About Our Grove
Do you believe Nature is good?
Do you seek a spirituality that your ancestors once followed?
Do you want to join a fellowship that's free and fun?
Come join us!!!
All paths are welcome and enjoy respect at our events. Children are more than welcome when accompanied by a parent. Our group was founded in 2001 and is a sanctioned Grove of The Druid Network, The Reformed Druids of Gaia and ADF as well as a Protogrove of the Reformed Druids of North America. We have 501 C 3 status, hold open circles as well as study sessions and are accepting new members.
We would like to emphasize that many of those who regularly attend our events and rituals do not belong to any official organization nor is belonging to any organization mandatory.
During our public rituals, we strive to maintain a peaceful, mature, family-friendly atmosphere of worship. Being drunk, using controlled substances, unwanted sexual advances or being naked are not part of our public rituals.
We hold our events in a variety of locations in the Rogue Valley including residences, private property, group campsites and public lands.
Please feel free contact us for details:
Triplehorses
Additionally, our primary community service project is Rogue Rescue, a small volunteer no-kill shelter. We are very proud that Rogue Rescue received the Founder’s Award in 2006 for Grove Community Service. We also have several members serving on the local Tree Committee helping coordinate local tree plantings as well as Arbor Day celebrations. Please feel free to ask us questions or to volunteer!
RITUALS
It is our goal that everyone who participates in our rituals understands each part so the ritual will be more powerful and meaningful for all of us. Therefore, this is some background on our rituals. Kind of a Ritual 101. Now, we will warn you that if you go out on the Internet (or through a number of books) you are bound to find some information that contradicts what is explained here, so please keep in mind that this is for our group.
The main purpose of ritual is to enter into a hospitable relationship with what we individually perceive as the Divine. Our core members create a safe sacred space so all who attend can send their prayers, requests, praise or make their oaths in a atmosphere of complete respect regardless of their individual paths.
As most already know, modern Druidism focuses on the three realms. They are the Earth, Sea and Sky. The four elements and Elementals have a lesser focus.
For our public High Days, we follow the
ADF Core Order of Ritual
Our interpretation is as follows.
INITIATING THE RITE
Usually this includes:
Requesting the Spirits allow us to worship in the Sacred Space
Processional which may include song, chant or music or may be silent for grounding and centering
Purification by smudge or water
Musical Signal
Lighting the sacred fire
PURIFICATION
Growth offering or personal/individual purification with a sacrifice to the flames
HONORING THE EARTH MOTHER
Usually through prayer, poem or song and often with a sacrifice to the fire or offering to the surrounding area.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
An explanation as to why we are celebrating, any specific Gods or Goddesses honored, along with a brief reference to the related mythology
RECREATING THE COSMOS (establishing the sacred center)
Usually through prayer, poem or song
OPENING THE GATES BETWEEN THE REALMS
Usually through prayer, poem or song and often with a sacrifice to the fire
INVITING THE THREE KINDREDS (Gods, Nature Spirits and Ancestors)
Usually through prayer, poem or song and often with a sacrifice to the fire
KEY OFFERINGS
Praise Offerings ~ for personal prayer, poem or song and usually with individual sacrifices to the fire
PRAYER OF SACRIFICE
Main sacrifice including the raising of energy
OMEN
Usually taken by our Grove Seer to see what the Kindreds have to tell us
THE BLESSINGS
Usually through prayer, poem or song including the sharing or drinking the Waters of Life
THANKING THE POWERS
Usually through prayer, poem or song
THANKING THE EARTH MOTHER
Usually through prayer, poem or song
CLOSING THE GATES BETWEEN THE REALMS
Usually through prayer, poem or song
CLOSING THE RITE
Which generally includes a musical signal and a final thanking of the Spirits for use of the Sacred Space
....Our rituals sometimes include a guided meditation and/or sending prayers out on the four winds.
PLEASE NOTE: during various rituals our altar may include skulls, antlers, drinking horns, blowing horns, sometimes even tanned hides. We are including and celebrating the spirit of animals as well to symbolize their connection with certain deities (like Cernunnos). At no time, however, do we engage in ritual animal sacrifice.
