One way to consider it is this....it is an education just as one would choose to go to college which requires tuition. The expense is cost for materials, an instructors time and knowledge. Well worth it for me...for some maybe not....a decision for the individual. Great review thank you.
Great review! To add my own experience, OBOD does offer an introductory packet that gives you a taste of what the course is like and that was very helpful for me when I was making the decision to join OBOD. When I was ready to make the commitment, I did write to the office about whether or not I could apply for financial assistance and they were very helpful in this regard. I went with the text version, though I will say that there are parts in the course that I would have preferred to have the audio, mostly whenever there's a guided mediation or visualization in the lesson. It's very difficult for me to read the mediation while trying to do it or not "plan out" my mediation before I get into that head space. However, I will say that not having the audio has allowed me to build up the skill of doing mediation on my own, so in a weird way, it's worked out!
Lovely point about the guided meditations. The audio is lovely, but that skill of being able to navigate that meditation on your own is very useful. I'm glad that the office was helpful when it came to applying for financial assistance. : D
Whoa, binding the course is genius!! That looks awesome! Great review. The Bardic grade was something special. I enjoyed the majority of the Ovate Grade, but the Bardic grade is where my heart remains. It was such a great year when I took it!
Thanks! I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out. Did you move on to the Druid level or stop after Ovate? I think many creatives seem to find their home in the Bard grade. I'm not surprised that you did, too!
+Danni Niles (EsotericMoment) yeah, I never made it quite through the Ovate grade entirely. lol. There came a point where I realized I felt more at home with the Bardic grade. Some of the stuff in the Ovate grade was great, but a lot of it felt extraneous for my own personal path.
I received an email from Philip Carr-Gomm from OBOD about this video. Please check out the yellow annotations in the video on his comments on the envelopes (sturdier ones coming soon!) and the Touchstone (maybe some redesign in future).
Danni Lang, what dose it mean to be a bard, and what do you do as a Bard? I'm of Scottish descent and I've read about the different classes of druidism. What caught my attention was the bardic tradition I am a singer, poet, is this what it means to be a Bard?
@@kimholcomb6943 I too am a poet/singer/musician(I play keyboard and guitar). To me being a Bard is you are the entertainers of the Grove. Memorizing stories/Myths to fit around the seasons. I am not a Druid but have been on a Pagan spiritual path a little over 35yrs now. I hope my insight was helpful to you. Blessed Be
Sad to say if the packaging has been improved, it’s still a problem. The edges of the envelope on my first package was open in places revealing the material and it seemed to have seen some moisture as well.
First, I need to say thank you for this video that I just now happened upon and the many others that I have already watch and I am sure the many more that I have not yet watched but will. I found your information very comforting after I had already purchased the OBOD Bard course this morning and was thinking to myself, "Oh jeez, what have I done?" It wasn't a impulse purchase, I did think about it but Druidism was not even on my radar of resources I was looking into, I was looking into many other resources. I discovered OBOD from a different channel that just very briefly mentioned it, like it was a speed bump and I wanted to continue watching the video about the other topics she was talking about but I had this very strong urge to look in her description of the video and saw the link. So I bookmarked it and thought I would go look at it later, but something was pushing me to go look at it now. And I did. I was very surprised what I found there, I watched some of the videos on the website and I was very drawn to it. But I didn't think I should spend that much on the course with us in the middle of this Covid thing. Then after dreaming about it and talking with my husband, he gave me the final push to go for it and take the course. After making the purchase, I was having a bit of a panic attack and was worried, what if I don't like it, maybe I should have just did the intro thing first. So then while looking at Halloween decor videos that are already coming up in July, this video popped up out of the blue, as if Cernunnos was saying to me, watch this video instead. Your video has given me much comfort of what is to come and I feel much better about this new journey that I am about to take. I won't lie, I'm still a bit scared but I know I can do this. I would love to talk to you more but not in comments like here if you are okay with that. If not I totally understand. I looked in your about to see if you have an email or Facebook account but didn't see that and I don't have accounts to the other links you have there. I have never used them before and don't know if they have a way to talk privately.
Glad I stumbled upon this. Been considering OBOD myself, as well as looking into AODA. Currently reading The Druid Handbook. Subbing. Might think of specific questions at a later date. Thanks for being here.
Thanks for your comment. I'd love to hear what you think of AODA sometime. There are fewer Druids in that order who speak openly and frequently about their order.
Hi,Danni! Congrats for your video! Very nice! I am an OBOD Bard from Rio de Janeiro,Brazil.Last June I went to the OBOD Summer Gathering at Glastonbury and I could meet some guys from our OBOD tribe! Such a lovely people! Were you there?It was a pleasure to meet you virtually! AWEN!
Welcome Marcello! I have not attended any official OBOD events, certainly not in Glastonbury. Such travel isn't in my budget right now but maybe someday! I've heard wonderful things about the gatherings though.
i am currently in the Bardic coarse and totally plan on moving on to the Ovate and hopefully Druid as well, I am thrilled to be part of it, again I am very happy to have found your videos
Danni, thanks for this informative and honest video! I am an OBOD Druid, and I liked it so much that I gave the link to a young man interested in Druidry. He also found it helpful. Deep forest blessings, Cathryn Bauer
Hi Danni, I want to thank you, thank you, thank you, for this review. It was just the extra info I needed to finally make the choice to order the course and it has already made such a difference in me. It feels like home. I appreciate all the hard work and effort you put in to make these videos and I hope to see some more in the future. Many blessings to you.
Danni, your video is super helpful. 😊 Before I saw it, I ordered the introductory package, though I wanted to jump in with both feet and just order the course. Though my heart was there, my logic was encouraging me to test the waters first as there just wasn’t a whole lot of information regarding the course. If I would have seen your video first, I would have had the courage to make the commitment. Now I’m anxious to receive my packet and get started. 👍🏻 Though I’m in North Carolina so will have to be patient. In the video, you answered every question I had. Because I’m about 2 to 2.5 hours away from any OBOD chapters, I will mostly be practicing as a solitary OBOD. You mentioned that the course covers solitary rituals, so I was very encouraged to hear this. Though I’m now hoping to gather with new friends of like minds when the opportunity arises. I’ve been practicing as a Druid anyway for some time as I love nature and everything it has to offer. I also meditate and practice with crystals, ancient Solfeggio frequency, and chakras. Additionally, I’m a naturopathic practitioner and master herbalist, so I look forward to learning more about the Ovate path. However, I’m also at a crossroads and feel like I’m at a turning point in my spirituality, thus hoping that the OBOD training will encourage my heart and mind to be open to receiving whatever is in store for me. In my opinion, spirituality is not about legalism but a way to become one with nature and God (or the divine Creator). For me personally, that resides within nature and freedom. That’s what attracted me to OBOD. I look forward to following you, Danni. Keep up the great videos. 💗
chanwu89, I’m about 1.5 hours on the other side of Asheville. Though we are a couple hours from one another, I would love to have a friend that’s starting out. Have you gotten on the OBOD forum yet? Hit me up there (my ID is DrAbbyCampbell), and we can be in touch. 😊
This is fantastic. I JUST bought the bard course and was really curious as to what I would be waiting for. I'm very excited to begin this journey and this review was extremely helpful.
Danni, Thank You for this video, I have watched it several times and each time gleaned a little more from your words. As a result I have enrolled in the course. Please keep doing more videos and sharing your experience, you have a wisdom and demeanor that are beyond your years. I find that so very refreshing.
Thank you, Danni! I am about half-way thru the Bardic Course and found your video filled-in some gaps for me. Well done, lovely presentation. Best wishes to you from my temporary home grove in Fremont, CA. Am a member of the East Bay Grove of fantastic peeps! Blessings to you on all your journeys!
I didn';t get OBOD Bard course until my best friend got the "intro" packet that included intro Gwersi 1 and 2 and such. They thought it seemed really good, and having a religious studies degree I was INCREDIBLY intrigued. I've been working on it for like 2 years almost now and I'm still not done because I've hit a lot of road bumps in my personal life, so I'm hoping to get back into working on it regularly.
+Emily エミリー (My Own Damn Show) The beautiful thing about the course is that you can go at your own pace and revisit it as often as you like. Enjoy the rest of the course!
Yeah that's the upside of it! But I definitely notice I've enjoyed it more when i stick to some form of "schedule" or spending like half an hour a day on it etc... I bought just the Paper version, and I would have totally done audio if they were files not CDs. I can't rip them because my computer has no disc drive.
Thank you for your video. I am also on the bardic course but for personal reasons I haven't really done anything with it but seeing this it has inspired me to carry on and proceed with it thank you.
I'm so glad your feeling re-inspired! One of the things I love about the course is that the pace is entirely up to you. Theoretically, I could have finished my Ovate grade months ago, but I want to work on my project at the end at my pace and linger a while in the grade. So that's exactly what I'm doing. I hope that whatever pace you pick, it works for you!
Thank you so much for this review, Ms. Danni! My name is Fox and i wanted to say that you have made a wonderfully useful video. I have, of course subscribed. I look forward to watching your other videos!
First off, thank you SO much for making this video! I think it's a fantastic video and will help a lot of people who are interested in OBOD (like myself). Personally I've been on the edge for a while about OBOD. I've had an interest the Order and Druidry for a long time, though for me the cost was very intimidating. You made a good point about 'was the course worth the money?' and commitment of resources, that was one of the questions I really wanted answered. I really liked how you briefly went over what is included in the course, showing the booklets and offering up your personal experience with the course as well as requesting a mentor. I found it really insightful and I wasn’t aware that it was possible to request a mentor which makes me feel a lot better. I was concerned that if I did join that there wouldn’t really be anyone I could turn to with my questions or to seek guidance from. I also really liked the idea of binding the booklets all in one volume. That way you never lose them and they’re all in one place as a reference (which is FABULOUS!). So again, thank you for making this video. It’s really helped me to move forward after being on the fence for so long and FINALLY decide to save up for the course because for me personally I believe it’s worth it. Thank you, thank you, thank you :)
You are so welcome; I'm glad my perspective could be helpful to you! I really think it's a wonderful course, organization, and well worth the investment. Do check in when you start the course (no matter how long it takes to save for!). I'd love to hear how you are liking it.
Thank you so much for making this. I've been wondering if it's worth the price because I don't know what is in the course or what I learn or take away from it after.
Lol about the design of the magazine. I design such things for a living but I'm not part of the order yet. Not sure how one would volunteer for that but I'd be game.
This was very helpful, as I was seeking a 3d learning experience, something I could hold in my hands..And I was very happy to hear they had hard copy and CD's. Thanks a lot, Danni !
In the course or really any way that you might study Druidry, you'll be encouraged to get outside and connect with the Earth in a multitude of ways. There can also be a fair amount of journeying work. Plenty of opportunity for a 3d experience! Enjoy!
Hi! Loved the Video ❤ Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I'm wondering if there's any kind of initiatory ritual at the end of the course and if I could print the booklets in case I chose only the on-line version I'm currently studying the bardic course in the BDO but honestly, it's too academic to handle sometimes! I'm thankful I'm given that much in deep information but I think I need something more practical. Plus I'm Spanish 😅 and reading in English is difficult enough for me so imagine having to dive into long pages of medieval compared literature with lots of terms in Welsh Thank you once again!
Aloha. I just ordered the Introductory material. I'm hoping I'll still be interested thereafter. At my age (we) prefer to explore a a bit before we leap. Your video is well done and informative. Mahalo -gil
Thanks! Early videos were filmed in the city and when it's summer there just wasn't a good way to eliminate that. Hopefully, you'll find the more recent videos to have better sound quality.
