I recently found a helpful book by Rev. Michael J. Dangler called The ADF Dedicant Path: Through the Wheel of the Year. It breaks the Dedicant path down into a 52 weekly lesson plan with the idea being that if one completes it, one will have all the documentation required. This fits in nicely with how I had planned to complete this, and will certainly be most helpful via the structure it will provide.
The first week’s lesson would have me answer the series of questions that follow.
Why have you chosen to take the first steps on the Dedicant Path?
Growing up Methodist, there were a number of years where I seriously considered the Seminary, but as I grew older I couldn’t continue to reconcile my personal beliefs with those I would be required to teach/preach. I never lost that desire to go down a path of service and devotion, though. Having finally found an organization with which I can reconcile my beliefs, I am excited to advance down this path and further myself in many ways.
Is this a step on your path, or will this become the Path itself?
I honesty do not know. It may come to be that I find contentment as a dedicated solitary druid and seek nothing further. It’s also possible that upon completion, I will feel compelled to advance myself even more. I know there are more advanced programs within ADF but am waiting until I finish the Dedicant Path to decide if they're for me. Right now, my hope is to complete at least the first circle of the CTP and get ordained, but we'll see how life goes.
What do you expect to learn?
More than anything, I expect to learn spiritual self-reliance. I expect to learn how to find answers to questions I don’t even know I have yet, and not just through divination. I expect to learn about the histories of my cultures, the impact I have and can have on the world as a place and a people, and how to have a meaningful relationship with the three kindreds through my work in the Dedicant Path.
What would you like to get out of this journey?
I want a meaningful sense of religion where I have active participation. I want to be a net positive on the world and connect to it in a way that feels more real. I want to know that the magic is real.
Do you know where this path will take you?
How could I? I think and hope it will take me towards enlightenment and being a positive force. I imagine it will certainly take me towards more knowledge of various topics. And I really hope it will lead me towards being of more utility to others.
If you have just joined ADF, why have you chosen to work on this immediately?
As I mentioned above, I have long considered a one type or other of dedication. I’m 30 years old, have a stable career, mortgage, and family. I just felt good about this path as soon as I read about it. Time has passed and my feeling hasn’t changed and I tend to listen to those feelings.
If you have been in ADF for a long time, why are you starting only now?
I’ve only been a member for a few months and heavily considered this from early on, so I don’t think this question is for me.
Does it look hard or easy?
It doesn’t look hard or easy. It looks doable with effort and consistent work ethic. It looks hard to complete due to requirements like not missing a single high day for a year or keeping a 5 month journal on mental discipline, but those do not look particularly difficult in and of themselves. It will just take dedication.
Which requirements appear to be difficult to you now, and which appear to be easy?
Mental discipline, and meditation in particular, will far and away be the most difficult for me. I can manage my ADHD for a long enough time, I think, but my aphantasia makes visualization particularly troublesome. With effort, I can sometimes get what I’d estimate is 60-70% of an image but I wonder if such focus takes away from the relaxing nature of emptying one’s thoughts. I can imagine all other senses just fine, so maybe I should try a blind visualization. Anyway, the book review will probably be the easiest for me just by its very nature. I liked those in school so I’m just kind of looking forward to that portion.
Do you have doubts, questions, or concerns that you need to ask about?
Who doesn’t have doubts? That nagging sensation that you’re just a fool, that none of this is real, but it’s the same nag that says you look stupid in Hawaiian shirts and you talk too much and should shut up. I tune that voice out mostly. As for questions or concerns, I don’t really have any at this point, but it’s early on.
After reading the article “Uncertainty and the Dedicant’s Journey”, I feel comforted to know that feeling unsure about things like which hearth culture to follow is totally normal. I am optimistic that I will feel called to a patron God or Goddess over time and am now looking into my Celtic and Norse heritage. I am equally looking at the Hellenic culture as well. Greek Mythology called to me from a young age and even though I have no Greek heritage, it feels somehow familiar for lack of a better word. In any event, it will soon be time for my First Oath, and I am looking forward to it. Until I feel more comfortable with the specific cultures, I’m going to keep the Gods and Goddesses referenced generic for rituals.
End of entry.
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