"The Druids assemble in a consecrated place Within Larger territories within the Nation..." ~Strabo

SMART Goals in action realize your great expectation.  A great expectation according to Cambridge Dictionary is a "strong hope or belief that something very good, successful, or desirable is going to happen." In order for the future to be the present, any great expectations, our intangible outcomes, need three elements to create tangible outcomes.

As you have learned, the first of these elements consist of simple steps. These steps are given to you in an "Order". There are (8) Eight Orders within a year's time, therefore, Orders are given octannually, if you are consistent. An Order consists of three parts. The first part is information about OCAB (Druid Order of Blest Stone and Wood), the second part is one's Theory (the occult philosophy relevant to the order), the third part is one's Practice (using Magic relevant to the Occult Philosophy). You are responsible to know everything in these Orders. You will receive each Order by E-mail from Druidhood@gmail.com and it will be written in letter form. Each of these steps or Orders will determine your rank.

Now, the second of these elements is called an objective. An objective consists of a group of steps which as we learned are collectively called Orders. Once you complete a group of Orders, you have completed an objective called a Level. Levels are divided into two categories. The first category is called a Class. At a good pace, each class may be completed in as little as a (1) one year depending on the activity of your progress. Levels consist of classes before you are initiated into the Druid Order. The second category is called a Degree. At a good pace, each degree may be completed in as little as (4) four years depending on the activity of your progress. Levels consist of degrees after you are initiated into the Druid Order, as there are no term limits due to the active and good standing rule which includes following the "Rules of the Founding Druid" and are in good standing a legal citizens.

Finally, the third of these elements is called a goal. A goal consists of a group of objectives called an Office. Once you complete a group of Levels, you have completed a goal called an Office. A group of Offices are called a Caste achieved through its path. There are (3) Three Castes. The First Caste is the Acolyte. There are three offices within the Acolyte Caste: Postulant, Aspirant, and Initiate. The Acolytes' Caste is fully achieved through the Laical Path. The Second Caste is the Cleric. There are two offices within the Cleric Caste: Deacon, and Priest. The Clerics' Caste is fully achieved through the Clerical Path. The Third Caste is the Archdruid. There are five offices within the Archdruid Caste: Seer, Overseer, Chieftain, Viceroy (Female only), and Chief (male only) and his Successors. The Archdruid’s Caste is fully achieved through the Archical Path.

Anyone can be a leader in the Druid Order. The reason is that the Founder of the Druid Order, who is Chf. Drd. Nioclás Deaglán, OCAB, started off as teacher and leader of Druidism himself. If you feel called to lead, than you are in the right place. Each OCAB Druid, which is a Druid of the Order of Blest Stone and Wood, is assigned a position or situation that they may keep or lose depending on their active or inactive status, will to leave or stay, and their remaining in good standing with the Druid Order or their Community. 

There are two categories. The first is a non-appointed position, meaning you earn these based on the Orders you complete.  Those in non-appointed positions are called Non-Commissioned Druids. The second is an appointed position, meaning you earn these based on your loyalty to the "Rules of the Founding Druid". Those in appointed positions are called Commissioned Druids. This brings us to knowledge based leadership or administration based leadership. A final note is that Commissioned Druids lead administratively, while Non-Commissioned Druids lead in their Theory and Practice. Only the Chief of the Order or his Successors can commission and decommission an OCAB Druid.

Non-Commissioned Druids gain leadership based on the Order they are on, which accumulates after time, along with their status and standing and if active and good, they cannot lose their position. Commissioned Druids gain leadership based on their appointment by the Chief Druid, depending on the need of the Druid Order, they may be kept or released at any time. In many cases, a Commissioned Druid may have earned a leadership position in another Order, they may be trusted allies, or may be family members, but the "Rules of the Founding Druid" still stand. 

All OCAB Druids must remain active and in good standing and must work hard to keep their situation. Another way of looking at this is that the Non-Commissioned leadership focuses on completed Orders, emphasizing Theory and Practice. Commissioned leadership focuses on administration within the Order. Can a Commissioned Druid lose their leadership position? If in any way, shape, or form, an OCAB Druid cannot continue to maintain their active status (demonstrated below), they may lose their leadership role until such a time where they can regain that status, if and only if, the position they once held needs to be filled. 

A Commissioned Druid outranks a Non-Commissioned Druid in matters of organizational management while a Non-Commissioned Druid outranks a Commissioned Druid in matters of Magic and the Occult. Those who wish to lead as a Commissioned Druid, must express this to the Chief Druid or his Successor in writing and also must have been given an OCAB ID Number. They must be active and in good standing. The hardest working Druids and those who are most loyal to the Druid Order will be chosen leaders by receiving their commission after careful vetting. 