Thanks for this review of the course without divulging any secrets. 💚 Funny that I actually love the "80s" look of the Touchstone journal - at least the cover, but small print is an issue for my ability to concentrate well. I work at a library, too, and before you mentioned that I thought you looked like someone who could be a friendly co-worker! 😊I'm glad you talked about the cost, and it is a great suggestion to save for it. Are the seasonal rituals able to be adapted to various environments/climates? I live in the SW U.S. (CA). Thanks! 💚
Just ordered the Bard text & audio course; it is pricey ($40/month) but its not different than paying for an academic course, or dues to a fraternity, or tithes to a church.
Right, great point! I know people have different budgets. Sometimes it's tricky to set aside that amount, but I totally think it's worth it. Thanks for your comment!
Thank you for the review I had been thinking about the course for a while now and finally decided to start it ,,got my first pack today :-) so a long way to go
Dear Danni! Thank you for sharing your opinion about the course. It was very insightful. I'm thinking about doing something for my spiritual life, but never seem to be able to find 'the right thing'. The Bardic course cought my eye about a year ago but I couldn't yet decide if it's really fitting for me because of my background. My parents are both from Croatia, a small slavic country, but they went abroad to work. That's where I was born, in Germany. So, while some part of me feels drawn to slavic traditions, I have great difficulties getting material about their old beliefs. Most things are about Russian fairy tales and maybe Russian pagan beliefs, but I'm not Russian. Having been raised in Germany I feel somehow connected to the Germanic tradition, without feeling completely 'at home' there either. Then I learned that even in my ancestral country there were Celtic tribes and I thought that this might be what I was searching for. But it seems that the Celtic way is really closely connected to Britain and maybe some of France, and again left no place for my jumbled roots. I feel most connected to nature though, and to spirit ('world-soul') in an all-encompassing way, as well as (let me call them such) local energies (entities?). So, looking at it like that, I thought that the OBOD course might be fitting nevertheless. So, could you possibly tell me, are there many specifically deities incorporated in the OBOD course? Are deities or worship of anything that is not 'nature' covered at all? You mentioned that there's no real pressure to finish something on a certain schedule - does that mean that there is no schedule at all? I ask because I sometimes have trouble with depression and can't concentrate on (or have the energy for) doing anything really, and thus a time-frame or something might be helpful for me. And one last question: I suppose that the content of the audio-course is less extensive than the printed course. Is this assumption correct? If so, would you please explain the differences between both? I'm sorry for this rambling comment, but I hope you might share more of your experience. And I do appreciate your taking the time to read and answer very much. Thank you!
Sorry, this has taken me so long to get back to you with! I'm happy to answer your questions. First, the challenge to finding something that fits, especially when you feel ties to many different cultures, is a common struggle. I'm sure your path has twisted and grown as you've learned more and experienced different things. Druidry is no different! The order does not have specific deities that it subscribes to. There are Atheists, Christians, and Pagans alike that are members (among other faiths I'm sure!). The Bard course does however use the myth of Taliesin and Ceridwen to demonstrate some aspects of the course. Second, the course is flexible in time. No one forces you to complete anything at a certain time. However, the packets come once a month and provide a good reminder to catch up with the rough schedule of one Gwersi per week. You also have the option of asking for a mentor. Perhaps when you ask for a mentor you could share you are looking for someone who might check in with you occasionally if you've been silent for a while. Third, the audio course is almost word for word the same as the text version. The audio version only has nice transition music between each part of the lesson and occasionally feature a different Eisteddfod than the text version. They are mostly the same. Either is a great choice! Good luck! Please let me know if there are any other questions or if you decide to take the plunge (I hope you do!).
I know that you can write in to the OBOD office, and if you explain your circumstances, they may work with you if the current pricing is more than you can handle at the time. I'm personally on my second month of the Bardic course, which I like, however, because of the peppering of Welsh based language I wish that I had gone with the booklet and audio course. I was told by the office that in October I will be receiving a pronunciation guide, which is nice, but it makes sense to me for that to arrive at the beginning.
Oh I agree, the Welsh is tricky. I know lots of focus really take pride in learning a new language with their spiritual studies, but I don't think that will ever be my focus. I have too many other languages rattling around in my brain at this point. lol I'm also glad you mentioned that you can write to the OBOD office for a pricing agreement that suits you better if financially the course is too burdensome.
@@DanniEsotericMoment :grins: Very late to the party on this comment but I would recommend that, if a person is struggling with pronunciation of the Welsh in the course, Google Translate can be of great help. For some reason it still has a 'robot' voice rather than a 'reader' but from my memories of the language (I learned it forty years ago :O) it is not bad.
Thanks for this video, Danni! It gave me the final inspiration I needed to commit to the Bardic course. My materials arrived today-unfortunately in a severely compromised envelope, although nothing was lost. I think the Touchstone's design must be much improved now-and I don't have to take off my glasses to read it!
I’ve just signed up for the OBOD Bardic course and I’m very excited! I noticed that AODA asks people for a “druid name” (optional). Do OBOD druids take druid names? If so, how is it used?
Frankly, this sounds amazing! What an awesome thing to have available! And yes, paying money (modern society's greatest "sacrifice" in many ways, for many people) for spiritual education is so important. It's important work, it's useful, it has worth, we need to treat it as such! Just like paying for any course from a school, even an online one. I'll have to remember these videos are here for when people ask me about starting Druidry in the future, since it's not as much my realm of knowledge.
Thanks! I think it's a really beautiful, supportive way to begin in Druidry or even find a community if someone has been practicing on their own for a while.
I remember becoming a solitary Druid in 1988 after a near death experience, learning the myths, studying nature, learning the occult, researching archaeology and visiting the ancient sites, developing my spiritual practice, reading the history. I joined OBOD, left OBOD etc, etc. Then I came out into the public Druid world in 2001 as the head of the Albion Conclave, only to find myself surrounded by bloody hippies. After the devastating shock came the earth shattering disappointment...
I appreciate you taking the time to write a comment here. It's good for people who are looking for resources for Druidry to know there are other options. I never claim that the Druidry I practice is the only thing out there or that the Order I belong to is the only one available. I think it's good that there is a diverse community within the world of Druidry.
No disrespect to you Danni but Philip Carr Gomm openly celebrates the fusion of the 60's hippy movement integrating with the Druid tradition to the point where they are now are regarded as almost the same thing. The hippy culture brings with it, it's own world view, values and above all it's vibe and approach. The hippy personality for want of a better term. My personal view is that the tradition is now stereotyped by the massive influence hippy culture has upon the tradition which turns the mainstream population off and increases prejudice. A faith should be made up of all sectors of society in equal numbers. Philip Carr Gomm and OBOD have been at the spear head of the Druid revival and in my opinion they've done immense long term damage. He's so wrapped up in his own teenage influences from the 60's that gathering the hippies to his Druid banner smacks of little more than self interest and narrow mindedness. Druidry has now become the hippy religion. A passive bully. Sadly it would seem the tradition has now gone so far down this road that there is no turning back or even addressing the balance.
I would add that Philip Carr Gomm along with many others has exerted a sense of entitlement intrinsically associated to their own experiences and interests that has nothing to do with the Druid tradition and with remarkable success hi jacked the entire movement. It's self absorbed, self indulgent and entirely linked to their teenage lifestyles before they became involved with Druidry. I'm no reconstructionist but the hippy counter culture is a thing of itself linked to a teenage youth movement, which brings with it all manner of nuances that have nothing to do with Druidry whatsoever.
You make some fair points, but I'm wondering - why do you care? Are you hoping to bring some more people to our quasi religion which is based on legends and scraps? And are you worried that a bunch of unwashed flakes might besmirch our potentially respectable public image? What difference does it make to yours or my own relationship with our ancestry or habitat? People who are drawn to druidry will gravitate no matter who else associates themselves with the dubious title of "druid", surely?
@@FelinePaintsI care because if your not a hippy and do not connect with that vibe you are completely isolated from that scene, you simply cannot relate to it. However profound recent discoveries linked to DNA research has created an even bigger issue. We now know for a fact that the Indo-Europeans, The Bell Beaker, Corded Wear People invaded the UK and annihilated the Neolithic Farmers who built Stonehenge etc. There is no DNA footprint of the Neolithic Farmers remaining, it's been wiped off the face of the Earth...The Druids must have been the priests of the Indo-Europeans...so modern Druids can no longer claim both the Neolithic and Indo-European religions with any sense of credibility. If you now want to claim the title Druid, own what comes with it, an Indo-European religion that has nothing to do with Stone Circles. Maybe for those who connect more to the stone circles it is time to drop the term 'Druid' altogether...it's the respectful thing to do. Unless you want to continue honouring ancestors who butchered the ancestors you really admire. See the dilemma?...forgive me for using a very vulgar analogy but sadly it fits disturbingly well, one cannot be a Nazi Jew...The culture that built the megalithic monuments was the victim of genocide...
You mention rituals and the like, would you recommend this course for someone who is only interested in connecting deeper with the reverence of nature and deepening a druidic Christian route or is it really geared more toward the pagan side of it? Thank you.
That is an interesting question! There are many different ways people use the OBOD course and Druidry in general. Christians have definitely enjoyed the course and there are those who are Christian but still belong to Druidry without any theological qualms. The course, in my opinion, is set up in such a way that the student is really the one putting boundaries and limits on the material. If you want to approach the course only as a way to connect deeper to nature, this will be easy to do. If you want to approach the course in a more spiritual/religious way, this will also be possible. It just depends on how you use the practices in your life and the way you integrate the material. The course itself is purposefully left without a religious slant in order to make space for a student's beliefs.
Ivory, I received my first 2 packets and I feel they are quite in harmony with a Christian Druidic path, which is the path I am on. It's only been a little over a week, but I am finding a lot of spiritual sustenance. I got both the written and the audio versions, but if I was going to go ith just one, it would be the audio version. I hope that helps.
I too am different. I'm Christian, love Jesus but I also know I'm a witch. Now what kind of witch not sure. I love Nature, animals live in the Boonies e.t.c.....but I dont care for Wicca or all of its rituals. My first pack of Tarot cards were the Druids. I actually dreamed of one of the symbols exactly one if the cards. anyway, Christians dont except me and Metaphysical people dont understand me. Just havn't found my path.
Connie, I have never been totally understood by the people in my life, but they do accept me, for the most part. The few people who don't accept me aren't worth worrying about. I believe your path will find you. It was when I stopped searching for it that I happened upon OBOD's site. Peaceful Beltane.
Thank you for this, Danni! I just received my introductory packet, and your video has been very helpful. I love that the teachings are introspective and experiential, and the writing and presentation is beautiful quality. I hope that there are others nearby to interact with in person. Are there any groups in the Chicago area? If not, at least there are others like you to correspond with :) Blessings!
Hi, Danny. Great to see someone did such a great video abeout the bardic course. I'm doing the bardic course right now and it is really great. So...you mentioned you're doing the ovate course. Is there a big difference to the bardic one? Would you recommend the ovate? :)
Big difference? No. . . the material has different topics and ideas, it takes more time to work through, but generally it's set up the same way. The ending to the course is different. I would recommend it. I'll do another video review whenever I finish my ovate project on how i enjoyed the course. It might be a while though lol still doing house renovations!
