June 1, 2024:
When I read these virtues, I was reminded of the 7 Pillars that I still follow from the days that I was a Hellenic Pagan. Even though I'm leaning more to Norse Paganism than Hellenic, I still follow these Pillars. They are:
Wisdom
"Good judgement, the ability to perceive people and situations correctly, deliberate about and decide on the correct response" (1).
This virtue relates to Hagneia and Sophia: avoid miasma (spiritual pollution) and pursue wisdom. When it comes to a problem, avoid drama and fighting by listening and observing. Ask questions if you're able to. Formulate the best way to work through the issue, even if the answer is to be quiet and/or walk away.
Sophrosune is also a good one for Wisdom. Self-Discipline is required to learn how to listen to understand, instead of just responding.
Piety
"Correct observances of ritual and social traditions; the maintenance of the agreements, both personal and societal, that we humans have with the Gods and Spirits. Keeping the Old Ways, through ceremony and duty" (1).
This virtue relates to Eusebeia: revere and be loyal to the Gods, although the definition of Piety is closer to this Pillar: "Nomos Arkhaios - observance of ancient tradition, (religious) law, and customs" (3), but I include it with Eusebeia. Basically, this virtue is talking about honoring the Kindreds according to the tradition that you're a part of. High Days, COoR or similar ritual scripts, as well as following the virtues of ADF to honor and celebrate our Kindred.
Vision
"The ability to broaden one's perspective to have a greater understanding of our place / role in the cosmos, relating to the past, present, and future" (1).
This virtue relates to Sophia and the pursuit of knowledge. Knowledge consists of different perspectives, does it not? And it certainly takes different perspectives to understand things. This also relates to the tarot card The Hanged Man, hanging upside down from their ankle, to contemplate and gain new understandings.
In order to grow in life and in spirituality, it's important to be open to new ideas, otherwise you'll get stuck and stunted in your personal evolution.
Courage
"The ability to act appropriately in the face of adversity." (1).
Ah, courage. Like all of these virtues, this one is made up of multiple Pillars, such as Arete (being your best self), Hagneia (avoiding miasma), and Sophrosune (self-discipline), and virtues, too. They all relate and overlap.
This virtue is about doing the right thing, even when things are scary, uncertain, or even planned. Sometimes courage is calming a situation–acting as a mediator. Sometimes courage means to push through the fear and perhaps even danger to stand up for yourself or others, or to save someone/thing from a bad situation. And to do so without expecting something in return. To do something with sincerity, and not performance. I think a lot of people are learning about the different kinds of courage and what it means for them.
Integrity
"Honor; being true to oneself and to others, involving oath-keeping, honesty, fairness, respect and self-confidence" (1).
This virtue ties into the pillar of Arete: Being your best self. Following one's ethics, principles, and morals. Keeping your promises and oaths. Treating others as you wish to be treated or just being fair and respectful because it's the right thing to do…even if your ego and emotions may want to be spiteful. Swallow the pride and be your authentic self.
Perseverance
"Drive; the motivation to pursue goals even when that pursuit becomes difficult." (1).
This one ties into the Pillar of Sophrosune: Self Discipline. I know I've been struggling with wanting to continue the Dedicant Path, and wondering if I should persevere through it, or just toss in the towel. I've decided that I'm halfway through it, and I've already put in a lot of time and effort, so I might as well try to finish it. Remember why I started the DP in the first place and keep pushing through it.
Hospitality
"Acting as both gracious host and appreciative guest, involving benevolence, friendliness, humor, and the honoring of a gift for a gift" (1).
This one relates to the Pillar of Xenia: Hospitality. In my house, hospitality means that I deep clean my home, making sure that it's orderly and smells nice. The guests know where the restroom is, where the trash cans are, and I offer drinks and/or snacks. Sometimes if needed, I may tell them our house rules, like taking off shoes, not touching altars, and leaving one's politics at the door (unless they need to talk). We treat our guests with respect, as long as respect is given in return. If not, they're shown the door.
When I'm at their home, I respect their rules. If I feel disrespected, instead of throwing a fit, I leave.
