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 min. each)
I have been working through this Dedicant Program for years, since I joined ADF in 1998. I wrote these essays several years ago. As I read them now, I wonder, are these 9 Virtues a concrete moral code? How do these specific virtues come into play in the Druid's life?
In Our Druidry we have agreed that these 9 shall be valued as the basis of an effective and meaningful system of moral evaluation. Or have we? We are an argumentative lot, occasionally prone to disagree with something merely for the thrill of debate. Personally, I would rank that very disentiousness as a Virtue. Having read numerous essays about the Virtues in the documentation of other people's Dedicant work, it seems that indeed we can essentially agree on these specific Nine Virtues.
Wisdom:
American Heritage Dictionary:
I wonder if this is truly a crop which can be cultivated. Though one accrues knowledge and experience, does it necessarily follow that one becomes wise? Surely examination of experience and continual review and interpretation may lead to wisdom.
I consider wisdom to be the patience to quietly observe; to integrate and internalize instead of making quick assumptions. It is the difference between fast and worthy judgment. Wisdom is that which guides our contemplation, holds our tongue from rashness, and directs our actions toward creation.
(2000)
The above was written two years ago. Has my idea of Wisdom changed? A bit. Though I still view it as a virtue to hold judgment and remember the many sides to all things in nature. Wisdom now, to me seems more a way of learning and listening than a way of acting and reacting.
(2010)
Perhaps Wisdom may be described as that place beyond knowledge. One may know many things, but without discernment in applying that knowledge, it is useless.
Piety:
American Heritage Dictionary: 1) The state or quality of being pious, especially:
When speaking of observing the rites and rituals of our Ancestors, we must allow for the wonderful diversity of those Ancestors. For one, piety may call for eight feasts, yet for another, their path may not recognize so many. And do we not adopt the piety of others at times? Am I impious if I attend a Deepawali puja instead of Yule. I do not think so. Is my Hindu friend impious if she honors the Three Realms with me? No. Piety may be fluid. Like the river, it flows around that within us which is immovable and carries with it that within us which may be carried.
I allow that piety finds outlet and expression through regular observance of the Feasts. Yet I reject that a person who does not hold all 8 modern neo-Pagan feasts is impious. I believe it probable that our Ancestors observed holidays as they were able. As Druids, we accept the responsibility for holiday observance, this is part of our specific piety. But piety, in general, I hold to be a reverence for the Kindreds and for the natural world which supports us.
Vision
American Heritage Dictionary: 1. The faculty of sight; eyesight: poor vision.
Vision, within the context of ADF, is defined as, 鍍he ability to broaden one痴 perspective to have a greater understanding of our place/role in the cosmos, relating to the past, present, and future. Without this there can be no growth. Examination of one痴 place and part in existence is an integral part of defining oneself.
We all operate within a dynamic. Our actions are influenced by and exert influence on those around us. We do not function as independent beings. Therefore, we have a responsibility to consider how we affect our environmen; both physical and social. Awareness of this is the first step to a balanced life and is, I believe, at the very core of Vision. It is a step which one must take again and again.
Vision is the ability to see what may be, not in a psychic friends network sort of way. It is to see possibility, to have an overarching theme, a purpose.
Courage
American Heritage Dictionary: The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.
(1998) I am admittedly, unsure why this should be included as a Virtue. Right action in the face of danger seems to me an unnecessary thing to which to aspire. Surely it may be respected-we readily commend the Jane Goudals and Mother Teresas of the world. In our own Pagan community we are grateful for those precious inroads to the mainstream, acceptable culture which have been made by public Pagans. Yet I question whether we all need to fire ourselves into such situations.
I see little virtue in the wo/man trekking out on safari. I see little virtue in a soldier fighting aimlessly in a foreign land. This is courage without substance. What of the courage of a conscientious objector, or, more courageous, a draft dodger? And should we consider the courage of a terrorist virtuous?
(2002)
I知 intrigued by my last example in this essay; a terrorist. Obviously this has different meaning now in light of the 9/11 attack and our Fearless Leader痴 (impotent) War on Terror.
I was struggling with a standard notion of 田ourageand a personal notion. The standard notion-fearlessness, bravery, facing growling lions, mobs of bullies, and jumping out of airplanes. And my personal notion which I think is closer to ADF's, of a meaningful steadfastness despite obstacles. This is the courage of protesters, single mothers, those willing to be counted for what they believe in.
