THE BELIEFS OF KELTRIAN DRUIDISM

We have developed thirteen statements which encompass our values and world view. They are as follows:

1.    WE BELIEVE IN DIVINITY as it is manifest in the Celtic pantheons and that polytheism, pantheism, panentheism, animism, and pan-polytheism are all valid theistic perceptions of the Pantheon.

2.    WE BELIEVE THAT NATURE IS THE EMBODIMENT OF THE GODS.

3.    WE BELIEVE THAT NATURAL LAW REFLECTS THE WILL OF THE GODS.

4.    WE BELIEVE THAT ALL LIFE IS SACRED and should be neither harmed nor taken without deliberation or regard.

5.    WE BELIEVE IN THE IMMORTALITY OF THE SPIRIT.

6.    WE BELIEVE THAT OUR PURPOSE IS TO GAIN WISDOM THROUGH EXPERIENCE, and that we may undergo several incarnations to facilitate the variety of experience necessary to gain wisdom.

7.    WE BELIEVE THAT LEARNING IS AN ONGOING PROCESS, and should be encouraged at all ages.

8.    WE BELIEVE THAT MORALITY IS A MATTER OF PERSONAL CONVICTION BASED UPON SELF RESPECT AND RESPECT FOR OTHERS.

9.    WE BELIEVE THAT EVIL IS NOT A MATTER OF INHERITANCE BUT OF INTENT; therefore, actions are not in themselves evil. Rather, it is through the intent behind actions that evil manifests.

10.  WE BELIEVE IN THE RELATIVE NATURE OF ALL THINGS, that nothing is absolute, and all things, even the Gods, have their dark sides.

11.  WE BELIEVE THAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL HAS THE RIGHT TO PURSUE KNOWLEDGE AND WISDOM THROUGH HIS/HER CHOSEN PATH.

12.  WE BELIEVE IN HONORING THE GODS THROUGH THE CYCLICAL CELEBRATIONS OF OUR CELTIC ANCESTORS.

13.  WE BELIEVE IN A LIVING RELIGION able to adapt to a changing environment; therefore, we recognize that our beliefs may undergo change as our tradition grows.

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ORGANIZATION

We call our religious organization "The Henge." The semi-autonomous local groups within the tradition are called "Groves." Each Grove is encouraged to compose and perform ritual and magic geared to its own particular focus, provided such work remains compatible with the beliefs, ethics, and ritual and structural framework of the Order. The Henge is governed by a Council of Elders for theological matters and a Board of Trustees for secular matters.

The Council of Elders, which may number up to nine individuals are elected by the members of the Ring of the Oak. The Council of Elders is responsible for all matters deemed to be of a spiritual or theological nature. The Council is responsible for enforcing the by-laws, beliefs, and ethics of the Henge, and will make appropriate judgments regarding individuals or Groves when necessary. The Council of Elders is empowered to remove any member from the membership rolls for cause as stated in the Henge by-laws.

The Board of Trustees consists of seven members. These are four elected secular officers: president, vice-president, secretary, and treasurer, plus three trustee seats.  All but the treasurer are elected from the Membership. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the operational decisions of the Henge. The rights, responsibilities and terms of office for the secular officers are explained in the Henge by-laws. The Board of Trustees is responsible for the distribution of resources and handling communications in a timely fashion.

The Membership consists of people in good standing who have paid their annual dues. The Membership elects the Board of Trustees and approves changes or additions to the by-laws.

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Practices

We keep in tune with the movement of the Earth and the heartbeat of our ancestors by celebrating the eight seasonal feasts of the Celtic year. We observe the four solar festivals - the two solstices and equinoxes. We observe as well the four cross quarters; those of Samhain, Imbolc, Beltaine, and Lughnasadh. These are the so-called “Earth festivals.” Although we typically call these feasts by Keltrian names, they relate to the following Neopagan festivals:

We also conduct two lunar festivals each month. The Mistletoe Rite commemorates the gathering of mistletoe. It is conducted on the sixth night of the moon. This ritual is devoted to the aspects of health and communion. Our other lunar observance, the Vervain Rite, is typically held near or about the third quarter. It commemorates the gathering of the vervain, which was harvested when neither sun nor moon were in the sky. The Vervain Rite employs spells and magic working, and is open only to initiates of the tradition.

In addition to the cyclical feasts, most groves observe two yearly commemorative feasts, which honor specific events. The first of these is the "Feast of Age," a reenactment of the feast given for the Gods by Manannán Mac Lir and Goibhniu. The pigs and ale consumed at this feast gave the Gods their immortality and invincibility. We partake in this feast to celebrate our spiritual immortality and the invincibility of our faith.

The second yearly feast we observe is the "Feast of Remembrance," dedicated to the Druids who were slain and the sacred Groves that were desecrated when Caesar's army took the island stronghold of Anglesey in 60 CE. This feast also extends to remembering all people who were slain or persecuted because of their religious beliefs.

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Clergy

The Henge of Keltria has ordained Clergy. Ordination is a process of demonstration of skills and validation of certain knowledge.  Ordinations are overseen by the Council of Elders.

The Henge of Keltria was established as a not-for-profit religious order in 1987. It received 501(c)(3) recognition from the IRS effective November 30, 1995.

The Henge of Keltria, 2350 Spring Road, PMB-140, Clarksburg, WV 26302