About the Boston Grove

As Druids, we use the analogy of Seed-Groups and Groves to convey the idea of our connection with nature in general and trees in particular. Members of the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD) meet together in Seed-Groups and Groves for the purposes of companionship, discussion, meditation, celebration of the seasonal festivals, and to share ideas, poems and songs. A Seed-Group can be formed by any member at any point in their studies. A Grove is a group which establishes meetings on a regular basis over a period of time, and which is led by members who are in the Druid Grade.

The Boston Grove started life as a Seed-Group in the autumn of 1992, with five members eager to be together in the New England area. Since that time, there have been regular meetings and steady growth in membership to the current total of seventeen, including four of the original members, along with our mascot and totem animal, August D. Dog, affectionately known as Auggie the Doggie. During this period, two of the founding members have progressed through their Bardic and Ovate studies to the Druid Grade, and consequently, with a specially-written ceremony to mark the event, the Boston Seed-Group became the Boston Grove in the Summer of 1995.

We delight in our diversity, our membership being drawn from all grades of the Order and from all walks of life, each person bringing unique gifts to the group. On average, we meet about once a month. We congregate to celebrate the eight seasonal festivals, and, despite New England's notorious weather, we have been able to celebrate throughout the year at a number of beautiful outdoor locations in the area. In our eagerness to contact and honor the spirits of the land in this place that we call our home, we have found powerful local places to hold our rituals. Many of these places were held sacred by the American Indians and Shakers who lived here before us.

Our ceremonies are usually based on those received from the Order, but we often add our own segments and meditations, drawing from the traditions of other paths, including Native American spirituality and Wicca. In addition to our seasonal observances, we gather together in between times to meditate, make incense, discuss our studies and other topics of mutual interest, make plans for future projects, gossip, and generally have a good time. Several members are quite gifted in the area of music and poetry, and so our gatherings usually feature a full and entertaining Eisteddfod, which allows us an opportunity to share the fruits of our creativity.

The group also provides a good support system, and firm friendships have developed therein. Members call each other by telephone and exchange frequent e-mail messages, as we share not only our triumphs, but also the frustrations which are inherent to the pursuit of a spiritual path in a materialistic, twentieth-century world. Romance has also blossomed within the grove, and we even had a Lughnasadh wedding, with members playing various roles in the outdoor Druidic wedding ceremony. The ceremony was based on that in Philip Carr-Gomm's book, 'The Druid Way', and it was a powerful and memorable experience for all of us. Finally, and most importantly, laughter is a major component of our time spent together. On this topic, our aforementioned canine mascot deserves further mention, for Auggie is an energetic, playful and happy beagle, whose unique contribution to the group involves chewing on almost everything in sight, including ritual objects in general and bones in particular! His carefree personality reminds us to have fun, and not to take ourselves too seriously.

As individuals, we have all found solitary work to be very fruitful, and sometimes uniquely intense. However, there is quite a different feeling, and a particular energy which we sense when working collectively, and the activities of the group appear to complement very well one's individual work.

Overall, we feel very fortunate to be a part of The Boston Grove, a group which allows us to share our interest in Druidry with other like-minded individuals in the New England area. Although the path is unique for each of us individually, in this venture we are learning to walk the Druid way together, and together we are greater than the sum of our parts. May we continue to grow in mind, body and spirit, both individually and collectively. May we receive the wisdom to use our gifts responsibly, for the benefit and service of all.

Written for the Boston Grove by James Street and Sarah Fuhro September, 1996

This article is Copyright Boston Grove 1996-1999, and may not be reproduced or distributed, in whole or in part, without written permission.