AODA members of all degrees are encouraged to work together informally on the Order's training program and to celebrate the year's holy days together. As members advance through the Order's degrees, they become qualified to organize and lead AODA Study Groups and Groves, which are chartered by the Grand Grove and take a more active role in the Order's work.
Study Groups
Any AODA member who has received the Second Degree, the degree of Druid Companion, may request a charter for an AODA Study Group from the Grand Grove without charge. Study Groups are authorized to perform the Candidate and First Degree initiation ceremonies and work an approved form of the Grove ritual.
Groves
Any AODA member who has received the Third Degree, the degree of Druid Adept, may request a charter for an AODA Grove from the Grand Grove without charge. Groves are authorized to perform the full range of AODA Grove ritual work and to confer the Candidate, First Degree, and Second Degree initiation ceremonies. Third Degree initiations may be conferred by the Grove with the previous approval of the Grand Grove.
At the discretion of the Grand Grove, a Study Group may be granted a dispensation as a Grove even though none of its members has yet received the Third Degree. A dispensation is valid for five years, and represents a commitment on the part of the Grove that one of its members will qualify for the Third Degree within that period.
Grove Structure and Symbolism
A Grove consists of four primary officers, or Druids, and three secondary officers. Traditionally all seven officers are needed to open a Grove in the First Degree; the four Druids are needed to open a Grove in the Second Degree; and the Chief Druid only is needed to open a Grove in the Third Degree.
The Druid of the East is the Ritualist of the Grove. The symbol of this office is the Book of Knowledge. The implement is the Sword; this Druid acts as Sword Bearer during ceremonies and also as Incense Bearer in opening and closing the Grove.
The Druid of the South is the Treasurer of the Grove. The symbol of this office is The Friendly Fire. The implement of this office is the Quarterstaff; this Druid acts as Staff Bearer in ceremonies and also as Fire Bearer in opening and closing the Grove.
The Druid of the West is the Secretary of the Grove. The symbol of this office is the Book of Records and the implement is the Cauldron; this Druid acts as Water Bearer in ceremonies and in opening and closing the Grove.
The Chief Druid (or Druid of the North) governs the Grove. The symbol of this office is the Spiritual Fire and the implements are the Staff of Life and the Stone of the Wise. The Chief Druid also acts as Earth Bearer in opening and closing the Grove.
The Herald assists the Druid of the East and makes announcements during Grove meetings.
The Almoner assists the Druid of the South and invokes the quarters during Grove meetings.
The Pendragon assists the Druid of the West and arranges the altar during Grove meetings.
Candidates sit in the northeast of the Grove, Druid Apprentices in the southeast, Druid Companions in the southwest, and Druid Adepts in the northwest. The four gates of the Grove define the four directions, and have a particular symbolism in an AODA grove, as does the Altar of Spirit in the center.