(2003)
This must be quite a notion or issue in my life for me to be writing for a third time. I still agree with what I wrote previously, 杜eaningful steadfastness despite obstacles. I no longer enjoy the flamboyance of terrorist references. Courage is indeed a willingness to stand for one痴 principles, even when the act of standing will bring derision, condemnation, ostracization. But while there is nobility and virtue in courageousness, is there no virtue in fear? Oughtn稚 we apply Moderation to our Courage? Perhaps sometimes it is our silent integrity which we should steel instead of our Courage.
(2008)
Perhaps there is something to examine in a notion of virtuous Fear; Right action in the face of courage.
Integrity
American Heritage Dictionary:
At a very simplistic level, integrity means we are no better than our word. By word, it must be understood that I mean action as well. Our worth as humans is only so great as what we would do completely in private. If we would lie or steal even though no one would find out, then we are liars and thieves. If we would return the billfold and all the money it contains even though no one saw us find it, then we are honorable.
Integrity is how we act toward our fellows; do we treat them with respect or do we attempt to cheat them? Do we speak to them honestly or do we trick them? Can we be relied on to do what we say we will?
My father痴 definition is a part of my person, my psyche, and my spirit. I would not add to or subtract from it now.
Perseverance
American Heritage Dictionary: Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness.
To me there are great elements of discipline tied to my concept of perseverance. To be able to continue, to strive onward through obstacles and discouragement speaks to me of academia, speaks to me of my last struggle to find employment. It is, admittedly, a virtue of which I have precious little; my attitude being, more often than not, one of accepting what is presented and learning to work with that.
When I say that striving through obstacles reminds me of academia it is misleading--the path of my education was not strenuous nor difficult. I was called to exercise perseverance mainly when staying awake through a night to finish a paper I had left off too long. I persevered through boring classes yes, but I dropped and withdrew from the most pedantic. So, my perseverance was demonstrated pathetically in the realm of academia.
In the search for employment there were times of difficulty, yet I still accepted what was before me. I did not beat the streets, hit the pavement nor go door-to-door.
Can perseverance be constantly bending with the tides of life? I think of Luna, the Redwood who housed Julia Butterfly Hill for so long. I think of Hill痴 perseverance in living in a tree for years nourished mainly by her commitment to save the tree. I think of Luna痴 perseverance through storms, drought, and so many naturally harrowing events. I find none of that kind of staunch, uncompromising perseverance in myself. Seaweed does not struggle to root; it lies on the sea痴 surface, or just below it, and pursues an undulating existence. Does seaweed persevere? Of course it does. All life perseveres in some measure; either by demanding to live or by martyrdom (in itself a form of perseverance). At last, I find an image of perseverance in which I see some faint reflection of myself!
I have the perseverance of seaweed.
Hospitality
American Heritage Dictionary: 1. Cordial and generous reception of or disposition toward guests.
2. An instance of cordial and generous treatment of guests.
(2002) This is a virtue near and dear to me. We southerners define hospitality primarily as feeding anyone who enters our home. My hospitality consists of offering food, drink, the best pillows, my bed, etc. All of our Grove meetings happen in my home which allows me ample opportunity to welcome the folk. But one ingredient in hospitality is the notion of 鄭 gift for a gift. Do I accept the hospitality of others as I would have them accept it from me? Alas, I think perhaps not.
I have been making an effort to improve on this. When I am the guest, it has been my habit in the past to decline offers of food or drink, 屠ust water, thanks. To never go through someone else痴 kitchen to find a glass or anything else. Yet don稚 I feel good when my guests are comfortable enough to go into my cupboards and to ask for what they want? Don稚 I like it when I can open a fresh bottle of wine for my guest? This going through the cabinets and fridge is, of course, hospitality among friends.
Hospitality towards the new guest to our Grove involves more subtle means of making the person feel comfortable and welcome. Not only must s/he be fed and watered, efforts must be made that s/he is attended to and not left out of conversation, that s/he is given to know any necessary background to discussions. In return I hope for the guest to make his/her contribution to our gathering, offer his/her opinion, and after s/he is no longer a new guest, tell me how we appear to a new person, critique my attempts at hospitality.
(2007)
The concept of *ghosti is one which has had a surge of interest in ADF in recent years. My study of Norse traditions has also deepened. Much importance was laid on gift-giving and -receiving. The stability of a culture depending on the giving and receiving of gifts--that is how the bonds of society were formed and enforced.