While I can see how some have an issue with selling knowledge and teachings of any kind(I think college textbooks are a scam and are worthless most of the time) it should be noted intellectual property and having time spent on a project or a work of art no matter what medium (paintings, novels, music etc...) can be charged for simply because of the effort or creativity going into it In weird way it makes more sense because it is not simply knowledge in some cases but also tips, tricks, advice and other such things that are not just simply statistics or logic In my opinion time shouldn’t be monetized but having an experienced teacher as apposed to a teacher less qualified more than makes up for the monetization
Hi Danni, absolutely love how you had your Gwersi bound, and I was wondering if you did anything special to store the cd's? I also have both the audio and text version of the course, and am trying to decide how I want to store them. I was considering the boxes that OBOD has, but the bound book looks so amazing! I'd love to hear any suggestions or ideas you may have (if you wish to share) of how you store your cd's. Thank you! :)
Hi Danni! First off, thank you for taking the time and intention to make these reviews. Very informative and approachable! I apologize for my naïveté with these questions - I have made quite a circuitous road to Druidry, and am very new to it all, but I’m deeply fascinated. My main curiosity is regarding creativity practices within the Bard grade. I noticed on the website they say “The aim of the Bardic course is to help your life flourish and blossom - to help your Soul express itself fully in the world. It does this by helping you discover the sources of your creative power, so that their gifts can flow fully in your life.“. In what ways do you feel the course helps with your creativity would you say? I have been a devout musician/artist for a very long time - and especially fascinated by the spiritual aspects of creativity. Over the last year however, I have also been ushered onto paths of being a spiritual healer as well, allowing me to explore dream work, shadow work, etc., but especially shamanic work- which led me to the Celtic shamans, which is what has ultimately led me to OBOD. Sorry if this is way too much information. I’m just trying to remain open to paths that are laid out for me. A profound healer (shaman) told me recently that in Celtic traditions, there were shaman-bards, and she felt as if this was a path worth exploring for me - and I very much agree! I just don’t know if pursuing the Bardic course is an appropriate next step in that regard. I’m also wondering if it’s primarily a matter of just learning a large amount of content, or if there is a substantial amount of personal contribution and creative involvement for the student. It’s my understanding that Bards were often poets, story-tellers, musicians, etc. which is a very intriguing to me, and i would love to be able to explore my own creativity within Druidry through the course, if that’s how it works of course. :) So so sorry for such a long comment/series of questions. Again, thank you so much for your time and help, and for sharing your thoughts on your journey. I hope it has been going wonderfully for you! All the best! Jamison
No worries at all! From what you describe, I think the Bardic course might be of great use to you. It isn't about memorizing content, but about establishing spiritual habits and a foundation to help further growth. It does this through personal journey work, pushes to create, and stories to inspire. There is no requirement to create a certain number of pieces or anything but exploring artistic endeavors is stressed at every point. Much of this course is about discussing the spirituality of creativity. You might find Damh the Bard and interesting reference point. His podcast and music might show a bit more an example of what the creativity found in OBOD can be like. Best of luck to you!
Thanks so much Danni! Really helpful - I’ll definitely be exploring more and checking out that reference. I’m also really appreciative of all your videos - I’m finding myself falling down fascinating rabbit holes regarding Druidry, and it’s wonderful to have those resources! All the best! 😊
I'm so happy to be an OBOD BARD! UKULELE HOLLY BLOE RECOMMENDED! IT IS LIKE A COLLEGE COURSE! COFFEE WITH DAVE IS A PLEASURE INDEED IT'S SO SIMPLE, BABIES UNDERSTAND! HSM THANKS DANI
Great video. It's inspired me to look into this more. I made an enquiry to OBOD off the back of this. Looks great. Does the first course cover much on Shamanism or shamanistic practices?
How focused is the course on music? I'm really interested in composing writing and performing music and hopeful that this would offer guidance in that realm
pst. . . My name is Danni. lol I do talk about the content. I mention many of the topics covered broadly to give Saplings an idea of what will be covered in the course. Of course, I'm not going to go through all the exact lessons of a year long course. That's not what a review is for. This review is to help people who are deciding whether moving onto the Ovate course is going to bring value to their Druidry and practice. Hope this helps!
How intensive is this course? I work full time & attend college full time. Would this be something best waited on or that could be managed? As someone who had taken the course I thought I'd ask after I saw your video. Thanks!
I think it could be managed, but it depends on how you organize your time. First, the course pace is decided entirely by you. While you RECEIVE your Gwersi once every month with enough to do one per week, you can work on each Gwersi as your time allows. In fact many Gwersi recommend sitting and working with a topic for a while so that you may deepen your experience with the topic. There are no assignments (other than a final review) or check-ins from OBOD. You are welcome to initiate contact with your mentor whenever you like and take as many months/years as you'd like to to finish the course. Spiritual growth works at its own pace. This course is designed to be beneficial to growth not a hindrance to your life. Personally, I spent roughly 1-3 hours on Gwersi work each week outside of my daily practice. I finished in about one year. Lots of folks have very busy lives when they work on the course. I'm sure if your desire to take the course is strong, you'll be able to manage the time because most full time work and students are pretty fantastic folks! But the course will still be here if you wait until school or other time commitments are less intense. Good luck!
I'm so glad I found this video and your channel in general! I am on the fence about purchasing this course, considering its price and that I'm more interested in studying the path simply for knowledge of it than getting much into ritual, though I may change my view on that later in life. Do you think books on Druidry could yield similar or adequate knowledge, minus the ritual aspect? I don't know how much more the course can offer than books on the subject. Do you believe it's worth it, and why? Thanks!
I think starting with some books is a GREAT idea! The course will always be here if you decide that it really has what you want or you want to explore that ritual aspect. Many books will also give you ideas on ritual, too. Besides the wisdom and understanding you'll gain by getting outside in nature will be recommended by the course, any book on Druidry, and any Druid you learn from personally. All wonderful paths to learning more.
Danni Lang Thanks for the reply! I'll be purchasing some books on the subject soon. Tried to find some in used books stores in order to save money, but no luck. Off to Amazon I go!
I am a Druid,I create ritual,I have done handfasting,baby welcoming and nameing and I have not done the course at all,my wife has and the course helped her but I felt that i didn't need it,all Druids walk their own path.I know here in the UK you can pay monthly it's about £13 a month,I don't know about overseas though
I've purchased the bard course. I'm in north america for reference. But if I attend a gathering that is more exclusive. Can my wife and baby attend? She isn't interested in becoming any of the 3. I am undoubtedly, the only one doing the proceedings. I am curious if she can attend with me, because I would enjoy the ceremonies etc woth her but without her amd my child I probably wouldn't attend.
Bonjour, j'ai vraiment aimé ta vidéo. J'aimerais regarder les autres mais dommage, elles ne sont pas sous-titré en français. Serait-il possible que tu le fasse car pour moi l'apprentissage de l'anglais et vraiment impossible. Merci beaucoup.
I thought you didnt Have to puck a mentor, it was optional, or least it soudned that way to me, when I started the bard course. I haven't reached out to get a mentor, so how would the end of the course differ?
Hmmm. . . my first packet was a while ago. I believe that it took about 1 1/2 weeks for my first one to arrive but it might have been closer to two weeks. I'm in Wisconsin if that helps any.
Your review was very helpful, thanks! Just ordered the course, excited to start. Also, genius about the book binding. I, too, work in a library so I might be able to find a resource for that. How much did it end up costing you to get the gwersi bound?
I hope you enjoy the course! I used Grimm bindery which is local to Madison, WI where I live. Since it was a custom, single item it cost about $50. It's not exactly a cheap option, but I had already invested in the course and wanted to preserve the materials the best way I knew how. I see too many materials fall to pieces at work due to poor binding or care, as I'm sure you know as a librarian yourself!
Good to know, and oh yes... the terrors of poor binding, especially in newer soft covered books. I've seen so many newer books get borrowed and returned with pages falling out lately. Sad when that happens!
Thank you for sharing! Does the course also contain all the origins and sources of the teachings? For me it’s important to understand where everything comes from :)
I joined obod this year and I understand that the mentor are to be contacted via email but having dyslexia makes it harder for me to both read and write and was wondering if there is an other option for getting in touch with a mentor ie video call, audio call??
Do they follow Wiccan ritual structure? Ritual structure is a vital part of how I will make my choice. Say anything you can about it or direct me to a video, please. ❤
Hello Danni, I have purchased the Bardic Course as well. I also did the audio and text version of the course but although I have delved into it now twice, I just can't seem to finish it - I get bored. I need face to face time but it is really difficult, as I live in Australia. Do you have any suggestions. There are no groves or seed groups where I live and I don't feel I know enough about it and feel confident to start my own grove or seed group.
I'm sorry it's been hard to get into. I have three suggestions. The first is to just get outside. Try connecting to the physical world first before trying to do the study stuff. The way we learn and work with the natural world is the biggest influence on our path. Second, have you tried reading Australian Druidry by Julie Brett? It might help to get a focus on your natural world and druidry instead of trying to work with the methods more commonly held in the UK or US. DruidryAustralia.org might also help (OBOD site!). Third, maybe Druidry isn't really the path for you. There are a thousand variations on paganism and even on Druidry. Try exploring other paths. You never know when/if you might find your way back to OBOD!
Thanks for the informative video, Danni! I've been eyeing the course for some time but was never sure if it was actually worth the money! I'm a musician and I know that playing the harp is an integral part of the bardic tradition... Does the course touch upon that at all?
+Meg Ashling The course works to inspire people to pursue creative endeavors. Harp playing would certainly count for that! However there is nothing specific about harp playing past being used as a traditional example of bardic arts.
Hello Danni, thanks for making thai video. I've been attuned by an OBOD Druid to Celtic Druidry themed Healing which is for want of a better word a Reiki type course. It's opened me up to Druidry and I'm very keen to join OBOD. A question I've got about the mentor, is it email exchanges and is it a typed up email that one sends to the mentor after the year or so of completion of the course? Is there a certificate or plaque or something to agnowledge the achievement of Bard? Thanks. Best wishes.
That depends on what type of "testing" you are looking for. Each Gwersi has an introduction letter from Philip Carr-Gomm, a text on the material of the lesson, a triad, a practicum section, and an eisteddfod section. The practicum is usually a meditation, activity, or physical thing that they encourage members do either once or through out the week to experience whatever the lesson is about. These sections can range from doing a meditation with a nearby tree to meditations in your personal inner sacred grove to creating a magical item for your practice to growing something and more. The course is less about memorizing or collecting information and more about experiencing a spiritual practice and creating personal rituals that foster a regular practice and connection. The Ovate course has a bit more information to remember and work on but is still really focused on learning by doing. It's one of the reasons that I went with OBOD rather than some of the other courses offered by other orders. Does this answer the question?
Going to do it. Looked at the intro package. Waiting till I get paid lol. Not written a story since school. Going to teach myself Celtic lyre. Druidry calls to me in a way Wicca didn’t. Lots of familiar things like sacred space and circles. Tried a elderberry cordial went foraging. Unfortunately it’s gone pear shaped.🤦♀️☸️
I hope you enjoy the intro package! It does cover lots of familiar things but sets a good solid foundation for future work while bringing lots of creativity in. :)
I fear you may've partially answered this question several times, so please forgive my repetition. I practice a solitary norse-pagan path, but I've learned so much from the OBOD podcast that I've considered for a few years now taking OBOD even though I am not connected with the celtic deities? I believe it's been said that this course doesn't focus on a particular mythology? What, then, would you say the core of the course is? And do you feel it would be accepted/suitable to take the course as a norse-pagan?
