I have been pulled to this Path for some time now. I have experience in a wide variety of paradigms , with my main focus being Native American beliefs. I have mostly been solitary for a quarter of a century (WOW). A friend introduced Druidry and ADF into my life several years ago. I immediately felt a comfort and peace with the Path, as Nature itself is such a defining factor for stability and strength in all aspects of my life. Although I felt this Path has somehow been a part of me for longer than I “knew”, I lack the knowledge needed to understand it properly. I was thrilled to discover the Dedicant Program of ADF for it gives me the opportunity to improve on all those areas that have always been “natural” to me, but also gives me structure in gaining the knowledge I need to define the Path. 

Is this a step in your Path, or will this become the Path itself?

I think for me a Spiritual Path needs continued growth in order to not become stagnant. My journeys and experience as a solitary spiritual person have helped me define and refine who I am. My Native American beliefs are such an important part of my heritage and will always remain a special part of who I am in the eyes of my ancestors. I feel at this time, with Druidry being so new to me, I have to say it is currently a step along my Path. However, I do feel it is a step that will become part of the foundation of my soul. 

What do you expect to learn?

Besides structure, I expect to learn the foundation of Druidry to get me started in a new and HUGE undertaking that will afford me the chance to learn and grow in wisdom of the Druid Way and enhance the “spiritual” in me. 

What would you like to get out of this journey?

I just want to BE the “journey”. I have not really thought beyond that at this time. My soul is being pulled onto this Path and I simply want to relax in the journey itself and become a little wiser, a little more knowledgeable and a lot more connected to organization in my spiritual life. 

Do you know where this Path will take you?

No, my current goal is to experience and enjoy the journey itself. 

If you have just joined ADF, why have you chosen to work on this immediately?

I feel if an organization offers a program to assist you in learning more about the organization, more about the belief system and do so in a structured study program, I would be a fool not to take advantage of it. Why waste time when the Dedicant Program can assist me in learning more about ADF and Druidry?

Does it look hard or easy?

I don’t think it looks either to be honest. I think there are parts of it that can present a challenge and this is something I appreciate for the greatest opportunities for growth is often through challenges. 

Which requirements appear to be difficult to you now, and which appear to be easy?

I see a challenge in being able to read the required books as my lifestyle demands almost all of my time. So finding the time for required reading will be difficult - but not impossible. Writing essays should prove to be fairly easy - as I enjoy writing. 

Do you have doubts, questions, or concerns you need to ask about?

I have no doubts at this time and no current questions. I do have a concern as I had planned to work through this program consistently on my own (maybe that solitary life creeping in) then months after beginning the program, I have discovered I need to undertake it in a more structured way. It was a decision I made with much thought and contemplation. I made the decision to backtrack a little and have now decided, after consulting my mentor, to use this working guide to complete the program. I am blessed with tremendous support in my live journal friends list and the wonderful people I have been communicating with at ADF. I have a dear friend in Canada who I look to often for spiritual guidance. He has been very supportive and helpful. So with these strengths in support structures, my concerns are not so very severe.

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3-19-07

Finally an update….

It is a rather long story but I have slacked on my DP a lot this year. I had some health issues that needed immediate attention, many other things that had to be taken care of right away and when I finally got time to work on my DP again I just could not get myself motivated. I needed better organization, structure, a deeper understanding of the program and material….and I was not getting that by trying to complete the program on my own. I thought about it in depth and several times came close to just giving up the program and not trying to finish. I could not pick up and work through it just out of the blue again. 

At one time I began looking at MIchael Dangler’s Guide and thought that may be what I needed to help me complete the program. The thing that hindered me from beginning that was admitting that I needed to side step and pick up a Guide for assistance in completion of the DP. It really bothered me because I had set a deadline of April for completion of my program and needless to say….April is a few weeks a way and I am no where near ready to complete the DP. Admitting to myself that it was not going to happen as planned was difficult and then feeling like a failure made me want to just forget the entire thing. 

