I completed ADF's Dedicant Path back in June 2025. The next step was the Initiates Path, and then finally the Clergy Path--the path that I became a paid member back in July of 2023 for. The program that I jumped into the DP on my first day for. The path that helped me pass the DP.
After I completed the DP, I began looking into the IP, and I wasn't looking forward to it. The DP was a struggle because it was basically 101 stuff which is so boring to me (unless it's new--I still have a lot to learn). I've been an experiential eclectic pagan and witch since I was 8-10 years ago. Most of the resources out there are 100-101 materials. Sometimes I'll look forward to a book just to be disappointed because it's all the same 101 stuff, with some slight differences in cultures, languages, and such. Same old same old, pretty much. It's boring. (We need more advanced materials, publishers!!!!)
I struggled through the DP because it's introductory stuff mostly aim at new pagans. Makes sense. Wasn't as easy as I thought it would be. I ended up standing in my own way a lot. I was frustrated because I knew a lot of the material and yet every time I sat down, I got writers block. SUCKED! Also didn't help that my mom died in October 2023, so I was dealing with that grief and the drama that came with her suicide.
Eventually I got through it. I had a moment on May 30, 2025 where a flip was switched and I wrote a bunch of essays within two weeks and turned them all in.
But looking at the IP, it was a mixed batch of stuff I was already familiar with and stuff that was new and daunting at the time. I decided to take a few months off. I had just passed the DP, lets celebrate that and just chill. Figure out my next move. Did I still want to be an ADF Clergy member?
I rested and explored--reflections, reading about other pagan priest experiences outside of ADF, former ADF Priests and why they left, current ADF clergy and why they've stayed, research, and soul searching. During the DP, I had some issues with ADF, too--like how they claimed to be against hate and yet some of their programs required/recommended you to read known neo-nazi's books (such as Stephen Flowers/Edred Thorson), and not tell you who they are. I almost left ADF, until the new Archdruid (Jan Avende) was elected, and I heard that they're making changes to the booklists.
I was an independant Priestess and already really good at being a bridge and working with the Gods and Spirits within my own family, friends, and clients. I was getting better and better with my psychic and oracle work, too. Although I've been kind of hitting a wall over the last year or so. Asking myself whether or not I wanted to keep doing psychic stuff for the fairs and expos. Did I want to work in the death field as a Doula, a Funeral Officiant, or just working in a funeral home? Or somewhere else in the death field? I've been doing a lot of reflection, research, and job searches in that field over the last two years.
Going back and forth with the clergy thing, too. Stay with ADF or save up for Cherry Hill Pagan Seminary or try to find another general pagan group?
Just like the death field, I'm being called to the clergy field, too, and it's strong! Everything keeps pointing me back to ADF. Why fight it?
Last week I was talking to a fellow Druid about the Clergy Path, and she told me that I didn't have to take the IP before the CP.
Yall, I was so thrilled. So relieved.
We both looked into it and confirmed it. I looked into the courses and workload, and I was excited. Mostly new stuff. Knowledge and training that I've been craving and working towards since July 2023! Honestly even before I joined ADF. I oathed myself to my Kindreds in January of 2022, becoming a Priestess--I knew the sacredotal stuff, but I wanted more training and education with the pastoral stuff. I wanted to be ethical and efficient. I took workshops, independent studies, and I searched for courses. Actual courses, not watch some quick videos for $100 with no human interaction or pay $25 for ordination to become a High Priestess/Reverend BS. Actual courses with real people, real ethical legal knowledge, and real research. Before you can get into the First Circle of ADF Clergy Training Program, you have to take a Pre-CTP baseline course, and the first big chunk is about the legal stuff--ADF's laws, your state, nation laws, and so on. I haven't got too deep just yet, but I love that. The ADF Council also does background checks before you can actually be ordained. That's awesome and so responsible. Even more love.
On Thursday, while I was reading Tending Bridget's Flame by Lunaea Weatherstone, I kept feeling Frigg hovering around me. I took out my pendulum and asked. She told me to use the Seasons of the Witch: Yule Oracle. I drew Offerings and Light.
"Put forth the work, Druid! Something good is coming!"
Basically Frigg's message was to waste no time, email the person in charge of the program! Also it was the first time that any of my Kindred called me a Druid. I have a post-it taped to my monitor, as a positive affirmation/reminder of who and what I am. The last written thing was "Druid"...except during one of my possessions Someone had ripped just that word off. I think this was during the time that Freyja used some divine reverse psychology on me and said that I wasn't going to finish the DP.
Yesterday I got in contact with someone and I'm enrolled, baby! I'm super duper excited. I've been working on gathering the reading materials and organizing my folders and what not. The program can take about 12 weeks or more to complete. I'm really hoping that I can complete the baseline course within 3 months. Annnd that I'm accepted into the First Circle of the training program afterwards. First things first, I'm staying present and being patient.
But I'm also pumped, let's go!!!!
Thank yall for your support!
Face to the Sun.
Trust in Joy.
Follow the Foxes and the Bees...
- Priestess Foxlyn