I submitted my Initiates Path Intention Letter a few weeks ago, and it has passed from “discussion” into “voting” at this point. I’m trying to take this waiting in stride (though it was hard to have my DP go through review again, this time to see if my work was deemed adequate for the greater work of the Initiate’s Path). There is a chance I could be denied entry into the program, but I’m trying not to think about that too much.
Over the last few weeks I’ve done a lot of thinking about what kinds of things I want to get out of the IP going forward, about what my expectations are going in. It’s hard, since I have to define my own level of service to the ADF community, but I think I’d like to be part of the web-presence of ADF (since I’m primarily solitary) and possibly work as a mentor for Dedicants as well.
I have also done a lot of book buying, purchasing Anglo-Saxon texts and reference material, with the goal of completing my Indo-European Language course before I start any of the other courses. There isn’t currently an ADF approved list for using Anglo-Saxon for the IP, but since it’s an accepted ADF Hearth Culture, I guess I’m going to forge new ground in that regard.
As well, my good pagan friend here (who is of the Vanatru persuasion, which would probably be where I’d end up without ADF) has joined up with ADF and will be starting on his Dedicant Path work, which is exciting. We’ll be able to support each other as we go through these classes and challenges.
If I’m quite frank, the Trance I and Trance II requirements of the IP are quite terrifying for me. Meditation I can do, but trance work has always been beyond me. I know part of the process is learning to do it, and learning different methods and what works for you for achieving trance states. As practice for that requirement, I’ve re-upped my Mental Grove practice, and am beginning to build around that hallows towards the outer edges of the low-hanging tree branches, placing doors and arches and entryways into a mist-filled beyond that space.
IE Language will be hopefully fun (I love languages) and allow me to start using Anglo-Saxon phrases in my rituals, a goal I’ve had for awhile. I’m also going to use the Wheel of the Year format followed by Cranberry Protogrove, since it works well, and will honor the biggest patron of my path (Ing Frea) as part of the high days in Autumn. I like the balance it provides, and intend to use this next year’s ritual observances to really get to know these new aspects of the Gods. (I am especially interested in getting to know Frige – she strikes me as a fairly differently aspected Goddess as either Freyja or Frigg, and I’d like to work with her and see if she has guidance for me in the part of my life where I’m responsible for a home).
What purpose this blog will serve in my further studies I don’t yet know. I’ll be posting my Initiates Intention Letter for sure, but I don’t know if I’ll post all of my coursework – but perhaps just reflections on it as I’m progressing. I don’t expect to move through the IP particularly quickly, as it’s much more in-depth and requires a lot more reading and study than did the DP. Plus there’s a good bit more work that I don’t know I’ll be okay talking about until it’s been well past (namely the Magic 1 and Magic 2 work). Some of the classes are extremely scholarly, and I’m already collecting those books as I can find them at my local used bookstore. My “to read” pile is growing at an astounding rate.
It feels good, again, to be (hopefully) starting on this new journey around Samhain – regardless of how long it takes me, I think I will want to finish my studies (and hopefully be accepted as an Initiation candidate) in the fall. It always feels like a time of beginnings and endings to me.
Little Druid on the Prairie 
Lauren, did you get an email saying you had passed into the voting stage? Just curious.
Also, I have heard from MJD and others that if you are denied, concrete suggestions for revamping your DP and your intention letter are given, so you can try again. The only thing that I’m pretty sure you can’t try again is the actual initiation ritual (I have a friend who is an Initiate).
Oh, and forgive my ignorance, but who is Ing Frea? I don’t know much about the Anglo-Saxon pantheon, honestly, so this is a new one for me. 🙂
Blessings,
Victoria
I did get an email saying that my IP intention process had moved from the review stage into the voting stage. I didn’t receive any communication while it was in the review stage though.
As for what I can tell from the website, I think you can be allowed to attempt initiation more than once, just not right away, and with additional work – it’s not the same as the CTP where they tell you exactly what to change, but the website page about Initiation seems to suggest that you can try again if you fail, so long as you continue to work on what your shortcomings are. I could be wrong, but it seems unusual in ADF for them not to allow you to reflect, rework, and retry something as big as an initiation, which is simply Pass Fail with no grey area.
From the ADF website: https://www.adf.org/members/training/ip/ip-ctp-differences.html
“It is important to note that Yes, you can fail Initiation. It is possible to complete all the book work in the IP, but to not become an ADF Initiate. Unlike the process of becoming clergy, where you are told specifically where to improve yourself in order to be voted in if you do not pass, a Candidate may not always receive such direction from his or her initiators: there is a point in the Initiation where the Candidate must pass or fail on his or her own, and at times only the Candidate will know why. Still, the initiators will work with any Candidate who fails Initiation, and will try and help prepare the Candidate when they are ready to undertake these tests again.”
Ing Frea is the Anglo-Saxon God known as Freyr in most of the Norse myths. “Freyr” is actually a title meaning “Lord” and he is named “Ingvi” or “Yngvi” in his guise as one of the progenitors of kings in a couple of places. “Ing Frea” literally means “Lord Ing”. Frige is the only attested Goddess (the attested pantheon is quite small) and seems to have aspects of both the Norse Freyja and Frigga, though Freyja’s necklace Brisigngamen shows up in Beowulf, so she obviously had some following there (often attested as the name “Freo” which is the Anglo-Saxon translation of her Norse name (which means “Lady”))
Thank you for the reply. I guess I didn’t realize you can attempt Initiation again! The information on Ing Frea is interesting. Thanks for sharing. 🙂