About Us
In 2003, it was envisioned that Awen Grove
would be built by all members of the group and
become something that was supportive, ethical,
focused on community and something that would
continue to grow. And grow it has! Since its
inception in 2003, Awen Grove has grown and
developed into a close-knit group of Modern
Druids from a variety of backgrounds who have
been drawn together by a similarity in beliefs
and a collective desire to work together to
create a positive community.
Today, Awen Grove is a small Druid Community,
based in Calgary, Alberta, Canada that seeks
to become a positive and open atmosphere for
spiritual growth, learning, community service
and fellowship in the following ways:
Spiritual Services:
- Study and discussion circles for all Grove members
- A safe, warm and ethical spiritual atmosphere for members of groups and solitary practitioners alike
- Celebration
of
seasonal
and
life
passages
What Makes Awen Grove Unique?
- Awen Grove
is focused on all aspects of community and
Modern Druid spirituality, including
ceremonial and everyday living
- Awen Grove
encourages higher education for those who
are pursuing it
- Awen Grove
is local, free to join and open to all who
wish to apply
- Awen Grove is involved in the community outside of the Pagan Community and encourages members to be involved in Community Service
- Awen Grove welcomes family members of all ages and abilities (With parental consent for legal minors)
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The Course of Study is an
organic thing; something that
was designed to grow and change
as well as something that is
meant to be a foundation and
framework, not the whole house.
Awen Grove's help to build the
house - meaning that all members
are an important part of the
Grove's growth, development and
values. |
Ethics and values provide a
strong framework to build any
community of integrity and
strong people who are
responsible and capable of
seeking the truth against the
world. The Druids of old
believed that one should “Do no
evil, worship the Gods and be
strong”. Awen Grove was founded with a
focus on Ethics and Service and
that focus has remained strong
to this day. See our Statement
of Ethics for more
details.
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Membership to Awen Grove is
open to all who wish to join an
organization that upholds a high
standard of ethics, common
sense, fellowship and service to
the Community at large, Diety
and oneself. To join, complete the Membership
Form |
Our Affiliations
In order to
maintain our goal of networking with Druids
of all Traditions, Awen Grove is proud to be
affiliated with the following global
organizations: The Druid Network, the
British Druid Order (BDO) and the Reformed
Druids of North America (RDNA). It was decided by the original members of the Inner Grove that this would be of benefit for Awen Grove to increase its global networkability. Many modern Druids have reported feelings of isolation from the community at large, and these affiliations allow members access to resources, fellowship and ideas from Druids around the world.
While many global organizations offer affiliation, we were very careful in our choice of organizations. We used the following criteria in making our choices:
• Similarity in beliefs and ethics to our own
• Tolerance towards the beliefs of Druids from other groups
• Respect of our autonomy and freedom of practice
• Widely respected and ethical leadership
About each Organization:
The Druid Network – The Druid Network is a well organized network of Druids around the world, with regions in Brazil, Australia, the UK, the USA, Germany, France and Canada. It bridges the miles between regions and allows for Druids to connect and gain valuable contacts, fellowship and great ideas from each other.
Not only does it benefit the members by providing an internal network, it also provides a public network that can be viewed by anyone. This allows for groups and individuals to post information about their groups or themselves for all to see.
The Druid Network is not an order, nor does it restrict its' members practices or beliefs. Membership is only denied if a group or individual has a criminal, violent or an overly negative record. They hold no responsibility for the actions of groups listed in the directory, nor do the beliefs of the groups equal their own.
The Druid Network allows groves to affiliate if they meet the following requirements:
• Open sincerity and honesty of communication is to be an integral part of the relationship between the Network and the Group, as well as in the Group's presentation of itself and within the Group amongst its members.
• Those running the Group to be paid-up members of the Network. (Not all members of the group need to be paid members of the Network, just the person running the group)
Some key benefits for us are:
• A listing on the Druid Network's Open Pages with the added bonus of being backed by the Network and its Support Team with no regulations or limits as to how we practice. We retain 100% of our autonomy while getting support and positive exposure from the global Network.
• The opportunity to be a part of a larger community of groves around the world. This allows for interaction with groves around the world and allows for the sharing of ideas and concerns among other groves.
• Our own page in the Druid Network's members only section. This allows for Awen Grove to present itself to its peers, ancestors and Gods. The page allows us to link to this website and promote our grove within the Network.
• The Network provides us with a way of being found and contacted by folks looking for a Grove in their area.
The Reformed Druids of North America – Founded in 1963, the RDNA is the oldest independent Druid Organization in North America. Originally started as a protest against mandatory church attendance at Carleton College, it evolved into a sort of “safe” Druidic fraternity (Open to all who wished to join and no requirements to embarrass oneself or drink too much unlike other college fraternities) and then into a respected world-wide organization that welcomes Druids of all walks of life.
The well-known American organization ADF was born from RDNA and in turn has spawned other well-respected American groups like the Henge of Keltria. All of them owe their existence to RDNA, which in 42 years has never compromised its values or ethics to suit another (despite the number of attempts!).
Carlton College is the home of RDNA’s extensive and well kept archives (A Reformed Druid Anthology), which features the history of RDNA, numerous texts and inspirations from other religious traditions around the world as well as some little-known information on some of American Druidry’s most influential figures.
RDNA is not exclusively Neo-Pagan, nor is it a religion, nor is it exclusively Celtic. There is no set ritual structure, except for certain ordination rites, and no expectations against one’s time or resources. RDNA’s open philosophy, relaxed policies, high ethics and tolerance towards other religious traditions were the main reasons for Awen Grove’s affiliation.
Athelia Nihtscada is an ordained 3rd Order Priestess of RDNA (May 8, 2005).
The British Druid Order – Established in 1979, the British Druid Order has been a positive aspect of the Druid community in the United Kingdom. The original goal was to work within the native British Tradition (meaning the traditions within the British Isles, including Wales, Scotland, Isle of Man, Cornwall and Ireland). The BDO is not bound to any one aspect of the Traditions, but to them all. There is no focus on “recreating” these traditions, but rather to see Druidry as an ever evolving and growing form of spirituality.