INTRODUCTION

In 1996 the Cotswold Order became a member of the Council of British Druid Orders; and in 2000 the founder, Veronica Hammond, was raised as Archdruid at an Inaugural ceremony in Stonehenge.

Druidry is not a religion nor was it ever a religion. It is a way of living, a "wisdom school" open to all who wish to improve their spiritual advancement. Druidry is a priesthood and a druid priest should be prepared to give spiritual support and guidance as and when it is needed.

Our main aim is to offer each member help and guidance along his or her spiritual path, to develop inner and emotional potential, and to work in harmony with and within the natural world.

The four elements of fire, water, air and earth are central to our beliefs as without them all living things would perish.

The Bardic arts of poetry, music and song; the Ovate talents of divination, meditation and healing; and the Druidic qualities of psychology and philosophy all blend together to create a deeper knowledge and understanding of mankind.

Meditation and visualisation are important to our knowledge of awareness. We believe in the qualities of unconditional love and non-judgement. These are an essential part of our self-improvement programme.

We celebrate the eight Pagan festivals every year at a local site, also at the Rollright stones and Stonehenge. These ceremonies both now and in the past were for the local communities to get together and pay homage to the earth for her provisions, and to the heavens for the sun, wind and rain

We hold a monthly meeting to socialise and to study the various aspects of Druidry, and members receive a quarterly newsletter.

See Veronica and the Cotswold Order of Druids in the "Inside Out" TV documentary Summer Solstice at the Rollright Stones on YouTube here

Also; The Cotswold Pagan Society, Samhain 2006 at the Rollright Stones on YouTube here

Also: The Cotswold Pagan Society. Summer Solstice at Stonehenge 2009 here

If you would like to know more about the Cotswold Order of Druids please e-mail Veronica  .