How does AODAs study program work?
At this point in the AODA’s history, it’s almost entirely a matter of individual study. People join the AODA as Candidates for the First Degree, the degree of Druid Apprentice, and receive the Candidate Initiation, which may be received from an AODA Study Group or Grove if there’s one in your area, or performed as a solitary self-initiation. Then it’s up to them to work through the First Degree training program and qualify for the First Degree. There’s a minimum period of one year involved, though this can be waived by the Grand Grove, the governing body of the Order. Most of the First Degree training program is being published in a book, Druidry: A Green Way of Wisdom by the current Grand Archdruid, John Michael Greer. It has four parts: the Earth Path, which is about nature awareness and personal responsibility for the environment; the Sun Path, which is about celebrating the holy days of the year; the Moon Path, which is about meditation; and one of the seven Spirals – poetry, music
