Dedicant

Path
Requirements
&
Submission
 Also By
ADF Publishing

“A World Full of Gods” by John Michael Greer

“Ogham, The Druid’s Alphabet” by Archdruid Robert (Skip) Ellison
“Sacred Fire, Holy Well” by Ian Corrigan
“Deep Ancestors” by Ceisiwr Serith
"Ancient Fire: An Introduction to Gaulish Celtic Polytheism" by
Segomâros Widugeni
"Sacred Gifts: Reciprocity and the Gods" by Archdruid Kirk Thomas

ADF Publishing
1147 Brook Forest Ave #355
Shorewood, IL 60404

Assembled work copyright © 2009 Ár nDraíocht Féin

Respective articles copyrighted by their authors, used
with permission
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or
by any means without prior written consent of the publisher, excepting
brief quotes used for review purposes.

First Printing December 2020

Printed in the United States of America

v1.0.12122020.1
 Our Own Druidry
Package #1
Table of Contents

Required Documentation 4
Writing A Book Review 5
The Journal 5
Recommended Reading Lists 6
The Dedicant's Reading List 6
Additional Reading 9
Dedicant Path FAQ 10
Submitting the Requirements 11
 DEDICANT PATH DOCUMENTATION
This guide offers you the details of the Dedicant's Path–the ongoing skills of Druidic Paganism that will serve
you throughout your spiritual life. The Ar nDraiocht Fein Dedicant's Program is the documentation of the work of
the Path, a task of writing and notating that allows our distant leadership to be certain that a student is doing the
work. The Dedicant's Path provides important primary training for those who wish to begin the real work of
Druidic spirituality. The Dedicant Program provides the entry-level essays and documentation that admits students
to our further training programs.
Many students may find the Dedicant Path to be all they need to keep our Druidic spiritual way in their own
lives. If they continue in their program of study, virtue and piety, they can find a variety of directions for further
growth. These students may not care to document their efforts, or have the formal recognition of ADF's Druidic
Order for their work.
Those who wish to continue their work in our training programs, working towards Initiate status, and perhaps
eventual clergy ordination, or those who wish their work in the Path to be formally recognized by our Order will
need to complete and submit the formal written documentation of the program.

REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
The following are the guidelines for minimum standards for completion of the Dedicant Program
documentation for the purposes of gaining entry to the ADF Study Programs:
1 : Written discussions of the Dedicant's understanding of each of the following nine virtues: wisdom, piety,
vision, courage, integrity, perseverance, hospitality, moderation and fertility. The Dedicant may also include other
virtues, if desired, and compare them to these nine. (125 words minimum each)
2 : Short essays on each of the eight ADF High Days including a discussion of the meaning of each feast. (125
words minimum each)
3 : Short book reviews on at least: 1 Indo-European studies title, 1 preferred ethnic study title and 1 modern
Paganism title. These titles can be selected from the recommended reading list in the Dedicant Program manual or
the ADF web site, or chosen by the student, with prior approval of the Preceptor. (325 word minimum each)
4 : A brief description, with photos if possible, of the Dedicant's home shrine and plans for future
improvements. (150 words minimum)
5 : An essay focusing on the Dedicants' understanding of the meaning of the "Two Powers" meditation or
other form of 'grounding and centering', as used in meditation and ritual. This account should include impressions
and insights that the Dedicant gained from practical experience. (300 word minimum)
6 : An essay or journal covering the Dedicant's personal experience of building mental discipline, through the
use of meditation, trance, or other systematic techniques on a regular basis. The experiences in the essay or journal
should cover at least a five months period. (800 words minimum)
7 : An account of the Dedicant's efforts to work with nature, honor the Earth, and understand the impacts and
effects of the Dedicant's lifestyle choices on the environment and/or the local ecosystem and how she or he could
make a difference to the environment on a local level. (500 word minimum)
8 : A brief account of each High Day ritual attended or performed by the Dedicant in a twelve month period.
High Days attended/performed might be celebrated with a local grove, privately, or with another Neopagan group.
At least 4 of the rituals attended/performed during the training period must be ADF-style. (100 words minimum
each)
 9 : ONE essay describing the Dedicants understanding of and relationship to EACH of the Three Kindred:
the Spirits of Nature, the Ancestors and the Gods. (300 words minimum for each Kindred and 1000 words total)
10 : A brief account of the efforts of the Dedicant to develop and explore a personal (or Grove-centered)
spiritual practice, drawn from a specific culture or combination of cultures. (600 words minimum)
11 : The text of the Dedicant's Oath Rite and a self-evaluation of the Dedicant's performance of the rite. (500
word minimum)