This is similar to our incorporeal guests, as well, only with obvious differences. I do have Spirit House Rules that I go over whenever I spiritually cleanse the house. I let new spirits know who's in charge of greeting and enforcing the rules. If they don't like our rules, they can leave on their own accord. If they become a problem, I am equipped to remove them.
Hospitality is about mutual respect, be your guest/host corporeal or incorporeal.
Moderation
"Cultivating one's appetites so that one is neither a slave to them nor driven to ill health (mental or physical) through excess or deficiency" (1).
The Pillar relating is Metriotes: Everything in moderation. And again, Sophrosune. This virtue is about over and under indulgence. Both can lead to burn-out and sickness, addictions and disorders. Even a stunting of growth–of Vision. Such as eating too much and becoming obese, or eating too little and becoming anorexic, for extreme cases. Self-discipline is needed, of course, to fight cravings and self-loathing, doom scrolling and hopelessness. Moderation is learning how to balance wants and needs, and to be in control of yourself, not allowing your addictions and self-hate to control you.
Fertility
"Bounty of mind, body, and spirit involves creativity and industry, an appreciation of the physical and sensual, nurturing these qualities in others" (1).
The Pillar of Arete literally says, "be your best self in body, mind, and spirit". Fertility isn't always about procreation or farming, although farming offers fantastic visuals. Fertility is about energy and inspiration, drive and passion. The difference between hopelessness and hope. The need to care for the metaphorical soil to keep it healthy, rich, and fruitful for good health and good work. Lush soil to grow deep roots for a strong foundation to withstand harsh winds and flash flooding. Plants do best in good soil, as do we.
When I read these virtues, I was reminded of the 7 Pillars that I still follow from the days that I was a Hellenic Pagan. Even though I'm leaning more to Norse Paganism than Hellenic, I still follow these Pillars. They are:
- Arete - Be your best self.
- Metriotes - Everything in Moderation.
- Hagneia - Avoid Miasma.
- Sophia - Pursuit of Wisdom.
- Sophrosune - Self Discipline.
- Xenia - Hospitality.
- Eusebeia - Revere and Be Loyal to the Gods.
Wisdom
"Good judgement, the ability to perceive people and situations correctly, deliberate about and decide on the correct response" (1).
This virtue relates to Hagneia and Sophia: avoid miasma (spiritual pollution) and pursue wisdom. When it comes to a problem, avoid drama and fighting by listening and observing. Ask questions if you're able to. Formulate the best way to work through the issue, even if the answer is to be quiet and/or walk away.
Sophrosune is also a good one for Wisdom. Self-Discipline is required to learn how to listen to understand, instead of just responding.
Piety
"Correct observances of ritual and social traditions; the maintenance of the agreements, both personal and societal, that we humans have with the Gods and Spirits. Keeping the Old Ways, through ceremony and duty" (1).
This virtue relates to Eusebeia: revere and be loyal to the Gods, although the definition of Piety is closer to this Pillar: "Nomos Arkhaios - observance of ancient tradition, (religious) law, and customs" (3), but I include it with Eusebeia. Basically, this virtue is talking about honoring the Kindreds according to the tradition that you're a part of. High Days, COoR or similar ritual scripts, as well as following the virtues of ADF to honor and celebrate our Kindred.
Vision
"The ability to broaden one's perspective to have a greater understanding of our place / role in the cosmos, relating to the past, present, and future" (1).
This virtue relates to Sophia and the pursuit of knowledge. Knowledge consists of different perspectives, does it not? And it certainly takes different perspectives to understand things. This also relates to the tarot card The Hanged Man, hanging upside down from their ankle, to contemplate and gain new understandings.
In order to grow in life and in spirituality, it's important to be open to new ideas, otherwise you'll get stuck and stunted in your personal evolution.
Courage
"The ability to act appropriately in the face of adversity." (1).
Ah, courage. Like all of these virtues, this one is made up of multiple Pillars, such as Arete (being your best self), Hagneia (avoiding miasma), and Sophrosune (self-discipline), and virtues, too. They all relate and overlap.