In ritual we invite the Gods and Kindreds to be our guests. We offer gifts. In the Return Flow we receive a gift from the deity of the occasion. I was recently asked about the gifts from the other powers, do we receive a gift from them? It is my experience that we do however ritual wording is very important. When I honor the Kindreds in ritual, I invite them to join us and ask them to aid us in our work. Then I offer them a gift. If their energy can be felt, if their presence can be felt, then they have accepted my gift and are offering their own. Then the rules of Hospitality have been met.
Moderation
American Heritage Dictionary: Being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme
“Why not excellence? A little immoderate, perhaps?
(1998) Am I not virtuous when I am drunk? Ask the fellows who are carousing with me. Am I not virtuous when I am seized with lust? Ask the man who inspired the lust. Am I not virtuous when I eat an entire pint of Ben & Jerry痴? Ask Ben and Jerry whose pockets and slightly more full. I cannot accept that when I do these things I am any less virtuous than when I counsel a Grove member, than when I offer the sacrifices of my Folk, than when I abstain from drink, sex, and Half Baked. I am myself and my virtue or lack thereof is part of me, whether I practice moderation or not.
If moderation is simply not being drunk all the time, then I accept it. If moderation is not having sex all night every night, then I accept it. If moderation is not making a steady diet of Ben & Jerry痴, then I accept it (but only because I can稚 afford it). But I do not think that my reasons for acceptance are what ADF had in mind. I am not drunk all the time simply because I do not want to be, because other things are more important to me. I do not screw myself into a stupor regularly because I don't have that kind of energy. I do not feast on Ben & Jerry痴...well enough about that, you get the point. The basis of my moderation is still, ultimately, hedonistic, I am still doing exactly what I please. I am still doing exactly what pleases me.
(2002) I may have been a bit immoderate in my assessment of Moderation. A few years of being the Resident Director in undergraduate housing located on fraternity row has provided me with a perspective that my own college days in an academically viscous, relatively small, conservative woman's college did not. Moderation, not allowing one's appetites to control one's actions. I strive to temper my desires (mostly for naps these days) with Wisdom.
Fertility
American Heritage Dictionary:
In line with this notion of fertility--the sustenance of life--it is a dogma of my own that it is a moral imperative to offer something to the world. I suppose my fertility is the fertility of an educator. I teach and create new ways to teach that can reach even the most callous and bored child. I develop programs that make learning fun for children and adults.
Spiritually, I have grown a Grove and that grove now offers a spiritual community in a place where there wasn稚 one before.
(2007):
We have discussed Fertility in our Grove often as many of us are disquieted by the word in many of the same ways. Standing many years at a distance from when GOSH began ,I now have the advantage of looking back to see how the Grove grew and flourished where few Pagan groups bloom. We have performed rituals for increased fertility; often the ritual was performed merely because that was what was expected of us for a particular high day or because our agricultural ancestors performed some similar ritual. Perhaps there is something to these rituals. The other pagan group in town, if it may even be called a group, does not perform regular ritual. More often than not the priestess cancels due to ill health. Perhaps the rituals we perform DO increase the success of our crop, if a spiritual community may be a considered a crop. We perform fertility rituals and we thrive. Others fail to observe such traditions, and they wither.
(2008)
Stupid symbolic fertility rites! Now I'm pregnant. Just as I was embracing the notion of intellectual and tribal fertility, fertility of the spirit, I get bound up in physical fertility. I am an advocate for Moderation of Fertility. While my daughter is a magic baby I am lucky to know, more children would be a dreadful mistake. As I am grateful for our bountiful mulberry crop; the mulberry trees are coming up everywhere and choking out other useful plants. Our Grove Bard has good idea after good idea, however her effectiveness is severely hindered by not being able to focus on one thing at a time.
I have been working through this Dedicant Program for years, since I joined ADF in 1998. I wrote these essays several years ago. As I read them now, I wonder, are these 9 Virtues a concrete moral code? How do these specific virtues come into play in the Druid's life?
In Our Druidry we have agreed that these 9 shall be valued as the basis of an effective and meaningful system of moral evaluation. Or have we? We are an argumentative lot, occasionally prone to disagree with something merely for the thrill of debate. Personally, I would rank that very disentiousness as a Virtue. Having read numerous essays about the Virtues in the documentation of other people's Dedicant work, it seems that indeed we can essentially agree on these specific Nine Virtues.