WRITING A BOOK REVIEW

Because we've been frequently asked, we include these guidelines. Book reviews may be typed or handwritten,
but the 1-2 pages requirement refers specifically to pretty standard format: typewritten, double-spaced, one-inch
margins, using a size 12 point like Times New Roman. That works out to roughly 325-350 words per page. Be sure
your name appears in the top, right-hand corner of each page, and as a heading include whether this is the Indo-
European studies, the ethnic study, or the modern paganism study, then the bibliographical information. (None of
this is included in the word count, by the way!)
Within the body of your review, you should at least:
Explain who or what the book is about. Generally, and in your own words, write a paragraph or two as if you
were writing the blurb for the inside jacket, describing for a friend or co-worker what you are reading, or if you
were asked to write a summary for amazon.com.
Explain the significance of this book. There may be hundreds of books on similar subjects—or none. What do
you think was so utterly compelling about this topic to the author that s/he would undertake years of research,
writing and editing to share this information with folks like you? Perhaps as importantly, explain why you think
ADF chose that particular book as required reading for its Dedicants—what significance does it have in Our Own
Druidry?
Explain the significance of the book to you, personally. Maybe you were profoundly affected by this book; after
reading it you perceive the world around in an entirely new way. Maybe you thought it was the best sleep aid since
Sominex and now use it for a doorstop. Probably, you fall somewhere in between these two scenarios. You could
describe in the passages or points that struck you most profoundly; ideas you found surprising, offensive or
questionable; concepts that helped clarify ideas you have had floating around in your head for years, yet never have
been able to explain. This is the most important part of your review and requires some very thoughtful reflection.
Explain why or why not you would recommend this book to others. Did you enjoy reading it? Was it difficult,
but worth the effort (or not)? Are there any cautions or biases you would want to be sure you told others about?
Although it should probably go without saying, ADF will not tolerate any form of plagiarism, whether
intentional or inadvertent. When writing a book review, it is a good idea to set the book aside entirely, jot down or
type your thoughts and ideas, and only when you have your notes or preliminary draft completed, refer back to the
book for specific details or quotes. As with any academic writing, direct quotes must be clearly marked as such,
with footnotes or parenthetical references to the page from which they were taken.

THE JOURNAL
OR“LOOK, JUST DO IT…”
There is one traditional technique of study and progress in skill that we cannot recommend firmly enough, and
that is the journal. The regular recording of your efforts and their results is one of the most valuable habits you will
ever develop as a Druidic student. There are many ways to use journaling, from deep introspection to simple note-
taking. In this case we’re recommending the keeping of notes and records on as much of your ritual, meditation
and reading work as you can.
There is no single annoying chore that will make you thank yourself later quite so much as journaling. Sure
some people like it for its own sake… but for many of us it is enough just to prepare for a ritual or exercise and
execute it – the follow-up task of recording the work and results just never quite happens. We can’t recommend
enough that you make whatever amount of effort you can to record your work. Like any part of our practices, it is
better to do a little journaling than to do none, better to do more than do a little–all a matter of degree.
So choose a simple notebook or blank book or, if you favor the keyboard, create your journal in your favorite
program, or open some journaling account on the web. The advantage of a book, perhaps, is that you can set it by
or on your shrine or working space, to remind you of your commitment to it. It can be taken to forests and
seashores with little risk of technical failure, and requires no power source. Your Author has an affection for
handwriting in books–I feel it is a step closer to the old memorization–more somatic, more personal. Still the e-
journal is working well for many of our students.
Many students of Our Druidry will choose to do the documentation and formal practice that we call the
Dedicants Program. The Program is a way to demonstrate to our organization that you have the basics of the skills
and understandings we hope to teach through the Druid’s Path. In order to allow students spread over the world to
have their work recognized, we ask for written reports on your efforts. If you start your journal from your first
rituals and experiments you’ll later find yourself with a solid base of material to work with. To repeat, you’ll thank
yourself for work done in these early stages. Not only will it support any later formal writing efforts, it will give you
invaluable material on which to reflect as you move along the Druid’s Path.
So, look–just do it. Get a book, open an account. Do a little, do a lot… just do the journal!

What to Record in Your Journal:

The date, location and intention of any Druidic ritual or meditative exercise you perform. If possible, write a
short summary of how you felt as a result, and any other outcomes you find important.
A record of the divinations you may do or omen that you take, and notes toward your understanding of the
symbol system you’re using
Notes on the High Days, their meaning and symbolism, as you do the preparation for each day.
Notes on the books you read–name, author, subject and a few words on your reaction to the book.
Notes on your understanding of the Nine Virtues, as they occur to you or as they arise in your work.
Notes on your understanding of the Three Kindreds as you begin to work with them, and as they become
more aware of you.
Notes on the land on which you live–land and water, air and resources.
Some of these are things you must record while memory is fresh, but you can spend time just talking to
yourself by writing about your understanding of Our Druidry.
Plan to make an entry at least once per week in your journal. Such an entry should include any rituals or
meditations you worked that week, and any other topic on which you might write some musings.

