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| Tuesday, November 10th, 2009 | 2:27 pm
[jdhobbes]
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Of Teachers and Students
I got a call yesterday from a friend who was going through a rough life-moment. "Could I come by? I need to be in the company of friends tonight." I replied, "Of course you can. Come over whenever you can." Between those two bits in my reply was the unspoken sentence that echoed in my head: "You're my student." I've been teaching an "Introduction to Paganism" class at the Crescent Moon School for the past three years (off and on, depending on the number of students that register). During that time, I think I've had a total of 30+ students, although not all of those students made it to the end of the 18 week course (some drop out due to money/time/interest constraints). Every group is different, making the teaching of the class different each time (although the subject matters stay mostly the same). Some of those students have become close friends, while others drift away and I only see them once in a blue moon, if at all, although it's always a pleasure to see them again and catch up on their news. I've seen some of my students go through radical changes over the years, in both their spiritual and personal lives. I don't pretend that the course or the teacher is the catalyst, but I was just happened to come into their lives at a tumultuous moment. So when I think of my friend as "my student", at face value, the relationship seems to have a hierarchical tone to it: I AM THE TEACHER (up here) AND YOU ARE THE STUDENT (down there). But that's not how I see it at all. Having students is not a question of me having the knowledge and them not having the knowledge: it's about the privilege and the honor to be able share a part of my knowledge-self with another human being. The magical part about that moment is that, in so doing, both us are changed irrevocably. Teaching is not a one-way exchange, not if it is done with the sacred in mind. The difference lies in teaching a student that 1+1=2, or in teaching a student that math is powerful life juju and deserves to get excited about. In addition to following the course material, I'm also developing my own spiritual wisdom, so I'll often bring an idea to class that I toying/wrestling with to get the student's perspective on it. In so doing, I'll be mixing my own evolving spiritual beliefs in with the static course material, which means the substance of the course material changes over time. And that is why it's an honor to be a teacher. It's an honor to have that moment where I can expand someone else's experience based on my own experience, but in so doing, my own experience expands as well. In that exchange, both the student and the teacher are affected, which is why they need each other. The teacher needs the student as much as the student needs the teacher. Their relationship is symbiotic, but both are equals. In this modern society, where many of us buy into the lie that we need to be completely indepedant and self-reliant, we forget the many hands that guide our path, the many teachers that sculpt our psyche, and the many more teachers that lay ahead on our path. Even as we learn from them, we are teaching others, either directly or indirectly, and they are teaching us. Last summer, during an outdoor ritual in Montreal, I was catching up on the news of one of my ex-students, and teasing her about I might call on her to help with me a public ritual. "It'll help with your studies, young one. Trust me," I grinned. "Oh Hobbes," she replied, hands on her hips. "You're not my teacher any more. Scarlet is my teacher now." "You'll have many teachers, my friend, but you'll always be my student." Current Mood:  proud | 10:25 am
[jdhobbes]
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Repost?
I recently posted an article about the sacred relationship between students and teachers. Would it be okay if I reposted it in this forum? | | Wednesday, October 21st, 2009 | 5:59 pm
[fionnabhar]
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Wild Hare Grove Events
First up: Potluck: Tuesday, October 27, 2009, 7:00pm - 9:00pm Jennifer and David's place--email info@wild-hare.org for address/directions Join the Wild Hares for potluck dinner and druid social hour. This is an open event, so feel free to drop by whether you're a member or not. Please bring a dish to share with the group. It's at Jennifer and David's house, and we will be celebrating David's umpteen-bazillionth birthday. We should also warn you that our forced bathroom remodel (don't ask) should be underway. We do anticipate, however, a functioning toilet. And next: Ritual: Sunday, November 1, 2009, 7:00pm - 9:00pm Bill D's place - email info@wild-hare.org for address/directions You got your ADF in my OBOD! You got your OBOD in my ADF! However that works out, Wild Hare Grove (ADF) will be teaming up for our Samhain rite with the fine folks of Blue Stem Grove (OBOD). As is usual in an ADF high holiday ritual, this is an open event, so you need not be a member of either group to attend. Also, as usual, if you wish to make an offering of praise or thanks to any particular deity, there will be an opportunity to do so during the ritual. Bill from Blue Stem is our host - if you need directions to his place, please email. Also, he mentions that we might share snacks post-ritual, so if you would like to bring something to share, in a gesture of druidly good will, that would be okay. | | Tuesday, October 20th, 2009 | 5:02 pm
