton share this view. There is no dogma in Druidry, which instead is characterized by the qualities of tolerance and an appreciation of diversity. For this reason, people with widely differing approaches are members, from Pagans and Wiccans to Christians and Buddhists, and to atheists and those with no particular philosophy or religion. (For more on this, see Druid Beliefs on the OBOD website.)
7. Do I have to be a Pagan to be a Druid?
No. Many (possibly most) Druids are Pagan, but many combine their Druidry with other approaches, such as Wicca, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism or other religions, or with no religious beliefs at all. One of the most striking characteristics of modern Druidry lies in its tolerance of diversity; in our grove most members are Pagan but some are atheist, agnostic, Catholic, Buddhist, Unitarian, etc.
8. I'm a Christian. Can I be a Druid, too?
Yes. One of the unusual attributes of Druidry is that it has links with both Paganism and Christianity. One of the most important tasks that face us today is one of reconciliation, whether that be between differing political or religious positions. Rather than polarizing the Pagan and Christian viewpoints, Druidry serves a vital role in bridge-building between the different traditions, and we have members of many faiths, including Christian. (For more on Druid-Christians, see Christianity & Druidry on the OBOD website.)
9. Do you accept teenagers into your group?
As a general rule, one must be 18 or older to join Highland Oak Nemeton because that is the age limit for joining OBOD. Applicants for membership who are under 18 and not the direct ward of a Grove member must present a signed and notarized document from their parent or legal guardian permitting them to participate in Grove activities, and the underage applicant and their parent or guardian must be interviewed by an officer of the Grove.
10. How can I become a member of Highland Oak Nemeton?
Membership in the Grove is open to anyone age 18 or over who has an interest in the mission and goals of the Grove. The process starts with filling out the Contact Form on this website. After we receive your information, we will contact you with an invitation to attend one of our monthly grove meetings. If you prefer to meet with a couple of grove officers at a local coffee shop or other public location before attending a meeting, just let us know; we understand some people prefer a first interaction to be with a small rather than a large group.
When you attend a meeting, you are welcome to share with us your spiritual journey and what brought you to visit. You can ask our members questions about the group, our ceremonies, and Druidry. Prospective members are asked to attend three grove meetings or other grove events so we can all get acquainted; if after attending three functions you like what you see, you may apply to become a member of the grove.
11. What are the categories of membership within the grove?
An Active member is defined as one who has attended 60 percent of the Grove activities within the last year or has otherwise kept current and abreast of Grove business and activities. A Patron member is one who supports the grove and/or attends grove activities as possible, but does not meet the 60 percent criterion. Voting membership is restricted to those Active members who are members of both OBOD and the Grove.
12. Is there a fee to belong to the grove?
Dues for all categories of membership in Highland Oak Grove are $20 per year for a single membership, $35 for a family.
2. What is Druidry?
3. What does it mean to be a Druid?
4. Do I have to have Celtic ancestry to become a Druid?
5. Is Druidry the same as Wicca?
6. Do I have to adopt a particular set of beliefs to become a Druid?
7. Do I have to be a Pagan to become a Druid?
8. I'm a Christian. Can I be a Druid, too?
9. Do you accept teenagers into your group?
10. How can I join Highland Oak Nemeton?
11. What are the categories of membership within the grove?
12. Is there a fee to belong to the grove?
1. What is a nemeton?
From Wikipedia: "A nemeton was a sacred space of ancient Celtic religion. Nemeta appear to have been primarily situated in natural areas, and, as they often utilized trees, they are often interpreted as sacred groves."
Highland Oak Nemeton was named after our first meeting place, a lovely secluded swale surrounded by magnificent live oaks in Highland Road Park, Baton Rouge. Unfortunately, the local parks commission routed a Frisbee golf course through our sacred grove, forcing us to find other locations for our meetings and rituals. Although we no longer have the physical nemeton we once had, wherever we meet to honor the natural world and celebrate the Wheel of the Year becomes a sacred grove for us.
