I have chosen to undertake the ADF Dedicant Program because I yearn for a deeper knowledge, understanding and connections in my spiritual life. I have been a pagan for years and have explored many paths and traditions, but without the structure of a "formal" group with direction and purpose I have hit a wall where I feel I am merely recycling the same "Wicca 101" over and over. I need to grow, and the pagan "pot" in which I am planted has become too small for me.
The path of Druidry resonates with me strongly for several reasons: my ancestral background, my love of learning and scholarship, my polytheistic beliefs, and (not least) an unmistakable feeling in my heart that this is the path for me. I believe ADF Druidry is a spiritual road that I can walk for the rest of my life. The Dedicant Program is the first step on that road.
I expect to learn a more thorough and complete spiritual practice than I have worked with before now. I expect to take my meditation and trance skills to a new level. I expect to learn a much more historically accurate representation of the spiritual beliefs and customs of my ancestors. I expect to learn a deeper awareness of Nature around me. Finally, I expect to gain a much deeper awareness of and connection with the Gods and the Spirits.
On this Journey I would like to be challenged and tested, and to never come to the end of learning. I want to pursue as many other ADF programs as I can fit into my head without bursting, and I am setting my sights on the Clergy Training Program. I want to become a valuable asset, not only to my local Pagan community, but to the community at large - and, of course, to ADF as well.
I have chosen to begin the DP immediately because, frankly, I am getting older. Realistically, I have left more years behind me in this life than I have ahead of me, and I have no more time to sit on my heels. I have work to do, and I am anxious to get started. The program looks like quite a challenge, especially the minutiae of writing and documenting every step I take. Some requirements (such as the knowledge of the Holy Days, the creation of the Hearth-Shrine, and learning ritual) seem easier, as my pagan background already gives me a familiarity with them, and I can adapt what I already know with simple modifications.
I have no doubts that I am on the correct path. My only concern is that of balancing this work with my mundane life, but I am sure that is merely part of the learning process as well. My initial questions have all been answered by useful writings and helpful people, but as I continue to learn I am sure that the number of my questions will grow exponentially!