[jdhobbes]
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A new Bard in the ADF: Gods help us
Hello everyone! This is Hobbes, the newest ADF member, living wildy unchecked in the wee town of Montreal, nestled in the franco-enriched province of Quebec. I'm maxing out our free health care benefits by carousing with the French ladies and drinking mead galore. Well, what I really mean is that I work as a technical writer by day and tell tales as a storyteller in pubs, cafes, and other events across Canada whenever I get a chance. I've been courting the attentions of the Thornhaven Druid Grove in Inkerman, Ontario. I don't get out there as often as I would like, but I have many friends there. If you're interested in my talents as a bard, I invite you to visit my storyblog podcast at Shortening the Road. In fact, I just posted a new story (from a guest teller) about cats, boys, and demons for the Halloween season. I hope you enjoy it! I look forward to the next year with the ADF. | | Saturday, October 17th, 2009 | 9:32 am
[tn_roadmap]
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Hi
Hi. I just re-joined ADF after letting my membership lapse earlier this year. I am eagerly starting my dedicants program. I have about 12 years involvement in an Ecclectic Wiccan coven, where I received my first degree and near completed my 2nd degree, but the coven dissolved prior to that happening. I have a big interest in the Celts and look forward to learning more to make them my hearth path. secondly I have a strong interest in the Germanic tribes and desire to learn more of them. I am excited of this new step in my life and look forward to getting to know ya'll. Blessings, | | Tuesday, September 15th, 2009 | 10:17 am
[acousticdryad]
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| | Wednesday, September 9th, 2009 | 5:19 am
[fionnabhar]
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Wild Hare Fall Equinox
Wild Hare's Fall Equinox will be on Saturday, September 19, at 2 pm, at Der Fractalhaus. (Email for specific directions, please.) We'll be honoring the hearth godden (those gods associated with the home fire, eg Hestia, Brighid, Vesta, and so on) as we begin to turn to the darker and colder half of the year. Participants should bring tokens (photos, etc) to represent their family/community (blood or chosen, but emphasis more on the current living community, as I presume we'll have a chance to honor ancestors at Samhain). Also, if participants have a hearth candle or other representation of their culture's hearth deity that they would like to bring, they are invited to do so. There will be 'open mic' praise offering time, so people should bring anything they need to for that, but the main work/offering of the day will be building our community hearth. | | Monday, August 3rd, 2009 | 1:33 pm
[greenfernway]
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Memorial Service for Kay Donaldson
We are very sad at the news of Kay's death on July 22nd, but are pleased to invite all to join us at a memorial service in her honor. The service will be Friday August 21st, at 7:30 pm at the Owen Brown Interfaith
Center in Columbia, MD.Those wishing to make memorial contributions in Kay's name may donate to the American Cancer Society, or you can contribute to a group donation at the service to Treemendous Maryland for a tree(s) to be planted in her honor. ----------------------- Driving Directions to the Owen Brown Interfaith Center * Take I-95 to Route 32 West. * Exit at Broken Land Parkway North (to the right). * Proceed straight on Broken Land through the first signal at Snowden River Parkway. * Make your next right at Cradlerock Way. * Make a left just past the Sunoco gas station and prior to the McDonald's. * The Owen Brown Interfaith Center will be on your left straight ahead of you -- there is ample parking. | | Wednesday, July 22nd, 2009 | 10:24 am
[greenfernway]
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Kay Donaldson ends her battle with Cancer
Kay Donaldson, druidly known as Cenn Ruadh, Sr Druid Emeritus of Mugwort Grove has passed over early this morning. Kay was a long time member of ADF, nominated Knitter of the year several times, Wheat Weaver Extraordinaire and all around lovely person. Cedar Light Grove in Baltimore MD will be holding a memorial service. Details will shortly follow. Current Mood: peaceful | | Saturday, June 20th, 2009 | 10:50 pm
[acousticdryad]
|
Lakota-Sioux Star Quilt Raffle and Join us for Midsummer June 27th!
