BASELINE TRAINING

Baseline training is required prior to enrolment in the ADF Clergy Training Program. These courses are designed to offer a deeper knowledge of ADF ritual and Indo-European myth and culture that is foundational to Our Druidry. During the time you are working on this coursework, you are expected to continue the Work of the ADF Dedicant.

ADF Structure, Customs and Policies

Law and the Church

Indo-European Studies 1

  • Describe several of the factors that define culture as Indo-European and how those defining factors are useful in understanding that culture. (minimum of 300 words)

  • George Dumezil's theory of tripartition has been central to many modern approaches to Indo-European studies. Outline Dumezil's three social functions in general, and as they appear in one particular Indo-European society. Offer your opinion as to whether you believe Dumezil's claim that tripartition is central to IE cultures. (minimum of 300 words)

  • Choose one Indo-European culture and describe briefly the influences that have shaped it and distinguish it from other Indo-European derived cultures. Examples include migration, contact with other cultures, changes in religion, language, and political factors. Is there any sense in which this culture can be said to have stopped being an Indo-European culture? (minimum 300 words)

  • Choose one other Indo-European culture and compare and contrast it to the culture discussed in question 3 above with respect to each culture's Indo-European nature. (minimum 300 words)

  • From its beginnings, ADF has defined itself in relation to Indo-European pagan traditions. What relevance do you think historical and reconstructed IE traditions from the past have in constructing or reconstructing a Pagan spirituality for the present and future? (minimum 600 words)

Indo-European Myth 1

  • List and discuss the major primary sources for the mythology of three Indo-European cultures, including their dates of origin and authorship (if known). Discuss any important factors that may cause problems in interpreting these sources, such as the existence of multiple revisions, or the presence of Christian or other outside influences in surviving texts. (minimum 300 words)

  • Summarize, then compare and contrast the myths of at least two Indo-European cultures with respect to the following topics (you need not use the same two cultures as a basis of comparison for each topic): (minimum 300 words for each)

    • tales of creation

    • tales of divine war

    • tales which describe the fate of the dead

  • Explain how each of the following elements of ADF ritual does or does not resonate with elements of two different Indo-European cultures (you need not use the same two cultures as a basis of comparison for each element): (minimum 100 words for each)

    • Earth Mother

    • Deities of Land

    • Deities of Sea

    • Deities of Sky

    • Outsiders

    • Nature Spirits

    • Ancestors

  • Discuss how the following seven elements of ADF's cosmology are (or are not) reflected in the myths of two different Indo-European cultures. For this question, please use the same two cultures as a basis of comparison for the entire question. (minimum 100 words each)

    • Upperworld

    • Middleworld

    • Divisions Of Middleworld (e.g., 4 Quarters, 3 Triads, 8 Sections)

    • Nether/Underworld

    • Fire

    • Well

    • Tree

  • To what extent do you think we can offer conjectures about Indo-European myths in general? Are the common themes strong enough that the myths seem like variations? Or are the differences so powerful that the themes are less important than the cultural variations? (minimum 300 words)

Cosmology 1

  • Describe the generation of the cosmos, and what is done in ADF ritual to ensure that the cosmos remains in order. (300 words min.)

  • Describe the physical items that exemplify the sacred center in ADF ritual, and how each constituent part reflects the vision of an ordered cosmos. (300 words min.)

  • Explain the divisions of the cosmos in ADF ritual, and why the cosmos is divided in this way. (300 words min.)

  • Explain why the fire is an essential element of ADF ritual, and what relation it has to the sacrifice. (150 words min.)

  • Describe the purpose and function of the Gatekeeper in ADF ritual. Explain also who or what makes a good Gatekeeper, along with why they do, with at least two examples of mythological figures that could fill the role of a Gatekeeper and give an explanation of why they can. (300 words min.)

  • Describe the relationship between earth and sky in ADF ritual. (125 words min.)

  • Summarize each of the five contexts of sacrifice in Rev. Thomas' "The Nature of Sacrifice" paper in your own words. Explain the effect of sacrifice on the cosmos and on the participants. (100 words min. for each context, 150 words min. for effect.)

  • What does it mean to be "purified" in ADF ritual? Why is purification important? What must be purified, and who may do the purification? (150 words min.)

  • In many rituals we call for the blessings of the Kindreds. Where do these blessings come from, how are they provided to the folk, and why are we entitled to them? (200 words min.)

Liturgy 1