Apr 7, 2025 · OBOD – The Order of Bards Ovates & Druids – is a mystery school, a community around the world, who love nature and want to follow a magical, spiritual way that respects and protects the natural world in all its beauty.

In ancient times an Ovate was a prophet, seer, healer and diviner. In modern times, an Ovate is one who studies or practices herbalism, healing and divination within a Druidic context, or who has entered the Ovate level of training within a Druid Order.

The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids or OBOD is a Neo-Druidic order based in England, [1] but based in part on the Welsh Gorsedd of Bards. [2][3] It has grown to become a dynamic druid organisation, with members in all parts of the world. [4]

“The OBOD course arguably represents one of the major documents of British spirituality from the late twentieth century.” Since then the course has been developed, revised and expanded for the 21st century.

Jan 24, 2018 · I loved the Ovate grade and it’s still my main alignment on the OBOD path. I definitely echo all you have said here… I found the Bardic grade very clear and linear – a case or working in an experiential way through the gwersi.

Jan 11, 2022 · I’ve recently enrolled into the OBOD’s “Bardic Course”. I’ve already started studying the material I’ve been given, and it seems like it’ll be a pretty invaluable experience for my spiritual development, but it is a pretty big commitment.

Since the first lessons were sent out by the OBOD in 1988 thousands of members have walked this path, creating a network of Druids with over 80 Groves and Seed groups around the world, and providing the basis of a real Druidic community. So let me tell you more about the course.

Jul 2, 2017 · OBOD works differently–the three paths are laid out in the following order: Bard (first year of study), Ovate (second year and a half of study), and Druid (third year of study).

The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids is a worldwide group of over thirty thousand members in fifty countries, dedicated to practising, teaching, and developing Druidry as a valuable and inspiring spirituality.

Oct 2, 2014 · OBOD provides a foundation and a framework for Pagan practice. Although OBOD is a non-creedal and non-doctrinal order, most of its material is presented in a Pagan context.