More about the Sacred Space/Sacred Center
Druid ritual creates a sacred center rather than by casting a circle. Our space made sacred by establishing the sacred center.
We would like to emphasize that since we do not create a magical circle/barrier during our public worship services, it is perfectly acceptable to join our rituals after they begin or to leave before they end (say to take care of an upset child, etc.).
Offerings
Just like different people like different things as gifts, so do the Powers. All our sacrifices/our offerings, are a sharing of our love, gratitude and wealth (figuratively or literally) with the Powers. We also look to the European mythology as a guide.
Sometimes ritual offerings are in connection with herbal healing or herbal magic.
Praise Offering
This is everyone's individual turn to state oaths, make requests for themselves or others, either aloud or silently, to whatever Powers they wish and in whatever manner fits their personal path.
Additionally, at this time you may ask the group to join with you consecrating ritual tools, witnessing your dedication oath, praying for someone you know in need, etc.
Part of your Praise Offering should be something that can be offered to the flames or water in honor of the deity or Power of your choice. This offering might be a spiritual drawing or poem, flowers-herbs-seeds-vegetables from your garden, a piece played on a musical instrument or a song sung preferably with the sheet music given to the flames when you are finished. etc. This item can be connected to the purpose/season of the ritual or something you believe They would appreciate.
Smudging
When we smudge before our rituals, we are symbolically cleansing and the area where our ritual is to be held. Sage is also a natural insect repellent and acknowledges the Pacific Northwest Native Americans. We often use juniper, too, because the ancient Scots believed it had protective qualities.
GROVE LIBRARY
We have a number of books, video tapes and dvds available to our friends because we buy, sell and trade regularly. If you are interested in a particular title, author and/or subject, please ask as we may have it or may even have it on order. Sometimes, too, individuals will lend their private books.
Additionally, we welcome the donation of books on any subject for others to borrow from our Library or to sell as a way to help offset the costs of renting campsites and other expenses related to running the group.
If you are interested in attending our worship services and/or wish to see a copy of our script, which can be forwarded by email as a Word.doc, please let us know by contacting by email.
Additionally we have a regular public meet and greet gathering. These are more social than anything else and a way to build fellowship as well as a connection with each other. Sometimes we discuss the details of the next worship service or event, talk about spiritual topics, but mostly we just talk like friends about what is going on in our lives, our jobs, etc. Please let us know if you are interested in attending by sending us an email.
As time allows we take field trips which in the past have included Howling Acres Wolf Sanctuary , the local gem and mineral show, visiting local cemeteries to lay flowers on the graves, city tree walk on Arbor Day, etc. Some future events planned include going as a group to the Ashland Hands-On museum, The Farm which is a petting zoo, Wildlife Images , etc. In addition to field trips, we often have workshops like past life regressions, rock identification, tree starting, or making medicine/crane bags. These workshops are led either by one of us sharing our knowledge or by the hiring of an outside speaker.
There is no membership fee involved with our group. Worship services are free and are followed either by a potluck or a optional stop at local restaurant where everyone pays for their own snack/beverage/meal. Everyone pays their own expenses on field trips, etc. Donations are always appreciated.
By popular request, we have developed an FAQ
~ ~ ~
Druidry is based on sacred relationship between
the individual and the
spirits of nature, the landscape and the ancestors.
Its ethics are based on
honor - profound respect -
for life itself, its practice based on the quest
for wisdom through inspired relationship
with spirit and the expression of
truth through living fully and
in a sacred manner, in beauty and with
conscious creativity. ~Emma Restall Orr
~ ~ ~
It is our sincere hope that after reading the following information, people attending a ritual for the first time will be more comfortable and know what to expect.
-What kind of Druids are you that honor more than just the Celtic Gods?
We are followers a "liberal reconstructionist" religion. This means that we look to the "old ways" of the ancient pagan Indo-European cultures for our inspiration. This differs slightly from many other druid organizations in that we're not looking solely at the ancient Celts. Instead, we're relying on solid academic research showing that ancient Celtic cultures were part of a cultural-linguistic family called "Indo-European". Therefore our rituals may one of the many Celtic pantheons, or Pagan Roman or even the Norse. Please feel free to ask for more information or to request an honoring of a culture that resonates with you.
