Steps, Objectives, Goals, Ranks
Great Expectations
The Caste of the Laical Rank
The Solitary Druid and Laity
The Caste of the Clerical Rank
Clerics: Deacons and Priests
Who do I go to for counsel?
Steps are identified as each "Order" you receive which are given to you in formal communication with the us, once you submit your Discernment Application. There are (8) Eight Steps per Level. When you receive your first Order, you will receive your OCAB ID Number.
A Level is your "Theory and Practice" Rank within the Druid Order. These Levels are either in Classes which come before your Initiate, or in Degrees which come after your Initiate. These levels, or "Theory and Practice" Ranks have nothing to do with leadership.
A Leadership role indicates one's "Appointed" Rank they've have been assigned by their Superior under the Chief's permissions, but in most cases by the Chief Druid or his successor. Not all OCAB Druids will be "Appointed". Think of it in terms of the military: Commissioned and Non-Commissioned. These Leadership roles with their description and minimal necessary requirements to maintain their leadership roles along with geographical boundaries are identified below.
This means that an OCAB Druid can be at a lower level or "Theory and Practice" Rank, but be at a higher leadership or "Appointed" Rank and vice versa. Your Superior is anyone who is either a higher level (non-commissioned) OCAB Druid than you or the Appointed Leader (commissioned) for your geographical boundary.
Who do I go to if I have a question? First, a higher "Commissioned" OCAB Druid outranks a lower "Commissioned" OCAB Druid. Second, A higher "Non-Commissioned" OCAB Druid outranks a lower "Non-Commissioned" OCAB Druid. Third, A "Commissioned" OCAB Druid outranks a "Non-Commissioned" OCAB Druid.
The Caste of the Leadership Rank
Leaders: Commissioned vs. Non-Commissioned
Who do I go to for counsel?
Steps are identified as each "Order" you receive which are given to you in formal communication with the us, once you submit your Discernment Application. There are (8) Eight Steps per Level. When you receive your first Order, you will receive your OCAB ID Number.
A Level is your "Theory and Practice" Rank within the Druid Order. These Levels are either in Classes which come before your Initiate, or in Degrees which come after your Initiate. These levels, or "Theory and Practice" Ranks have nothing to do with leadership.
A Leadership role indicates one's "Appointed" Rank they've have been assigned by their Superior under the Chief's permissions, but in most cases by the Chief Druid or his successor. Not all OCAB Druids will be "Appointed". Think of it in terms of the military: Commissioned and Non-Commissioned. These Leadership roles with their description and minimal necessary requirements to maintain their leadership roles along with geographical boundaries are identified below.
This means that an OCAB Druid can be at a lower level or "Theory and Practice" Rank, but be at a higher leadership or "Appointed" Rank and vice versa. Your Superior is anyone who is either a higher level (non-commissioned) OCAB Druid than you or the Appointed Leader (commissioned) for your geographical boundary.
Who do I go to if I have a question? First, a higher "Commissioned" OCAB Druid outranks a lower "Commissioned" OCAB Druid. Second, A higher "Non-Commissioned" OCAB Druid outranks a lower "Non-Commissioned" OCAB Druid. Third, A "Commissioned" OCAB Druid outranks a "Non-Commissioned" OCAB Druid.
Geographical Boundaries
Nemeta and Nine Waves
The Home
A Monk/Nun is someone who simply wants to practice and study on their own and does not wish to be part of anything larger than that. They are known as Solitary Druids. In formal settings, they may use their honorific title of "Druid". Their "Theory and Practice" is done at their home. They choose not to be in a leadership role, and once initiated, they do not need to pursue anything farther but must remain in good standing. They do not wear a ritual caul, a sacred black brimless skullcap with or without a pompom. While there are no progression requirements, they should still have a goal of completing initiation. Until then, they may go to their nearest grove for other than Daily Ritual. They may be biologically male or biologically female.
The Hearth
The First Nemeton is the Hearth run by the Solitary Acolyte and serves with the title Proctor. They have the option of using their honorific, "Cousin Druid," in formal settings. Their official meetings are known as a Grove. The Hearth collectively governs a group of Homes. Official correspondence to this individual would be addressed as "Dear Druid Cousin..." They do not wear a ritual caul. They report to the Senior Acolyte and complete a minimum of (4) four orders per year to keep their situation. They may be biologically male or biologically female.
The Parish
The Second Nemeton is the Parish run by the Senior Acolyte and serves with the title Rector. Official correspondence to this individual would be addressed as "Dear Druid Rector." They have the option of using their honorific, "Brother/Sister Druid," in formal settings. Their formal meetings are called a Memorandum. Their assignment covers a specific Zone (i.e. Borough, Neighborhood, etc.) The Parish collectively governs a group of Hearths. They wear a ritual caul with no pompom. They report to the Senior Deacon. Once chosen, they must be in good standing and complete a minimum of (4) four orders per year to keep their situation. They may be biologically male or biologically female.
The Diocese
The Third Nemeton is the Diocese run by the Senior Deacon and serves with the title Friar/Suerer. Official correspondence to this individual would be addressed as "Dear Druid Friar/Suerer." Their area of responsibility is the County. They have the option of using their honorific, "Friar/Suerer Druid," in formal settings. Their formal meetings are called an Assembly. The Diocese collectively governs a group of Parishes. They wear a ritual caul with a black pompom. They report to the Ordinal Priest. Once chosen, they must be in good standing and complete a minimum of (4) four orders per year to keep their situation. They may be biologically male or biologically female.
