Mastering Magick

 

Another great book by Mat that is very approachable and great for beginners or advanced users alike. The magickal theory and exercises Mat presents helps build, develop, and expand your natural abilities.
#matauryn #pyshicwitchseries #witchsky #pagansky #druidsky

Mastering Magick

Sun Rise Greeting

 As the Sun rises refreshed and renewed, as do I rise into the new day. Lord Helios, Shine your light upon me and illuminate my path as I set foot into the day.

A Word From The Vice ArchDruid of ADF On Inclusion

 For our US Druids, especially those who are gender diverse, I know the past few days have been a lot.  I want to assure you that ADF is a place where you are explicitly welcome.  You are valid.  You belong here. Your presence brightens our community and adds vibrance to our practice.  

Our system of practice and belief is centered around *ghosti.  Hospitality.  Building reciprocal relationships.  We welcome all those of good will into our spaces, and expect those we welcome to abide by the social contract of good will.  Our community will not tolerate hate speech or a debate regarding whether or not someone’s identity and existence is valid.  Our cis allies need to step up in this regard, and call out this behavior when you see it, so that appropriate action can be taken.  

Gender diverse members (trans, nonbinary, genderfluid, intersex, and beyond), please know that I am also processing this, but will make time to talk with you.  Please reach out if you need to.  Cis allies, if you need help processing this, I encourage you to reach out as well, though please be aware that I will refer you to another ally who can manage the emotional labor better than me at the moment.

~ Rev. Jan Avende (they/them), Vice ArchDruid

Star Dust and Gods

The gods are not separate from all of creation but a part of it. Most Indo-European religions hold that the gods and the universe were born from the sacfice of a primordial being, often a set of Twins. The gods are a part of us just as we are made of star dust.

Return After A Long Hiatus

After a rather long hiatus I have returned to being a more public facing ADF Druid Priest. I have been spending time working on my personal practice and writing a book about the evolution of a public practitioner to a contemplative Temple Keeping role.

The Temple Keeper role is one that keeps up the the sacred space as well as being one who lives a daily  contemplative life. While it is not for everyone, I do belive there is a place for this practice within a modern Pagan context. And while I am a Hellenic Druid, the practice I have developed for myself is not a Hellenic reconstruction. Much of my work is based on research done on the domestic cult practices within the Hellenic culture. There was a huge difference between public practice and household practice within the Greek states. It is this more domestic cult that I have been drawn to.

Much like monotheistic contemplative practices, mine is about keeping the Office of Hours, or Liturgy of Hours. For me, the Liturgy of Hours centers on the three meals of the day, from the rising to the setting of the sun, and meditations/prayers along with the study of mythologies and ancient Hellenic religious practices.

So a lot of what will be coming to my blog will be focused on this new aspect of my life. I hope you will take the journey with me and perhaps find some meaning in it as I have.