9 Virtues: Fertility

In general, I’m not as smart as most ADF folks. I’m not an intellectual or a philosopher; I’m not even a liturgist. I’ve always thought of myself as a “hands-on” pagan, meaning I like to learn skills and history, rather than theories. It reads in the “Idiots Guide to Paganism” that “some pagans consider the pagan path a way of life instead of a religion”, which is precisely how I view my part in the web of ADF. And though I often find myself under the impression that the “intellectual” pagans are more important and special in ADF, I think both should be considered “fertile.”
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9 Virtues: Moderation

I’ve been sitting here trying to think of any issues I’ve had in my life with moderation. Besides diet (and who doesn’t), there really isn’t anything specific that I’ve dealt with when it comes to moderation. As odd as some people seem to react to it, I’ve never smoked a cigarette or even seen an illegal drug. Alcohol consumption is mild, and I have no addictions to anything (except checking e-mail, perhaps?).
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9 Virtues: Hospitality

Our chief liturgist, Caryn, amuses me. She has a handful with her two boys, one of which is currently still living with her. As such, when he has friends over to stay the night, she takes this opportunity from the perspective that only Caryn can. She tells her son’s friends that “..it is customary of the old ways that, now since I have provided you the hospitality and a shelter to sleep, that in return, you provide me with a gift in return..” This of course leads to her having her lawn mowed, or a garden weeded, and any other tasks around the house that are perfect for young male labor.
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9 Virtues: Perseverance

I originally wrote this essay after much struggle, and after showing it to a DP mentor, had to scrap it completely. That alone showed me that perhaps my view of Perseverance is slightly skewed or confused.

Perseverance is the ability to overcome and pass through obstacles. That’s a simplified definition of it. While trying to relate perseverance to my own personal story, there is very little that doesn’t also relate to the virtue of courage. It seems I often relate the two virtues very closely, which could cause some confusion.

I mentioned in my previous essay that I didn’t have any inherit tales of perseverance. I feel strongly that living a good life takes perseverance all on its own, especially in this day and age. When every other virtue is stripped away from you, I think perseverance is one that you can still hold onto no matter what. You can crawl through whatever situations that continue to bombard you, and come out a better person for it.

(Word Count: 167)

9 Virtues: Integrity

Integrity covers so many different things, I think people get caught up in the moralistic portion of it. And while morals are a big part of integrity, they certainly aren’t the whole of what integrity should be about.
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