The Archdiocese
The Fourth Nemeton is the Archdiocese run by the Ordinal Priest and serves with the title Chaplain. Official correspondence to this individual would be addressed as "Dear Druid Prior/Prioress," They have the option of using their honorific, "Prior/Prioress Druid," in formal settings. Their formal meetings are called a Convention. Their assigned territory is a Capital or Metropolis of a state. The Archdiocese collectively governs a group of Dioceses. They wear a ritual caul with a brown pompom. They report to the Cardinal Priest. Once chosen, they must be in good standing and complete a minimum of (5) five orders per year to keep their situation. They may be biologically male or biologically female.
The Ecclesiastical State
The Fifth Nemeton is the Ecclesiastical State run by the Cardinal Priest and serves with the title Secretary of State. Official correspondence to this individual would be addressed as "Dear Druid Secretary," and They have the option of using their honorific, "Monsignor/Madame Druid," in formal settings. Their formal meetings are called a Congress. Their assignment covers a State or Province. The Ecclesiastical State collectively governs a group of Arch Dioceses. They wear a ritual caul with a red pompom. They report to the Seer. Once chosen, they must be in good standing and complete a minimum of (5) five orders per year to keep their situation. They may be biologically male or biologically female.
The Ecclesiastical Division
The Sixth Nemeton is the Ecclesiastical Division run by the Seer and serves with the title Divisional Archdruid. Official correspondence to this individual would be addressed as "Dear Divisional Archdruid," and They have the option of using their honorific, "Your/His/Her Honor," in formal settings. Their formal meetings are called a Consistory. Their assignment includes divisions like New England, Middle Atlantic, East North Central, West North Central, South Atlantic, East South Central, West South Central, Mountain, and Pacific in the US. The Ecclesiastical Division collectively governs a group of Ecclesiastical States. They wear a ritual caul with a orange pompom. They report to the Overseer. Once chosen, they must be in good standing and complete a minimum of (6) six orders per year to keep their situation. They may be biologically male or biologically female.
The Ecclesiastical Region
The Seventh Nemeton is the Ecclesiastical Region run by the Overseer and serves with the title Provincial Archdruid. Official correspondence to this individual would be addressed as “Dear Provincial Archdruid.” They have the option of using their honorific, "Your/His/Her Excellency," in formal settings. Their formal meetings are called a Conference. Their assignment encompasses regions such as the Northeast, Midwest, South, and West in the US. The Ecclesiastical Region collectively governs a group of Ecclesiastical Divisions. They wear a ritual caul with a yellow pompom. They report to the Chieftain. Once chosen, they must be in good standing and complete a minimum of (6) six orders per year to keep their situation. They may be biologically male or biologically female.
The Ecclesiastical Nation
The Eighth Nemeton is the Ecclesiastical Nation run by the Chieftain and serves with the title National Archdruid. Official correspondence to this individual would be addressed as “Dear National Archdruid.” They have the option of using their honorific, "Your/His/Her Eminence," in formal settings. Their formal meetings are called a Synod. The Nation collectively governs a group of Ecclesiastical Provinces. They wear a ritual caul with a white pompom. They report to the Chief. Once chosen, they must be in good standing and complete a minimum of (6) six orders per year to keep their situation. They may be biologically male or biologically female.
The Viceroy
Separate from any nemeton, the Viceroy and serves with the title Matriarch, Official correspondence to this individual would be addressed as "Dear Druid Mother," they have the option of using their honorific, "Your/Her Beatitude," in formal settings. Their only purpose is to assist the Chief Druid of the Order and temporarily replace him under extraordinary circumstances of incapacitation, until the Chief's Successor is chosen by her, along with the Provincial and National Archdruids in Conclave, which is conducted with absolute secrecy and last no longer than a fortnight. The Viceroy performs any and all duties assigned by by the Chief Druid. They wear a ritual caul with a black and white pompom. She reports to the Chief Druid and communicates to him all correspondences from leadership. Once chosen, the Viceroy must be in good standing and complete all (8) Eight Orders per year to keep their situation. The Viceroy must always be biologically female and identify as such. If a woman is not immediately available to serve, a male must fill the position, appointed by the Chief until a female enters the role. If a male is temporarily appointed, he is awarded the title of Patriarch and subsequent honorific. Once relieved of his temporary appointment, he returns to his initial elected position.
The Druid Order
The Ninth Nemeton is The Druid Order run by our Founder Chf. Drd. Nioclás Deaglán, OCAB who will be succeeded by the First Successor, Second Successor, and so on, and serves with the title Chief Druid, then the First Chief Druid, Second Chief Druid, etc. Official correspondence to this individual would be addressed as, "Dear Druid Chief," and he has the option of using their honorific, "Your/His/Her Goodness," in formal settings. Their formal meetings are called a Council. The Druid Order collectively governs a group of Nations. They wear a ritual caul with a brown, red, orange, yellow, and white pompom. He communicates with the Anam Cara and we know he is with us or we would not have been as successful as our competitors would have wanted us to be. The Chief of the Druid Order of Blest Stone and Wood will always be a biological male.
The Other World
The Other World is inherent in the Thought and Magic of our Anam Cara who serves with the title Magus Druid and is higher than the Chief within the Druid Order. Our Anam Cara will always be Phillip Emmons Isaac Bonewits (October 1, 1949—August 12, 2010) and is to be addressed with the honorific "His Holiness." His position is referred to as The Seat, and collectively, it is known as The Druid Circle. He oversees the Druid Order of Blest Stone and Wood. His caul is pictured. In 1983, Bonewits founded Ár nDraíocht Féin, "A Druid Fellowship" or ADF, which was incorporated in 1990. Our Druid Order, OCAB, stemmed from ADF and His Holiness now holds a much higher honor in our collective heart, soul, mind and spirit. Despite the woke agenda which disgraced him from his founding Druid Order, he is a hero and champion for classical paleopagan and neopagan culture and civilization, including Ritual, Myth, Magic, and the Occult.