This virtue is about doing the right thing, even when things are scary, uncertain, or even planned. Sometimes courage is calming a situation–acting as a mediator. Sometimes courage means to push through the fear and perhaps even danger to stand up for yourself or others, or to save someone/thing from a bad situation. And to do so without expecting something in return. To do something with sincerity, and not performance. I think a lot of people are learning about the different kinds of courage and what it means for them.
Integrity
"Honor; being true to oneself and to others, involving oath-keeping, honesty, fairness, respect and self-confidence" (1).
This virtue ties into the pillar of Arete: Being your best self. Following one's ethics, principles, and morals. Keeping your promises and oaths. Treating others as you wish to be treated or just being fair and respectful because it's the right thing to do…even if your ego and emotions may want to be spiteful. Swallow the pride and be your authentic self.
Perseverance
"Drive; the motivation to pursue goals even when that pursuit becomes difficult." (1).
This one ties into the Pillar of Sophrosune: Self Discipline. I know I've been struggling with wanting to continue the Dedicant Path, and wondering if I should persevere through it, or just toss in the towel. I've decided that I'm halfway through it, and I've already put in a lot of time and effort, so I might as well try to finish it. Remember why I started the DP in the first place and keep pushing through it.
Hospitality
"Acting as both gracious host and appreciative guest, involving benevolence, friendliness, humor, and the honoring of a gift for a gift" (1).
This one relates to the Pillar of Xenia: Hospitality. In my house, hospitality means that I deep clean my home, making sure that it's orderly and smells nice. The guests know where the restroom is, where the trash cans are, and I offer drinks and/or snacks. Sometimes if needed, I may tell them our house rules, like taking off shoes, not touching altars, and leaving one's politics at the door (unless they need to talk). We treat our guests with respect, as long as respect is given in return. If not, they're shown the door.
When I'm at their home, I respect their rules. If I feel disrespected, instead of throwing a fit, I leave.
This is similar to our incorporeal guests, as well, only with obvious differences. I do have Spirit House Rules that I go over whenever I spiritually cleanse the house. I let new spirits know who's in charge of greeting and enforcing the rules. If they don't like our rules, they can leave on their own accord. If they become a problem, I am equipped to remove them.
Hospitality is about mutual respect, be your guest/host corporeal or incorporeal.
Moderation
"Cultivating one's appetites so that one is neither a slave to them nor driven to ill health (mental or physical) through excess or deficiency" (1).
The Pillar relating is Metriotes: Everything in moderation. And again, Sophrosune. This virtue is about over and under indulgence. Both can lead to burn-out and sickness, addictions and disorders. Even a stunting of growth–of Vision. Such as eating too much and becoming obese, or eating too little and becoming anorexic, for extreme cases. Self-discipline is needed, of course, to fight cravings and self-loathing, doom scrolling and hopelessness. Moderation is learning how to balance wants and needs, and to be in control of yourself, not allowing your addictions and self-hate to control you.
Fertility
"Bounty of mind, body, and spirit involves creativity and industry, an appreciation of the physical and sensual, nurturing these qualities in others" (1).
The Pillar of Arete literally says, "be your best self in body, mind, and spirit". Fertility isn't always about procreation or farming, although farming offers fantastic visuals. Fertility is about energy and inspiration, drive and passion. The difference between hopelessness and hope. The need to care for the metaphorical soil to keep it healthy, rich, and fruitful for good health and good work. Lush soil to grow deep roots for a strong foundation to withstand harsh winds and flash flooding. Plants do best in good soil, as do we.
-----------------------------------------------------
Resources
Ar nDraiocht Fein. Our Own Druidry. ADF Publishing 2009. Page 13.
Avende, Rev Jan. Blackwelder, Rev Sarah. Thomas, Rev Kirk. Wasilkowsky Malik, Rev Lisa. The Hearth Keepers Wat: An ADF Hearth Keepers Guide. 2009.
Baring the Aegis. The Pillars of Hellenismos. 7 August 2012. https://baringtheaegis.blogspot.com/2012/08/the-pillars-of-hellenismos.html
Dangler, Michael. The Fire on Our Hearth: A Devotional of Three Cranes Grove, ADF. 2010
Dangler, Michael. Song of the Flame: A Devotional Prayerbook. 2020.