Cross-posted at A Druid’s Journey.

In the past, I would have decided before embarking on a course of study which Gods I would walk with. I spent a great deal of time working with the Irish and Greek pantheons this way, dabbling occasionally in non-Irish Celtic mythology as well. This time I’m doing it differently.

There was a pre-camp exercise once that lines up with one put forth by Ár nDraíocht Féin – I can’t remember now if I heard it on the Tribeways podcast or read it in the book. At any rate, the basic concept is to open myself and my hearth and see who comes… rather than forcing it. And I think that’s what I’m going to do. The camp exercise called for putting up a basic altar with a white altar cloth. Representations of each element are there – and in this way I can tailor it to ADF teachings – and then a simple daily devotional follows. There’s one in the dedicant manual that I could use, as well as some specific trancework to find my hearth deities. Additionally, and this is where the Reclaiming influence comes in, I’ll be watching my waking world for signs and omens.

I’ll begin this practice on the new moon. Other new moon goals include the beginning of a regular sitting/meditation practice… and I’d like to be done with the 9 Virtues essays, as well as my first holy day essay on the autumn equinox (though I may start with Samhain instead).