How to use Foundational Druidry in the Black Mountain Druid Order

This book on Foundational Druidry as practiced by the Black Mountain Druid Order is designed to be completed in a year and a day. There are 52 weekly lessons. The Black Mountain Druid Order uses a lunar calendar of thirteen months, and each of those months contains exactly four weeks. Lessons are marked Month One, Week One, etc. through Month Thirteen, Week Four.

This book is divided into three main sections:

Earth Path

This section discusses how to draw closer to nature by caring for the Earth and understanding how we fit into the Web of Life, how to live sustainably and ecologically, and how to be active in giving back to the natural world. The basic foundation for the Earth Path section is the Celtic tree alphabet known as ogham. In learning about the ogham, we will discuss the properties of the trees and plants associated with each letter of this alphabet. We will also cover how to develop a relationship with your birth tree. The First Triad of the Earth Path is the Ogham, Deep Ecology, and Animal Wisdom.

Sun Path

This section offers an in-depth analysis of the Wheel of the Year and how to celebrate the High Days, including suggested rituals for each. It also discusses the Wheel of the Year as a metaphor for our own sacred journey through life, embracing the concepts of balance between light and dark, chaos and order. The First Triad of the Sun Path is the Wheel of the Year, Gods and Goddesses, and Rites of Passage.

Moon Path

This section focuses on the inner journey of the Druid. Just as the Moon has no light of its own, but reflects the light of the Sun, the Moon Path teaches us to reflect the divine within ourselves. Included in this section are suggestions on basic vision questing, how to meditate, and dream interpretation. The First Triad of the Moon Path is dream work, meditation, and vision-seeking (shamanism).

To use this book, read through each section prior to beginning the exercises contained in each. Some of the exercises in each section are to be completed only once, some are to be done every day, and some depend on the seasons.

If you complete the book in a year, and decide that Druidry as practiced by the Black Mountain Druid Order is the path for you, then the remaining day of the year and a day period will be used for your self-initiation rite. Complete instructions on how to initiate yourself are included at the end of the book. If you happen to be close to an affiliate Grove of the Black Mountain Druid Order, or wish to start your own Grove, you may also ask them to help out with your initiation rite.

Since Druidry is a highly individual path, as you you’re your way through the book don’t get caught up in the idea that there is a “right way” or a “wrong way” to do things. In Druidry, the right way is the way that has meaning to you. As long as you abide by the Four Sacred Pillars of our Order, the rest is just suggestions.

Welcome to the deeper world that is Druidry!