Finding Other Druids

I spent 5 years administering an order-specific Druid facebook page, and the most common question I had was about how to find local Druids. It can be hard, but there are ways to search out private and public individuals and groups.

Minority religions or paths: Pagans and Isolation

Starting Out

Disclaimer

There is no implied endorsement for any of the Druid or related groups listed in this post or this website. As always, you should safely explore and carefully evaluate any group.

So let's look at some ways to do this.

Help Yourself

Before finding other Druids, spend time figuring out what you are looking for. Druids span a wide range of traditions and beliefs, and it will help if you know what direction you want to go in. This includes weighing how your religious leanings (if any), and a group’s organization or purpose align with you.

Before contacting a person or group do basic research on their general beliefs, order (if any), and group structure. Also consider what you have to offer, and what your travel or other logistical requirements are.

Safely Explore

Meet with group members in public places for a few times before attending private functions. (Actually many groups will require this on their end.)

Practice safe socializing- go to events with a buddy, use your own transportation, don’t give out personal information, and tell friends where you are going.

It is also best to be centered, grounded, and shielded before meeting others.

Evaluate

Compare what you have learned about a group against your beliefs and needs. Take the time you need, and don’t be afraid to get more info from the group or others in your community.

Use your instincts and common sense; they will help you keep from becoming a victim of manipulative or exploitive people or groups. Know the signs of trouble – a great tool is The Advanced Bonewits’ Cult Danger Evaluation Frame.

Maps

Druid Groups Map

This is a interactive map of public North American Druid Groves and study groups. Compiled using original sources (like order lists or other webpages), it has current contact information and is updated several times a year. The map includes over 289 groups across 4 countries- so far.

Even if you find no nearby group on the map, consider contacting regional groups as they may know of individual Druids in your area that also want a local community.

Realize that experiences with one person or group is not the same as knowing about an entire order or organization. Larger orders may be able to help you find other local individuals, groves, or study groups to better fit your needs.

Networks / Social Media

Facebook. Many groups have their ‘public’ information on Facebook pages instead of webpages now, so it’s worth searching Facebook for groups in your area. Note: Facebook groups (not pages) can be searched for others in your area, for instance your state.

Meetup Groups. Many of these groups may be defunct, but will show up for the radius around a location that you choose.

Canadian Druid Network (Facebook)

Local metaphysical store. Check with and support your local metaphysical stores, if you have them nearby. They will usually know about Druid or other groups in the area, and people to contact. These stores are a great resource, and deserve our patronage.

Resources for Solitaries

ADF has a helpful Solitary Practice webpage, with articles and pages of one-person rituals. They also have a ADF Solitaries Group on Facebook.

Books-

The Awen Alone: Walking the Path of the Solitary Druid, by Joanna van der Hoeven, 2014. (See here for an OBOD review of the book.)
The Book of Hedge Druidry: A Complete Guide for the Solitary Seeker, by Joanna van der Hoeven, 2019.

Group Lists by Druid Organizations

Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA): AODA provides a Grove, Study Group, and Home Circle list (new May 2016)

Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF): ADF provides a Grove and Protogrove list

Fellowship of Druidism for the Latter Age (FoDLA): provides a Groves and Clergy list

Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids (OBOD): OBOD provides Grove and Seed Group lists for those groups that opt to be public.

Reformed Druids of Gaia: RDG provides a Grove list

Reformed Druids of North America (RDNA): RDNA has limited (or no) structure. Oakdale Grove has stepped up to provide a current Grove list.

Not all of the groups listed in these sources will be active, but could still let you know about others with similar interests in your area. (Groves have grown from the seeds planted at coffee shop meetings – suggest a study group.)

May these resources help Druids find the local community they seek.

Publication Info

Published: April 3, 2014

Revisions:

April 28, 2015- added safety, investigation, and evaluation sections. Misc. other changes.

May 21, 2015- added resources for solitaries.

October 2022- updated links.