RECOMMENDED READING LISTS

The Dedicant's Reading List
The Pagan revival has been troubled from the beginning by shoddy scholarship and indulgence in esoteric
fantasy. When wishful thinking and poor science take the place of true knowledge, all of Paganism is harmed. Ár
nDraíocht Féin was founded on the principle of respect for the actual old ways of Europe. We believe that by
starting with the foundational remains of Iron Age Paganism we can build a modern system that will serve modern
needs and be true to ancestral spirit.
We recommend you choose one or two titles at a time and begin working your way through them. This is by no
means exhaustive, but is the initial list of books that ADF Dedicants must choose from, and thus consists mainly
of books for a student beginning to study Paganism the first time. There is little direct mythology for each culture
because we hope to have our Dedicants understand the culture that the myths come out of before delving directly
into the myths.
We've also worked hard to make sure that every book on this list is in print. Unfortunately, all the best books
seem to go out of print, and sometimes libraries don't carry them. We hope this list will not only aid study, but will
also be highly accessible, and we have broken the list into the following categories: Indo-European Studies; Hearth
Cultures: Celtic Culture, Greek/Hellenic Culture, Norse Culture, Proto-Indo-European Culture, Roman Culture,
Slavic/Baltic Culture, Vedic Culture; Pagan Revival; Nature Awareness; Additional Notes; and Other Listings.

Indo-European Studies & Overview

"A History of Pagan Europe" by Nigel Pennick and Prudence Jones
"Comparative Mythology" by Jaan Puhvel
"In Search of the Indo-Europeans: Language, Archaeology, and Myth" by J.P. Mallory
"The Myth of Matriarchal Prehistory: Why an Invented Past Will Not Give Women a Future"
by Cynthia Eller

Modern Paganism & the Pagan Revival

"Being a Pagan: Druids, Wiccans, and Witches Today" by Ellen Evert Hopman, Lawrence Bond
"Drawing Down the Moon: Witches, Druids, Goddess-Worshippers, and Other Pagans in
America Today" by Margot Adler
"Her Hidden Children: The Rise of Wicca And Paganism in America" by Chas S. Clifton
"The Idiot's Guide to Paganism" by Carl McColman
"The Triumph of the Moon: A History of Modern Pagan Witchcraft" by Ronald Hutton

Anglo-Saxon Culture
"Lost Gods of England" by Brian Branston
"The Real Middle Earth" by Brian Bates
"Travels Through Middle Earth" by Alaric Albertsson

Celtic Cultures
"A Brief History of the Druids" by Peter Beresford Ellis
"Celtic Heritage: Ancient Tradition in Ireland and Wales" by Alwyn and Brinley Rees
"Pagan Celtic Britain" by Anne Ross
"The Celtic Heroic Age: Literary Sources for Ancient Celtic Europe and Early Ireland and
Wales" by John T. Koch (Editor)
"The Druids" by Stuart Piggott

Gaulish Culture
"Ancient Fire: An Introduction to Gaulish Celtic Polytheism" by Segomâros Widugeni
"The World of the Druids" by Miranda Green

Greek/Hellenic Culture
"Greek Religion" by Walter Burkert
"Religion in the Ancient Greek City" by Louise Bruit Zaidman, Pauline Schmitt Pantel; Paul
Cartledge (Trans.)
"The Homeric Hymns" by Homer
"The Iliad and The Odyssey" by Homer
 "Theogony and Works and Days" by Hesiod, with M. L. West, ed.

Irish Culture
"The Tain: Translated from the Irish Epic Tain Bo Cuailnge" by Thomas Kinsella, Trans.

Norse Culture
"Edda" by Snorri Sturluson, Anthony Faulkes, eds.
"Gods and Myths of Northern Europe" by H.R. Ellis-Davidson
"Myths and Symbols in Pagan Europe: Early Scandinavian and Celtic Religions" by H.R. Ellis-
Davidson
"The Poetic Edda" by Lee M. Hollander, Edda Saemundar, eds.
"The Saga of the Volsungs: The Norse Epic of Sigurd the Dragon Slayer" by Jesse L. Byock

Proto-Indo-European Culture
"Deep Ancestors: Practicing the Religion of the Proto-Indo-Europeans" by Ceisiwr Serith

Roman Culture
"An Introduction to Roman Religion" by John Scheid; Janet Lloyd, trans.
"Fasti" by Ovid
"Handbook to Life in Ancient Rome" by Lesley Adkins, Roy A. Adkins
"Romans and Their Gods in the Age of Augustus" by R.M. Ogilvie
"The Gods of Ancient Rome: Religion in Everyday Life from Archaic to Imperial Times." by
Robert Turcan; Antonia Nevell, trans.

