Exercise II – Examining Definitions Does the Dedicant Handbook (DH) definition sit right with me? DH definition – Piety: correct observance of ritual and social traditions; the maintenance of agreements (both personal and societal) we humans have with the Gods and Spirits. Keeping the Old Ways, through ceremony and duty. Parts of it do, parts [...]

Exercise I – Who and what is pious? – Who do I think is pious? Why? – Consider actions that I have done that are pious. – Can an action be pious, by itself? – Can a thought with no action be pious? – Am I on my list of pious people? Why or why [...]

The second of the nine virtues that I have chosen to tackle. There will probably be a fair amount of change to this one as I work on it. Explanation on the Nine Virtues Essays At first, this virtue and moderation seem to work against each other. What first pops to mind with perseverance is [...]

Kamidana literally translates into ‘shelf of gods’, basically it’s a small shrine that is in Japanese homes (not all). As far as I know it’s Shinto and the whole family will use the kamidana to pray, make offerings, etc. Mine isn’t a traditional kamidana, it’s just a small altar where I keep my Japanese items [...]

OK, before everyone gets their panties in a twist… no I’m not like really behind in doing ritual. Uh, kind of. I’m not wholly ADF yet and I don’t know if I’ll ever be… I’ll be like 90% druidic and 25% Phaedra’s Random Oddness. Yes, that does equal 100%. I chose to honor Sol Invictus [...]

This is going to be long and possibly rambly. I’ve written two ADF style rituals, actually used just one of them. I didn’t do all the steps that are supposed to be in them because I didn’t understand all of the steps and felt that the better part of valor was to cut out what [...]

This is for the DP, my first essay on one of the nine virtues. I chose the one that makes me the most uncomfortable to tackle first. This will be chaning over time. Explanation on the Nine Virtues Essays Fertility My first reaction to fertility as a virtue was: “ack, no!” I understand that as [...]

They are part of the Dedicant Program for Ar nDraiocht Fein. It is part of the first Triad of Practice which are: Virtue, Piety & Study. In order to successfully complete the Dedicant Program (or DP) they require us to submit documentation that we have fulfilled all three Triads of Practice. One must finish the [...]

Think how the pagans must feel at Christmas William Grimm December 17, 2006 from: http://www.japantoday.com/jp/comment/1041 ‘Tis the season for Christian clergy to issue jeremiads about the paganization of Christmas and reminding anyone who will listenthat “Jesus is the reason for the season.” In fact, a good case can be made for saying the opposite is [...]

So, mama called to talk to me today. She was feeling chatty. My grandmother is going to Boston on the 22nd for the holidays and then on the 27th she’s having surgery again. Mom wanted to know what I wanted for Christmas. “Oh, wait!” she says, “Not Christmas, the Longest Night.” WTF, mama? “You know, [...]