There is no focus on a specific pantheon. There are Christians, Atheists, and all sorts of religious beliefs that find wisdom and peace in the practice. You'd feel right at home i think!
I really appreciate your reply. If I tend to lean away from strictly-structured ritual, are there a great deal of other things included in OBOD lessons?
Hey after watching this video I ordered the intro pack. I have mostly been buying second hand books where I can find a d have been finding it all very interesting. Do you know if you have to commit to do the whole year in one go? Finances be a great issue for me and I may not be able to pay the money each month.
@@joannebohan2243 I ended up joining up. They let you pay quarterly which is cool and I think monthly. I was short last payment and they are super chill about paying later. And sending the books then
Hey Danni! I’ve been on the fence about joining OBOD. My main concern I suppose is the cost. Right now I’m taking a free bardic course through the New Order of Druids (druidcircle.org), but I’m wondering if I’m missing out. What would be an example of lesson content? Do you ever have practical lessons? Through NOD at the end of each lesson you are asked to complete a 3-5 page essay....even if all you are given is a few paragraphs of information. Is the course similar through OBOD? I grew up Mormon and due to a series of events (long story) I know it is not my path. I was drawn to druidry given my past, my ancestry, and my love of nature. I’m sure it’s the correct path for me to take. I’m just really searching for some structure and it seems OBOD could offer that. I also miss the societal/cultural aspect of having been apart of the Mormon church. I miss that feeling and I know there are OBOD groves less than two hours away...I wish they’d be closer but in a couple years I’ll be moving to a more liberal area where there are more groves, so I’m not worried about distance. I hope you’ll get this message soon and be able to provide some insight. Thank you so much for posting this video, it’s provided me with much needed information.
I go through in the video a little about what each lesson is formatted like. The course goes through what OBOD considers the foundational pieces of information for Druidry. Honestly, you can find much (not all, but really a lot of it) of the same information in other books or even through different orders like you've found through New Order of Druids. Maybe start by reading Druidry books written by OBOD members. Philip Carr-Gomm, Penny Billington, Nimue Brown, Joanna van der Hoeven are all good authors to try out. You'll find the order and structure that fits you best after a little experimentation. I think that if you decide the course through OBOD is something you'd really love, saving up the money for it is probably worth it. I waited a few years before I started with the course because I didn't have the financial resources to do so when I first felt the calling to take it. Waiting till the time is right for you is worth it! As far as missing out, especially on the community aspect, OBOD does have wonderful tools for feeling connected to other Druids. There are local groves, online forums and facebook groups, and the mentor program. But you can begin to feel that community now. Sometimes there are more generic pagan groups (maybe one closer) that you could drop in on and meet other like minded folks at. You could also start your own study group and put a call out for more local Druids or Pagans to join you (meeting at a coffee shop or park is an excellent choice for these open invitations). And of course, there are Druids online like you! I think youtube is a great place to foster communities on. Instagram has even more Druids posting actively. Engage with different Druids and hopefully you begin to feel those connections and community feels soon. Stay in touch and good luck!
Danni Lang thank you so much for your reply! I guess when I was asking about course content, my main curiosity was about practical assignments...in the NOD program there are only two or three practical assignments (where you are asked or taught to actually do something, i.e., drawing a protective circle, assignments to do specific meditations, create something...). Are there a good amount of practical assignments through OBOD? While I enjoy reading, I learn best by doing.
I am very interested in joining OBOD. The only hesitation i have about it is the fact that i am mainly a follower of Norse traditions and a practitioner of Norse Magic. I feel drawn to the druid path but a little confused about how i should go about it.
The format of the Touchstone magazine is just fine for me. The format saves trees and posible polution from the use of shiney paper or other more "classy" presentations. Content and philosophy over fancy
My complaint wasn't about the paper. My complaint was about the way content was haphazardly put together. It was hard to read, the font wasn't consistent, and images could be very distorted. The year after I made this video, they VASTLY improved the way the Touchstone was put together. I don't mind reading it anymore 😀
The course uses some mythology. Mostly, this grade uses the story of Taliesin and Cerridwen to draw parallels to the journey of the Bard. It doesn't go through all or even most myths. There is no set pantheon. There is less focus on how to focus on Deity in general compared to how one connects to nature. Deity is a concept that varies across Druidry. So, the course tries to stay welcoming to all beliefs and leaves it up to the student to define or work with Deity as they see fit.
What is the focus of the Bard course? I'm really interested on expanding my spiritual path and I hope to do this in order to nurture my artistic work, for me both artistic and spiritual paths are one and the same, so I'm looking for teachings that can help me bring this forth.
+nurarihion The Bard course is ideal for creative work. Many artists and creatives find the course helps them tap into Awen and inspiration while bringing more meaning into their work.
Danni...I've been an artist all my life in writing, music, and sculpture. Have been looking for a spiritual walk I could combine with the arts. Being a Bard sounds like a good fit. Thank you for your videos!
As a humanist who maintains an open mind toward spiritual practices, do you think these courses would be a benefit? It appears very open to a wide range of perceptions. What are your thoughts?
I think you would still find a lot of wisdom and creative energy in the course. It does not require that you pick up Druidry as a religion or even as your main philosophy. It just offers avenues of exploration and practices that could bring new ideas and expansion to your life.
it all hinge son whatis meant by the verb 'to exist'; nowadays, it is bet to leave the definition of this to the individual; this is a small planet and we all have to rub along and agree to differ, without any judgement.
Dear Danni, so you recommend getting in touch with a mentor? I'm still a bit hesitant. On the other hand I imagine it to be wonderful. But since you never know who's on the other side might be afraid of the chemistry. I just registered in the forum to get a better feeling dir the community. It's the only way at the moment because I live too far away from the seedgroups and groves.
Hands down YES to asking for a mentor. My bard mentor was amazing; my ovate mentor was not as good of a fit, kinda meh. Both experiences were very valuable. If you REALLY don't get a long with your mentor, you can always work with the office to remedy the relationship or someone new.
I bought the course but I have gotten suck in the middle where the elements start. It seems to be too similar to other pagan courses that I have done and need some motivation to continue. Maybe I need to get myself a OBOD mentor!?
The basics are a little rough to get through if you are coming from a different pagan practice (or other form of Druidry!). A mentor could def help move you through that section. Also the it's better as it goes along. You learn more about the Druidry part of the basics further in.
I know, it would be better to be exposed to some really outlandish and even annoying interpretation, which at least would poke you in the ribs and get you thinking.
Hi Danni! Would you please share wuth me how much exactly you spent? I want to do the written version only and need to get an idea of how much to save. Thank you in advance!
The course occasionally changes price and of course the exchange rate has a HUGE affect on the cost. Right now the course is 340 euros for text and audio which is roughly $399 US. You can do monthly plans and reduce the cost by doing just text or just audio. Druidry.org has more info :D
@@DanniEsotericMoment Hi Danni, Your video just popped up on my news feed. Have you taken all three grades and since it has been 5 years since you recorded this video are you still a strong believer in the courses?
When you finish the bard course you'll be asked to do a review. Once your mentor works with you on the review it will be sent to the office and you'll get the introductory ovate course. From there you can decide whether it's for you or not.
Good luck with finding a path that works for you! It's common for people to move from one path to another as they grow and change. Some do this a lot and others not so much.
Maybe use bits of both and make it your own,I design rituals for a group I'm part of,,pagans from all paths are in it and my rituals are designed to cover most paths
I know! I would mention that you can pay monthly or quarterly which helps with the cost and they do have a small number of scholarships that you can speak with them directly about. You can also go in with a friend. They just ask that you pay $25 for the extra person using the materials. However, there are so many other beautiful ways to learn more about Druidry!
Currently the website says that the price for the US is 215 Euros for Text version, 240 Euros for the Audio version, and 340 Euros for both Text and Audio. They have monthly and quarterly payment plans though which helps. You can find the info at the link in the description.
+Danni Niles (EsotericMoment) 😃Thank you for answering so fast. Then I did the right calculation. Sounds ok. You know I was eyeing on a a spiritual related course here in my city, which was just a monthly course and the price was more than 1000€ !!! I read on the website that you can get a sample of the course to get a glimpse of it. Definitely sounds like a stunning course😊.
Wow! That sounds like a very pricey course. I think the sample pack is a great way to see what the course will be like. I'm pretty sure I ordered the sample one day, and then purchased the full course a couple days later without even receiving the course because I was so excited. lol good luck with whatever you choose!
I did the same thing when I joined, ordered the sample and then purchased the full course the next day :) I really need to get back into the bard course I started it but never finished it..I only got the text version I'm considering saving up to get the audio as well, I think it would help me a lot to have both
The cost in the US is much more expensive. The monthly cost for the text version is 19 Euros or ~$22 and text and audio version is 30 Euros or ~$34. Plus most American banks will charge a small fee for currency exchange which makes it more expensive to do a monthly charge rather than a large upfront purchase. For me and my budget, it was an expensive course. I appreciate all the ways OBOD attempts to make it more feasible for folks to pay for, though.
![How I'm Studying To Be A Druid [CC]](/img/n.gif)
One way to consider it is this....it is an education just as one would choose to go to college which requires tuition. The expense is cost for materials, an instructors time and knowledge. Well worth it for me...for some maybe not....a decision for the individual. Great review thank you.
Great review! To add my own experience, OBOD does offer an introductory packet that gives you a taste of what the course is like and that was very helpful for me when I was making the decision to join OBOD. When I was ready to make the commitment, I did write to the office about whether or not I could apply for financial assistance and they were very helpful in this regard. I went with the text version, though I will say that there are parts in the course that I would have preferred to have the audio, mostly whenever there's a guided mediation or visualization in the lesson. It's very difficult for me to read the mediation while trying to do it or not "plan out" my mediation before I get into that head space. However, I will say that not having the audio has allowed me to build up the skill of doing mediation on my own, so in a weird way, it's worked out!
Lovely point about the guided meditations. The audio is lovely, but that skill of being able to navigate that meditation on your own is very useful. I'm glad that the office was helpful when it came to applying for financial assistance. : D
Whoa, binding the course is genius!! That looks awesome! Great review. The Bardic grade was something special. I enjoyed the majority of the Ovate Grade, but the Bardic grade is where my heart remains. It was such a great year when I took it!
Thanks! I'm quite pleased with the way it turned out. Did you move on to the Druid level or stop after Ovate? I think many creatives seem to find their home in the Bard grade. I'm not surprised that you did, too!
+Danni Niles (EsotericMoment) yeah, I never made it quite through the Ovate grade entirely. lol. There came a point where I realized I felt more at home with the Bardic grade. Some of the stuff in the Ovate grade was great, but a lot of it felt extraneous for my own personal path.
I received an email from Philip Carr-Gomm from OBOD about this video. Please check out the yellow annotations in the video on his comments on the envelopes (sturdier ones coming soon!) and the Touchstone (maybe some redesign in future).
Danni Lang what are in the bardic courses?
Danni Lang, what dose it mean to be a bard, and what do you do as a Bard? I'm of Scottish descent and I've read about the different classes of druidism. What caught my attention was the bardic tradition I am a singer, poet, is this what it means to be a Bard?
@@kimholcomb6943 I too am a poet/singer/musician(I play keyboard and guitar). To me being a Bard is you are the entertainers of the Grove. Memorizing stories/Myths to fit around the seasons.