Wisdom:
American Heritage Dictionary:
- The ability to discern or judge what is true, right, or lasting; insight.
- Common sense; good judgment: "It is a characteristic of wisdom not to do desperate things"(Henry David Thoreau).
- The sum of learning through the ages; knowledge: "In those homely sayings was couched the collective wisdom of generations"(Maya Angelou).
- Wise teachings of the ancient sages.
- 3) A wise outlook, plan, or course of action.
I wonder if this is truly a crop which can be cultivated. Though one accrues knowledge and experience, does it necessarily follow that one becomes wise? Surely examination of experience and continual review and interpretation may lead to wisdom.
I consider wisdom to be the patience to quietly observe; to integrate and internalize instead of making quick assumptions. It is the difference between fast and worthy judgment. Wisdom is that which guides our contemplation, holds our tongue from rashness, and directs our actions toward creation.
(2000)
The above was written two years ago. Has my idea of Wisdom changed? A bit. Though I still view it as a virtue to hold judgment and remember the many sides to all things in nature. Wisdom now, to me seems more a way of learning and listening than a way of acting and reacting.
(2010)
Perhaps Wisdom may be described as that place beyond knowledge. One may know many things, but without discernment in applying that knowledge, it is useless.
Piety:
American Heritage Dictionary: 1) The state or quality of being pious, especially:
- Religious devotion and reverence to God.
- Devotion and reverence to parents and family: filial piety.
- 2) A devout act, thought, or statement.
When speaking of observing the rites and rituals of our Ancestors, we must allow for the wonderful diversity of those Ancestors. For one, piety may call for eight feasts, yet for another, their path may not recognize so many. And do we not adopt the piety of others at times? Am I impious if I attend a Deepawali puja instead of Yule. I do not think so. Is my Hindu friend impious if she honors the Three Realms with me? No. Piety may be fluid. Like the river, it flows around that within us which is immovable and carries with it that within us which may be carried.
I allow that piety finds outlet and expression through regular observance of the Feasts. Yet I reject that a person who does not hold all 8 modern neo-Pagan feasts is impious. I believe it probable that our Ancestors observed holidays as they were able. As Druids, we accept the responsibility for holiday observance, this is part of our specific piety. But piety, in general, I hold to be a reverence for the Kindreds and for the natural world which supports us.
Vision
American Heritage Dictionary: 1. The faculty of sight; eyesight: poor vision.
- Something that is or has been seen.
- Unusual competence in discernment or perception; intelligent foresight: a leader of vision.
- The manner in which one sees or conceives of something.
- A mental image produced by the imagination.
- The mystical experience of seeing as if with the eyes the supernatural or a supernatural being.
- A person or thing of extraordinary beauty.
Vision, within the context of ADF, is defined as, 鍍he ability to broaden one痴 perspective to have a greater understanding of our place/role in the cosmos, relating to the past, present, and future. Without this there can be no growth. Examination of one痴 place and part in existence is an integral part of defining oneself.
We all operate within a dynamic. Our actions are influenced by and exert influence on those around us. We do not function as independent beings. Therefore, we have a responsibility to consider how we affect our environmen; both physical and social. Awareness of this is the first step to a balanced life and is, I believe, at the very core of Vision. It is a step which one must take again and again.
Vision is the ability to see what may be, not in a psychic friends network sort of way. It is to see possibility, to have an overarching theme, a purpose.
Courage
American Heritage Dictionary: The state or quality of mind or spirit that enables one to face danger, fear, or vicissitudes with self-possession, confidence, and resolution; bravery.
(1998) I am admittedly, unsure why this should be included as a Virtue. Right action in the face of danger seems to me an unnecessary thing to which to aspire. Surely it may be respected-we readily commend the Jane Goudals and Mother Teresas of the world. In our own Pagan community we are grateful for those precious inroads to the mainstream, acceptable culture which have been made by public Pagans. Yet I question whether we all need to fire ourselves into such situations.
I see little virtue in the wo/man trekking out on safari. I see little virtue in a soldier fighting aimlessly in a foreign land. This is courage without substance. What of the courage of a conscientious objector, or, more courageous, a draft dodger? And should we consider the courage of a terrorist virtuous?
(2002)
I知 intrigued by my last example in this essay; a terrorist. Obviously this has different meaning now in light of the 9/11 attack and our Fearless Leader痴 (impotent) War on Terror.
