A HUNDRED THOUSAND WELCOMES!  The House of Danu, an alliance of groves and seed groups within the Order of Bards, Ovates, and Druids in California, will host an historic Gorsedd for the Festival of Lughnasadh, July 31 to August 3, 2009, at the Pema Osel Ling Buddhist Retreat near Monterrey, California. This is an unprecedented gathering of numerous Druid organizations in the West, and anyone interested in exploring the California Druid experience is invited to attend. This is a rare opportunity to acquire knowledge from the most celebrated scholars of Druidry.  The Chosen Chief of the Order of Bards Ovates and Druids (OBOD), Philip Carr-Gomm is traveling from Sussex to help ground participants in Druid culture.  The Grand Archdruid of the Ancient Order of Druids in America (AODA), John Michael Greer, is coming down from Oregon to share his extraordinary knowledge of Druid history and magic. Archdruid Emeritus and founder of Ár nDraíocht Féin (ADF), Isaac Bonewits, is coming from New York to do assist in our discussion of Druid rites and ritual.  The Gorsedd will be a festival of learning, drumming, storytelling, games, initiations; Bardic evenings around the campfire, a magnificent Eisteddfod of our best performing artists, and a grand procession for the sacred ritual of Lughnasadh that you can help create.  

Among our participants are recording artists, such as, Evelie Delfino Såles Posch, Bard of Taliesin and leader of the Chorus and Band for Reclaiming’s Spiral Dance http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kzw40xupfOY . The Druids of the Oak Ash Thorn Brewing Company http://www.oakashthornbrewing.com/ , are bottling a special mead under the House of Danu label for the Gorsedd. Thorn Coyle, priestess of the Feri tradition: a popular author and performing artist will instruct you in the subtle graces of our official drinking song. http://www.thorncoyle.com/.

GORSEDD REGISTRATION

To see a video about the Gorsedd check out  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VqsTZBRDm 

Danu is one name of the greatest of Goddess' in the ancient world.  She is a Hindu primordial goddess, where the word Danu describes the primeval waters which this deity embodies.   In Celtic spirituality Danu is the mother goddess of the Tuatha De Danaan (the people, tribe or nation of Danu).  The river Danube and at least three other European rivers (Dniestr, Dniepr and Don) were named by the Celts in her honor.  All Celtic tribes honored Danu as well as other forms of the Goddess.  The connection of Danu to the Hindus and the Celts speaks to their common ancestry.

According to at least one Irish legend, the Celts came to Ireland from Spain (this branch was called the Milesians, or sons of Mil).  When the Celts landed on Ireland, the Tuatha kings feared that the Milesians were invaders, and killed their leader, sending the rest back to Spain.  The Milesians returned to Ireland, and the Tuatha and the Milesians fought for control of the country, with the Celts being the eventual victors, in no small part due to the power of the Celt druid Amergin, who cast powerful lays (spells) to assist the avenging Celts.

The victorious Celts did not destroy the Tuatha in Ireland, but made peace with them.  As druids, we follow this example by honoring those of different paths, cultures, and beliefs, knowing that we are all part of the intricate web of life, and are therefore different yet equal in the eyes of the gods.  While honoring the vast diversity found in the universe, we also welcome any others who wish to join us in celebrating our druidry.