The School of Celebrancy is run by the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids – a worldwide group of over twenty-five thousand members in fifty countries, who love nature and want to follow a magical, spiritual way that respects and protects the natural world in all its beauty. Members work with spiritual teachings that combine the inspiration of the ancient druids and the old stories with contemporary scholarship and insights into the relationship between human beings and the world of plants and animals, stars and stones.
Reflecting these values, 10% of all our fee income goes to support the work of Children’s Forest a movement that inspires and enables children to plant and tend forests dedicated to a healthy future for the young of all species.
You don’t need to be a member, or subscribe to any specific beliefs to join our courses. If you see celebrancy as more than simply a positive way of earning a living, and are open to the inspiration of nature, then these courses are for you.
We are a recommended as a training provider by the Association of Independent Celebrants and an accredited provider of continuing professional development.
Who we are
River Jones
Course Director
River Jones is a celebrant with over twenty years’ experience of delivering bespoke ceremonies for people from all walks of life. With a background in adult education and community outreach she worked for over fourteen years at the University of Sussex, where she taught and convened courses ranging from Creative Writing through to Shamanic Consciousness. She has been course director at School of Celebrancy since 2015, and is a sought after workshop leader, speaker and writer, contributing to events and publications for the Celebrants Collective, the Association of Independent Celebrants and The Celebrant magazine.
Philip Carr-Gomm
Philip is a writer and psychologist with a special interest in combining psychological understanding with spiritual perspectives to help people lead richer, more fulfilled lives. He has trained in psychotherapy and Psychosynthesis, and as a teacher of Sophrology, Yoga Nidra, and Mindfulness Meditation. In addition to writing books on spirituality, for 32 years he was leader of the Order of Bards Ovates & Druids.
See his website for his blog and information about books and events.
Caitlin Matthews
Caitlín Matthews is an award winning author of 80 books, including Diary of a Soul Doctor, Sophia Goddess of Wisdom, the Art of Celtic Seership and Lost Book of the Grail. She is known internationally for her work on the mythic and ancestral traditions of Britain and Ireland, and teaches and works with communities and spiritual institutions worldwide. Caitlín is a co-founder of the Foundation for Inspirational and Oracular Studies (FÍOS), which is dedicated to the sacred arts that shape the landscape of the soul, via vision, dream and memory; and a member of the Guild of Mythographers. Caitlín has a shamanic healing practice in Oxford, working in the community to deepen connections to the ancestral traditions which are our heritage. For books & courses see: www.hallowquest.org.uk
Peter Owen-Jones
Peter Owen-Jones is an Anglican parish priest, author and television presenter. He has explored many faith traditions and is an outspoken advocate for our relationship with the natural world.
JJ Middleway
JJ Middleway is a celebrant with a quarter of a century developing skills in this arena.
His experience ranges from ceremonies featuring on the front page of ‘Hello’ magazine to handfastings performed for sellers of ‘Big Issue’: hence his strapline “From Palace to Ditch – All Faiths and None” .
Over the years he has developed a unique blend of ceremonial and ritual tools, via which he delivers bespoke offerings for Naming , Handfastings and Parting ceremonies, along with other ‘life event’ and ‘initiatory’ practices. His website can be found at www.enchantingthevoid.co.uk