Many of you know, we are currently running a raffle to support the Wounded Knee Visitor's Center on Pine Ridge Reservation. We are raffling off a Lakota Star Quilt, donated to us by a member of AIM (American Indian Movement) so they can gather supplies to support their center. Details, including pictures and how to purchase tickets are on our site: http://www.cedarlightgrove.org/lakota-star-quilt-charity-drive/We will be drawing a name after our Lughnasadh High Rite on August 1st. Winner will be contacted via phone and email, so be sure to provide all of the requested information on our site. Location: CedarLight Center in Baltimore Maryland off of Harford Road. (directions on the site). There are bus stations close by, information on bus routes listed on our website! ##### Please note a new parking guideline for parking at CedarLight Grove on our website. ##### Date: June 27th, 2009 Time: Ritual starts at 7pm, arrive no later than 5:30pm. (times are subject to change, please check the site before you leave) Lore of the Season:This Ritual is being run by our Hellenic members. We will be honoring Apollo and Hermes, with Zeus as the Gatekeeper, and also be performing a short sacred Greek Drama of when Hermes's stole Apollo's cattle. This ritual is strictly in honor of the Gods, so bring your offerings! :) What to bring?: Bring a dish to share for the potluck feast. Your dish should serve approximately 6-10 people. Please label whether your dish has meat or not for our vegetarians. Check the weather forecast before the ritual. The High Rite will be done outdoors, and it may be hot. Bring sunscreen, bugspray, and prepare for the heat. If you have a chair you’d like to sit in during the High Rite, we suggest bringing that too. Cost?: There is a suggested donation of $10 per person. This can be done so through our website ahead of time or through Dagda’s Cauldron at the Grove. (paypal donations to clg@cedarlightgrove.org or the Dagda's Cauldron link on the main page) Who?: Our high rites are always open to the public, bring a friend! Children are allowed but –must- be supervised at all times. Children are not permitted to wander through ritual space during any ceremony, and any noisy children will be asked to be escorted out of the sanctuary. Pets are not allowed. Further details can be reached on our website! Other Upcoming EventsJun 28 - Rites of Caffiena and Aromatherapy Workshop presented by Kat Jul 05 - Rites of Caffiena and Workshop on the First Harvest Season Jul 11 - Blessing of the Land Rite in Gettysburg at the Senior Druid's house Jul 12 - Rites of Caffiena and Lughnasadh Planning Jul 19 - Rites of Caffiena and a Meditation Workshop presented by Wayne Jul 26 - Rites of Caffiena and Lughnasadh Planning Aug 01 - Lughnasadh High Rite @ CedarLight Aug 09 - Rites of Caffiena and Carburator Workshop presented by Will Aug 16 - Rites of Caffiena and Grove Work Day | | Saturday, June 6th, 2009 | 11:57 pm
[kallisti]
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Conference Announcement
Fire in the Hearth Pagan Thought in Modern Times A One Day Conference Saturday, July 11, 2009, 10 am to 5 pm At the Bronson Centre, 211 Bronson Ave., Ottawa, Ontario
Guest of Honour Isaac Bonewits
Arch Druid Emeritus and Founder Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship Author of REAL MAGIC (1989) Neopagan Rites (2007) Essential Guide to Druidism(2006) Special Guests
Dr. Brendan Myers Linda Demissy past Preceptor, ADF Seers Senior Druid Silver Fox Grove Linda's book of Pagan Chants
| | _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Admission is only $15
Available at Pagan Brunches, and other Ottawa Local Pagan events from
Red Maple Grove Members
More info: http://www.redmaplegrove.org Facebook Group/Event: “Fire In the Hearth”
Or email me for general info, or Vender's info,
Farrell McGovern
farrell.mcgovern@gmail.com | | Monday, May 11th, 2009 | 7:32 am
[chronarchy]
 |
2009 Election Results
Full results available at http://www.adf.org/members/org/elections/2009/results.htmlMembers at election date (5/1/09) = 1073
Ballots received = 404 (37% of members voted) - Online ballots = 366
- Paper ballots = 38
Total available votes = 3420
Votes received (cast) = 1550 (45% of available votes)* Member's Advocate - 1567 total votes cast - Arthur Shipkowski = 1515 (96.7%) WINNER
Non-Officer Director - 1626 total votes cast - Anthony Thompson = 908 (55.8%) WINNER
Canada East Regional Druid - 49 total votes cast - Daniel Lamarche (write in) = 16 (32.7%) WINNER
Canada West Regional Druid - 37 total votes cast - Athelia Nihtscada = 37 (100%) WINNER
Europe Regional Druid - 19 total votes cast - Venus Clark (write in) = 16 (84.2%) WINNER
Heartland Regional Druid - 227 total votes cast - Lisa McCune (write in) = 100 (44.1%) WINNER
Northeast Regional Druid - 295 total votes cast - Sharon Gorbacz = 295 (100%) WINNER
Northwest Regional Druid - 114 total votes cast - Jessica Olson = 114 (100%) WINNER
Southwest Regional Druid - 235 total votes cast - David Foster = 140 (59.6%) WINNER
Upper Midwest Regional Druid - 247 total votes cast - Jean Pagano = 152 (61.5%) WINNER
Secretary - 1621 total votes cast - Robert Lewis = 985 (60.8%) WINNER
Vice Archdruid - 1623 total votes cast - Kirk Thomas = 1561 (96.2%) WINNER
2010 Annual Meeting - 1527 total votes cast - Wellspring = 922 (60.4%) WINNER
Current Mood: cheerfulCurrent Music: "Tryin' to Reason with Hurricane Season", - JB | | Saturday, April 25th, 2009 | 2:28 pm
[acousticdryad]
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| | Tuesday, April 21st, 2009 | 5:11 pm
[acousticdryad]
|
Trillium Reflections
I'm not sure how many of you attended Trillium this past weekend, but it was by far my favorite Trillium since I started going in 2005 :) If anyone here did attend, did you have any fond memories you'd like to share? I've been asked to help out with the organization of next year's Trillium, and it's been brought up that we may start up a Trillium community forum on the website. We've already got some workshop volunteers (if you're interested, feel free to email ratatask[@]eplagarthrkindred.org) for next year. Thanks a bunch! | | Tuesday, April 14th, 2009 | 7:11 pm
[neneus]
 |
Was wondering if anyone in ADF has an Anglo-Saxon specific hearth culture. Specifically, I would like to see if anyone has done Anglo-Saxon rites in an ADF style, because I am trying to write a basic A_S rite according to the ADF Core Order of Ritual, and thought it would help to see an example of one. | | Saturday, March 14th, 2009 | 4:24 am
[rolsby]
 |
At what age...?
