Aoda?

[demonique]

I've been reading Greer's "The Druidry Handbook", and have been very impressed. Was wondering if anyone had any experience/thoughts on AODA, and its membership/degree program - or other programs, such as the OBOD one.

[Meadhbh]

These guys:http://www.aoda.org/. While I haven't any experence on a personal level with this group, looking at their web site them seem to be an okay group. Nothing really stood out as amazing but on the other nothing stood out as horrible either. With this group it seems like it is a matter if they fit the style your looking for.

[Myrddyn Emrys]

Well, I'm currently in the process of joining the AODA, have sent my application letter and one-shot dues and merely awaiting confirmation so that I can move on to the first-year work.

The AODA has it's roots based firmly in the Druid Revival, it (or it's current Grand Arch Druid, John Michael Greer) makes no claims to Druids of "ancient times". The foundations lay in Stuckley and Toland.

Yet, JMG (being quite the scholar himself) encourages creativity and study, adapting the base practices and expounding on them to fit the person. One of the current discussions at the AODA Public list is about the Cornish Gorsedd and learning the Cornish language.

I've read the Druidry Handbook (twice now) found it quite informative, and it brought up wonderful new questions that I am now seeking the answers to.

Granted, just like any organization, it may not be for everyone. My suggestion would be to join the AODA Yahoo group, get to know the people, see the discussions for yourself and see if it "feels right" to you.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/AODA_Public/

Tully

[Myrddyn Emrys]

Oh, I forgot to add that Phillip Carr-Gomm of the OBOD is a member of the AODA, and JMG (Greer) is a member (of rather high standing and acchieved rank) within the OBOD. There is a "working relationship" between the two, in a sense.

[KellyP]

I definitely feel that AODA holds down the Druid Revival corner of the neo-Druid market. John Michael Greer always impresses me with his excellent writing and I use his Druidry Handbook for many exercises though I am a member of a different organization. If you are so inclined I think AODA would be a wonderful place to enter the world of modern druidry.

As in all things though, realize that theirs is one view of the mysteries and many others are just as valid.

Good luck with whatever you decide. If you have particular parts of the Druidry Handbook you would like to discuss I would love hearing more about them.