Today I broke down and contacted my mentor. I don’t know which power worked it out this way, but I ended up with the perfect mentor for me. Not only did she answer my email within minutes, her sense of humor, honesty, kind words and wisdom assisted me at a time I desperately needed it. I was thrilled as it was exactly what I needed to hear. I am doing this DP for my own growth….not as a marathon to complete it in a year and go on to something else. I am doing it to enhance my walk along the Path of Druidry….not to prove something to anyone. Although I appreciate everyone of you who read my journal, comment, give advice and help me in many ways….I am not doing this DP for you either. I am doing it for me and if changing course at this time is something “I” need to get more out of the DP, to work my way through it, to develop the wisdom to not just walk this Path but make it a part of my life completely….then I am ready to admit any weakness, step back, re-group and do what my soul tells me I need to do for growth at this time. 

And what might that be? 

Well for anyone new to ADF and the Dedicant Program I shall give some advice….advice that took me awhile to discover and begin….

Check out Michael Dangler’s Guide for the DP. If you need structure and want to get as much out of the DP as you can, I think his work is brilliant and his Guide so very beneficial to anyone new to this Path. And that is exactly what my plan is now. 

I have already begun working through his Guide. Some weeks, the required work will already be complete as I do have a lot of my essays already written. So some weeks will go by pretty fast. I am not setting a goal for completion because….

I live a pretty self sufficient life. I have to plant a huge garden every year, work in that garden months on end, harvest the food and then process it for winter storage. I raise my own meat and therefore have 30 chicks to take care of for meat and eggs and will be getting about 20-30 more in the next week. I have to build coops, feed, water, clean cages and all that. I get fresh milk from the Amish and make my own butter when I can. I do not use a dryer and hang all of my clothes on a line, some of my clothes I wash by hand. I have herb gardens and flower gardens and 28 acres of land to take care of. I work full time plus 16 hours overtime every week. I am trying to tend to my health and walk 3 miles a day. I have 3 grandkids and things can get pretty darn busy at times. So there may be weeks that the tomatoes have to be canned or chickens need to be put in the freezer and I will get nothing done on my DP. BUT….I continue my daily devotions, I study and read every chance I get, I will continue to help my protogrove grow and become beneficial to ADF and this community and I will continue to walk this Path daily as I have gotten more out of it spiritually than any I have studied in my life thus far. 

So…..sometime this week I will begin posting my DP using Dangler’s Guide for assistance…because “I” need to do that for ME.

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I am feeling very over-whelmed and unorganized. I am not exactly sure what is going on, but I seem to not be able to get organized enough to decide what essay to write next or what book I need to start reading. 

I was searching for some kind of divine intervention yesterday, as I actually began to fear I would become stagnant and not even complete the DP. 

I have decided to take a step back. 

When looking at this situation yesterday I was on the ADF site and could not even get my thoughts together on there. I decided to just close it up and spend some time at my altar today contemplating where I need to go with this whole thing. As I was closing things on my computer I accidentally opened a new window. It was the PDF for Danglers DP WOTY. Divine intervention or accident…who knows. 

I have a decision to make today. In my heart I feel his guide is what I need to finish this program, even if it means I will not finish it on the deadline I set for myself. On one hand I will not actually be too far behind, as I have a lot of the essays already written, I just need to review them in the order he has his program set up. Or I can just try to get myself better organized and make myself do it on my own. 

Regardless, I will make the decision today. I cannot stand the feeling of being stagant in life or any aspect of it. 

My first meeting as a Protogrove will be in 2 weeks. No matter what my decision is today, I will not give up and will do my very best to grow personally and as a Protogrove and do ADF and Druidry proud.

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On October 26, 2006, a Grove Organizer’s Survey was received from
Cyndi Jenkins of the proposed Forest of Tsalagi Protogrove,
ADF in Athens, TN.

*bows to everyone!

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QUESTION…

For those in ADF…

Where do I find information about limitations on discussing the ADF or DP with non ADF members? I have searched the site, members handbook and even DP handbook as well as the GO Handbook and cannot find any regulations on this.

