I'd like to know about Ovate

[Dreamwalker]

I would love to hear from those on the Ovate path .Because this is my chosen path .

[Astrid]

I think you'll have to be more specific bout what you want to know

[Frog]

Dreamwalker
is this a question about Ovates in general, or the Ovate course under OBOD?

I ask as the training within OBOD is a mystery tradition, so only those who have progressed through the Ovate training will know what is in Ovate training!

Blessings
Frog

[treegod]

It IS difficult. OBOD is a mystery school after all. However, I can tell you what I thought before joining OBOD...

Before I came to OBOD I thought of Ovates as being more "green" (funny that ) Where Bards were more connected socially and creatively, Ovates were more connected ecologically. I also knew that healing, herbs, and divination were a part of it too. Also Shadow work. I had an image of something more "shamanic" than the other Grades, and I think this image hasn't changed too much.

So I can talk to you in general terms about these sort of things, as long as they don't encroach on OBOD material

[treegod]

Dreamwalker, what's your idea of Ovates?

[drakonaria]

Is OBOD course really a "mystery tradition"? I'm on the beginning of my Bard course and what you are saying is a big surprise for me. What does "a mystery tradition" mean in this case? I always thought that telling "I know, but I can't tell you because it's a secret of my mystery tradition" it's rather Wicca thing .

[treegod]

I'll start by saying that just about all of the information in the course (and this is something I've seen others say, not just my experience) is in the public domain. There is no real mystery to the material, just the way it is structured

OBOD refers to itself as a mystery school and if you look at the writing in the pink box above the post here, you might find out a bit more.

[drakonaria]

Thank you for this information
EDIT: Ok, I read that and I still don't know what does "mystery tradition/school" mean in this case (There is only stated that it is a Mystery School..). Generally "mystery tradition/school" means usually that sth is available only for those who are initiated into something (and OBOD course is available for everyone interested in it, and we are only asked to make self initiaton (which of course can be very meaningful, but it's not typical for "mystery traditions/schools" as far as I know)) or there are some mysteries involved - like Eleusian Mysteries and so on. For me personally mysteries (I mean these ritual experiences - it's difficult to distinguish these words, because as I see there is one word in English for these two things - mystery - sth hidden, and mystery like Eleusian Mysteries - in Polish we have to different words for this) are not only in great rituals but also in very simple things, each day. Seeing sunset can become great mystery, drinking water, and many others ordinary things or experiencing ourselves in many ways. Maybe it has to do sth with this?
This is really interesting for me, because term "Mystery School" is very "trendy" these days and I wonder if in this case it really means something or is just a nice expression.

[Lily]

It is both. Yes, -most- of the material used is in the public domain but the way you are guided through the grades is specific to the Order and not for sharing with those who have not gone through it.

In addition, your path through the course is your personal mystery.

and it is more than a "Mystery School" announced with shiny logos on a flashy website.

I don't think anyone can tell the original poster what she wants to know because it is many things and in the end, not at all what I thought it was at the beginning... so learning from books etc. will not tell you what it is. But you do not have to go through the OBOD course to be an Ovate, surely you can find your own path or join another group.

[rorybowman]

"It is not a mystery because you won't tell, but a mystery because you *can't* tell." Experiential wisdom is inherently ineffable.