I am not a Druid but have been on a Pagan spiritual path a little over 35yrs now. I hope my insight was helpful to you.
Blessed Be
Sad to say if the packaging has been improved, it’s still a problem. The edges of the envelope on my first package was open in places revealing the material and it seemed to have seen some moisture as well.
First, I need to say thank you for this video that I just now happened upon and the many others that I have already watch and I am sure the many more that I have not yet watched but will. I found your information very comforting after I had already purchased the OBOD Bard course this morning and was thinking to myself, "Oh jeez, what have I done?" It wasn't a impulse purchase, I did think about it but Druidism was not even on my radar of resources I was looking into, I was looking into many other resources. I discovered OBOD from a different channel that just very briefly mentioned it, like it was a speed bump and I wanted to continue watching the video about the other topics she was talking about but I had this very strong urge to look in her description of the video and saw the link. So I bookmarked it and thought I would go look at it later, but something was pushing me to go look at it now. And I did. I was very surprised what I found there, I watched some of the videos on the website and I was very drawn to it. But I didn't think I should spend that much on the course with us in the middle of this Covid thing. Then after dreaming about it and talking with my husband, he gave me the final push to go for it and take the course. After making the purchase, I was having a bit of a panic attack and was worried, what if I don't like it, maybe I should have just did the intro thing first. So then while looking at Halloween decor videos that are already coming up in July, this video popped up out of the blue, as if Cernunnos was saying to me, watch this video instead. Your video has given me much comfort of what is to come and I feel much better about this new journey that I am about to take. I won't lie, I'm still a bit scared but I know I can do this. I would love to talk to you more but not in comments like here if you are okay with that. If not I totally understand. I looked in your about to see if you have an email or Facebook account but didn't see that and I don't have accounts to the other links you have there. I have never used them before and don't know if they have a way to talk privately.
Glad I stumbled upon this. Been considering OBOD myself, as well as looking into AODA. Currently reading The Druid Handbook. Subbing. Might think of specific questions at a later date. Thanks for being here.
Thanks for your comment. I'd love to hear what you think of AODA sometime. There are fewer Druids in that order who speak openly and frequently about their order.
Hi,Danni! Congrats for your video! Very nice! I am an OBOD Bard from Rio de Janeiro,Brazil.Last June I went to the OBOD Summer Gathering at Glastonbury and I could meet some guys from our OBOD tribe! Such a lovely people! Were you there?It was a pleasure to meet you virtually! AWEN!
Welcome Marcello! I have not attended any official OBOD events, certainly not in Glastonbury. Such travel isn't in my budget right now but maybe someday! I've heard wonderful things about the gatherings though.
i am currently in the Bardic coarse and totally plan on moving on to the Ovate and hopefully Druid as well, I am thrilled to be part of it, again I am very happy to have found your videos
Aw thanks so much! I love meeting all the other OBODies out there through these videos :D
Danni, thanks for this informative and honest video! I am an OBOD Druid, and I liked it so much that I gave the link to a young man interested in Druidry. He also found it helpful. Deep forest blessings, Cathryn Bauer
+Cathryn Bauer Thank you for sharing the video! I do hope your friend enjoys the course :)
Hi Danni, I want to thank you, thank you, thank you, for this review. It was just the extra info I needed to finally make the choice to order the course and it has already made such a difference in me. It feels like home. I appreciate all the hard work and effort you put in to make these videos and I hope to see some more in the future. Many blessings to you.
Danni, your video is super helpful. 😊 Before I saw it, I ordered the introductory package, though I wanted to jump in with both feet and just order the course. Though my heart was there, my logic was encouraging me to test the waters first as there just wasn’t a whole lot of information regarding the course. If I would have seen your video first, I would have had the courage to make the commitment. Now I’m anxious to receive my packet and get started. 👍🏻 Though I’m in North Carolina so will have to be patient.
In the video, you answered every question I had. Because I’m about 2 to 2.5 hours away from any OBOD chapters, I will mostly be practicing as a solitary OBOD. You mentioned that the course covers solitary rituals, so I was very encouraged to hear this. Though I’m now hoping to gather with new friends of like minds when the opportunity arises. I’ve been practicing as a Druid anyway for some time as I love nature and everything it has to offer. I also meditate and practice with crystals, ancient Solfeggio frequency, and chakras. Additionally, I’m a naturopathic practitioner and master herbalist, so I look forward to learning more about the Ovate path. However, I’m also at a crossroads and feel like I’m at a turning point in my spirituality, thus hoping that the OBOD training will encourage my heart and mind to be open to receiving whatever is in store for me.
In my opinion, spirituality is not about legalism but a way to become one with nature and God (or the divine Creator). For me personally, that resides within nature and freedom. That’s what attracted me to OBOD.
I look forward to following you, Danni. Keep up the great videos. 💗
Dr. Abby Campbell what part of NC are you in?
I’m in TN an hour away from Asheville. I just ordered the intro pack on Monday
chanwu89, I’m about 1.5 hours on the other side of Asheville. Though we are a couple hours from one another, I would love to have a friend that’s starting out. Have you gotten on the OBOD forum yet? Hit me up there (my ID is DrAbbyCampbell), and we can be in touch. 😊
I just signed up for that Bardic Course and I'm happy to have found your channel!
This is fantastic. I JUST bought the bard course and was really curious as to what I would be waiting for. I'm very excited to begin this journey and this review was extremely helpful.
Danni, Thank You for this video, I have watched it several times and each time gleaned a little more from your words. As a result I have enrolled in the course. Please keep doing more videos and sharing your experience, you have a wisdom and demeanor that are beyond your years. I find that so very refreshing.
Thank you, Danni! I am about half-way thru the Bardic Course and found your video filled-in some gaps for me. Well done, lovely presentation. Best wishes to you from my temporary home grove in Fremont, CA. Am a member of the East Bay Grove of fantastic peeps! Blessings to you on all your journeys!
How sweet of you! I'm glad it was a useful video for you. Good luck with the second half of your Bardic course. Do let me know when you finish! :D
I didn';t get OBOD Bard course until my best friend got the "intro" packet that included intro Gwersi 1 and 2 and such. They thought it seemed really good, and having a religious studies degree I was INCREDIBLY intrigued. I've been working on it for like 2 years almost now and I'm still not done because I've hit a lot of road bumps in my personal life, so I'm hoping to get back into working on it regularly.
+Emily エミリー (My Own Damn Show) The beautiful thing about the course is that you can go at your own pace and revisit it as often as you like. Enjoy the rest of the course!
Yeah that's the upside of it! But I definitely notice I've enjoyed it more when i stick to some form of "schedule" or spending like half an hour a day on it etc...
I bought just the Paper version, and I would have totally done audio if they were files not CDs. I can't rip them because my computer has no disc drive.
Thanks for posting this video. I've been thinking about buying the course and your comments have pushed me more in that direction.
Been trying to decide on the bardic course and really needed to know what to expect from it. Thank you.
Thank you for this! I appreciate your clarity, enthusiasm, and graciousness. Every Blessing to you!
+Cheryl Anne aw thanks!
Thank you for your video. I am also on the bardic course but for personal reasons I haven't really done anything with it but seeing this it has inspired me to carry on and proceed with it thank you.
I'm so glad your feeling re-inspired! One of the things I love about the course is that the pace is entirely up to you. Theoretically, I could have finished my Ovate grade months ago, but I want to work on my project at the end at my pace and linger a while in the grade. So that's exactly what I'm doing. I hope that whatever pace you pick, it works for you!
Thank you so much for this review, Ms. Danni! My name is Fox and i wanted to say that you have made a wonderfully useful video. I have, of course subscribed. I look forward to watching your other videos!
You are too kind!
First off, thank you SO much for making this video! I think it's a fantastic video and will help a lot of people who are interested in OBOD (like myself). Personally I've been on the edge for a while about OBOD. I've had an interest the Order and Druidry for a long time, though for me the cost was very intimidating. You made a good point about 'was the course worth the money?' and commitment of resources, that was one of the questions I really wanted answered.
I really liked how you briefly went over what is included in the course, showing the booklets and offering up your personal experience with the course as well as requesting a mentor. I found it really insightful and I wasn’t aware that it was possible to request a mentor which makes me feel a lot better. I was concerned that if I did join that there wouldn’t really be anyone I could turn to with my questions or to seek guidance from. I also really liked the idea of binding the booklets all in one volume. That way you never lose them and they’re all in one place as a reference (which is FABULOUS!).
So again, thank you for making this video. It’s really helped me to move forward after being on the fence for so long and FINALLY decide to save up for the course because for me personally I believe it’s worth it.
Thank you, thank you, thank you :)
You are so welcome; I'm glad my perspective could be helpful to you! I really think it's a wonderful course, organization, and well worth the investment. Do check in when you start the course (no matter how long it takes to save for!). I'd love to hear how you are liking it.
Thank you so much for making this. I've been wondering if it's worth the price because I don't know what is in the course or what I learn or take away from it after.
Lol about the design of the magazine. I design such things for a living but I'm not part of the order yet. Not sure how one would volunteer for that but I'd be game.
This was very helpful, as I was seeking a 3d learning experience, something I could hold in my hands..And I was very happy to hear they had hard copy and CD's. Thanks a lot, Danni !
In the course or really any way that you might study Druidry, you'll be encouraged to get outside and connect with the Earth in a multitude of ways. There can also be a fair amount of journeying work. Plenty of opportunity for a 3d experience! Enjoy!
Thanks for this video! I've been considering the course for a few months now - this was really helpful!
Hi! Loved the Video ❤ Thank you so much for sharing your experience. I'm wondering if there's any kind of initiatory ritual at the end of the course and if I could print the booklets in case I chose only the on-line version
I'm currently studying the bardic course in the BDO but honestly, it's too academic to handle sometimes! I'm thankful I'm given that much in deep information but I think I need something more practical. Plus I'm Spanish 😅 and reading in English is difficult enough for me so imagine having to dive into long pages of medieval compared literature with lots of terms in Welsh
Thank you once again!
Aloha. I just ordered the Introductory material. I'm hoping I'll still be interested thereafter. At my age (we) prefer to explore a a bit before we leap. Your video is well done and informative. Mahalo -gil
A really complete and useful review. Thank you! (I found the traffic noise pretty distracting, but those w/o ADHD probably may notice that.)
Thanks! Early videos were filmed in the city and when it's summer there just wasn't a good way to eliminate that. Hopefully, you'll find the more recent videos to have better sound quality.
That's great to know about the pages since I'm a book binder myself!
Thank you this is exactly the video I was looking for. Great to find you
Thanks for this review of the course without divulging any secrets. 💚 Funny that I actually love the "80s" look of the Touchstone journal - at least the cover, but small print is an issue for my ability to concentrate well. I work at a library, too, and before you mentioned that I thought you looked like someone who could be a friendly co-worker! 😊I'm glad you talked about the cost, and it is a great suggestion to save for it. Are the seasonal rituals able to be adapted to various environments/climates? I live in the SW U.S. (CA). Thanks! 💚
I'm so grateful for your review; this has helped me enormously. Thanks so much!
You're welcome!
Just signed up for the course 🙂 and will get a mentor soon thanks for making the video
Just ordered the Bard text & audio course; it is pricey ($40/month) but its not different than paying for an academic course, or dues to a fraternity, or tithes to a church.
Right, great point! I know people have different budgets. Sometimes it's tricky to set aside that amount, but I totally think it's worth it. Thanks for your comment!