In summary, within the Druid Order, a 49th Rank Non-Commissioned Druid who has more experience in Magic and the Occult will outrank a 44th Rank Druid in knowledge and experience, because he has not been commissioned. Conversely, if the 44th Rank Druid is Commissioned, he outranks the 49th administratively in organizational leadership, because he has been commissioned.

The Laical Caste of the Druid Order is the Order's base. Any OCAB Druid at any level may practice as they wish outside of the Druid Order. For any practice to be made official and sanctioned, it must be presented and made known to the Order. A practice that is occult is simply one that has not yet been presented. Once a practice is sanctioned, it can be used for OCAB Druidry (the science of the Druids) and OCAB Druidism (the way of the Druids). They are the Heart of the Order.

The Solitary Druid, also called a Monastic, wishes to work alone and independently. They are essentially a "parishioner" of the Order, meaning they are not officially recognized as an OCAB Druid who must remain active and in good standing. They may occasionally participate in our groves, but they are not seeking to become an official member. This role will be especially prominent when the Order is fully public, allowing individuals to attend official OCAB functions without formally joining, much like someone who "just goes to Church and leaves."

The Solitary Acolyte is a Non-Commissioned Druid who works at their own pace. They are required to complete a minimum of two Orders per year to remain active. To stay in contact with the Druid Order, they must report to their geographical superior, the Senior Acolyte, who will be made known to them. A Solitary Acolyte is not a Monastic; they wish to progress through the Order but at a slower rate than a Senior Acolyte. They may be assigned a group of Homes to guide if they wish.

A Senior Acolyte is a Non-Commissioned Druid who is consistent in their work and deeds. They diligently complete their Orders in a timely fashion and are focused on moving to the next level. They are interested in helping to take the Druid Order to the next stage and are dedicated to progressing through the ranks as they are given. They may be assigned a group of Hearths to guide if they wish. They are called "Senior" because they hold the highest non-commissioned rank in their specific geographical area. Think of them as sorts of religious Superintendents.

This tiered structure of non-commissioned roles is designed to accommodate every level of dedication, from the casual interest of a Solitary Druid to the diligent work of a Senior Acolyte. It ensures that regardless of pace, every individual has a place to grow and contribute to the Order. This system fosters personal spiritual growth while reinforcing the importance of community and accountability, proving that while not all are called to be leaders, every person's commitment—no matter how great or small—is an essential thread in the richness of the Druid Order of Blest Stone and Wood.

The Clerical Caste of the Druid Order of Blest Stone and Wood has three commissioned leadership positions: the Senior Deacon, the Ordinal Priest, and the Cardinal Priest. Each role is administrative in nature, with a focus on specific geographical areas and the support of fellow Druids. These commissioned OCAB Druids develop the potential of the Acolytes and are the soul of the Druid Order. 

A Senior Deacon is a Commissioned OCAB Druid who is administratively in charge of a geographical Diocese. Their primary responsibility is to grow their region by finding and encouraging potential new Druids to begin the discernment process. It is important to note that while anyone can attend our public events, all official OCAB Druids must complete the Discernment Application. While these non-Druid participants are similar to parishioners in a church, the Senior Deacon's mission is to identify those with the potential to become Acolytes and eventual leaders of the Order. Think of them as sorts of religious Chief Recruiting Officers.

The Ordinal Priest is a Commissioned OCAB Druid who is administratively in charge of an Archdiocese. Their role is to act as a crucial link between the Senior Deacons and the Cardinal Priest. The Ordinal Priest's main responsibilities include visiting the various dioceses to support the Senior Deacons and serving as the voice of those dioceses, relaying local interests and needs to the Cardinal Priest. They are the first point of contact for Senior Deacons who have problems that need intervention, ensuring that the Senior Deacons feel valued and supported in their roles. As the Deacon can be a Formation Director being a Counselor to Initiates, the Ordinal Priests can become Mentors or Deaconate Directors, ensuring guidance for Deacons. The Ordinal Priest has the ability to recommend Deacons for dedication. Think of them as sorts of religious Chief Information Officers.

The Cardinal Priest is a Commissioned OCAB Druid in charge of an Ecclesiastical State. They are responsible for supporting all priests within their state. Any OCAB Priests with problems that need to be resolved should first report to the Ordinal Priest. Only if a problem remains unresolved will the Ordinal Priest then bring it to the Cardinal Priest. It is important to remember that while these are commissioned leadership positions, the engine of the Order are the Monastics and Acolytes. They are the foundation of OCAB, and all Druids are to be treated with the utmost respect. The Cardinal Priest ensures that this respect is maintained and upheld throughout the leadership structure and also give the necessary and sufficient support to the priests of the Druid Order. The Cardinal Priest has the ability to dedicate Deacons. Think of them as sorts of religious Chief Human Resources Officers.