I was struggling with a standard notion of 田ourageand a personal notion. The standard notion-fearlessness, bravery, facing growling lions, mobs of bullies, and jumping out of airplanes. And my personal notion which I think is closer to ADF's, of a meaningful steadfastness despite obstacles. This is the courage of protesters, single mothers, those willing to be counted for what they believe in.
(2003)
This must be quite a notion or issue in my life for me to be writing for a third time. I still agree with what I wrote previously, 杜eaningful steadfastness despite obstacles. I no longer enjoy the flamboyance of terrorist references. Courage is indeed a willingness to stand for one痴 principles, even when the act of standing will bring derision, condemnation, ostracization. But while there is nobility and virtue in courageousness, is there no virtue in fear? Oughtn稚 we apply Moderation to our Courage? Perhaps sometimes it is our silent integrity which we should steel instead of our Courage.
(2008)
Perhaps there is something to examine in a notion of virtuous Fear; Right action in the face of courage.
Integrity
American Heritage Dictionary:
- Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code.
- The state of being unimpaired; soundness.
- The quality or condition of being whole or undivided; completeness.
At a very simplistic level, integrity means we are no better than our word. By word, it must be understood that I mean action as well. Our worth as humans is only so great as what we would do completely in private. If we would lie or steal even though no one would find out, then we are liars and thieves. If we would return the billfold and all the money it contains even though no one saw us find it, then we are honorable.
Integrity is how we act toward our fellows; do we treat them with respect or do we attempt to cheat them? Do we speak to them honestly or do we trick them? Can we be relied on to do what we say we will?
My father痴 definition is a part of my person, my psyche, and my spirit. I would not add to or subtract from it now.
Perseverance
American Heritage Dictionary: Steady persistence in adhering to a course of action, a belief, or a purpose; steadfastness.
To me there are great elements of discipline tied to my concept of perseverance. To be able to continue, to strive onward through obstacles and discouragement speaks to me of academia, speaks to me of my last struggle to find employment. It is, admittedly, a virtue of which I have precious little; my attitude being, more often than not, one of accepting what is presented and learning to work with that.
When I say that striving through obstacles reminds me of academia it is misleading--the path of my education was not strenuous nor difficult. I was called to exercise perseverance mainly when staying awake through a night to finish a paper I had left off too long. I persevered through boring classes yes, but I dropped and withdrew from the most pedantic. So, my perseverance was demonstrated pathetically in the realm of academia.
In the search for employment there were times of difficulty, yet I still accepted what was before me. I did not beat the streets, hit the pavement nor go door-to-door.
Can perseverance be constantly bending with the tides of life? I think of Luna, the Redwood who housed Julia Butterfly Hill for so long. I think of Hill痴 perseverance in living in a tree for years nourished mainly by her commitment to save the tree. I think of Luna痴 perseverance through storms, drought, and so many naturally harrowing events. I find none of that kind of staunch, uncompromising perseverance in myself. Seaweed does not struggle to root; it lies on the sea痴 surface, or just below it, and pursues an undulating existence. Does seaweed persevere? Of course it does. All life perseveres in some measure; either by demanding to live or by martyrdom (in itself a form of perseverance). At last, I find an image of perseverance in which I see some faint reflection of myself!
I have the perseverance of seaweed.
Hospitality
American Heritage Dictionary: 1. Cordial and generous reception of or disposition toward guests.
2. An instance of cordial and generous treatment of guests.
(2002) This is a virtue near and dear to me. We southerners define hospitality primarily as feeding anyone who enters our home. My hospitality consists of offering food, drink, the best pillows, my bed, etc. All of our Grove meetings happen in my home which allows me ample opportunity to welcome the folk. But one ingredient in hospitality is the notion of 鄭 gift for a gift. Do I accept the hospitality of others as I would have them accept it from me? Alas, I think perhaps not.
I have been making an effort to improve on this. When I am the guest, it has been my habit in the past to decline offers of food or drink, 屠ust water, thanks. To never go through someone else痴 kitchen to find a glass or anything else. Yet don稚 I feel good when my guests are comfortable enough to go into my cupboards and to ask for what they want? Don稚 I like it when I can open a fresh bottle of wine for my guest? This going through the cabinets and fridge is, of course, hospitality among friends.
