The First Oath

I decided early on that I wanted to use the Wheel of the Year as a way of working through my DP.  I usually like to do things my own way, but when I glanced through the guide it resonated quite strongly. It actually followed along fairly well with the way I wanted to go about things. At this point I was already having a lot of trouble finding and keeping a study buddy.  I let them approach me, so I was quite surprised, but so be it.

As I move things over to this journal, I am putting them in order of the guide.  For myself, as I go back through these initial tottering steps, it simply makes more sense.  This was written several weeks in.  I forgot to date it, so I can't say exactly when.  I only know it was probably a month and a half to two months in the program, even though this was actually the second week in the guide.

It is difficult for me to make oaths.  I take them quite seriously.  A previous organization I was  a part of made us take oaths at different stages in our studies and they pushed very heavily for us to make them to their group.  I have issue with that.  After all, a person may get going in a program of study and discover that it is simply not for them.  In my case, once I got higher up I discovered they had beliefs and practices that seriously violated my code of ethics.  So I left.  If I hadn't fund a way to slip by and make my oath to the Gods instead of their church I would have been in serious trouble!

As a result, I kept postponing this section. I don't feel bad about it in the least.  After all, this is something that should be taken seriously!  Then, one not so special day, I sat down to reread what I had written so far about my short journey with the ADF to make absolutely sure this was the right path for me. The following journal entry was the result.

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I realize I still have not completed my first oath.  That was several weeks ago, but I find this is too important to undertake lightly.  I am taking the time to get into the studies and really think about it. There is so much I want to say, yet I can't quite put it all into words. I am doing a lot of reading and thinking.

I can say this -
I want to live my life in a better way.
I want to live more authentic to who I am.
I want to live a life that better honors the Gods, the Ancestors, and all others who guide me and help to preserve the natural world

Here I will rework the example given:
"I, Jennifer, declare myself to be a Pagan, a seeker of the Old Ways, a worshiper of the Elder Gods.
With this holy oath I set my foot upon the path, the Druid's Way, and I vow to make my dedication plain.
I vow to seek virtue in my life, to do right by my kin, my friends and my community, I vow to make my Paganism real, by keeping the rites and works that call to me.
I vow to deepen my understanding of the Ways through study to fill my mind with the truth of the Elder Paths.
These things I swear to the Gods, with those gathered here as my witnesses. So be it."

I suppose this actually works as is.  I guess I just needed time to really give it thought.  This is it.  This is my oath.

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Tonight I finally completed the Oathing Ritual. Even though it has been about a month since the above entry, I had a feeling I needed to wait to complete it.  I can't give any reason other than just a "feeling".  It didn't occur to me until I was almost done that tonight is a new moon.  I look back and see I wrote the above entry after the last one.  Perhaps that is why I needed to wait.

It has been a long time since I felt the connection that I felt in this simple ritual.  I felt the tie to all that I spoke to.  I felt like I was aligning myself with the Universal energies.  I felt RIGHT.

I had thought I would always be called to my Druidcraft cards or my handmade runestones for the divination part.  Instead, I used my Wisdom of the Hidden Realms Oracle deck.  I believe the cards were quite good!

Ancestors card - The Winged Wise Ones (angelic help & miraculous aid) - I made sure to honor all my ancestors tonight.  The known blood ones by name.  the unknown blood.  The cultural blood.  The ancestors of my home.  It felt like the right thing to do and this card indicates to me that it was appreciated and I can call on them in the future knowing my voice will be heard.












Nature Spirits card - The Metal King (discipline, armor & boundaries) - I realize this could be interpreted different ways, but what immediately came to me was that the nature spirits I have worked with so often in the past are willing to help me with these aspects that I tend to have difficulty holding strong.  Discipline I generally do well with, but strong armor and healthy boundaries not so much.  I see the Spirits as ideal for these subjects, although I can't say exactly why.  All I can say is "thank you".

Deities card - The Altar Priestess (preparation, prayer & sacred ritual) -  aaahhh... What better card could I have drawn? My calling is to the priestesshood, so this card is the absolute best I could have pulled!  All I could feel at the time was confirmation that I was indeed meant for that path.  How perfect!














Right now I feel better than I have in a very long time.  I feel strong, secure and loved.  I KNOW beyond any doubt that I am exactly where I am meant to be and that my future is as clergy.  I know that I will have challenges.  My health doesn't leave much doubt in that.  However, I am learning to use the lessons tackled during a life with auto-immune issues and chronic pain to bring me closer to the Gods and to teach others how to be more spiritual.  I already am teaching Religious Education and, according to my students, doing an excellent and inspired job.  I am working to stop doubting myself.  After all, about once a month they make a point of telling me so many wonderful things they have gained from my teachings. Each time another doubt crumbles away.

I know I was steered towards the ADF for I had searched many years to find a true druidic organization I could be part of.  Whoever brought me here... THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!