Week 19: The Dedicant Oath (first thoughts)

What is the Dedicant Oath? How does it work? What does it mean? Why do we require on for our Dedicants?

"This oath is a proclamation to the inner self that you are on the path. It builds a deeper connection between your spirit, the hallows of your shrine, and the cosmic order. IT works to open a gate of the spirits of your heart, and sends a call to those who might aid your work." -Our Own Druidry. ADF

Although this oath is the last step on the Dedicant Path, it is the crown on the first stage of our Druidic work. It shows we understand the basic workings of Our Own Druidry through ADF. It is the oath one takes when they are certain they want to walk the pagan way; when they want to know nature and the Earth as sources of deep spiritual wisdom. 

My thoughts on the Dedicant oath is that Its all about confidence in spiritual direction. At this time I have no doubt that by the end of the Dedicant Path that I will feel genuinely confident with what I have learned, what I have explored, and the relationships I have created and continue to nurture.

I especially loved reading this in the DP through the Wheel of the Year: 

"Many people are on a dual path. They may be Wiccan and Druid, Druid and Discordian, or ADF and OBOD Druid. This is fine. The Dedicant Oath does NOT necessarily mean that you are choosing one over the other, but that Druidry is at least as important as your other path, if not moreso." 

THIS. 
This is 100% why I can be on board with ADF. I am encouraged to learn and explore and not give up my other interests to be an ADF Druid. When I read this I nearly cried. The amount of times I have been involved with a pagan group and been told "your doing it wrong, this is OUR way" put me off from any form of structured religion but ADF has always kept the door open for individual interpretation. My Dedicant Assignments must fit within the confines of ADF expectations but I am 100% allowed to have other interests outside of ADF alone. That makes me happy. This process makes me happy. My local grove and the emphasis on personal and spiritual growth makes me happy. 

I look forward to my Dedicant oath with excitement at this time. I consider myself lucky to be so solidly involved with a grove that is expanding and growing as it gives me more perspective than I believe many others might get. It helps give me the confidence and drive to follow my paths. I know that when I am finished with my Dedicant path and it is time for me to focus on the Dedicant Oath that it will be out of celebration and genuine confidence that this is exactly who I am, and who I plan to be from this point forward.