I would like to make sure I am clear on what can and cannot be discussed. I have OBOD friends and also a forum in which I am trying to help build the Indo-European section into a good resource of information for those seeking to follow this Path. At time I would like to compare the ADF teachings and programs to other groups such as OBOD with their members. Not for a “we are better than you” type situation, but for a mature discussion of the differences and similarities of the groups and terminologies used in each. I sometimes fear I have been too open and other times think I am holding back. I do not think I have discussed anything so far that is not openly available to anyone with a computer and the ADF link. But I want to be positive and keep myself in check so….

Anyone know where I can fine the “you cannot discuss this outside of ADF” section or is there one?

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I spent the weekend reviewing the GO Handbook again. I just want to make sure I am clear on everything and get it in my mind’s calendar about the quarterly reviews and such. The more I read and review it the more I will remember it. I have not really had any questions up to this point, but I did jot down a few this weekend.

I have been solitary up to this point, so this in itself has been a big step for me. I have basically walked my Spiritual Path alone for over 25 years now. So with this in mind I have a rather silly question that I will be seeking advice on.

As a solitaire if I planned a ritual or ceremony on “x” day and I get up on “x” morning and it is pouring rain, snowing, storming, etc. I generally continued with things as planned because I know my ability to withstand the elements and the fact that they do not effect me in a negative way. If anything they strengthen me. One of the most powerful and beautiful rituals I have ever done was at Mary’s Branch for Yule when I was alone and the temperature was -4 F degrees, everything was frozen and it was more magickal than I could have ever hoped for. HOWEVER….

I plan to utilize the “religion” section of our local paper to announce rituals, study sessions, events, etc. It is free and I figure why not take advantage of that. I also plan to have almost all rituals at my home where I plan to build a Nemeton in a perfect place behind my home under the Oaks. With this permanent area available, I think it will be easier for everyone to know exactly where we will be having these rituals each time, be familiar with the area and most importantly, watch the area grow in sacredness with each passing day. My question is this:

Say you announce publicly you are holding say a Samhain Ritual on day “x” at time “x” at location “x”. A few hours prior to the ritual one of our unexpected mountain storms pops up (this could mean an unexpected snow, severe wind, hail, torrential rain, etc. You just never know here in the mountains what the weather will be.) What exactly would you do? You have advertised so you cannot just re-schedule or cancel. I suppose I could invest in a large tent to cover the area but that could be expensive. BUT….regardless of cost, it could benefit in the long run. It is impossible to “move it inside” at my place, I live in a small mobile home. I see sometimes on TV when it comes an unexpected snow and churches in the area have it listed on the Snowbird Report on the news that services were cancelled and such. But not everyone watches the news. This may seem as a trivial question but I just want to make sure I cover all possibilities and was curious what others do in situations like this. Suppose you are in the middle of a National Forest and a storm hits right before ritual? Personally I would be anxious to get out there in it and do my thing. But I have to think of others and remember that I am not the only one involved in it, other people may not be so thrilled to open the Gates in the pouring rain as I would be. 

So any insight? What do some of you guys do, or your Groves do, in situations like this?

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When thinking about my home shrine several things came to mind. The first being, I share a very small mobile home with my fiance’ and due to my passion for books, I have virtually no space available for quiet meditation and daily devotionals. Secondly, I have never in my life felt a comfort inside a building. Fortunately I have been blessed. I live on 28 acres of land in the country. It was a given that my home altar/shrine would be outside.

Choosing the area was not as easy as I had initially thought. It came to me as I was mowing. It was the perfect spot. 

Next came the task of finding an altar I liked and was comfortable with. With the help of my fiance’, and a great sale at Lowe’s, concrete planters enhanced the area and soon became the perfect altar.

The altar faces East with a view of the Appalachian Mountains beyond my field, pond and woods. 

The Altar is home to a tree incense burner that I use to represent the Tree, a cauldron, 3 candles, my smudge stick, a sensor for a holder, an offering bowl, stones from sacred places along streams here in the mountains and several special stones (red jasper, crystal and amethyst cluster, blue kyanite, amber and a small waterfall jade turtle given to me by my elder.) Owls are very dear to me, so I have a statue of an Owl beside the Altar. The area is home to a birdfeeder, wind chimes, dream catchers and unbelievable peace.