Thank you for the review I had been thinking about the course for a while now and finally decided to start it ,,got my first pack today :-) so a long way to go
Dear Danni! Thank you for sharing your opinion about the course. It was very insightful. I'm thinking about doing something for my spiritual life, but never seem to be able to find 'the right thing'. The Bardic course cought my eye about a year ago but I couldn't yet decide if it's really fitting for me because of my background.
My parents are both from Croatia, a small slavic country, but they went abroad to work. That's where I was born, in Germany. So, while some part of me feels drawn to slavic traditions, I have great difficulties getting material about their old beliefs. Most things are about Russian fairy tales and maybe Russian pagan beliefs, but I'm not Russian. Having been raised in Germany I feel somehow connected to the Germanic tradition, without feeling completely 'at home' there either. Then I learned that even in my ancestral country there were Celtic tribes and I thought that this might be what I was searching for. But it seems that the Celtic way is really closely connected to Britain and maybe some of France, and again left no place for my jumbled roots. I feel most connected to nature though, and to spirit ('world-soul') in an all-encompassing way, as well as (let me call them such) local energies (entities?). So, looking at it like that, I thought that the OBOD course might be fitting nevertheless.
So, could you possibly tell me, are there many specifically deities incorporated in the OBOD course? Are deities or worship of anything that is not 'nature' covered at all?
You mentioned that there's no real pressure to finish something on a certain schedule - does that mean that there is no schedule at all? I ask because I sometimes have trouble with depression and can't concentrate on (or have the energy for) doing anything really, and thus a time-frame or something might be helpful for me.
And one last question: I suppose that the content of the audio-course is less extensive than the printed course. Is this assumption correct? If so, would you please explain the differences between both?
I'm sorry for this rambling comment, but I hope you might share more of your experience. And I do appreciate your taking the time to read and answer very much. Thank you!
Sorry, this has taken me so long to get back to you with! I'm happy to answer your questions.
First, the challenge to finding something that fits, especially when you feel ties to many different cultures, is a common struggle. I'm sure your path has twisted and grown as you've learned more and experienced different things. Druidry is no different! The order does not have specific deities that it subscribes to. There are Atheists, Christians, and Pagans alike that are members (among other faiths I'm sure!). The Bard course does however use the myth of Taliesin and Ceridwen to demonstrate some aspects of the course.
Second, the course is flexible in time. No one forces you to complete anything at a certain time. However, the packets come once a month and provide a good reminder to catch up with the rough schedule of one Gwersi per week. You also have the option of asking for a mentor. Perhaps when you ask for a mentor you could share you are looking for someone who might check in with you occasionally if you've been silent for a while.
Third, the audio course is almost word for word the same as the text version. The audio version only has nice transition music between each part of the lesson and occasionally feature a different Eisteddfod than the text version. They are mostly the same. Either is a great choice!
Good luck! Please let me know if there are any other questions or if you decide to take the plunge (I hope you do!).
This prompted me to buy the Introductory lessons! :) I thank you.
I hope you feel the creative flow of Awen soon as you dive into the course!
Ooo. The binding is a badass idea.
I know that you can write in to the OBOD office, and if you explain your circumstances, they may work with you if the current pricing is more than you can handle at the time. I'm personally on my second month of the Bardic course, which I like, however, because of the peppering of Welsh based language I wish that I had gone with the booklet and audio course. I was told by the office that in October I will be receiving a pronunciation guide, which is nice, but it makes sense to me for that to arrive at the beginning.
Oh I agree, the Welsh is tricky. I know lots of focus really take pride in learning a new language with their spiritual studies, but I don't think that will ever be my focus. I have too many other languages rattling around in my brain at this point. lol I'm also glad you mentioned that you can write to the OBOD office for a pricing agreement that suits you better if financially the course is too burdensome.
@@DanniEsotericMoment :grins: Very late to the party on this comment but I would recommend that, if a person is struggling with pronunciation of the Welsh in the course, Google Translate can be of great help. For some reason it still has a 'robot' voice rather than a 'reader' but from my memories of the language (I learned it forty years ago :O) it is not bad.
Thanks for this video, Danni! It gave me the final inspiration I needed to commit to the Bardic course. My materials arrived today-unfortunately in a severely compromised envelope, although nothing was lost. I think the Touchstone's design must be much improved now-and I don't have to take off my glasses to read it!
Yes, the touchstone is vastly improved! Sorry about the envelope issues, but those are better too now. Enjoy the course!
I’ve just signed up for the OBOD Bardic course and I’m very excited!
I noticed that AODA asks people for a “druid name” (optional). Do OBOD druids take druid names? If so, how is it used?
I have a video all about magical names, but generally it's not a standard thing that all OBOD Druids do. Some take a magical name, some don't.
Frankly, this sounds amazing! What an awesome thing to have available! And yes, paying money (modern society's greatest "sacrifice" in many ways, for many people) for spiritual education is so important. It's important work, it's useful, it has worth, we need to treat it as such! Just like paying for any course from a school, even an online one. I'll have to remember these videos are here for when people ask me about starting Druidry in the future, since it's not as much my realm of knowledge.
Thanks! I think it's a really beautiful, supportive way to begin in Druidry or even find a community if someone has been practicing on their own for a while.
I think I just saw the obod thing online yesterday
I remember becoming a solitary Druid in 1988 after a near death experience, learning the myths, studying nature, learning the occult, researching archaeology and visiting the ancient sites, developing my spiritual practice, reading the history. I joined OBOD, left OBOD etc, etc. Then I came out into the public Druid world in 2001 as the head of the Albion Conclave, only to find myself surrounded by bloody hippies. After the devastating shock came the earth shattering disappointment...
I appreciate you taking the time to write a comment here. It's good for people who are looking for resources for Druidry to know there are other options. I never claim that the Druidry I practice is the only thing out there or that the Order I belong to is the only one available. I think it's good that there is a diverse community within the world of Druidry.
No disrespect to you Danni but Philip Carr Gomm openly celebrates the fusion of the 60's hippy movement integrating with the Druid tradition to the point where they are now are regarded as almost the same thing. The hippy culture brings with it, it's own world view, values and above all it's vibe and approach. The hippy personality for want of a better term. My personal view is that the tradition is now stereotyped by the massive influence hippy culture has upon the tradition which turns the mainstream population off and increases prejudice. A faith should be made up of all sectors of society in equal numbers. Philip Carr Gomm and OBOD have been at the spear head of the Druid revival and in my opinion they've done immense long term damage. He's so wrapped up in his own teenage influences from the 60's that gathering the hippies to his Druid banner smacks of little more than self interest and narrow mindedness. Druidry has now become the hippy religion. A passive bully. Sadly it would seem the tradition has now gone so far down this road that there is no turning back or even addressing the balance.
I would add that Philip Carr Gomm along with many others has exerted a sense of entitlement intrinsically associated to their own experiences and interests that has nothing to do with the Druid tradition and with remarkable success hi jacked the entire movement. It's self absorbed, self indulgent and entirely linked to their teenage lifestyles before they became involved with Druidry. I'm no reconstructionist but the hippy counter culture is a thing of itself linked to a teenage youth movement, which brings with it all manner of nuances that have nothing to do with Druidry whatsoever.
You make some fair points, but I'm wondering - why do you care? Are you hoping to bring some more people to our quasi religion which is based on legends and scraps? And are you worried that a bunch of unwashed flakes might besmirch our potentially respectable public image? What difference does it make to yours or my own relationship with our ancestry or habitat? People who are drawn to druidry will gravitate no matter who else associates themselves with the dubious title of "druid", surely?
@@FelinePaintsI care because if your not a hippy and do not connect with that vibe you are completely isolated from that scene, you simply cannot relate to it. However profound recent discoveries linked to DNA research has created an even bigger issue. We now know for a fact that the Indo-Europeans, The Bell Beaker, Corded Wear People invaded the UK and annihilated the Neolithic Farmers who built Stonehenge etc. There is no DNA footprint of the Neolithic Farmers remaining, it's been wiped off the face of the Earth...The Druids must have been the priests of the Indo-Europeans...so modern Druids can no longer claim both the Neolithic and Indo-European religions with any sense of credibility. If you now want to claim the title Druid, own what comes with it, an Indo-European religion that has nothing to do with Stone Circles. Maybe for those who connect more to the stone circles it is time to drop the term 'Druid' altogether...it's the respectful thing to do. Unless you want to continue honouring ancestors who butchered the ancestors you really admire. See the dilemma?...forgive me for using a very vulgar analogy but sadly it fits disturbingly well, one cannot be a Nazi Jew...The culture that built the megalithic monuments was the victim of genocide...
You mention rituals and the like, would you recommend this course for someone who is only interested in connecting deeper with the reverence of nature and deepening a druidic Christian route or is it really geared more toward the pagan side of it? Thank you.
That is an interesting question! There are many different ways people use the OBOD course and Druidry in general. Christians have definitely enjoyed the course and there are those who are Christian but still belong to Druidry without any theological qualms. The course, in my opinion, is set up in such a way that the student is really the one putting boundaries and limits on the material. If you want to approach the course only as a way to connect deeper to nature, this will be easy to do. If you want to approach the course in a more spiritual/religious way, this will also be possible. It just depends on how you use the practices in your life and the way you integrate the material. The course itself is purposefully left without a religious slant in order to make space for a student's beliefs.
Danni Lang Great, thank you.
Ivory,
I received my first 2 packets and I feel they are quite in harmony with a Christian Druidic path, which is the path I am on. It's only been a little over a week, but I am finding a lot of spiritual sustenance. I got both the written and the audio versions, but if I was going to go ith just one, it would be the audio version.
I hope that helps.
I too am different. I'm Christian, love Jesus but I also know I'm a witch. Now what kind of witch not sure. I love Nature, animals live in the Boonies e.t.c.....but I dont care for Wicca or all of its rituals. My first pack of Tarot cards were the Druids. I actually dreamed of one of the symbols exactly one if the cards. anyway, Christians dont except me and Metaphysical people dont understand me. Just havn't found my path.
Connie, I have never been totally understood by the people in my life, but they do accept me, for the most part. The few people who don't accept me aren't worth worrying about. I believe your path will find you. It was when I stopped searching for it that I happened upon OBOD's site.
Peaceful Beltane.
Thank you for this, Danni! I just received my introductory packet, and your video has been very helpful. I love that the teachings are introspective and experiential, and the writing and presentation is beautiful quality. I hope that there are others nearby to interact with in person. Are there any groups in the Chicago area? If not, at least there are others like you to correspond with :) Blessings!
Thank you for sharing this.
Hi, Danny. Great to see someone did such a great video abeout the bardic course. I'm doing the bardic course right now and it is really great. So...you mentioned you're doing the ovate course. Is there a big difference to the bardic one? Would you recommend the ovate? :)
Big difference? No. . . the material has different topics and ideas, it takes more time to work through, but generally it's set up the same way. The ending to the course is different. I would recommend it. I'll do another video review whenever I finish my ovate project on how i enjoyed the course. It might be a while though lol still doing house renovations!
Keep your notes! Love my mentor! Exciting , enriching, UKULELE HOLLY BLOE
Super helpful thank you, really appreciative.:)
Glad it could be of help!
