Q: Do you have to be of Celtic heritage to be Druid?
A: No, the GNSD has and welcomes members from a wide variety of ancestries.
Q: Is there a gender bias in Druidism?
A: No, in ancient times Druids were both male and female. However, Druidry was influenced by Freemasonry in the 18th and 19th centuries, a period not noted for its belief in the equality of the sexes. These views no longer apply and to modern Druidry and certainly not within the GNSD.
Q: Is the Goddess worshiped in Druidism?
A: Many Goddesses and Gods are worshiped in Druidism, and members are encouraged celebrate their own path.
Q: What are the Druid holidays?
A: We celebrate the turning of the Wheel of the Year by observing eight "High Days" -- the solstices and the equinoxes, as well as the halfway points between which were originally the great fire festivals of our European predecessors). Due to our calendrical researches, we often celebrate the Major High Days a few days after other Neopagans do. Some groves also celebrate the various phases of the moon, or the beginnings and endings of various hunting, fishing, and agricultural seasons.
Q: What is ADF?
A: Founded in 1983 by a group of scholars, ADF or Ár nDraíocht Féin has been working to combine in-depth scholarship with the inspiration of artistry and spiritual practice to create a powerful modern Paganism. They are researching and interpreting sound modern scholarship (rather than romantic fantasies) about the ancient Indo-European Pagans — the Celts, Norse, Slavs, Balts, Greeks, Romans, Persians, Vedics, and others. Upon these cultural foundations they are working to build a religion that these ancient people would appreciate and understand yet one which has depth and power for modern people. They are a nonsexist, non-racist, organic, flexible and publicly available religion to practice as a way of life and to hand on to future generations.
Q: What exactly is an ADF grove?
A: An ADF grove is any group of three or more voting members of ADF over the age of 18, who live in the same general geographical area, who gather together at least twice a month to study and practice Druidism within the context of Ár nDraíocht Féin, and who are chartered by the Mother Grove (the Board of Directors) of ADF as a local congregation. An ADF grove provides open worship ceremonies for all eight High Days, study groups for various Druidic arts and sciences, fellowship, hard work, and lots of fun. Almost any member of ADF can plant a "proto-grove" just by asking. All groves and proto-groves are listed in our publications on a regular basis, making it easy for other members to contact you. See the ADF "Grove Organizers' Handbook" for more details, or contact the Registrar.
Q: Why Join the GNSD?
A: The GNSD offers a structured place to grow and learn in a safe, productive and judgment free environment as well as an opportunity to connect with those who share similar views.
Interested in learning more?
Join us for a Druid 101 when available or try some of these books from our recommended reading list.
Tree – David Susuki
A Brief History of Druids – Peter Beresford Ellis
The Druids – Stuart Piggott
Myths and Symbols in Pagan Europe – H.R. Ellis Davidson
Ogam – Paul Rhys Mountford
Druid Renaissance – Phillip Carr-Gomm