ADF Initiate Path

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The ADF Initiate Path is a program designed to provide further training beyond the ADF Dedicant Path. It helps folks build on their knowledge and skills to have a solid liturgical practice, and has a focus on Magic, Divination, Trance, and how they intersect. It is a phenomenal training program, providing a solid academic foundation for the experimental magical, trance, divinatory, and liturgical work that Initiates are expected to engage in.

The Path to Initation

The path towards Initiation is invovled, but extremely rewarding. To become an ADF Initiate you begin by submitting an Intention Letter that outlines why you'd like to be one and how you see yourself serving in that role.

The bulk of the work as a student consists of 12 courses organized by topic, plus a final capstone course. After having completed all of those you proceed to the Trials of Initiation. The courses are organized in the order of suggested completion, in order to best prepare the student as they become a Candidate for Initiation.

This final step towards Initiation is conducted by three current initiates. You get to choose who your initiators are, and they judge the trials and determine if you pass from Candidate to Initiate.

The trials consist of three tests: The Oral Defense, The Ritual Skills, and the Ordeal. The first two of these are open to whoever would like to attend them, and can be discussed with those not part of the Initiate Current. The Ordeal may only be attended by current Initiates, and may not be discussed outside of those who are not part of the Initiate Current.

Initiate Courses are available in Google Classrooms

After your Intention Letter has been submitted and you've been approved as an Initiate Path student, you may begin working on and submitting courses. To access the online version of these courses, please email the IP Preceptor to see if the course you'd like to enroll in is available online yet (we're slowly adding them), and to get the course join code.

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Liturgical Work

This course will prepare the student for part of the Initiatory Tests by informing how they perform ritual and why.

Liturgy Practicum 1

This course will prepare the student for part of the Initiatory Tests by giving the student practice performing and reflecting on their ritual. It is designed to document the student’s process towards developing a regular devotional practice, to write down the prayers used in devotionals, and to show the growth of their practice and the way their prayers and devotions may change over time. It is strongly recommended that this course be taken concurrently with “Initiate Liturgical Writing & Bardry.”

Liturgical Writing & Bardry 1

This course is designed to provide the skills necessary to compose and analyze bardic works and then support the student in writing their own. It will prepare the student for the ritual portion of the Initiatory Tests, as well as the work of an Initiate.

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Mythology

Hearth Culture Study 1

This course will prepare the student for their work as an Initiate by exploring the specifics of their primary hearth culture and options for practicing it as informed by both broad Indo-European research and current ADF practices.

Indo-European Mythology 1

This course will prepare the student for their work as an Initiate by examining the myths both within their primary hearth culture as well across Indo-European cultures. The student will also reflect on how mythology affects their personal practice, and how it can be applied to ADF ritual structure.

wooden tiles inscribed with runes are scattered across some sheets of paper

Divination

Divination 1

This course will prepare the student for being an Initiate by giving them basic instruction in divinatory work, as well as an introduction to doing divination for ritual and others.

Divination 2

This course will prepare the student for being an Initiate by building on the skills learned in Divination 1. The student will get practice at doing in depth readings for others as well as developing a relationship with their chosen symbol set to aid in divinatory work.

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Magic

History of Magic 1

This course will prepare the student for being an Initiate by giving them a background in where the magic we practice in ADF comes from, and how other systems of magic may inform their own magical practice.

Magical Theory & Techniques 1

This course will prepare the student for being an Initiate by having them learn about and experiment with various magical methods and intents.

Magical Practice 1

This course will prepare the student for being an Initiate by having them develop a practice for doing magical work, and get them comfortable performing magical work on a regular basis.

an ADF priest wearing their stole gazes at a fire. they are in the dark lit only by the light from the fire.

Trance

Trance 1

This course will prepare the student for part of the Initiatory Tests by giving them basic instruction in trance work.

Trance 2

This course will prepare the student for part of the Initiatory Tests and the work of an Initiate by deepening their experience with trancework.

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Additional Resources

Initiate Capstone

This course is designed to provide the student a chance to review and reflect on the coursework and their practice in the Initiate Path, as well as ensure they are prepared for the Three Tests of Initiation (the Oral Defense, the Ritual, and the Ordeal).