-What do I need to know before coming to one of your public circles?
Not much. They're designed for the general public, so previous knowledge or experience is not necessary. What is required is having a respect for alternative spiritualities. If you should bring something specific, like an offering for the fire or comfortable walking shoes, we let you know when you contact us about a specific event.
At this point, let us emphasize that while we take our spirituality seriously, we do not take ourselves seriously. We love to laugh, learn from others and to make new friends. Therefore, we try to create an atmosphere of fellowship and moral support.
-How many people are members?
While there are a handful of people committed to keeping the Grove going, the total number of people, affiliated members and guests, attending any event varies greatly and unpredictably. Therefore, you might see from 3 to 30 people at one of our events.
-What do I need to know before coming to one of your other events such as a meet and greet?
Again, not much, as they too are designed for the general public and are open to anyone wishing to attend.
-Do I have to register in advance for rituals or other events?
It is helpful if you let us know whether or not you will be attending. Otherwise, we might be politely waiting for you to arrive before starting or leave not knowing you were coming.
-Just ask!
If there is something you need, want or do not understand, please ask! (we don't bite)
If you would like to attend the next event and need to know the when and the where, please ask!
If you would like a dedication oath witnessed, an ordination, etc., please ask!
If you wish to become an official member and/or an officer of our Grove, please ask!
If you are interested in a workshop on a specific topic or a series of topics, please ask! (unfortunately, we cannot yet read minds)
If you have a ritual tool you would like consecrated, please ask!
If you need something (a chair, a glass of water, a hug, etc.), please ask!
Additionally, please let us know if you would like assistance with a study program -- One of our members may be familiar with it or currently working on it and be glad to talk to you about it.
-I have small children. Are they allowed to come too?
Of course! Children are more than welcome at our public rituals.
Please be aware that parents are responsible for their children's good behavior during an event. It may help if you bring something to keep your child occupied (coloring books, small toys, etc.) if you think they may be bored during the event. We provide a few toys, as well.
Another thing worth mentioning is that unaccompanied minors, those under 18 years old, are not allowed to attend rituals or other events.
-What should I wear to a public ritual?
Anything you like as long as you are clean and neat. Public events do not include nudity or illegal drug use. If we will be outside, please wear comfortable walking shoes and we recommend dressing in layers in case the weather changes.
Often you will see some people wearing ritual robes but this isn't required and new people in particular are not expected to own robes. If you do have a robe, ritual jewelry, or other garb that you have been using in another tradition, group or as a solitary, you are most welcome to wear and/or bring it. We are not fussy.
-Do I ever have to do anything in ritual that I don't want to?
No, of course not.
-What happens if I have to leave the ritual partway through for some reason?
If you have to leave for some reason - because you're not feeling well, because it's going on longer than you thought and you have to be home by a specific time, etc.- that's perfectly all right, but
please try to do it unobtrusively, so that you don't disrupt the ritual.
If you are feeling seriously unwell, and are not sure if you will be
physically capable of getting up to leave on your own, please catch the attention of Aigeann, Seven Tines, Wolfsong or simply ask the person next to you to assist you. "You" matter to us.
-Why do you ask for donations?
Running a grove requires resources such as offerings, paper to print off scripts, food for the feasts, workshop instructors, etc. etc. Therefore, donations are essential if we want to be able to keep going and to keep from charging a membership/attendance fee.
-I can't afford to donate money, but I'd like to do something to help out. What can I do?
We actually prefer people to donate their help or supplies rather than money! It makes doing our reports and taxes far easier. Ask what we need or what might be useful.
---The Tougher Questions---
-You talk about Druids and Paganism. Are they the same thing?
A very simple rather modern definition of a Pagan:
A follower of a polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion.
A very simple rather modern definition of Paganism:
A polytheistic or pantheistic nature-worshipping religion.
Some paths, like Buddists, etc., often reject the term Pagan so it does depend upon who you ask. Some people use the term Neo-paganism for modern Pagan religions, to distinguish them from their pre-Christian predecessors.
