Why have you chosen to take the first steps on the Dedicant Path?
After recently discovering ADF, I found I appreciated the scholarship and like the idea of structured coursework. The coursework is particularly useful because when I’m studying at Uni, the structure of the DP will help me keep with it, particularly the wheel of the year layout where I can do a small amount each week.
Is this a step on your path, or will this become the Path itself? Honestly I don’t know, at the very least it will be a very important part of my path. It’s where I’m headed now and I’d like to continue with my ADF studies after completion of the Dedicant Path.
What do you expect to learn?
I expect that I’ll learn how to participate, write and possibly lead formal ritual, which is something I’ve never done. My spirituality has been very informal until now. I feel that I’ll learn more about how different cultures can relate to each other in a shared framework, and how they can relate to me. I pretty much hope to learn as much as I can.
What would you like to get out of this journey?
I’d like to get a deeper, more thought out and meaningful spiritual practice. A creation of a regular personal devotional practice and to become an active part of my local and global pagan community.
Do you know where this path with take you?
Not really, I hope that I’ll be able to explore my existing skill set within a spiritual setting. That’s one of the reasons I’m interested in the guilds of ADF, particularly that of the artisans and naturalists.
If you have just joined ADF, why have you chosen to work on this immediately?
I decided to start the Dedicant path immediately because I didn’t see the point in waiting. My current life situation means that I needed to be sure that following this path was something that I wanted to do before I could justify the expenditure. I also like learning and this seemed like a good way to do that.
Does it look hard or easy?
I’d be inclined to say both, some aspects seem easier than others and some seem harder. I think it’s easily achievable to anyone who is committed to completing it.
Which requirements appear to be difficult to you now, and which appear to be easy?
The parts that look hard to me are those related to the highdays since it’s something completely alien to me, I’ve never done a formal ritual since my catholic school days. I feel that book reports should be fairly easy and straightforward given that I already do a lot of that at Uni.
Do you have doubts, questions, or concerns that you need to ask about?
I always have doubts, finding faith is something I’ve always worried about, my doubts in relation to the Dedicant Path however are that I’ll give up on it. I don’t think I’ve really learned enough yet to have much in the way of questions, my method is to read whatever I can, and then use that knowledge base to formulate my questions. My concerns are that on a global level I always have to flip high days and such by 6 months and there doesn’t seem to be as much of a focus on the southern hemisphere by ADF than the northern hemisphere. Granted I’ve not had much time to look into it in depth.
You don’t really learn about leading group ritual unless you choose to. The largest ritual I have led consisted of my fiance and me. More of that is covered in the Clergy program. Writing liturgy also isn’t really covered until after the DP, but there are resources available to help you now. The DP is the most basic you can get with ADF, really. Also only four High Day rituals are required to be done using our structure for ritual, the Core Order of Ritual (COoR). The other four can be done however you like.
Also, I’m not sure what you mean by “I needed to be sure that following this path was something that I wanted to do before I could justify the expenditure.” Could you explain? Membership in ADF is only 25 USD per year, and the Dedicant’s Path materials come free with your membership.
Believe me, I’ve given up on a lot of things in my time. I have a lot of trouble seeing things through to the end. College took me a long time because of that. However, I fully intend to complete the DP, which is about the only thing I’m sure about.
Many blessings,
Victoria
P.S. One of your tags says “Decicant Patch,” was that perhaps supposed to be “Dedicant Path?”
Firstly let me say that I appreciate your interest in my blog and my current path as well as your willingness to offer your opinion, however there are a few things I wish to clarify.
When I refer to my ADF path I’m working on a long time frame, well beyond the dedicant path.
I would also like to point out that when you live on a household income below the poverty line, $25 is a fair amount of money and not something to be spent on a whim. I wanted to be sure that I wanted to pursue it for the long term, so I waited and did the research before making a decision.
I apologize if I sounded insensitive. We do, however, have compassionate memberships available that are given for free to those with financial hardship. Please visit this link for more information: http://www.adf.org/joining/compassionate-memberships.html.
Also, the book you have is only one way of working through the DP, not an official course. Some students never use WOTY in their studies, yet complete the DP. It builds off the information available in the Dedicant’s Guide.
If you have questions about ADF, please email me at victoria.m.laughlin@gmail.com.
Many blessings,
Victoria
“Thank you for your input. I know about ADF’s financial
programmes and I’m aware that the book I’m using is a supplementary document. I am doing the path my
way, as you are doing it yours.
This is great. I admire how you’re obviously committed, already having thoughts about things like joining the ADF guilds. Look forward to reading your ‘homework’ here. (I should share mine more!)