Dedicant’s Path Through the Wheel of the YearWeek 7: Home Shrine : Dedicant’s Path Through the Wheel of the YearWeek 7: Home Shrine Presented by
Rev. Jessie “Medb” Olson
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Based on Our Own Druidry and The ADF Dedicant Path Through the Wheel of the Year
Review, Week 5 : Review, Week 5 In your Dedicant Notebook, discuss what you felt when you were experiencing Nature.
Did you have problems focusing?
Did you have trouble finding your spot?
Try drawing a map from your house or your office to this spot, but don't include street names or man-made objects; instead, use natural landmarks to remind yourself how to get there in the future.
Were you able to hear things you've never heard before?
Did you catch a glimpse of the Earth Mother playing with children in the park?
Review, Week 6 : Review, Week 6 What is the book about?
Is there a main thesis?
Can you summarize the main points?
Why was this book on the reading list?
Do you think it should be there?
Are there things that would make it better?
Does it inform your own personal practice in any way?
Does it give you new ideas, crazy thoughts, or open your mind?
Could you recommend this book to others?
Do you have trouble understanding it, or is it a breeze?
Related to Requirement : Related to Requirement #4 – Home Shrine
Required Reading : Required Reading Our Own Druidry: p. 91 - 96 (Personal Work)
Suggested Reading : Suggested Reading "Placement of the Home Shrine" by Rev. Michael J Dangler http://www.adf.org/members/training/dp/articles/placement-ofhome-shrine.html
"Creating the Desire for Worship" by Rev. Michael J Dangler http://www.adf.org/articles/philosophy/creating-the-desire-forworship.html
"Takin' It All Home" by Kami Landy http://www.adf.org/articles/identity/taking-it-all-home.html
Sacred Fire, Holy Well by Ian Corrigan, p. 69-70
The Solitary Druid by Rev. Skip Ellison, p. 38-40
Introduction : Introduction One of the main components of the Path of an ADF Dedicant is to set up a home shrine.
This shrine will become the center of your religious life, and is a visible reminder of the path you have chosen to take.
Introduction : Introduction It does not need to be elaborate, expensive, or set up in any specific way.
It should reflect you and your personal relationship with the deities and spirits.
It can be cluttered with deity images, heaped with offerings, or a simple table with candles.
The important thing is that it works for you.
Introduction : Introduction You may wish to set up your shrine in such a way that it can double as a meditation seat (we will begin meditation next week).
You may wish to simply use the shrine as an altar upon which you will work daily devotionals or only use every six weeks for a High Day Rite.
The usage and setup are entirely up to you.
Introduction : Introduction Find a spot that is accessible to you for rites and/or meditation.
You might set up a small table or hang shelves, or clear a bookshelf for the shrine.
You might even set it up outside.
Some people in very cramped houses with no available shelf space have painted their altars onto the wall.
Place items that connect you to your deities, or that simply remind you of the spiritual connection you feel in ritual.
You might represent the Fire, Well, and Tree from ADF liturgy, or perhaps the Gods, Ancestors, and Nature Spirits.
Again, it's important to remember that this is your altar, and as such you should personalize it as much as you wish.
Criteria : Criteria A brief description, with photos if possible, of the Dedicant's home shrine and plans for future improvements. (150 words min.)
Criteria : Criteria Inadequate
Word length inadequate
Plagiarism
Lacking future plans
Unwillingness to have any kind of tangible, physical place in home as place of worship
Criteria : Criteria Adequate
Word length adequate
Willingness to do it this way at least to start
Explains function and purpose of each item of shrine
Student incorporates shrine into personal spiritual practice
Includes future plans
Criteria : Criteria Excellent
Publishable quality reviews
Deep/unique insights
Demonstrates spiritual growth over the course of the training period
Photos/illustrations included
Homework : Homework When you are satisfied (and remember that you can always work on it later!), grab a camera and snap a photo.
Write down what is on the altar, how it looks, and why you chose the things you did.
Think about how you would like to make it better, and brainstorm some suggestions.
Keep these ideas in the back of your mind for later improvements to the shrine.