Some people do use the terms "Druid" and "Paganism" interchangeably, but this isn't completely accurate. Druidry/Druidism is one type of Neo-paganism, but there are many others. A couple examples include Ásatrú (Norse reconstructionism) and Church of All Worlds.
Most Neo-pagan (sometimes spelled Neopagan and we have used both in this FAQ) religions share at least a few characteristics in common with modern Druids, but they may also have many differences. Modern Paganism is extremely diverse, just as ancient Paganism was.
-OK, so what is modern Druidry, exactly? How is it different from other kinds of Paganism? What do you mean by Druidry and Druidism?
Druidry/Druidism is a modern religion which traces its roots to pre-Christian Paganism. Its modern beliefs and practices are a blend of European mythology, Pagan folk tradition, 18th century occultism as well as modifications to fit our modern laws.
Some use the terms Druidry and Druidism interchangeably. Some separate modern Druids into Druidism which is generally when someone follows a more religious polytheistic path and Druidry when someone is a follower of Druid Revivalry which is more heavily influenced by Occultism, Golden Dawn and/or Ceremonial Magic. So, again, it depends upon who you ask. In reality many modern Druids are practicing a bit of a mixture of both branches.
-Can you explain polytheistic/duotheistic/pantheistic/animistic?
Briefly, polytheism means worshiping many deities, duotheism means worshipping two deities (generally The God and The Goddess as in Fam Trads), and pantheism means regarding everything as divine, or as a manifestation of deity. Pantheism also has a secondary meaning, according to some dictionaries, of "the worship of all gods of different creeds, cults or peoples indifferently; also: toleration of the worship of all gods". Animism is a very ancient belief that everything, living or inanimate, has a spirit or soul.
In actual practice, different Druid denominations, and different individuals, vary a lot in how they view and interact with what they consider Divine.
All beliefs are welcome at our public rituals and enjoy respect. We suggest you request a copy of our script emailed to you so you can check out whether your personal beliefs mesh with our usual format.
-What about magic?
Magic, in a modern Druid context, is the raising of energy and/or the asking or calling upon Deity, Nature Spirits, Ancestors, Fey or other Powers, like individual stone spirits, to either empower us physically and/or mentally to change our lives in positive ways, or to ask them to act in our benefit or to otherwise guide us finding the highest good in connection with whatever we are seeking. We also either channel energy or our own personal power into items for use as amulets, etc.
-Ethics?
As a general rule modern Druids create and live by their own personal code of honor. It can be through the Triads, the Rede or Three Fold Law, or the Nine Virtues of modern Heathenry or something completely individual and unique.
-What kind of afterlife do modern Druids believe in?
Given the cyclical and interconnected nature, most believe in reincarnation — but vary considerably as to the details. Some believe that people progress directly from one life to the next, whereas others believe that at least some time between lives is passed in another realm, sometimes called the Summerland (a term originally coined by the Theosophical movement of the 19th century). Some believe souls go to the Sea or even the Sun to rest before being reborn in a future generation.
-What do modern Druids think about other religions?
Most do NOT believe that it is the only correct way, or that there is one correct way for everyone. What we do believe, is everyone should find a way that is right for them and gives them comfort.
-How do I begin the Path of the Druid?
Read Read Read. If you are considering the path of the modern Druid as a spiritual path, the first thing you should do is to read as much as you can about it. Since this is a very diverse faith, one free starting place might be to look through the Druid Network.
We also recommend you meditate upon what you read: does it mesh with your own beliefs and perceptions? How do you feel the world works, and what is your place in it? What do you value; what do you hold sacred? Do these fit with what you've been seeing, hearing and/or reading about Druidry? Does any of it resonate with you?
- I'm doing an article, project or paper on Wicca/Paganism/Druids/Occult for my school, newspaper or other media. Can I ask you questions?
Short answer: no
Instead, we suggest you look at the special media section of Witchvox for this type of information.
The longer explanation is that this Grove is an extension of the private beliefs and practices of a few ordinary working people and this kind of contact and/or promotion does not fit with our more private nature.
Please feel free to contact us at Triplehorses
We are in the process of creating a small stone circle in the backyard for ritual use. We also hold rituals beside bodies of water (Diamond Lake, Emigrant, etc.) or on ridges or on private property by invitation.