I'm a relatively new parent, so I haven't encountered this yet, but at what age is it appropriate to introduce kids to something like emergency procedures? Like me, I'm sure the rest of you are emphasizing good choices and gentle but firm discipline, however, when do you have the "brass tacks" discussion and practices about serious safety issues like fire, medical emergencies, and the police. The reason I am asking on this forum is because I am wondering at what age do your kids start pondering God(s)? So ultimately, which could come first: awareness of threats or awareness of the divine? Right now, our home altar is just ripe with things for picking up, examining, and/or chewing. Unfortunately, that may include knives. We are trying to shoo her away, but at the same time want her to be interested and remain involved in worship. Thanks in advance for your perspectives. | | Saturday, March 7th, 2009 | 11:57 pm
[aven_envoy]
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What do you think are the essential skills a modern-day druid should have? | | Tuesday, February 17th, 2009 | 9:45 pm
[fuego]
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As I try to figure out what I'm doing here....
Okay, I'm trying to settle my mind once and for all on whether I'm actually doing this or not. This has been driving me nuts for a year now, and I need to make a decision and either get started or move on. I was approved for the CTP over a year ago, and for the IP nearly a year ago and I've gone nowhere It is, of course, largely a personal issue and only I can make that decision, all that fun stuff. but recalling my own experiences with the dedicant's program, and some of the stuff that other people are dealing with with other study programs, there is a significant issue that comes from the organization itself. I'm asking here and not on the email lists because at the moment, my membership is expired- I plan to renew it at the end of the week, but this is on my mind now. So here's the part that I'm questioning regarding the organization. Please keep in mind that I'm not writing any of this to rail on anyone, and I understand that everyone has lives and things get busy and crazy and stuff just happens, so I'm not expecting superhumans here. Let's start with my dedicants program experience. ( I'll cut this for length. )I know that other people have experienced similar issues, and lately, hearing about the various experiences of people getting work returned to them unapproved, but with no indication as to what they've done wrong, or not hearing from anyone on work submitted for months at a time, I really have to question if I want to do this, having gone through it once before. Is it worth all the headaches? I don't expect the system to be perfect. I don't expect people to move mountains. But if I submit work for approval and I am told that more is needed, I expect that I will be told what I'm doing wrong, not to have to guess and make multiple useless retries before I either stumble on the right thing by sheer dumb luck or I'm finally told when I'm about to give up. I expect that if someone has questions about work that I've done, that they come to me and ask, not ask someone else who asks someone else. I *want* to do this. But if I'm going to have to deal with the same issues as I did with the DP, I don't think I can. I've got enough other personal issues and questions having nothing to do with ADF itself that I could at this point, probably just walk away if it came down to that. but I joined ADF and did the DP specifically because I wanted to do the CTP, and finally upon realizing that the CTP wasn't what I needed to do, I switched to the IP. But aside from the initiation, there are other ways to the same destination, and I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't look for another way, and the issue I brought up here is the one that I can't answer for all by myself. So...well...thoughts, suggestions, comments, flames, anything? | | Wednesday, February 11th, 2009 | 12:52 am
[crane_spirit] |
Was wondering if anyone has ever honored the Earth mother as the gatekeeper in An ADF rite. | | Wednesday, January 28th, 2009 | 12:06 am
[triadruid]
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Now if only I had an iPod...
 $35, could be yours! ::note: I stumbled across this on the web, I have no commercial/fiduciary relationship with the seller. |
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