The Laical Path: Discernment and the Acolyte

The Acolyte's second level of two years is the "Aspirancy" where you are an "Aspirant", a person who is discerning their place among our OCAB Druids. You contemplate if belonging to our Druid Order is right for you. You also learn the fundamentals of virtuous living, moral theology and how mythological creatures can be great archetypes for strength, courage, vision, and wisdom. Here, you master the Daily Ritual. You should have a partner work with you during this time to help you with your Orders if you wish. A partner is someone just like you and interested in similar goals, because sometimes it takes two to Tango. Instead of a partner, you may have a Formation Director which is advised but still not necessary. During this time, you continue to move downward from a Third-Class Druid to a Second-Class Druid. You complete your Seventeenth through Thirty-Second Orders.

A Hero's Journey After Initiation

Once you successfully complete the Laity Path which is the Laical Caste, you hold a full Laical Rank, meaning you have completed a total of Foury Orders. You've finished your Discernment Program and are officially Initiated into the Druid Order of Blest Stone and Wood (OCAB), you'll find you have four distinct paths you can choose to follow.  Druidic Acolytes find their way with a Formation Director, who acts as a pastoral counselor to help them through their initial levels. 

Option One: Remain a Laical Druid or become a Partner

Your first choice is to simply remain a Laical Druid within OCAB. You can keep practicing everything you learned during your discernment, but your formal instruction and learning journey would conclude here. You'll need to remain in good standing, and as a Lay Druid, and you're limited to performing only the acts you were taught in your program. While you're free to pursue other spiritual interests outside of OCAB, these unofficial practices activities won't be recognized as part of your official role as an OCAB Initiate. Therefore, they are not sanctioned by us. Those things you have learned during discernment, will be sanctioned by us. Here, you may become a partner with someone who may be having problems with their "Theory and Practice" before Initiation.

Option Two: Become a Formation Director

Your second choice is to become a Formation Director. If you have a passion for counseling and guiding others, this role is for you. You'll mentor individuals at any stage before their own Initiation, learning pastoral counseling techniques. Your goal is to provide direction, encouragement, and support as they navigate their discernment journey. Remember, as OCAB Druids, we never give direct advice; instead, offer various options and explain their potential outcomes. The final decision always rests with the individual, making you their mirror, mirror, on the wall, not telling them what they want to hear, rather what they need to see.

Option Three: Enter the Clerical Path as a Druidic Deacon

Your third option is to move onto the Clerical Path, which is the Clerical Caste. Here you become a Clerical Druid for OCAB. This path has two offices: Deacon and Priest. If you choose this, you'll first train to become a Druidic Deacon and learn the important Rites of Benediction, officially becoming a Dedicant of the Order. These Rites are diverse, and include Blessings, Petitions, Processions, Intinctions, and Ceremonies for Life's Milestones (Naming, Marriage, and Funerals), all performed within a larger Ritual framework. A Deacon can perform everything an Acolyte can, plus they can instruct Formation Directors, lead Nature-Based and Communal Events, and perform Ordinal Rituals. These include mastering and leading our Sunday Rituals, Special Rituals for Nature-Related Holidays, Patriotic Holidays, and Rituals for Special Intentions and Simple Gatherings (Talk Groups, Meetups, etc.)

Option Four: Advance to Druidic Priest within the Clerical Path

Once you're dedicated as a Deacon, you're able to administer those specific Rites of Benediction within a Ritual format. Some Druids may choose to remain Deacons, with their official learning concluding at this level. Most Deacons, however, feel called to become a Druidic Priest, still within the Clerical Path. A Druid Priest is Ordained and learns the powerful Rites of Anointing. These Rites involve the Consecrations of Persons, Places, and Things outside of a standard Ritual for specific, profound reasons. Priests also master and perform Low, High, and Cardinal Rituals. Later, as either a Deacon or Priest, you might be called into a Leadership Rank, or you can submit a written request to become a leader in the Order, beginning as a Seer.

Your Initiate Credentials

As a fully initiated member, you will receive your official Photo ID Card with your Ministry credentials from the Druid Order of Blest Stone and Wood. This credential allows you to practice those things you learned under us in public spaces and to fulfill our Mission within the Druid Order. Your credentialing renews every year or upon reaching a new Level, whichever comes first. You can also begin holding public events as a Brother or Sister of the Ancient Cross, or OCAB Druid. As you gradually learn the Rituals and Rites within your Office, it will be reflected in your ID Card. Your ID Card expires immediately upon reasonable cause for your defrocking, or the process by which one is officially shunned and dismissed from our Order, in which you may never return. While this is not likely at all, you continue to be an official Druid Order of Blest Stone and Wood and move onward with your Orders as an active participant and in good standing with us and your community.