Ultimately, this structure ensures a smooth flow of communication and support from the highest commissioned ranks to the newest of aspiring Druids. While the commissioned leaders provide essential administrative guidance, it is the tireless work and dedication of the Acolytes—the very heart of our Order—that truly propels our mission forward. Their commitment is the bedrock upon which the entire Druid Order of Blest Stone and Wood stands, proving that true strength and purpose lie not just in leadership, but in the collective passion of every single member.

The Archical Caste and its leadership—the Seer, Overseer, Chieftain, Viceroy, and Chief—are the keepers, maintainers, and developers of the Order. While the Clerical Caste is dedicated to the soul of the Order, the Archical Caste is dedicated to its mind. Each role is designed to provide essential counsel to the Chief, with a specific focus on the well-being and importance of the entire Order. With the exception of the Viceroy, as the Ordinal Priests can become Mentors or Deaconate Directors, ensuring guidance for Deacons, the Archdruid can become Advisors to our Priests as Ordinariate Directors. Think of them as sorts of religious Chief Administration Officers.

The Seer's primary role is to give direct advice to the Chief in the form of prophecy. Consecrated as an Archdruid, the Seer holds an administrative role that works to keep the Order from a place of uncertainty by giving the Chief wisdom that comes from the spirit. This prophetic guidance is not about fortune-telling but rather about providing a deeper spiritual understanding of events, trends, and the potential outcomes of the Order's actions. It is a vital check on purely logical or administrative decisions. The Seer is the fourth closest ally to the Chief. The Seer has the ability to recommend Priests for ordination.

The Overseer's primary role is to give direct advice to the Chief by addressing any concerns about the Order. The Overseer focuses on preventing internal conflict, specifically any potential mutiny against the Chief or a possible schism within the Druid Order. As a consecrated Archdruid, the Overseer's administrative position helps to maintain order and structure by acting as a vigilant observer of the Order’s internal health. This role frees the Chief to focus on external matters, knowing that the Overseer is dedicated to ensuring the integrity of the leadership and the unity of its members. The Overseer is the third closest ally to the Chief. The Overseer has the ability to ordain Priests.

The Chieftain's primary role is to challenge the Chief's decisions and act as the Devil's Advocate. This function, which is in line with the "Rules of the Founding Druid," ensures that all decisions are thoroughly vetted and are for the good of the Order. The Chieftain's role provides a crucial counterpoint to the Chief's own perspective, forcing a consideration of all potential pitfalls and unintended consequences. This internal challenge system strengthens the integrity of the entire leadership and demonstrates its commitment to making the best possible choices. The Chieftain is a consecrated Archdruid who is the second closest ally to the Chief.

The Viceroy, who is always a biological female, serves as the Chief Advisor to the Chief and his Successors. Her primary role is to provide guidance and act as a neutral party to resolve disputes between any of the other Archdruids. Her unique position as both counselor and arbitrator allows her to bring a different perspective to complex situations and to help forge consensus when conflict arises. The Viceroy’s wisdom is indispensable, ensuring that a diversity of thought is always considered and that harmony is maintained among the highest ranks. The Viceroy is a consecrated Archdruid and the closest ally to the Chief. As the Archdruids can become Advisors to our Priests as Ordinariate Directors, the Viceroy, who is also an Archdruid, will always be the Primariate Director, which is basically a Conductor to those Archdruids.  

The Archical Caste stands as the spiritual and intellectual guardian of the Druid Order. While the Clerical Caste represents the foundation and passion of our members, the Archdruids represent the wisdom, vigilance, and counsel that guide the entire organization. By surrounding the Chief with a diverse and dedicated council—from the prophetic Seer to the challenging Chieftain and the advisory Viceroy—the Order ensures that its leadership is not just powerful, but also strong, courageous, visible, and wise. This structure guarantees that every final decision is forged from a place of deep consideration, protecting the Order's integrity and shaping its enduring legacy for generations to come.

The Chief and his male successors, while consecrated as an Archdruid, exists separately from all Three Castes and guards all three of them within the Druid Order. The Chief's and his Successors' primary role is to make all final decisions only after carefully considering the advice from his Archdruids for the good of the Order. The Chief is not a dictator; rather, a sort of religious Chief Executive Officer of sorts and alone maintains the fullness of power within the Order. His power shall always be scrutinized by the counsel of his closest advisors, especially those that play the Devil's Advocate, as indicated above, ensuring that his final declarations are both wise and well-supported that display strength, courage, vision, and wisdom. He must be available to anyone in the Order, from lowest-ranking to the highest-ranking commissioned or noncommissioned Druid, even though they may go through the "Chain of Command". This authority grants him the sole responsibility and ability to commision and decommission OCAB Druids. He also has the power to defrock any OCAB Druid which should never be the norm. He alone can consecrate Archdruids. He pledges allegiance to the Druid Order of Blest Stone and Wood, to its Druids, for which it stands, one nation, under the Godhead, indivisible, honoring life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, with justice for all within it.