Ross Nichols
Encyclopedia
Ross Nichols was a Cambridge academic and published poet, artist and historian, who founded the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids
in 1964. He wrote prolifically on the subjects of Druidism and Celtic mythology
.
, London, in 1717.
, and while Gardner worked to introduce Wicca
to the modern world, Nichols worked to change the practice of modern Druidry. He introduced a concern for Celtic mythology and Bardcraft, and the celebration of the full eight seasonal ceremonies in addition to arranging the teachings into three grades, in accordance with classical accounts of the three divisions of the Druids.
Nichols also translated Jean Baptiste's (aka Paul Christian) book "The History and Practice of Magic" in 1969.
In 1988 one of his students, Philip Carr-Gomm
, was asked to lead the Order.
Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids
The Order of Bards, Ovates & Druids or OBOD is a Neo-Druidic organisation based in England, but based in part on the Welsh Gorsedd of Bards...
in 1964. He wrote prolifically on the subjects of Druidism and Celtic mythology
Celtic mythology
Celtic mythology is the mythology of Celtic polytheism, apparently the religion of the Iron Age Celts. Like other Iron Age Europeans, the early Celts maintained a polytheistic mythology and religious structure...
.
Work
He revived the interest in Celtic spirituality and Druidry in the 20th century. Nichols was a Member and Chairman of the Ancient Druid Order which traces its lineage to a meeting at the Apple Tree Tavern in Covent GardenCovent Garden
Covent Garden is a district in London on the eastern fringes of the West End, between St. Martin's Lane and Drury Lane. It is associated with the former fruit and vegetable market in the central square, now a popular shopping and tourist site, and the Royal Opera House, which is also known as...
, London, in 1717.
Life
Nichols was a friend of Gerald GardnerGerald Gardner
Gerald Brousseau Gardner , who sometimes used the craft name Scire, was an influential English Wiccan, as well as an amateur anthropologist and archaeologist, writer, weaponry expert and occultist. He was instrumental in bringing the Neopagan religion of Wicca to public attention in Britain and...
, and while Gardner worked to introduce Wicca
Wicca
Wicca , is a modern Pagan religious movement. Developing in England in the first half of the 20th century, Wicca was popularised in the 1950s and early 1960s by a Wiccan High Priest named Gerald Gardner, who at the time called it the "witch cult" and "witchcraft," and its adherents "the Wica."...
to the modern world, Nichols worked to change the practice of modern Druidry. He introduced a concern for Celtic mythology and Bardcraft, and the celebration of the full eight seasonal ceremonies in addition to arranging the teachings into three grades, in accordance with classical accounts of the three divisions of the Druids.
Nichols also translated Jean Baptiste's (aka Paul Christian) book "The History and Practice of Magic" in 1969.
In 1988 one of his students, Philip Carr-Gomm
Philip Carr-Gomm
Philip Carr-Gomm is an author in the fields of psychology and Druidry, a psychologist, and one of the leaders of The Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids.-Biography:...
, was asked to lead the Order.
External links
- http://www.druidry.org/index.php?module=PostWrap&page=http://rossnichols.druidry.org An extensive section on the site of the Order he founded, which includes his biography, details of his books, and selections of his artwork and poetry
- http://philipcarrgomm.druidry.org/InTheGroveoftheDruids.html Details of his biography and collection of essays