On December 2nd, during the December Mother Grove Meeting, we had our newly appointed Human Services Specialist in attendance to give us a review of what the Human Services Specialist will be doing, and what we as the Mother Grove can do and need to develop to provide safe places and risk assessment within ADF. […]
Category: Clergy Program
Various articles and thoughts throughout the Clergy Program
Cosmology 1: #2
Describe the physical items that exemplify the sacred center in ADF ritual, and how each constituent part reflects the vision of an ordered cosmos. (300 words min.) The physical items that represent the sacred center are the well, the tree, and the fire. These three physical objects are representations of gateways to their respective realms […]
Cosmology 1: #6
Describe the relationship between earth and sky in ADF ritual. (125 words min.) The earth and sky can be represented in ADF lore through the Two Powers meditation, or within our cosmological structure. The earth is the land, sea and sky of the Middleworld in which we reside. The sky above is the heavens in […]
Cosmology 1: #1
Describe the generation of the cosmos, and what is done in ADF ritual to ensure that the cosmos remains in order. (300 words min.) The creation or “generation” of the cosmos is where we recreate the creation of the world, and in doing so create a sacred space for ritual. The creation of the world […]
Trance 1: #10
Create a self-hypnosis tape to put yourself in trance and go on a spirit journey and bring yourself back out. Submit a script as well as a summary of your results. (min. 200 words for the summary) My journey script: Breathe deeply, inhaling and exhaling with the rhythm of the drums. Sit comfortably, allow your […]
Trance 1: #9
Keep a journal for five months detailing the trance work that you have done. Write an essay based off those journals that examines your practice over the time you journaled. In this essay, explain how you can apply the trance work to divination, magic, and other workings you do in ritual and personally. Entries occurring […]
Trance 1: #8
Describe what happens to the body during a trance state from a physical standpoint. (min. 300 words) During a trance-like state, at least during the beginning stages of getting used to trance-work, my body was generally still, but somewhat fidgety. Since I’ve been working on adjusting my abilities to trance, I’ve noticed the subtle adjustments […]
Trance 1: Citations
“History of Hypnosis.” Healing with Hypnosis. N.p., n.d. Web. 04 Oct. 2014. <http://www.healingwithhypnosis.com/self-hypnosis-articles/history-of-hypnosis.aspx>. Hunter, C. Roy., and Charles Tebbetts. The Art of Hypnosis: Mastering Basic Techniques. Dubuque, IA: Kendall/Hunt Pub., 2000. Print. “Dionysian Mysteries.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 10 Nov. 2014. Web. 15 Oct. 2014. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dionysian_Mysteries>. “SACRIFICE, PRAYER, AND DIVINATION.” Sacred Texts. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 […]
Trance 1, #7
Using one of the three methods described in requirement 6, describe in depth a single experience you had while in the trance state from an experiential point of view (i.e. what did you feel, see, sense, etc.). (min. 300 words) One of the coolest trances I ever experienced was at our old farm, where I […]
Trance 1, #6
Identify and explain three methods of attaining a trance state. (min. 150 words per method) The number one method of attaining a trance state for me is through drumming (or rhythm). Rhythm allows you to latch onto a “heart beat” of sorts and maintain a consistent and expected state that then allows the rest of […]