While I can see how some have an issue with selling knowledge and teachings of any kind(I think college textbooks are a scam and are worthless most of the time) it should be noted intellectual property and having time spent on a project or a work of art no matter what medium (paintings, novels, music etc...) can be charged for simply because of the effort or creativity going into it
In weird way it makes more sense because it is not simply knowledge in some cases but also tips, tricks, advice and other such things that are not just simply statistics or logic
In my opinion time shouldn’t be monetized but having an experienced teacher as apposed to a teacher less qualified more than makes up for the monetization
Hi Danni, absolutely love how you had your Gwersi bound, and I was wondering if you did anything special to store the cd's? I also have both the audio and text version of the course, and am trying to decide how I want to store them. I was considering the boxes that OBOD has, but the bound book looks so amazing! I'd love to hear any suggestions or ideas you may have (if you wish to share) of how you store your cd's. Thank you! :)
Thanks for the review. Sounds a bit pricey though.
Hi Danni! First off, thank you for taking the time and intention to make these reviews. Very informative and approachable!
I apologize for my naïveté with these questions - I have made quite a circuitous road to Druidry, and am very new to it all, but I’m deeply fascinated. My main curiosity is regarding creativity practices within the Bard grade. I noticed on the website they say “The aim of the Bardic course is to help your life flourish and blossom - to help your Soul express itself fully in the world. It does this by helping you discover the sources of your creative power, so that their gifts can flow fully in your life.“.
In what ways do you feel the course helps with your creativity would you say? I have been a devout musician/artist for a very long time - and especially fascinated by the spiritual aspects of creativity. Over the last year however, I have also been ushered onto paths of being a spiritual healer as well, allowing me to explore dream work, shadow work, etc., but especially shamanic work- which led me to the Celtic shamans, which is what has ultimately led me to OBOD.
Sorry if this is way too much information. I’m just trying to remain open to paths that are laid out for me. A profound healer (shaman) told me recently that in Celtic traditions, there were shaman-bards, and she felt as if this was a path worth exploring for me - and I very much agree! I just don’t know if pursuing the Bardic course is an appropriate next step in that regard.
I’m also wondering if it’s primarily a matter of just learning a large amount of content, or if there is a substantial amount of personal contribution and creative involvement for the student. It’s my understanding that Bards were often poets, story-tellers, musicians, etc. which is a very intriguing to me, and i would love to be able to explore my own creativity within Druidry through the course, if that’s how it works of course. :)
So so sorry for such a long comment/series of questions. Again, thank you so much for your time and help, and for sharing your thoughts on your journey. I hope it has been going wonderfully for you! All the best!
Jamison
No worries at all! From what you describe, I think the Bardic course might be of great use to you. It isn't about memorizing content, but about establishing spiritual habits and a foundation to help further growth. It does this through personal journey work, pushes to create, and stories to inspire. There is no requirement to create a certain number of pieces or anything but exploring artistic endeavors is stressed at every point. Much of this course is about discussing the spirituality of creativity.
You might find Damh the Bard and interesting reference point. His podcast and music might show a bit more an example of what the creativity found in OBOD can be like.
Best of luck to you!
Thanks so much Danni! Really helpful - I’ll definitely be exploring more and checking out that reference. I’m also really appreciative of all your videos - I’m finding myself falling down fascinating rabbit holes regarding Druidry, and it’s wonderful to have those resources! All the best! 😊
I'm so happy to be an OBOD BARD! UKULELE HOLLY BLOE RECOMMENDED! IT IS LIKE A COLLEGE COURSE! COFFEE WITH DAVE IS A PLEASURE INDEED IT'S SO SIMPLE, BABIES UNDERSTAND! HSM THANKS DANI
Great video. It's inspired me to look into this more. I made an enquiry to OBOD off the back of this. Looks great. Does the first course cover much on Shamanism or shamanistic practices?
How focused is the course on music? I'm really interested in composing writing and performing music and hopeful that this would offer guidance in that realm
she basically only said "I signed up, got some books and I liked it"
she didnt say anything about content.
pst. . . My name is Danni. lol
I do talk about the content. I mention many of the topics covered broadly to give Saplings an idea of what will be covered in the course. Of course, I'm not going to go through all the exact lessons of a year long course. That's not what a review is for. This review is to help people who are deciding whether moving onto the Ovate course is going to bring value to their Druidry and practice. Hope this helps!
How intensive is this course? I work full time & attend college full time. Would this be something best waited on or that could be managed? As someone who had taken the course I thought I'd ask after I saw your video. Thanks!
I think it could be managed, but it depends on how you organize your time. First, the course pace is decided entirely by you. While you RECEIVE your Gwersi once every month with enough to do one per week, you can work on each Gwersi as your time allows. In fact many Gwersi recommend sitting and working with a topic for a while so that you may deepen your experience with the topic. There are no assignments (other than a final review) or check-ins from OBOD. You are welcome to initiate contact with your mentor whenever you like and take as many months/years as you'd like to to finish the course. Spiritual growth works at its own pace. This course is designed to be beneficial to growth not a hindrance to your life.
Personally, I spent roughly 1-3 hours on Gwersi work each week outside of my daily practice. I finished in about one year. Lots of folks have very busy lives when they work on the course. I'm sure if your desire to take the course is strong, you'll be able to manage the time because most full time work and students are pretty fantastic folks! But the course will still be here if you wait until school or other time commitments are less intense. Good luck!
Danni Niles Thanks for the quick reply & the advice!
I'm so glad I found this video and your channel in general!
I am on the fence about purchasing this course, considering its price and that I'm more interested in studying the path simply for knowledge of it than getting much into ritual, though I may change my view on that later in life.
Do you think books on Druidry could yield similar or adequate knowledge, minus the ritual aspect? I don't know how much more the course can offer than books on the subject. Do you believe it's worth it, and why? Thanks!
I think starting with some books is a GREAT idea! The course will always be here if you decide that it really has what you want or you want to explore that ritual aspect. Many books will also give you ideas on ritual, too. Besides the wisdom and understanding you'll gain by getting outside in nature will be recommended by the course, any book on Druidry, and any Druid you learn from personally. All wonderful paths to learning more.
Danni Lang Thanks for the reply! I'll be purchasing some books on the subject soon. Tried to find some in used books stores in order to save money, but no luck. Off to Amazon I go!
I am a Druid,I create ritual,I have done handfasting,baby welcoming and nameing and I have not done the course at all,my wife has and the course helped her but I felt that i didn't need it,all Druids walk their own path.I know here in the UK you can pay monthly it's about £13 a month,I don't know about overseas though
I've purchased the bard course. I'm in north america for reference. But if I attend a gathering that is more exclusive. Can my wife and baby attend? She isn't interested in becoming any of the 3. I am undoubtedly, the only one doing the proceedings. I am curious if she can attend with me, because I would enjoy the ceremonies etc woth her but without her amd my child I probably wouldn't attend.
Bonjour, j'ai vraiment aimé ta vidéo. J'aimerais regarder les autres mais dommage, elles ne sont pas sous-titré en français. Serait-il possible que tu le fasse car pour moi l'apprentissage de l'anglais et vraiment impossible. Merci beaucoup.
I thought you didnt Have to puck a mentor, it was optional, or least it soudned that way to me, when I started the bard course. I haven't reached out to get a mentor, so how would the end of the course differ?
Hello Danni. I am wondering your approximate location on Earth and how long before you received your first packet. I am on the east coast of the USA.
Hmmm. . . my first packet was a while ago. I believe that it took about 1 1/2 weeks for my first one to arrive but it might have been closer to two weeks. I'm in Wisconsin if that helps any.
Thanks for your reply. I'm still waiting, but it's only been about 10 days so far.
Actually, it's only been a week, so I'll look for it in the next week.
Thanks again!
Danni Lang Packer fan ? 😀
Your review was very helpful, thanks! Just ordered the course, excited to start.
Also, genius about the book binding. I, too, work in a library so I might be able to find a resource for that. How much did it end up costing you to get the gwersi bound?
I hope you enjoy the course! I used Grimm bindery which is local to Madison, WI where I live. Since it was a custom, single item it cost about $50. It's not exactly a cheap option, but I had already invested in the course and wanted to preserve the materials the best way I knew how. I see too many materials fall to pieces at work due to poor binding or care, as I'm sure you know as a librarian yourself!
Good to know, and oh yes... the terrors of poor binding, especially in newer soft covered books. I've seen so many newer books get borrowed and returned with pages falling out lately. Sad when that happens!
Thank you for sharing! Does the course also contain all the origins and sources of the teachings? For me it’s important to understand where everything comes from :)
I joined obod this year and I understand that the mentor are to be contacted via email but having dyslexia makes it harder for me to both read and write and was wondering if there is an other option for getting in touch with a mentor ie video call, audio call??
Do they follow Wiccan ritual structure? Ritual structure is a vital part of how I will make my choice. Say anything you can about it or direct me to a video, please. ❤
Hello Danni, I have purchased the Bardic Course as well. I also did the audio and text version of the course but although I have delved into it now twice, I just can't seem to finish it - I get bored. I need face to face time but it is really difficult, as I live in Australia. Do you have any suggestions. There are no groves or seed groups where I live and I don't feel I know enough about it and feel confident to start my own grove or seed group.
I'm sorry it's been hard to get into. I have three suggestions. The first is to just get outside. Try connecting to the physical world first before trying to do the study stuff. The way we learn and work with the natural world is the biggest influence on our path. Second, have you tried reading Australian Druidry by Julie Brett? It might help to get a focus on your natural world and druidry instead of trying to work with the methods more commonly held in the UK or US. DruidryAustralia.org might also help (OBOD site!). Third, maybe Druidry isn't really the path for you. There are a thousand variations on paganism and even on Druidry. Try exploring other paths. You never know when/if you might find your way back to OBOD!
Thanks for the informative video, Danni! I've been eyeing the course for some time but was never sure if it was actually worth the money! I'm a musician and I know that playing the harp is an integral part of the bardic tradition... Does the course touch upon that at all?
+Meg Ashling The course works to inspire people to pursue creative endeavors. Harp playing would certainly count for that! However there is nothing specific about harp playing past being used as a traditional example of bardic arts.
Do you need access to nature to benefit from this course?
Hello Danni, thanks for making thai video. I've been attuned by an OBOD Druid to Celtic Druidry themed Healing which is for want of a better word a Reiki type course. It's opened me up to Druidry and I'm very keen to join OBOD. A question I've got about the mentor, is it email exchanges and is it a typed up email that one sends to the mentor after the year or so of completion of the course? Is there a certificate or plaque or something to agnowledge the achievement of Bard? Thanks. Best wishes.
Are there exercises in the courses to test your knowledge or help with retention?
That depends on what type of "testing" you are looking for. Each Gwersi has an introduction letter from Philip Carr-Gomm, a text on the material of the lesson, a triad, a practicum section, and an eisteddfod section. The practicum is usually a meditation, activity, or physical thing that they encourage members do either once or through out the week to experience whatever the lesson is about. These sections can range from doing a meditation with a nearby tree to meditations in your personal inner sacred grove to creating a magical item for your practice to growing something and more. The course is less about memorizing or collecting information and more about experiencing a spiritual practice and creating personal rituals that foster a regular practice and connection. The Ovate course has a bit more information to remember and work on but is still really focused on learning by doing. It's one of the reasons that I went with OBOD rather than some of the other courses offered by other orders. Does this answer the question?
