​A year of devotion and Piety

*My submission for the Yule edition of my Grove's newsletter* 
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Ár nDraíocht Féin: A Druid Fellowship (ADF) lists Nine Druidic virtues that resonate within those of us who are walking the Druidic Dedicant path and for those looking deeper into our own spirituality.
The nine virtues are:

• Wisdom
• Piety
• Vision
• Courage
• Integrity
• Perseverance
• Hospitality
• Moderation
• Fertility

These core druidic virtues were respectfully Oathed to Freya’s Boar at our Yultide celebration recently by several members of Columbia Protogrove.  There are countless interpretations behind these nine virtues and they invoke thought that is important for any spiritual path.
The Virtue I will focus most on for this edition of Kindred Connection is that of Piety.
As defined by Ár nDraíocht Féin, Piety is “Correct observance of ritual and social traditions, the maintenance of agreements (both personal and societal) we humans have with the Gods and Spirits. Keeping the Old Ways, through ceremony and duty.
As a member of Columbia Protogrove, I took on the task this past year to devote myself to this virtue above all others. This year I became a very strong force within our grove, devoting myself to my community, my grove mates, and focusing my personal self to Deity connection and scholarly learning.
But there is one other thing I added to help display Piety; I sew.
Every single high day this year, from Imbolc to Yule, I have sewn a gown (sometimes 2 depending on the events I attended) and each one I did respectfully, allowing myself to be inspired by not only the High Day from my personal Celtic hearth culture, but by the cultures represented by my grove. The week before the high day, I engrossed myself in study, I listened to the languages and songs of these cultures and I picked patterns and/or fabrics that inspired me for that High Day. This process not only caused me to slow down and focus on delicate things, but also submerged me in an ancient process (sewing) and reflected my dedication and piety.
As the wheel has turned, I now have 8 new gowns, each one has experienced new faces in Ritual, and each one is a symbol of my Piety and devotion to my study. These gowns even became focal points of inspiration for our Grove members and community.
I have been inspired, and I hope that my devotion inspires others as well. Mixing study, with creativity and preforming and writing ritual for my local community has been my example of Piety this past year and it is a virtue worth thinking about, no matter your spiritual path.