Slavic Culture
"Russian Myths" by Elizabeth Warner
"The Bath House at Midnight: Magic in Russia (Magic in History)" by W.F. Ryan
"The Early Slavs: Culture & Society in Early Medieval Eastern Europe" by P.M. Barford

Vedic Culture
"Religion and Philosophy of the Veda and Upanishads (2 Volumes)" by A.B. Keith
"Religion of the Veda" by Hermann Oldenberg; Shridhar B. Shrotri (Trans.)
"The Origins and Development of Classical Hinduism" by A. L. Basham
"Vedic Mythology" by Arthur Anthony Macdonell

Welsh Culture
"The Mabinogi, and Other Medieval Welsh Tales" by Patrick K. Ford"

Nature Awareness
Note: These books do not fulfil a requirement for the ADF Dedicant Path, but are provided to help Dedicants
work through the Nature Awareness section of the DP.
“Keeping a Nature Journal: Discover a Whole New Way of Seeing the World Around You" by
 Clare Walker Leslie; Charles E. Roth
"Landscape and Memory" by Simon Schama

Additional Notes
We recommend that the beginning student avoid any nonfiction by Robert Graves, D.J. Conway, Lewis Spense,
H.P. Blavatsky, Edward Williams (aka Iolo Morganwg), or any works by others based on their writings, or those of
Merlin Stone, Barbara Walker, or other revisionist ideologues. Some of the assertions made in these sources can’t
be supported by current scholarship on the Druids; the use of common sense and a critical eye are highly
recommended in dealing with these books (and all the other books listed on this page as well). This is not to say
that they don’t have their own possible worth or that people shouldn’t know about these books, but that an
understanding of these writers should come after understanding Druidry/Neopaganism in general. One has to get
a firm grounding, four walls and a roof before she can decide on what kinds of curtains to look at.
When in doubt, consult your nearest tree…

Additional Reading
These resources are not required to work the Dedicant Path nor can they be used for the book reviews you will
need to submit to document your work on the Dedicant Path (unless they are also listed above). These books,
especially those in the first section that deal specifically with ADF’s own flavor of Druidy, are listed in order to help
our students grow and learn what the Druid Path is all about, while giving them both the grounding in history and
the ritual knowledge needed to deepen the work on this path.

Books About Our Own Druidry

A Book of Pagan Prayer: [978-1578632558] by Ceisiwr Serith – Recommended for anyone
interested in a serious study of Our Druidry.
Bonewits Essential Guide to Druidry: [978-0806527109] by Isaac Bonewits
The Solitary Druid: [978-0806526751] by Robert "Skip" Ellison
Sacred Fire, Holy Well: [978-0976568124] by Ian Corrigan
The Druid's Alphabet: [978-1594055034] by Robert "Skip" Ellison

Overviews of European Paganism

The History of Pagan Europe: [978-0415158046] by Pennick and Jones
From Olympus to Camelot: The World of European Mythology by David Leeming

Overviews of Specific Cultural Systems

Deep Ancestors – Practicing the Religion of the Proto-Indo-Europeans: [978-0976568131] by
Ceisiwr Serith
Magic of the Celtic Gods and Goddesses: [978-1564147837] by Carl McColman
The Complete Idiot's Guide to Celtic Wisdom: [978-0028644172] by Carl McColman
Exploring the Northern Tradition: [978-1564147912] by Galina Krasskova
Mysteries of Demeter: [978-1578631414] by Jennifer Reif

Ritual and Devotional Support

A Book of Pagan Prayer: [978-1578632558] by Ceisiwr Serith
A Circle of Stones: [978-1573531061] by Erynn Laurie
Creating Circles and Ceremonies: [978-1564148643] by Oberon and Morning Glory
 Ravenheart-Zell

Meditation and Altered States of Awareness

Monsters and Magical Sticks: There's No Such Thing as Hypnosis [978-1561840267] by Steven
Heller
Prometheus Rising: [978-1561840564] by Robert Anton Wilson

Ogham and Runes

The Druid's Alphabet: [978-1594055034] by Robert "Skip" Ellison
Taking Up The Runes: [978-1578633258] by Diana Paxson

