#gwers

Year founded: 1964

Location Founded: Sussex, UK

Origins, inspirations, or parent org: Schism of the fraternal order the Ancient Druid Order (ADO).

Founders: Ross Nichols

Official Symbols: Three rays of Awen with drops of wisdom above, sometimes with three circles surrounding it.

Theological compatibility: Polytheism (hard and soft), pantheism/panentheism, liberal monotheism, animism, eclecticism, and others.

Founder prior involvements: Ancient Druid Order, Nichols also worked with Gerald Gardner (who founded Wicca) and they collaborated to outline the current neopagan wheel of the year holidays.

Active, Hiatus, or Defunct, & Rebootability: Currently active, hiatus from 1975-1988.

Centrally organized: Yes

Governing body: No formal name, sometimes casually referred to as “Home Office.”

Study Program or Mentorship: Major well-renowned study program.

Member degrees, ranks, or levels of achievement: Bardic Grade, Ovate Grade, Druid Grade

Membership fees and recurrence: Basic membership £20, Bardic course: £240, Ovate course £240, Druid course £240. Bardic course includes basic membership fee. Membership is for life with no recurring fees.

Estimated membership: 25,000 circa 2021.

Estimated number of Groves or study groups: 200

Current grand poobah & title: Eimear Burke, Chosen Chief

Cult danger (A. B. C. D. E. F. version 2.7) estimated rating: LOW

Alleged cult criteria: 

Internal Control - members do not have voting rights or voice in direction of the order

Internal Control — Discrimination - OBOD’s study course (Gwersi) openly discriminates against people with certain neurodiverse conditions, specifically schizophrenia or “psychotic” conditions: “you should not enrol on the course if you have been diagnosed as suffering from schizophrenia or a psychotic condition“

Recruiting & Wealth - recruiting of members is promoted, study program is most expensive of any druid order

If anything needs to be rectified, please contact me with proof for correction.

Working on Gwers 10.