2. What is Druidry?
"Druidry is a spiritual tradition that takes its ethics from the inspiration available in the natural world around us. It does not only listen to the language of humans, but also those of the trees and wind, the pack and the herd, the moss and the fungi. It looks to the wider web of interconnectedness in order to live a life that is peaceful and attuned to the natural world, with a focus on sacredness and harmony at its very core." — Joanna Van Der Hoeven
3. What does it mean to be a Druid?
The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids works with Druidry as a spiritual way and practice that speaks to three of our greatest yearnings: to be fully creative in our lives, to commune deeply with the world of Nature, and to gain access to a source of profound wisdom. Each of these yearnings comes from a different aspect of ourselves that we can personify as the Singer, the Shaman and the Sage. In Druidry, Bardic teachings help to nurture the creative self: our inner singer, artist or storyteller; Ovate teachings help to foster the shaman, the lover of Nature, the healer within us; while the Druid teachings help to develop our inner wisdom: the sage who dwells within each of us. (For more on this, see The Druid Way on the OBOD website.)
4. Do I have to have Celtic ancestry to become a Druid?
No. The Druid path is open to everyone, regardless of ethnic origins.
5. Is Druidry the same as Wicca?
No, Druidry and Wicca are two entirely separate and distinct spiritual paths. If you follow Druidry there is no requirement to study or be involved in Wicca, and vice versa. But there are a number of similarities between the two paths, and some people do combine Druid and Wiccan ideas or practices, just as others combine other spiritual ways with Druidry. This combination of Druidry and Wicca is sometimes called Druidcraft. (For more on this, see Wicca and Druidcraft and The Harmony of Wicca and Druidry, both on the OBOD website.)
6. Do I have to adopt a particular set of beliefs to become a Druid?
No. OBOD's philosophy is to encourage people to believe and practice only those things which they feel are true and right for themselves, and we in Highland Oak Nemeton share this view. There is no dogma in Druidry, which instead is characterized by the qualities of tolerance and an appreciation of diversity. For this reason, people with widely differing approaches are members, from Pagans and Wiccans to Christians and Buddhists, and to atheists and those with no particular philosophy or religion. (For more on this, see Druid Beliefs on the OBOD website.)
7. Do I have to be a Pagan to be a Druid?
No. Many (possibly most) Druids are Pagan, but many combine their Druidry with other approaches, such as Wicca, Christianity, Buddhism, Hinduism or other religions, or with no religious beliefs at all. One of the most striking characteristics of modern Druidry lies in its tolerance of diversity; in our grove most members are Pagan but some are atheist, agnostic, Catholic, Buddhist, Unitarian, etc.
8. I'm a Christian. Can I be a Druid, too?
Yes. One of the unusual attributes of Druidry is that it has links with both Paganism and Christianity. One of the most important tasks that face us today is one of reconciliation, whether that be between differing political or religious positions. Rather than polarizing the Pagan and Christian viewpoints, Druidry serves a vital role in bridge-building between the different traditions, and we have members of many faiths, including Christian. (For more on Druid-Christians, see Christianity & Druidry on the OBOD website.)
9. Do you accept teenagers into your group?
As a general rule, one must be 18 or older to join Highland Oak Nemeton because that is the age limit for joining OBOD. Applicants for membership who are under 18 and not the direct ward of a Grove member must present a signed and notarized document from their parent or legal guardian permitting them to participate in Grove activities, and the underage applicant and their parent or guardian must be interviewed by an officer of the Grove.
10. How can I become a member of Highland Oak Nemeton?
Membership in the Grove is open to anyone age 18 or over who has an interest in the mission and goals of the Grove. The process starts with filling out the Contact Form on this website. After we receive your information, we will contact you with an invitation to attend one of our monthly grove meetings. If you prefer to meet with a couple of grove officers at a local coffee shop or other public location before attending a meeting, just let us know; we understand some people prefer a first interaction to be with a small rather than a large group.
When you attend a meeting, you are welcome to share with us your spiritual journey and what brought you to visit. You can ask our members questions about the group, our ceremonies, and Druidry. Prospective members are asked to attend three grove meetings or other grove events so we can all get acquainted; if after attending three functions you like what you see, you may apply to become a member of the grove.
11. What are the categories of membership within the grove?
An Active member is defined as one who has attended 60 percent of the Grove activities within the last year or has otherwise kept current and abreast of Grove business and activities. A Patron member is one who supports the grove and/or attends grove activities as possible, but does not meet the 60 percent criterion. Voting membership is restricted to those Active members who are members of both OBOD and the Grove.
12. Is there a fee to belong to the grove?
Dues for all categories of membership in Highland Oak Grove are $20 per year for a single membership, $35 for a family.