Theology
A World Full of Gods: [978-0976568100] by John Michael Greer
The Deities Are Many: [978-0791463888] by Jordan D. Paper
Pagan Theology: [978-0814797082] by Michael York

Books About Other Forms of Modern Druidry

The Druid Renaissance: [978-1855384804] by Phillip Carr-Gomm, ed.
The Druidry Handbook: Spiritual Practice Rooted in the Living Earth: [978-1578633548] by
John Michael Greer
The Mysteries of Druidry: [978-1564148780] by Brendan "Cathbad" Myers

DEDICANT PATH FAQ

This page contains frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the ADF Dedicant Path. If there is a question you
have and it is not listed below, we recommend you join the ADF-Dedicants list and search the archive to see if
someone has asked the question in the past. If after your search you do not find the answer to your question, you
can post there or e-mail [email protected].

What is the Dedicant Path?

The Dedicant Path is designed to be a year-long journey of spiritual and scholarly work to familiarize members
with Our Own Druidry. It is designed to meet the needs of a broad spectrum of individuals—from those new to
Neo-Paganism and ADF to those who have been participating in ADF activities for years that want to do further
work in ADF's study programs.

Do I need to do the Dedicant Path?

No, you do not need to do the Dedicant Path. The Dedicant Path is designed to assist all members of ADF to
begin the practice and study of Our Own Druid. Documenting your work on the Dedicant Path is only required as
a prerequisite for those who are interested in enrolling in the ADF study programs.

Do I need to tell anyone I'm starting on the Dedicant Path?

Not if you don't want to. There is no formal enrollment or prerequisites—you can start anytime you like and
work at your own pace. All members are encouraged to keep a journal of their work on the Dedicant Path for
future personal reflection and reference.
What if I want or need help with my Dedicant Path?
ADF has a finite number of volunteers who have received approval of their documentation for work completed
on their Dedicant Path who are willing to serve as Mentors. If you would like us to match you with a Mentor, please
email us at [email protected].

What if I just want to do the Dedicant Path and do not want to document my work
or send it in for approval?
If you do not intend on using your work on the Dedicant Path as a prerequisite for the ADF study programs or
to obtain a position of leadership—and you don't really want acknowledgment for the effort of having completed
it—then you don't need to document your work or send it in for approval.

What are the two most important things I need to know about the documentation of
my work?
1. Back up your work, keep an extra copy in a safe place (other than your hard drive; in a fire-proof place; where
the dog won't eat it; out of enemy fire), and never send in the only copy you have. We have run into a wide variety
of problems with folks losing all their hard work.
2. If you have questions, please ask. If you are a member of a Grove whose Senior Druid or resident Clergy has
completed the documentation of their Dedicant Path, he or she would probably be the best person to go to with
questions. ADF communications are performed primarily electronically, but feel free to write to the ADF Preceptor
c/o the ADF Office at:
You can also email questions directly to [email protected]. We highly recommend that folks working on
the Dedicant Path subscribe to the e-list, ADF-Dedicants.

What if I want to use a different book for one of the reading requirements?
The books listed on the DP reading list were chosen after careful consideration of the following criteria:
availability, cost and most importantly the book adequately covers the scope of information necessary to achieve the
learning objectives in each of the three categories.
Usually folks ask to substitute different books because either a) the student has extensive experience already and
wants to select a more advanced book; or b) they have located a book that would work well in one of the three
categories that is not on the current DP reading list.
Though using books from the reading list is strongly encouraged, you may write to or e-mail the ADF Preceptor
to request a different book. In your request you must identify what book you propose to use (include at least author
and title) and explain for which of the three reading categories you are requesting the book (Indo-European studies,
an ethnic study, and modern Paganism). Be sure to explain why you believe that book fits into that category and
why you believe it is either (a) a more suitable title for you, personally, than any of those recommended, or (b) really
should be included as recommended reading for that particular category.

SUBMITTING THE REQUIREMENTS

The documentation should be submitted all at once; please do not send submissions requirement-by-
requirement.
Please submit an electronic copy of your work as a single file at http://adf.org/members/training/
submissions/index.html. Please send your work as a single document that is under 1 MB in size, and is a .doc, .docx,
.wps, .odt, .txt, or .rtf format. Please do not send PDF files.
You can submit your requirements online at https://www.adf.org/members/training/submissions/
submission.html or email a printout to ADF at
Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship, Inc.
1147 Brook Forest Ave #355, Shorewood, IL 60404
For more information on ADF visit our website or mail us at
https://www.adf.org/
Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship, Inc.
1147 Brook Forest Ave #355, Shorewood, IL 60404