At this point I have opened it up to all Deity, Spirits and those things of Nature that desire to drop in. I do my daily devotionals there and have found one that was the most meaningful was when it was pouring rain. It was beautiful. If particular Gods/Goddesses decide to drop in and leave a strong presence, I will know and will then add things to pay respect to them. Until then, I am enjoying the area for what it was intended, a place for meditation, daily devotions, ritual and a safe place for the Spirits of Nature to come to when needed. I am sure it will change in time as all things do, but for now I am pleased with it in every aspect. My first High Day spent at my altar was Samhain. Perfect…..is the only word I can think of to describe it. 

Overall I am very pleased. I would like at times to say my shrine is dedicated to this or that God or Goddess, but at this time on this Path, nothing is just jumping out at me yet. So…all are welcome and when the time comes for dedication to one or two, I will know. Right now they are basically telling me, leave things as they are, a lot of growth will take place here. 

My future plans for this shrine are fairly simple for the time being. I am on the lookout for a nice concrete fountain to add to the area. Later, as certain Deity present themselves to me, and my heart is pulled towards one or the other, I plan to add statues in their honor. Not just a statue of the particular Deity, but things represented by them as well. I eventually would like to plant an Oak in the area, perhaps behind the altar. Three lanterns for candles will soon replace the candles on the altar and I also plan to obtain a decent stash of water from a sacred place to me in the Wilderness. I will keep this on hand to use during rituals and devotions as the more things I add from the areas in Nature that are dear to me, the more I connect with the space. By doing this I imagine the energy to flow more smoothly. As I have recently adopted a dog from the shelter, I will soon be placing a fence up in two areas. This will not be anything too obtrusive. I have a wooden deck fence that has been waiting for a good use. I will put it up where needed with a nice little gate. This will still leave the area open as I desire it to be, but prevent the dog from damaging anything on or near the altar.

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Well several people are emailing me asking about the status of my GO Survey and all I can say is I have not heard anything yet. I filled it out over 2 months ago. I am really trying to not be concerned about it, but I have seen where one was approved that turned in their survey over a month later than I did. Oh well, I have encouraged my members to be patient as I am sure we will hear something soon.

I had a very wonderful, peaceful Yule ritual at my altar and each time I do I am so thankful for taking the time to let the right place speak to me instead of rushing to put up something. It is such a special area and perfectly secluded and peaceful. I have half written my essays on the High Days I have celebrated since getting my membership back in April. I hope to start posting them in my journal very soon. I just need to finalize them with a last edit. It seems I am never fully pleased with them and sometimes scrap them altogether and start over.

Now that the holidays are over and all family obligations have been met, I plan to concentrate on the large circle for ceremonies with the group. I plan to take pictures of the entire process so everyone can see our progress as a group and share with us. I have so many plans for the area. As I plan to advertise ceremonies in the local paper, I want to make sure the area is nice, inviting and offers a fulfilling experience for anyone who desires to join us there. I will start taking pictures very soon.

I hope everyone had a beautiful, peaceful Yule and I hope this New Year is filled with much love, strengthened friendships, peace and the opportunity for everyone to make memories to share for a long time to come.

On a side note, a little idea for those of you with children and grandchildren. I made a DVD slide show for my daughters for Yule. I included all the pictures I took since Thanksgiving 2005. I put music to it that matched the different slide shows on the DVD and we all gathered around the TV at Yule after dinner to watch it for the first time as a family. IT WAS GREAT! Everyone loved it, lots of laughs, the kids thought it was fantastic, even Perrin went to the TV to give Lakota a kiss in a picture of her holding him last Yule. So….scan those old family photos and burn a few DVD’s for family. It is something they can have forever and also something the entire family can enjoy at family gatherings. It was probably one of the most enjoyable moments we have spent together as a family.

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