Yes, thank you for the in-depth response :)
ADF or obod? I'm trying to decide :(
Going to do it. Looked at the intro package. Waiting till I get paid lol. Not written a story since school. Going to teach myself Celtic lyre. Druidry calls to me in a way Wicca didn’t. Lots of familiar things like sacred space and circles. Tried a elderberry cordial went foraging. Unfortunately it’s gone pear shaped.🤦♀️☸️
I hope you enjoy the intro package! It does cover lots of familiar things but sets a good solid foundation for future work while bringing lots of creativity in. :)
I fear you may've partially answered this question several times, so please forgive my repetition. I practice a solitary norse-pagan path, but I've learned so much from the OBOD podcast that I've considered for a few years now taking OBOD even though I am not connected with the celtic deities? I believe it's been said that this course doesn't focus on a particular mythology? What, then, would you say the core of the course is? And do you feel it would be accepted/suitable to take the course as a norse-pagan?
There is no focus on a specific pantheon. There are Christians, Atheists, and all sorts of religious beliefs that find wisdom and peace in the practice. You'd feel right at home i think!
The core of the course is seasonal celebrations, elements, and bardic arts
I really appreciate your reply. If I tend to lean away from strictly-structured ritual, are there a great deal of other things included in OBOD lessons?
YES! So much lol. Ritual is useful touchstone for OBOD but there is a lot to explore outside of ritual.
When you get down to it,Druidry,Asatru and Shamanism are very close together,so as a follower of the Norse path you will connect to it very easily
Hey after watching this video I ordered the intro pack. I have mostly been buying second hand books where I can find a d have been finding it all very interesting. Do you know if you have to commit to do the whole year in one go? Finances be a great issue for me and I may not be able to pay the money each month.
I wonder do they do a payment scheme
@@joannebohan2243 I ended up joining up. They let you pay quarterly which is cool and I think monthly. I was short last payment and they are super chill about paying later. And sending the books then
Hey Danni! I’ve been on the fence about joining OBOD. My main concern I suppose is the cost. Right now I’m taking a free bardic course through the New Order of Druids (druidcircle.org), but I’m wondering if I’m missing out. What would be an example of lesson content? Do you ever have practical lessons? Through NOD at the end of each lesson you are asked to complete a 3-5 page essay....even if all you are given is a few paragraphs of information. Is the course similar through OBOD?
I grew up Mormon and due to a series of events (long story) I know it is not my path. I was drawn to druidry given my past, my ancestry, and my love of nature. I’m sure it’s the correct path for me to take. I’m just really searching for some structure and it seems OBOD could offer that. I also miss the societal/cultural aspect of having been apart of the Mormon church. I miss that feeling and I know there are OBOD groves less than two hours away...I wish they’d be closer but in a couple years I’ll be moving to a more liberal area where there are more groves, so I’m not worried about distance.
I hope you’ll get this message soon and be able to provide some insight. Thank you so much for posting this video, it’s provided me with much needed information.
I go through in the video a little about what each lesson is formatted like. The course goes through what OBOD considers the foundational pieces of information for Druidry. Honestly, you can find much (not all, but really a lot of it) of the same information in other books or even through different orders like you've found through New Order of Druids. Maybe start by reading Druidry books written by OBOD members. Philip Carr-Gomm, Penny Billington, Nimue Brown, Joanna van der Hoeven are all good authors to try out. You'll find the order and structure that fits you best after a little experimentation.
I think that if you decide the course through OBOD is something you'd really love, saving up the money for it is probably worth it. I waited a few years before I started with the course because I didn't have the financial resources to do so when I first felt the calling to take it. Waiting till the time is right for you is worth it!
As far as missing out, especially on the community aspect, OBOD does have wonderful tools for feeling connected to other Druids. There are local groves, online forums and facebook groups, and the mentor program. But you can begin to feel that community now. Sometimes there are more generic pagan groups (maybe one closer) that you could drop in on and meet other like minded folks at. You could also start your own study group and put a call out for more local Druids or Pagans to join you (meeting at a coffee shop or park is an excellent choice for these open invitations). And of course, there are Druids online like you! I think youtube is a great place to foster communities on. Instagram has even more Druids posting actively. Engage with different Druids and hopefully you begin to feel those connections and community feels soon.
Stay in touch and good luck!
Danni Lang thank you so much for your reply! I guess when I was asking about course content, my main curiosity was about practical assignments...in the NOD program there are only two or three practical assignments (where you are asked or taught to actually do something, i.e., drawing a protective circle, assignments to do specific meditations, create something...). Are there a good amount of practical assignments through OBOD? While I enjoy reading, I learn best by doing.
Also, search youtube for "Philip Carr-Gomm" . . . he has a number of short teachings
I am very interested in joining OBOD. The only hesitation i have about it is the fact that i am mainly a follower of Norse traditions and a practitioner of Norse Magic. I feel drawn to the druid path but a little confused about how i should go about it.
Jake I answered this in my recent review of Rune Reading as my Sapling Shoutout section. Hope that helps!
The link for the course says bad gateway. How can I get the course?
The order has a website where you can read more, check current prices, and generally look around at the resources / articles written by members…
The format of the Touchstone magazine is just fine for me. The format saves trees and posible polution from the use of shiney paper or other more "classy" presentations. Content and philosophy over fancy
My complaint wasn't about the paper. My complaint was about the way content was haphazardly put together. It was hard to read, the font wasn't consistent, and images could be very distorted. The year after I made this video, they VASTLY improved the way the Touchstone was put together. I don't mind reading it anymore 😀
does the course go over mythology? like, will we learn about the Celtic gods and goddesses?
The course uses some mythology. Mostly, this grade uses the story of Taliesin and Cerridwen to draw parallels to the journey of the Bard. It doesn't go through all or even most myths. There is no set pantheon. There is less focus on how to focus on Deity in general compared to how one connects to nature. Deity is a concept that varies across Druidry. So, the course tries to stay welcoming to all beliefs and leaves it up to the student to define or work with Deity as they see fit.
What is the focus of the Bard course? I'm really interested on expanding my spiritual path and I hope to do this in order to nurture my artistic work, for me both artistic and spiritual paths are one and the same, so I'm looking for teachings that can help me bring this forth.
+nurarihion The Bard course is ideal for creative work. Many artists and creatives find the course helps them tap into Awen and inspiration while bringing more meaning into their work.
Danni...I've been an artist all my life in writing, music, and sculpture. Have been looking for a spiritual walk I could combine with the arts. Being a Bard sounds like a good fit. Thank you for your videos!
Existe o curso em português?
I think there might be? There are a range of translations - check out the website, or contact the OBOD office and enquire.
As a humanist who maintains an open mind toward spiritual practices, do you think these courses would be a benefit? It appears very open to a wide range of perceptions. What are your thoughts?
I think you would still find a lot of wisdom and creative energy in the course. It does not require that you pick up Druidry as a religion or even as your main philosophy. It just offers avenues of exploration and practices that could bring new ideas and expansion to your life.
it all hinge son whatis meant by the verb 'to exist'; nowadays, it is bet to leave the definition of this to the individual; this is a small planet and we all have to rub along and agree to differ, without any judgement.
Dear Danni, so you recommend getting in touch with a mentor? I'm still a bit hesitant. On the other hand I imagine it to be wonderful. But since you never know who's on the other side might be afraid of the chemistry. I just registered in the forum to get a better feeling dir the community. It's the only way at the moment because I live too far away from the seedgroups and groves.
Hands down YES to asking for a mentor. My bard mentor was amazing; my ovate mentor was not as good of a fit, kinda meh. Both experiences were very valuable. If you REALLY don't get a long with your mentor, you can always work with the office to remedy the relationship or someone new.
@@DanniEsotericMoment Thanks for the honesty!
I bought the course but I have gotten suck in the middle where the elements start. It seems to be too similar to other pagan courses that I have done and need some motivation to continue. Maybe I need to get myself a OBOD mentor!?
The basics are a little rough to get through if you are coming from a different pagan practice (or other form of Druidry!). A mentor could def help move you through that section. Also the it's better as it goes along. You learn more about the Druidry part of the basics further in.
I know, it would be better to be exposed to some really outlandish and even annoying interpretation, which at least would poke you in the ribs and get you thinking.
Hi Danni! Would you please share wuth me how much exactly you spent? I want to do the written version only and need to get an idea of how much to save. Thank you in advance!
The course occasionally changes price and of course the exchange rate has a HUGE affect on the cost. Right now the course is 340 euros for text and audio which is roughly $399 US. You can do monthly plans and reduce the cost by doing just text or just audio. Druidry.org has more info :D
@@DanniEsotericMoment Hi Danni, Your video just popped up on my news feed. Have you taken all three grades and since it has been 5 years since you recorded this video are you still a strong believer in the courses?
so is it worth it as a path of magical and spiritual research? excuse for my English
As I say in the video, it was for me. It will depend on what you are seeking.
i wonder what i should do in this field...
How do you take the Ovate course?
When you finish the bard course you'll be asked to do a review. Once your mentor works with you on the review it will be sent to the office and you'll get the introductory ovate course. From there you can decide whether it's for you or not.
Nervous but really considering this route!
Def explore the OBOD website. I've loved my experience but it's not a perfect fit for everyone.
trying to find where i belong, its not Wicca and I'm leaning toward Druidism but not much info to go on, definitely thinking about course.
Good luck with finding a path that works for you! It's common for people to move from one path to another as they grow and change. Some do this a lot and others not so much.
Maybe use bits of both and make it your own,I design rituals for a group I'm part of,,pagans from all paths are in it and my rituals are designed to cover most paths
So does each coarse take a year? A year for Bard? A year for Ovate?
The fastest the bard course can take is a year, but people take as long as they need.
I would love to join OBOD but that price mentioned below is about my entire paycheck every 2 weeks!
I know! I would mention that you can pay monthly or quarterly which helps with the cost and they do have a small number of scholarships that you can speak with them directly about. You can also go in with a friend. They just ask that you pay $25 for the extra person using the materials. However, there are so many other beautiful ways to learn more about Druidry!
So it's almost $475.00 for the bard course for a year. Then is the next two courses $475.00 a piece? So basically $1,500.00 for three years?
How expensive is the course?☺
Currently the website says that the price for the US is 215 Euros for Text version, 240 Euros for the Audio version, and 340 Euros for both Text and Audio. They have monthly and quarterly payment plans though which helps. You can find the info at the link in the description.
+Danni Niles (EsotericMoment) 😃Thank you for answering so fast. Then I did the right calculation. Sounds ok. You know I was eyeing on a a spiritual related course here in my city, which was just a monthly course and the price was more than 1000€ !!! I read on the website that you can get a sample of the course to get a glimpse of it. Definitely sounds like a stunning course😊.
Wow! That sounds like a very pricey course. I think the sample pack is a great way to see what the course will be like. I'm pretty sure I ordered the sample one day, and then purchased the full course a couple days later without even receiving the course because I was so excited. lol good luck with whatever you choose!
+Danni Niles (EsotericMoment) Thank you. Many Blessings😊❤
I did the same thing when I joined, ordered the sample and then purchased the full course the next day :) I really need to get back into the bard course I started it but never finished it..I only got the text version I'm considering saving up to get the audio as well, I think it would help me a lot to have both
I always feel that work should be chargeable, unless that work is education where it should be free
i don't know how much it costs peope in america but in Uk is £13 a month,which is super cheap
The cost in the US is much more expensive. The monthly cost for the text version is 19 Euros or ~$22 and text and audio version is 30 Euros or ~$34. Plus most American banks will charge a small fee for currency exchange which makes it more expensive to do a monthly charge rather than a large upfront purchase. For me and my budget, it was an expensive course. I appreciate all the ways OBOD attempts to make it more feasible for folks to pay for, though.
can you please email me I have some questions.