Hospitality towards the new guest to our Grove involves more subtle means of making the person feel comfortable and welcome. Not only must s/he be fed and watered, efforts must be made that s/he is attended to and not left out of conversation, that s/he is given to know any necessary background to discussions. In return I hope for the guest to make his/her contribution to our gathering, offer his/her opinion, and after s/he is no longer a new guest, tell me how we appear to a new person, critique my attempts at hospitality.
(2007)
The concept of *ghosti is one which has had a surge of interest in ADF in recent years. My study of Norse traditions has also deepened. Much importance was laid on gift-giving and -receiving. The stability of a culture depending on the giving and receiving of gifts--that is how the bonds of society were formed and enforced.
In ritual we invite the Gods and Kindreds to be our guests. We offer gifts. In the Return Flow we receive a gift from the deity of the occasion. I was recently asked about the gifts from the other powers, do we receive a gift from them? It is my experience that we do however ritual wording is very important. When I honor the Kindreds in ritual, I invite them to join us and ask them to aid us in our work. Then I offer them a gift. If their energy can be felt, if their presence can be felt, then they have accepted my gift and are offering their own. Then the rules of Hospitality have been met.
Moderation
American Heritage Dictionary: Being within reasonable limits; not excessive or extreme
“Why not excellence? A little immoderate, perhaps?
(1998) Am I not virtuous when I am drunk? Ask the fellows who are carousing with me. Am I not virtuous when I am seized with lust? Ask the man who inspired the lust. Am I not virtuous when I eat an entire pint of Ben & Jerry痴? Ask Ben and Jerry whose pockets and slightly more full. I cannot accept that when I do these things I am any less virtuous than when I counsel a Grove member, than when I offer the sacrifices of my Folk, than when I abstain from drink, sex, and Half Baked. I am myself and my virtue or lack thereof is part of me, whether I practice moderation or not.
If moderation is simply not being drunk all the time, then I accept it. If moderation is not having sex all night every night, then I accept it. If moderation is not making a steady diet of Ben & Jerry痴, then I accept it (but only because I can稚 afford it). But I do not think that my reasons for acceptance are what ADF had in mind. I am not drunk all the time simply because I do not want to be, because other things are more important to me. I do not screw myself into a stupor regularly because I don't have that kind of energy. I do not feast on Ben & Jerry痴...well enough about that, you get the point. The basis of my moderation is still, ultimately, hedonistic, I am still doing exactly what I please. I am still doing exactly what pleases me.
(2002) I may have been a bit immoderate in my assessment of Moderation. A few years of being the Resident Director in undergraduate housing located on fraternity row has provided me with a perspective that my own college days in an academically viscous, relatively small, conservative woman's college did not. Moderation, not allowing one's appetites to control one's actions. I strive to temper my desires (mostly for naps these days) with Wisdom.
Fertility
American Heritage Dictionary:
- The condition, quality, or degree of being fertile.
- The birthrate of a population.
In line with this notion of fertility--the sustenance of life--it is a dogma of my own that it is a moral imperative to offer something to the world. I suppose my fertility is the fertility of an educator. I teach and create new ways to teach that can reach even the most callous and bored child. I develop programs that make learning fun for children and adults.
Spiritually, I have grown a Grove and that grove now offers a spiritual community in a place where there wasn稚 one before.
(2007):
We have discussed Fertility in our Grove often as many of us are disquieted by the word in many of the same ways. Standing many years at a distance from when GOSH began ,I now have the advantage of looking back to see how the Grove grew and flourished where few Pagan groups bloom. We have performed rituals for increased fertility; often the ritual was performed merely because that was what was expected of us for a particular high day or because our agricultural ancestors performed some similar ritual. Perhaps there is something to these rituals. The other pagan group in town, if it may even be called a group, does not perform regular ritual. More often than not the priestess cancels due to ill health. Perhaps the rituals we perform DO increase the success of our crop, if a spiritual community may be a considered a crop. We perform fertility rituals and we thrive. Others fail to observe such traditions, and they wither.
(2008)
Stupid symbolic fertility rites! Now I'm pregnant. Just as I was embracing the notion of intellectual and tribal fertility, fertility of the spirit, I get bound up in physical fertility. I am an advocate for Moderation of Fertility. While my daughter is a magic baby I am lucky to know, more children would be a dreadful mistake. As I am grateful for our bountiful mulberry crop; the mulberry trees are coming up everywhere and choking out other useful plants. Our Grove Bard has good idea after good idea, however her effectiveness is severely hindered by not being able to focus on one thing at a time.