This movement started as a type of undergraduate prank at a midwestern U.S. college (Carleton College at Northfield, MN) in 1963. The administration had required that all students to attend church. Some students invented the RDNA as a reaction to this rule. The leaders were amazed when many of the students wanted to continue the RDNA, even after the protest against the administration had been won. From Carleton, RDNA groves have sprung up across the country (Bay Area, Seattle, Tampa Fl, New Hampshire, Japan) producing a rich, intellectually challenging tradition of essays on the subjects of religion and philosophy. One of the most famous is, of course, Isaac Bonewits, who left to form ADF, over issues of organization. From the RDNA movement, a number of Neopagan Druidic movements have split off, including the New RDNA, ADF & Keltria. Of the American groups, RDNA is the most quiet and non-prolific, not because of secrecy (everything is available about them) but they are rather lazy and disorganized!
Reformed Druidism is still largely centered in the Bay Area and, of course, at Carleton College in Northfield MN where the Gould Library houses a large collection of material related to the movement. 80% of this material was republished by Drynemtum Press in our "A Reformed Druid Anthology" and on our web site. It is available for free Download at: A Reformed Druid Anthology Web Site
This can be loosely translated as "our own Druidism". Their name is pronounced "arn ree-ocht fane". It was founded by Isaac Bonewits who is currently the Archdruid Emeritus. The ADF emphasizes scholarly research, and " a blend of ancient practices and modern realities". His motto is "paganize mainstream religion by mainstreaming paganism". Their goal is to recreate a Pan-European Druidism, involving elements from Baltic, Celtic, Germanic, Slavic and even pre-classical Greek and Roman beliefs. The ADF publishes a quarterly ADF journal, a bimonthly News from the Mother Grove, and a semi-yearly Druid's Progress.
Ar nDraiocht Fein: A Druid Fellowship, Inc. (ADF)
PO Box 15259, Ann Arbor , MI, USA 48106-5259
ADF-Office @ADF.org (734) 485-2722
Five ADF members compiled a list of 13 concerns about the ADF at the Pagan Spirit Gathering in 1986, Emulating the actions of Martin Luther, they attached the list to the door of Isaac Bonewits' van in 1986 . Fortunately for Isaac, they used tape in place of the nails that Martin Luther used. Keltria has focused on ancient Celtic religion and holds only non-public rituals. They published a journal: Keltria: A Journal of Druidism and Celtic Magick" from 1986 to 1998. Keltria is a positive neo-pagan Druidic path focusing on the Celtic pantheons and the triads of Ancestors, Nature Spirits, and Gods. They offer several resources including a book of ritual and a correspondence course for members.
Today there are a great many organisations and churches that practice Druidism, to whatever extent each of them feels it is possible. Based on the sources of Druidism, each of them attempts to "reconstruct" old celtic religion, by writing rituals, organising festivals and conventions, and distributing study courses. Some will call what they do Celtic Reconstructionism in order to emphasise that what they do is not precisely the same as what was done in ancient times. Each bears their own unique style as well, based on how much Romantic influence they admit, or on which of the Celtic Nations they identify with. Some will be more votive, others will be more ecstatic, in their approach to ritual.
Two very good places to start a study of Neopagan Druidism, dismiss myths and bad rumors is at
In the United Kingdom, there is the Order of Bards, Oviates, and Druids. OBOD was founded in 1717, and has a correspondence course available worldwide. It encourages a spiritual understanding rooted in nature and the land, and protection of the Earth, and attempts to be a supplement to, not a replacement of, any religion each member already professes.
For those interested in Druidry with a Germanic perspective.
Once an internet discussion group, Imbas is now a non-profit organisation devoted to the reconstruction of iron-age Celtic religion, based upon the home, family and tribe. Imbas emphasizes a solid grounding in academics, mythological texts and the folk tradition.